Nicollet and LeSueur Counties Volume I (county histories) ========================================================================= 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. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Doug Peterson ========================================================================= Nicollet and LeSueur Counties Volume I (county histories) William Gresham 1916 Last Updated: 09 June 2000 NICOLLET COUNTY Page 144 CHAPTER VIII. COUNTY AND STATE REPRESENTATION. GOVERNORS OF MINNESOTA. Since the organization of Minnesota as a state her governors have been as follow, the dates given indicate the time they assumed the office: Henry H. Sibley, St. Paul, 1858; Alexander Ramsey, Ramsey county, 1860; Henry A. Swift, Nicollet county, 1863; Stephen Miller, Nobles county, 1864; William R. Marshall, Hennepin county, 1866; Horace Austin, Nicollet county, 1870; Cushman K. Davis, Ramsey county, 1874; John S. Pillsbury, Ramsey county, 1876; Lucius F. Hubbard, Goodhue county, 1882; A. R. McGill, Nicollet county, 1887; William R. Merriam, Ramsey county, 1889; Knute Nelson, Douglas county, 1893; David V. Clough, Hennepin county, 1895; John Lind, Brown county, 1899; Samuel R. Van Sant, Winona county, 1901; John A. Johnson, Nicollet county, 1905; Adolph O. Eberhart, Blue Earth county, 1909; Winfield S. Hammond, Watonwan county, 1915. STATE SENATORS. The senators who have represented Nicollet county have been as follow: Thomas Cowan, 1860; Henry A. Swift, 1862-66; C. T. Brown, 1866; Lewis Porter, 1867; C. T. Brown, 1868-70; William Pfaender, 1870-72; M. B. Stone, 1872-74; E. St. Julian Cox, 1874-76; J. S. Schoenbeck, 1876-79; H. C. Miller, 1879-83; A. L. Sackett, 1883-87; G. S. Ives, 1887-91; Charles R. Davis, 1893; John Peterson, 1895-99; John A. Johnson, 1899-1903; C. A. Johnson, 1903-11; H. N. Benson, 1911-15. STATE REPRESENTATIVES. John Armstrong, F. Rehfeld, William Pfaender, 1860; William Hughey, 1863; Samuel Coffin, 1864; W. H. Patton, 1865; C. T. Brown, 1867; John Rudolph, J. A. Reed, 1868; John Rudolph, 1869; William L. Couplin, 1870-71; J. H. Dunham, 1872; E. St. Julian Cox, 1873; P. H. McDermid, Page 145 1874-75; Andrew Nelson, Nicholas Sons, 1876; W. J. Bean, Isaac Lundeen, 1877-78; C. Amundson, W. J. Bean, 1879; C. Amundson, J. Klossner, 1881; B. H. Randall, 1883; John Webster, 1885; Swen Swensen, 1887; C. R. Davis, 1889; Joseph Diepolder, 1893; A. B. French, 1895; Joseph Diepolder, 1897; J. B. Bean, 1899-1901; O. Peterson, 1903-05; T. O. Haugen, 1907; O. Peterson, 1909-11; O. A. Swenson, 1913-15. COUNTY AUDITORS. The office of auditor is one of much importance in the county government of this state, and as a general rule has been filled here by men thoroughly competent, who have at all times looked well to the interests of Nicollet county The list of auditors is as follows: W. G. Hayden, 1860-68; Benjamin Rogers, 1868-72; Z. S. Gault., 1872-79; E. S. Pettijohn, 1879-91; Charles S. Hansel, 1891-1902; H. A. Freeman, 1902-08; William Holz, 1908, and still in office. COUNTY TREASURERS. Jonas Pettijohn, by appointment of the governor, 1853; by election, October, 1853; F. F. B. Coffin, 1861; M. M. Manger, 1863; William Huey, 1867-75; F. Fritsche, 1875-81; Charles Kayser, 1881-89; Henry Bode, 1889- 93; John Webster, 1893, to present date, 1916. SHERIFFS. William Huey, by governor's appointment, 1853; Gibson S. Patch, elected, October, 1853; R. M. Tomlinson, 1861 to 1867; Azro A. Stone, 1867 to 1869; Andrew Filler, 1869 to 1875; Thomas Downs, 1875 to 1881; Henry Moll, 1881 to 1887; Benjamin Rogers, 1887 to 1889; J. H. Block, 1889 to 1901; John McMillen, 1901 to 1907; August Olson, 1907, and still serving in 1916. REGISTERS OF DEEDS. G. H. Spencer was appointed register of deeds by the governor in 1853; Andrew J. Myrick was elected in October, 1853; J. B. Sackett, 1861-67; C. G. Stark, 1867-69; Z. S. Gault, 1869-71; A. Thorson, 1871-75; C. G. Stark, 1875-79; James Delaney, 1879-81; Lars Anderson, 1881-88; Albert Page 146 Linstrom, 1888-1901; John Kottner, 1901-11; Peter F. Fay, 1911, and still holding the office in 1916. COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. The following is a list of the county school superintendents holding such position in Nicollet county since the creation of the office: Reverend Sederstrom, Reverend Kerr, B. H. Randall, F. L. Randall, George A. McLeod, 1880 to 1882; William Gresham, to 1901; C. G. Schulz, to 1903; N. J. Sanberg, 1903-05; John Sander, 1905-11; Melville R. Davis, 1911 to 13; Albert J. Holmstead, 1913, and still in office. JUDGES OF PROBATE. J. D. Hemingway was elected judge of probate in October, 1853; G. A. Brown, 1867; W. G. Gresham, 1867-75; John Peterson, 1875-89; Benjamin Rogers, 1899-03; Henry Moll, 1903, and present incumbent. COUNTY ATTORNEYS. J. K. Markland was elected in 1853; failed to serve and Charles E. Flandrau was appointed to fill out the term at one hundred and fifty dollars a year; E. P. Davis, 1860; C. S. Bryant, 1862; Alfred Wallin, 1868-70; C. R. Davis, 1870-1885; A. A. Stone, 1885-1901; C. R. Davis, 1901-03; A. A. Stone, 1903-09; George T. Olson, 1909, to present time. CLERKS OF THE DISTRICT COURT. Charles Kayser was elected clerk of the district court in 1861 and following him have served as such officers in the order named: A. A. Stone, R. F. Slaughter, Lewis Swenson, Benjamin Rogers, Charles J. Johnson. G. A. Blomberg, Jr., William Mallgren, who was elected in 1905, still serving. COUNTY SURVEYORS. In the order given, the following have served as county surveyors: Israel Fuller, elected in October, 1853; W. H. Mayer, L. Z. Torrey, Magnes Sampson, N. S. Carter, S. H. Briggs, Joseph Kennedy, P. H. McDermid, George M. Jefferson, C. M. Skinner, O. J. Anderson, H. W. Daniels, elected in 1903, and still serving. Page 147 CORONERS. The coroners have been as follow: Francis LaBathe, 1853; Sidney Pardee, John Klein, J. S. J. Bean, Isaac Cosner, William Klein, G. F. Merritt, H. W. Klein, C. M. Skinner, G. A. Blomberg, Jr., G. A. Merritt, 1897, to present date. COURT COMMISSIONERS. Among those who have held the office of court commissioners may be recalled A. Blanchard, J. Schimmel, Charles S. Bryant, L. Gronlund, J. B. Sackett, Andrew Carlson, W. G. Gresham, H. C. Miller, O. J. Quane. R. G. Anderson, who is still serving. STATE OFFICIALS FROM NICOLLET COUNTY. With the passage of years, since this county was organized, the following persons, once residents of Nicollet county, have served as officials, both in the territory and state. government of Minnesota. As governors-Willis A. Gorman, from 1853 to 1857, as Territorial governor; Henry A. Swift, as governor of the state from 1863 to 1864; Horace Austin, 1870-74; A. R. McGill, 1887-89; Jobn A. Johnson, 1905-09. As lieutenant-governor-G. S. Ives, 1891-93. As secretary of state-Julius A. Schmehl, 1907. As state treasurer-Julius H. Block, 1907-10; E. S. Pettijohn, 1910-11. As railroad commissioner-Horace Austin, elected in 1887. As district judges-Horace Austin, 1865; M. G. Ranscome, 1870; E. St. Julian Cox, 1877. The county has also been represented by governor's private secretaries from Nicollet county in the following: A. R. McGill, under Governor Austin; J. K. Moore, under Governor A. R. McGill. Page 186 of the noble womanly deeds of, Mrs. Eliza Mueller, the "Florence Nightingale" of Ft. Ridgely. SERGEANT JOHN JONES. We feel that the truth of history will not be fully vindicated should we fail to bestow upon a brave and gallant officer that meed of praise so justly due. The only officer of experience left in the fort by the death of its brave commandant was Sergt. John Jones, of the regular artillery; and it is but just to that gallant officer that we should say but for the cool courage and discretion of Sergeant Jones, Ft. Ridgely would in the first day's battle have become a funeral pyre for all within its walls. And it gives us more than ordinary pleasure to record the fact that the services that he then rendered the government in defense of the frontier were fully recognized and rewarded with a commission of captain of the Second Minnesota Battery. TRAVERSE TOWNSHIP. This is a township in tht northeastern part of Nicollet county, with Lake Prairie at its north and Oshawa on its south, with Granby township on the west and the Minnesota river for its eastern border. It is embraced in township 110, ranges 26 and 27, and contains about twenty-five sections of land. It is historic from the fact that here was made the first settlement, and the Traverse des Sioux Indian treaty was effected with the United States government on July 23, 1851. The city plat of St. Peter touches its southern line. The Northwestern railway line curves in the form of a letter "J" through the southeastern part of this township. In 1890 its population was 583; in 1900 it was 565, and the United States census for 1910 gave it 456. It was here the first settlement in the county occurred: the first county board of commissioners assembled here, it was originally the only voting precinct in the county. It was also here that the first countv seat was situated. This is purely an agricultural district wherein are now seen hundreds of beautiful and valuable farm homes. The village of Traverse des Sioux was surveyed on land owned by S. R. Riggs, A. G. Huggrins and Mrs. Hopkins, and comprised one-half section of land. But the speedy removal of the county seat to St. Peter soon blasted all hopes that might have been entertained in the minds of the founders as to its coming to be a place of Page 187 as much importance as the three hundred and twenty-acre town platting would indicate. The old Presbyterian church, constructed of concrete by Rev. M. N. Adams, still stands and is used for a slaughter house at this date. Another town site was laid out in 1855, in section 9, by Joseph Robinette, and was called Sioux City; Louis Roberts, of St. Paul, had a trading post there in 1853, which was burned; he rebuilt further north and there continued a post for some years. The first permanent settlement was made in 1852; William Huey made a claim in section 13, in August of that year. He was appointed sheriff of Nicollet county by Governor Gorman. Other very early settlers were Gibson H. Patch, George H. Spencer, Jonas Pettijohn and Peter M. Teed. The first town meeting was held in May, 1858. The officers elected were: William Huey, J. P. Smith and Jacob Schmahl, supervisors; Sidney Pardee, clerk; L. D. Holden, assessor; R. B. Pierce, collector; Philip Stelzer, overseer of the poor; Alfred Vallient and Augustus Reihm, overseers of roads; R. J. Billingsby and J. M. Pettijohn, justices of the peace; Lewis Hatcher and C. M. Woodward, constables. VILLAGE OF TRAVERSE. Traverse village was laid out in 1852 into town lots and was entered at the land office by judge A. G. Chatfield in 1855, at which date it had about three hundred population. With the removal of the county seat to St. Peter its importance soon disappeared, many of the buildings being removed to St. Peter, or went to decay. The place was made historic by reason of its being the spot where the Traverse des Sioux Indian treaty of 1851 was made in council between 7,500 Indians and the commissioners sent out by the United States-Governor Ramsey and Col. Luke Lea. It is situated on the Chicago & Northwestern railway, four miles northwest of St. Peter. It now has a population of about forty. Of recent years its business has consisted chiefly of these concerns: A blacksmith shop, by Benjamin E. Briggs; feed-mill, by Frank E. Briggs; elevator, by the Reliance Elevator Company; Willow Lawn Creamery, E. K. Ziske; hotel, by Mrs. H. J. Ziske; general store, by Herman J. Ziske. A postoffice was established in this township on May 1, 1886, called Straus. The postmasters here have been: John G. Strauch; S. H. Briggs, March, 1896, to June, 1896; the name was then changed to Traverse, and Mr. Briggs served until June, 1903, and was succeeded by H. T. Ziske, till Page 188 1909, when F. E. Briggs came in, serving from that date till 1914, when William E. Neitzel was appointed and still serves. WEST NEWTON TOWNSHIP. Originally, West Newton township contained also the territory now embraced within Ridgely. It was organized on April 27, 1858. It is second from the west on the north line of Nicollet county, is bounded on the north by Sibley county, on the east by Lafayette township, on the south by the Minnesota river and Brown county. It contains about thirty-six sections of land, with fractional sections included. It is without railroads, but has some excellent wagon and automobile roads in recent years. There is a small lake in the northeastern corner of the township. Here are numerous well-improved farms, with good buildings, fine fields and pasture landsalso a happy and well-contented class of thrifty agriculturists. In 1910 the township had a population of 656, a slight decrease during the preceding decade or more. There are no towns or villages within this township. The land is equally productive with the adjoining townships and farmers are usually well circumstanced. The pioneers had many hard years of struggle to get where they were even comfortable. This was within the territory so badly raided by the Indians in 1862-63 and much suffering was the result many were driven from their homes. ORGANIZATION. On April 27, 1858, this township was set off by the county commissioners as a separate sub-division of the county and the first election was held on May 11, that year, at which the first township officers were elected; but unfortunately the records are missing, as the books and papers were mostly all destroyed during the Indian outbreak in 1862, hence cannot be given in this connection. The election was held at the house of John Ryan. SETTLEMENT. West Newton was first settled in 1856 by pioneers Martin Walser, Alexander Harkins and James Robinson, all of whom set stakes there early in the spring of the year named. Others came in as follow: Meinrad Wall, born in 1827 in Germany, came to this township in 1854. He was a Page 189 miller by trade. He was assessor of his township and enlisted in 1862 under Captain Nix. James Newton arrived here in 1856, before the organization of the township, and from him it received its name, "Newton," with the prefix West, to designate it from another in the state of Minnesota. He was born in Kentucky in 1829 and left an orphan at the age of twelve years. He served in Company E, Second Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in Civil War days and was honorably discharged for disability. Charles Lippmann, a cooper by trade, born in 1819 in Germany, came to America in 1849, located in Rice county, Minnesota, and remained there until 1856, when he came to-West Newton township. He also wore the loyal blue in the sixties. Patrick