Le Sueur County MN Archives History - Books .....Tyrone, Ottawa, Kasota 1882 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 August 16, 2015, 2:45 am Book Title: History Of The Minnesota Valley CHAPTER LXIV. TYRONE--OTTAWA-KASOTA-WASHINGTON—CLEVELAND—SHARON-DERRYNANE-LEXINGTON. The township of Tyrone, originally called Hillsdale, occupies the north-western corner of the county, and its settlers are largely foreigners. Of the early settlers William Smith was identified as one of the most enterprising, operating a ferry across the Minnesota, near the present site of Henderson, from the year of his arrival, 1856, to 1861. The first and about the only business ever conducted in the township was by Taylor Bros, of Henderson, who ran a branch store at East Henderson for six months in the summer of 1858. The first schools were held at private residences. There are now six districts in the town, having comfortable brick or frame structures. In 1870 the German Lutherans formed a society and erected a church. There is a station called East Henderson located on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. A man named Epperson, who died in 1855, was probably the first death in the township. By the census of 1880 the town had a population of 1,042. Atwood Crosby was born in Nova Scotia in 1837. He came in 1856 to Minnesota, and settled subsequently on section 4, Tyrone township, where he is now engaged in farming. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, 10th Minnesota, and served three years, when he was mustered out. He participated in the many battles and skirmishes of the regiment. Was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Almich, a native of Germany. Emily J. and James H. are their children. John Downs was horn in Germany in 1835. Came to America when eight years of age and located in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, remaining there until 1873. Coming thence to Minnesota he settled in Tyrone. Mr. Downs is a member of the town board of supervisors. His marriage was with Miss Catherine Pitzen, who is a native of Prussia. Five children have been born to them: Christ., August, John, Mary and Henry. Francis J. Logan was born on the 31st of May, 1825, in Ireland. After reaching man's estate he came to America, and located first in New Hampshire, but removed to Schuyler county, Illinois, where he remained four years. In 1851 he made a trip to California, returning to Illinois in 1855. He then came to Minnesota and located in Tyrone, on section 21. He married Miss Amanda Morton, who has borne him eight children. Walker Weisel was born in Bridgeton, Pennsylvania, in 1853. When one year old he moved with his parents to Belvidere, New Jersey, and at the age of sixteen was made assistant station agent, which position he held five years. He then entered the superintendent's office at Lambertville, New Jersey, in the capacity of assistant train master and train dispatcher; remained as such three years. During the time he also edited an amateur paper. Coming to Minnesota he settled at Henderson, and for about one year served as bookkeeper for H. Poehler & Co., then went to Le Sueur as night operator in the telegraph office. Returning to Henderson he clerked for J. O'Mara until December, 1880, when he was made station agent at East Henderson. Married in 1875, Estella Andrews. Two children: Mabel L. and Isabel F. Hon. William Weyl born July 24, 1830, is a native of Prussia. In 1851 he came to America, located in Sandusky City, Ohio, but in 1855 migrated to Minnesota; after visiting St. Paul a short time came to Henderson, and in 1856 settled on his present farm in Tyrone township. In 1864 he enlisted in Company A, 11th Minnesota; was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Weyl was the choice of his party in 1879 as representative to the state legislature; has also been town treasurer five years and supervisor. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Bubenheim, who is a native of Germany. William, Henry, and Mary, are their children. OTTAWA. Ottawa, situated in the western portion of Le Sueur county, upon the east bank of the Minnesota river, dates its history back to the arrival of Antoine Young, a Frenchman, who took a claim in the southwestern portion of the present township, in 1853. Mr. Young built a saw and grist-mill on Cherry creek, which the Ottawa old settlers claim to be the first mill erected in the county. He operated this mill until the time of his removal to Yellow Medicine in 1860, where he was the first man shot at the Indian outbreak. Tim Fuller took the second claim in Ottawa, soon after the arrival of Mr. Young, he being immediately followed by Robert and William Winegar and Samuel Sanborn, the original proprietors of the town site. In 1853 Crawford & Jones surveyed and platted 140 acres, calling the town Minnewashta, the Indian for "good water." In 1856 the town was re-surveyed and the name changed to Ottawa. A. Roberts, another of the earliest settlers who arrived and took a claim in 1853 built a ferry across the Minnesota in the upper portion of the town. In 1854 Colonel Pratt, of St. Paul, purchased twelve lots for other parties, who desired to go into business. When it came to the making out of the deeds, a stipulation was inserted, providing that no one should be allowed to sell liquor of any kind. To this the purchasers objected and the sale fell through. Soon after this a man named Miless purchased one of the best corner lots for which he was to pay $500. Upon discovering the liquor stipulation in the deed he also backed out, and from that date the price of town lots has constantly decreased, until the lot for which Miless was to pay $500 can now be purchased for $10. The great rush to Ottawa during the first few years greatly elated the land owners, and one or two additions were surveyed, several large hotels built, and the town gave promise of becoming a leading place; but the far-sighted pioneers who were to form the bone and sinew, discovered the insurmountable obstructions ahead, and left for other fields. Ottawa was never incorporated as a village, the township officers having supervision. The first postmaster was appointed in 1858. Allen Lewis, who acted for several years. In 1873 Charles Needham was appointed postmaster and still holds the office. The first officer of the town who qualified was A. J. Brown, justice of the peace, in 1855. In 1856 a private school was organized and taught by Miss Prude Bacon in a small log house built on section 34, just back of the town site. There were seventeen scholars. There are now three good schools—districts 2, 3 and 12. In the village district is built a fine two-story stone building furnished with comfortable parent desks. The attendance averages seventy scholars. The first religious organization was that of the Welsh, who built a substantial edifice in the south-eastern corner of the township in 1859. In 1861 Bev. Livermore, of St. Peter, organized an Episcopal church in the village, with one communicant, the settlers generally taking hold and helping to build a neat stone house for worship. In 1859 the Methodists built a stone church near the centre of the village. In none of these churches has there been any local pastor. The first marriage which occurred was that of J. R. Gardner to Miss Emily Sanborn in 1856. In 1855 a son was born to T. M. Raney, it being the first white child born in the town. A man by the name of Phillips died in 1853 and his remains were interred in Mr. McKey's private burial ground. The Ottawa cemetery was laid out in 1857 and the first person buried was Mrs. Abigal Winegar, mother of the pioneer settlers, William and Robert. Business never developed to any great extent, although much money was spent. In the fall of 1856 McIntyre, Donnelly & Hufstott opened a general store in a board shanty which, however, was short lived, being succeeded by J. R. Gardner, who also give up in a short time. J. L. Hazzard, carried on a lucrative business for a few years. He was followed by Charles Needham who opened a store in 1860, and has, with the exception of one or two years, represented the business of the town since. In 1856 McIntyre, Donnelly & Hufstott built a steam saw-mill which did a paying business for several years. The township of Ottawa contains more open prairie than any other in the county. The business of the village now consists of one general store, kept by Charles Needham, who is also postmaster; one hardware and tin shop, one wagon shop, two smith shops, one paint shop, a flour mill and elevator. There is a good depot and freight house. The village is situated upon the line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. David Bean, farmer on section 34, Ottawa township, was born in Athens county, Ohio, in 1836. There he lived until he came to Minnesota in 1870 and settled in Le Sueur county. He purchased his present farm in 1877. By trade he is a bridge builder, and is engaged on the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad. Miss E. McGill, also of Athens county, Ohio, became his wife, and has borne him two daughters: Della and Grace. George Drew, whose native state is Vermont, was born in 1828. He came to Minnesota in 1876 and settled in Ottawa township on section 34. He has served his town as justice of the peace two years and clerk the same length of time. His wife, who was Miss Eliza Jones, a native of New Hampshire, has borne him two sons, Albert and Arthur. S. Gibbs, farmer on section 22, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1851. On attaining majority he came to Minnesota, locating in Ottawa, where he has since lived. He was united in marriage with Parthina Snodgrass, of Indiana. They are the parents of three children: John L., Jennetta J. and Harriet G. Homer E. Gibbon, teacher, was born in Marion county, West Virginia, in 1847. Removed to Ohio when but ten years of age. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 85th Ohio infantry, and served three months; re-enlisted in the 129th Ohio infantry and served until discharged in 1864. His advent into this state was in 1873; he settled soon after in Ottawa, where he is employed in teaching school. His wife, who was Rose L. Mead, is a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. L. N. Gray, blacksmith and wagon manufacturer, was born in Delaware county, Indiana, in 1856; he learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker, which he has since followed with success. He is now manufacturing the well known and reliable Gray wagon. Married Miss Harriet Smith, a native of Minnesota. They are the parents of one child, an infant. James Hayes, section foreman for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Company, was born in Troy, New York, in 1855. Came with his parents to Tyrone township, Minnesota, in 1857. He settled in Ottawa in 1877. His wife was Miss Grace Luscombe, of Michigan. They have one son, James Nicholas. William R. Jones was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, in 1851. Came to Minnesota in 1859 and settled in this county, and is now a resident of Ottawa township, on section 25. He married Miss Mary Hughes, who has borne him two children: Uriah and William R. Andrew Miller, who lives on section 14 of this town, was born in Germany in 1824. Came to America in 1840 and settled in Ohio; in 1869 removed to Minnesota, locating soon after on his farm. His wife was Miss Matilda Klauke, of Prussia. Fred., Annie, Lizzie, Mary, Minnie, Christian, Sophia, William and Ersena are their children. Charles Needham, postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1833. Came to Minnesota in 1854, and settling in Le Sueur county engaged in general merchandising. In 1865 enlisted in Company G, First Minnesota heavy artillery. Held the rank of junior second lieutenant, and was later promoted to regimental adjutant; was mustered out after a service of six months. Augusta Eldridge, native of Nova Scotia, became his wife and has borne him three children: Maland J., Artrude O., and Ambertie. T. M. Raney was born in East Tennessee in 1825. In 1855 he came to Minnesota and settled on his present farm on section 26, Ottawa township. In 1862 enlisted in Company B, First Minnesota mounted rangers, aud served one year. He married Miss Susanna Watson, a native of Indiana. Sylva O., Troy O., Minnie, Mate, Man, Edgar, Nellie, Josie, Charles E., Bessie, Leon and Blanche are their children. Louis A. Roberts, son of Anthony Roberts, of St. Louis, was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1843. When a child of two years he came to Minnesota and lived in Anoka until coming to Le Sueur county in 1853. Since then he has been a resident of this place, and is one of the earliest settlers of the county. Married Millie Jarvis, who was born in Sibley county, Minnesota. They reside on section 33. KASOTA. Kasota claims the oldest inhabitant in the Minnesota valley above Carver county, in the person of Reuben Butters, who erected the first board house in the county in the fall of 1851, locating at the present town site on section 28. Mr. Butters, in company with Geo. W. Thompson and James Lindsey, arrived on one of the small steamers then navigating the Minnesota river, bringing with them a sufficient amount of lumber to erect a one-story house. Of these old pioneers Mr. Butters is the only one remaining, Mr. Thompson having gone to Le Sueur the following spring, and Mr. Lindsey having left in 1855. The township of Kasota lies in the south-western portion of Le Sueur county, and is one-fifth larger than the other townships. There are three railroad stations in the township: East St. Peter, on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad, on the east bank of the Minnesota river, opposite St. Peter; Kasota, two miles above on the same road, and at the junction of the Winona & St. Peter road, and Caroline, at the crossing of the two railroads two miles above Kasota. East St. Peter exists merely in name, there being but three houses, an elevator and depot. A strong iron wagon bridge crosses the Minnesota river at this point, connecting with St. Peter. The village of Kasota, consisting of about one hundred houses in section 34, is about one-half mile from the union depot which serves for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha and Winona & St. Peter railroads. The life and thrift of Kasota lies in the peculiar and handsome red sandstone which has become so popular for building purposes throughout the North-west. There are now two large quarries in operation, the first having been opened in 1865 by Reuben Butters, who still owns but leases the quarry. The second is operated by a son of J. W. Babcock. Both are constantly crowded with orders, and are the source of a handsome income. Caroline is merely a railroad station two miles above Kasota, originally called Lime. It was not until 1863 that any organization was formed, the Baptists forming a society in that year with twenty members, Ezra Miller being the first and only local clergyman ever located in the town. In 1870 the Episcopalians organized with twenty members, holding services every two weeks in the second story of the school-house. The only church edifice in the township is located at Caroline, and was built by the Methodists. J. W. Babcock, one of the earliest comers, had the town site of Kasota surveyed in 1854 by Folsom, and subsequently by T. Carter. C. Schaefer opened a general store in 1854, and was followed by Reuben Butters, who still continues. There are now two stone quarries, two grist mills, one hotel, one general store, one blacksmith and one wagon shop and one saw-mill. From 1854 to the building of the St. Peter bridge J. W. Babcock operated a ferry across the Minnesota river. A post-office was established in 1854 with J. W. Babcock postmaster. The first election was held on the 11th of May, 1858, there being sixty-one votes cast. Town board—J. P. Buel; chairmen, A. Pettis, and S. W. Davis; C. A. Shaeffer clerk; T. G. Carter, assessor; H. Morrill, collector; D. Birdsell, justice. Elizabeth Hunt taught the first school in a private residence having an attendance of from fifteen to twenty scholars. This was in 1858. A substantial two story stone scbool-honse was built in 1860. The attendance now averages fifty-five scholars. There are nine district schools in the township. A stranger whose name was not known was killed by a falling embankment while excavating for the Babcock mill in the fall of 1852, being the first death on record. A short time after Mrs. Pettis, wife of A. Pettis, died and was buried at Lake Emily. Isaac Davis and Catherine Pettis were married in 1854, being the first marriage. The first white person born was Clara Babcock, daughter of J. W. and M. E. Babcock, in 1854. She died in 1861. The cemetery in section 33 on the bluff just above and back of the town was laid out in 1854, and is the principal one. There is a small cemetery at East St. Peter, and one at Caroline both of which were laid out more recently. One of the most remarkable crops ever raised in Kasota was in the summer of 1853 when R. Butters harvested 900 bushels of potatoes from five acres of land, realizing for the entire lot $2 per bushel. Everybody raised potatoes the next year, and they were a drug on the market at ten cents per bushel. In 1877 a post-office was established at Caroline, and Conrad Smith appointed postmaster, which position he still occupies, also carrying on a general mercantile business. There is a lime kiln at this place. Lake Washington post-office is in the south-western part of the town. Julius Baker was born in 1849 in Cortland county, New York. In 1855 he accompanied his parents to Minnesota and until 1861 lived in Traverse township, then removed to St. Peter. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the milling business; has worked in the mills at Minneapolis seven years, and the remaining time in St. Peter and vicinity. In company with Mr. Edson he leased the Kasota mill, which they are now operating under the firm name of Edson & Baker. In 1877 Mr. Baker married Miss Annie Johnson. They are the parents of two children. Roy is living, Minnie died at the age of two years. E. E. Boutwell was born in Montague, Franklin county, Massachusetts, in 1837. His father, Charles F. Boutwell, was a cousin to ex-Secretary Boutwell, also to the late Hon. J. P. Hale, of New Hampshire. Mr. Boutwell came to Minnesota when twenty-one, and settled on a farm in Kasota township, where he still lives. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Fourth Minnesota, and after a service of about one and one-half years returned to his farm. His marriage with Miss F. K. Moore took place in 1869. Eddie E. and Grace M. are their children. Two have died. R. Butters, one of the three first settlers of Le Sueur, was born in 1816, and is a native of Maine. At the age of twelve years he began as a clerk in a store, and continued in the mercantile business from that time until coming to Minnesota in 1851. During that year he, in company with James Lindsey and George Thompson came up the Minnesota river to where Kasota is now located. Here they settled nearly fifty miles distant from any white person, and built a small shanty in which they spent the winter of '51 and '52. In February, 1852 they erected the first house in Le Sueur, and in 1854 laid out the town site of Kasota. Mr. Butters has been engaged in farming most of his time since coming to this state. He was a member of the first state legislature and has since served his district seven terms; has been county commissioner a number of years and held several other offices of less importance. S. B. Carpenter, whose birth place was Brattleboro, Vermont, was born in 1829, and when four years old accompanied his parents to Ohio. He assisted his father, David Carpenter, who was a farmer, until reaching the age of twenty-one, then went to Worcester, Massachusetts. In the fall of 1854 he returned to Ohio, and in the spring of 1855 went to Wisconsin. There he rented a farm one season, and the following spring came to Kasota and settled on his present farm, which is on the banks of Lake Emily. At Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1854, he married Sarah Wheelock, a native of that place. They are the parents of two children: Charles W. and M. A. George E. Case was born in Manchester, Michigan, in April, 1841. He removed with his parents to Ohio when three years old, and to St. Anthony, Minnesota, in 1851. This was his home until he enlisted in 1862 in Company D, Sixth Minnesota. He was mustered in as sergeant, promoted to lieutenant, and was mustered out in 1865 as captain. He then engaged in railroad building; having a contract in Texas he went there in 1870, and in 1875 went to the mountains and to California, where he engaged in mining; returned to Minnesota in the spring of 1876, and has since devoted his time to farming and railroad building. In 1872 he bought his farm, which is situated on the banks of Lake Emily. He was elected to the state senate in the fall of 1880. Miss Katie Hunt a native of New York, became the wife of Mr. Case in 1869. The children are Mary M., Martin W. and Mabel A. Asa Cheadle, one of the pioneers of Le Sueur county was born in Ohio in 1824. He grew to manhood on a farm, receiving in the meantime a good common school education. In 1855 he came to Minnesota, locating in Cleveland township, Le Sueur county; came in 1863 to his present farm in Kasota. He has been called upon to fill all the town offices, and was county commissioner three years; in 1860 was elected to the legislature. He was married in 1846 to Miss Jemima Witham; they have six children: Sarah K., wife of Richard Peel, of St. Paul; Angeline, wife of N. M. Reed, of Kasota; Charles B., a resident of Cottonwood county; Adelaide, wife of William Moses, of Kasota; Abbie and Lucy live at home. O. E. Edson is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1842; in 1855 the family removed to Illinois where they lived until 1860. At the age of fifteen he began learning the trade of miller and has since continued it with the exception of the time spent in the army. He enlisted in 1861 in Company B, First California cavalry in which he served until 1863; was then commissioned second lieutenant of the Third California; served as such until the close of the war. He settled in Wisconsin and engaged in the pursuit of his trade until 1874; then came to Minneapolis; in 1880 he went to New Ulm and in June, 1881 he, in company with J. Baker, leased the Kasota mill, in which they are doing a thriving business. In 1868 he married Martha A. Smith. Their children are: Julia M., Edna V., and Imogine V. M. L. French, deceased, was born in New York in 1807. There he lived until 1839 then removed to Michigan and remained until 1855; came to Minnesota and located on a farm on the banks of Lake Emily. With the exception of two years spent in the mining districts of Montana he resided with his family on the farm in Kasota. Married in 1835 Louisa M. Stores, a native of New York. In 1877 Mr. French died; his widow and six children survive him. Ernest died at twenty-three years of age; Fannie is the wife of S. W. Pettis; Edmond M. resides in Mexico; Maretta died at the age of eighteen; Willard lives in Murray county, Minnesota; Enos J. lives in California; J. W. in Nevada and Arthur B. in Kasota. Nicholas Kolbert is a native of Prussia, born in 1830. After attaining majority he came to America and until 1856 resided in Iowa and Illinois. He then removed to Minnesota and soon after settled on a farm in Kasota, where he has since lived. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mary Klages, who died in 1865 leaving four children. John, Michael, Catherine, and Charlie. His second marriage was in 1871 with Miss Christina Siderstron. S. F. Holbrook was born in Windham county, Vermont in 1822 but when one year old went with his parents to New York, remaining until 1854, engaged in railroad and lumber enterprises. Removed to Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1854; was there in the hotel, livery and omnibus business, also carried the United States mails during his entire residence of twenty-four years. In 1879 he located at Kasota and built the large eating house which is generally acknowledged to be one of the best in the north-west. Mr. Holbrook married in 1846 Miss Sophia Woodworth who died in 1863, leaving two sons: D. W. and E. A. Mrs. Susan E. Britton became his second wife in 1866. She had three children: Charles, died at seventeen years of age; Lorin and Susan H. live at home. E. P. Hull is a native of London, England, born in 1828. He left his native country with his parents when seven years old and emigrated to Canada. Commenced learning the blacksmith trade which he followed until coming to Minnesota in 1855. His first home in this state was on a farm in Blue Earth county where he lived six years, then came to his present farm on section 17, Kasota township. In 1852 he married Miss Charlotte Woods. Jacob Klaseus is a native of Prussia, born in 1824. On coming to America in 1851, he settled in Troy, New York, but subsequently removed to Boston, Massachusetts, remaining until 1856; came to Minnesota and settled on section 7, Kasota township, and still resides here. Married in Boston in 1853, Miss Theressa Tower, who died. Miss Rose A Chedpun became his second wife. He has fourteen children: Joseph, Jacob, Mike, Frank, George, Beatrice, Josephine, Mary, Herman, John, Kate, Sophia, William and Leo. John P. Koenen, whose native land is Prussia, was born in 1827. In 1853 came to America and located in Illinois, but in 1856 he migrated to Minnesota and has since been a farmer on section 15 of Kasota. Married Miss Mary Miller in 1857 and is the parent of six children: Peter, Phillip, Ella, John, Frank and Annie. William Nason, Jr., was born in 1833 in Washington county, Vermont. With his parents removed to Ohio in 1849 and resided in that state until 1855. He then came to Minnesota and settled in Kasota on the farm where he now lives. His father, William Nason, Sr., came about two years later and was a member of the first board of supervisors. Miss Mariah 0. Holister and Mr. Nason were wedded in 1859 and have a family of six children, all living at home. R. L. Nason was born in Lamoille county, Vermont in 1841 and when eight years old removed to Ohio with his parents. In 1857 he, in company with his father came to Minnesota and soon after settled in Kasota where he has since resided with the exception of his service in the army. He enlisted in 1861 in the Second Minnesota and served until the close of the war, then returned to his farm. Was elected to the state legislature in 1875 and served one term. John Ofenloch was born in Germany, in 1843. In 1867 he came to America and settled in Lake county, Indiana; three years later he removed to Minnesota, and after a brief visit in St. Paul, settled in Ottawa township, LeSueur county for one year. In 1871 he came to Kasota and built a blacksmith shop in which he still does business. Married in 1873 to Miss Mary Menten. Henry, Emma and Louisa are their children. Alex Pettis was born in Vermont, in 1823, and while a child accompanied his parents to Canada, where they remained four years, then went to Ohio and in 1835 migrated to Illinois. In 1855 came to Minnesota and settled in St. Peter; bought his farm in 1857 and moved on it in 1865; three years later he returned to St. Peter, and continued living there until 1877, since that time has resided on the farm. Mr. Pettis participated in the defence of New Ulm during the Sioux outbreak of 1862. Married in 1850, to Miss Louisa Davis, who has borne him three children: Orange S., Mary A. and Cornelia M. Mr. Pettis' father was in the war of 1812, and died in Illinois in 1853. John R. Pheeney was born in Ohio in 1855, and when eight years old removed to Winona, Minnesota, with his parents. Was educated in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen entered the freight office of the Winona and St. Peter Railway Company, remaining until December, 1880; the last two years he served as cashier. He was then made station agent for the Winona and St. Peter, and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha railways at Kasota, which office he still holds. Miss Mary Morgan became his wife in 1878. They have one son, Charles A. C. Smith is a native of Switzerland, born in 1817. In 1852 he came to America. Until 1856 he lived in Illinois, then came to Minnesota, and has since been a resident of Kasota. In 1862 be went into the Indian war, and when at New Ulm, had his horse shot while riding him. In 1875 his fine set of buildings was erected, and the same year the lime kiln was built. He was appointed postmaster of Caroline post-office in 1878. Married Mary Swartz in 