A History of Beaver Falls, Renville Co., MN Includes some Bios ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher Submitted: January 2005 ========================================================================= Excerpted from: "HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY, INCLUDING THE EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS OF MINNESOTA" BY REV. EDWARD D. NEILL, -AND — "HISTORY OF THE SIOUX MASSACRE" BY CHARLES S. BRYANT. MINNEAPOLIS: NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1882. RENVILLE COUNTY. CHAPTER LXXXIII. 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, 0livia, Renville Station, Sacred Heart. These were all surveyed by D. N. Cowell on laud 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 Reed & 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 Beaver 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 Iliinois 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. BERNDGEN 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. BESTOR 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. BLUME 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. BUTLER 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. BUXTON 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: Delia E. and Hannah T. CARRUTH 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. COLEMAN 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. COREY 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. DAGEN 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 are their children. He has been supervisor and is now clerk of his school district. DAVIS William Davis, native of Illinois, was born in 1843, and at six years of age was taken to Iowa, and in 1859 came in 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. GARRETTY 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. GERALD 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 Blue Earth county April 21, 1878, Thora M. Strom: they have one son, Guy Howard. GREELEY 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. GRONNERUD 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. HUNTER 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. JACKSON 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. JENSEN 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. JOHNSON 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, Emeliue and Albert. KELSEY 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 Head'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. KIRWAN 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. MARSH 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. MCCLURE 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 ha 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. MCGOWAN 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. MCINTOSH 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. MILLER S. B. 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. MORK 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 Christiansen, married in 1864: four children. MORSE 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 carpenters trade five years, then came back, and now lives on section 2, Beaver Falls. He married in Massachusetts, in 1863, Elizabeth Adams; they have two children. NEUENBURG 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. ROBERTS 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. SCHEER 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. SCHWEINFURTER 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. STRENZEL 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. WEATHERSTON 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. WHITAKER 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. WHITE 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. WICHMANN 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. WILLLIAMS 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 hi 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. ZUMWENKIL H. Zumwenkil was born in Germany in 1839. He learned the harness makers 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.