Scott County MN Archives History - Books .....Belle Plaine And Other Towns 1882
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Book Title: History Of The Minnesota Valley

CHAPTER LI.
BOROUGH OF BELLE PLAINE—TOWN OF BELLE PLAINE- BLAKELY- HELENA — CEDAR LAKE-
SPRING LAKE- CREDIT RIVER- NEW MARKET.

  Belle Plaine city was surveyed by J. F. Baldwin on land owned by E. and E. L.
Farnham in the north-west quarter of section 5 and the northeast quarter of
section 6, and recorded January 1857. An addition was recorded in May following,
containing nearly two hundred acres, lying north and west of the original site
and in sections 31 and 32, township 114, range 24. The whole site was
subsequently vacated.

   Judge A. G. Chatfield, a territorial judge appointed by President Pierce,
came to Minnesota in 1853 and settled at Mendota. Riding on horseback and
following an Indian trail throughout his circuit, he was forcibly struck with
the appearance of the region now known as Belle Plaine, and resolved to make it
his home. Accordingly in the spring of 1854 he took a claim of 192 acres, and a
town site of 320 acres, all of which is now included in the present site of
Belle Plaine village. The name Belle Plaine was given it by Judge Chatfield,
suggested by the appearance of the site. It was surveyed in 1855 by W. H.
Stodder, on section 1 of township 113, range 25, and section 6, township 113,
range 24. Additions were made from time to time, and by an act of legislature,
approved March 5, 1868, it was incorporated as a borough, including in all about
four square miles, all in the town of Belle Plaine, and is now known as the
borough of Belle Plaine. The settlement of Belle Plaine borough is so intimately
connected with that of the town of Belle Plaine that details are here unnecessary.

   Shortly after settlement Judge Chatfield, in conjunction with W. W. Smith and
Major R. H. Rose, commenced improvements. In order to induce rapid settlement
and growth of the village, Belle Plaine company was formed. It was a
corporation, with stock to the amount of $100,000, there being 100 shares of
$1,000 each. Possessed of the land that embraced the site of Belle Plaine, the
company in pursuance of its object began the sale of village lots. Many lots
were disposed of, and the village bade fair for a large and prosperous town,
when the crisis of 1857 broke upon it; purchasers could not meet their
obligations, and the company, embarrassed by such failures, was compelled to
make an assignment. D. W. Ingersoll, Esq., of St. Paul, was appointed assignee,
and by payment of the obligations of the company he became owner of the unsold
portion of the site, much of which he still possesses. During the existence of
the company numerous substantial buildings were erected; the growth was of a
vigorous nature, and had the financial crisis of 1857 occurred a few years later
the foundation of a large town would have been so firmly established that it
could not have been impeded. The officers of the company were: Judge A. G.
Chatfield, president; J. Alexander Pace, secretary; W. W. Smith, treasurer.

   The following were appointed by the act of incorporation to take charge of
the first election: R. H. Rose, O. T. Metzner and James Clark. The election was
held April, 1869, and the following chosen officers: R. H. Rose, mayor; S. A.
Packer, N. Smith and 'William Henry, council; C. T. Metzner, clerk; Albert
Manley, marshal. In 1873 the number of council was increased from three to five.
Present officers are Martin Kelliher, mayor; M. Haly, M. O'Connor, Anton Castel,
Jacob Smith and M. A. Galvin, council; J. E. Townsend, clerk; Daniel Callahan,
treasurer; H. H. Sistermans and William Henry, justices of peace; John Moriarty,
marshal.

   Belle Plaine post-office was established in the winter of 1854, and located
on the north J of north-east J, section 7. Edward Berry, postmaster. The mail
was weekly. In the spring of 1856, the office was moved to the original site and
J. B. Sly appointed postmaster. After various changes, Mrs. E. E. Chatfield,
widow of Judge Chatfield, was appointed in 1876, and still retains the position.

   The business interests of Belle Plaine: six general stores; two hardware
stores; two drug stores; one shoe and clothing store; two millinery stores; one
furniture store; two jewlery stores; one tailor; three wagon shops; three
blacksmith shops; one harness shop; three shoe shops; one job printing office;
two meat markets; two dealers in agricultural implements; two lumber yards; one
brick yard; three hotels; one brewery; eight saloons. There are also five
churches. Station was established in 1868 and depot built; present agent, A. C.
McGuire.

   C. L. Sly and W. A. Baldwin built the first mill in the township. It was a
steam saw mill erected on section 31, township 114, range 24, at a cost of
$10,000. It was operated about fifteen years and is now useless.

   First grist mill was built in 1857, by the Belle Plaine company at a cost of
about $30,000. It had three runs of stone and was burned in 1864. It was owned
at latter date by S. A. Hooper. No mill was erected until 1870, when Park grist
mill was built by Norris and Doolittle, at a cost of about $9,000 with a
capacity of fifty barrels per day. In 1874, Peter Henry became proprietor or the
mill and it was enlarged at a cost of $2,000. At present it has three runs of
stone and a double set of rollers; capacity of seventy barrels per day.

   The first brewery in the township was built by Anton Swingler about 1860 on
the site of Belle Plaine city. It cost about $500 and was burned in 1866. It was
rebuilt in 1866 near the site of the old one; this was bought in 1871, by
Christian Schmitt, and was burned in 1877. It was at once rebuilt with brick at
a cost of $5,000, capacity ten barrels per day.

   Belle Plaine elevator was built in 1866 by Chicago, St. Paul Minneapolis and
Omaha Railroad at an expense of $13,000 with a capacity of 45,000 bushels. About
160,000 bushels are elevated in a year. Since erection M. A. Galvin has
conducted the business. In 1881, Van Dusen & Co., of Rochester, Minnesota leased
the property for a number of years.

   First services of the Episcopal Church of Transfiguration were held by Bishop
Kemper at the house of Judge Chatfield in 1855. The first settled rector was
Rev. M. L. Olds.

   The church was formally organized in 1858 by Rev. J. B. Van Ingen, D. D., of
St. Paul, with a membership of about six.

   A church was built in 1869 at a cost of $3,500. Previous to this time
services were held at the town hall. Present membership is twenty.

   First burial in church cemetery was that of Mary Giles. Services are held
monthly by Rev. S. K. Miller, of Le Sueur.

   St. Peter and St. Paul's church was organized in 1868 by Father Schenk with
about thirty-five families. In 1869 the society began the erection of a church,
but while in process of erection it was much damaged by a storm. Again in 1871
another church was begun and completed, at a cost of about $4,000. It is a brick
structure. Present membership numbers seventy-five families. Rev. Father
Cassimer, O. S. F., is officiating priest.

   Presbyterian church was organized about 1865. The church building was erected
in 1870 at a cost of about $8,000 under the direction of Rev. Sloam. Membership
at organization about twenty, many have removed, and at present it is about the
same. Present paster Rev. Charles Thayer.

   Church of the Sacred Heart was organized in 1857 by Father Wittman, and the
church built at a cost of $1,000. The membership embraced sixty families. First
resident priest, Father Murray; came in 1860. In 1874 a new church was built
under the direction of Father Kennedy, at a cost of $28,000, and a parsonage two
years before at a cost of $3,000. The church is a brick structure; the interior
is the most elegantly finished of any church in the county. Present membership
embraces two hundred and sixty families. A parochial school is under charge of
the church, taught by sisters of O. S. B.

   Father Matthew's Total Abstinence Society was organized in 1869 by Rev.
Father Kennedy. It is divided into two classes—the married and unmarried men's
society, with two sets of officers. The total membership numbers about two
hundred and fifty.

   King Hiram's Lodge, No. 31, A. F. and A. M., was instituted at Belle Plaine
about 1861, and continued meetings there until 1878, when it was removed to Jordan.

   In 1876 a severe wind storm passed over Belle Plaine village, doing some
damage to buildings, especially to the Irish Catholic and Presbyterian churches,
and unroofing the public school-house. Population of Belle Plaine, 629.

   Judge A. G. Chatfield (deceased) was born January 27, 1810, in Otsego county,
New York. He studied law, and January 13, 1837 was admitted to the bar. Until
1849 he practiced in New York, then removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he
continued in his profession until appointed associate justice of the territorial
court of Minnesota, April 6, 1853. After serving four years he resumed the
practice of law until January 1, 1870, when he was elected judge of the Eighth
judicial district. It was Judge Chatfield who held the first courts in Scott,
Sibley, Carver, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Blue Earth, Rice, Dakota, Hennepin and
Winona counties. His first journey through the Minnesota valley was made on
horseback, following an Indian trail part of the way. He was so favorably
impressed with the beautiful prairie lying on Roberts creek that he made a claim
there, and when the township was surveyed named it Belle Plaine. He soon after
laid out a town and in company with others commenced improvements. The
enterprise seemed in a fair way to become a success; but the improvements
overrun their capital, and as the crash of 1857 put an end to the sale of their
lots, the company was compelled to make an assignment, and Judge Chatfield
resumed the practice of his profession, about as poor as he commenced. It is
seldom a political party will create an office expressly for the enjoyment of a
political opponent, yet this was done by the republican party in favor of Mr.
Chatfield. The Eighth judicial district was created by the legislature as a
compliment to him, with the full expectation that he would be seated on the
judicial bench. Scott county may lay claims to Judge Chatfield as one of the
founders of a prosperous county, and Minnesota may justly claim him as one of
the builders of a great state. Eunice E. Beeman, born December 7, 1817, in
Addison county, New York, became his wife June 27, 1836. She is at present in
charge of the post-office at Belle Plaine. Judge Chatfield's death occurred
October 3, 1875.

