A History of Kingman, Renville Co., MN
Bios Included
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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 LXXXV

KINGMAN

   Set apart for organization, September 3, 1878, and election held at H. W. 
Jones' house, section 24, with the following result: A. P. Altman, chairman, E. 
Fouch and D. Coons, supervisors; S. T. Salter, clerk; L. W. Stearns, assessor; 
H. W. Jones, treasurer; L. W. Stearns and John Pfeiffer, justices; D. Coons and 
P. B. Porter, constables. The first settler in the town was J. C. Hogadone, who 
came early in May, 1877. The same month L. W. Stearns located; E. Fouch and H. 
W. Jones came the same year.

   Religious meetings were held by the Methodists at L. W. Stearn's house, in 
the winter of 1878-9, conducted by Rev. N. Tainter, and a society organized; 
services are now held semimonthly, at the school-house, on section 20, conducted 
by Rev. Irvine. The first school was taught by Miss Clara Stearns, in L. W. 
Stearn's house, during the winter of 1878-9. On section 20 is the only school-
house in the town.

   The first birth was W. M., a son of David and Anna Coons, born July 12, 1878. 
The first death was that of J. H. Sangmyhr, who died May 10, 1881, aged 96 
years, 11 months, and 24 days.

COONS
   David Coons was born November 18, 1856, in Canada. He came to Atwater, 
Minnesota, in 1876, and one year later went to the Black Hills; after a stay 
there of five months, he settled in Kingman, Renville county. He was a member of 
the first town board, and is now constable. Married, November 13, 1877, Anna 
Johnson, who was born in Norway in 1854; one child, William.

PFEIFFER
John Pfeiffer, native of Germany, was born July 13, 1828. In 1852 he came to 
this country, and in 1854 to St. Paul, where he worked at stone-cutting five 
years, then moved to Hastings; in 1879 came to Kingman. In 1858 he married E. 
Mary Beck: eleven children have been born: eight are living: Ida, George, John, 
Matilda, Emma, William, Lillian and Albert.

SALTER
   S. T. Salter was born December 25, 1838, in Princeton, Maine. In 1874 he came 
to Minnesota, and after living in Atwater two years, settled on section 20, 
Kingman township, Renville county. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, 
llth Maine infantry, and was discharged the following year for disability. He 
re-enlisted in March, 1865, in Company E, 15th Maine, and served until May, 
1866. September 22, 1862, he married Lydia H. Maxwell; Albro H., Albra S., Mary 
C., Albert G., James E. and Seth N. are their children.

STEARNS
   L. W. Stearns was born in Wayne county, New York, October 15, 1829. Removed 
to Michigan, thence in 1860 to Wabasha county, Minnesota. In 1868 he went to 
Kandiyohi county, and in 1873 to Missouri and to Michigan; after living in the 
latter state two and one-half years, came to Kingman. February 18, 1864, he 
enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota, Company G, and was discharged for disability 
May 8, 1865. Sarah Reynolds became his wife July 4, 1855, and is the mother of 
twelve children; the living are Orvill A., Clara A., Eliza A., Leander J., Rhoda 
M., Frank E., Marco B., Lena, Maud and Burt.