Murnan was born in Ireland in 1800 and moved to Philadelphia in 1840; served five years in the regular army and came to this state in 1855 and to this township in 1857. Gotlib L. Wager, a German born in 1849, came to America in 1852, remained in Illinois until 1857, then came to Minnesota and the year following to West Newton township. He took part in the fight with the Indians at New Ulm in August, 1862. Christian Slumpberger, a German, born in 1834, came to the United States in 1854, to Minnesota in 1858, was stationed at Ft. Ridgely during the Indian troubles in 1862, after which he freighted from St. Paul to St. Peter and New Ulm, coming to this township in 1867. Joseph Stutz, born in Germany in 1847, emigrated to Freeborn county, this state, in 1857, and to this township in 1860. Henry Diepolder, born in Bavaria in 1822, came to America in 652, having mastered the cabinet-maker's trade in his native land. He came to West Newton in 1862 and took part in the Indian fight at Ft. Ridgely in that year. He served as township treasurer and postmaster in this township. Anthony Blessing, a native of Ohio, born in 1853, located in Freeborn county, Minnesota, in 1857, and came to West Newton in 1863. John Howard, a native of Ireland, born in 1819, served in the British army, came to this country and lived in Boston and other eastern cities until 1864, when he came to this township. He settled in section 18, and was township clerk, assessor and supervisor. August Schaffer, born in New Orleans in 1859, came with the family to Minnesota and settled near LeSueur, but in 1865 moved to West Newton township, this county. He claimed a part of section 32. Page 243 CHAPTER XIV. BENCH AND BAR OF NICOLLET COUNTY. The bar in Nicollet county has not had a large number connected with it, and several were here only a short period, hence the personal history of such, lawyers is not fully known. The following seems to have been about all the attomeys-at-law that ever made much of an impression in the county, and with rare exceptions have been men of ability and good habits. The same is true of the district judges who have resided within the county: ATTORNEYS. From all that can now be learned of attorneys who have practiced at the Nic6llet county bar the list is as follow: Judge A. G. Chatfield, who came about 1854; Judge Austin, who succeeded Judge Chatfield; E. St Julian Cox, who came about 1856; M. G. Hanscome, later a district judge and now long since deceased; S. A. Buell, here as early as 1859; Sumner Ladd, who came to St. Peter in 1866; Alfred Wallin, of Chicago, came here in 1865; E. E. Paulding was here in the sixties, a partner of Judge Horace Austin; C. S. Bryant was here in the sixties and seventies; William Cowan came in the fifties and was associated with Judge Flandrau; Charles E. Flandrau was one of the pioneer attorneys and later a judge; W. I. Cullen, an early lawyer at St. Peter, became a partner with S. A. Buell; A. A. Stone came here in the seventies; Charles R. Davis, present congressman, was admitted to the bar in 1877; Gideon S. Ives, now of St. Paul, was here from 1871 for a number of years; Judge Griffin was a partner of E. St. Julian Cox at one time in St. Peter. PRESENT BAR. In February, 1916, the attorneys practicing as resident lawyers in Nicollet countv are as follow: Hon. C. R. Davis, Hon. Henry. N. Benson, Marshal E. Stone, George T. Olsen, L. J. Gault:and R. G. Anderson. Page 244 CONDENSED RECORD OF BAR MEMBERS. Asa A. Stone, a native of Canada, born in 1840, came with his parents in 1854 to St. Peter, Minnesota, and resided on the farm until 1860; he then went to Colorado, but returned the following year and enlisted among the first in the Second Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. After serving his term of enlistment, three years, he lived for a time in Tennessee, then returned to St. Peter. In 1865 he was elected sheriff of Nicollet county. In 1866 he commenced the study of law and in 1874 was admitted to the bar. In 1871 he was appointed clerk of the district court, holding the office four years. In 1874 he formed a partnership with Hon. Sumner Ladd in the practice of law. He was mayor of St. Peter in 1879. He died about 1907. Hon. Charles R. Davis, born in Pittsfield, Illinois, in 1840, came to St. Peter with his parents, who were natives of Canada, in 1854. Here he attended school, also at St. Paul, and after returning from the latter city engaged in mercantile business, which he gave up for the law. For three years he studied with A. Wallin and was admitted to the bar in 1877. The following year he was elected county attorney for Nicollet county; was also attorney for the city of St. Peter and clerk for three terms. He practiced alone until he was elected to a seat in Congress, when he took for his partner in the law business T. T. Olsen, of Springfield, Brown county. He was elected to Congress in 1802 and is still serving, having been elected seven times to this important office. Gideon S. Ives, a native of New York, was born in Franklin county in 1847. He made his home in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties until 1864, then enlisted in the Fifteenth Regiment. New York Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil War, and was honorably discharged in 1865. He remained in his native state until 1869, when he began a course of study at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1871, and moved to St. Peter, Minnesota. He was here admitted to the bar and at once took up the active practice of his profession. For four years he was county attorney for Nicollet county. Subsequently, Mr. Ives removed to St. Paul, where he still resides. He was elected lientenant-governor and state senator from this district and countv. He is still in the law practice at St. Paul. Alfred Wallin was admitted to the bar here in the fall of 1865. He came from Chicago, practiced a number of years and moved to North Dakota, where he was elected to a seat on the supreme bench of that state. He died a few years ago in California. Page 264 CHAPTER XVI. BANKING INTERESTS OF NICOLLET COUNTY. As a rule it is not many years after the pioneer band makes its advent into a new country, plows and sows, reaps and markets, the products of the soil, builds towns and starts factories, before the need of a banking house is demanded, and usually one or more men, with the necessary capital, opens a bank where men may borrow, if security be given, and where drafts and other commercial papers may be secured and the general banking business transacted. Nicollet county was no exception to other counties in this respect. In the year, 1857 St. Peter had three banks. Two remained in business but a short time-the firms of Gorman & Aikin and Meyer & Willius-but the other became a permanent banking house and is still represented here bv the well-known First National Bank of St. Peter. FIRST BANK IN THE COUNTY. St. Peter had the first bank in Nicollet county. It was established by the private banking firm of Edgerton, Smith & Donahower, who conducted the pioneer bank of the county in a highly satisfactory manner after the opening of its doors for business in the spring of 1857. In 1858 the firm name was changed to Edgerton, Donahower & Company, Romeo Martin, of Chenango county, New York, taking the interest formerly held by Alvah Smith. This was continued until the spring of 1860, when the firm was changed again and was styled Edgerton & Donahower, who conducted the business until the establishing of the present First National Bank, in the spring of 1871. It was then that the-bankers of the town felt that more capital and better banking facilities were needed in the town and count, hence Messrs. Edgerton and Donahower announced to the business men of St. Peter that an informal meeting would be held at their office and that subscription books would there be opened and stock taken to establish a national bank. The meeting was held on January 28, 1871. The money was subscribed and the First National Bank of St. Peter being the one thousand seven hundred and ninety-fourth national bank chartered in the United Page 265 States. The date of perfecting the organization was February 6, 1871. The first meeting of directors was held the same day when Samuel Schimmel was elected president; Benjamin F. Paul, vice-president, and Frederick A. Donahower, cashier. The capital stock subscribed was $50,000, as a permanent capital. The firm of Edgerton & Donahower were paid $3,000 for the relinquishment of their banking business and transferring the same to the new national bank. By an old record it is learned that in 1882 the officers - of this bank were: William Schimmel, president; J. N. Treadwell, vice-president; F. A. Donahower, cashier; J. C. Donahower, assistant cashier. The present condition of this pioneer banking establishment is excellent. It has been ably managed during all the years of its existence, having had, as a general rule, at the head of each department, men of fine ability and. possessed of unquestioned character and honesty. The people of the community have held them in esteem and have never had their confidence shaken in times of prosperity or even in dark years of panics, when finance trembled. They built their present imposing bank building in 1914, at a cost Of $35,000, on the corner of Minnesota avenue and Nassau street. It is built of Bedford stone, concrete and brick with hollow tile. The present deposits of this bank are $422,344. The present capital is $5o,ooo, with $12,000 surplus, and undivided profits amounting to $53,105. The officers in 1916 are C. A. Benson, president: T. H. Doty, vice- president; Clare D. Moll, cashier; Clarence A. Johnson, assistant cashier; and the board of directors are F. A. Donahower, J. H. Doty, J. W. Daniels, Theodore W. Knoll, H. N. Nelson, Mathias Young and C. A. Benson. The presidents of the bank since its establishment have been William Schimmel, from February 6, 1871 to May 23, 1889; F. A. Donabower, from May 23, 1889, to January 12, 1914; C. A. Benson, from January 13, 1914, and still serving. NICOLLET COUNTY BANK. The Nicollet County Bank was established in St. Peter in March, 1893, by E. R. Moore and H. L. Stark. The first officers were: H. L. Stark, president; Julius Schlender, vice-president; R R. Moore, cashier. The present (1916) officers of this bank are: H. L. Stark, president; C. W. Babcock, vice-president; Z. S. Gault, cashier; E. H. Lundberg, assistant cashier. The first capital stock was $25,000, but its capital at present is Page 266 $50,000, with a surplus of $50,000. Its deposits in the autumn of 1915 were $645,599.92. This bank was chartered in 1883 and renewed in 1900. Their statement in November, 1915, gave the resources as $708,345.28; undivided profits, $22,745.36. Four per cent. interest is paid on savings and time deposits. A fine bank building was erected in 1887 and is now valued at $20,000. It is a red brick structure. The present directors are: H. L. Stark, C. W. Babcock; Frank Ransom, J. P. Johnson, A. R. Davis, T. S. Willcox, L. NL Erickson, M. B. Johnson and Z. S. Gault. CITIZEMS STATE BANK OF ST. PETER. The Citizens State Bank of St. Peter was established in 1911 by N. H. Olson, cashier, and local stockholders numbering seventy, mostly farmers and business men. The first capital was $30,000, same as it now carries. The present surplus and undivided profits are $7,000. Its deposits in November, 1915, were $400,000. Special features are its farm mortgage's and savings departments. Its present officers and directors are: A. M. Jensen, president; C. H. Clark, vice-president; N. H. Olson, cashier; C. A. Pettis, assistant cashier; directors, Ed McGrath, A. M. Jensen, C. H. Clark, J. M. Turner, &. H. Olson, Samuel Haugdahl, George T. Olson, A. P. Anderson and L. Redding. NICOLLET STATE BANK. The Nicollet State Bank, located at the village of Nicollet was, organized on June 6, 1903, by August Stolt, Edward H. Olson, Henry Enter, H. C. Anderson, J. C. Bruns, J. F. Ritz, Henry Bode, W. R. Barnes, J. J. McGuire, G. Guttersen, J. Q. Currier and Andrew Anderson. The first capital stock was $10,000, but at present it is $15,000. The first officers were as follow: H. C. Henderson, president; Ed H. Olson, vice- president; William F. Stege, cashier. The original directors were: Henry Enter, John C. Bruns, Edward H. Olson, H. C. Anderson, G. Guttersen. Andrew Anderson and J. J. McGuire. The present officers are: Edward H. Olson, president; Auglist Stolt, vice-president; Edward C. Johannes, cashier, and W. E. Jenson, assistant cashier. The present directors are: Edward H. Olson, August Stolt, Henry Enter, John C. Zins, J. F. Ritz, Martin J. Frey and Edward C. Page 267 Johannes. In February, 1916, the amount in deposits was $225,000. Resources, $253,000, with a surplus Of $11,500. A neat brick bank building was erected in 1903 at a cost Of $2,000. There are now twenty- eight stockholders in this bank. COURTLAND STATE BANK. Courtland State Bank, located at the village of Courtland, Nicollet county, was organized in 1905 by J. G. Lund. The first officers were: J. G. Lund, president; J. H. Doty, vice-president; F. E. Dix, cashier. The original capital was $15,000. The present capital is $10,000, with a surplus of $2,500. In February, 1916, the amount of deposits was $80,000. The bank building was built in 1905 and a general banking business is carried on. The present officers are: E. J. Hage, president; Ole Strickler, vice- president; Paul C. Myer, cashier. According to the books of the concern in February, 1916, the resources amounted to $102,000. PEOPLES STATE BANK. The Peoples State Bank, located at North Mankato, which is within Nicollet county, was established on August 2, 1912, with about fifty stockholders and a capital of $15,000, same as it now operates under. Its present resources are $99,700. Its first officers were: O. W. Walker, president; N. A. Door, vice-president; J. C. Struck, cashier. The officers in 1915-16 are: O. E. Bennett, president; N. A. Door, vice- president; E. R. Jones, cashier: W. L. Roust, assistant cashier. A bank building was erected in August, 1912, at a cost Of $3,800. In December, 1915, the deposits were $76,000. A general banking business is transacted, and special features are its real estate loans, savings deposits and safety box departments. The present directors are: O. E. Bennett, N. A. Door, N. D. Rist, F. E. Jefferson. C. E. Ball, E. R. Jones and W. L. Roust. The date of its charter was August 2, 1912. STATE BANK OF LAFAYETTE. The State Bank of Lafayette was established in 1902 by P. A. Retrum, on a capital of $10,000, in the village of Lafayette. its first officers were Joseph Eckstein, president; P. A. Retrum, cashier. The present capital is $15,000, with a $3,000 surplus. In the month of