   Peter L. Becker, born in 1830, is a native of Prussia. He learned the
shoemaker's trade, and in 1854 came to America. In the spring of 1857 he came to
Belle Plaine, and continued in trade here until 1876 when he removed to the farm
where he now lives. Mr. Becker has held various town offices. He was the first
German settler in Belle Plaine. In 1854 he married Catherine Peifer, who has
borne him nine children; three are married and all reside in this town.

   Francis Bliss, veteran of the war of 1812 was born August 19, 1793, at
Springfield, Massachusetts. From 1809 until 1814 he worked at the hatter's
trade, then enlisted in the United States army; he was. wounded at the battle of
Chippewa, and discharged in April, 1815. After leaving the army he spent six
years at sea, visiting many foreign ports. In 1852 he removed to New York and
there commenced farming; came to Belle Plaine with his family in 1856 and took
the claim where he now resides. Nancy J. Harrington, of West-borough,
Massachusetts, became his wife in 1825.

   M. A. Galvin, born in 1836, is a native of Ireland. He received a common
school education and in 1856 came to America. In 1858 he removed to St. Paul and
was a railroad employe five years. During the war he was in business at the
South, then returned to St. Paul. Mr. Galvin has been wheat inspector for the
St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad Company fifteen years. He married Mary Sullivan
in 1862; she has borne him six children.

   M. Gates was born in 1844 in Seneca county, Ohio. When about four years of
age he went with his parents to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. Received his
education in the common schools there, and then worked three years in Sheboygan
as an apprentice at boot and shoe making, after which he traveled for a time as
journeyman. He enlisted April 9, 1862, in Company B, Twelfth United States
infantry; participated in many severe battles, and was wounded in the right arm
at Cold Harbor. Upon being honorably discharged in 1865 he returned to his
father's place in Wisconsin, and the same year went to Marquette, Michigan. In
1866 he came to Belle Plaine and started in business; he purchased the block he
now occupies in 1877, where he keeps gentlemen's clothing of all kinds, also a
full line of boots and shoes. Mary A. Schmidling became his wife October 27,
1869. They have had five children; the living are Maggie T., John C. and Mary A.

   B. Guenther, a native of Germany, was born in 1825, and came to the United
States in 1850. He learned the tailor's trade; resided eight years in St. Louis,
and in 1858 removed to Belle Plaine. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Eighth
Minnesota Volunteers; he served through the South with General Sherman, and was
discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Guenther's marriage with Elizabeth
Shultz occurred in 1850; she was a native of St. Louis. They have two children.

   Honorable William Henry, born January 6, 1826, is a native of Ireland. When
about twenty years of age he removed to New York and taught school six years in
Passaic and Morris counties, New Jersey, after which he entered the mercantile
business at Danville, New York. In July, 1854, he came to Belle Plaine, secured
160 acres in what is now Blakely township and resided there until 1862, when he
rented it, came to the village and opened a general merchandise store. In 1869
he built part of the Henry block. He bought the village mill property in 1874,
and at present is superintendent in the firm of Henry & Co. Mr. Henry was
elected to the legislature in 1858, and reelected in 1867; he was chosen state
senator in 1868, and again in 1876. Has been judge of probate, justice of the
peace, superintendent of public instruction and mayor. Mary McDermott became his
wife February 7, 1859, at St. Paul.

   Frank Hohmann was born August 14, 1858, in Germany, and when about four years
of age came with his parents to Minnesota. The father worked at farming, three
miles from Jordan, until his death. Frank Hohmann was then about fifteen years
of age; he went to St. Peter, and after learning the wagon maker's trade came to
Belle Plaine and entered the employ of Nicholas Metzdorf. In 1880 he built his
shop, where he manufactures wagons, sleighs, cutters and buggies, and does job
work.

   John Latzke is a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1834. He came to
Minnesota in 1857 a poor boy and is now one of the most successful farmers and
stock raisers in Scott county, owning a farm of about 1,000 acres. Mr. Latzke
has five children.

   Dr. B. G. Moloney was horn in 1847 in Ireland, where he attended the national
schools, and completed his course of studies in Dublin. In December, 1872; he
arrived at Belle Blaine, and early the next year he went to Minneapolis, where
he studied medicine under Dr. Hutchinson until the following autumn, when he
attended lectures at Bellevue college, New York city. The next summer he
practiced in St. Paul under Dr. C. E_ Smith, and in the fall returned again to
New York, graduating February, 1875, from the medical department of the
university of that city. He was the successful competitor in the examination at
St. Vincent hospital, of New York, and was duly appointed assistant house
surgeon and physician. Since the fall of 1875 he has been in practice at Belle
Plaine. In 1877 he opened a drug store.

   Peter Morgan is a native of Switzerland, where he was born in 1830. He came
to the United States in 1850 and located in Wisconsin. In 1863 he enlisted and
served on the plains until the close of the war. Mr. Morgan's marriage with
Charlotte Longley, a native of Prussia, took place in 1865. They are the parents
of five children. In 1868 they settled in Belle Plaine.

   John Schilz was born in 1828, in Prussia. He came to the United States in
1852 and worked about one year in a broom factory on the Hudson river, New York.
Afterwards he went to Illinois to superintend raising broom-com for the firm in
whose factory he had been employed. In August, 1855, he removed to St. Paul,
Minnesota, where he engaged in the lumber business until 1859, when he came to
Scott county and made a claim of 160 acres. He located in Belle Plaine in 1860
and the next year opened his general merchandise store. Mary Roedr, a native of
Prussia, became his wife in May, 1860. Mary, John, Theresa, and Christa are
their children.

   C. Schmitt, born in 1818, is a native of Prussia. In 1867 he came to America
and engaged in the brewery business; he manufactures about 1,000 barrels of beer
per annum. Mr. Schmitt had two brothers in service at the time of the Indian
troubles in 1862, one of whom was killed at Birch Cooley. Angeline Hansen, a
native of Prussia, was married to Mr. Schmitt in 1844. Their children are John,
Jacob, Peter, Mathias, Kate and Mary.

   Henry H. Sistermans was born in 183S, in Germany, where he was taught the
occupation of silk weaver. In his native country he held the office of collector
of taxes, which he resigned and came to America, in 1864. He was employed in
different lines of business until 1867, when he settled in Belle Plaine. Mr.
Sistermans is at present justice of the peace and notary public. He married in
1876, Anna M. Dillie, of St. Paul. They have six children; the oldest is a
sister, in St. Francis hospital, New York.

   George E. Sly was born March 2, 1846, in Steuben county, New York. His mother
died when he was an infant, and in June, 1855, he came to Belle Plaine with his
father who had visited this country in 1853, and decided to locate here. Their
first summer was passed, with several other families, in the old Spread Eagle, a
large log cabin which stood near the present site of the Irish Catholic church.
They erected a saw-mill on the creek, not far from where the brewery is now
located-Mr. George Sly enlisted September 13, 1861, in company A, Fourth
Minnesota, as musician; passed through twelve battles, and was discharged in
August, 1865. After leaving the army he graduated from Eastman's business
college, at Chicago; also studied stenography in that city, then returned to
Belle Plaine and was appointed official reporter of the Eighth district, which
position he now holds. Mr. Sly was for a time engaged in the saw-mill, afterward
in the stave and barrel factory, and at one time was one of the men in charge of
the salt works here. He married January 1, 1868, Ellen A. Bliss; they have had
two children: one is living, Sidney L.

   Anthony Smithe is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1858. He
accompanied his parents to Minnesota, in 1863, and located at Belle Plaine. Mr.
Smithe is by trade a miller.

   Thomas Steiren, born in 1836, is a native of Prussia. In 1857 he came to
America, lived two years in Wisconsin, then removed to Scott county, Minnesota.
In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifth Iowa regiment, and after serving three years
was discharged on account of physical disability, and settled in Belle Plaine.
Margaret Sheran became his wife in 1864.

   Constantin Till, who was born in 1858, is a native of Germany. In 1861 lie
came with his parents to the United States; they located at Belle Plaine, Scott
county. Mr. Till's marriage with Elizabeth Henckes, took place in 1877. They
have three children: Mary M., Christine and Christoph.

   Jacob Walerius is a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1860. He came to
America with his parents, in 1865, and grew to manhood on a farm. In 1881 he
removed to Belle Plaine, and opened a saloon and restaurant.

   Judge F. J. Whitlock was horn at Saratoga Springs, New York, March 10, 1820.
He is a self-made man; he took his own course in early life, and for eight years
followed the sea as a sailor. From 1839 to 1842 he studied law at Schenectady;
was then admitted to court of common pleas, and practiced until 1847, when he
was admitted to the supreme court and made counselor and solicitor in chancery.
His health failing shortly afterwards, he resorted to outdoor exercise, and
learned civil engineering. In 1849 he removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he
remained until 1853, during which time he practiced law and civil engineering,
wrote for the newspapers, and was city justice two terms of two years each.
Through the influence of Judge Chatfield, he moved to Minnesota in 1855, and
located in Belle Plaine, where he has since resided. In the fall of 1856 he was
elected to the territorial legislature, and served that term, taking an active
and prominent part in all important matters of legislation. Mr. Whitlock has
always been a democrat. Since living in Minnesota he has been three times county
attorney, once county commissioner and once judge of probate. He is a prominent
member and director in the State Agricultural Society. For nearly all the time
that he has lived in Minnesota, he has been engaged in farming, and the past ten
or twelve years has devoted special attention to the improvement of farm
products and stock. Judge Whitlock married Kate Sherwin, in 1864. They have one
son and one daughter.

BELLE PLAINE.