1860. Mary and Caroline are their children. David Street was born in Ohio, in 1841. When eighteen years of age he went to Kentucky and there engaged in the saw-mill business until 1861. He then joined the Second Kentucky regiment of infantry, in which he served during the entire war. He went to Illinois and bought a saw-mill which he ran about four years; in 1869 came to Minnesota, settled in Kasota, built a saw-mill, and still continues in the manufacture of lumber. In 1863 Miss Sarah A. Hite became the wife of Mr. Street. They have seven children. E. R. Vernon was born in England in 1830, and came to America in 1850. When a boy he went to sea; followed a sea-faring life ten years, and on coming to America, settled in California. There he gave his time and attention to mining and farming until 1859, then returned to his native country. After remaining about one and one-half years he came again to this country and has since engaged in farming in Kasota township. His wife was Miss Sarah A. Bland, married in 1859. Eight children have been born to them. A. J. Wakefield was born in Ohio, in 1828. Came to Minnesota in 1866, settled in Kasota township, near Lake Washington, and in 1871 bought his present farm. In 1874 he was appointed postmaster of Lake Washington. Was nominated representative to the state legislature in 1875; although running ahead of his ticket, he was defeated, as the district has a large democratic majority. Married in 1851, Esther Skelton, who has borne him nine children, all are living. James Warrant is a native of England, born in 1813. He lived there until attaining the age of twenty-three years, then came to America and settled first in Canada. He was a farmer in that country until 1856, then came to Minnesota and again began the life of a farmer in Kasota township, and has since resided on section 15. Married in 1832, Miss Margaret Kay. They are the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living. John Weger, native of Norway, was born in 1822. He came to America in 1850 and until 1861 lived in Wisconsin, then came to Minnesota; settled in Kasota, and in 1862 went into the army; served one year in the Minnesota mounted rangers then joined the Second Minnesota cavalry, in which be served until the close of the war. Returned to Kasota and has since been a resident here; has been town clerk for the past four years, and postmaster since 1879. He was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Kennedy in 1860; they have two sons, John B. and Charles K. WASHINGTON. Although one of the smallest of Le Sueur county townships, Washington has produced several of the more prominent county officials, and is the home of numerous energetic farmers. John L. Meagher, the present efficient judge of probate, who has held the office since 1875, was one of the first settlers of the town, taking a claim at what is now Marysburgh, on the southern boundary; being appointed postmaster in 1858 and having held the position to the present time. In 1858 P. W. Smith took a claim in the next section and from that time forward the improvement of the town has been uninterrupted. There are three good schools in a flourishing condition, being well fitted out with late improvements. Church members attend neighboring churches. The small town of Marysburgh has a post-office hotel, school and cemetery. Anselm Biehn is a native of Germany, born in 1828. He came to the United States in 1856, and after a residence of one year in Illinois, came to Minnesota in the spring of 1857. He was among the early settlers of the town and now owns a nice farm on sections 4 and 9. He married in Mankato in 1859, Miss Phillips. Anselm, Anna, Catharine, Sarah, Peter, Joseph, Lawrence, Henry and Felix are their children. Henry Biehn was born in Germany in 1826. His youth was spent in his native land and in 1854 he immigrated to Washington township where he now resides; his farm is located on section 4. He was married in Chicago in 1856 and is the father of five children, of whom four are living; Mary, Eliza, Louisa and Catharine. The only son, Henry, died. John L. Meagher was born in Cork county, Ireland, in 1826; immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts in 1848 and later removed to Maine. Came to Minnesota in 1857; settled on section 15, Washington township; has held the office of postmaster since 1858; served in the legislature in 1863 and '64; was county commissioner three years; was chosen probate judge in 1875, which office he still holds by re-election; was the first justice of the peace and is the present town clerk. June 19, 1852, in New Hampshire, he was married; Patrick W., Michael, John, Mary Antonious, James, and Mary Josephine are his living children. Five others are dead. Patrick W. Smith was born in Ireland in 1835; he came to America in 1852 and settled first in Kentucky. Coming in 1858 to Minnesota, he located on section 13, Washington township. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the first Minnesota mounted rangers and served one year; re-enlisted in the fall of 1864 in the 11th Minnesota in which he served until the close of the war. Was married in Minnesota to Mary Oakes and has had eight children, six of whom are living. Mark L. Wildes, born in 1828, is a native of Maine where he lived until 1849, when he spent two years in travel, then returned home and in 1857 came to Minnesota; resides on section 7,Washington township. In 1862 he enlisted and served one year. Mr. Wildes has held the various town offices and been county commissioner of Le Sueur county, also county superintendent. Rebecca, daughter of Captain Burke, became his wife in 1865 aud has borne him five children: William F., Hattie R., Annie L., Mark L., Samuel H. M., Sarah B., and Nettie D. CLEVELAND. Cleveland was one of the first of the interior townships to be settled. Among the most prominent of the early settlers are R. H. Everett, Mrs. L. Meeker (wife of H. Meeker, now dead) George Forsyth and J. W. Chambers who came during or prior to 1855. The next season followed Andrew Wilfert, Adam Wright, Dennis Hill and Freeman Talbot. The first business house was that of Forsyth & Agnew, it being a general store with small stock, opened in 1856. This firm was succeeded the following year by Borer & Weiss who continued but one year, Mr. Borer retiring. In 1857 the present thriving village of Cleveland was started, and from that date business enterprises increased until the village became one of the most influential in the county. During 1858 and for years afterwards there was a great rivalry between Cleveland and Le Sueur as to the location of the county seat. Cleveland having several times secured a majority of the county votes in her favor and being beaten through some informality connected with the election, at last became so incensed that a detachment of armed citizens made a partially successful effort to remove the seat by force. It was not until 1875 that Cleveland succeeded in carrying her point, and enjoyed her hard earned glory for little more than a year, Le Sueur Centre being finally settled upon as the county seat. The first death occurred in 1857; Mrs. L. Jones, who had been there but a short time, being the victim. In 1856 a son, Job, was born to Mr. and Mrs. David Lloyd; he is still living. The same year a daughter was born to William Forsyth. The first child born in the village was L. Lampman, in 1858, a son to N. B. and M. E. Lampman. Educational matters received but little attention until 1858, a school then being opened in a town hall with an attendance of upwards of fifty scholars. Rev. A. Montgomery was one of the first teachers. In 1865 a frame school-house, two stories, was erected, but gave place to a larger and finer building in 1880, with patent seats and modern improvements. There are seven other districts in the township. The Methodists in 1870 organized a society with forty nine members, and at once proceeded to erect a house of worship, with Rev. Joshua Barnard as pastor; he held the charge for three years. They were followed in 1874 by the Presbyterians, who organized a society with over twenty members, building a neat frame edifice. A Welsh church was organized in 1880 and a building erected; present pastor, Rev. Mr. Jones. In section 27 the German Lutherans have a church and cemetery. There are two other cemeteries, one on section 20 near Savidge lake, the other a Catholic, on Scotch lake, the former laid out in 1876 the latter in 1878. The Catholics were the first in the town to form a society and build a church; Father Somereisen, in 1862, awakened much interest and succeeded in forming an organization with fifty to sixty families, who at once proceeded to build a place of worship. There are two good saw-mills located on sections 5 and 34. There is a Masonic lodge, a dispensation having been issued in 1861, as Cleveland lodge, and in 1864 a charter granted changing the name to Concord, No. 47, A. F. and A. M.; Presiding officers, W. H. Hall, W. M.; F. L. Rauson, S. W., H. Zimmerman, J. W.; J. W. Chambers, secretary. Cleveland is a temperance town, voting no lisense. The present business is represented by two general stores, two blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, one hotel, one gun store. Postmaster L. Lampman. Mrs. Eliza Brown, whose maiden name was Eliza Hoffman, was born in Indiana in 1837. In 1857 she was united in marriage with William Brown. Ten years subsequently she came to Minnesota, and is now living in Cleveland, Le Sueur county, on section 22. She is the parent of six children, four of whom are living. J. W. Chambers was born in 1843 in Washington