February, 1916, the Page 346 Parker, George Hezlepp, George W. Farrington, Oliver Ames, William L. Ames and William B. Dodd. LeHillier City, in section 14, township 108, range 27, filed on January 14, 1858, by Frank J. and Mary I. McQuiston. Redstone, platted on December 29, 1856, in section 35, township 110, range 30, by Marshall B. Stone. Eureka was platted in section 33, township 109, range 28, but the plat does not show date of filing or proprietors' names. Courtland Station was platted by Thomas J. and A. Templer, February 14, 1882, in section 8, township 109, range 29. Klossner was platted in section 3, township 110, range 30, October, 1897. St. Peter had been platted a short time previous to the platting given above and was called Rock Bend. North Mankato was platted in November, 1857, by Isaac Marks, Asa White, William Sargent, Joseph Guenther, et al. The other village plattings are Nicollet and Lafayette, the latter being situated in Lafayette township. GREEN LAWN CEMETERY. By Isabel M. Aiton. Green Lawn cemetery, sometimes called Traverse cemetery, is the oldest cemetery in this section and the second oldest in the state. The first burial in these grounds was made in 1853. The cemetery association was organized in 1856. It is an historic spot in southern Minnesota, in which sleep the brave and sturdy pioneers, the self sacrificing and devout missionaries, and the loyal, patriotic soldiers, as well as the loved ones who were left at home to battle with adversity. The cemetery is located in an oak opening, and, as its name indicates, a part of it is covered with a fine growth of grass, where the golden splendors of the sun play over the exquisitely beautiful flowers that are native to Minnesota and grow to profusion in this virgin sod. The cemetery extends back into the timber where the flowers of marvelous delicacy are overshadowed by the symmetrical trees that stood here when the Indians roamed through these woods hunting the deer and the grouse. Here the sun is mellowed to a which soft brilliancy of indescribable beauty near the edge of the timber, deepens to more comber tones as you reach the mysterious stillness of the depths of the forest where you can faintly bear the murmurs of the rivulet flowing below. Never was picture more harmonious than this blending of Page 347 light and shadow on tree and plain. A most fitting resting place for the noble souls who gave their lives to the redeeming of the wilderness and the preservation of their country. Here stand row after row of stones marking soldiers' graves, grouped by companies in which they served. Here also are monuments to the missionaries and others telling of the ravages of the Indians when they left their trail of woe and sorrow through this land. The history of the state may be traced through the sylvan aisles of the forest as you note the names of those whose lives were given to mankind, as recorded here. On monuments are found the names of Rev. Thomas S. Williamson, Longley, Hopkins, Huggins, Aiton and Lindsey, all of whom played an important part in the early history of this section. Reverend Williamson labored forty-five years as a missionary to the Dakotas. He lived to see the cherished hope of his life-the translation of the Bible into the Indian language-which was finished in the winter of i878-79. He died in his eightieth year. His wife, Margaret (Poage) Williamson, is buried by, his side; also their daughters, Lizzie and Nannie; a son, Smith Burgess, and a granddaughter, Nancy (Hunter) Lindsey, wife of Reverend Lindsey. Rev. Thomas Longley, who came to Traverse des Sioux with Rev. S. R. Riggs, was drowned in the Minnesota river, July 15, 1843. Rev. Robert Hopkins and bride joined the workers in 1844. On July 4, 1851, Mr. Hopkins was drowned in the Minnesota river and his recovered body was laid to rest under the oaks by the side of Reverend Longley. Alexander Huggins, industrial teacher to the Dakotas, came in 1835 and labored to teach the Indian farming. He made the first loom in Minnesota. He was one of the first victim, of the Indian massacre. His son, Amos, was killed by the Indians at Lac qui Parle; another son. Rufus, was injured at the battle of New Ulm and died from injuries. In the same lot is a stone erected "In Memoriam," James W. Holzclau, discharged in battle at Guntown, July 10, 1864. Company D, Ninth Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers. Another stone bears the name of Eliza Huggins. Dr. P. P. Humphrey, wife, son and daughter-all victims of the Indian massacre-were buried in this cemetery by Dan McIntyre and nephew, John Hicks. Their resting place is unmarked in Traverse cemetery. A monument to their memory has been placed in Woodlawn cemetery, LeSueur county. Rev. John Aiton. who joined the mission at Red Wing in 1847, taught at Kaposia and Yellow Medicine. He served three years in the Civil War. Page 348 Pioneers who are buried in Traverse cemetery: Mabitda Wyman, wife of John McIntyre; Thomas Pettijohn and wife, John Herkebrath, Nathaniel Wright, Philip Rounseville and two wives, M. Tyler and wife, Mrs. John Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. P. Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. William Huey, Mr. and Mrs. George Briggs, Mr. and Mrs. William P. McMasters, M. B. Stone and two wives, Doctor Catline and wife, William Schimmel and wife, Lucien C. Brown, August, 1861; Mrs. William Ray, Mrs. Jan Van Satten Dodge, May, 1860; Abiatha Briggs, Mrs. S. Schumacker, George McCleod, Mr. and Mrs. Mattice, John Summers, Mrs. Ida Meyers, 1853; Mr. Haack, and Mrs. Philip Rounseville. There are many unmarked graves of which no name or records have been kept. On a side hill there are twenty-six soldiers of the United States army. LESUEUR COUNTY Page 381 CHAPTER V. COUNTY AND STATE REPRESENTATION. The list of governors for Minnesota will be found at the head of a similar chapter to this, in the section giving the history of Nicollet county -hence will be omitted in this connection. STATE SENATORS. D. C. Evans, 1860; Nathan Dane, 1862-63; J. J. Porter, 1864-65; R. Butters, 1866-68; E. R. Smith, 1869-70; M. Doran, 1871; L. Z. Rogers, 1872; F. Talbot, 1873-74; M. Doran, 1875-80; George E. Case, 1881-82; M. Doran, 1883-86; J. C. U. Chapman, 1887-90; Edson R. Smith, 1891-94; J. W. Lloyd, 1895-98; M. E. Everett, 1899-06; H. F. Weis, 1907 to 1915. STATE REPRESENTATIVES. Henry Steck, Thomas McDonaugh, B. Abbott, 1860; T. M. Perry, 1862; R. Butters, 1863; R. Butters, 1864; L. Z. Rogers, 1865; A. K. Maynard, 1866- 67; Dennis Doyle, 1868; R. H. Everett, 1869; J. A. Pfaar, 1870; L. H. Bullis, 1871; George S. Millard, 1872; D. Becker, 1873; Frank Becker, V. Kenworthy, 1874; Thomas Collins, 1875; William Conrad, H. L. Gish, 1876; P. S. Gardner, J. Zimmerman, 1877; C. N. Pinney, William Richter, 1878; D. Butler, William Weyl, Francis Wrabeck, 1879; Daniel Baker, P. S. Gardner, Ed Purrington, 1881; A. Borak, R. W. Jocklin, 1883; Hugh B. Yrne, Gust Wendenhaffer, 1885; C. E. Lehman, E. H. Shove, 1887; J. C. Swain, 0 P. Buell, 1889; Job W. Lloyd, John Wacek, 1891; E. E. Salls, John Wacek, 1993; Charles Z. Dressel, 1895; William R. Mahood, R. C. Van Lehe, 1899; M. J. Feeney, W. R. Mahood, 1901; J. A. Anderegg, John Taylor, 1903; J. A. Anderegg, George H. Denzer, 1905; George H. Denzer, C. W. Glotfelter, 1907; George H. Oenzer, John Spencer, 1909; G. H. Denzer, Martin Schwarth, 1911; H. H. Flowers, 1913-15. Page 382 COUNTY AUDITORS. The following have served in the important county office of auditor in LeSueur county since its organization: E. R. Smith, 1860; William Smith, 1867; J. F. Quinlan, 1875; John Kinsey, 1875; F. A. Borer, 1876-83; Philip Dressel, 1883-89; Robert W. McGee, 1889-93; Michael Keogh, 1893- 95; Joseph Rachac, 1895-99; H. H. Catman, 1899-1903; H. A. Ziebarth, 1903-09; John A. Kaisersatt, 1909-15; Thomas F. Dunn, 1915. COUNTY TREASURERS. Patrick Cantwell, 1853-61; Michael Doran, 1861-70; Patrick McKasey, 187o- 74; H. T. Baxter, 1874-75; Patrick McKasey, 1875-79; Philip Dressel, 1879-81; R. H. Everett, 1881-87; G. C. Wendelschafer, 1887-89; Charles D. Campbell, 1889-91; G. C. Wendelsehafer, 1891-99; J. C. Krenik, 1899-1903; W. A. Kennedy, 1903-07; Henry Kiewitsch, 1907-15. SHERIFFS. Tim Boons, 1853-59; S. J. Wise, 1859-60; Peter Cheadle, 1860-62; George M. Tousley, 1862-70; Michael Grady, 1870-79; George A. Blair, 1879-81; Henry A. Gish, 1881-87; Michael Ryan, 1887-91; Jacob Krenik, 1891-93; Samuel I. Davis, 1893-01; Joseph Smith, 1901-05; John H Traxler, 1905-11; Patrick Keogh, 1911-15; Hugo Boke, present incumbent. REGISTER OF DEEDS. William W. Swan, 1853-56; J. H. Swan, 1856-58; George D. Snow, 1858-60; Felix A. Borer, 1868-75; Frank W. Kolars, 1875-76; F. A. Borer, 1876-77; J. F. Quinlin, 1877-79; George Cheadle, 1879-83; T. H. Smullen, 1883-85; P. Hammond, 1885-87; Joseph Rochock, 1887-89; Charles M. Floathe, 1889- 93; Frank Maudry, 1891-99; William H. Jeager, 1899-1905; Joseph Hagerty, 1905-11; Ed Salberg, 1911 to present date-1916. PROBATE JUDGES. Otis Young, 1855-58; D. M. Densmon, 1858-59; D. Doyle, 1859-60; Andrew Hess, 1860-62; William Bacon, 1862-65; John H. Leitler, 1865-66; Page 383 William Bacon, 1866-68, Joseph A. Philips, 1868-70; John L. Meagher, 1870-83; James Dilahantz, 1883-89; A. Delacy, 1889-91; Cornelius Kilduff, 1891-95; Patrick Galagan, 1895-1901; O. P. Buell, 1901-03; T. E. Lynch, 1903-11; H. Wetzel, 1911 to present date-1916. COUNTY ATTORNEYS. At first there was a district attorney, instead of a county attorney; the first appointed was in 1853, in the person of John M. McGee, who was the same year elected by the people of his district. The first record of a county attorney was when Francis Cadwell was elected in 1867, and he was followed by: P. Cadmore, 1869; A. W. Bangs, 1870; G. D. Emery, 1878; Thomas Hession, 1881; W. Boright, 1885; O. J. Parker, 1887; M. R. Everett, 1891; Charles C. Kolars, 1895; P. J. Kirwin, 1897; Thomas Hession, 1901; A. J. Edgerton, 1903; Frank J. Hanzel, igog; L. W. Prendigrast, 1915. COUNTY SURVEYORS. D. C. Smith, 1853; Z. Wise, 1858; C. G. Myrick, 1865; H. B. Miner, 1869; L. H. Bullis, 1870; C. G. Myrick, 1878; Ed S Solberg, 1892; Joseph W. Hruska, 19o6; Alfred Bradshaw, 1914 to present date-1916. CORONERS. The early coroners were appointed. Those elected have included: F. Shoemaker, 1861; C. J. Spratt, 1870; S. B. Uphrey, 1875; John Landenberger, 1879; S. B. Murphy, 1881; C. A. Dolan, 1883; L. R. Kegley, 1885; F. F. Clifford 1887; Malcolm McEachern, 1889; John Landenberger, 1893; Dr. C. P. Dolan, 1895; Dr. H. R. Aitkens, 1899; O. M. Justice, 1901; C. W. Russell, 1905; H. D. Baxter, 1907; J. E. Burnett, 1909; Otto Marx, 1913 to 1915. CLERKS OF THE DISTRICT COURT. W. W. Swan, 1854; A. F. De LaVerge, 1855; J. H. Swan, 1857; Felix A. Borer, 1862; John P. Hoyt, 1870; Frank W. Kolars, 1874; R. C. Thompson, 1887; J. Gish, 1891; Frank W. Ryanda, 1899; Frank M. Wrabeck, 1907 to 1915. Page 384 COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. M. R. Everett, 1879; Thomas Barker, 1881; H. E. Gibbon, 1885; Carl Grasse, 1889; H. E. Gibbon, 1893; Thomas J. Lynch, 1897; Ambrose Hays, 1903; James A. Meagher, 1909 to 1915. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. In the first years of Minnesota history this office was styled "County Supervisor" same as in many states today, but it was changed to its present title in 1861. Such office has been filled in LeSueur county by the following: 1857-Reuben Butters, Abel Wilcox, William Forsyth. 1858-59-(One from each precinct at that date) James B. Swan, F. G. Conway, Dennis Doyle, George W. Stewart, B. Abbott, Curtis Rowen, Thomas McDonough, Owen Rogers, B. F. Drew, Hugh Doherty, George D. Snow, Patrick McKasey, Silas Kenworthy, O. D. Brown. 1860-William Forsyth, O. D. Brown, William Connor, G. D. Snow, L. Smith, R. Butters, A. Stewart, Joseph Morrison, D. Doyle, A. J. Rutan. 1861-William H. Patten, John W. Gish, Edward Howland, Z. M. Ireland. i862-F. G. Conway, Ira Myrick, Perry Wilson, J. H. Casperson, John Nightingale. 1863-Ira Myrick, F. G. Conway, Perry Wilson, R. Welch. 1864-R. Welch, Julius Hielsher, E. R. Hamilton, Hugh Doherty. 1865-Julius Heilsher, J. S. Meagher, R Welch, Hugh Doherty. 1866-Julius Heilsher, Hugh Doherty, Frank Pischel, William Nason. i867-William Nason, Frank Pischel, Hugh Doherty, Julius Heilsher. i868-J. W. Gish, D. Doherty, Everett, Bernard Gab. 1869-Jacob Zimmerman, John Meyer, A. B. Lampman. 1870-Asa Cheadle, H. D. Gilmore and one other member. 1871-H. D. Gilmore, Asa Cheadle, A. B. Lampman. 1872-H. D. Gilmore, R. Welch, Asa Cheadle. 1873-M. L. Wilds, H. D. Gilmore, Asa Cheadle. 1874-M. McKenzie, H. C. Smith, H. D. Gilmore, Henry Plowman. 1875-H. C. Smith, M. McKenzie, Henry Plowman, William E. Richter. 1876-Henry Wethwell, M. L. Wilds, M. McKenzie, Williarn E. Richter. 1877-E. T. Jones, Robert R. Turrittin, William E. Richter. i878-E. T. Jones, Fred A. Pischel, Henry Ruthwell, Robert Turrittin. Page 385 1879-Robert Turrittin. Fred A. Pischel, John Faktor, R. Kendall, Francis Cadwell. 1880-J. C. Swain, William Harriman, John Faktor, R. Kendall, Francis Cadwell. 1881-Francis Cadwell, J. C. Swain, William Harriman, R. Kendall, Albert Borak. 1882-B. W. Harriman, Albert Borak, James C. Swain, E. T. Jones, Richard O'Connell. 1883-E. T. Jones, Richard O'Connell, R. C. Thompson, A. Borak, G. C. Wendelschaffer. 1884-Richard O'Connell, R. C. Thompson, Gust Wendelschaffer, Peter J. Byrne. 1885-E. R. Smith, Frederick Scheffert, R. C. Thompson, Peter J. Byrne. 1886-R. C. Thompson, G. C. Wendelschaffer, E. R. Smith, Fred Scheffert. 1887-Michael Kennedy, J. A. Farthing, William Weyl, Andrew Wilfret, James Thompson. i888-Michael Kennedy, J. A. Farthing, William Weyl, James Tinpane, Andrew Wilfert. 1889-Michael Kennedy, J.,A. Farthing, William Weyl, James Tinpane. 1890-John Hanek, T. A. Farthing, P. Cantwell, James Tinpane, John S. Turrittin. 1891-John S. Turrittin, Patrick Cantwell, John Hanek, Oscar H. Chapman. i892-John S. Turrittin, Patrick Cantwell, John Hanek, Oscar H. Chapman, Fred W. Domonski. 1893-Oscar H. Chapman, Fred W. Domonski, Thomas Byrne, Eide H. Von Lahe, William Van Antwerp. 1894-Oscar H. Chapman, Fred W. Domonski, Thomas Byrne, William. Van Antwerp, E. H. Van Lahe. 1895-William Van Antwerp, E. H. Van Lahe, Thomas Byrrie, George J. Dressel, William Granger. 1896-William Van Antwerp, George J. Dressel, E. H. Van Lahe, William Granger, McCarthy. 1897-William Granger, George J. Dressel, C. W. Carpenter, Julius Almich, John Spence. Page 386 1898-George J. Dressel, William Granger, C. W. Carpenter, John Spence, Julius Almich. 1899-John Spence, C. W. Carpenter, Julius Almich, John Connolly, John Dehn. 1900-C. W. Carpenter, John Dehn, John Spence, Julius Almich. 1901-John Dehn, John Connolly, W. Kucara, M. P. Curtis, W. C. Davis. 