   Belle Plaine township is situated in the southwestern part of Scott county,
and is the largest township in the county. It formerly contained beside its
present dimensions those of the present town of Blakely. In 1874 the township of
Blakely was formed by an act of legislation; since that time the limits of Belle
Plaine township have been unchanged.

   The first white settler in Belle Plaine township was Louis Robert, a French
trader; he located his station in 1852 on the west half of the south-west
quarter of section 12; he afterward removed to St. Paul. The first permanent
settlers in the township were Joseph and Frederick Guion and W. A. Davis. They
made claims in 1853 on sections 12 and 13, being the first claims made in the
township. The Guion brothers remained until about 1862, when they removed to
Ramsey county. Among the claimants of 1854 were the following: Judge A. G.
Chatfield, William Moore, Thomas Butterly, Samuel Truax, Dr. A. B. Walter,
Charles A. and John E. Sherman, E. G. Covington, Emmet and Edward P. Berry and
Jonathan Chadderdon.

   William Moore made a claim of 120 acres in section 7, where he still resides.
Samuel Truax and son John located on 320 acres in sections 4 and 5. Dr. A. B.
Walter made claim on the southeast quarter of section 1; shortly after he sold
to Robert Rose, and the claim was included in the town site. Dr. Walter removed
to Jordan, where he is practicing medicine. Charles A. and John E. Sherman
settled on section 12. township 113, range 24, and section 13, township 113,
range 25. Charles A. was killed by the Indians at Birch Cooley in 1862, and John
E. was killed at the siege of Vicksburg.

   E. G. Covington made a claim of eighty acres on the north-east quarter of
section 1, township 113, range 25. In 1855 he sold it for the town site, and
made another claim on the west half of the south-west quarter of section 7,
remaining there until 1868, when he removed to St. Paul.

   Emmet and Edward P. Berry made claims on sections 6, 7 and 18. Edward
afterward returned to New York. Jonathan Chadderdon made a claim on the
north-west quarter of section 8; he remained until 1873, when he removed to
LeSueur.

   In 1855 among numerous settlers were the following: W. W. Smith, W. R. Stowe,
C. L. Sly, W. A. Baldwin, R. A. Irwin and Judge F. J. Whitlock. W. W. Smith, W.
R. Stowe and R. A. Irwin settled on the present village site. C. L. Sly and W.
A. Baldwin hoth settled on section 31, township 114, range 24. Judge Whitlock
made a claim on the north half of the north-east quarter of section 12, where he
still resides. Also in 1855 the following settled in the interior of the town:
Mathew Smith, John Fitzsimmons, Martin Mallet, Thomas Terry, Thomas Lynch,
Florence McCarty, John Pendy and three sons and John Shwalier.

   Among the settlers of 1856 were Peter Becker, who opened the first shoe shop,
George Bradley, J. F. Baldwin and L. B. Wulson.

   First officers of the town were: Charles L. Sly, chairman; Thomas Terry and
John Kennedy, supervisors; John L. MacDonald, clerk; Henry Challon and William
Henry, justices of the peace; Mr. Keat, constable.

   Probably the first births in the township were those of Susan Sly, daughter
of O. S. Sly, and Mahedihle Baldwin, daughter of W. A. Baldwin. They were both
born in 1855.

   In January, 1858, B. A. Irwin and Celia A. Chatfield were married; this was
doubtless the first marriage in the township.

   First death in township was that of Alexander Gow, son of M. Gow, who lived
with Judge Whitlock. He died in March, 1856.

   The first school taught in the township was held in a warehouse at Belle
Plaine village in 1857. It was afterwards held in the town hall until, in 1863,
a frame school-house was erected. This school is now under the jurisdiction of
the borough of Belle Plaine. Seven school-houses are now in the township, all
frame bRildings.

   Baven Stream post-office, the only post-office in town, is situated in the
north-eastern portion of section thirty-six. It was established in 1863 with
Henry Rogers as postmaster. The present postmaster is Leonard Rech.

   Mount Moriah Christian church on section four, was organized about 1865 by
Rutaun, of Le Sueur, with eighteen members. Previous to the organization and
erection of the first church, services were held at private houses. In 1866 a
log church was erected where services were held until 1880, when a new frame
church was erected at a cost of about $425. Present membership, thirty-five;
Rev. W. O. King, pastor.

   Population of Belle Plaine township, 1,054 by census of 1880.

   Ole Antrias, a native of Minnesota, was born in Rice county, where his
parents now reside. Mr. Antrias is unmarried and living in the town of Belle
Plaine.

   William Frankland is a native of England, where he was born in 1831. He came
to the United States in 1857, and in August, 1862 enlisted in Company I, Sixth
Minnesota volunteers; he served through the Indian troubles of 1862-'3, and was
discharged in 1864. He now resides on section three, Belle Plaine. Mr. Frankland
married at St. Paul in 1867, Ellen Cole. They have one child: Joseph.

   John L. Gannon a native of New York city was born in 1851 and came west with
his parents in 1855; they were both born in Ireland; the father in 1804 and the
mother in 1816. Mr. Gannon's father died in 1865 and since that time he has,
assisted by a younger brother, carried on the farm which is located on section
thirty-three, Belle Plaine.

   John Mahoney, son of Dennis Mahoney, of this place, was born in 1854 in
Pennsylvania. In 1855 he came with his parents to Scott county and here received
a common school education. Mary Conroy was married to Mr. Mahoney in 1881. She
was a native of St. Paul, and came to Belle Plaine in 1860.

   John Pendy, a native of Ireland, was born in 1806, in county Kerry. He came
to America in 1855 and to Scott county, Minnesota, the same year. In 1833 Mr.
Pendy married Mary Brost, who was also born in county Kerry in 1807. They have
five children.

   John Shwalier is a native of Luxembourg, where he was horn in 1833, and in
1848 came to the United States. He removed to Minnesota in 1855 and located at
Belle Plaine. Mr. Shwalier's wife was Annie Brager. They have one son and two
daughters: Joseph, Annie and Mary.

   Thomas Terry, a native of Ireland, was born in 1822. He received a common
school education and learned the trade of carpenter. In 1847 he came to America;
lived in New York two years, then removed to Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 came
to Scott county and settled on his present place. Mr. Terry has for the past six
years held the office of county commissioner. In 1849 he married Honora Lynch,
who was born in Ireland. William, Bridget, John, Edward and Homer are their
children.

BLAKELY.

   Blakely is the south-western township of Scott county. From the time of its
settlement to 1874 it formed a part of the town of Belle Plaine; on March 9, of
said year, an act of the legislature was approved, forming the township of
Blakely out of that portion of township 113, range '25, as lies in Scott county,
excepting the eastern tier of sections which is still included in the township
of Belle Plaine.

   The surface is rolling, and the original character of the land was forest.

   In the county records we find that the township of Bruyere, was formed by the
county commissioners April 5, 1858, and included all of township 113, range 25,
with adjacent parts of other townships lying in Scott county along the river,
but at a meeting of the county commissioners, held April 21, same year, the
township was attached to Belle Plaine. Populaton in 1880, 799.

   The first settler in Blakely was A. Bruyere, a Frenchman, as his name
indicates; he made a claim in 1853 on the north-west quarter of section 14, he
remained until about 1858 when he removed to St. Louis.

   A.  G. McConnell came about 1853 or '4 and made a claim near the east side of
Clark lake which he afterwards sold and bought a farm on section 15 where he
still resides.

   Among numerous settlers of 1854 were William Henry, Benjamin Leucier, Aaron,
Edward and Samuel Russell, Jonathan Wright, Peter Jackson, William Fearing, F.
M. Ward.

   William Henry made a claim on the south-west quarter of section 11, remaining
until the fall of 1862 when he removed to the borough of Belle Plaine and
engaged in merchandise and flouring interests.

   Benjamin Leucier made a claim on the southwest quarter of section 15. He
remained there until about 1858 and then went to St. Louis.

   Aaron Russell located his claim on sections 4 and 9. He remained until about
1861, when he removed to St. Cloud.

   Edward Russell made a claim on the north-east quarter of section 18; he
remained there until 1862 when he removed to Dakota county.

   Samuel Russell located on the south-east quarter of section 18, where he
remained until 1862. He then entered the army and at the close of the war was
appointed collector of customs at Galveston, Texas, where he is supposed to have
been murdered in 1879.

   Jonathan Wright settled on the north-west quarter of section 15; he remained
until 1857, and then returned to Ohio.

   Peter Jackson made a claim on the north-east quarter of section 14, where he
remained about one year, then made a claim on section 10 where he still resides.

   William Fearing made a claim on the southeast quarter of section 10, where he
now lives.

   F. M. Ward located in the north of section 20, where he still resides.

   In 1855 Jacob Brinker, Owen O'Neil, Peter Weldon, Michael Moran, Joseph
Vancour, William Kuhlman, Henry Westhoff, Henry Holste, Hubert E. Geare, George
Holbrook, E. A. Tuckey, Louis Beach, James Ward, Sr., William Ward and Joseph
Wisby made claims.

   The first officers of the present town of Blakely were: Owen O'Neil,
chairman, Peter Jackson and Patrick Griffin, supervisors; James Jack, town
clerk; William Wendelken, assessor; James Kelley and Hubert Geare, justices of
peace. The constables did not qualify.

   The first birth in the town was that of the daughter of Peter Welden, born in
November, 1855.

   The first death was that of Jane Ward, wife of James Ward, which occurred the
same year.

   The first marriage took place in 1857. The parties were J. N. Dean and
Rebeeca J. James.

   The first physician was Dr. Lening, a graduate of a German university, who
settled in the southeast part of the town, where he died in 1858, and was buried
in the Lutheran cemetery on section 34; this was the first burial in that cemetery.

