Renville County MN Archives History - Books .....Renville County 1882
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Book Title: History Of The Minnesota Valley

RENVILLE COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

RENVILLE COUNTY—BEAVER FALLS-BIRCH COOLEY-FLORA-CAIRO—CAMP-HAWK CREEK-SACRED
HEART—PRESTON LAKE-NORFOLK-BOON LAKE.

  An act defining the boundaries for a new county called Renville passed the
legislature at its session in 1855. The boundaries therein defined are very
different from the present boundaries of that county. Just before the Indian
massacre an election was held by the citizens at Beaver Palls, which they chose
for the county seat, and a full staff of officers was elected. No record of the
proceedings of these officers exists and their names are taken from the
recollection of present citizens, and errors, if they occur, must be attributed
to the unsettled state of affairs that soon took place, in which records, if
they existed must have been lost as was all else in the general disaster. The
county officers in this de facto government, for such we must regard what cannot
be proved by records of state legislation or private documents, were Stephen R.
Henderson, John Meyer and Clemens Cardenelle, commissioners; Stephen R.
Henderson, register; Andrew Hunter, judge of probate; John Hose, clerk of the
court; James Carrothers, auditor; David Carrothers, sheriff; George Gleason,
county attorney.

  It appears that the judge of probate went so far as to authorize the sale of
land by a guardian for his ward; it appears, too, that James Carrothers was sent
as delegate from this county to the state convention at Owatonna. The citizens
then living in the county doubtless supposed the county legally organized, but
lawyers and experts declared this opinion erroneous. The chaos that soon ensued
incident to the outbreak of the Sioux, shrouded in doubt all preceding events.

  That portion of the county bordering on the Minnesota river belonged to the
Indian reservation set off in accordance with the treaty signed by the tribe in
1851, and confirmed by the government at Washington in 1853. The boundaries of
this reservation may be briefly given as extending from Little Rock river, on
the north side of the Minnesota river, near Fort Ridgely, ten miles wide each
side of the river, to Big Stone lake. In 1854 the government built Fort Ridgely
in the south-east portion of the reservation, in Nicollet county. So long,
therefore as the reservation continued with its original bounds no settlement
proper could be made. The presence of any white people within the reserve was
punishable unless under a direct license from government and with the consent of
the Indians.

   A few half-breeds, Louis La Croix, Martel, and others were found at an early
day and have been recorded as settlers by some historians. It is said that La
Croix built his house on Birch Cooley as early as 1845. We shall confine
ourselves to such settlers as succeeded the reduction of the reservation. We
find the ubiquitous Major Joseph R. Brown in this region, too. Figuring for a
foothold for himself, he secured, or was instrumental in securing the treaty of
1858. Soon after the reduction of the reservation settlements began to be made
all along the river. The inducements to settlers were various. To some the
fertility of the soil was the attraction and they began to open farms; to others
the neighborhood of the reservation was a reason since it enabled them to obtain
employment there at the same time that they secured a homestead on the open
land. Many carpenters and builders who were employed by government in the
erection of buildings and improvements on the reserve took up land across the
river.

   Settlements were made at Birch Cooley by many, among whom were George Buerry
and family, John Kumro, David McConnell, John and Albert Dagon, John Vogtman and
wife, Louis La Croix with his squaw wife, D. D. Frazier and family, Jacob
Jacobus and wife, Martel the ferryman and others, half breeds, whose names
suggest trade or adventure. Quite a settlement existed at Beaver Falls, then
called Beaver Creek, among whom were James and David Carrothers with wives and
families, S. R. Henderson wife and family, D. Wichmann with wife and large
family, Frank Schmidt with wife and small family, Henry Ahrens with wife and
small family; Andrew Hunter had a claim but was frequently absent; on his land
was located the site for county buildings of the de facto county organization.
James and David Carrothers had claims adjoining; David on the present town site
and James adjoining on the south; they were employed as carpenters by the
government on the reserve. S. R. Henderson, joining David Carrothers on the
north, farmed his claim; Schmidt joined Henderson on the north-east; Wichmann
joined Schmidt on the north-east; Ahrens was north of Schmidt. A few Germans,
whose names are unknown to the writer located with their families on the
Minnesota bottoms. Andrew Hunter's claim was south of and adjoining James
Carrothers. Mr. Hunter was a farmer but had been a teacher among the Indians;
his wife was a daughter of Dr. T. S. Williamson, the famous missionary.

   A settlement was also made in what is now the town of Sacred Heart. Here
Major Joseph R. Brown settled and in 1861 he had a fine stone mansion, which he
occupied with his wife and family until the outbreak of the following year
compelled him, although he had a Sioux for a wife, to flee the country and
abandon his premises. Isolated settlers were found all along the river
throughout the present limits of Renville county. Just across the river were the
Indian villlages on the reservation and the settlers few in number compared with
the savages fell an easy prey to them when the terrible massacre occurred. The
Germans seemed especially repulsive to the Indians; they called them the "Bad
Talkers." As an evidence of their aversion to them it may be stated that the
blanket Indians called the farmer Indians "Dutchmen," in derision of their
employment.

   Several German settlements existed, one near Beaver Creek or in the eastern
part of Flora on the Minnesota bottoms, embracing many families.

   The settlers of Renville county had no intimation of hostility or even
discontent on the part of their savage neighbors, until the morning of the fatal
day that separated them from each other and their homes; when wives were torn
away from their husbands; brothers and sisters were carried into separate
captivity or fell victims to the bullets, tomahawks or scalping knives of their
inhuman enemies. Some of these families never were reunited, and almost none,
even if united, but mourned the loss of some loved member. This county was thus
swept of white settlers in one day and the settlement received a damper from
which it did not soon recover. Some of those thus summarily ejected from their
homes returned two or three years after which the county once more had peace,
and received from the government some slight equivalent for their property
destroyed. It is reported that some received more than an equivalent in dollars
and cents for their losses. This was, however, quite unusual. It is, however,
reported that Joseph R. Brown, whose family escaped with no personal damage
other than the inconvenience of a hasty exit, recovered from the government
damages largely in excess of the loss probably sustained. It is true,
nevertheless, that the blackened walls of his large stone house still exist on
the farm taken as a claim in 1866 by G. P. Greene.

   From those who returned, heartrending stories are told with tearful eyes,
wherein are recounted the terrible things they saw, heard or experienced.
Mothers tell of noble and beautiful sons and daughters, as well as stalwart
husbands sacrificed by the bloodthirsty villains who had been the constant
recipients of kindness and charity up to the very day of their outrages. Taking
advantage of their former friendship the deceitful savages found it easy by
professions of good intentions to deceive their victims until they were wholly
unguarded when the cowardly wretches, easting off their disguise, exhibited
their brutal natures. On the morning of August 18, 1862, D. Wichmann came from
down the river, hurrying along and calling out to the settlers at Beaver creek
that the Indians had risen over on the reservation and were killing the whites
and burning houses.

   In the confusion it is difficult to learn exactly how Wichmann came by his
information, whether from seeing the fires at the agency or from meeting some
refugee. It is probable that he both heard from refugees and saw the fires to
confirm the report, because he was on his way to the agency, and turned back so
hastily and excitedly, that we can not doubt that he had strong proof of the
authenticity of the report. It is certain that the settlers were living in
entire unconcern. In view of the facts, the indifference of the settlers to
their own safety when in the midst of a savage people who outnumbered them one
hundred to one, is a matter of wonder to us, but it is true that it was
difficult to make some believe in the reality of the disturbance until their own
scalps were about to be taken.

   It is not the purpose of this county history to attempt an account of the
massacre, reference for which is made to other parts of the work. Soon after
Wichmann's alarm had been given the Indians who had completed their work of
destruction at the agency came across the river in considerable numbers, though
in straggling parties, and began a raid on the horses belonging to the settlers.
They alleged, in excuse for their lawlessness, that the Chippewas were come and
they must have all the horses to repel their attack, whether the settlers were
willing or not. In the meantime those who had got the news were making all haste
to get away. Mr. Wichmann, by losing no time, got off with an ox team,
accompanied by Henry Ahrens. The former had a large family and the latter a
small one.

   While the Indians were looking for horses, it was easy for this party with
teams of oxen to escape with their families and such things as could be hastily
gathered. The distance to Henderson, the point determined on as a place of
safety, was about sixty miles, and thither they fled, reaching it in safety.
Others fled to Fort Ridgely. The trials of those who reached the fort were not
over, however, since there they suffered the terrors of a siege with famine and
death staring them in the face; for the particulars of this siege we refer to
other chapters.

   Another large party, consisting of twenty, men, women and children, who
started an hour or two later, presents more sad incidents than any other, an
account of which is given on page 200.

   The German settlement mentioned suffered terribly, as may be seen by
reference to page 201. Stories of barbarities inflicted might be multiplied but
as the history of the Sioux massacre is fully treated in chapters thirty to
forty-four, of this volume, we refer the reader to those chapters.

   The massacre over, a few of the miscreants hung and the authority of the
government re-instated, quiet once more prevailed, and a deathly quiet it was
for the county. White men and their improvements had gone in the general
destruction; the bullet and torch had done their work. This deathly quiet
prevailed for a few years and the fertile soil, roaring water-fall and other
sources of wealth, all remained undeveloped.

   The blighting influence of Indian barbarity at last began to be forgotten or
at least tempered by the softening hand of time. Efficient measures of
protection were established by the military department and soon the old settlers
began to venture back, though well armed and prepared for emergencies, and new
comers soon followed. Mr. Wichmann and Mr. Ahrens returned to Beaver Creek in
the spring of 1865; James and David Carrothers came in 1865 and '66. N. D. White
and family returned in October, 1865. Those here before the outbreak for the
most part took up their old claims. The new comers in 1865 were: Henry and
Judson Seeley, who settled two miles north of Beaver Falls; M. S. Spicer one and
a half miles northeast; Carl, Holtz, three miles northwest; Francis Shoemaker,
who settled at Vicksburg; R. R. Corey, with a large family of boys, two and a
half miles northwest of Beaver; Mr. Churchill, wife and daughters, two and a
half miles west.

   A detachment of soldiers was located at Camp Pope in Redwood county, under
Colonel Pfaender, and a patrol was extended from beyond Bird Island, in this
county, to Fort Dodge. This camp was soon broken up as confidence was restored.
Besides, camps of government scouts were established and various measures taken
to give confidence to the settlers and encourage the development of this and
adjoining counties.

   Many came back to Birch Cooley who were there before the outbreak, the
Buerrys, Dagons, Vogtmanns, etc., etc. The Riekes came back to the neighborhood
of Mud lake. Without attempting to give other names of those who returned of the
original settlers in the different parts of the county, it will suffice to say
that they came back in considerable numbers and received such additions to their
ranks by the arrival of new families that in the fall of 1866, an election was
held to prepare for organization. The settlement at Birch Cooley was so
important at this time as to compete with Beaver Creek settlement for the county
seat. The election held at Beaver was, however, confirmed by the legislature,
and Beaver Falls became the county seat.

   First officers: N. D. White, chairman, George McCulloch and Francis
Shoemaker, county commissioners: C. R. Eldridge, auditor; Robert W. Davis,
register of deeds; Henry Ahrens, treasurer; E. J. Tillotson, clerk of the court;
George Bowers, judge of probate; James Carrothers, sheriff, appointed by the
board in place of James W. Graves, who did not qualify; (the appointment of
Carrothers was revoked, and Graves qualified;) December 30, 1867, Henry J.
Witcher appointed sheriff, vice Graves, resigned; Marlow S. Spicer,
superintendent of schools; James Butler, coroner vice elected officer not
qualifying.

   The first meeting of the commissioners was held April 2, 1867, and the county
was organized and the following towns set off: Mud Lake, including what is now
Cairo, and all the towns in range 32 within the county; Camp, including the
towns now directly north; Birch Cooley, including the four towns now in range
34; Beaver, including what is now Beaver Falls and all towns now in range 35;
Flora, including what is now Flora and Emmett; Hawk Creek, including what is
Sacred Heart, Erickson, Hawk Creek and Wang.

   Various changes have taken place in the boundaries of the county of Renville,
since they were first defined by act of legislature. At the date of organization
the four townships in the north-eastern part of the county were not included. At
the time of the de facto organization previously referred to the boundaries were
very different both from the present boundaries and from those existing at the
date of organization.

   Another act at the first meeting of the commissioners, was to provide for the
lack of necessities among the settlers. Want amounting in some localities to
destitution prevailed throughout the belt of country devastated by grasshoppers.
Redwood and Renville being frontier counties, felt the scarcity and consequent
high prices more than the older counties. Successive failures had, moreover,
nearly discouraged the farmers. In the emergency the aid of the state was
offered to the sufferers through Governor Marshall. Bed-wood and Renville
counties took advantage of the proffered aid and received from Fort Ridgely, in
the form of provisions, hard tack, beans, hominy and pork, besides seed grain
with which to take a new start. On motion of N. D. White the county board passed
the following resolution: "Resolved, that the destitution among our settlers is
such that in order to remain upon their homesteads and procure seed they need
prompt and official aid, and it is hereby ordered that the county accept the
proffered aid of his excellency, Wm. B. Marshall, governor of the State of
Minnesota, and the credit and good faith of the county is hereby pledged for the
payment of any debt that shall he thereby incurred, and the authorities of the
several towns in the county are hereby directed to apply to Samuel McPhaill, the
agent for the district, for supplies of seed and rations, and to make return to
the county commissioners, accounting for the amounts received, and the
distribution thereof in each town, and it is further directed that each town
shall be responsible for the transportation of its own share of such supplies
from Fort Ridgely to the place of distribution." A similar resolution was
adopted by the board of Redwood county.