1902-John Dehn, John Connolly, W. Kucara, M. P. Curtis. 1903-M. P. Curtis, W. Kucara, L. V. Dickinson, W. C. Davis, J. J. McCarthy. 1904-W. C. Davis, M. P. Curtis, W. Kucara, Dickman, J. J. McCarthy. 1905-M. P. Curtis, Dickman, George A. Miller, J. J. McCarthy, H. F. Pettis. 1906-Dickman, M. P. Curtis, J. J. McCarthy, George A. Miller, H. F. Pettis. 1907-M. P. Curtis, H. F. Pettis, George A. Miller, Anton Simonet, Cyrus L. Chase. 1908-M. P. Curtis, H. F. Pettis, George A. Miller, Cyrus L. Chase, Anton Simonet. 1909-Cyrus L. Chase, Anton Simonet, Julius Almich, Benjamin Richter, J. J. Kluntz. 1910-Julius Almich, Anton Simonet, Benjamin Richter, J. J. Kluntz, Cyrus L. Chase. 1911-Benjamin Richter, Julius Almich, L. Dickman, Cyrus L. Chase, J. J. Kluntz. 1912-Benjamin Richter, L. Dickman, Julfus Almich, J. J. Kluntz, Cyrus L. Chase. 1913-Benjamin Richter, A. G. Smith, Sr., Fred Manske, C. L. Chase, L. Dickman. 1914-L. Dickman, Benjamin Richter, Fred Manske, A. G. Smith, C. L. Chase. 1915-A. S. Smith, L. Dickman, Benjamin Richter, Fred Manske, G. W. Bluhm. PRESIDENTIAL VOTE OF MINNESOTA. Minnesota has given the following vote for the office of President of the United States since the first Lincoln campaign in 1860: Page 389 CHAPTER VI TOWNSHIPS OF LESUEUR COUNTY CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP Cleveland township is situated in the southwestern part of LeSueur county, and comprises congressional township 110, range 25, and parts of three sections in township 109. It is situated south of Sharon, east of Kasota, west of Cordova and north of Washington township. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad runs through it from southwest to northeast, with the city of Cleveland as a station point about centrally located in the territory of the township. The lakes of this township are Scotch lake, Lake Henry, Lake Emily (the lesser), Savidge lake, Mud lake and Silver lake. This township, when first discovered by white men, was largely a timbered section of the county, but has been almost all cleared off and the land is utilized for farming purposes. The soil is rich and valuable and farm lands range in price from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. The population in 1890, was 991; in 1900, it was 1,027 and in 1910, 640, exclusive of the city of Cleveland which at that date had a population of 112. SETTLEMENT Cleveland was one of the first of the interior townships in the county to be settled. Among the prominent of the pioneer band may be named: R. H. Everett, Mrs. L. Meeker, George Forsyth and J. W. Chambers, who came in during 1855. The next season these were followed by Andrew Wilfert, Adam Wright, Dennis Hill and Freeman Talbot. The first goods sold in the township were from the general store of Forsyth & Agnew, opened in 1856. The village of Cleveland was started in 1857. The first death recorded in the township was that of Mrs. L. Jones in 1857. In 1856 a son of Mr. and Mrs. David Lloyd was born and named Job. The same year a daughter was born to William Forsyth and wife. Page 390 J. W. Chambers, born in 1843, in Ohio, came to Minnesota at the age of twelve years, settling in Cleveland. He served as a soldier in one of the Minnesota regiments in time of the Civil War, after which he engaged in farming in this township. Florian Drenttel, a German, came to the United States in 1872 and lived at St. Peter four years, then moved to Cleveland and became a permanent settler. D. Dugaw, born in Lake county, Ohio, in 1848, after living in Wisconsin and other states until 1868, came to this county and engaged in farming. R. H. Everett, a native of Champaign county, Illinois, in 1855 moved to Minnesota, settling in Cherry Creek run, now known as Cleveland. He served in Company E, Eleventh Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, being honorably discharged in 1865. In 1883 he owned one thousand acres of fine land in this township, with almost four hundred acres under a high state of cultivation. W. A. Flowers, born in 1832, in Ohio, lived on a farm until 1842, then removed to Indiana, remained until 1856, coming from there to LeSueur county, Minnesota, settling in this township. He enlisted in Company G, First Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. His children in include Mary E., William W., Henry H., John C., Dora E. and Mabel Flowers. Nelson Goldsmith, born in Kentucky in 1803, came to Minnesota in 1864, settling in section 26, Cleveland township. Benjamin W. Harriman, born in West. Virginia, in 1830, moved to Dakota county, Minnesota, in 1854, remained nine years, and in 1863 moved to this township, locating in section 14. He served in the First Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in Civil War days and was a county commissioner for LeSueur county. Denison Hill, born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1838, moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1843. Ten years later he moved to Iowa and in 1856 to Minnesota, locating in Cleveland, where he operated a steam sawmill. During the Indian outbreak in 1862 he served as a scout and was deputy United States marshal; was also an Indian agent at Winnebago agency two years. H. A. Johnson, born in New York state, passed his youth on a farm, coming to Winona county, this state, in 1855, and to this township in 1857. He was a blacksmith and wagon maker and followed this trade in Cleveland. Carl Leth, a German, came to America in 1856 and the next year to this state, locating in Cleveland township, in section 29. Page 391 J. J. Oehler, a native of Switzerland, born in 1810, came to America in 1856, locating in this township soon afterward. His eighty-acre farm was located in sections 29 and 32. Lorenzo D. Randon, a native of Kentucky, was born in 1843. In 1861 he enlisted in the Kentucky Infantry (Union) and served in the famous engagements at Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree, Atlanta, Jonesborough and others. After the end of the war he came to Minnesota and finally settled in this township. He engaged in the hardwood lumber sawing business and was very successful in the enterprise. In 1860, George Rinkel, a German, born in 1833, came to the township, locating in section 30. He married the widow Fetman in 1860. Hon. Freeman Talbot, an Irishman, born in 1811, went to Canada in 1818, with the family, but removed to Minnesota in 1856, settling in this township. During the Indian outbreak in 1862 he was commissioned captain of a relief company to go to New Ulm. He was elected state senator, serving in 1872-73. Other settlers here were Daniel Van Vleet, from Ohio, who came here in 1876. Christian Vollmer, a German, was early in this township, locating in section 29. He came to the state in 1865. Andrew Wilfert, a German, came here in 1856; served in the Union army during the Civil War and saw hard fighting service. Moses E. Wilson, of Ohio, came to Minnesota in 1873, making Cleveland his place of residence. Adam Wright, a native of Indiana, came to Minnesota in 1856, locating in Cleveland township, this county, in section 28. VILLAGE OF CLEVELAND The little town of Cleveland, once the county seat, was started in 1857, and gradually grew until it was a rival of LeSueur, then the seat of justice. It was during 1858, and for a number of years thereafter, that there arose a great rivalry between the two towns. Several times Cleveland secured a majority of the votes in the county for the county seat, but each time, through some flaw in the proceedings, was beaten. Finally, the county seat was secured in 1875, but the town held its coveted prize for one year only, when it was removed to LeSueur Center. EARLY EVENTS The first death in the township was that of Mrs. Jones, a newcomer who died suddenly in 1857. Page 392 The first birth in the township was a son named Job, born to Mr. and Mrs. David Lloyd in 1856, and the same year a daughter was born to William Forsyth and wife. In the village plat, the first child born was L. Lampman, son of N. B. and M. E. Lampman, in 1858. As long ago as the record runs this has been radically a temperance village. A third of a century ago the business of the place consisted of two general stores, two blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, one hotel, one gun store and the postoffice, with L. Lampman as postmaster. The first to carry on general merchandising here was the firm of Boerer & Weise, which firm was followed by William Adams, and he by George Virtue, who sold to L. Lampman and he to Hill & Wolford. Then came George Chegle, W. H. Jeager and H. H. Flowers, who continued many years and finally lost his stock by fire; then Jesse Gutzman and W. O. Shooey. The last mentioned sold to Lloyd Brothers, who in the spring of 1915 sold to Allen & Denker. The first hotel in the village was conducted by Mr. Virtue. The first grain dealer was S. Y. Hyde and the second was W. Babcock. The first church built was the Methodist Episcopal. J. Manning had a shingle factory here in 1865 which cut 10,000 shingles a day. PRESENT-DAY CLEVELAND The 1910 census reports gave Cleveland village as having two hundred and ten population. It is situated on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. The village was incorporated in 1904. The first mayor was A. Rolphin, who was succeeded by the present mayor, W. H. Barnes. The 1915 municipal officers were: W. H. Barnes, mayor; O. L. Ransome, clerk; John Davis, John Brenshe and Thomas Lloyd, councilmen. Up to this date no attempt has been made here to provide a water or light system, but the question is now beginning to be agitated. The business factors at this date are chiefly these: The First State Bank; general dealers, Allen Decker, Lysle Hankins, J. H. Grow, William Robison; meat market, A. Rolphin; hotels, "Milwaukee" by L. Hendrickson, "Commercial," by H. Grow; livery, John Wolford; lumber, Lambert Lumber Company; elevators, Farmers Co-operative and the Commander; live stock, Roscoe Davis; hardware and implements, Lloyd Brothers & Davis; blacksmiths, B. F. Henton, L. C. Herald; harness, D. C. Fryberge; feed, by both elevators; physician, Dr. A. Thompson; garages, William L. Lloyd, H. Grow, O. Ransom; creamery, Daniel Vollic; barber shop and pool room, A. Page 393 Myers. The Cleveland postoffice has three rural free delivery routes extending out into the surrounding country. At this date, 1916, there are three churches, Methodist Episcopal, Christian and Catholic. Lodges include the Masonic, Woodmen of America and Equitable Fraternal Union. The schools consist of the large consolidated township school with eight districts represented. Eight teachers are employed. POSTOFFICE HISTORY A postoffice was established in this locality as Grandville, in September, 1856, with postmaster B. Y. Couch. The name was changed to Cleveland on September 24, 1857, with John Forsyth, postmaster. Since then the postmasters have been, Thomas M. Perry, 1857 to 1859; William H. Adams, 1861 to 1865; George J. Virtue, 1865 to 1870; F. S. Wilson, 1870 to 1876; S. L. Nichols, 1876 to 1877; William H. Adams, 1877 to 1882; L. D. Lampman, 1882 to 1883; C. P. Lampman, 1883 to 1885; William F. Johnson, 1885 to 1889; George L. Cheadle, 1889 to 1893; William F. Johnson, 1893 to 1897; H. H. Flowers, 1897 to 1915; DeEtta N. Hunter, appointed on February 12, 1915. CORDOVA TOWNSHIP. Congressional township 110, range 24 West, constitutes Cordova civil township in LeSueur county. It is six miles square, an inland township, rich in the bestowment of nature's best gifts. It is situated south of Lexington, west of Kilkenny, north of Elysian and east of Cleveland townships. Its population in 1890 was 1,046; in 1900 it was 1,151, and in 1910 the government census gave it as having 869. This township was among the original townships organized by the county authorities in 1858. Its surface is favored with numerous beautiful lakes, including Gorman, Goose, Bossuot, part of Mud lake, part of Lake Volney, Sleepy Eye lake and several smaller lakelets, as well as a portion of the large lake known as German in Elysian township. There are no railroads or villages within this township, except the hamlet of Cordova. It is purely an agricultural and stock raising section. SETTLEMENT. This township was first settled in 1856, A. Hess, H. Nelson, Henry Richardson and S. Wheeler taking claims of one hundred and sixty acres Page 394 each. In the spring of 1857 they were followed by large numbers of families. Mr. Richardson had brought with him a large load of general merchandise with which he commenced business after building a log store early in 1857, coniinuing for three years. A second store was started the same season by C. Clark, but this was of short duration. Shortly after his arrival S. Wheeler started his saw-mill, as the settlers were obliged to go to St. Paul and pay as high as eighty dollars per thousand feet for lumber. From lumber cut in this mill the first hotel in the township was built. The first death in the little settlement was Harvey Nelson, who died of consumption. Early in the summer of 1857 William McConkey and Mary Hess were united in marriage, and the following year a son was born to them-the first birth in the township. A school was taught in the autumn Of 1858, in a log house erected by Mr. Richardson for store purposes, the term being taught by Kate Hess and the number of scholars only seven. A postoffice was established in 1857, with Duran Densmore as Postmaster. This being a temperance township, the Sons of Temperance Society was formed in 1877 with twenty-five members. Among other early settlers in the township was Orange K. Hogle, born in Ohio, who removed to Illinois and later to Indiana, and from that state in 1856 moved to Rice county, Minnesota, where he resided eight years, and then moved to Cordova, this county. He was postmaster for seventeen years; also kept a hotel. He owned village property as well as a good farm in section 14, of this township. O. A. Jackson, a native of Indiana, born in 1825, lived in his native state till 1860, then settled in Minnesota, at St. Peter. During the Indian outbreak, in 1862, he joined the volunteer company called the "St. Peter Guards," and was stationed with them at New Ulm. From St. Peter he moved to Cleveland township and three years later bought a farm of forty- seven acres in Cordova township, where he resided afterward. Adam Lucas, born in Ohio in 1823, went at the age of eight years to Indiana, and there received his education and learned the millwright's trade. In 1850 he made a trip to California where for two years he was engaged in mining. In 1864 he moved to Cordova township, where he owned and operated a saw- and shingle-mill, also a grist-mill. He was justice of the peace and township supervisor for a number of years. Patrick McCoy, who was one