county, Ohio. At the age of twelve years he came to Minnesota and settled in Cleveland, where he was employed by W. B. Dodd in the construction of what is known as the Dodd's road. Returned to his native state in 1858 and remained two years, then again came to Minnesota. In 1861 enlisted in Company K, Seventh Minnesota. After the war he returned to Minnesota and engaged in farming in Cleveland. He married in 1868 Miss F. Enfield, who died in June, 1879. Mary is their only child. Florian Drenttel, a native of Germany, was born in 1837. Came to the United States in 1872 and for four years made his home in St. Peter, Minnesota. He then came to Cleveland, Le Sueur county, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Estella Klinger, a native of Germany. They are the parents of four children. D. Dugaw was born in Lake county, Ohio, in 1848. When a child of three years he moved with his parents to Illinois and there lived seven years, then went to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1868. From that state he migrated to Martin county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming one year, then came to Cleveland, locating where he now lives. In 1872 he married Miss Jane Rogers, who has borne him two children, Charles and Henry. R. H. Everett is a native of Champaign county, Illinois, born in 1833. In 1855 he removed to Minnesota and settled in Cherry Creek Run, now known as Cleveland. His marriage with Miss Ann Flowers, which occurred on the 8th of January, 1856, was the first in the place. Mr. Everett enlisted in Company E, 11th Minnesota, and received an honorable discharge in July, 1865. Has a farm of 1,000 acres, with about 400 under cultivation. In 1869 Mr. Everett was elected to the legislature by the republicans. In 1872 changed his views and advocated the election of Horace Greeley, since which time he has been a democrat. He was a delegate to the democratic convention at Cincinnati, in which he cast his vote for General Hancock. They have eight children living. W. A. Flowers was born in Ohio in 1832. He lived on a farm until 1842, then moved to Indiana, where he remained until 1856. Coming thence to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, he settled in Cleveland. Enlisted in 1865 in Company G, First Minnesota heavy artillery. Miss Margaret Jones became his wife in 1859, and has borne him six children: Mary E., William W., Henry H., John C., Dora E. and Mabel. John R. Roberts, deceased, was born in 1833, in Oneida county, New York. He came to Minnesota in 1857, and on the 18th day of August, 1862, enlisted in Company E, Ninth Minnesota. On the 6th of December, 1862, he was wounded at the battle of Nashville, from the effects of which he died January 4, 1863, in the city of Nashville, Tennessee. At the time of his death he held the rank of second lieutenant. George Forsyth is a native of Scotland, and was born in 1836. Came to the United States in 1850, and four years later located on section 26, Cleveland township. He served in the civil war in Battery G, First Minnesota heavy artillery. Returning from the war he again resumed his farming pursuits in Cleveland. Was married in 1860 to Miss Angeline Huntly. Six children have been born to them, five of whom are living. Nelson Goldsmith was born in Kentucky in 1803. He came to Minnesota in 1864 and now lives on section 18, Cleveland township. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Daws in 1823. They are the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom are living. Benjamin W. Harriman was born in West Virginia in 1830. He moved to Dakota county, Minnesota in 1854 and remained there nine years; then moved to Cleveland in 1863 and located on section 14, on which he still resides. In the spring of 1865 he enlisted in the First Minnesota and was honorably discharged with the regiment. He has served as county commissioner of Le Sueur county. Was married in 1859, in West Virginia to Mary E. Brown; John, William, Charles, Sophia, Levi, Howard, Mary and Benjamin jr., are the children. Jesse Hankins, professor of music, was born in Ohio in 1854, and was raised as a farmer. The family moved to Illinois when he was an infant, and in 1859 came to Waterville township, Minnesota; he lived there until 1877, then settled in Cleveland where he pursues his profession as musician. On the 3d day of May, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Leona Gilpatrick. Two sons, Roy and Ray have been born to them. Mr. Hankins is a son of John Hankins, of Cordova township. Denison Hill was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1838. With his parents he moved to Wisconsin in 1843 and ten years later went to Iowa; in 1856, he came to Minnesota; located at Cleveland, and is one of the proprietors of the sawmill. During the Indian outbreak he acted as scout and later during the war was deputy United States marshal; was also Indian agent at Winnebago agency two years. Mr. Hill's marriage with Caroline Green occurred in 1864. Five children have been born to them: Viola, William, Emma, Nora and Caroline. Thomas B. Hobson was born in Indiana in 1820. Came to Minnesota in 1856 and is now living on section 30, Cleveland township. He served in the defense of the Union three years; joined the Seventh Minnesota in 1862. His wife was Mary Linder, who has borne him six children; four have passed away and two are living. H. A. Johnson is a native of the state of New York and there received a common school education, passing his boyhood on the farm. He came to Winona county, Minnesota in 1855; to Cleveland in 1857, and has since engaged in blacksmithing and carriage making. Miss Maria Green, daughter of Mathew Green, of Cordova, became the wife of Mr. Johnson in 1876; they have one girl, Esther. N. B. Lampman was born on the 25th of March 1832, in Oneida county, New York. He remained on the farm until 1853, then for one year followed engineering in Illinois. Returning to New York he engaged in that business, and the next year removed to Pennsylvania. After working as civil engineer for some time, he started for Minnesota, landing first in St. Peter. Shortly after, however, he located in Cleveland. For eight years past he has been engaged in the interests of the North Star boot and shoe company of Minneapolis. Mr. Lampman was united in marriage in 1857 with Miss Mary E. Reid, of New York. They have had six children: the eldest, L. Lampman was the first white child born in the village of Cleveland, and is now engaged in the mercantile trade. Carl Leth is of German birth. He came from his native land to America in 1856 and the year following to Minnesota. He is a farmer located on section 29 of Cleveland. In the year 1856 he married Miss Mary Ponworth who has borne him four children, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Lydia Meeker, widow of H. Meeker, was born in Ohio, in 1824. When ten years old she went to Indiana and in that state made her home nineteen years. There, in 1852, she married H. Meeker and with him came to Minnesota in 1855, locating in Cleveland township, on section 24. Her husband died on the 3d day of February, 1857. His widow with four children survive him. J. J. Oehler is a native of Switzerland, and was born in 1810. Coming to America in 1856, be chose Minnesota as his future home and located in Cleveland. He has a farm of eighty acres situated on sections 29 and 32. He was married in his native country in 1853 to Miss Elizabeth Cramer, and is the parent of two children. Joseph Pofpaff is a native of Germany, and was born in 1830. He immigrated to New York in 1854; removed to Minnesota in 1871. His home is now on his farm in Cleveland, on section 34. He was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Plum, in his native country; seven children have been born to them, all except two are living. Joseph Ponwitt, who is a native of Germany, was born in 1836. Coming to America when twenty years old, he settled the next year in Cleveland township. He still resides on his farm on section 19. His wife was Geto Philpman, married in 1862; six children have been born to them, of whom one died in infancy. Lorenzo D. Randon was born in Kentucky in 1843. In 1861 enlisted in Company B, 28th Kentucky infantry; served in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Greek, Atlanta, Janesborough and others; was mustered out in December 1865; returning from service to Louisville, Kentucky, he remained only a short time, then came to Cleveland, Minnesota. His time is devoted to the manufacture of lumber, in which he does a thriving trade. Married in 1871, Miss M. McHeron; four sons have been born to them, Charles, William, Thomas and Lewis. George Rinkel was born in Germany in 1833. Came to America in 1854 and the same year proceeded to Minnesota; he located in the fall of 1860 in Cleveland, on section 30. He was united in marriage with Widow Fetman in 1860 and has had seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Rinkel own eighty acres on sections 29 and 30. Charles Rogers, farmer, on section 11, was born in Ohio in 1852. When a lad of eight years he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained on a farm ten years; removing again in 1870 he settled in Martin county, Minnesota, and eight years later came to Cleveland. He was married in Martin county to Mary Jane Neal and has three children; Fayette P., Arthur I., and an infant. Lafayette Root, whose native state is Ohio, was born in 1836. In 1857 he came west and located in Minnesota. He resides in Cleveland township, on section 20, and is engaged in farming. During the war he served in Company H, sixth