   The court house and jail are in one small stone building erected in 1872 at a
cost of $2,000, and in accordance with an act of legislature the bonds of the
county were issued; they were of four classes, first class, payable in four
years; second in five, third in six years.

   The financial condition of the county became so embarrassed that according to
a vote of the people and an act of legislature approved February 28, 1879 bonds
of the county to the amount of $15,000 were issued to run ten years at seven per
cent, to take up the floating debt of the county. This debt alone is outstanding
against the wealthy county. The bonds sold at a premium of $135. The offices of
the county were kept at private houses previous to 1871, when a building on lot
5, block 15 was leased for the purpose.

BEAVER FALLS.

   Before the organization of Renville county, the name Beaver Creek, belonging
to the dashing little stream that now runs a few miles, was applied to this
locality. Before the outbreak an attempt was made to establish the name Upson
but at the organization the name Beaver was adopted which subsequently became
Beaver Falls. When first organized it included the whole tier of townships,
Beaver Falls, Henryville, Troy and Winfield. The early settlers of the town,
both before and since the outbreak will be found on a previous page. They began
to come in 1865, and for some time the town showed a vigorous growth. The
village of Beaver Falls was surveyed by T. W. Caster, July 25, 1866 on land then
owned by Samuel McPhaill and David Carrothers, embracing the northwest quarter
of section 22, township 113, range 35. This land was the claim of David Carrothers.

   Other villages in the county are Hector, Buffalo Lake, Olivia, Renville
Station, Sacred Heart. These were all surveyed by D. N. Cowell on land owned by
the Hastings and Dakota railway company, James M. McKinlay, trustee.

THE VILLAGE OF BEAVER FALLS 
is situated in a hollow surrounded on all sides by hills and is the county seat
of Renville county. Situated as it is a mile and a half from the river and
having no railway outlet it is not wonderful that its early prosperity has come
to grief in an almost utter stagnation. The trade of the rich county which
should center at its county seat was almost wholly absorbed by Redwood Falls
until the growth of new towns along the line of the railway diverted a portion.

   The first house in Beaver Falls was built by David Carrothers. The first
store' by Christian Prequitz in 1868; the first hotel was erected by Louis
Thile. The first ferry license was granted July 26, 1869 to P. H. Swift. This
still affords the only communication with Redwood county, and is operated by Mr.
Wilcox. The first birth in the town after the outbreak was that of Eddie Butler,
son of James and Jane Butler, born February 4, 1866. The first death after the
settlement of the county, was that of Mrs. White, mother of N. D. White. Before
the outbreak Rev. John Williamson, son of the missionary, Dr. T. S. Williamson,
preached at Beaver, but Elder Hall, a Presbyterian clergyman from Redwood Falls
was the first to locate. He preached regularly every two weeks in 1866 at
Beaver. The first newspaper was the Renville Times, established in 1872 by D. S.
Hall. It was sold in 1874 to Henry Kelsey, the present proprietor, and has a
circulation of about 300. The first justice was N. D. White. The first school
was taught by Mrs. J. S. Greely in the fall of 1868.

   The present school building was erected in 1871, at a cost of $2,000. The
first court in the county was held in 1868, by Judge Horace Austin. Earle &
Comstock built the first mill in the county, this was a saw-mill costing $3,000,
just below Beaver Falls village, built in 1867. The dam was carried off by high
water after two years, and owing to the scarcity of suitable timber it was never
operated again. The large mill of Essler, Ahrens & Berndgen began in a saw-mill
built in 1868 by Eeed & Essler. After changing it to a grist-mill, steam was
added to provide for the emergency of low water. N. D. White & Son's mill was
built in 1873-4, at a cost of $6,000, by White & Eldredge. This mill is located
a short distance up Beaver creek above Reaver Falls village.

   The business of Beaver Falls is as follows: One newspaper, the Renville
Times, H. Kelsey, editor; one clergyman, Rev. John Samberson, M. E.; one
attorney, S. R. Miller; one store with general merchandise, by Peter Berndgen;
one drug store, by J. S. Gerald; one brewery, by A. Betz; one blacksmith, G.
Strenzel; one harness-maker, H. Zumwenkil; one shoemaker, Michael Keifer; one
wagon-maker, R. Hummel; one hardware and agricultural store, by Heins & McClure;
one hotel, the Dakota House, by Carl Holtz; two grist-mills.

   Hon. Henry Ahrens was born in Germany, August 2, 1835; landed in New York in
November, 1853, and worked at his trade, locksmith, there one year; farmed in
Illinois until 1861, then sold out and settled in Renville county, Minnesota, in
the spring of 1862: lost most of his property that year by Indians, and barely
escaped with life; returned to Illinois; in 1864 came back to this county and
was elected its first treasurer, and held the office six years, besides farming
extensively. In 1873 he bought an interest in a saw and flouring-mill, which he
has since retained. Mr. Ahrens has been in the state legislature from this
district. He was married in Illinois in 1860.

   Peter Berndgen was born in 1840 in Prussia, and came to America in 1853. He
lived near Madison, Wisconsin, until 1857, then came to Minnesota, and until
1871 lived in Scott county; he then came to Beaver Falls, and has since been in
the mercantile trade. Married in Scott county in 1864, Mary Siegfriedt; they
have had eight children; six are living.

   R. G. Bestor was born at Utica, New York in 1852, and when four years old
moved to Wisconsin. Attended the common schools of New Castle and Huntington's
Academy, at Madison; also the State Normal school at Whitewater. After finishing
his studies he taught in Minnesota and Iowa, until the fall of 1880, since which
time he has been in charge of the school at Beaver Falls. Married in
Springfield, Brown county, Carrie Hubbard, in 1877. Vernon E. and Burton E. are
the children.

   J. B. Blume was born in Illinois in 1860 and moved to Minnesota in 1867 with
his parents. They located on section 24, Beaver Falls township, where he now
resides and owns eighty acres of land.

   Rusell Butler, native of New York, was born in Clinton county, in 1816, and
when nineteen years old went to Indiana. In 1838 removed to Green Lake county,
Wisconsin, and farmed until 1864, then moved to Minnesota; came from Wabasha
county to Beaver Falls, and lives on section 12. His marriage with Zilpha Bush
took place in Wisconsin in 1850; Emily, Stephen, Charles and Clayton are their
children.

   John Buxton was born in 1850 in Wisconsin. In 1871 located in Steele county,
Minnesota, and three years later moved to Redwood Falls; lived there one year,
then came to his farm on section 10 of Beaver Falls. Married in this county in
1876, Mary Flanigan; two children: Della E. and Hannah T.

   James Carruth was born in Ireland in 1832, and at the age of fourteen
emigrated to Canada; in the county of Perth he remained until 1871, then came to
Renville county and has since resided on section 2 of Beaver Falls. Married in
Canada, January 5, 1859, Mary Cosnes, who has borne him fourteen children; ten
are living.

   Robert W. Coleman was born in New York city May 24, 1851. In 1862 he went to
Wisconsin; read law with J. M. Bingham, and- was admitted to the bar May 12,
1876. In 1879 he came to Minnesota and has since practiced law at Beaver Falls.
Married at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, November 14, 1876, Miss Azalea, daughter of
Joseph Eau Claire, for whom the town and river were named.

   A. D. Corey was born in New York in 1845 and removed with parents to
Wisconsin in 1857. In August, 1865, he came to Beaver Falls, and has since lived
on his farm on section 8. Married in 1867, Martha Barkey, born in Canada in
1845. Mary E., George D. and Annie M. are their children. Mr. Corey enlisted in
the Fifth Wisconsin infantry in September, 1864, and was honorably discharged in
July, 1865, at Washington.

   John Dagen was born in Germany in 1835 and came to this country in 1847;
lived in Dodge county, Wisconsin, until 1864, then came to Beaver and located on
section 24. He married in 1861, Magdaline Hardinger, who was born in Germany in
1839. Henry, Annie, Joseph, John, Peter, Bernard, Mary and Bertha arc their
children. He has been supervisor and is now clerk of his school district.

   William Davis, native of Illinois, was born in 1843, and at six years of age
was taken to Iowa, and in 1859 came to Minnesota. He lived in Rice county on a
farm and moved from there to his present home on section 18. In 1866 Mahala
Johnson became his wife; she was born in 1848. They have four children: George
S., Horace E., Arthur M. and Ernest W.

   John Garretty, native of Canada, was born in 1840. At fifteen years of age he
moved with parents to Wisconsin and lived in that state until the fall of 1869,
then came to Renville county, Minnesota, and settled on section 22, Henryville
township. In the fall of 1881 he was elected judge of probate for Renville county.

   Iver S. Gerald, native of Norway, was born October 1, 1851. He received an
academic and collegiate education, and following teaching and farming from 1872
till 1875, then came to Beaver Falls and engaged in mercantile business; was
appointed postmaster in 1876. In 1877 he was elected county superintendent of
schools. Married in Bine Earth county April 21, 1878, Thora M. Strom; they have
one son, Guy Howard.

   James Greeley was born in Ireland in 1846. In 1859 he went to England and was
employed by the London Northwestern railroad. In 1868, came to Belle Plaine,
Minnesota, and while there was occupied as clerk. Came to Beaver Falls with his
brother and engaged in business until 1874, then farmed in Henryville where he
still owns a fine farm; since 1879 he has resided in Beaver Falls. Married in
1873 Bridget Holden.

   Hans Gronnerud was born in Norway May 23, 1840 and received there, a college
and military education. Came to Renville county in 1871 and engaged in business
in Beaver Falls; was elected county treasurer in 1872 and is now serving his
fifth term. Married in 1864, Miss R. Eiseth, who has borne him six children;
three are living.

   Andrew Hunter was born in New York in 1830, and in 1839 moved with his
parents to Illinois. In June, 1852, came to Minnesota, and was with Dr.
Williamson, the missionary, on the Yellow Medicine; after five years with him,
he lived near St. Peter; in 1862 moved into that city and continued farming and
wool growing near there, until 1866, then came to Beaver Falls. Married in 1858,
Elizabeth Williamson who died at St. Peter in 1863; his second wife was Anna
Eliza Poage; seven children are living. He was probate judge of Renville county
and also treasurer, before the organization.

   J. C. Jackson was born near St. Albans, Vermont, March 2, 1839. He learned
the trade of wheel wright and moved to Wisconsin in 1862; worked at his trade
until 1861, then located on section 26, of Beaver Falls, where he owns 200 acres.

   Martin Jensen, native of Norway, was born in 1844. Learned the trade of
harness maker, and in 1860 immigrated to Chicago; in 1862 he came to Minnesota,
and one year later went back to Norway, where he married, in 1864, Inge
Korsmore. He located at Red Wing, Minnesota, then went to St. Peter, where he
worked at his trade until 1868; removed to Beaver Falls and opened a harness
shop and remained in that business until July 1874, when he was appointed
sheriff and has since held the office. He has five children, Mary, Matilda,
Josephine, Albert and Ida.

   Andrew Johnson was born in Sweden, in 1821, and came to America in 1853. He
lived in Illinois until 1864, then moved to "Winona county, Minnesota, and three
years after to St. Peter. In the spring of 1868 he located on section 4, Beaver
Falls, where he now lives. Married Caroline Anderson in 1854, and has four
living children: Levin, Charles, Lottie, deceased, Emeline and Albert.

   Henry Kelsey was born in Danville, New York, in 1838, and in 1842 was taken
to Ohio by parents, and in the next year to Wisconsin. In 1857 he went to Bead's
Landing, Minnesota, and in 1861, enlisted and served until June, 1864. He worked
at printing in Wisconsin one year, then had charge of a daily paper at Fond du
Lac one year; removed to Paxton, Illinois, in 1867, and two years after located
at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; was there engaged as printer and editor. In 1871
was editor of a paper at Paxton, Illinois, then at Lone Tree, Nebraska, two
years, and in 1874 bought the "Renville Times," at Beaver Falls, which he has
since edited. In 1865 he married Leonore McMillen; five children; Mary L.,
Jennie B., Milo, Jesse and Roy.

   Patrick H. Kirwan was born in Pennsylvania, in 1851, and when seven years of
age his parents moved to Wisconsin. He was raised on a farm, and received his
education at Wayland University, at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. In 1875 he came to
Beaver Falls, Minnesota, and taught school until his election to the office of
county auditor, in 1878; he still holds that position. Married in 1875 Mary E.
Bridges; children, James Franklin, and John Henry.

   Thomas F. Marsh was born in Massachusetts, in 1831. Learned the trade of
shoemaker and followed it in his native state until he came west; stayed five
months in Rock Island, Illinois, and in the fall of 1852 located in Houston
county, Minnesota; moved to Faribault, and in the spring of 1859 went to
California; remained until 1868 then returned to Massachusetts. Came to Beaver
Falls township in 1869. He married Irene Swift in 1869.  Waldo E. and Florence
May are the children.

   G. McClure, native of Maine, was born November 3d, 1840. He followed
lumbering until he enlisted in 1861 in the First Maine cavalry; served three
years. Came to Minnesota in 1866, and after living in Minneapolis two years,
came to Beaver Falls and engaged in mercantile trade; sold after two years, and
farmed four years, then returned to Beaver Falls, and after clerking four years
in a hardware store, purchased an interest. In 1870, he married Mary J. Burch;
she died in 1875. In 1880 he married Julia A. Patterson.