of this county's first settlers, located here in 1856 with a small fortune which he had gained in California. He died here in 1865. Page 395 Robbins, born in 1835 in Indiana, enlisted in the Civil War service in the Union cause in 1862, served bravely and was discharged for disability caused by wounds. He was shot at Chickamauga, being struck six times, but escaped death. He came to Minnesota in 1869, locating in section 14, of Cordova township. VILLAGE OF CORDOVA. Cordova village was platted in section 14, township 110, range 24, September 28, 1867, by Adam Lucas and O. K. Hogle. It was incorporated in 1878, but never acted separately from the township government. From an old directory of the place it is learned that in 1882 the business of Cordova was at that date: three general stores, one hardware, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, two hotels, two saw-mills, a school, and two churches and the postoffice completed the interests of the hamlet. The village was platted on the south shore of Lake Gorman. It is a small but convenient trading place. DERRYNANE TOWNSHIP. Derrynane is the center township of the county on the north line and comprises congressional township 112, range 24 west. It is one of the county's original sub-divisions and is now well settled by an industrious class of farmers. Aside from a little hamlet known as St. Thomas there are no villages within the township. It has no railroad. It is situated east from Tyrone township, north from Lexington, west from Lanesburg and south of the Scott county line. It has several fairly good-sized lakes within its territory-these include School lake, Shea lake, a portion of Graham lake, and another in section 14. The population of the township for three enumeration periods is: In 1890 it had 970; in 1900 it had 1,102, and in 1910 was placed at 846. This township was originaliv known as "Ruggles," but soon after its organization was changed to its present name. There has been two postoffices established in the limits of its territory-St. Thomas, in section 19, with T. C. Kennedy as pioneer postmaster, and St. Hubert's in the eastern portion of the township. In the early eighties there were six school districts. In the northwestern portion at an early time a German Lutheran church was formed in section 13; St. John's church was located in the northeastern part of the township, and in the western part is St. Thomas's Catholic church. Page 396 At this locality there was built many years ago a large steam saw-mill. In 1881 the assessed valuation of the township was $173,000, with a personal tax Of $22,000. This is especially a farming section and has a mixed class of nationalities, each and all striving to do their best at being money-makers and at the same time being good, law-abiding citizens of the county. Forests have been cut down, swamps drained out and good roads made. Being somewhat at a distance from towns and city markets, many of the landowners here are quite extensive stock raisers and feeders. This policy keeps rich the land that might otherwise become poor in crop-producing qualities. ELYSIAN TOWNSHIP. Elysian township, which was organized in 1858, is one of the central and most southern townships in the county. It is made up of a varied surface, hilly in places and again fine level surfaces, well adapted to general farm purposes. The soil is more sandy than in a majority of the townships in LeSueur county. There are two large lakes within its borders, German and Lake Francis, besides many lesser lakes, all of which afford fine fishing. These lakes also afford a fine summer camping and resort spot which is annually alive with camping parties and fishermen from various parts of the country. Elysian township is bounded on the east by Waterville, on the south by the county line, on the west by Washington township and Blue Earth county. Its population in 1890 was 1,004; in 1900 it had a population of 903, and in 1910 it had only 846. In 1857 the village of Elysian was platted and the next year a postoffice was established. The following is a record of the postmasters who have had charge of this office: February 1, 1859, with Francis G. Conway as first postmaster; Israel Brucknion, January, 1865, to October, 1865; A. H. E. Lange, 1865 to 1880; C. A. Ricker, 1880 to 1883; William M. Sterling, 1883 to 1885; T. McNeil, 1885 to 1889; C. G. Chadwick, 1893 to 1891; O. T. Whitten, 1897 to 1903; Mary D. Whitten, 1903 to 1904; William K. Wilcox, October, 1904, to March, 1915; Loyal H. Terrell, appointed on March 5, 1915. The first death was that of a Mr. McCormick in the summer of 1857; he was buried in private grounds, there being no regular cemetery until 1870. Page 397 The first marriage was in 1858, uniting Charles Folesmann and Augusta Speber. SETTLEMENT. Among the pioneer settlers in this township are now recalled M. Logan, George Johnson, Edward Morshing and Mr. Godfrey, all of whom took the most available claims of lands, each a quarter section, in the spring of 1855, and immediately opened up farm homes for themselves. That summer and autumn came in large numbers to locate. Among the more enterprising men of the township in the early eighties were: John Chadwick, a soldier in a Minnesota regiment in the Civil War, settled here in 1857; A. D. Chase, born in Maine, settled in section 32; William Clark, a native of England, born in 1839, located in section 34, in 1857; Ephraim Davis, born in 1809, in New York, was a cooper by trade but in 1858 settled in this township, served in the South during the Rebellion and also fought the Indians in Minnesota; August H. E. Lange, born in Prussia in 1828, came to America, and in the spring of 1857 located in Elysian township; Frank M. Long, born in Ohio, 1839, served in the Civil War from Ohio and came to this township in 1871, having been here as early as 1856; Ira Myrick, born in York state in 1820, came west and erected the first building in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in the fifties came to Elysian township; A. E. Prosser, born in Indiana in 1836, started for Minnesota via the railroad and at Dubuque took the steamer "Lady Franklin" and landed at the wharf in St. Peter on May 10, 1855, pre-empted a farm and for some time worked in the Courier office at St. Peter, but in 1858 went to his farm in Elysian township, the same being in section 33. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Second Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He held many public offices. Other settlers were George H. Sterling, born in York state in 1829, came to Minnesota in 1853, went on a raft from St. Paul to St. Louis. He operated the first buzz saw ever worked in the city of St. Paul. He came to Elysian township in 1856 and found only one family in the township, first located in section 26 but later bought in section 27. Asa B. Swaine, born in Pennsylvania in 1822, served as captain in the Civil War and came to this township later. William Warner, a native of England, born in 1839, came to America in 1853 and ten years later moved to Elysian township, this county, settling in section 23. Page 398 A GREAT PRAIRIE FIRE. In September, 1856, the inhabitants were thrown into a state of great excitement by the announcement that a sweeping prairie fire was approaching their section of the country from the southwest. The ground was deeply covered with dry leaves and great damage was feared, but the sturdy pioneers at once devised a plan which proved successful in saving their houses and stock. There is a chain of lakes reaching nearly across the township, and the settlers at once proceeded to rake leaves, plow ditches and burn the strips of land between the lakes, completing their labors just in time to effectually stop the ravages of the fire. A few, however, living on the southern shores were not so fortunate, having to take refuge in the center of their fall-plowed fields and even then being nearly smothered by heat and smoke; some lost their all, while others saved their houses and portions of their stock. Nearly all the hay that was put up in the sloughs was destroyed, causing much suffering to the remaining stock. VILLAGE OF ELYSIAN. What is now the sprightly village of Elysian in 1882 had only the following business factors: The postoffice, kept by G. Raeker; two general stores, three hotels, two blacksmith shops, two repair wagon shops, a steam saw-mill, two shoe shops and a carpet weaver; The village had been platted in 1857. August Lange was postmaster from 1865 to 1880. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. Elysian village was incorporated on January, 1884, with officers elected as follows: A. H. E. Lange, president; Dr. William Root, Stephen Goodall and John C. Chase, trustees: E. H. Shave, recorder; Charles Richter, treasurer, Ira Myrick and W. M. Sterling, justices of the peace; Erastus Fish, constable and marshal. The present indebtedness on outstanding orders is seven hundred dollars - no bonded indebtedness. An elevated tank holding sixteen hundred barrels of water furnishes ample water supply and a pumping and light station supplying light and power is furnished by the Consumers Power Company, under a ten- year contract, at fifty-five dollars and seventy cents per month. The waterworks was put in by the village in 1896 at a cost of five thousand dollars. There are about twenty-five hundred feet of water mains and seven hundred feet Page 399 of good hose, with an organized volunteer fire company. An old school house was purchased for village hall purposes. It was erected in 1877 and is twenty-four by forty feet, costing one thousand dollars. The officers of the village in the winter of 1915-16 were: B. R. Flint, president; Joseph Beran, Henry Herdlicke and Charles W. Schneider, trustees; William Waburton, recorder; A. J. Long, treasurer; G. S. Waburton, justice of the peace; J. A. Lamont, marshal. Since the village was organized the presidents have been: A. E. H. Lange, 1884; Ira Myrick, 1885; Patrick Galagan, 1886-87; G. N. Jaqua, 1888-90; Alva B. Swain, 1891; G. N. Jaqua. 1892; C. F. Johnson, 1893-97; F. A. Lange, 1897,; C. O. Galagan, 1898-99; John C. Chase, 1900-01; Frank M. Long, 1902; C. O. Galagan, 1903-06; J. F. Galagan, 1906-07; John O'Toole, 1908; B. F. Swain, 1909; J. T. McNeil, 1910; A. E. Jaqua, 1911; E. D. Chase, 1912; F. A. Allen, 1913; R. D. Chase, 1914; B. F. Flint, 1915-16. BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1916. These were the chief business factors in the village of Elysian in the month of January, 1916: Bank, Elysian State Bank; blacksmith shops, Rohlfing, & Jewison, J. E. Broulick; barber shop, C. F. Warner; drugs, J. W. Root; clothing, handled by general dealers; cement blocks, Allen Murray, R. Barrington; creamery, Elysian Co-operative, C. N. Smith, secretary; elevator, Commander Elevator Comany; furniture, Chase & Collins; general merchandise, Swain, Wetzel & Company, C. O. Galagan, F. A. Lange, E. S. Johnson, S. T. Austin; hotel, Manawa hotel, National Hotel, James Cowna and summer resort houses hardwares, Chase & Collins, F. W. Fischer; implements, Fischer Hardware Company; harness shop, Frank Meierbachtol; livery, C. A. Crook; lumber, Westerman Lumber Company; millinery, Mrs. L. Hanson; milling, Commander Elevator Company, Backman Produce Company; meat market, W. H. Tuft; real estate, Elysian Land Company; jeweler, A. E. Jaqua; photographs, J. D. Morgan, shoe store, A. Chalupnicek; newspaper, Elysian Enterprise, W. K. Wilcox, proprietor. KASOTA TOWNSHIP. Kasota township is in the extreme southwestern part of LeSueur county. It is situated on the east side of the Minnesota river, with Ottawa township at its north, Washington and Cleveland on the east, and Blue Earth county Page 400 on the south. Exclusive of the village of Kasota, its population for three federal census periods was: In 1890 it was 1,038; in 1900 it was 1,020, and in 1910 placed at 863. Many of the townships of the county fell off and during that decade. Kasota comprises irregular portions of congressional townships 109 and 110, ranges 26 and 27. ORGANIZATION. Kasota township was organized and its first election held on May 11, 1858, when there was sixty-eight votes polled. The township board consisted of J. P. Buell, chairman; A. Pettis and S. W. Davis; clerk, C. A. Shaeffer; assessor, T. G. Carter; collector, H. Morrill; justice of the peace, Daniel Birdsall. Since that date great have been the improvements effected by the citizens of the township. These include one of the best systems of wagon roads and bridges in the county. In the village of Kasota the first term of school was taught in the summer of 1858 by Elizabeth Hunt, who became the wife of Daniel B. Barstow. This school was held at a private residence and was attended by fifteen pupils. In 1882 the township had nine district schools. EARLY EVENTS. The first death was evidently that of a stranger whose name is now unknown, who lost his life by the falling of an embankment while helping to excavate for the Babcock mill in the autumn of 1852. Soon after this the wife of A. Pettis died and was buried at Lake Emily. The first marriage in the township was that of uniting Isaac Davis and Catherine Pettis in 1854. The first white child born in the township was Clara Babcock, daughter of J. W. and M. E. Babcock, in 1854. She died in 1861. The township of Kasota paid in 1861 into the county treasury six hundred dollars in one day as taxes, one-fifth of which was paid in by one man-S. G. Butman. MILLING. The following item in the St. Peter Tribune, in September, 1868, gives an account of the Kasota milling interests: "The Kasota mill is now fully completed and is certainly one of the most complete water mills in this state. It is conveniently arranged and all its working machinery is of the best character. It is provided with two runs of French buhrs and the best German Page 401 bolting cloth. The motive power is furnished by a water wheel measuring twenty-four feet from top to bottom, and a sufficient volume of water is obtained to drive all the machinery with perfect ease. Messrs. Cook and Millard are determined to make their flour equal to any made in Minnesota." "The mill built at Lake Emily during the sixties is now in successful operation and grinding from one to two hundred bushels of grain per day. These mills are just to the east of St. Peter, on the high bluff. The proprietor, William Shimmel, and others of this place, deserve credit for the energy exhibited in the prosecution of this valuable work."