   The village of Blakely is situated in the northern part of the town on the
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. It was surveyed by W. H. Wood
on land owned by E. F. Drake and I. N. Dean in the north-east quarter of section
8. Blakely post-office was established in the fall of 1867, and I. N. Dean
appointed postmaster. In 1875 James McKnight received the appointment, and he
was succeeded by James Kelley, who held the position until 1877, when Jacob
Brinker, the present incumbent, was appointed.

   The business interests of the village are, four general stores, one drug
store, one shoe shop, one blacksmith shop, three cane mills, two elevators,
three saloons.

   In 1868 the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad built an elevator
with a capacity of 15,000 bushels, at a cost of about $3,000; about 40,000
bushels are elevated a year. It is under the charge of A. McDermid.

   In 1874 I. N. Dean built an elevator at a cost of about $1,500, with a
capacity of 7,000 bushels; about 20,000 bushels are handled a year.

   The first saw-mill in the township was built by Clingen & Miles. It was
situated on the Minnesota river in section 18, and was in use but a year when it
was removed to Blue Earth county.

   In 1858 a saw-mill was built on Finch's creek in section 11 by Belle Plaine
parties. The property came into possession of Doolittle & Norris, and about 1870
the machinery was removed to Belle Plaine and converted into a grist-mill.'

   The German M. E. churoh was established about 1875 by Rev. Philip Funk, and a
frame church built at a cost of about $600. At organization the membership
numbered six families and about thirty communicants. Present membership numbers
seven families and thirty-eight communicants. Rev. A. Dulitz is the officiating
pastor.

   Freidrich's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized about 1860 by Rev.
Freidrioh Nagel, with a membership of about thirty families. A log church was
built this year at a cost of about $50. The first permanent pastor was Rev.
Wolf. In 1875 a new brick church was erected under the direction of Rev. Henry
Braun at a cost of $3,500. The present membership numbers about sixty families,
A parochial school is connected with the church. Present pastor is Rev. Jacob
Koehler. The pastor of Friedrich's church holds semi-monthly services at the
school-house in Blakely village.

   The first school taught in Blakely township was in section 20. A term of
three months was taught in a claim shanty in 1856, and in 1857 a hoard
school-house was erected on the same section, and was replaced in 1879 by a
frame. There are four other school-houses in the township, all of which are frame.

   Jacob Brinker was born in 1823, in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. He was
engaged in the boot and shoe business while living in that state and was
postmaster at West Middlesex. In 1855 he came to Minnesota and pre-empted a farm
in what is now Blakely; he sold it in 1875, came to the village and opened a
hoot and shoe store; two years later he put in a stock of drugs and medicines.
Mr. Brinker has been postmaster here a number of years; he is assessor and
constable, and in 1880 took the census of this town. In 1844 he married in
Pennsylvania, Susan Ward, a native of that state, born in 1829. Jane, Mary,
Alexander, Matilda, Calvin G., Harvey W. and Samuel N. are their children.

   I. N. Dean, born in 1835, is a native of Huntington, Pennsylvania, where he
lived until 1854, then moved to Iowa, and thence in 1856, to Minnesota. He
bought the land where the village of Blakely now stands, and three years later
when the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad was built through his place he laid out
the village and named it after Captain Blakely, of St. Paul. In 1873 it was by
special act, detached from Belle Plaine, of which it was formerly a part. Mr.
Dean was the first station agent, also the first postmaster in the place, and he
in company with J. McKnight, started the first store here. In September, 1861,
he entered company A, Fourth Minnesota volunteers, and served until the close of
the war. Since 1874 he has been engaged in farming, and recently has made a
specialty of raising amber sugar cane. Rebecca Janes became his wife in
February, 1857. Their children are, Clara, now Mrs. D. A. Kelly, Harry H., Frank
E. and Morris S.

  Gotleib Ernsting, one of the pioneers of Blakely township, was born in 1826 in
the Kingdom of Hanover, where he received his education. In 1853 he came to the
United States; after residing three years in Illinois he removed to Minnesota
and made a claim where he now lives, section twenty-seven. He was at the
organization of the town, and was the first assessor; has been a member of the
school board for years. His wife was Miss Sophia Thom3. Their children are Mary
and Caroline (twins), Christian and Henry (twins), Lena, Sophia and Dora.

  Patrick Griffin, an old settler in the town, is a native of Ireland, born in
1821. At the age of 7 years he accompanied his parents to Canada, where he lived
until 18 years of age, then came to the United States. Until the fall of 1854 he
resided at Racine, Wisconsin, at that time he came to Scott county and made a
claim where he now lives. Early the next spring he put up a log cabin and began
improvements; he now owns a fine farm of 160 acres. Mr. Griffin has for years
been a member of the school board, district thirty-nine. Bridget Flynn, who was
born in Ireland and came to this couutry at the age of 7 years, was married to
Mr. Griffin in May, 1848. They have six living children: William H., John F.,
Mary, Thomas E., James T. and Daniel E.

  Peter Jackson, a pioneer settler of this town, was born in 1813 in Scotland,
where he received his education. In 1840 he came to America; resided in New York
a few years, then removed to Wisconsin, and in 1855 came to the Minnesota valley
and took a claim where he has since lived. The country was unsurveyed and
Indians were very numerous here at that time. Mr. Jackson has made all the
improvements on his farm, which is now one of the best. He has been a member of
the school board and held the office of supervisor. At Mankato, in 1857, he
married Nancy Ives. They have four daughters: Ella and Emma are teachers; Adelia
and Adell (twins).

  D. A. Kelly, a native of Ohio, was born in 1847 in Brown county. In 1869 he
came to Minnesota and worked for a time on a boat running between St. Paul and
Redwood Palls. He taught school in Sibley county and afterward was employed
three years ' as clerk for Mr. Dean, at Blakely; then went on the road selling
crackers and confectionery, which business he followed six years. He is now in
partnership with Frank McKnight in a general merchandise store; firm name
McKnight & Kelly. In 1876 he married Clara, daughter of I. N. Dean. They have
one child: May.

   Henry Luders, born in 1857, is a native of the kingdom of Hanover, where he
acquired his education and learned the trade of wagon maker. In 1857 he came to
the United States; worked in the factory of Furst & Bradly at Chicago eight
years. His health becoming impaired he decided to leave the city; came to
Minnesota and bought the farm in Blakely, where he has since resided. Mr. Luders
married in Chicago Miss Rebecca Wilkins, who has borne him six children: Dora,
William, Emma, Rebecca, Henry and Herman.

   A, McDermid was born in 1848 in Canada. In early life he was employed as
clerk in a general store, which he followed until 1869, then removed to
Minneapolis, where he was seven years engaged as surveyor of lumber. Mr.
McDermid is now employed by the Minneapolis Millers' association as wheat buyer,
and for the past two years has been located at Blakely, in charge of the
elevator here. His marriage with Miss J. Vogan took place in 1871 in Canada,
where she was born in 1852. Their children are Reuben R., Eber A., Clara, Annie
V. and D. S.

   Frank McKnight, born March 5, 1846, is a native of Illinois. In 1865 he came
to Minnesota with his father, who engaged in mercantile business in Carver.
Three years later they came to Blakely, and he was employed as clerk in the
first store here; it was owned by his father and I. N. Dean. He was engaged in
railroad building and stock buying about five years. July, 1862, he entered
Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers and served until
mustered out in July, 1865. Mary Griffin became his wife in 1870. Their children
are Susie, Charlie and Willie. In 1879 Mr. McKnight, in company with D.  A.
Kelly, bought the business of James McKnight. They have a large and prosperous
trade.

   S. B. Morse was born in 1847, in Allegany county, New York. At the age of two
years he moved with his parents to Wisconsin. In 1877 he came to Minnesota, and
for three years was station agent at Heron Lake. Since December, 1880, he has
been in the employ of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad
Company as station agent at Blakely. Mr. Morse married Alice Maxon in 1877 in
Wisconsin. They have one child, Maudie, born November, 1879.

    John Sandberg was born in 1828 in Sweden. He learned the blacksmith's trade
and worked in his native country until 1861; that year he came to America and
located in Carver, Minnesota, where he followed his trade. In 1872 he removed to
Blakely and built the shop here, where he still works. Mr. Sandberg married in
1872 Katie Peterson, a native of Sweden, born in 1854. George H., Charlie,
Hannah S. and Frankie are their children.

    B. St. Peter, born March, 1823, is a native of Franklin county, New York,
where he resided forty years. In 1863 he came to Minnesota and settled on the
farm in Blakely where he still lives. For the past two years he has held the
office of supervisor. Electa Gadborn was married to Mr. St. Peter in January,
1853. They are the parents of eleven children: Joseph, Christian, Louis, Julius,
Louisa, Adell, Sidney, John, Frank, Katie and Willie.

    Dr. William Thoms was born in 1827 in the kingdom of Hanover. He was
educated there and became a student of medicine. In 1852 he removed to the state
of New York, and three years later to Illinois, where he lived until 1857; in
the spring of that year he made the claim in Scott county where he at present
resides. Mr. Thoms enlisted in 1861 in Company I, Eighth Minnesota infantry, and
served at Fort Snelling in the medical department nine months, then was
discharged for disability. After stopping a short time in Rochester, Minnesota,
he removed to Mankato, where he was proprietor of a barber-shop twelve years;
since that time he has lived on the farm. In 1857 he married Eliza Stolzer, who
has borne him ten children, one boy and nine girls.