   William W. McGowan was born in New York city, in 1841. Enlisted in 1861 in
the Fifth New York and was shortly after discharged for disability; came west in
1862 and enlisted in the Sibley expedition against the Indians; enlisted in the
First mounted rangers; was also with the Second Minnesota cavalry on Sully's
expedition to the Yellowstone, and was discharged in 1866. He went to the
Vermillion lakes during the gold excitement, and in 1868 went to Redwood Falls;
was clerk in the office of register two years. Came to this place in 1872;
served as register two years, judge of probate four years, and in 1878 was
elected to the office of clerk of court. Married in 1870, Sarah Brown; two
children: Alexander M. and Louisa Myrtle.

   John McIntosh was born in New York in 1844. In 1865 he moved to Springfield,
Illinois, and learned the trade of machinist; ran an engine in the new state
house for a time and in 1871 located in Flora township, Renville county, and
farmed five years. He then went to Texas overland, and in 1879 returned to
Flora. In October, 1880, he moved to Beaver Falls; has been deputy sheriff two
years. In October, 1871, he married Caroline Falkel.

   S. R. Miller was born at Mansfield, Ohio, January 17, 1842. He enlisted in
the 15th Ohio infantry for three months, and after expiration of term, enlisted
in the 100th Indiana volunteers; was promoted to first lieutenant, and
discharged in June, 1865. At Lafayette, Indiana, he read law, and finished his
course at the Michigan University, graduating with the class of 1871. Came to
Lake City, Minnesota, the same year, and was admitted to the bar of this state.
In 1874 moved to Beaver Falls, and in 1876 was elected county attorney and is
now serving his third term. In July, 1873, he married Jennie M. Frazer. They
have one child living: Rock P.

   Carl A. Mork, native of Norway, was born September 27, 1840. He served seven
years in the army and came to America in 1868; lived four years in Iowa, then
came to Renville county, Minnesota, and settled on section 10, town of Palmyra,
where his family now resides. Since 1876 he has been register of deeds. His wife
was Mary Christianson, married in 1864; four children.

   Lewis E. Morse, Native of Massachusetts, was born in 1835. In 1855 he came to
Minnesota and farmed in Houston county three years; then was employed by the
government in Yellow Medicine county, and finally settled on section 27, Beaver
Falls; in 1860 he returned to Massachusetts and worked at the carpenter's trade
five years, then came hack, and now lives on section 2, Beaver Falls. He married
in Massachusetts, in 1863, Elizabeth Adams; they have two children.

   H. Neuenburg was born in Germany in 1826. He learned the trade of shoemaker,
and in 1854 came to the United States and went to California; after mining there
two years, he went to Buffalo, New York, and the same year, 1856, settled in Le
Sueur county, Minnesota; from there moved to Beaver Falls township, Renville
county. In 1851 he married Celia Shoemaker. Their living children are Anne,
John, Celia, Frank, Jacob, Henry and William.

   W. A. Roberts was born in Maine in 1843, and at the age of twelve years came
with his parents to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1869 he removed to Mower county,
and two years later returned to Minneapolis; in 1875 he came to Renville county
and to his present farm on section 1, Beaver Falls. In 1877 he went to Fargo,
but returned in 1881. He married, January 3, 1876, Josephine Burnham.

   Henry Scheer, native of Germany, was born in 1846, and came with his parents
to America in 1853. Lived on a farm in Illinois until 1867, then moved to Birch
Cooley, Minnesota, and two years later removed to Nebraska; lived there four
years, then returned to this county, where he lives on section 27, Beaver Falls.
Married in 1867 Dora Blume; Lizzie, Louisa and Phoebe are their children.

   Joseph Schweinfurter was born in Germany in 1833, and learned the trade of
tailor; worked in his native country until 1873, then immigrated to Minnesota
and settled on section 16, Beaver Falls. Margaret Hatget became his wife in 1863
in Germany. Of their ten children, eight are living.

   Gustav Strenzel was born in Prussia in 1835, and there learned the
blacksmith's trade. In 1867 came to America, and to Beaver Falls in 1870, where
he began business for himself at once. He was married at New Ulm in 1870 to Miss
Louise Oldenburg, who- has borne him five children; four are living.

   H. C. Weatherston was born in New York in 1839, and was raised on a farm.
Came to Minnesota, and after living in Rice county, came to Renville county and
settled on section 23, Beaver Falls, where he has a farm of 160 acres. In 1870,
in Rice county, he married Mary Sophia Robertson, and has four children: Minnie,
Ralph, William and Jessie J.

   James Whitaker was born in Franklin county, New York, in 1842, and at five
years of age went to Ohio, and from there to Brown county, Wisconsin. In
February, 1863, he enlisted at Appleton, in the Third Wisconsin cavalry and was
discharged for disability in July, 1864. He learned the trade of engineer, which
he followed in Wisconsin until 1877, then came to Renville county, Minnesota. In
1867 he married Treselia Calkins; she died and in 1873 he married Josephine
Smith. Four children are living.

   N. D. White was born in 1822, in Oneida county, New York. His parents moved
to Madison county and from there to Erie county, where, at the age of 23, he
married Miss Urain Fraser. In the spring of 1848 in company with his parents he
moved to Wisconsin, and was engaged in farming and teaching. June 28th, 1862,
he, with his wife and family arrived at Beaver Creek, Renville county, and in
August were forced to leave their homes, by the Indians, an account of which
will be found in the "History of the Sioux Massacre," in this volume. He
returned in 1865 and engaged in farming until 1873, and the following year, in
company with his son Millard, built a flouring-mill on Beaver creek,
three-fourths of a mile above Beaver Falls, where they are now doing a
successful business.

   D. Wichmann, native of Germany, was born in 1822. Was raised on a farm and in
1853, immigrated to Cook county, Illinois; farmed there until 1858, then-came to
Brown county, Minnesota, and from there to Beaver Falls, section 14. Married in
1845 in Germany, Margaret Borman; they have seven children: Frederick was born
in 1849 and married Annie Woolman; he is farming in Beaver. The other children
are, D. H., Henry, Dora, Ericka, William and John; the latter was born in 1861
and claims the distinction of being the first child born in Beaver.

   Philip Williams was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1845. At the
age of nine years he moved with parents to Minnesota and lived in Nicollet
county until 1868, then located in the town of Flora, Renville county; in the
spring of 1880 he engaged in butcher business at Renville village and the next
year located on his present farm in Beaver Falls. In 1871 he married Sarah H.
Brown; she died at the age of thirty years; in 1878 he married Loretta Butler.
There are two children: Samuel D. and Jenkins T.

   H. Zumwenkil was born in Germany in 1839. He learned the harness maker's
trade and in 1852 came to America; lived in Ohio, Missouri and Iowa, working at
his trade, and in 1859 came to Minnesota and opened a harness shop at LeSueur;
moved to Shakopee and in 1864 went to the Rocky mountains; returned and lived in
Shakopee and St. Peter, in harness business until 1869, then moved to Beaver
Falls; engaged in business with Mr. Jensen; sold out after a few years and is
now engaged in farming; also carries on a harness shop. Married Elizabeth
Oleson; five children are living.

BIRCH COOLEY.

   This town was organized in the fall of 1866 and an election held at J. L.
Preston's, but as the early records are missing, the first officers can not be
given accurately. The first settler was Louis La Croix; David Faribault, Sr.,
was also located near the river at an early date. In 1859 John Kumro and David
McConnell settled along the creek; a few more came in the next two years, but
all were forced to leave in 1862, by the Indians. The re-settlement began in
1865, by Holder Jacobus and George Buery; the latter returning to his claim made
before the outbreak. The settlers of 1866 were William and John Tracy, Patrick
Ryan, D. D. Frazier, William Post, Joseph Deane, P. Reynolds and George Bowers.

   The German Methodists held religious services in the summer of 1860,
conducted by Rev. Henry Singenstrue; a society was sustained till 1862 and is
now connected with the church at Beaver Falls.

   The Catholics held services under Father Somereisen in 1868 and in 1878
erected a frame church on section 27. Father Andre is now in charge.

   The first marriage was in 1869, William Tracy and Mary Kilmer. Magdaline,
daughter of Geo. Buery, born November 16, 1861, was the first birth.

   Franklin post-office was established in 1868, and located at the house of H.
Jacobus, postmaster; he died in 1878 and the office has since been changed
several times. Birch Cooley was established about 1870 and George McCulloch
appointed postmaster; the office was at his house on section 20. W. G. Bartley
is now postmaster and the office is kept at the mill, on section 28.

   About 1869 a water-power saw-mill was built on Birch Cooley creek, which has
changed hands several times and is now owned and operated by W. G. Bartley &
Co., as a carding and grist-mill. They also keep a small stock of goods.

   The village of Birch Cooley was surveyed in June 1866, by David Watson, on
land owned by the La Croix heirs; a store, blacksmith shop, warehouse and a few
dwellings were erected. The warehouse was burned in 1871. The plat of the
village was never recorded and was vacated a few years since.

   Halleck Anderson was born in February, 1825. He emigrated in 1852 from
Norway, the land of his birth, and became a resident of America. In 1857 he
located on a farm in Goodhue county, Minnesota, but in 1869 removed to his
present home. Mr. Anderson was married in 1848; his wife Miss Ellen Anderson is
also a native of Norway. Of their ten children nine are living.

   W. G. Bartley, born in New York city, November 21, 1838, went to Bradford
county, Pennsylvania, while young, and worked in a woolen mill there until 1869.
He removed to Rochester Minnesota, at that date; engaged in the business of
manufacturing yarn and operated a carding mill; firm name W. G. Bartley & Co.
Since coming to Birch Cooley in 1880, he has built a small flouring mill, also
runs a carding machine and keeps a general store. Married in 1867, Elizabeth
Simmons. One child: William Arthur.

   M. Brazil, native of Illinois, was born January 22, 1842, near Peru.
Accompanied his parents to Dakota county, Minnesota, where he attended school
and worked some at carpenters trade. After serving in Company F, Fourth
Minnesota, from November, 1864 until the close of the war, he returned to his
farm in Dakota county. Since 1880 his home has been in Birch Cooley. Miss
Sobrina Boonhower was married to him in 1874. There are three children.

   G. Buery was born January 25, 1826, in Germany. Came to America at the age of
twenty; worked at his trade, that of cooper, in Canada and in Buffalo, New York
but in 1857, migrated to Mankato, Minnesota. He has lived since 1859, in Birch
Cooley; went to Fort Ridgely in 1862, for safety from Indians, but in 1865
returned to his farm. In 1847 he married Margaret Scherman who died in 1854.
Miss S. Coffman became his wife in 1855. Eight children are living.

   Robert Camp, born September 2, 1854, near Baraboo, Wisconsin, went, when two
years old, to Canada with his parents, and shortly afterwards to Michigan, where
his mother died November 20, 1871. His home has been in Renville county,
Minnesota, since 1874, and much of the time since leaving school he has been
employed in teaching. Came to Birch Cooley in 1875. Owns here a farm of 270
acres. In 1876 Mr. Camp married Miss Elizabeth Griffin. Edith is their only child.

   Nelsou V. Campbell, a native of Ohio, was born July 29, 1841, in Portage
county. He lived with his parents until enlistment in Company B, 55th Wisconsin
infantry; was discharged in August, 1865. The family came in 1867, to Minnesota,
and in 1876 to their present farm of 200 acres, of which Nelson Campbell owns
120 acres. In 1876 he was married; his wife's name was Miss E. Curtiss; one
child: Charles R., born January 1, 1879.

   John Carr was born in 1809; he was brought up on a farm and ohtained his
education in Ireland, his native country. In 1837 he married Mary Murt; seven
children. Mr. Carr emigrated in 1829 to Canada; removed to Nicollet county where
he remained from 1857 to 1873, the date of his coming here. His son, William H.,
born May 12, 1857 in Canada, owns a farm on section 8 but resides with his parents.

   S. J. Comstock, native of New York, was born December 22, 1838, in Wayne
county. From the age of six years until the autumn of 1866, he lived in
Michigan, then migrated to Wisconsin and the following spring came to his home
in Birch Cooley. In 1871 he married Miss Diana Harrington, who was a teacher.
Mr. and Mrs. Comstock have two children. He has filled the offices of town
treasurer and clerk.

   John Desmond was born in July 1823, in county Cork, Ireland. In 1846 he
accompanied his parents to Canada, but soon after located in St. Lawrence
county, New York, which was his home until coming to Minuesota. Lived for a time
in Rochester, then on a farm near Mankato eighteen months, after which he
settled in Birch Cooley. Married in 1856, Honora Farrell; eleven children; the
living are Patrick, who has been town clerk two years, Cornelius, Mary, Ellen,
Margaret and John J.

   George Fry, born April 15, 1824, in Steuben county, New York. Lived in Dodge
county, Wisconsin, from 1864 to 1868, the year in which he removed to his farm
in Birch Cooley. Mr. Fry was married in February, 1850; his wife, Sarah Holly,
born in 1830, is also a native of Steuben county, New York. They have five
children: Norton, Alvira, Norman, Julia and Ellen.

   S. A. Greenslit was born January 28, 1833, in Washington county, Vermont. He
migrated in 1854 to Sauk county, Wisconsin, removed to Minnesota in 1856, and
was one of the early settlers of Dodge county. Mr. Greenslit has lived since
1869 at his farm of 320 acres in Birch Cooley. Miss M. Loomis, native of Orange
county, Vermont, was married to him in October, 1856; two children: Fremont and
Jessie.