-St. Peter Tribune of 1870. The first regular cemetery in the township was laid out in section 33, on the bluff overlooking the village of Kasota in 1854. The Caroline and East St. Peter burying grounds were platted at a much later date. A postoffice was established at Caroline in 1877, and Conrad Smith was appointed the postmaster. He also conducted a general store at that place a number of years. A limekiln was also one of the first paying industries of that locality. It was from this limekiln business that the village was first known as "Lime." POTATOES TWO DOLLARS A BUSHEL. In an old history of the Minnesota valley, there is an account of a wonderful crop of Irish potatoes. The item reads: "One of the most remarkable crops of potatoes ever raised in Kasota was in the season of 1853, when R. Butters harvested nine hundred bushels of potatoes from five acres of land, realizing for the entire lot two dollars a bushel. The next season everyone put in many potatoes, and they became a drug in the market-were quoted at ten cents per bushel." SETTLEMENT. It is now unknown just who was the first person to actually settle within what is now the limits of Kasota township, but the claim that Reuben Butters was first is disputed by some, contending that he did not locate here for a number of years after other settlers had made claim to lands and had homes well established. It is known that the pioneer band who here sought and secured homes among the very earliest were: J. W. Babcock, George Thomson, James Lindsey, Reuben Butters, C. Schaefer, William Nason, C. Page 402 Smith, James Warrant, John P. Koenen, S. B. Carpenter, Jacob Klaseus, S. F. Hollbrook, E. R. Vernon, John Weger, and possibly a number of others, including some of the township officers whose names have already been mentioned as organizing the township in 1858. E. E. Boutwell located here in 1858-he was a cousin of former Secretary of State Boutwell. J. W. Babcock was here in 1851, and commenced the first mill in the county the next season. His son, Charles Babcock, is the well-known Kasota marble quarry owner and one of the present operators of a great stone industry. The stone business had been really commenced by his father, who was first to develop the famous building stone known as the "Kasota Stone." This handsome pink limestone is to be seen in hundreds of public and private structures throughout the West. Between 1851, when Mr. Babcock arrived in the township, up to 1858-59, there must have been a good many settlers in Kasota township, for at the first election, which was held in the spring of 1858, it has been shown that there were sixty- one votes cast in what was then known as Kasota township. The Traverse des Sioux treaty was made with the Indians in the summer of 1851, and that season it is known that pioneer J. W. Babcock arrived and soon commenced his waterpower saw-mill operations. VILLAGES OF KASOTA TOWNSHIP. Within this township are the villages and hamlets of East St. Peter, Caroline, Pettis and Kasota, the last named being the only one of any great commercial importance. Kasota, one of the earliest settled locations in the county, is situated in the west half of section 33. It derives its name from the Indian dialect. It was originally platted by J. W. Babcock and Ovid Pinney, March 23, 1855. It was surveyed by Evan Goodrich. Later additions were made by others. The same year of the original platting a general store was opened by C. Schaefer. Another quite early dealer was R. Butters, who traded here during the Civil War. Another dealer, a Mr. Butman, who came in from some one of the eastern cities, carried a splendid and large stock of fine dry goods, including silk and the finest grade of woolen fabrics, of as good a quality as could be had in Minnesota at that date- indeed the best that money could then purchase in the great markets of the world. The first settlers in and near Kasota brought money with them, but the financial panic of 1857-8 ruined many. During the flush times the ladies had the best there was going in wearing apparel. One who was here at the time Page 403 states that this village had a ball-room in which frequent dances were given, at which the people went dressed as well as at any time in the county's history. These first settlers had nearly all come in from some of the older settled states (with an occasional foreigner) and had been reared in cultured communities and homes-some as far east as New England- and they brought their refinement with them and their sons and daughters kept pace, in many ways, with their forbears. The first merchandise was sold from the general store of C. Schaefer in l854. It was also that year that J. W. Babcock operated a ferry boat across the Minnesota river and continued so to do until the wagon bridge was constructed at St. Peter. Mail was brought from St. Paul and Sioux City and a postoffice established at Kasota in 1854. The first hotel in Kasota was the one that stood near the present residence of C. N. Warrant. It was known as the "Old Nick" house-short for Nicholas. Its original parts were of logs, but to this was added a frame structure about the same size and it was in this old log hotel that the present extensive stone and marble operator, Mr. Babcock, was born. It is said that in pioneer times there were many an interesting gathering under the roof of this hotel-it was noted up and down the Minnesota valley. The first bank was established by C. W. Babcock, O. P. Buell and T. S. Wilcox, January, 1902. In 1882 Kasota had two stone quarries in operation, two grist-mills, one hotel, one general store, a blacksmith shop, a wagon shop and a saw-mill. One hundred houses constituted about the number of residences in the village at that time. The chief business at that time, as now, was the extensive stone-quarry interests. COMMERCIAL INTERESTS TO DATE. From 1884 to 1906 M. A. Ostrander operated a general store, which business was burned and never resumed. R. R. Turrittin ran a general store from 1870 for a number of years; was postmaster and railroad agent for the old St. Paul & Sioux City road. He now resides in Estherville, Iowa. John Weger, who drew a thirty-thousand-dollar Louisiana lottery prize, built three residences and operated a general store a number of years, finally ran through all of his property and died poor at Kasota. He commenced business about 1880. John Ofenlach started a blacksmith shop in 1871, and now owns the Page 404 hardware store and implement house of Kasota; these lines he embarked in about 1890. BUSINESS IN 1916. Agricultural implements, John Ofenlach; bank, First State Bank of Kasota; blacksmith shop, Nels Olson; cement work, Festus L. Warrant; drugs, J. E. Davies; dray line, Peter Hanson; elevators, Hubbard & Palmer Company; furniture, John Ofenlach; general dealers, Peterson & Kottke, Swenson & Youngren; hardware, John Ofenlach; hotels, H. Stockton, Oscar Wistrom; lumber, Standard Lumber Company; meats, L. C. Nason; opera hall, village hall; physician, Dr. W. H. Powell; restaurant, Charles Johnson; shoe store, Andrew Swenson. VILLAGE INCORPORATION. Kasota was incorporated as a village in April, 1890.The following have served as mayors (or presidents): O.P. Buell, 1890; E. E. Salls, 1891-92; O. P. Buell, 1893; M. A. Ostrander, 1894-95; T. S. Wilcox, 1896-97; C. P. Heiberg, 1898-99; W. H. Powell, 1900; A. H. Gripp, 1901-02; Jacob Paff, l903; S. B. Youatt, 1904; O. P. Buell, 1905; T. S. Wilcox, 1906; A. H. Gripp, 1907-12; C. R. Swenson, 1912-16. The village officials in 1916 are: C. R. Swenson, mayor; Charles R. Swenson, recorder; O. P. Buell, treasurer; council, Peter Harmon, L. C. Nason, A. H. Gripp. Electric lights were installed in Kasota in 1909. A village hall-two- story brick building-was erected in 1899 at a cost of five thousand dollars, when material and work were low, and is now valued at fifteen thousand dollars. It also serves as lodge room quarters for all the lodges in Kasota. POSTOFFICE. A postoffice was established in Kasota in 1854, with J. W. Babcock as postmaster; he was succeeded on May 20, 1856, by Isaac Allen; P. G. Benson from March to September, 1857; D. R. Hugenin, 1857 to 1859; S. G. Butman. 1859 to 1863; E. A. Dean, 1863 to 1870; Robert R. Turrittin, 1870 to 1878; John Weger, 1878 to 1879; Reuben Butters, 1879 to 1880; John Weger, 1880 to 1891; R. R. Turrittin, 1891 to 1893; F. K. Hugenin, 1893 to 1895; C. H. Davis, 1895 to 1899; R. C. Thompson, 1899 to 1905; Dolly B. Thompson, 1905-1914; S. M. Granger, 1914 and still serving in 1916. Page 405 KASOTA'S GREAT STONE AND MARBLE INDUSTRY. Beyond question the most extensive industry in Kasota and LeSueur county, is the stone industry. The mining and brewing business is large, but not as permanent as the stone and marble business, for obvious reasons. What is known the country over as the "Kasota building stone" and in more recent years, as the "Kasota pink and yellow marble," is of a very superior quality, and susceptible of a high polish and attractive finish. The pink limestone, as the building stone is sometimes termed, is the older of the two quarrying interests at Kasota, and was really what placed the little village of Kasota on the maps of the country in a prominent way. This excellent stone was first quarried here soon after the county was settled. It was pioneer J. W. Babcock who first turned his attention to quarrying this stone, and to develop what has come to be the great present-day stone industry of the Minnesota valley. Charles W. Babcock, a son of the pioneer referred to, early in the eighties commenced to further explore and develop these interests, and employed modern and appliances with which to quarry and ship this most valuable product. Nothing of any considerable consequence was done with this stone, commercially, until the close of the Civil War, when Reuben Butters and J. W. Babcock each commenced to operate separate quarries at Kasota, and worked them as best they could with the means then at their command. Court houses, school houses, window and door caps and many other, items for both public and private structures were made from the stone here quarried. At present there are two different companies working the Kasota stone industry-Babcock & Wilcox and the Breen Stone Company, the latter being largely Mankato capital, with a few local stockholders, while the former is purely a Kasota concern. These firms employ about one hundred and fifty workmen in all departments. PINK AND YELLOW KASOTA MARBLE. The first of the development of this beautiful marble, which is found in at least two exquisite colors-yellow and pink-making a desirable and very attractive material for interior finish of buildings, was when the Minnesota state house was commenced in 1905, the builders selecting this, material for many parts of the interior finish. This soon place it before the builders of the better class of structures throughout the Union, and today the books Page 406 of the stone companies show that they have furnished marble for scores of magnificent buildings, including the following: Minnesota state capitol, costing five million dollars; Wisconsin state capital, costing about six million dollars; Hotel Taft, New, Haven. Connecticut, cost one million, four hundred thousand dollars; Kansas City railroad terminal, costing ten million dollars; Spalding building, Portland, Oregon, costing six hundred thousand dollars; Woodward building, Washington, D. C., costing one million dollars; Hotel St. Paul, of St. Paul, Minnesota, costing one million dollars; Union National Bank, Houston, Texas, costing seven hundred thousand dollars; Alumni Memorial hall, Ann Arbor; Administration building, South park commissioners, Chicago; Municipal building, Des Moines, costing five hundred thousand dollars; Federal building, San Diego, California; Postoffice building, Chelsea, Massachusetts: Shubert theatre, St. Paul, Minnesota; Masonic temple, St. Paul, Minnesota; Essex building, Minneapolis, and scores of lesser jobs have all been furnished with marble for their interior finish from these quarries. It has found its way for the artistic adornment of cathedrals, public buildings, modern office structures and leading hotels. It is now employed in buildings in more than twenty states of the Union. For corridor and rotunda work it is especially beautiful in effect, as well as imperishable. The stratum of this marble is about ten feet in thickness and twenty feet down from the surface and is cheaply quarried as compared to many of the world's quarries. The tract of land on which it is located will furnish marble to the public for many long years to come. Colunmns, wainscoating, window and door casings, etc., are all sawed and handsomely polished after having first been run through a planing machine, giving any desired shape and design pleasing to the architect. These extensive quarries are close to the sidetracks of the Northwestern, Omaha and Milwaukee railway systems, making it easy of shipment. Practically speaking, aside from the rich iron ore deposits of this state, these quarries are the most valuable mineral deposits in the commonwealth. To really appreciate the appearance of these two tints of marble, when in use, one must needs see it in the buildings where it has found its way in so many instances. It was not known until a few years ago that this Kasota Stone was susceptible of a high polish, but such was discovered and since then has constituted the intrinsic value of the stone so long used simply as common building stone. Page 429 1906 - President, F. Monech; trustees, S. R. Kendall, W. Rademacher, A. G. Burgess; recorder, Fred A. Groh. 1907 - President, F. Monech; trustees, S. R. Kendall, W. J. Rademacher, T. A. Pomeji; recorder, F. A. Groh. 1908 - President, F. Monech; trustees, W. J. Rademacher, S. R. Kendall, T. A. Pomeji; recorder, T. P. Keogh. 1909 - President, C. H. Collins; trustees, W. J. Rademacher, William Pope, Frank Tepley; recorder, J. W. Morrison. 1910 - President, W. J. Rademacher; trustees, William Pope, W. Krava, W. H. Jaeger; recorder, Thomas Murphy. 1911 - President, L. W. Prendergast; trustees, D. Vollick, H. Piesinger, W. Krava; recorder, Thomas Murphy. 1912 - President, L. W. Prendergast; trustees, W. Krava, H. Piesinger, D. Vollick; recorder, Thomas Murphy. 1913-President, L. W. Prendergast; trustees, W. Krava, H. Piesinger, James Malloy; recorder, Thomas Murphy. 1914 - President, L. W. Prendergast; trustees, J. P. Malloy, H. Piesinger, W. K. Zika; recorder, A. A. Tamborino. 