Minnesota infantry; he enlisted in 1862. In 1867 he was united in matrimony with Ella Brown, who died two years later. Minnie Scahndel was born in Germany in 1822. Came to the United States in 1855 and located at St. Peter, Minnesota; after a residence there of ten months she came to Cleveland and settled on section 11. She is the parent of seven children; Matilda, Betsey, August, Julia, Hammond, Julius, and Addie, all of whom are living. Hon. Freeman Talbot is a native of Ireland, born in 1811. He went in 1818 to western Canada with his parents, but removed to Minnesota in 1856 and settled in Cleveland. During the Indian outbreak he was commissioned captain of a company to go the relief of New Ulm and took an active part in the service. In 1872 and '73 Mr. Talbot was the choice of both political parties for state senator. He married in 1832, Miss Ann E. Clark, a native of Canada. Of the ten children born to them, five are living; Martha is the wife of W. B. Hall, of Winnipeg; Mrs. J. W. Kelly is a resident of Lake Jefferson; Charles H. resides in Winnipeg; Edward R. R. was killed during the late war; Louisa is the wife of Rudolph Yager; Benjamin is a resident of Dakota territory. Daniel Vanvleet was born in Ohio in 1846. In 1851 he accompanied his parents to Illinois where he lived seven years. In 1868 removed to Martin county, Minnesota, and after farming in that county eight years settled on section 11 of Cleveland township, where he still remains engaged in farming. Married in 1870, Miss Annie Dugaw, who has home him one son and one daughter: David and Annie. Christain Vollmer was born in Germany in 1816. In 1856 he came across to America. His present home is in Cleveland township, on section 29; he came to Minnesota in 1865. Mr. Vollmer was married in 1857 and is the parent of four children. Andrew Wilfert, whose native country is Germany, was born in 1833. Came to America in 1854 and settled first in Indiana, and two years later he chose a home in Cleveland. Here he has since lived except the time spent in his country's service; enlisted in 1862 in Company K, Seventh Minnesota; participated in the battles of Tupelo and Nashville, also many other minor engagements; was honorably discharged in July, 1865, after a service of three years. The same year he married Miss M. Weiss. Their children are Emily, Henrietta, Annie, Felix A., Ellis, Maggie and Mary. Mr. Wilfert has served as chairman of the town board of supervisors several years. Moses E. Wilson was born in Ohio in 1845. During his youth he learned the trade of stone mason, in which, together with contracting, he has since engaged. In 1862 he enlisted in the 16th United States regulars; served until honorably discharged in 1864; participated in many severe engagements. In 1873 he came to Minnesota and now resides in Cleveland in the pursuit of his trade. His marriage with Miss Emma. Bramshe occurred in 1879. One son, John. Adam Wright was born in Indiana in 1820, and there spent his youthful days. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Yager. In 1856 they came to Minnesota and located in Cleveland township on section 28. They have four children. Mr. Wright has held several town offices. His father lived until reaching the age of eighty-four years. SHARON. Sharon is one of the most populous and wealthy townships in the county. It lies directly east of Ottawa and the southern half of Le Sueur towns. It embraces within its borders a portion of the fertile prairie which follows the valley, nearly every acre of which is now under cultivation. Fully two-thirds of the surface was originally timber land, half of which has given way to the plow and reaper. Being located within easy access of the Minnesota river navigation, it was among the first of the interior towns to claim attention from the early home-seekers. Among the first to settle and make this their permanent home was Christian Schward, who with his family took a quarter section of section 23, in 1854, building one of the first houses in that locality. He was followed early the next season by William H. King, locating upon section 5, where he still resides. Joseph Regenscheit, on section 25, also still occupies the old homestead. When originally organized the town was named Young Town, but subsequently changed through the exertions of its citizens. In the earlier days of its history a majority of those desiring to attend religious services went to the river towns which at that day were more accessible to the mission clergymen. In a few years new comers added to their strength and one church followed another at convenient points throughout the town, until there are at the present time seven distinct organizations, all having substantial houses of worship. The German Baptists are located on the extreme comer of the north-west quarter of section 31. The German M. E. have a church and cemetery on section 8. There is an Evangelical church and cemetery on section 19. The German Lutherans are located on the southeast quarter of section 3, having a cemetery connected with the church. A cemetery and Christian church are located upon section 16. The Catholics have a large church and cemetery at St. Henry's. In nearly all these churches services are held regularly, most of them having Sunday-schools also. There are eight school districts. The buildings are well equipped for successful teaching. There are three post-offices in Sharon, viz: Dresselville, section 11; St. Henry, section 25, Jacob Muckley, postmaster, and Sharon, on section 17. Upon Rice lake in section 10 there is a saw-mill, also upon section 7 is a saw and grist-mill in operation. A blacksmith shop is located on the southwest quarter of section 10. Philip Dressel, postmaster at Dresselville, was born March 20, 1826, in Germany. He was educated in the schools of that country, and learned the trade of printer. Immigrating to America in 1847, he arrived at New York, July 1, and soon after settled in Montgomery county, Pennyslvania. He took up his abode in Minnesota in 1854, settling first in St. Paul. His first work at his trade was on the "Staats Zeitung," the first German paper published in the state. During the spring of 1856 he moved to Sharon, Le Sueur county, and was one of the earliest settlers. Since 1864 he has served as postmaster at Dresselville, and since 1869 has been treasurer of Le Sueur county. Henry J. Fisher, farmer on section 27, Sharon township, was born in 1857, in Ottawa, Le Sueur county, Minnesota. He is a son of Benjamin F. Fisher, who is a native of Massachusetts, born in 1814. He came to Minnesota in 1855 and settled in Ottawa. His wife was Emily A. Page, of Maine, who is the parent of four children: Henry, now living in Sharon township; Herbert, Elliston and Sidney. Charles Friburk, born in 1857 in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, is of German parentage; his father was Jacob Friburk. He came with his parents to Minnesota when about three years of age and has since made his home in this state. He now engages in farming, and is located on section 26 of Sharon township, John Heiken, a native of Germany, was born in 1849, and in 1865 he came to America. After a residence of about four years in Illinois he removed to Minnesota; is now living on a farm on section 33, Sharon township. His wife was Miss Caroline Lutske, who has borne him three sons: Edward, John and Fred. Joseph Huonder, a native of Switzerland, was born in 1831. Coming to America in 1854 he settled in Ohio, where he remained until removing westward in 1855. On coming to Minnesota his first home was in Stillwater, and in 1867 he located on his present farm in Sharon, on section 35. He married Miss Mary Levi, who is a native of Italy. They are the parents of seven children; Kate, Joseph, Ursilla, Henrietta, Louisa, Lawrence and John. Peter Imhoff, who is a German, was born January 14, 1818. He came to America in 1832 and first settled in Ohio; from there removed to Missouri, where he remained twelve years, and in 1856 came to Minnesota. He settled on his present farm on section 6 in 1875. His wife was Catherine Gregg, of Virginia. David, John and Mary are their children. S. H. Kast, farmer on section 4, was born in Monroe county, New York, in 1814. He moved to Ohio in 1827; remained there until 1863, then came to Minnesota and settled in Sharon township. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bargar, of Medina county, Ohio. Eight children have been born to them: Lewis, Luna, Dora T., Ida I., Katie, William H., Charles G. and Lydia E. He is a minister of the gospel in the Methodist Episcopal conference. William H. King was born December 10, 1832, and is a native of England. Upon coming to America in 1845 he settled in New York city; subsequently located in Cleveland, Ohio, after making a visit to his native country. During his residence in Cleveland he engaged in the meat trade. Came to St. Paul in 1854, and the year following settled in Le Sueur county; now resides on section 5 of Sharon. Married Miss Elsie E. Culp, who is a native of Pennsylvania. They have nine children: Sarah, William, Elsie, James, Mary, Lillie, George, Victoria, Erbert. John Lehnert, who is a native of Germany, was born in 1831. He came to this continent in 1855, and for one year lived in Chicago; came to Minnesota and settled in Sharon in 1856; his home is on section 7 of this town. Enlisted in Company G, 10th Minnesota infantry, in which he served three years. Mr. Lehnert's wife was Mary Sindle, who is a native of Germany. Charles, August, Henry, Ered., Caroline, John and Mary are their children. William Ludwig was born in Wisconsin in 1857. When only two years old he came to Minnesota, and has since lived in this state. He resides in Sharon on section 33. Was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Malsom, who is a native of Germany, One daughter, Selma, is their only child. Michael Lynch was born in Ohio in 1854. His parents, Patrick and Catherine Lynch, were natives of Ireland, and when quite young came with them to Minnesota; his home has since been in Sharon on section 23. The father died in 1866, leaving his widow with four children, of whom Michael is the eldest; the others are Ellen, Lizzie and Thomas. Jacob M. Muckley, a native of Switzerland, was born in 1851. His step-father, John Allick, who was born in Switzerland in 1826, came with his family to America in 1856, and in 1861 to Minnesota. Jacob has one sister, Josephine. His mother was married first to Mr. Muckley; her second marriage was with Mr. Allick, by whom she has two daughters, Mary A. and Margaret. The family are uow all residing on section 26 in Sharon. He is postmaster at St. Henry. Charles Regenscheit is a native of Minnesota, born in 1859, and is of Swiss and German parentage. His father, Joseph Regenscheit, is a native of Switzerland, where he was born in 1823. He came to America in 1854, and settled soon after in Le Sueur county. He married Catherine Saffron, a native of Germany, who has borne him three children, of whom Charles is the eldest. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Huonder, a native of Minnesota. They are located on section 25 of this township. Christian Schwarz, farmer on section 23, was born in 1828, and is a German by birth. In 1854 he came to this continent, and subsequently settled in Sharon, Minnesota. He married Miss Mary Berger, who was born in Switzerland. They are the parents of six children: William, Henry, Lizzie, Pauline, Phillip and Christian. Robert Ulrich is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1847. In 1869 he came to America, and soon after made his home in Sharon township, section 6; here he has since continued to reside. His marriage was with Louisa Anton, of Missouri. Two children have been born to them: Delia and Von Oertzen. Henry Wasman, born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1844, came when eleven years of age to Minnesota, which state has since been his home. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Fourth Minnesota infantry, and served until the close of the war. On returning from the war he came to Sharon, where he still resides on section 5. His wife was Nancy Schreve, a native of Virginia. Manoah, Mabel, Jolletta and Alma are their children. Charles Wandrei is a native of Prussia, and was born in 1839. He came to America in 1857; in 1867 settled in the town of Tyrone, Minnesota; subsequently removed with his family to his present farm, situated on section 36, Sharon. He married Miss Louisa Ehrke, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne him seven children: Mala, Annie, Louis, Albert, Caroline, Abertena and Charles. DERBYNANE. The center of the northern tier of townships is Derrynane, formerly organized as Ruggles. There are two post-offices in the town, St. Thomas, T. C. Kennedy, postmaster, situated near the western boundary, and St. Huberts, in the eastern portion. Six school districts are provided with as many substantial school-houses. In the north-eastern portion of the town is St. John's church. On section 13 is a German Lutheran church; in the western portion is St. Thomas Catholic church, a large and substantial frame structure. At this place there is a steam saw-mill. Township officers — Board, Mathias Hauer, James Connelly, and John Merget; J. G. O'Connell, clerk; J. P. Shea, assessor; Michael McCourtney, treasurer. Valuation—Real estate, $173,911; personal, $21,770. Population, 899. LEXINGTON. It was not until the spring of 1855 that the town of Lexington was occupied by the whites, Arthur O'Maley being the lonely pioneer; he was followed the next season by H. Earl, Joseph Kirtland, S. Shivel and William Budd, who took up claims of 160 acres each, in the northern portion of the township and in the vicinity of Clear lake, the claim of H. Earl being afterwards laid out as the town of Lexington. In 1858 the township was organized with the following officers: Town board, B. Abbott, chairman, G. J. Earl, George Jackson; H. Childs, clerk; A. Blen, assessor; S. Shivel, justice. A post-office was established in 1856 with H. Earl as postmaster. In 1864 a second postoffice was established, called Union Centre, on a farm belonging to J. U. Chapman, on the north-east quarter of section 32; Mr. Chapman being appointed postmaster, holding the position until 1877. In that year an office was established at the new town and county seat, Le Sueur Centre, just one mile north and the Union Centre post-office was discontinued. Thomas Sullivan was appointed to the new office, but being unable to qualify, J. U. Chapman succeeded him, still holding the office. The town site of Lexington was surveyed in 1857, nearly 200 acres being laid out into town lots. A general store was immediately opened by Bateman & Smith, who carried on business for two years. During the same year O. F. Huntley came from the east, purchased five acres of land and erected a saw-mill, which was burned in 1860 and rebuilt on the opposite side of Clear lake the same season, being greatly enlarged and a gristmill combined, with a capacity of twenty five barrels per day. The mill is still operated by Mr. Huntley. As early as the winter of 1856 a school was organized with about twenty scholars, taught by S. J. Baldwin and held in a private house. In the same year the first death occurred, the Son of A. B. Childs, who was drowned in Clear lake. The first marriage was in 1858; Fred Venison and Sarah E., daughter of H. Earl. The first white child born in the township was a daughter to G. J. and C. D. Earl. She was named after the town and is called "Lexie." Religious services were held at the private residences for a number of years, the Methodists having organized a society with fourteen members, in the fall of 1856. Services were held every two weeks, Rev. Mr. Smith officiating. The first and only church edifice built in the village was erected by the Baptists in 1868, the society having been formed six years before with thirteen members. Rev. E. S. Sanders conducted services. The organization in 1879 sold the building for a district school, for which purpose it is now occupied. The present business of the town consists of a post-office and general store, by H. T. Baxter, postmaster; Huntington's flour and grist-mill, and the largest and only steam amber cane refinery in the county. This establishment has a capacity of 5,000 gallons of syrup per season, preparing it under a new process. This mill was established in 1877 by C. S. Huntley. Le Sueur Centre is the infant among Le Sueur county towns, dating its birth in 1877, when a company of leading citizens consisting of M. Doran, H. C. and E. R. Smith, M. G. Tousley, L. Z. Rogers, G. A. Blair and Mr. Knaak by means of a largely circulated and signed petition for the removal of the county seat to Union Centre, purchased the south-east quarter of section 29, Lexington township and at once proceeded to lay out a town site and erect a substantial brick court house which at the following election they proposed to give the free use of for ten years, provided the county seat was located there. William McCullough being connected with the construction of the new court house, erected the first building in the village for a boarding house for the laborers. In the spring of 1877 P. Kelly built the second house which was occupied for a short time by Frank Morgan as a saloon. The same spring John Van Buren erected a hotel and store, in which he has been doing a good business since. In the summer L. R. Kegley erected a thirty horse-power saw-mill which has been in operation since. In 1879 a one-story frame school-house was built. The village is now the largest in the township, having the court house and jail with the sheriff's residence attached, four general stores, three hotels, three saloons, two blacksmith shops, saw-mill, wagon shop, barber shop and post-office. Present postmaster, J. U. Chapman. There is also a brass band with seven pieces, E. Agnew, leader. In 1858 Charles Reinhardt murdered and robbed a man named Burdell, a land hunter. The enraged citizens took Reinhardt from his place of confinement and lynched him. During the winter of 1857-8 many of the pioneers suffered for want of food and were compelled to subsist on corn, ground in coffee mills. Valuation in 1880: Real estate, $176,462; personal property, $18,962. The population was 1,047 the same year. E. Agnew was born in Philadelphia in 1850. When two years of age he went with his parents to Indiana, and in 1857 to Illinois. After leaving school he engaged in farming and making brick a few years, then spent one year in mining coal. He also learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it until 1876; subsequently moved to Cleveland, Le Sueur county; remained until 1879, then pursued his trade in Le Sueur Centre until February, 1881, when he opened a grocery store, and is still doing business in that line; also has the only barber shop in town. He organized and became leader of the Le Sueur Centre band. Mrs. Gray became the wife of Mr. Agnew in 1872. One child: Alva. Thomas Barker was born in Canada in 1845. Entered the Durham Academy at fifteen and remained three years; afterward attended St. Francis College at Richmond, Canada, for two years. In 1864 moved to