   James Haed, native of Ireland, was born in County Galway. When about twelve
years of age his parents died, and in 1847 he immigrated to the United States in
company with his brother and sisters. Went to Rochester, New York, in 1850, and
in 1855 to Wisconsin; removed again in 1867 to Minnesota, and settled where he
now resides. Mr. Haed was married in 1859 to Rose McClusky. Five children are
living and three deceased.

   Thomas Hill was born May 12, 1809, in Ireland, and when seventeen years old
came to America with a brother. His trade is that of mason and stone cutter, at
which he worked previous to coming to Minnesota in 1852, then continued in the
same business at St. Paul several years. Located on a farm in Scott county in
1856; removed in 1869 to this county and in 1871 settled in Birch Cooley. Mr.
Hill married in 1841, Rehecca Darr; they have eight living children.

   W. H. Jewell was born January 3, 1831, in Saratoga county, New York. In 1846
the family moved to Geneva, Wisconsin; remained in that state until 1867, when
he removed to Minnesota and came directly to the farm where he is still living.
Mr. Jewell was sheriff of this county two years, has held several town offices
and served ten years as postmaster. Married in 1852, Caroline Bunce. They have
two boys and three girls.

   Magnus Johnson was born July 24, 1833. At nineteen years of age he went to
Christiana, Norway, and engaged in stone work until 1861, the date of his
emigration for this country. He located in Fillmore county, Minnesota, but in
1866 removed to Renville county, and since 1868 has lived at his farm in Birch
Cooley and has held various offices in this town. Married in 1855, Caroline
Olsen. Their children are John, Mary, Ole, Emma, Christian, Gustave, Julian,
Alfred, Louisa, and Almeda.

   John Kumro, native of Germany, was born January 10, 1826. In 1847 he
enlisted; served three years, then in 1850 came to the United States; went to
Mankato, Minnesota, in 1857, and removed in the spring of 1859 to his farm on
section 32 of Birch Cooley. Mary Coffman became his wife in 1856. Eight of their
ten children are living. In 1862 the Indians took their horses and they were
compelled to walk to Fort Ridgely for safety.

   James Leary, native of New York, was born October 10, 1839, in St. Lawrence
county. From the age of sixteen he was dependent upon his own exertions. He
learned the business of carpenter; migrated to Wisconsin in 1862, and in 1864 to
Rochester, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade until 1868, the year he came
to his farm in Birch Cooley. Margaret Farrell was married to him in 1864, and
has eight children: the living are Dennis, Mary A., Cornelius, Thomas, James,
and Catharine.

   Denis Lordan, born in March, 1845, remained in Ireland, his native country,
until twenty-three years of age, when he immigrated to Rochester, Minnesota. Mr.
Lordan was one of the first settlers in the town of Palmyra, Renville county;
since April, 1878, he has lived on his farm in Birch Cooley. In 1872 he married
Miss Mary Cornelly. They are the parents of five children: Ellen, Katie, Mary
and Sarah are living.

   Oscar Miller, native of Wisconsin, was born August 8, 1856, in Fond du Lac.
In the autumn of 1865 the family moved to New Ulm, and the following spring came
to the farm where he and the father now live; the mother died in this town. Mr.
Miller's farm, containing 160 acres, lies on section 32. He married in December,
1879, Lavina Kumro, native of Mankato. They have one child.

   T. F. Miller was born in 1855 in Wisconsin. Accompanied his parents to Iowa,
and about two years later removed to Birch Cooley, where he finished his
education. In 1874 he went to California, but returned two years later and
located at his farm on section 32 of this town. He was united in marriage in
1879; his wife's maiden name was Louella C. Petrie. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one
child: George E.

   Peter Murphy, born in 1831, in Ireland, lived on a farm and also worked at
teaming until coming to America. In 1852 he moved to Canada, and two years later
to Dodge county, Wisconsin, but has lived since 1870 at his farm of 240 acres on
section 4, Birch Cooley. Mr. Murphy married in 1854, Margaret Bagley. Of the
twelve children born to them, six boys and three girls are living.

   D. J. O'Shea, native of Ireland, was born October 5, 1837. The family
emigrated in 1840 to Canada; he removed to Chicago in 1862, and was employed
several years in a rolling mill, but in 1865 returned to Canada. Since 1870 his
home has been at his farm of 320 acres in Birch Cooley. Miss Mary Holland was
married to Mr. O'Shea in 1857. They have eleven children.

   J. P. Patton was born October 17, 1842, in Oswego county, New York. From 1854
until 1861 he lived in Wisconsin, then removed to Olmsted county, Minnesota.
Enlisted in Company H, Sixth Minnesota; was on the frontier eighteen months,
then went south; served till the war ceased; returned to his home, but soon
after went to Beaver Falls and worked two years at his trade, that of carpenter,
then came to his present home. Mr. Patton has been justice of the peace and
county sheriff. In 1870 he married Mary E. Griffin; six children; only one is
living.

   Jens Pedersen, born June 19, 1855, is a native of Denmark. When fourteen
years old he began learning blacksmithing, and at the age of eighteen immigrated
to Minneapolis, where he was employed at his trade. In 1878 he came to Birch
Cooley, where he .carries on farming and blacksmithing. Mr. Pedersen was married
in 1877; his wife, Mary Reen, was born in Norway, and when nine years of age
came with her parents to the United States.

   J. L. Preston, native of New York, was born on July 5, 1838, in Oneida
county. His father who was a native of Vermont, was a farmer and died years ago
in New York. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Preston entered the lumber business at
Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. Enlisted in March, 1862, in Company I, Third Wisconsin
cavalry; served until March 15, 1865, when he came to Minnesota and located on
his farm of 160 acres, section 21, of Birch Cooley.

   Phineas Reynolds was born February 2, 1819, in East Canada. After the death
of his mother in 1833 he went to Vermont and worked at farming; remained in the
eastern states and Canada until going in 1854 to Wisconsin. From 1864 until the
close of the civil war Mr. Reynolds was in service. In 1866 he came to Birch
Cooley. Married in 1841, Emaline Annis. Four children are deceased; the living
are Chloe, and Gardner, who was born in Canada, February 11, 1852, and lived
with his parents until 1877, the date of his marriage with Viola Price, who has
borne him one child. He also owns a farm of 80 acres on section 29.

   R. F. Richardson, born May 21, 1829, in Cattaraugus county, New York, moved
with his parents in 1836 to Michigan. In 1854 he migrated to Dodge county,
Minnesota, and fourteen years after came to Birch Cooley, where he is engaged in
farming and in practice as veterinary surgeon; he is treasurer of this town. He
was united in marriage in 1851 with Miss S. M. Carlough. One child, Emma J.

   R. M. Simmons, native of New York, was born in Genesee county, March 26,
1822. When he was eight years old the family moved to Ohio; in 1844 he went to
Iowa, and in 1850 to California; returned after mining there four years and
located in Le Sueur county, this state. Since 1867 he has lived at his farm of
200 acres in Birch Cooley. Married in 1843, Mary Kennedy, who died June 2, 1871.
Mrs. Ann Knighton, was married to him in 1878; six children.

   John Tracey, who is a native of Ireland, was born May 21, 1834. In 1849 the
family immigrated to Fayette county, Ohio; November 18, 1863, shortly after
arriving in Albert Lea, he enlisted in Company C, 2d Minnesota Cavalry; was on
the frontier until discharged in November, 1865, at which time he located in
Renville county. Mr. Tracy has held numerous town offices. He Married Ann Baird
in 1861. Of their fourteen children, twelve are living.

   Thomas Whetston was born August 15, 1847, in Syracuse, New York. From the age
of seven years until 1857 he lived with his parents in McHenry county, Illinois,
then they removed to Minnesota; lived on a farm in Freeborn county until after
the Indian massacre, when they went to Nicollet county, but in 1877 located
where he now resides. Married in 1874, Bridget O'Shea; four children: John,
Daniel and Mary are living.

FLORA.

   This town was organized in the spring of 1867, and the first officers elected
were: Henry Dreyer, chairman, John Schefer and Henry Timms, supervisors; F.
Shoemaker, clerk and justice; Louis Thiele, constable; no other officers
qualified. The first settlers came in the spring of 1859, and were; Lattao,
Schwanke, Theile, Stoltz, Krause, Kitsmon, and some others. Many of these were
killed by the Indians. F. Shoemaker was the first settler after the Indian
outbreak; he made a claim in August, 1865.

   The village of Vicksburg was surveyed in 1867, on land owned by Mr.
Tillotson. William Baade had a store for several years; there was also a
blacksmith shop and a few other buildings. In 1878 the buildings were moved to
Sacred Heart.

   The first preaching was at F. Shoemaker's, in 1867, by Rev. George Simon; in
1869 an Evangelical society was organized by Rev. E. J. Hillscher. A church was
built on section 35 in 1880, which cost $2,000. The German Methodists held
meetings in 1869, conducted by Rev. H. Singenstrue; the society was organized in
1875 and a log church erected on section 22. The Christians have a frame church
on section 19; the first meetings were held in 1874. The Lutherans organized in
1871, under charge of Rev. Hunziker.

   The first school was held in 1868, at Christian Sperver's house, taught by
Bert M. Nichols; the town now has four districts. Herzhorn post-office was
established in 1869 with F. Shoemaker as postmaster; the office was discontinued
in 1879. Sacred Heart post-office was located at Samuel Burnell's house about
1869. The next year the name was changed to Vicksburg, and the office moved to
the store of William Baade, who was made postmaster; since 1878 John Larkins has
had charge of the office.

   The first marriage was that of Joseph March and Betsey Rausch, in June, 1866.
Henry W. Shoemaker, horn April 26, 1866, was the first birth in the town.

   H. S. Braley was born in 1833, in New York. When two years of age he
accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, and in 1865 removed to Iowa hut shortly
after went to Wisconsin. Since 1868 he has been at his farm in Flora. Mr. Bralv
has held several town offices. In 1858 he married Jane Smith, born in 1839. They
have lost one child; the living are Amanda M., Willis H., Sherman J., Sumner G.,
Amy E. and Louisa B.

   David Brown, a native of Maine, was born in 1845; in 1868 he migrated to
Wabasha county, Minnesota, but the following year removed to his present home in
Flora; the farm of eighty acres lies in section 18. His father, Samuel Brown was
born in 1811, in Maine, and lived on a farm with his parents until 1832. He came
in 1868 to Minnesota and the next March, moved from Wabasha, to Flora, where he
still resides. He married in 1834, Eliza Tibbets, who was born in 1814, and has
borne him ten children. The living are David, Julia, Louisa and Etta.

   James J. Christie was born in 1822, in Canada. He came to Minnesota in 1863;
after living in Rice county about eighteen months he removed to Dodge county and
was employed in farming there until 1870, at which date he came to Flora and
located on his present farm. Miss Margaret Christie, born in 1833 was married to
him in 1850; four children, James S., May J., Nancy G. and Margaret J.

   R. W. Davis, native of Ohio, was born in 1839, in New Lisbon, but when young
went to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and at the age of ten years removed to
Meigs county, Ohio, where he worked at the trade of plasterer and mason. June
13, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourth West Virginia; served over three
years and lost his left arm. He made a claim in Birch Cooley, but abandoned it
in 1867 and came to Flora; has held the offices of justice and register of
deeds. In 1864 he married Vesta Black, who died in 18 75. William A., Clarrissa
A., James H., and Robert S. are the children; in 1876 he married Clara Chester;
one child, Julia A.

   J. M. Doyle was born in 1822 in New York but when only one year old
accompanied his parents to Canada where after leaving school he was principally
engaged in lumbering and railroad contracting. In 1862 he removed to Illinois
and thence to Minnesota; he lived at Cannon City, Faribault and Northfield, but
in 1871 located permanently in Flora. Married in 1843, Nancy Hunter; have six
living children and have lost one.

   Henry Dreyer was born in 1828. He served three years in the army of Germany,
his native country; he entered the service in 1848 and about eight months after
being discharged immigrated to New York; soon removed to Wisconsin, where he
worked at wagon making until 1856, then came to Minnesota. From LeSueur county
he came in 1866 to Flora. Married in 1860, Mrs. Regina Korth, who had two
children: Bertha and George. She and Mr. Dreyer are the parents of Rufus,
Matilda, Louisa, Ida, Regina, Henry and William.

   James Gaffney, native of Ireland, was born in 1813 and in 1828 came to New
York. From there moved to Indiana, and after working on the Wabash canal two
years, went to Illinois and began farming; thirty years after, he made a trip to
Kansas, then came to Waseca county, Minnesota, and from there to Flora, where he
now lives. In 1849 he married Mary Powers; she died in 1870. Ten children; nine
are living.

   Simeon Kysar was born in Indiana in 1836. In 1856 he came to Minnesota and
lived in Rice, Brown, Blue Earth and LeSueur counties. Served thirteen months
during the war, in the mounted rangers; also eight months in the 1st heavy
artillery. He lived in Le Sueur county until 1880, then came to Flora. His
principal occupation has been that of engineer. Married in 1857, Miss Cynthia
Thomas. Nine children.

   John Larkin was born in Ireland in 1825, and came to this country in 1843;
landed in Boston and lived on a farm in Massachusetts till 1867, then came to
St. Peter, Minnesota, and from there to Flora. He has for four years been
justice of the peace and postmaster. In 1852 he married Mary Darcy; they have
had eleven children, eight are living.