1915 - President, J. W. Hruska; trustees, D. Vollick, C. J. Brown, T. J. Lyndi; recorder, A. A. Tamborino. MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. Montgomery was at first one-half of Lanesburg township, but since, 1859 has been a separate civil township. Here, as in so many portions of LeSueur county, the pioneer band had the forests to clear away and the brush and stumps to contend with in fitting the rich soil for the production of big crops which, with passing years have enriched the landowners. In 1890 this township had a population of 993; in 1900 it had 1,054, and in 1910 the federal census gave it as having but 854. This is exclusive, of the city of Montgomery. The pioneer postoffice was Lanesburg, two miles west of the present city. When the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad was constructed through the township in 1877 the postoffice was transferred to what is now Montgomery. Perhaps the earliest birth was that of a daughter of G. Augst and wife. She died of small-pox in 1870. In the extreme southern portion of the township is Mulford station or Doyle postoffice, in section 34. The office was established in 1880. Here the postmasters have becn William T. Kennedy, 1880; James Furlong, 1880- Page 430 92; Thomas C. Furlong, 1892-95; James H. Miller, 1895-96; James Delehanty, 1896-1913; James Delehanty, Jr., 1913, to present date. SETTLEMENT. This township had for its first settlers August Richter, G. Augst and a few more, who braved the hardships incident to opening up farms in a forest land and wilderness, far from markets and transportation facilities they came in 1956 and they came to conquer and succeeded. They each claimed a quarter section of land and at once began operations. Their first work was to raise a log house for each family, felling timber and breaking out a small patch of land on which to plant crops in the rich, virgin soil which has now come to be very valuable. Mr. Richter also opened a general store for the accommodation of the neighborhood. This was opened in 1859, not far from the present site of the city of Montgomery, which was not started until 1877, when he erected a larger store and engaged in business. Among the later settlers may be recalled: Joseph Chadderdon, who started the Montgomery Standard and represented Scott county in the Legislature, located here in 1877; Frank Guslander, born in Illinois in 1849, was of Swiss parentage; mastered the cooper's trade and established himself in business in Montgomery in 1874; Dr. T. W. Hammond, born in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, was a college graduate in New England and first arrived here in 1866, later he graduated at Ann Arbor and also from Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, later he studied law and engaged in the practice of that profession, having been admitted to the bar in 1881. Frank Havlicek, a native of Germany, born in 1851, came to America in 1861, settled in New Prague, Scott county, Minnesota, removing to Montgomery in 1877, engaging in the furniture business. Thomas G. Hovorka, a native of Bohemia, born in 1850, came to America in 1869, locating in Scott county, Minnesota. He took a thorough course at Jefferson College and in 1882 was principal of the schools at Montgomery village, as then known; he was also a justice of the peace. L. Schrauth, born in 1848 in Ohio, spent his youth on a farm; received a common-school education, and left Ohio in 1860 for Minnesota, locating at Montgomery in 1877, embarking in the hardware trade at the then village of Montgomery, under the firm name of Schrauth Brothers. T. W. Sheehy, born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1829, immigrated to Connecticut in 1850; spent some years in the Carolinas and Kentucky. In 1875 Page 431 he engaged in business with a brother in St. Paul, then went to Faribault and became a member of the firm of Murphy & Sheehy, continuing until 1880; then settled at Montgomery, having his son as his partner in mercantile trade. J. J. Thomas, born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, in 1857, learned the cooper's trade and located in Montgomery in 1881. W. H. Woods, M. D., born in Ohio in 1823, was educated for a physician at Cleveland and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He first located at Owatonna, Minnesota, in 1856, remained there until 1866, removed to LeSueur and resided two years, then in 1868 moved to Madelia, but after 1879 was a resident of Montgomery, where he had a lucrative medical practice. Dr. Woods was the attending physician upon the notorious outlaws, the Younger brothers, who robbed the bank at Northfield. He had in his possession six teeth of James Younger, and the clothing of Charles Pitts who was killed in the final capture by the sheriff. The above with scores of others, were attracted hither by the excellent timber and the numerous lakes, including those now well-known as Green Leaf, Rice, Mud and Borer lakes. With the building of the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad in 1877-8 this county took on a new life and development went forward rapidly. CITY OF MONTGOMERY. In 1877, when the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad was first built through the county, the site of Montgomery was in the midst of a dense forest of very heavy timber. The village of Montgomery was platted by Jane B. Martin, in section 10, township III, range 23, September 5, 1877. It now has two railroads - tbe Minneapolis & St. Louis and the Milwaukee. Its population is 1,267 according to the census of 1910. In 1900 it had only 979. THE BEGINNINGS. To A. Richter belongs the honor of being the pioneer who first opened a general store in the village. T. W. Sheehy & Companv immediately followed with a general stock, and in the same year a furniture stock was put in by Frank Havlicek. L. Schrauth & Brother commenced selling hardware that same season. The Montgonmery Standard was established by Joseph Chadderdon, who also practiced law. The postoffice was established in 1877 with Frank Becker as postmaster. By 1882 the business of the village consisted of five general stocks, Page 432 one drug store, two hardwares, two furniture stores, one grocery, three boot and shoe stores, one harness shop, four blacksmiths, one wagon shop, two tailors, one barber shop, nine saloons, one flour and one saw-mill, a large stave factory, two elevators, three hotels, a weekly newspaper, three farm implement depots, three physicians, three attorneys and two insurance agencies. In 1880 a fire company was organized and secured a hook and ladder outfit, including hose and hand engine. P. D. Smith was the first chief. What was known as Lanesburg postoffice was established in July, 1857, with C. S. Lane as postmaster. He served until 1865 when he was succeeded by George Smith, who in turn was followed by Lewis Sparr from 1866 to 1868. The name of the office was changed on February 27, 1866, to Montgomery. The postmasters since then have been Frank Pickler from 1808 to 1877; Frank Becker, 1877 to 1885; John Sheehy, 1885 to 1889; Frank Becker, 1889 to 1893; John Sheehy, 1893 to 1911; A. J. Factor, 1911 to 1915; John M. Franta, April 30, 1915, to present date. BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1915. At the close of 1915 the principal interests in way of traders and professional men in Montgomery were as follow: Attorneys, John Reblens, C. D. McCarthy; auto garages, Wash & Kruchek, J. & J. Dvorak; banks, State and Citizens; barbers, H. Driscoll, Frank Bentley, M. J. Brown; blacksmith shops, Novotny Brothers, James Prochauska, Frank Karbel; bakery, E. H. Frank, brewery, Handschuh & Richter, owners of Montgomery Brewing Company; clothing and shoes, J. T. Franta; cement work, J. J. Ziraba, Joseph Fonta; cigar factory, Charles Maertz; drugs, W. P. Becker, John Kiersatt; dray lines, Loula & Janda, F. P. Novack, Arthur Kumett; dentists, M. V. Havel, E. F. Franta; elevators, John Sheehy; furniture, Koehen Furniture Company, W. J. Ctvrtnik; feed mill, John Shima; general dealers, "The Globe," John F. Lepeska, Kotk & Soule, Polack & Tuma, John Franta, Kasand & Pexa, F. J. Waslia, Joseph Bazail; hardware and implements, Vaneseck & Petricke, Oldenberg Brothers; harness, T. J. Turck, M. J. Kahout; hotels, "Alba," by Havel Brothers, "Park," by Theodore Dolge; heading factory, August Richter, also saw-mill, employs twenty men; jewelry, M. A. David; livery, Loula & Janda; lumber, Westerman Lumber Company, Pexa & Juntke; mills, Commander Flour Mills; newspaper, Messenger, by Montgomery Publishing Company; millinery, Mrs. R. B. Whipple; opera halls, "The Hilltop," "Down Town" and "Idle Hour"; photographs, George Page 433 Minars; physicians, Drs. McKeon & Son, F. C. Westerman; picture shows, "Standard," Leslie Dane, manager; produce dealers, J. J. Kotek; restaurant, E. J. Leschzen; stock dealers, J. N. Schatz, Conrad Bauer; saloons, Malone & Murphy, J. J. Nestaval, John Staska, John Ruhlard, Kukacka & Meskal, Kriha & Petricka, Fred Elftmann, Koval & Janda; tailor, Frank Bradash; veterinary surgeon, Dr. O. G. Vollmar. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. Montgomery was incorporated early in the eighties as a village and has had a good growth and been well managed ever since. It now owns its own water plant and is served by a private company in way of electric lights. A vast amount of money has been expended on the highways and streets in recent years. Many years ago it provided itself with an excellent sewerage system which, together with the excellent water supply, gives health and convenience to the people of the city. It was incorporated as a city under the state laws in 1902, since which time it has put on "city airs" and kept pace with the sister cities in the county. THE GREAT FLOUR MILLS. The three-thousand-barrel daily capacity of the Commander Mill Cormpany of Montgomery is equal to any flouring-mill plant in the state. It is indeed the pride of the people of southern Minnesota counties. While milling in small towns has of late years largely been abandoned, on account of the advantages found in the larger cities in way of transportation, etc., yet this mill is doing a larger business than ever before and will beyond doubt stand for long years. With plenty of wheat in nearby districts, good railway lines, an abundance of capital behind the enterprise, and the popular brands of flour made and sold at living rates will cause these wonderful mills to continue and prosper. These mills are constructed of concrete and steel, are fire-proof and sanitary. One who makes a tour of this plant will be convinced that all is wonderfully planned and that no better process for flour making can be found in the state - and this state leads the world. Its daily capacity of three thousand barrels makes a total of nine hundred thousand barrels of flour each year - almost a million barrels. Each twenty-four hours there are ground into flour fifteen thousand bushels of wheat, Page 434 representing four million five hundred thousand bushels a year. Twenty-five carloads of flour and feed are shipped from this mill daily. In addition to the mill the company owns and operates an elevator with a capacity of six hundred thousand bushels. This consists of four large steel storage tanks, eighty feet high and fifty feet in diameter. Each tank has a capacity of one hundred and twenty- five thousand bushels of wheat. Besides there is an "Iron-clad" elevator with a capacity of one hundred thousand bushels. The company maintains a chemical laboratory in which three expert flour testers are kept employed constantly. Day after day these men test wheat, bake bread and note the result of all that goes forth fron the miller's products. Engines totaling twelve hundred horse power propel the intricate machinery of this mill. This plant grew from small beginnings. Over thirty years ago, about 1884-5, a few men established a small mill here after the old-fashioned custom grist-mill. Later it was transferred to the James Quirk Milling Company. It was a good mill, but small and used but little wheat - as compared to the plant of today. A few years after that the stock of the company was materially increased, the well-known capitalist, H. C. Ackley, and his son-in-law, J. P. Quirk, getting a controlling interest. Under them it was operated until 1911 when the entire concern was taken over by the Commander Milling Company, of Minneapolis, the same being incorporated for three hundred thousand dollars. The local manager and one of the stockholders is P. H. Schweitzer. This flourishing industry gives to Montgomery a market for wheat that but few cities in the state can boast of. OTTAWA TOWNSHIP. Ottawa is the central township on the western line along the Minnesota river. It originally contained more open prairie land than any other township in the county. It is a long, narrow tract of territory, containing about thirteen sections of land. It is situated south of LeSueur township west of, Sharon and north of Kasota township, with Nicollet county on the west. It had a population Of 451 in 1890; 461 in 1900, and 420 in 1910. The history of this township dates back to the arrival of Antoine Young, a Frenchman, who took his claim in the southwestern part of the township in 1853. He constructed a saw- and grist-mill on Cherry creek which rivaled the Babcock mill at Kasota as being the pioneer mill in the county. He operated this combined mill until his departure for Yellow Page 435 Medicine in 1860, where he was the first white man to be shot in the Indian outbreak of 1862. Rim Fuller took a claim in this township after the arrival of Mr. Young, and he was immediately followed by Robert and William Winegar and Samuel Sanborn, the original proprietors of the town site platted in 1853 and known as Minnewashta, the Indian word for "good water." In 1856 this place was re-surveyed and changed to Ottawa. A. Roberts arrived 1853, claimed land and built a ferry across the river to the upper town line. The balance of the settlement is closely interwoven with the history of the village of Ottawa. VILLAGE OF OTTAWA. The village originally known as Minnewashta was platted as Ottawa in 1856. The place has never been incorporated. A postoffice was established on September 22, 1856, with Frank Y. Hoffstott, postmaster, who served from 1856 to 1857; followed by Allen Lewis, 1857 to 1860; William Bacon, 1860 to 1861; J. L. Hazzard, 1861 from April to end of year; David Patton, 1861 to 1864; Allen Lewis, 1864 to 1865; David Patton, 1865 from February to September; J. N. Williams 1865 to 1868; David Patton, 1869 to 1871; Samuel Gibson, 1871 to 1873; Charles Needham, 1873 to 1887; D. Y. Davis, 1887 to 1890; E. D. Lloyd, 1890 to 1900; Conrad Gray, 1900 to 1908; David R. Morgan, March 25, 1908, to present date - 1916. The first justice of the peace to qualify in the township was A. J. Brown in 1855. The first marriage was that of J. R. Gardner to Emily Sanborn in 1856. The first white child born was a son of Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Raney. A man named Philips died in 1853 and his remains were buried in Mr. McKey's private burying ground. A cemetery was laid out in Ottawa in 1857. Abigail Winegar was the first to be laid to rest there. In 1854, says an early historical account: Colonel Pratt, of