Vermont and joined Company G, Fifth Vermont infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. After spending one year in Canada he came to Faribault, Minnesota, in 1866, and began school teaching. At Mankato, he taught until 1873, then removed to Cleveland and engaged in teaching seven years. Located in Le Sueur Centre in 1880, and was the same fall chosen county superintendent. Mr. Barker was married in 1873 to Elizabeth Westover; they have four children. John A. Burton, son of Samuel and Nancy Burton, was born in Indiana in 1860. At the age of twelve years he went to Kansas, where he remained four years, then removed to Wisconsin; four years later he came to Minnesota, and now lives at a farm located on section 35. His father was born in 1832. Five sisters and one brother are living. J. U. Chapman was born November 1, 1813, in Albany county, New York. At the age of one year his parents died and he was left to the care of an aunt. After living in Canada four or five years he went to Chicago, which was then known as Fort Dearborn. He there selected a life companion, and with her settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois; about five years later removed to Wisconsin; a few years after he came to Minnesota and became one of the pioneers of Le Sueur county. Being of an enterprising spirit he took the lead in organizing a school district, and building roads and bridges; he drew up the petition to congress for a mail route, and was appointed postmaster at Union Centre. Was chairman of supervisors eight years, and justice of peace about the same length of time. He is now occupying the office of postmaster at Le Sueur Centre, and is justice of the peace. Of eleven children, eight are living. Two sons were in the late civil war; one was killed. George J. Earle was born in Middleburgh, New York, March 25, 1811. He remained on the farm until twenty-one years old, then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed there until 1836. Removing to Michigan he continued his trade three years, then returned home and engaged in the lumber trade fourteen years. Came to Minnesota in 1856, and settled in Lexington township, when there were but three or four houses here. After claiming 160 acres of land he erected a little log cabin; on arriving at his new home he had a cash capital of only ten dollars, and, as he laughingly remarks, "Did not have as much fat as I could get on my thumb nail." He still owns his old claim, but has retired from active life and is living with a daughter. Mr. Earle for the past sixteen years has held the offices of justice of the peace and town supervisor. His marriage with Miss C. French took place in 1836. She died in 1863. They had nine children; seven are living. Phillip Hiller was born in Massachusetts in 1833. He learned the trade of ship carpenter, which he followed until coming to Minnesota in 1861; settled on a farm of eighty acres which he bought in Lexington township. In 1862 enlisted in Company G, 10th Minnesota infantry, and served three years; was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling in 1865. Returning to Lexington he has since followed farming. O. F. Huntley was born in Vermont in 1823. He completed his studies at the Green Mountain Academy, and assisted his father in his mills and on the farm. On leaving home he moved to Allamakee county, Iowa; purchased land from the government, then followed surveying in the county for six years. In 1857 came to the Minnesota valley, bringing with him the necessary fixtures for saw and flouring mills. He chose an excellent site and had them erected on the bank of Clear lake, Le Sueur county, where he now owns 140 acres of land. He is one of the old settlers and has long been identified with the interests of the county. In 1852 he married Ruth Munson, who died in 1853. About three years later he married Miss Diana Hawley, who died in January, 1871. Miss Lueia L. Finch became his wife in 1872. Mary A. Jackson, formerly Miss Duncan, was born in New York in 1816. When quite young she moved to New York city and attended private school twelve years. She then learned the trade of dressmaking, which she afterward engaged in several years. In 1851 she was united in marriage with George Jackson, who was born in Scotland in 1815, and came to America in 1836. The year of their marriage they went to Wisconsin and bought a farm, on which they remained seven years. Coming to Minnesota they bought 160 acres of land on section 9, Lexington township. Mr. Jackson died in 1879. His widow is still living at the farm. William Kendall is a native of England, born in 1823; learned the trade of baker at which he worked three years; he was then employed as time keeper on a railroad until 1849, when he came to America, landing at New Orleans. For two years his home was in Illinois, then he started overland for California; it required five months to reach his destination; after mining about four years with some success, he returned to his native land, remaining however only a short time. In 1857 he came to Lexington and claimed 160 acres, where he still resides. He married Miss L. Lambert in 1857; they have had seven children, six are living. Jacob Krenik is a Bohemian, born in 1855. When a lad of eleven years he came to America, to Le Sueur county, Minnesota. Here he farmed, until reaching majority, then for two years was interested in the sale of farm machinery; in 1881 he purchased the Morgan House, of which he is the present proprietor. His marriage with Miss Annie Chalouhskey took place in 1872; they are the parents of four children. Francis F. Morgan was born in New York in 1851, and until seventeen years of age he attended school. Came in 1866, to Le Sueur county, but soon after went to St. Peter when he was employed in a brick yard one season; after farming two years in Rice county he gave his attention to the meat trade in Northfield; in 1877 he came to Le Sueur Centre, after having been in the Nicollet house at St. Peter one year. Here he kept a saloon three years and in 1880 opened Morgan's hotel. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Mary A. Balf, who has borne him two children. Edwin Purrington, an early settler and prominent citizen of Lexington, was born in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, in 1832. When fourteen years old he made a trip on a whaling vessel, to the north Atlantic; after an absence of sixteen and one-half months he returned and next started from New Bedford for the Arctic ocean; on this expedition he was absent three years; his third voyage was also of three years duration, and he experienced many narrow escapes; through one year of the time the sun was visible only two days. In 1857 he came to Lexington, Minnesota, and bought 160 acres where he now lives. In 1880 he was chosen a member of the legislature; and also served as supervisor several years. Miss Hiller became his wife in 1857, and has borne him three children. J. S. Potter is a native of*New York, born February 13, 1820. When quite young he went to Chicago, Illinois, and there made his home until 1863; was a dealer in general merchandise, also a hotel manager; when he went to Chicago there was but one .building there, a tavern kept by a Frenchman. Mr. Potter came to Austin, Minnesota, in 1863; he farmed and carried on the nursery business until 1877, when he removed to Lexington; located on a farm of 140 acres, which he bought soon after his arrival. While a resident of Illinois he was sheriff four years, and has held the office of justice of the peace sixteen years. Married in 1842, Miss Tuttle, who died in 1860 leaving four children. His present wife was Miss Sarah A. Rowe, married in 1861; they have had four children. R. L. Safford was born in Vermont in 1829. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota and located on his present farm in Lexington, on section 15. Four families and a small number of single men were the neighbors whom Mr. Stafford found on locating. In Vermont in 1856 he married Miss Lois Dickinson, who died in May, 1878. His second marriage took place in September, 1879, in the state of New York, with Miss Annetta Gannon. She had two children. Stephen Tooker, farmer on section 35, was born in New York in 1857. Until sixteen years of age he lived on the farm, and in 1873 came to Minnesota and settled with his parents in Cordova township, Le Sueur county; subsequently he located on his present farm in Lexington. He was united in marriage in 1879 with Miss Hattie Sykes. They have one son, an infant, John R. J. L. Whipple, M. D., was born in Ohio in 1829. When nineteen years of age he began the study of medicine in Home with Dr. Porter Key, and with whom he remained two and one-half years. After attending a course of lectures in Cleveland, Ohio, he went to Toledo and entered the office of Dr. Moser, where he studied two years. Removing to Wisconsin in 1854 he practiced his profession two years in Reedsburg, then made his home in Illinois eleven years. Enlisted in 1861 in Company H, 11th Illinois infantry; served only six weeks when he received an injury and was honorably discharged. In 1863 came to Cleveland, Le Sueur county, and has since been pursuing his profession in different parts of the county. Became a resident of Le Sueur Centre in 1880. Married Lucinda Hurst in 1848. They have four children. Additional Comments: Extracted from History of the Minnesota Valley Minneapolis: North Star Publishing Co. (1882) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/lesueur/history/1882/historyo/tyroneot79gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 77.1 Kb