   Charles Schaffler was born in Germany in 1827. He learned the trade of
tinsmith; in 1847 went in the army and served two years; came to this country in
1852. Lived in Philadelphia until 1855 then came to Minnesota; after working at
St. Paul one year he took a claim in Le Sueur county; in 1859 started a tin and
hardware business at Le Sueur and lived there eighteen years. He was first
lieutenant in the Le Sueur Tiger company during the Indian outbreak. In 1872 was
elected sheriff of his county; in 1877 moved to Flora. In 1854 he married Anna
Lenc. They have one son; Gustavus.

   Francis Shoemaker was born in Germany in 1823. Followed the life of sailor
from the age of fifteen until 1852, then was mining in California till '57, when
he settled on a farm in Le Sueur county, Minnesota. The following spring he
visited Germany; lived in Le Sueur county eight years, then came to the farm
where he now lives; has held several offices. Married Mrs. Rebecca Schluter; she
had one child, J. C. Their children are: Francis M., Herman M., Celia M., Martha
A., Rebecca A., Henry W. and Minnie G. Mrs. Shoemaker is a homeopathic physician.

   F. M. Shoemaker, Jr., was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, in 1858. Came
with his parents to his present home in Flora, in 1866; he owns a farm of 160
acres. For four years he has been a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry.

   H. Zimmermann, native of Germany, was born in 1855. He immigrated to this
country, and from New York came to Minnesota and until 1876 lived in New Ulm; in
December of that year he went to Iowa, and in 1878 moved to Marshall, Minnesota.
October 10, 1881, he came to Flora; he is a minister of the German Methodist
church. May 23, 1881, he married Mary Cluckhohn.

CAIRO.

   This was one of the earliest settled towns in Renville county. It was
organized April 7, 1868; at that time twenty-nine votes were cast, and the
officers elected were: William Emmick, chairman, August Rieke and J. H. Phelps,
supervisors; J. H. Phelps, clerk; M. J. Haines, assessor; Geo. Rieke, treasurer;
B. Barton and Joseph Labarron, justices; S. Turner and H. W. Dodge, constables.
The town was called Mud Lake until July 8, 1869 when the name was changed to Cairo.

   John Buehro was the first settler; he located on the east side of Mud lake in
June, 1859, and was killed by the Indians in 1862. George and Victor Rieke came
in 1859, and in 1860 their father, J. Frederick Rieke. The Rieke family returned
to their claims and resumed farming two months after the Indian outbreak,
William Rieke came in 1864 and Joseph Labarron in 1865.

   The German Methodists, under the leadership of Rev. H. Singenstrue, began
holding meetings in 1860; services are now held occasionally by Bev. G. Raihle.
The Catholics began services in 1872, and in 1877 bought the Grange hall in
Ridgely and moved it to section 5 in this town, and fitted it up as a church;
services are held monthly by Father Andreas. The first school was taught in 1868
by Helen Nixen; there are now four school buildings in the town, three log and
one frame. Henry, son of John Buehro, born March 27, 1861, was the first birth.
John H. C. Rieke died in December, 1862, the first death.

   The cyclone of 1881 did considerable damage in this town. .Joseph Halloway,
wife and three children, were killed; one of his boys escaped death, but had
both arms broken. John Finley, a boy aged fourteen, was killed while herding
cattle; many of the cattle were killed outright or died from injuries received.
In addition to loss of life, a large amount of property was destroyed.

   Charles Bird was born in 1839, in Oneida county, New York, and removed at the
age of seventeen to Dodge county, Minnesota; worked on a farm about two years.
August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Minnesota, and served through
the war. Then lived ten years in Rochester, Minnesota, and farmed near there
until May, 1869, when he located in Cairo. Mr. Bird married Louisa Christman,
July 10, 1860; their children are William H., Zoella, Zelro D. and Delmer.

   Walter Caven, native of New York, was born in 1843 in Allegany county, but
when three years old accompanied his parents to Washington county, Wisconsin.
Came in 1869 to Minnesota, and the next year took a homestead in Cairo; owns 128
acres on section 6; Mr. Caven has held the office of town treasurer several
terms. Miss Mary Knaley was married to Mr. Caven in Wisconsin; the living
children are Thomas, James, John, Henry and Mary.

   John Crawford was born in Bronson, Huron county, Ohio, in 1836. At the age of
sixteen he went with his parents to Wisconsin, where for three and one-half
years he lived on a farm and attended school. From 1865 to the spring of 1878 he
was employed in farming in Kalmar, Olmsted county, Minnesota; in that town he
was chairman of the board one term and assessor five years. Came to his present
home in Cairo in 1878 and has held some offices here. Married in Wisconsin in
1856, Julia A. Hammon; their son Hiram died September 26, 1881; the living
children are Effie, Ernest, John, Ralph and William.

   Adam S. Cristman, native of New York, was born July 20, 1838 in Herkimer
county. When eighteen years old he went with the family to Wisconsin, and two
and one-half years later removed to Olmsted county, Minnesota. Enlisted August
15, 1862 in Company F, Ninth Minnesota and served three years after which he
continued farming at his former home, for five years, but in the spring of 1870,
came to Cairo where he has filled town offices. He was married September 11,
1859 to Martha M. Crawford; the living children are Edwin, Adam and Charles.

   Nicholas Cristman was born in 1836 in Herkimer county, New York, and after
leaving school he learned coopering. In 1856 he moved to Wisconsin, where he
worked at farming; from 1859 until 1870, his home was in Olmsted county, this
state; farmed there two years and afterwards conducted a cooper shop in
Rochester. Came to Cairo in 1870; owns 160 acres of land here. Married in 1869
Mrs. Mary Williams, who had two children, John E. and Gertrude. She has borne
Mr. Cristman three children: Mary, George and Sylvia.

   Frederick Dickmeier was born in 1830 and reared on a farm in Germany, the
land of his birth. His marriage also occurred in that country in 1852 with Miss
Ingle Dyer. Immigrated to Ohio in 1858, but removed in 1867 to Minnesota and
located permanently at his farm of 160 acres on section 34, Cairo. Mr. and Mrs.
Dickmeier have seven children: Mary, Frederick, Henry, William, Louis, John and
Amelia.

   Ralph R. Dodge, deceased, was born in 1827 in Massachusetts, where he learned
the trade of carpenter. On the 27th of December, 1848 he was united in marriage
with Miss Susan Jane Cook and they migrated in 1857 to Olmsted county,
Minnesota, where he conducted a farm and worked at his trade. In 1869 the family
removed to Cairo and took 160 acres of land. Mr. Dodge died here on the 28th day
of February, 1872. Of their family seven boys and two girls are living, and Mrs.
Dodge and son Philo, who was born in 1849, in New York, carry on the farm.

   James Drake, native of England, was born in 1843, and when sixteen years old
came to the United States. Worked at farming five years in Fond du Lac county,
Wisconsin, and two years in Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he located in 1865;
then in the spring of 1867 came to his present home in Cairo; his farm is on
section 14 and' contains 160 acres. Emma Collins was married to him April 23,
1865; Charles F., Alice L., William E., Albert J. and Joseph E. are their children.

   Engebret Eidsvold was born in 1853 in Norway, and in 1872 emigrated to
America. He was employed on a farm near St. Paul two years and attended school
the same length of time in the city; then passed one year with a brother
previous to coming in 1877 to Cairo, which has since been his home; owns 160
acres on section 29. Mr. Eidsvold married in this town in 1878, Miss Mary
Grasmon. Henry is their only child.

   Matthew Finley, native of Ireland, was born in 1827. At the age of twenty he
immigrated to Rockland county, New York, and four years later removed to
Minnesota. Lived two years in Dakota county, eight years in Rice county, and
from 1865 to '77 in Nicollet county; then came to his home of 200 acres in
Cairo. Married in 1862, Catherine Mulhall, who has borne him ten children; the
living are James, Mary, Simon, William, Ann Catherine and Matthew. Mr. Finley's
buildings and farm machinery were totally destroyed in the tornado of July 15,
1881. Their son John, aged twelve, who was herding cattle a short distance from
the house was found on the prairie, dead; the remainder of the family escaped in
an almost miraculous manner.

   James Fullerton was born in 1823, in Illinois; passed his youth in that state
and Indiana. In 1854 he began farming in Winona county, Minnesota. Enlisted in
1863 in Company K, 4th Minnesota and served until honorably discharged, when he
returned to Winona county, but since 1871, his home has been in Cairo. Mr.
Fullerton is the father of six children; three by his first wife whom he married
in Illinois and three by second.

   Even H. Grasmon, native of Norway, was born in 1852 and when sixteen years
old, immigrated with his parents to Renville county, Minnesota. In June, 1877,
he removed to the farm on which he now lives, consisting of 160 acres on section
19, of Cairo. He was married March 11, 1877; his wife, Beta Hanson, was born in
1860, in Wisconsin; Alethe M. and Louis H. are their children.

   C. H. Hopkins was born in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, but moved, when
sixteen years old, to Wisconsin. In November, 1863, he enlisted in the 13th
Wisconsin light artillery, and was discharged June 20, 1865. Returned to
Wisconsin, where he resumed farming; afterward clerked one year, and was then in
the dairy business until 1869, when he came to Minnesota. His home is in Cairo,
and he has served this town as justice and clerk. Married Susan Cristman, in
November, 1872, and has two children: Hayward V. and Frank H.

   William Kiehn, native of Germany, was born in 1864 in Hanover. He came to the
United States in 1871; lived two years in Wabasha county, Minnesota, then came
to Renville county, where his parents now reside. Mr. Kiehn has two brothers and
two sisters living; one brother and one sister are deceased. His father, who
owns 80 acres on section 19, of Cairo, was born in 1822, in Germany.

   Dr. C. S. Knapp was born in 1826, in Connecticut, and when twelve years old
moved with his parents to the state of New York. He was given an academical
education and then followed the drug business four years. Began the study of
medicine at the age of eighteen, and in 1851 graduated from the Syracuse Medical
College; practiced in that city five years and then continued in the work of his
profession in Columbia county, Wisconsin, until 1871, at which time he came to
Cairo. He now conducts a farm, also continues his practice. Married in 1848,
Miss E. M. Imson; the children are W. E., Frank S., B. A., Ida May and William H.

   John B. Liebl, who is a native of Austria, was born in 1856. At the age of
thirteen he accompanied his parents to the United States; they located in
Nicollet county, where he attended the district schools. In the spring of 1878
he came to Cairo, which town is still his home. Mr. John Liehl and Miss Maria
Tynor were married in 1879 in West Newton. They are the parents of one child:
George.

   Edmond O'Hara was born in December, 1834, in Ireland. Came with his father's
family to America, when fourteen years old; lived three years in Kentucky, then
for a time in Missouri. Worked on a railroad as assistant freight agent, then
farmed in Iowa, until coming, in 1869, to Cairo. Mr. O'Hara has held town
offices; has been county commissioner and state legislator. Mary Rourke became
his wife in 1861; eight children: the living are: James, Catherine, Bridget,
Mary, Eliza and Margaret.

   James O'Hara, born December, 1836, in Ireland, immigrated to Kentucky with
his parents when he was thirteen years old. Passed three years in that state,
two in Missouri, and then was employed in farming in Iowa until 1869, at which
date he removed to Minnesota, located in Cairo, and soon after brought his
family here. Married Johanna Guiney, July 17, 1863. Margaret A., Johanna, James,
Bridget, David, Mary, Honora and Elizabeth are their children.

   Nels Peterson, native of Sweden, was born in 1841, and at the of sixteen
began the life of a sailor. He was in the United States navy from October, 1864
until November, 1867. In December of the latter year he returned to Sweden,
where, the following March, he married Miss Beata Leiberg, and in the autumn of
1868 they settled in Cairo; seven children: Stephen, Ellen, Emma, Minnie, Mary,
Elizabeth and Oscar.

   Datis Rector, native of New York, was born in 1833, in Schenectady county. He
migrated to Wisconsin when seventeen years old, and was chiefly employed in
farming there until the spring of 1866, when he located permanently in Cairo,
where he has 160 acres. Mr. Rector was a member of the first town board, and has
since held other offices. Miss Ellen Babbet was married to him, March 29, 1859.
They have an adopted child, Mary Jacobus.

   Adam Rieke was born June 1, 1840, in Prussia, and in 1856 immigrated with his
parents to Ohio, where they lived until coming in 1860 to Cairo; has been town
treasurer and supervisor. For a number of years the Riekes were the only
settlers in the town. Adam Rieke and Miss A. Sander were married March 15, 1871;
Louis, Edward and Annie are their children.

   August Rieke, native of Prussia, was born in 1846. At the age of nine years
he accompanied his father's family to America, and in 1860 migrated to Cairo;
they were among the early settlers of this county, and one boy, Herman, died at
Fort Ridgely during the siege by Indians in 1862. Mr. Rieke was married in 1880
to Miss Melia Grounke. Frederick Rieke, Sr., born in 1796 in Prussia, died here
in 1879.

   George Rieke was born March 1, 1834, in Hanover. Came to Ohio in 1855, and
worked there at mining and manufacturing iron until coming in 1859 to his
present home in Cairo; there was but one settler here when he arrived, a man who
was killed by Indians in 1862; Mr. Rieke was the first treasurer of this town.
He married, September 26, 1864, Mrs. Sophia Lammers, whose husband was killed in
the Sioux massacre; she and her children were held prisoners about six weeks;
she had three children by first marriage and seven by second.