    David S. Working, farmer, was born in 1846 in Centre county, Pennsylvania.
He was educated at the public schools and learned the trade of painter. He
removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, and resided there five years. In 1867
located on his farm in Blakely township. Mr. Working enlisted in Company A,
Forty-sixth Illinois infantry, in 1864, and served with the army of the
Cumberland; was mustered out at the close of the war at Springfield, Illinois.
At Shakopee in 1874 he married Sarah Rhodes.

HELENA.

   This town lies on the southern border of Scott county, and embraces
congressional township 113, range 23. It was settled by Germans, principally
from the Rhine province: William Nachbar was the first settler. He built the
first house on section 5, in November, 1854. After him Jacob and Joseph
Schwingler located on section 8. These were followed the next year by Jacob and
Sebastian Bauer, Anthon Clows, John Gelcliter, John Smitz, Valentine Orth, Adam
Pfeifer and Joseph Fromm. Vingenz Slawick settled on section 4 in 1854. In 1856
among the settlers was Dr. John Laudenberger. He established the first store in
the town on section 29 in 1855. John C. Smith settled on section 11 in March
1855, where he built a house and store. The next year he had his claim laid out
in town lots and named the village Helena. With Mr. Smith came Frank Gilkey,
Benjamin M. Record, Stephen Barnett and William A. Fuller. In 1856 William
Pewtherer started a store in the village, and J. C. Smith succeeded in having a
post-office established there, of which he was appointed postmaster. At one time
there was a Lawyer Smith and Doctor Rice in the village, but they soon left. The
village never amounted to much and the post-office was moved to a way-station
called Helena, on the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad about four miles distant,
and at present there are few signs of the former town remaining.

   J. G. Meck is the present postmaster at Helena station. The business of the
station is represented by one steam and water-power saw-mill owned by J. G. Mock.

   In the spring of 1856 a meeting was held at the house of William Nachbar to
take measures toward erecting a Catholic church. The first religious services
were held the following spring at the house of Nicholas Leonard by Rev. Father
Weninger. Near this place a log church was erected that year, but it was never
completed, and a few years later St. Benedictus Catholic church was built about
one mile east of the original church site on section 17. The present church is a
frame building erected in 1867; it is commodious and has a good bell. Rev.
Father Cassimierus Hueppe, O. S. F., is the pastor.

   September 16, 1855, Anna K., daughter of William Nachbar, was born. This was
the first birth in the town. The first marriage is supposed to have been that of
P. Williams and Mary Simmer, which occured in the latter part of December, 1857.

   Anthon Philipp was the first settler on the site of New Prague. In 1856, he
began to sell lots to settlers without making a plat of the town. He also gave
forty acres of land for a Catholic church. For this purpose also, Albert Vrtish,
Frank Bruzek and John Bernas each gave ten acres. Immigrants from Bohemia
rapidly settled the town. During the year 1856, they attended St. Benedictus
church, but in the spring they started the Bohemian Catholic church at New
Prague. This was a log building, and during the first year the members assembled
without a priest for religious worship. In the spring of 1857, Rev. Father
Brans, O. S. B., began to hold services periodically. July 16, 1861, the first
regular mission commenced under Rev. Father Peter Maly. During his pastorate a
log parsonage was built. In January, 1863, the church was burned, but services
were carried on in the parsonage until the completion of the new brick church in
1868. In 1874 a new parish church was built. It is a substantial, well-lighted,
two-story brick building. During the pastorate of Rev. Augustus Lang from 1877
to July, 1880, a two-story brick parish school was built at a cost of $3,500. In
July, 1880, Rev. Father Francis Tichy, the present pastor, took charge of the
church. Under his leadership the church debt has been greatly reduced; two bells
have been bought, one weighing 2,500 pounds; and a pipe organ, costing $1,200,
has been placed in the church. Joseph Hovorka, who has charge of the parish
school, is the organist.

   The school building in New Prague was erected in 1865, and is still in use.
It is a frame house with one room, and is well lighted. Frank Swo-boda was the
first teacher. This is school No. 73. The school year is nine months. Five other
school-houses stand within the boundaries of Helena. School No. 45 has a
two-story frame building, on section 20, furnished with pine seats. The building
of school No. 62, in section 23, is log, and furnished with long benches. The
school-houses of schools number 33, 50 and 51 are all frame, furnished with pine
seats. The average length of the school year in Helena is five months.

   In 1863 a post-office was established in the vicinity of New Prague, and
Joseph Wrabek was appointed postmaster. He kept the office, on his farm on
section 36. In 1867 the office was removed to New Prague by his son Francis, who
has been postmaster ever since.

   The boundaries of the town of Helena were formed by the county commissioners
April 5, 1858. No changes have ever been made in them. The first town meeting
for the election of officers was held at the house of J. C. Smith May 12, 1858.
The following officers were elected: C. P. Brown, 
chairman, John Laudenberger and Charles Ehrig, supervisors; B. M. Record and
Jacob Schwingler, justices of the peace; Stephen Barnett and Gerhard Brendgen,
constables; E. H. Gilkey, assessor; and J. S. Du Bois, town clerk.

   At the spring election, 1881, John Quain was elected chairman, Joseph Maushka
and Christian Busch, supervisors; Bernhard Pisenger, assessor; Mathias Nachbar,
treasurer; George Mock and Wencel Bisek, justices of the peace, and Peter Bader,
town clerk.

   The village of New Prague lies partly in Scott county and partly in Le Sueur
county, the main street lying directly on the boundary line between the two
counties. It is in the center of a rich and extensive farming district, which
has enabled the business men of the village to establish a brisk and constantly
increasing retail trade. The Minneapolis & St. Louis road runs through the
village. The Railroad House, by F. Maertz, is the only hotel in the place. It
was built in 1878. Michael Simmer, Joseph Maertz and A. W. Mertens are
proprietors of the principal general merchandise stores. T. F. Vanasek and A. W.
Mertens deal in hardware; F. J. Jelinek and V. V. Meshkan manufacture saddles
and harness, and Joseph Maertz and Simmer & Grinnell deal in wheat. Mr. Maertz's
elevator has a capacity of 7,000 bushels, and Simmer & Grinnell's a capacity of
40,000 bushels. New Prague has one lawyer, F. N. Hagar; and one physician, John
Laudenberger. A steam saw-mill is situated just east of town on section 35. It
is owned by Thomas Hansel, 'William Nicolay and John Koradek. A frame grist-mill
in the village, owned by Thomas Suchomal, has four runs of stone.

   New Prague has three societies. The Bohemian society was founded in 1878, for
the purposes of insurance and mutual benefit. The first officers were: T. F.
Vanasek, president; V. Drosda, secretary; Thomas Zak, treasurer. The present
officers are: Anthon Rocek, president; Joseph Stepal, secretary, and John Sery,
treasurer.

   The Bohemian Roman Catholic Benevolent Society of New Prague was founded in
1879, and is connected with the Bohemian Central Union. The object of the
society is mutual aid and insurance. The first and present president, Joseph
Hovorka; Joseph Janda, secretary; and Frank Wessely, treasurer. It has sixty
members.

   The Bohemian Roman Catholic Benevolent Society of St. John Nepomucene of New
Prague is managed by the officers of the last-named society, and was organized
for the same objects. It is connected with the Second Bohemian Central Union. It
has eight members.

   The population of Helena by the last census, including that part of New
Prague in Scott county, is 1,383.

   Stephen Barnett is a native of England, where he was born in 1825. He
attended school until 14 years of age, then learned the boot and shoe trade. In
1845 he married Sarah Watson and the next year they removed to Canada, where
they lived until 1847, then went back to England for a time, but returned to
Canada and stayed until 1853. Resided in Wisconsin about two years, then came to
Minnesota and in 1856 commenced farming in Helena; he owns eighty acres and his
son Thomas 103 acres. Mr. Barnett enlisted in 1864 in company A, First Minnesota
heavy artillery and served until the close of the war. He is the father of seven
children: John (deceased), William J., Thomas, Francis, Culthhert A., Stephen
A., and George B.

   Audrew J. Bliss was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1838. He moved to
Orleans county, New York in 1853, and two years later came to Minnesota and
settled in Belle Plaine. In 1873 he removed to New Prague and engaged in
teaching three years; then became interested in agricultural implement business
which he still continues. Enlisted in the service of his country in 1862,
serving until the close of the war. Mr. Bliss is the present town supervisor.
His wife was Miss Annie Wasta, a native of Bohemia.

   William E. Grinnell, horn in 1837, is a native of Ontario, Canada. When 16
years of age he accompanied his parents to Illinois and lived in that state
until the spring of 1860, then went to Colorado. He returned in 1865 and after
residing in Alabama two years went to Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. In the spring
of 1877 he removed from Illinois to Minneapolis and the same year came to New
Prague to take the position of station agent. Mr. Grinnell afterwards bought the
elevator here and is engaged in buying grain. His wife was Lizzie Lennox; their
marriage took place in Colorado Springs, February 19, 1880. They have one child:
William.

   Frank N. Hagar, attorney-at-law, was born March 31, 1852, in Plattsburg, New
York. He received his preparatory education there and at Fort Edward; when 17
years of age he entered Cornell University and in 1873 graduated with the degree
of A. B. Mr. Hagar taught school several years after graduating and also studied
law. Li the spring of 1879 he was admitted to the bar at Wabasha, Minnesota, and
soon after commenced practice in company with T. O'Leary, at Henderson. In the
autumn of 1880 he removed to New Prague. Mr. Hagar speaks with fluency the
French, German and Bohemian languages. His marriage with Mary, daughter of M. B.
Merrill, one of the first settlers of Henderson, took place .April 28, 1881. She
was born in that town January 12, 1861.