St. Paul, purchased twelve lots for other parties, who desired to go into business. When it came to the making out of the deeds a stipulation was inserted, providing that no one should be allowed to sell liquor of any kind. To this the purchasers objected and the sale fell through. Soon after this a man named Miles purchased one of the best corner lots for which he was to pay five hundred dollars. Upon discovering the liquor stipulation in the deed he also backed out and from that date the price of town lots has constantly decreased, until in 1882 a lot for which Miles was to pay five hundred dol- Page 436 lars could be purchased for ten dollars. The great rush to Ottawa during the first few years greatly elated the landowners and one or more additions were surveyed, several large hotels built and the town gave promise of becoming a leading place." Business never developed to any great extent here, though much money changed hands in an early day. In the autumn of 1856 McIntyre, Donnelly & Hoffstott opened a general store in a board shanty, which was of short life as a business venture. They were succeeded by J. R. Gardner, who also quit merchandising soon after opening up. For a few years J. L. Hazzard carried on a prosperous business in the merchandising line, and was succeeded by Charles Needham, who opened his store in 1860, and was in trade most of the time until late in the eighties, possibly longer. A stearn saw-mill was successfully operated for a number of years. At one time not many years ago, Ottawa village had a very extensive brick yard, the kilns of which still stand along the railway track, as one enters the village, as so many monuments of a large industry in a superior made building brick. For various reasons, chiefly freight rates and fuel, these works were abandoned, and with it the real business of the village was destroyed. Many workmen were here employed for a number of years and the pay-roll was large and nearly all expended at home. In 1883 the business at Ottawa consisted of the following: One general store by Charles Needham, who was also, postmaster; one hardware and tin shop; one wagon shop doing repair work, two smith's shops, a flouring-mill and grain elevator. The "Omaha" line of railway maintains a depot at this point. The following were factors in and near this village in the early eighties: David Bean who came in 1877 from Ohio; George Drew, a Vermonter, settled in section 34, in 1876; S. Gibbs, farmer, in section 22, came in 1872; Homer E. Gibbon, teacher, born in Virginia in 1847, after serving as a soldier in Civil War days, finally located in this township in 1873; L. N. Grav, blacksmith and wagon maker, came from Indiana in 1856, and later made the celebrated "Gary" wagon. Other settlers included James Hayes, section foreman, who lived with his parents in Tyrone township until 1877 then moved to Ottawa; William R. Jones, born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, located here in 1859; Andrew Miller, in section 14, came from Germany in 1840 and to this township in 1869; T. M. Raney, of Tennessee, born in 1825, came to Minnesota in 1855, locating on a farm in section 26 and served from Minnesota in the Civil War, Page 437 PRESEENT INTERESTS. In 1916 the business of the hamlet is small. There is a store, a few shops, school and churches, but little commercial activity. It is an old, historic place and around its community were enacted many of the interesting pioneer events of the county. It still affords a trading place, but the heavier purchases are made at nearby towns such as LeSueur and St. Peter. SHARON TOWNSHIP. This is the second township from the north line of LeSueur county, as well as second from the west line. It is bounded on the north by Tyrone township, on the east by Lexington, on the south by Cleveland and on the west by Ottawa and LeSueur township. It comprises congressional township III, range 25, hence is six miles square. This township is without railroads or villages, but is one of the most prosperous sections in the county so far as agriculture is concerned. Indeed, away back in 1880, it was said of this township that it was one of the wealthiest and most populous subdivisions of LeSueur county. It embraces within its borders a portion of the fertile prairie which follows the valley, nearly every acre of which was in a high state of cultivation a third of a century ago. Fully two-thirds of its surface was originally covered with heavy timber, half of which had given away to the plow and reaper by 1882. Being located within easy access of the navigation of the Minnesota river, it early attracted the attention of pioneer settlers in the county. This township was organized with the original civil townships of this county, in 1858, and was first styled "Young Town." Its name was changed by the urgent request of its citizens. In the early eighties there were three postoffices in Sharon- Dresselville in section 11; St. Henry in section 25, and Sharon in section 17. Rice lake, in the eastern portion of the territory, is the chief lake known to early settlers. There was situated a saw-mill in section 10 and in section 7 a saw- and grist-mill was operated. An early blacksmith shop was located in the southwest quarter of section 10. The population of the township for several decades was as follows: In 1890 it had 1442; in 1900, 1073, and in 1910 - last federal enumeration - it had 861. Page 441 Minnesota; he came to Henderson in 1856 and settled soon in Tyrone township on a farm. In 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Eleventh Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at the close of the Civil War in 1865. In 1879 he was the choice of his political party and elected state representative; was also township treasurer and supervisor for five years. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Washington, one of the smaller civil organizations in the county, is situated in the southwestern part of LeSueur county, with Kasota township on its west. Cleveland at its north, Elysian at the east and Blue Earth county at the south. It is one of the most irregular shaped townships in the county. Its northeastern portion jutting up against the shores of Lake Jefferson, and its southwestern portion against the waters of Lake Washington. It has twelve full and a few fractional sections of land within its borders. Its only village is Marysburg, on the south line. The population in 1890 was 347, in 1900 it was 295, and in 1910 it was placed at 284. This portion of the county was set off as "Washington" among the original townships in April, 1858. It is all within the north half of congressional township 109, range 25 west. BEGINNING OF SETTLEMENT. In 1858 Patrick W. Smith took a claim in this township, being the second to locate in the township - Probate judge John L. Meagher being the first actual settler during the same year, but a little earlier. The judge took his claim at what is now Marysburg and was appointed postmaster in 1858 and held the position many years thereafter. Of Patrick W. Smith let it be recorded that he was a native of Ireland, born in 1835. He came to America in 1852, first settling in Kentucky. He came to Minnesota in 1858, locating in section of Washington township. In the autumn of 1862 he enlisted in enlisted in the First Minnesota Rangers and served one year; re-enlisted the fall of 1864 in the Eleventh Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the end of the Civil War. Anselm Biehn, a native of Germany, born in 1828, came to the United States in 1856, lived in Illinois one year, coming to this state in 1857. He owned land in sections 4 and 9. Page 442 Henry Biehn, a German, born in 1826, came to America in 1854, settling in this township, in section 4. He married in Chicago in 1856. Mark L. Wildes, born in Maine in 1928, remained in that state until 1849, then spent two years in travel, coming to Minnesota in 1857, locating in section 7, Washington township. In 1862 he enlisted in the one-year service of his country. He held various township and county offices, including that of county commissioner and county superintendent. Although a small township, Washington has furnished a number of prominent citizens and county officers. John L. Meagher, already mentioned as being the original settler here, was probate judge from 1875 for many years. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1826; emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1848, and later moved to Maine. In 1858 he came to Minnesota, settling in section 15, Washington township. He was postmaster at Marysburg from 1858 to in the eighties. He served as a representative from this county in 1863-64; was the first justice of the peace and held almost every office in his township. VILLAGE OF MARYSBURG. Marysburg has less than a hundred population. It is on the south line of both township and county. It was platted in section 15, January 24, 1859, by Patrick and Ellen Maher. It has never grown to be much of a place, but affords a small country trading point, a postoffice having been established there in the late fifties, and a store and few shops made it, and still make it a convenient point at which farmers may trade. WATERVILLE TOWNSHIP. Waterville township is the extreme southeastern sub-division of LeSueur county, and is perhaps one of the most prosperous and thickly settled townships of the county, and was so rated a third of a century ago and more. It contains two of the most attractive and popular lakes in all southern Minnesota - Lake Tetonka, four miles in length, and Sakata, about three miles long. Both have clean, sandy shores, the water is of crystal purity and abounds in all kinds, of fish. The industry of catching and shipping fish to the larger cities in the East has grown to be extensive. The state protects its lakes and fish through the work of reliable game wardens. This township was a half century ago one dense forest, with here and there beauti- Page 488 was issued September 24, 1907. Its resources at the close of 1915 were $167,171.40. Its deposits were then $140,000, with a surplus of $5,000. Its present directors are J. S. Beardsley, A. B. Swain, O. E. Fish. W. K. Wilcox and A. J. Long. FIRST STATE BANK OF CLEVELAND. The First State Bank of Cleveland was organized in 1902 by H. H. Flowers, Herman Zimmerman; W. O. Shuey, Lon Diller and John Diller. Its first and present capital is $15,000. Its present resources and liabilities are $120,000. The deposits in January, 1916, amounted to $100,000. The surplus was at date last named $7,500. A good banking house was erected in 1902, at a cost of $5,000. The first officers of this bank were: H. H. Flowers, president; Lon Diller, cashier. The same president still serves, while the vice- president is H. Zimmerman, and Frank Thomas is cashier. STATE BANK OF NEW PRAGUE. What is now the State Bank was organized at New Prague, Scott county, in 1883 by Joseph Maertz, president; Michael Schreiner, D. L. How, H. B. Strait, J. H. J. Klinkerhammer and James Foss. The first vice-president was D. L. How, and M. Schreiner was cashier. The 1916 officers are: Michael Schreiner, president; John Proshek, vice-president; Joseph B. Maeftz, cashier, and Norbet H. Schreiner, assistant cashier. The date of the charter of this bank was January 7, 1914, then becoming a state banking concern. It owns a building, erected in 1903, at a cost Of $15,000. It now carries deposits amounting to $300,000; has a surplus Of $50,000; and is working under a $20,000 capital. FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF NEW PRAGUE. The First National Bank of New Prague was established at New Prague, LeSueur county, by F. H. Welcome and Joseph T. Topka in 1903. Its first officer's were: F. H. Welcome, president; E. E. Novak, vice-president; Joseph T. Topka, cashier; Joseph Rachac, assistant cashier. The same officials still serve to the entire satisfaction of its patrons. It now has a capital Of $25,000, with a surplus of $30,000. Its deposits in December, 1915, were $190,000. Page 498 in the Revolutionary struggle, as was also Francis Cadwell's maternal greatgrandfather-both serving seven years in that conflict. They were both with General Washington when he crossed the Delaware river at Trenton. The Cadwells were of English ancestry, while the judge's mother's people (Demon) were from Holland. In 1864 Mr. Cadwell left Indiana for Minnesota and located at LeSueur, where he has ever since practiced law successfully and served as judge of his district. He studied law in Indiana three years and was admitted to the bar of Minnesota by Hon. Horace Austin, then presiding judge. He has held many public positions, including county and city attorney, county school superintendent, member of the local school board and county commissioner, each for several terms. He was appointed district judge by Governor Merriam, February, 1891, serving until January 1, 1905. He made a most excellent judge and was fearless and just in all his decisions upon the bench. No matter how poor and obscure a person was, who might appear before Judge Cadwell, he was never turned away, but received the court's best attention. Indeed he is a man of the people and for the people. M. R. Everett came to Minnesota, locating at LeSueur in 1868; was county superintendent of public schools many years; he commenced law practice at LeSueur in 1872, continuing until 1881, then removed to Waterville, this county, where he still resides. He was county attorney of LeSueur county many years, and then engaged in banking, but in that role was not highly successful, owing to land and realty speculations, it is believed. James P. Watts practiced in this county for two or three years back in the seventies. He was a partner of Attorney Bangs already mentioned. Later he moved to Henderson and still later to Kansas or some place in the far Southwest. George D. Emery came to LeSueur about 1875 or possibly a year later. In 1878 he was elected county attorney. He came from Rice county and removed to Henderson in 1881. After three years there he went to Minneapolis and was there made municipal judge; resigned before his term expired really at the request of the Republican leaders who had placed him in office. His rulings concerning the labor troubles there seemed to not suit the party, hence he resigned, and was given a private position with some syndicate which paid him far better than the judgeship. No stain was ever attached, however, to his position and he as well as his friends always claimed his rulings were fair and just, but possibly not good policy-for the party in power at that time. He was a bright, able trial lawyer, He moved to Seattle, Washington, and in February of this year (1916) he was run down by an automobile and killed. END OF FILE