   William Rieke, native of Hanover, was born December 23, 1831, and emigrated
from that country in 1856. Until 1864 he resided in the state of Ohio, then
migrated to Minnesota and located at his present home in Cairo, where he owns
160 acres. Miss Louisa Vollmer became his wife in 1836; seven children; the
living are William, Louisa, Mary, Victor, Adam and Katie.

   George F. Thane was born in 1839 in Germany, and when thirteen years old
accompanied his parents to America; for twenty years they were farming in
Illinois; since 1872 has lived in Cairo, where he owns 160 acres. Held the
office of town clerk five years and justice three years. Married in 1865
Frederica Lenkering; of their nine children eight are living. Mr. Thane was a
heavy loser by the great cyclone of July 15, 1881.

   Christian Vogt, born in 1830, is a native of Germany; came to America at the
age of seventeen; with his parents he settled in Illinois, where they were
farming twenty-three years. In 1871 he came to Cairo and took 160 acres of land.
He married in 1862 in Illinois, and his wife died there; she had borne him two
children. In 1868 he remarried, and has four children by his present wife.

CAMP.

   The first settlers in this town were Antoine Bucofsky and Joseph Michelsky,
two Polanders who came in the summer of 1858; they were soon followed by John
Hose, Conrad Hamm, Werner Bosch, C. Schlumberger, and Andrew Schott. These all
left on account of the Indians. In June 1865, John Halverson and Hellek Petersen
who had settled in 1862, returned and now live on their original claims. The
early records of the town are missing and a list of the first officers cannot be
given.

   Rev. A. E. Frederickson, Norwegian Lutheran, held services in 1867 and in
1868 a society was organized by Rev. Lars Johnson, with twelve members. Houges
Evangelical Lutheran society held meetings first in 1868; in 1881 a log church
was built on section 10. The Norwegian Synod and Conference Synod are also
organized. The German Methodists hold services at Rieke's mill. The first school
was taught in 1868 by Clement Treadbar. The town now has three school-houses.

   The first birth occurred in Joseph Michelsky's family in 1860. Renville
post-office was established in 1873 and T. H. Hofsoe appointed postmaster; he
kept the office at his store. In 1879 the name was changed to Camp and Sever P.
Nelson appointed postmaster; the office is at his store on section 23. A
water-power grist-mill, built by Victor Rieke in 1873 is still operated by him.
A woolen mill was built in 1871 by B. Marchner and operated until 1880 when the
machinery was taken out and moved to Brown county. William Pless built a mill in
1871 which was operated until the dam was carried out by high water in 1881.
Frederick Koke runs a steam saw-mill which he built in 1878.

   Nels O. Berge was born in 1851 and accompanied his parents from Norway, his
native land, to Dane county, Wisconsin, and two years later to Trempealeau
county. He was brought up on a farm and learned blacksmithing; since 1869 he has
lived in Camp and he has held the offices of town treasurer, clerk and justice.
In 1870 he married Caroline Hagestad who has borne him five children: Minnie,
Clara, Otilda, Edward and Alfred.

   Hans O. Boium is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1840.He emigrated
from that country in 1867, and since that time has been a resident of the United
States. Until 1868 he lived in Fillmore county, Minnesota, then migrated to
Renville county and settled in Camp, where he owns 160 acres of land. His
marriage occurred in the year 1865, with Betsy Oleson; the children are Ole,
Christian, Sarah and Olina B.

   Patrick Campbell, a native of Ireland, was born in 1831, and remained in that
country until seventeen years old. For three years his home was in Manchester,
New Hampshire, then twelve years in Madison, Wisconsin, and four years in
Rochester, Minnesota, but in 1867 he located in Camp, where he has 160 acres of
land. Mr. Campbell married Elizabeth Mullen in 1849, and in 1865 she died; her
children were Christopher, Thomas and James. In 1873 he married his present wife.

   Ole I. Dale was born in 1814, and until 1857 resided in Norway, the land of
his birth, then came to America. He was a soldier ten years in his native
country, also worked at the trade of tailor. Mr. Dale spent one year in Dane
county, Wisconsin, then was employed in farming ten years in Trempealeau county.
After living in Pope county, Minnesota, five years he came in 1873 to Camp.
Married in 1846, Betsy Berge; children: Iver, Elling, Julia, Martha, Olaf,
Betsy, Mary and Nels.

   Mikal Elden who is a native of Norway, was born in 1855. Immigrated in 1866
to Wisconsin, and upon coming to Minnesota two years later he located on section
4 of Camp. The marriage of Mr. Elden with Anna Johnson occurred in 1877. They
have two children: Albert and Caroline.

   Louis J. Enger was born in 1845 in Norway, and in 1869 came to the United
States. Did carpenter work about two years at Neenah, Wisconsin; since 1871 his
home has been in Camp, where he owns a farm, but he has worked at his trade
considerably in Waseca county. Miss Johnanna Lee became his wife in June, 1872,
and has borne him four children: Randa C., Julia S., Emil A. and John L.

   Richard Gerdes was born in 1855, and was educated in the schools and the
University at Frankfort, from which he graduated in 1871. For a time he served
as a soldier; was then in the employ of a railroad company as ticket agent five
years, and also worked in an office as corresponding secretary some time. Came
in 1878 to America and clerked at Ft. Ridgely two years for an uncle; was in
partnership with S. P. Nelson a short time, and has since been his clerk.

  Petter Gundersen, born in 1822, is a native of Norway, where for a number of
years he was a soldier. In 1869 he came to the United States; came to Renville
county, Minnesota, and located a claim in Camp. Mr. Gundersen learned
blacksmithing in the old country, and has worked at that trade some here.
Married in 1859, Mary Christopherson; the children are Caren, Gunders, Mary,
Lena, Hannah and Ole.

  John Halverson was born in 1827 in Norway. Served in the regular army seven
years, and in 1855 immigrated to Wisconsin; removed in 1857 to Waseca county,
Minnesota, and bought a farm which he sold four years later, and in June, 1861,
came to Camp; was at Fort Ridgely in the siege of 1862: then lived near St.
Peter three years, at the expiration of which time he returned to his farm. In
1854 he married Julia Lund; Georgianna, Mary A., Helen T., Janet, Amelia and
Henry T. are their children.

  Halvor Hanson was born in 1847, in Norway. In 1868 he came to the United
States; lived one year in Wisconsin, and since 1870 his home has been in Camp,
Minnesota. Mr. Hanson's occupation has always been that of farmer, with the
exception of one year that he was employed in a store in his native country. In
1868 he married Annette Engebretson; the children are Hans E., John, Olga,
Alfred and Julia.

  Louis Hanson was born in Norway, in 1838; in 1854 immigrated to Dane county,
Wisconsin, and five years later removed to Trempealeau county. He enlisted in
Company D, 51st Wisconsin infantry, in 1864 and served five months. Mr. Hanson
came to Camp, took 160 acres of land and lived on his farm thirteen years; is
now employed as clerk in Hector; has been supervisor, constable and deputy
sheriff. Married Miss A. Nelson in 1859, who died in 1877; children are Betsy,
Henry, Martha, Julia, Louis and Ida.

  Mathias Johnson, native of Norway, was born in 1846, and upon coming in 1865,
to America, settled in Nicollet county, Minnesota, which was his home two years.
He enlisted in Company A, First Minnesota; was honorably discharged six months
later. In 1866 took a homestead on section 20, Camp. Mr. Johnson's marriage with
Albertina Luke took place in 1870; the children are Emma, Oscar, Anna M. and
Maria A.

  F. Koke was born in 1841 in Germany, and learned the business of miller and
millwright; in 1863 moved to Jersey City, but shortly after went to Lake
Superior and remained five years then passed a few months in New Ulm, West
Newton and Yellow Medicine. In 1875 he built a mill near New Ulm, which was
burned about two years afterwards; he then worked eight months in the Maple
River mill, and since 1879 has operated a saw-mill in Camp. Married in 1871,
Anna Pless; Helena, Adele, Herman, Louise and Hugo are their children.

   Mathias O. Lee was born in 1836. He was a soldier in Norway, his native
country, five years; his early days were spent on a farm and he learned the
trade of carpenter. In 1864 he immigrated to Wisconsin, where he was employed in
farming until 1868, at which date he located at his present home in Camp. Miss
Olina Oleson was married in 1860 to Mr. Lee; seven children, Ole N., Carl J.,
Clara J., Minna O., Hannah S., Semmy I. and John B.

   Anders L. Naset, born in 1841, is a native of Norway. When twenty-six years
of age he emigrated from the land of his birth to the United States. His home is
at his farm of 160 acres in section 26 of Camp. The marriage of Mr. Naset took
place in the year 1868; his wife was Miss Inger Marcusdotter. The children are
Christian M., Marcus, Louis and Marie.

   Hogen Nelson, born August 12, 1847, in Norway, where he remained until twenty
years old. He came in 1867 to the United States and after living about two and
one-half years in Fillmore county, Minnesota, he came in 1869 to Camp, where he
has held some town offices. In 1869 he married Sarah Thompson. His father, Nels
Hoganson, born in 1816 and his mother born in 1818, are living with him.

   Peder Nelson, native of Norway, was born in 1828. In 1856, he came to the
United States; lived in Wisconsin, and in Fillmore county, Minnesota, until
coming in 1867, to Camp, where he has been supervisor three years. Mr. Nelson
has 168 acres. Married in 1853, Mrs. Mary Erickson, who had two children: Ren da
and Christine: she has borne Mr. Nelson six children: Sever P., Julia, Herman,
Sarah, Nels and Betsy.

   Sever P. Nelson who was born in Norway in 1853, moved in 1856 with his
parents to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where they lived until 1865, at which
time he removed to Camp. Until 1880, he was engaged in farming, since that time
has kept a general store; at first in partnership with Richard Gerdes, but
since, alone. Mr. Nelson has been postmaster since being in business here. In
1876 be married Mary Johnson; three children: Amelia, Betsy and Sana.

   O. O. Nesburg was born in 1836, in Norway. He followed the life of a sailor
about nine years previous to locating, in 1855, in Columbia county, Wisconsin;
removed in 1857, to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and one year after to Fillmore
county. In 1861 be enlisted in the 1st Minnesota artillery; be returned and
taught Norwegian school seven years; since 1868 he has lived in Camp. Married in
1862, Julia Anderson. The living children are Nellie, Andrew, Gunder, Anna and
Louise.

   D. O'Neil, born in Washington county, Wisconsin, remained there until
twenty-two years of age, living on a farm. In 1868 be migrated to Renville
county, Minnesota, and located at his present place; has been chairman of the
town board several years. Johanna Mountain was married to him in January, 1869;
they have four children: Margaret, James F., Josie and Daniel.

   E. Otto, native of Germany, was born in 1834, and immigrated in 1854 to
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked six months at carpentering. Previous
to coming to Minnesota in the fall of 1855, he spent six months in Iowa; worked
two winters in the St. Croix pineries, then from 1859 until 1862, his home was
in Camp; passed some months in Wisconsin, and six years in Nicollet county, this
state, then returned to Camp. Miss Catherine Orth became his wife in 1857; the
children are Henry, Emily, Frederic, Anna, William.

   Hellek Petersen, born in 1835, in Norway. Upon coming to this country in
1844, he located in Wisconsin, where he lived eleven years; removed to Iowa and
there married in 1857, Julia Jacobson; since 1859 his home has been in Camp,
with the exception of about three years passed in Goodhue county and Faribault.
In 1862 he was one of the defenders of Fort Ridgely; has held town offices and
served as county commissioner. The children are Peter, Isabella, Jacob, Edward,
Louis, Henry and Alfred.

   Victor Rieke, native of Germany, was born in 1836, and while living there
learned the trade of miller and millwright. Immigrated in 1857 to Ohio, where he
was employed in wagon making until 1859, the date of his removal to Minnesota;
worked at farming in Cairo, this county, and since 1872 has been operating the
mill which he built that year. Married in 1866, Mina Wulfe; five children:
William, George, Anna, Lydia, Martha.

    Lauritz H. Rund was born in 1842, and raised as a farmer in Norway, the land
of his birth. In 1869 he emigrated from that country, and soon after pre-empted
160 acres of land in Camp, which town has since been his home. His marriage took
place in March, 1873, with Maria Evanson; four children: Helga, Carl, Mollie,
and Albert.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Schott was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, and married
in that state in 1852. Her husband, Max Haack was a native of Saxony; after
attending college and studying medicine, he began practice as a physician, and
also engaged in the drug trade. In 1858 they moved to Nicollet county, this
state, and in 1862 he was killed at New Ulm. The children are Louise, Otto and
Amelia. She remained on the farm until coming in 1865, to Camp. Henry Graff, her
second husband, was killed in 1867 by falling from a wagon. By this marriage she
had one child: Henry; also has one son, Oscar, by her present husband, Andrew
Schott, who is a native of Germany.

    John Thompson was born in Norway in 1846. When he was four years old the
family immigrated to Dane county, Wisconsin. Eleven years later they removed to
Fillmore county, Minnesota, and after living there ten years came to Camp; has
been commissioner three years, and town clerk and justice about eight years.
Enlisted in Company D, Eighth Minnesota, for three years; he was in General
Sully's Indian expedition and afterwards in the south; he had two brothers in
the army.