   Joseph Hovorka is a native of Bohemia, born July 31, 1854. He attended school
in the old country until 16 years of age, then came to America. The year
following his parents came and they settled in Helena, where his father bought
240 acres; he died December 15, 1871, and from that time until 1875 Mr. Joseph
Hovorka had the management of the farm. He then entered Saint Francis Seminary,
Milwaukee, from which he graduated in 1878, and received an appointment as
teacher of the school in connection with the Bohemian Catholic church of that
place. In 1879 he returned to Minnesota, because of ill health, and was
appointed teacher in the Bohemian Catholic school at New Prague; is also the
church organist. Rosa Staneck became his wife in 1876. Their children are Frank,
Josephine and Emma.

   Joseph Maertz, a native of Germany, was born in 1852 in Bavaria. He came in
1855 with his parents to Minnesota; resided for about three years on a farm near
New Prague, and received his education in this town. After leaving school he was
employed in St. Paul five years as a clerk in a boot and shoe store. He then
remained at home with his parents two years after which he started his present
business; has a general store. In 1875 he married Rosa Simota of this place.
Their children are Mary and Joseph.

   John Montour is a native of Canada, where he was born in 1843. He went to
Wisconsin in 1868 and removed to Minnesota the year following. Domatille
Leschpell became his wife, and has borne him five children. Mr. Montour enlisted
in the Eleventh Minnesota in 1863 and served until the close of the war. He now
lives in the town of Wheatland, Rice county.

   John Proshek was born in 1853 in Austria, and resided in that country until
1870. In May of that year he came to America; stayed a short time in Dubuque,
Iowa, then removed to Minnesota. For a time he lived on a farm with his parents
in Le Sueur county, where he was clerk of the court two years, then came to New
Prague and took the position of station agent, which he still holds. Mr. Proshek
married in May, 1880, Barbara C. Soukup, of this place.

   Mathias Remes was born in Bohemia in 1836. He came to America in 1860, and
located in Lanes-burgh the same year; is engaged in the mercantile trade; also
has a meat market and saloon. His marriage was with Annie Kubes, a native of
Bohemia. They are the parents of four children.

   Anton Rochek, born in in 1846, is a native of Austria, where he lived until
12 years of age. With his parents he came to America in 1858, and lived on a
farm in Waseca county, Minnesota; from there removed to Blue Earth county, and
in 1876 came to New Prague, which place has since been his home. Mr. Bochek has
served two years as president of the village and three years as supervisor.
Catherine Petirecka, of New Prague, became his wife in 1870. Frederick, Albina
C. and Henry Y. are their children.

   Rev. Francis Tichy, born in 1847, is a native of Bohemia. After receiving a
preparatory education he entered the theological seminary at Prague. In 1873 he
came to the United States and finished his studies at Saint Francis Seminary at
Milwaukee. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1874 by the Right Reverend C.
Borgess, in Detroit, Michigan, and the same year became pastor of the Bohemian
Catholic church, of that city. From 1877 until 1880 he had charge of the Polish
and Bohemian church of St. Paul. July 20, 1880, he was appointed pastor at New
Prague.

   T. F. Vanasek, a native of Austria, was born in 1853. He lived there about
seven years and came in 1859 to New Prague with his parents. After receiving his
education at La Crosse, Wisconsin, he learned the tinner's trade in St. Paul,
and in 1876 started his present business, tin and hardware, at New Prague.
During the outbreak of 1862 the Vanaseks were obliged to leave their home to
escape being scalped by the savages. Rosa Jelinek was married to Mr. Vanasek in
1876. They have two children: Ladamier and Josephine.

   Albert Wertes is a native of Bohemia, where he was born in 1826. He
immigrated to the United States in 1855, came to Minnesota locating in New
Prague. Mr. Wertes' marriage occurred in Dubuque, Iowa. He is the father of nine
children.

CEDAR LAKE.

   The town of Cedar Lake is situated in the southeastern part of Scott county,
and is bounded on the east by New market, on the north by Spring Lake, on the
west by Helena township, and on the south by Rice county; it includes all of
congressional township 113, 22. The town derives its name from a lake which lies
partly in the town and called Cedar lake, from the cedars which grow upon its
margin.

   Thomas O'Donnell and Michael Flynn came to what has since become Cedar Lake
town early in the spring of 1855 and were the first white people in that
vicinity. Michael Flynn remained but a short time, but Thomas O'Donnell located
the same year his claim in the north-east quarter of section 18, where he has
since resided. During several months after his arrival, the vicinity wherein he
located literally swarmed with Indians, he at one time counting over fifty
tepees on his claim alone. Save these, being unmarried, he had no society
whatever, and lived in a small log claim-cabin, doing his own cooking and
housework, which, however, was not very extensive.

   In August, 1855, A. B. McMindes located in the north-east quarter of section
4. He was the first married man that settled in the town, his wife being the
first white woman. He came from Indiana and has since lived on his original
claim. Martin Pyne was also an old settler, coming in the spring of 1855,
remaining but a short time when he left for unknown parts. These were followed
in the fall of the same year by several Irish families, among whom may be
mentioned the following: Patrick Kiley, who located with wife and two daughters,
section 7; James Clear, wife, one child, in section 8; Martin Phelan, unmarried,
in section 30; Edward Murphy, married, with two children, in section 6; Martin
Timmons, with wife and two boys, in section 6; Martin Marrinan, in section 3, in
company with his wife; John Carroll, in section 2, and Edward Campion, in
section 7. In the following year settlers began to come into the town with such
surprising rapidity that an attempt to locate them would be futile. The
settlers, as will be noticed from the above, were mostly of Irish nativity, and
so the population remains to the present time.

   The first birth in the town occurred in the fall of 1855, being a daughter of
Patrick and Kate Kiley.

   On the 26th day of June, 1858 Alvah Clark was united in marriage with Mrs.
Betsey Welsh by Cornelius Flynn, justice of the peace. This was the first
marriage in Cedar Lake town. Alvah Clark came from Maine to Cedar Lake,
Minnesota, a short time previous to his marriage. After his marriage he settled
in the north-east quarter of section 14, where he lived about seventeen years,
when he moved to Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota.

   The first death was that of Michael Murphy, son of Edward and Eliza Murphy,
who died August 13, 1857.

   At the first annual town meeting held at the house of Thomas Quill, April 11,
1858, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Thomas Quill,
chairman; John Ryan and John Marrinan, supervisors; A. B. McMindes, clerk; Wm.
Quain, assessor; George Porter, collector; Thomas Hickey, overseer of the poor;
Cornelius Flynn and Martin Phelan, justices of the peace; John Flynn and Michael
Phelan, constables; and Patrick Gordon, overseer of roads.

   The first school in Cedar Lake town was taught by Cornelius O'Connor, in
section 22, in the summer of 1860. About thirty-seven pupils were in regular
attendance during the first term. Another school was started in the following
fall at the house of Martin Phelan, Mary Phelan being the teacher. In 1861 a
school was taught by Mrs. Mary Ann Quill in a log house situated in the
south-east quarter of section 7, where school No. 32 now is. The following year
school districts were organized and schools became general throughout the town.
The town contains five school-houses, all of which are plain frame buildings,
with the necessary furniture.

   St. Patrick's Catholic church was erected in the summer of 1874, at a cost of
about $15,000, and was dedicated on the 11th day of October, 1874, by Right Rev.
Thos. L. Grace, of St. Paul. It is situated in the south-east corner of the
northeast quarter of section 18. The first clergyman was Rev. Father Fisher; the
present clergyman is Rev. Wm. T. Roy. Previous to the building of the above
mentioned structure services had been held at the house of Thomas Quill as early
as 1856, which were conducted by Rev. Father Fisher, and were probably the first
religious services of any kind held in the town. In 1857 a log church was
commenced, but was not completed until 1859, when services were held irregularly
by Father Fisher until the present church was built.

   Cedar Lake post-office was established in 1860, Martin Phelan postmaster. It
was situated at the residence of Mr. Phelan in section 30. Cornelius O'Connor,
the present incumbent, was appointed postmaster in 1866, at which time it was
removed to the northern part of section 22, where it still remains.

   St. Patrick’s post-office was established September 17, 1874. Patrick O’Flynn
was appointed first postmaster, and has retained the position ever since. Mr.
O’Flynn also runs a general merchandise store in connection with the
post-office. It is situated in the north-western quarter of section 17.

   Plum Creek post-office was established in 1872, and was held in the
south-western quarter of section 25; Robert Gardner, postmaster. On the 14th day
of January, 1878, it was removed to the northwestern quarter of section 25, and
J. W. Soules appointed postmaster. He still holds the office.

   Another post-office was established in the north-eastern quarter of section 4
by the name of Liberty, and A. B. McMindes appointed postmaster. He still
continues in office.

   The population of Cedar Lake township is 944.

   Anthoney Ries, born in 1856, is a native of Germany. In 1857 he came with his
parents to Minnesota and resided with his father, who bought land in New Market,
until 1879. He learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1880 started a shop at Plum
Creek, where he is doing a good business. Katie Smith became his wife in 1880,
April 26. She has borne him one child.

   John W. Soules was born in 1841, in Canada, where he attended school until
thirteen years of age. In 1854 he came to Scott county with his father, who
bought 160 acres of land which he sold about five years after, and returned
east. He remained there for a time then engaged in farming at Plum Creek, after
which he worked at railroad business two years in Ohio, and about five years in
Canada. He returned to Plum Creek and opened a general merchandise store, also
acts as postmaster. Mr. Soules has held the offices of school clerk, constable
and justice of the peace. In 1861 he married Irena Belts, who has borne him
eight children, six are living.