    Thomas Tweet, native of Norway, was born in 1836, and upon coming to America
in 1854, located in Wisconsin, which state was his home until 1861. Enlisted in
Company A, Seventh Wisconsin infantry; was kept in a hospital several months by
a wound caused by the slipping of an axe which he was using in the fort;
returned to his company and engaged in some severe battles; was wounded in the
arm twice at the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Tweet has 160 acres in Camp. He has
been deputy sheriff and has held all the town offices. Married in 1864, Belle
Surson; the children are Anna J., Sarah L., Matilda A., Johnanna A., Julia S.,
Betsy P., Theodore J. and Henry U.

HAWK CREEK.

    This town when set apart for organization in July, 1868, contained much more
territory than at present; the officers appointed were: C. C. O'Brien, chairman,
W. F. Von Deyn and Thomas Oleson, supervisors; G. P. Greene, clerk; A. G.
Enestredt, assessor. In August, 1875, the limits of the town were reduced so as
to embrace all of towns 114 and 115, range 38, lying north of the Minnesota
river. In 1859 Magloire Robideaux settled near the mouth of the creek; Louis
Labelle, Alex. Guertin and others had settled previous to the outbreak, but were
compelled to leave and did not return. In 1867 the first permanent settlers
arrived, among whom were F. W. Brasch, L. S. Earle, Joseph Marsch, Joseph
Schaffer and Louis Kope.

   The first school was taught in 1869 by Mrs. Eliza Mulford; the town now has
three schools. The first marriage was that of Joseph Schaffer and Miss J. J.
Mutter, November 15, 1868. Hawk Creek post-office was established in 1869, with
J. S. Earle in charge; after several changes the office was discontinued in
1880. The village of Jennettville was laid out previous to 1860, by Louis
Robert, on section 21; only a few buildings were erected and the village was a
failure.

   Ole Fugleskjil was born in 1827, in Norway. In 1862 he immigrated to
Wisconsin and the year following located in Freeborn county, Minnesota; since
1867 his home has been at his farm in Hawk Creek; has held the office of
assessor four years, justice five years and is now clerk of the town. Married in
1857, Miss S. Olsen; the children are Mary, Marithe, Ole, Olina, Simon O., and
Petra. Mr. Fugleskjil is now dealing in lumber at Sacred Heart.

   H. Listerud was born in 1839 in Norway, where he learned the trade of
gunsmith, and also served in the army five years. In 1869 he came to Minnesota
and settled in New Sweden; came to Hawk Creek in 1870, and now has 220 acres on
section 22; has served as assessor and supervisor. In 1859 he married Martha
Peterson, who has borne him ten children: Dora, Clara, Peter, John, Martin,
Bennet, Jennie, Deoline, Henry, Olina.

   Joseph Schaffer was born in 1836 in Prussia, where he learned wagon making.
Landed at New York in 1853; traveled through Canada; passed one year in Detroit;
visited St. Louis, New Orleans, St. Paul and the Rocky mountains; returned to
Missouri and enlisted in the home guards; he was shot at Lexington, the ball
entered the back and was taken out of the right side. In 1862 he re-enlisted in
the Fourth Ohio battery and was discharged in 1865. Came to Minnesota in 1865.
Married in 1868, Julia Mutta; their children are Frederick, Julius, Dina, Henry,
John, Mary.

   Henry Wilson was born in 1815 in Pennsylvania; remained in his native place
until twenty-one years old, then traveled through the northern and western
states after which he lived twenty years in Illinois, doing cabinet and
carpenter work. In 1862 he located in Le Sueur, was employed in farming two
years, and three years at his trade. He was in mercantile business for a time
and in 1867 removed to Hawk Creek; has been town clerk and justice five years.
Married July 4, 1842, Frances Campbell, who died January 9, 1849; her children
were James H., Mark C. and Samuel J.; the two former served in the late war;
James, from December, 1863, until March 1866, and Mark from February, 1863, to
October, 1865. Lavina Luse became the wife of Mr. Wilson November 11, 1849; two
of her children are living: Senora A. and Augusta E.

SACRED HEART.

   The town of Sacred Heart was organized in 1869 and the first election held at
G. P. Greene's house April 6th, at which the officers chosen were: S. Brooks,
chairman; Ole Johnson and P. G. Peterson, supervisors; G. P. Greene, clerk; O.
B. Dahl, assessor: Ole Enestedt, treasurer; P. W. Brooks and G. P. Greene,
justices; J.P. Okens, constable. The name is supposed to have been derived from
the Indian name given to a man named Patterson who wore a bearskin hat; the bear
being a sacred animal to the Indians, they called him the "Sacred Hat" man,
which gradually became Sacred Heart. J. R. Brown erected a fine stone building
in 1861, with the intention of running a large stock farm, as he owned a large
tract of land; the building was destroyed by the Indians in 1862 and the family
barely escaped with their lives. A few other settlers located along the river in
1862, but were compelled to leave. Among the first settlers after the Indian
outbreak were G. P. Greene, who came in 1866, and a party of Scandinavians the
same year; they were followed by others and the town soon became well settled.

   The Norwegian Lutherans held meetings in 1869, and soon after organized a
church society; in 1880 they erected a fine frame church in the village. A
second society of this sect was organized a few years since, and built a church
in 1880 on section 7, where services are held monthly by Rev. John Halverson.
The Swedish Lutherans hold services at their church in the village, which was
built in 1880; the first services of this denomination were held about 1872.

   The village of Sacred Heart was surveyed in October, 1878, on land owned by
the Hastings & Dakota railroad company and J. H. McKinlay, on the north half of
section 7. The business of the village is transacted by three general stores,
one millinery, one drug and fancy grocery store, two blacksmiths, one shoe shop,
a harness-shop, tailor-shop, meat-market, two hardware, two hotels, two saloons;
there is one physician; there are two elevators, the combined capacity of which
is about 50,000 bushels.

   Minnesota Crossing post-office was established about 1870, and located at the
house of G. P. Greene, who was postmaster; in 1876 O. S. Reishus was appointed
postmaster, and the office was moved to his house; in 1878 the office was moved
to the village and the name changed to Sacred Heart.

   H. O. Field, native of Norway, was born October 1, 1832, and came to America
in 1865. He worked at his trade, blacksmithing, at Beloit, Wisconsin, for seven
years, then came to Renville county, Minnesota, and settled on section 8; when
the village started he moved to it and opened a hotel; afterward started a
blacksmith shop. In 1854 he married Martha Henningson; they have four children
living.

   Charles G. Johnson was born in Sweden, July 30, 1845. Came with parents to
America in 1853, and went to Chicago, where the father died in 1854; two years
later his mother came to Minnesota and settled near St. Peter, where she lived
until her death in 1861. He enlisted in Company D, Ninth Minnesota, in 1862, and
served until 1865; he was captured at Guntown and remained in rebel prisons nine
months. He lived in Nicollet county until 1871, then settled in Sacred Heart.
Was elected county surveyor in 1872, and has since held that office; has also
been assessor, and is now justice of the peace. Married, April 12, 1868,
Christina Holberg; five of their six children are living.

   Ole O. Nes, a native of Norway, was born January, 1834, and when four years
old came to the United States with his parents; first located in Dane county,
Wisconsin but in 1858 removed to Waseca, Minnesota. Mr. Nes enlisted in 1863 in
Company I, 10th Minnesota and remained in service until the war ceased. In June,
1872 he removed to Sacred Heart. His marriage with Margaret Farrell took place
March 12, 1860; eleven of their twelve children are living.

   H. W. Olson, who was born August 8, 1837, in Norway, has been since 1850 a
resident of America. After living ten years in Rice county, Minnesota, he took a
claim in Nicollet county. December 11, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Second
Minnesota cavalry and served until December, 1865; he was with Generals Sibley
and Sully on the frontier; returned to Nicollet county and in November, 1869,
settled on his present farm. Mr. Olson has held different town offices since
living here.

   A. Osmundson was born April 12, 1841, in Norway, and upon coming to this
country in 1860, settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. Eighteen months later he
migrated to Dakota county, Minnesota, but in 1863 removed to Waseca county and
in 1871 located in Sacred Heart. On the 26th of February, 1868, Martha Fingerson
became his wife; she has borne six children; one is deceased.

   O. S. Reishus, born April 6, 1843 in Norway, immigrated to Wisconsin, while
young, with his parents. Was educated at the college of Decorah Iowa. Removed in
1854, from Wisconsin to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and enlisted in 1864, in
Company D, First Minnesota heavy artillery and served through the remainder of
the war. In 1870 he settled on a farm in Yellow Medicine county and in 1872 was
elected representative from that county; during 1873 he was engrossing clerk.
After residing there two and one-half years he came to Sacred Heart and in 1881
came to the village; has held various town offices and been postmaster since
1875; was for a time in the drug business. Married in 1867 Ingebar Prestgarden;
five children are living.

   Frederick Schroder, native of Germany, was born September 18, 1830 and while
a resident of that country, learned the trade of butcher. Immigrated in 1857, to
Chicago; worked in that city at his trade four years; ran on the lake and worked
at stave making two years in Michigan; was in Illinois about six years. In 1862
he enlisted in the light cavalry of that state and served three months. After
residing at St. Peter two years he took a claim in Sacred Heart. Married in
1865, Cecelia M. Hanson.

   Berger Shunerson was born November 19, 1823 in Norway. His marriage also
occurred in that country, in 1848, with Matilda Hanson. In October, 1853 they
immigrated to Racine county, Wisconsin, and four years later removed to
Nebraska; After making that state their home three years, they passed twelve
years in Iowa and finally settled in Sacred Heart. The children are Edward,
Bernt, Isabel, Sever, Matilda and Hans.

PRESTON LAKE.

   September 28, 1869, this town was organized by the election of the following
officers: E. U. Russell, chairman, William Rosser and Ira S. Sheppard,
supervisors; H. H. Davis, clerk; J. A. Washburn, treasurer; G. A. Gifford and
Allison Houck, justices; J. L. Maun and W. Herring, constables.

   The first claim was taken by Dr. Engle, who, with N. A. Van Meter, located in
August, 1862; they went below for supplies, but were prevented from returning by
the Indian outbreak. In 1866 a few families settled near the lakes, among them
Messrs. Olloway, Chilson, Reeks, Rosser and Mrs. Ward.

   The first religious meetings were held by the Methodists in 1869; a society
was organized and now holds services semi-monthly. Other denominations have held
occasional services. The first school was taught in 1870 by Mary Stone. The
first marriage was that of Judson Mann and Lucy Haven, in 1867. The first birth
was George, son of R. Olloway, born in 1867. The first deaths occurred in 1866;
two men who had gone after mail were found frozen to death; their names were
Gozette and Cairne. Swansea post-office was established in 1869 with William
Rosser, the present postmaster, in charge. The village of Buffalo Lake was
surveyed in 1881 on land owned by J. C. Riehe on section 30, and is improving
rapidly; there are now two general stores, a hotel, a blacksmith shop, two
saloons and two warehouses.

   Charles W. Allen was born in Oxford county, Maine, in 1835, and after leaving
school learned carpentering and shoemaking. He worked at those trades in his
native state until coming to Preston Lake in 1872; he owns a farm here and has
worked in various parts of the state at his trade. He has held different town
offices since coming here. While in Maine he enlisted in the 16th regiment of
that state, Company I, and was in the army from August, 1862, until January,
1864. Mr. Allen's first and second wives died in Maine; his present wife was
Ellen Houck; the children are James, William, Selden, Cora, Carrol, Elton,
Gertrude and Silas.

   H. F. Bartlett, native of Massachusetts, was born in 1844 in Hadley. When
sixteen years of age he began learning carpenter work, which trade he followed
there seven years. Upon coming to Minnesota in 1867 he worked that summer in
Minneapolis, spent the next winter in McLeod county, and since the spring of
1868 has been farming and stock raising in Preston Lake, where for seven years
he has been town treasurer. Melinda F. Green was married to Mr. Bartlett January
8, 1872. Junius and Henry are their children.

   Ambrose Eynon, born in 1851, in Canada, has been a resident of the States
since nine years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. He
learned the trade of carpenter and was employed in that business until 1873, at
which date he came to his present home in Preston Lake, which town he has served
a number of years as chairman of the hoard. Mr. Eynon married in 1874, Luella
Scott; the children are Marian G., Scott W., Arthur W., and Helen I.

   Watkins Eynon was born in Wales in 1821, and when nine years old moved with
his father's family to Canada, where he worked about eight years at the
carpenter's trade. In 1859 he removed to Wisconsin, and continued that trade
fourteen years, also worked some time at farming. His home, since 1873, has been
in Preston Lake, and he has held the office of justice here, four years. Married
in 1845, Mary Woodhull, who died in 1861: Thomas L., Sarah, Ambrose, Elizabeth,
William and Isabella are their children.

   William Gerber was born in 1832. He learned the trade of stone mason, at
which he worked, in Prussia, his birthplace, until 1868, then settled at Ripon
Wisconsin, where he continued in the same work four or five years. Lived at
Howard Lake, Minnesota, from 1872 until 1876, since which time he has been
employed at his trade and farming, in Preston Lake. Married Amelia Stahr,
January 29, 1861; two of their children are deceased; the living are Robert,
Mina, Frederick, Julius, Ida, August, Emma and Lucy.

   Ole Halverson, native of Norway, was born April 2, 1817, and immigrated to
Illinois in 1839. Removed to Iowa county, Wisconsin; worked at mining and
farming, also conducted a store several years. In 1862 he went to Dane county,
where he was in mercantile business ten years. His first wife died in that state
and be married Mrs. Mary Halverson, whose maiden name was Dolven. In 1874 he
came to Preston Lake; has held several town offices. Mrs. Halverson had one son
by her first husband: Ole.