   Phillip Vogt is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1848. When twelve
years of age he came to America; landed in New Orleans, and from there went to
Illinois. After residing in that state about sixteen years, he came to Scott
county, located in Cedar Lake township, and bought eighty acres of land where he
lives with his aged parents.

SPRING LAKE.

   This town includes all of congressional township 114, range 22, and is
located in the interior of Scott county. It derives its name from Spring lake, a
large and beautiful body of water situated in the northern part of the town,
Which in turn derives its name from a large spring tributary to it. This lake is
about a mile and a half long by half a mile wide, enclosed by beautiful sandy
shores.

   The first settler in Spring Lake was W. H. Calkins, who located in the
south-eastern quarter of section 4, where he still resides, in the spring of
1853. His claim included all of what afterward became the village of Spring
Lake. Mr. Calkins was followed in a few months by John Battin, who with a wife
and seven children located in the south-western quarter of section 8. No other
settlements were made until the spring of 1854, when several families came, the
earliest of whom were the following: George W. Sutton came in July, 1854, and
located in the south-western quarter of section 30. He was accompanied by his
wife and two children. In 1864 he sold his first claim and purchased a farm in
the north-western-quarter of section 27, where he still resides. Samuel Squires
came to Spring Lake in company with his son and located in the north-western
quarter of section 20, where he lived until his death, July 26, 1871. John
Holleran located with family in south-western quarter of section 8. J. J. Jones,
with wife and family, settled in the south part of section 11. Here he remained
until the war, when he enlisted and met his death in 1863. His wife remained on
the farm but a short time afterward, then she went to Prior Lake village, her
present residence. Lyman Lyons located in the south-western quarter of section
2, remaining but one year, when he removed to Mankato. Louis O'Blenis came early
in the spring, and located in the northern part ef section 8, where he remained
about three years, when he left the town. A Mr. Soules also came early in this
year and settled in the north-western quarter of section 1; remained about three
years, then sold out and went to Canada.

   The first birth in the town was a child of Joseph Bumgarner, who located in
1854 in section 18; it was born on the 15th or 16th of July, 1854. The family
removed shortly after to Indiana, where the child died. The first marriage was
that of Elisha Battin to Virginia Bumgarner on the 16th of July, 1854. The
ceremony was conducted by Daniel Apgar, justice of the peace, at the residence
of the bridegroom. Mr. and Mrs. Battin lived in Spring Lake until the spring of
1866, when they removed to Dakota county. The first death was that of Lyman
Lyons, Jr., a child three or four years old. He was buried on the farm of his
father in section 2.

   The first annual town meeting was held May 11, 1858, at the house of W. H.
Calkins. John Battin, G. W. Sutton and L. B. Hawkins were judges of election.
The following officers were elected: D. C. Fix, chairman; J. J. Jones, M. C.
McCollum, supervisors; G. B. Edgecomb, clerk; G. W. Sutton, assessor; W. H.
Calkins, collector; B. Frazee, overseer of the poor; Thos. McCollum and Jos.
Hubbard, justices of the peace; Wm. Gardiner and S. O. Hitchcock, constables;
Henry Frazee, overseer of roads.

   Three town sites have been platted in Spring Lake, two of which are in
existence at the present time. Spring Lake village was surveyed in 1857, by W.
A. Fuller, on land owned by C. A. Darlington, Thomas Holmes, H. C. Copeland and
A. B. Jones. The gentlemen had purchased the land from W. H. Calkins, with a
view to locating a village thereon, and accordingly the land was laid out and
recorded in 1857. A considerable number of lots were sold, and the place at one
time assumed an appearance of encouraging prosperity. A grist-mill with one run
of stone was built by Griggs & Turner at the outlet of Spring Lake in 1859, and
shortly after a saw and grist-mill, combined in one building, was erected by
James H. Skinner and John McCall, which did a very good business until destroyed
by fire in the fall of 1876. The first store in Spring Lake village was built in
1865 by Joseph Thornton. Since the building of the Hastings & Dakota railway the
village has gradually declined. There is a cemetery situated within the limits
of the village, which was laid out and recorded in 1863. It is the general
cemetery of Spring Lake town. The first person buried in it was a child of W. H.
Calkins, buried April 26, 1863.

   Prior Lake village was surveyed in 1875 on land owned by C. H. Prior and
others in the northeastern quarter of section 2, on the line of the Hastings &
Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. The first building
erected in Prior Lake was a store built by Neal McCall and Malcom McCall in 1871.

   Prior Lake post-office was established in 1872, Malcom McCall being the first
postmaster. W. E. Hull is the present postmaster.

   The different branches of business are represented in Prior Lake as follows:
one flour and feed mill owned by Joseph Wankey, was built in 1880 and contains
one run of stone; grist work only is done; one store containing general
merchandise, owned by William B. Reed, a non-resident; one storehouse for wheat
also owned by William B. Reed; one blacksmith shop and two saloons.

   Bellefontaine was surveyed by E. B. Hood in 1856, on land owned by John
Battin and a Mr. Hamilton. It contained about 115 acres situated in the
south-eastern quarter of section 5. Several lots were sold but no buildings were
ever erected, and the scheme finally collapsed, and the charter was surrendered.
Mr. Battin is now in possession of the site.

   The first school in Spring Lake town was held in a building erected for the
purpose in section 4, in the summer of 1858. Miss Amanda Hawkins was the first
school teacher. She married Mr. W. W. Strait, and now resides in Colorado. Only
eight scholars attended during the first session. There are seven school
districts in Spring Lake town, each provided with a frame building.

   The first religious service in Spring Lake was held at the house of John
Battin, in section 5, August, 1854, Rev. S. W. Pond, officiating.

   St. Catherine’s Catholic church was established in 1865, in the southern part
of section 35. At that time a small log building was erected and services were
held irregularly by visiting clergymen. The present building was erected in
1867. Father A. Plut was the first and only resident priest it has ever had. He
remained a few years when he left to take charge of St. Mark’s church in
Shakopee, since when the church has had no regular priest. Present membership
about forty. A cemetery is connected with this church, containing between two
and three acres.

   A Methodist Episcopal church was built in the south-western quarter of
section 28 in fall of 1855. Services were held irregularly in this church by the
Rev. Louis Bell. In a few years it was removed to the south-eastern quarter of
section 29. Many of the members moving away the parish became too small to
support a preacher and the building was finally torn down and services
discontinued. This church gave rise to the Concord cemetery, which is situated
in the south-eastern quarter of section 29. It was donated by members of the
church The first person buried in this cemetery was a child of Loyd and Delilah
Whipps —buried in the fall of 1856.

   The Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1863, and the first services
were held in a log house at Bellefontaine. Rev. Winters was the first clergyman.
Number of members at organization about twenty. In 1871 the old log house being
in an inconvenient place and not being large enough to accommodate their
increasing congregation, a new church was built in the north-eastern quarter of
section 28, on the north bank of Fish lake. Here Rev. H. Raedeke took charge of
the congregation and has continued their pastor up to the present time. Present
membership, twenty-four families.

   The first post-office in Spring Lake was Mount Pleasant located in section 1.
John Soules first postmaster. It was afterwards moved to the south-eastern
quarter of section 4, and W. H. Calkins appointed postmaster; he still holds the
office.

   Lydia post-office was established in 1861, Dr. Pewtherer being the first
postmaster. John Frazee is the present postmaster. Near Lydia post-office is a
store and a blacksmith shop, the buildings both owned by F. Miller. The store is
run by J. W. Soules in connection with the post-office.

   Prior Lake post-office has been already mentioned in connection with the
village of Prior Lake.

   The first blacksmith shop in town was run by D. C. Fix in 1855. First store
by John W. Soules in 1856.

   Population of Spring Lake township, 1,166, by census of 1880.

   W. H. Calkins, born June 24, 1822, is a native of Columbia county, New York,
where he lived until 1843, then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1852 he came to
Minnesota and took a claim joining the site of Shakopee and lived there one
year, then made another claim between Spring lake and Long lake. There was a
prospect of a railroad being built through that section of country, so in 1856
he sold part of his claim to a company who wished to lay out a town. He has held
various offices. Mr. Calkins helped build the first house in Shakopee. In 1855
he married Sarah J. Casterline whose people came to this state the year before.
Only two of the five children born to them are living.

   Lewis R. Hawkins, born July 23, 1803, in Fairfax county, Connecticut. When
twelve years of age he went to Danbury to learn hat making; remained until the
spring of 1822 when he removed to Oneida county, New York. He worked at his
trade there one year, was in charge of a hat store one year and the same length
of time in a dry goods store. Went to Utica to see Lafayette in 1824, and the
same fall moved to Delhi; attended school three months and also read law; in
1832 he removed to Smithport, Pennsylvania, and held the following offices:
Prothonotary of the court of common pleas, register of wills and recorder of
deeds, clerk of orphans’ court, court of quarter sessions, and court of oyer and
terminer, postmaster, auditor of the county, deputy United States marshal and
justice of the peace. While living in that state he bought 50,000 acres of land
from twenty-five cents to one dollar per acre. In 1850 he engaged in real estate
business in New York city; lost a large portion of his property in 1853. Made a
claim in Spring Lake in 1855, where he resides at present. He was a member of
the legislature in 1857-8, has also held the offices of county commissioner,
justice of the peace, judge of probate, superintendent of schools, postmaster
and town treasurer; has been the correspondent of the government for the bureau
of agriculture for twenty years. Married in 1839 to Mary Vose, who was born July
1819 in Massachusetts. They have ten children.

   John Holleran is a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1824. He resided
in that country until twenty-seven years of age, then came to the United States.
Was employed for a time on the New York & Erie railroad; afterward went to
Boston and thence to New Orleans. After living at Elgin, Illinois, two years, he
came in 1854 to Minnesota. Mr. Holleran married Mrs. Caton, nee Bessie King,
January 27, 1850. They have had eight children, six of whom are living.

   George W. Sutton was born in 1822 in Ohio. At the age of three years he went
to Indiana, and that state was his home twenty-eight years; came here in 1854
and located on section 29. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Ninth
Minnesota Volunteers; was discharged because of disability. Mr. Sutton has held
different town offices, has also served as county commissioner. Fannie
Bumgarnen, born January 1, 1830, became his wife in 1850. A son of theirs was
the first white boy born in the town. They have nine children: Andrew S., born
November 16, 1851, Edward E., born February 8, 1853, Alonzo, born October 7,
1854, Melissa J., born January 4, 1856, Alice A., born August 17, 1858, Maggie
M., born November 10, 1861, Mary O., born September 20, 1864, Emma E. and George
E. (twins), born April 4, 1866.

CREDIT RIVER.

   By a misapprehension not easily understood the dividing line between Scott
and Dakota counties was disputed. The territorial legislature in 1855 had
established this line as extending from the mouth of Credit river to the
north-east corner of township 112, range 21, which would give Credit River but a
little more than one-half of a full township. Owing to this misapprehension on
the part of the commissioners, the lands to the east of Credit river were in
dispute, and were for a time assessed in both counties. The town was organized
as a full township by the county commissioners, but its eastern boundary was
really that of the county. By an act of the legislature March 6, 1871, the
boundary as it now is was established.

   The earliest settler in Credit River was John Spratt, who came from Illinois
in the fall of 1854 and located his present claim in the same year in the
north-west quarter of section 30 and southwest quarter of section 19. Wm.
McQuestion and family and Fayette Ufford came later in the fall. About the same
time Wm. Flavell and John Anderson arrived in Credit River, the former locating
in the south-east quarter of section 19, and the latter in the north-east
quarter of section 18. In the spring of 1855 a large number came into the town,
among whom were the following: Geo. Wild, who located in section 18; John White,
in section 20; John Suel, in section 19; Cornelius Cleary, in section 8; James
Faricy, in section 9; Robert Faricy, in section 8; and also Cornelius Cleary,
John Hough, Michael Flemming, Michael Regan, Daniel Lawler, Henry Reardon,
Patrick Sherin, Michael Sherin and others.

   The first birth in the town was that of Mary Ann Sherin, daughter of Patrick
and Mary Sherin. The first death was that of Mrs. White, mother of John and
Matthew White. The first marriage was that of Peter Kleckner to Miss Young,
sister of Michael Young.

   The first chairman of the town board was M. Reagan in 1858, but as no records
of the town are in existence, previous to 1865, the names of the other officers
are not known. The first officers on record are those of 1865, and are as
follows: Peter Cleary, chairman; John Suel and Daniel Lawler, supervisors;
Patrick Condon, town clerk; Thos. Berrisford, assessor; Patrick O’Connell,
treasurer; Thos. Berrisford and Peter Sauser, justices of the peace. In the
following year Peter Cleary was elected chairman, and held for the succeeding
six years, when, in 1873, John Coleman was elected; Patrick Cassidy was elected
in 1874, and has held the position ever since, including the present year.

   The first school in the town was taught at the residence of Henry Reardon in
the fall of 1857, Mrs. Reardon being the teacher.

   Divine worship was first held at the house of Cornelius Cleary, by Rev.
Father Ravoux, the pioneer Catholic missionary priest. The St. Peter Catholic
church was established in 1860 by Rev. A. Oster with about sixty members. The
first regular priest was Rev. Father Fisher. The meetings were, held at this
time in a log house until in 1874 the present frame edifice was built at a cost
of $5,000. Present priest, Rev. P. F. Glennan. There is a cemetery in connection
with this church containing about ten acres, which were donated by the
parishioners.

   The first post-office was located in the northwestern quarter of section 31
and kept by Dominick McDermott. It was established in 1856 under the name of New
Dublin post-office. Afterwards it was removed to section 19, when its name was
changed to Suel post-office, John Suel being the postmaster. Present postmaster,
P. Barbeau. Mr. Barbeau has been running a blacksmith shop in section 19 since
the war. Population of Credit River, 383 by the last federal census.

NEW MARKET.

   New Market township includes all of township 113, range 21. It is situated in
the extreme southeastern corner of Scott county, bordering Cedar Lake town on
the east and Credit River on the south. The name of the town when organized was
Jackson, but so remained only a short time.

   At the election held October 12, 1858, it was known as New Market.

   The first settlement in New Market was made by Patrick White and wife, in the
spring of 1856, on section 5. In the following spring, Thos. Knutzen located in
south-eastern quarter of section 20, where he remained four or five years, when
he sold out and went to Dakota county. Ole Roland came in the same spring and
located in center of section 20. He remained but a few years, then went to
Dakota county. Benjamin Adams came in spring of ’57, and located in
south-western quarter of 7, where he remained about four years, when he left the
county. Peter Meis who came the same spring, and located in south-western
quarter of section 28, has since left, the town. Among other early settlers, may
be mentioned the following who settled prior to the 1st of January, 1858: David
Giles, C. D. Campbell, Lucian Perry, Theo. Rosen, Ole Oleson, John Mahowald,
Prank Mahowald, John Stork, Peter Hoffelt and Martin Eischen.

   Mary Mies, daughter of Peter and Mary O. Mies, was the first child born in
New Market. She was born April 16, 1858, and is now living in Hastings.

   The first marriage was that of Anton Degrass, and Catharine Mahowald, April
12, 1858.

   The first person who died in the town was Mary Hoffelt, May 24, 1858. She was
buried in St. Paul.

   No records appear for the year 1858, of this town, and it is also true that
it had no representative in the first board of county commissioners. The records
begin with 1859, and at the spring election held in that year, Benjamin H. Adams
was elected chairman, Ole Olsen and Martin Eischen, supervisors; Lucian I.
Perry, clerk; Martin Eischen, assessor; John Mahowald, collector; Sereno D.
Campbell, overseer of the poor; David Giles, justice of the peace; Lucian Perry,
constable; Patrick White and John Arene, overseers of road for districts 1 and 2.

   The first school-house built in the town was. erected on the farm of Peter
Wagoner in 1865. The town now has five school-houses, each a frame building with
plain seats.

   The first religious meeting held in the town was at the house of Martin
Eischen, April 1858. In 1861 a Catholic church was built on the farm of Peter J.
Balts. This building was used until 1873 when St. Nicolaus church was
established near the site of the old one. The present clergyman of this church
is Rev. P. R. Kimmel. This is the only church in the town.

   New Market post-office, the first and only one in the town, was established
in November, 1867. P. J. Balts was first postmaster. It was located in the
north-west quarter of section 28, where it still remains, Mr. Balts continuing
as postmaster. Near the post-office are two stores and hotels combined and one
blacksmith shop. J. Baltes built his store and hotel in 1873. Size 20x36 feet,
can aocomodate ten guests. The other store and hotel was built by Geo. Harber in
April, 1865, and is run at present by Mr. Witts. The blacksmith shop was built
by Mat. Hauer in 1876. It is 20x44 feet and contains everything necessary to a
first-class shop. Population of New Market township is 955.

   Joseph Baltes, born in 1846, is a native of Prussia, where he lived until
1855, then came with his parents to America. Resided in Kenosha county,
Wisconsin, on a farm six years, when he removed to Scott county, Minnesota, and
worked at farming in New Market. Since 1873 he has been engaged in general
mercantile and saloon business. Mr. Baltes occupies the office of town clerk.
From 1864 until the close of the war he served in the First Minnesota heavy
artillery. In 1868 he married Mary Borst, who has borne him nine children, six
of whom are living.

   Peter J. Balts, a native of Prussia, was born in 1830. He worked on a farm,
and served three years in the King’s brigade. In 1855 he came with his parents
to the United States. Until 1860 resided in Kenosha county, Wisconsin; at that
date he moved to New Market and bought 160 acres of land where he now resides.
He has been postmaster fourteen years, justice of the peace six years, and town
clerk four years; has also been chairman of the board of supervisors, county
commissioner, notary public and assessor. Anna M. Frinks became his wife in
1854. They have buried three of the nine children born to them.

   Mathew Hauer was born in 1854 in Germany, where he learned the blacksmith’s
trade, then came to America with his brothers. Stayed in Chicago about four
months and removed from there to Iowa, where he worked at his trade three years.
From Iowa he came to New Market and still resides here working at blacksmithing.
Mr. Hauer married Rosa Segfeird in 1877. They are the parents of three children,
two of whom are living.

   S. Hoff, born in 1823, is a native of Germany, where he lived until 20 years
of age, then came to America. He resided in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, five
years, employed in farming. In 1861 came to Minnesota and bought the farm of 200
acres, where he now lives. Mary Wenich Was married to Mr. Hoff in 1855. They
have lost one child and have nine living.

   William P. Witt was born in 1850 in Prussia. When 7 years of age he came to
the United States; lived three years in Wisconsin, then removed to Brown county,
Minnesota; shortly after went to Renville county and stayed two years; at the
end of that time they were compelled to leave by hostile Indians, who murdered
Mr. Witt's mother. They removed to Belle Plaine where his father now resides. In
1881 he engaged in mercantile and hotel business at New Market, is also a
teacher in the school here. He married Antonette Brahy in 1880, and has one
child, Helena.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from 

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


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/scott/history/1882/historyo/bellepla68gms.txt

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