   Charles Hamann, born in 1835 is a native of Prussia. When about twenty years
of age he emigrated for America; after living in Illinois two years he began
farming in Carver county, Minnesota, hut removed in the spring of 1878 to
Preston Lake. On the 2d of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 1st Minnesota;
was in more than twenty engagements, and was honorably discharged in May, 1864.
Married Amelia Miller in 1864, who has borne him eight children: August,
Hermann, Lizzie, Mary, Emma, Lena, Adeline and Charley.

   Elijah Houck was horn in 1840, in Maryland, but went with his father's family
when only seven years old, to live in Indiana. In 1854 he removed to Minnesota:
lived near St. Paul eighteen months, five or six years in Rice county, and then
in Dakota county, until coming in 1866 to Preston Lake. His father, Allison
Houck, who died here July 5, 1876, was born in 1817, in Huntington county,
Pennsylvania, and was married in that state, in 1840, to Charlotte Christ, born
in 1822, in Maryland. The Houck family are among the oldest settlers here; there
were thirteen children, three are deceased, and ten live in this town.

   J. E. Lewis, born in New York, in 1832, came in 1867 to Minnesota; stayed
nearly two years then returned and followed farming a number of years in his
native state. Came to Minnesota again, and since 1873 has given considerable
attention to farming and stock raising; that year he took a tree claim in
Preston Lake, and now has 30 acres of thrifty trees; owns in all 465 acres of
land. He was in the drug business at Hutchinson until July, '1880; in 1881 he
opened a store at Buffalo Lake, where he carries drugs and general merchandise;
also deals in lumber. Married, September 11, 1872, Emily Ridout; John C. and
Emily M. are their children.

   George and Albert Painter are sons of John Painter, who was born in 1832 in
Pennsylvania, and worked at blacksmithing in that state from his youth until
1868, when he migrated to Howard Lake, Minnesota. George was born in Indiana in
1855, and Albert in Pennsylvania in 1857. They accompanied their parents to this
state in 1868, and learned the trade of blacksmith, at which they worked in
connection with farming in Martinsburg, Renville county, where they had located
in 1877. In December, 1881, they built a shop at Buffalo Lake, their present
place of business.

   George W. Rosser, native of Canada, was born in 1856, and his home has been
in Preston Lake, since coming here with his parents, when ten years old. In 1876
he came to his farm of 50 acres on section 11. He has held the town offices of
clerk and assessor. Mr. Rosser married in 1876, Sarah Eynon; they have three
children: Watkin W., Edwin R. and Anabel.

   William Rosser was born in 1830 in London, Canada. At the age of seventeen he
began teaching; followed that occupation nine years and then for ten years, he
was in the grocery trade at Carlyle. Since the spring of 1866, his home has been
in Preston Lake. He has been supervisor, justice and town clerk; has also been
since 1868, postmaster of Swansea. Married in 1855, Elizabeth Alway; five
children; George, Annie, Albert, Mattie and Lizzie.

NORFOLK.

   This town was set apart for organization as Benton, September 6, 1870; the
first election was ordered held on the 22d of the month. The records of the town
for the first meetings are missing. January 4, 1871, the name of the town was
changed to Marschner and a few years later, to Norfolk. The first settlers were
S. D. Childs and Charles Sherwood, who came in the fall of 1868; early in 1869,
James Murphy, Patrick Williams, and James Brown made claims. Rev. N. Tainter,
Methodist, held services in 1869; meetings are held at private houses and
school-houses. The first birth in the town was that of Thedea, daughter of S. D.
Childs, born in March, 1869; she died the following September. Norfolk
post-office was established in 1879, with James Brown as postmaster, but was
discontinued the same year.

   S. Brooks, native of New York, born in 1843, moved to Wisconsin when a boy,
with his parents, and was brought up on a farm in that state. He enlisted in
1862 in the 32d Wisconsin infantry and served through the war. Mr. Brooks
removed to Steele county, Minnesota, in 1865 and was married there the next
year, to Jenet Carvey. Since 1871 their home has been in Norfolk. Of the six
children born to them, five are living.

   Franz Ederer was born in 1836. While living in Germany, his birthplace, he
was engaged in the brewing business. Previous to coming to America in 1864, he
visited Austria and France; stayed in New York three months, then in St. Louis
until 1868, and in Wisconsin from that time until 1870, the date of his coming
to Minnesota. From 1874 until 1877 he was in California and Oregon, then
returned to this state; he owns a large farm on sections 6 and 8 of Norfolk.
Married in 1868, Annie Koch; six children.

   J. H. Hogan, native of Canada, was born in 1847. In 1864 he removed to
Chicago, where he remained two years; he has worked at his trade, that of
blacksmith, in sixteen different states, but in 1880 settled in Norfolk,
building a good shop and residence. Mr. Hogan's marriage occurred in this county
in July, 1881; his wife, Sarah Jones, was born in 1855 in Canada.

   J. L. McLaughlin was born in 1814, in Toronto, Canada. Prom 1834 to 1837 he
worked at the carpenter trade in St. Clair, Michigan, but then returned to
Canada; in 1846 he removed to Franklin county, New York; worked at farming there
until 1868, at which date he came to Minnesota; his farm is on section 35,
Norfolk. Mr. McLaughlin has been justice of this town since 1870. Married
Isabell Lynch in 1838. They are the parents of ten children.

   Frank Poselev was born in 1855 in Wisconsin. Came in the spring of 1873 to
Minnesota; located first in Nicollet county but removed to Norfolk, and his home
has since been on section 12, where he has a fine place. In 1875 he married
Maggie Keltgel. Henry and Willie are their children. The spring of 1881 Mr.
Poseley was elected chairman of the town board.

   William Richter, native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1837 in Cambria county.
In the autumn of 1875 he located in Scott county, Minnesota, but three years
later removed to Norfolk, which is still his home; his farm is situated on
section 11. Mary Ann Luther became his wife in 1860. The names of their children
are Jacob, Josephine, Simon, Matilda, Mary, Margaret and Peorus.

   L. M. Thompson was born in 1826. He learned the trade of carpenter in New
York, his native state. Removed to Wisconsin in 1856; the next year came to
Minnesota and has since lived in Rice county. Mr. Thompson married in 1847,
Locina Sanfrancisco. Of their four children three are living: T. J., George A.
and Eudora. The sons own 350 acres of land in Norfolk.

   Elbert Van Orum, whose native state is New York, was born in 1846. In 1863 he
went to Vermont where he enlisted; he was honorably discharged and in the fall
of 1865 he removed to Dodge county, Minnesota, where in 1869, he married Laura
Calhoun. Their farm is located on section 30 of the town of Norfolk. Five
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Orum: two are deceased.

STEWART.

   M. Blanchard, native of Wisconsin, was born in 1847 at Wauwatosa. After
leaving school he learned milling, in which business he was engaged fourteen
years at Watertown, Wisconsin. He then sold, and in 1878 located in Stewart,
Minnesota, where he has since been acting as agent in the employ of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad company. He was married in 1867, and has one
child: Mattie.

   Albert Boedigheimer was born April 14, 1849, in Medina county, Ohio. He
learned harness-making and removed to St. Paul, where he worked at that trade
seven years; was then in business in partnership with Mr. Metzzer from 1873 to
1878, at which date he opened a general store and harness-shop in Stewart; his
business house, built in May of that year, was the first erected in Stewart;
also conducts the Union elevator, in which he owns one-half interest. He is
treasurer of the town of Collins. Married, October 5, 1871, Augusta Krueger; one
child: Mary.

   Eli Degree was born in Canada in 1844, and in 1864 came to the States. He
served eighteen months in Company A, Sixth Vermont, and after the war returned
to that state, where he worked two years at blacksmithing, and then three years
in New York. In 1875 he came to Minnesota; followed his trade and farming three
years in Grafton. Since erecting a shop in Stewart, in November, 1878, he has
been in business here. In 1870 he married Julia Kotie; three children: Moses and
Rosa; Jessie is deceased.

   A. J. Hall was born in 1836 in Rensselaer county, New York. He graduated from
a business college at Rockford, Illinois; in 1865 he came to Minnesota, and the
following year he and his brother George located at Round Grove, McLeod county;
they were among the earliest settlers there. He owned the Round Grove farm of
605 acres until 1879, when he sold to his brother and has since managed the
farm, and had charge of G. W. Hall's elevator at Stewart. Married in 1865 Martha
Gardiner; they have adopted two children.

   R. H. Horgan was born in Massachusetts in December, 1844, and while small
accompanied his parents to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. Returned to his native
state in 1859, and in 1862 sailed for California; three and one-half years later
he migrated to Illinois, thence to Wisconsin, and eighteen months after to
Minnesota. For some time he made a business of hunting, then for several years
did carpenter and cabinet work at Hutchinson. Since 1878 he has conducted a
lumber-yard at Stewart; is now serving the town as clerk. In 1875 Miss Caroline
Stocking became his wife.

   M. Schmitz, native of Prussia, was born in 1850. While young he learned
blacksmithing at St. Paul, Minnesota, and until 1878 worked there at his trade.
During his residence in that city he was four years a member of the fire
department. In July, 1878, he built a shop at Stewart, which was one of the
first buildings in the village, and has since been in business here. In 1874 he
married Miss H. Schwartz. Edward W., Alexander J. and Francis A. are their
children.

   William Senescall was born in 1826 and lived in England, his birthplace,
until 1848, at which date he came to America. He lived one year in New York and
two years in Michigan, engaged in livery and draying business, then removed to
Dakota county, Minnesota where he worked at farming from 1852 until 1864.
Enlisted in August of that year in Company F, First Minnesota independent
battalion; served eighteen months as farrier, and after returning he dealt in
horses until 1880 when he came here and bought the Stewart House. He married
January 21, 1851, Mary Mayo who has borne seven children; one is deceased.

BOON LAKE.

   Until September, 1870, the territory included in this town was a part of
Preston Lake. The first officers to serve were: J. W. Post, clerk; Timothy
Cornish, treasurer; E. U. Russell, assessor; I. S. Sheppard, justice and Samuel
Chilson, constable. The board of supervisors elected failed to qualify. The
first claim taken in the town was by I. S. Sheppard in February, 1865; his
family came in June, 1866. E. U. Russell, who came in the summer of 1865, was
the first settler. There is a society of Methodists in charge of Rev. George
Geer; the first meetings were held in 1874. In 1871 Miss Belle Jewell taught the
first school in a building on section 29; there are now five school-houses.

   Benjamin F., son of I. S. Sheppard, born in August, 1867, was the first
birth. There was a post-office called Mahkahsahpah, in charge of E. U. Russell,
established in 1868 and discontinued in 1870. Lake Side post-office was
established in 1871, with I. S. Sheppard as postmaster.

   Owen Carrigan was born in Vermont in 1848. He moved with parents to Walworth
county, Wisconsin in 1855 and remained there until 1863 then removed to Houston
county, Minnesota. Was engaged in farming and railroading until 1870, when he
came to Boon Lake. He has been assessor, supervisor, and county commissioner.
Married in 1879, Minnie Buce; they have one child: Ellen. His wife's parents and
their four children, were killed by Indians in 1862.

   G. S. Edner was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1842 and in 1856 went
to Wisconsin. At La Crosse, in 1861, he enlisted in the 14th Wisconsin infantry,
and served until the close of the war. In the fall of 1865 he settled on section
26, town of Boon Lake. Married in 1865 Annie Hogarty who has borne him seven
children.

   Frederick Eggert, native of Germany, was born in 1812. He engaged in the
lumber business, and in 1853 emigrated to the United States. Lived at Troy, New
York, until 1856, then settled in Minneapolis, where he lived fourteen years.
Removed to his present home in Boon Lake in 1870. Mary Sanft became his wife in
Germany in 1837. Of their twelve children, six are living.

   Ernest Koeppe was born in Germany in 1838. He was raised on a farm, and in
1857 came to this country; he lived on a farm in Wisconsin until 1878, then
located on section 12 of Boon Lake. He married in this town in 1878, Mrs. H.
Eggert, who was born in Germany, in 1851.

   C. D. McEwen was born near Burlington, Vermont, in 1822. In 1841 he moved to
New York, and engaged in the dairy business until 1855, then went to Wisconsin;
two years later he located in McLeod county, Minnesota, where he carried on a
dairy and manufactured cheese. In 1876 he settled in Boon Lake, where he
conducts an extensive dairy. Married in 1843 Miss M. Dwinell; the living
children are Howard, Bowman, Carlton, Clark L.

   Mrs. J. S. Newell was born in Massachusetts, in 1845, and at ten years of
age, came with her parents to Hastings, Minnesota. In the spring of 1866 she was
married to Henry T. White, a native of New York. Mr. White was in the army and
was taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison, where he lost his health; he
died in 1877. In November, 1881, she was married to William J. Newell, native of
Kentucky, born in 1849. He was raised in Illinois, and has been engaged in
farming and dealing in horses, nursery goods, etc.

   A.  L. Pfeil was born in Germany, in 1831. Learned the carpenters' trade and
also engaged in merchandise and saloon business. In 1869 he came to this country
and for a time worked at his trade in Minneapolis. Came to his present home in
Boon Lake, in 1872. Matilda Butdius became his wife in 1861. They have had
twelve children, seven are living.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

History of the Minnesota Valley
Minneapolis: North Star Publishing Co. (1882)


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