Lynden Township Excerpts Chapter CII, Stearns Wright Co., MN ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Rebecca B Frank Submitted: March 2007 ========================================================================= Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. (Lynden Township, Stearns County Excerpts Chapter CII) Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 428-431 Includes brief Bios on the following: CLIFFORD, Samuel A COLGROVE, James FISK, Wilbur F. HEATH, Otis R. MILLER, Daniel D. PARCHER, Truman STOKES, Luke H. TOWNSEND, Alvin WARNER, George E. Note: There are other names mentioned within the information. Lynden Township Chapter CII General Description-Early Settlement-Early Weddings---Organization--- Mills---Fatal Accident--- Schools---Churches---Societies---Agricultural Statistics---Biographical Lynden is the most southeastern town in the county. It has an area of 15, 360 acres, of which 1,830 are under cultivation. The surface is undulating and generally covered with a light growth of timber or brush, except where removed by the hands of the husbandman. The soil is mostly a light sandy loam, but quite productive. T. C. Porter and John Townsend made the firs claims in what is now the town of Lynden, in 1853. Their claims were made in sections twenty and twenty-one on land now owned by W. T. Rigby and g. B. Benson. Mr. Porter sold his interest to Townsend, the following years, for then dollars; it was subsequently pre-empted by Joseph and Peter Townsend, brothers of John, who had also arrived in 1853. Porter and the Townsends were natives of Pennsylvania, the former coming to Minnesota before the Territorial organization. Jonathan and William Dallas, natives of Indiana, settled on section four, in 1854; the former is deceased, and the latter resides in Washington Territory. Abel Hent (Kent), wife and four daughters, accompanied by J. W. Stevenson, came form Ohio, in 1855, and settled on sections nine and ten. Tradition says, T. C. Porter ferried the young ladies across the Clearwater River on his back, and escorted them to their new home. J. W. Stevenson was married to Emma Hent (Kent) in the fall of that year. Simon Stevens, another pioneer, lashed tow Indian canoes together and took the wedding party across the Mississippi river, and the ceremony was performed on the other bank of the stream, between sundown and dark by John H. Stevenson, Justice of the Peace of Sherburne then Benton County. As soon as they were declared man and wife, a party of pioneers secreted in the timber near by fired a salute in honor of the event. Joseph Townsend and Harriet Ball were married in October the same year, by the same official and under similar circumstances, there being no Clergyman or Justice of the Peace in this town at that time. The first ceremony performed in the town, was the marriage of A. B. Darling to Jerusha Ingalls, on the 19th of March, 1858. In 1856, the population was increased by the arrival os S. A. Clifford, W. d. Davis, Truman Parcher, L. C. Johnson, Martin Johnson, Stephen Oyster, E. G. Mathews, and others. The population in 1880 had increased to 286p persons. The first child born was a son of Peter Townsend, named Byron in August 1856. The first death was J. W. Stevenson, to whom reference has just been made as the principal in the first marriage ceremony. He died on the 14th of September, 1856. The first school was taught by J. Kingsley, of Vermoont, in the winter of 1858-59, in a shanty which had been erected for a groggery. The first school house was built in the summer following, the funds being raised by subscription and Marietta Vorse taught the first school therein. The building is now used for a town-hall. The first election was held at the house of s. A. Clifford, in October 1857, in what was then called Clearwater precinct, S. a. Clifford, Truman Parcher and Martin Johnson were judges of election, and A. C. Powers and w. D. Davis were clerks. The town was organized on the 15th of January, 1859, and the first election held on that day at the house of John McDonald, now owned and occupied by Abijah Whitney. A preliminary meeting had been held in 1858, and the name of Corning was chosen for the new town, but at the first annual meeting, the name was changed to "Lyndon," though now written "Lynden." The first township officers were: Supervisors, Seth Gibbs, Chairman, Martin Johnson, and Truman Parcher; Clerk, W. A. Sumner; Constables, T. Heaton and f. H. Thompson; Justices of the Peace, W. T. Rigby and John McDonald; and Assessor, S. A. Clifford.. There are two school-houses in Lynden, and a graded school in Clearwater village, a part of which lied in this township, and the balance in Wright County. There are also three church organizations, supported jointly by the citizens of Lynden, and Clearwater, --Methodist, Congregational, and Catholic. The first mill was built at the mouth of Clearwater River in 1856, but it was carried into the Mississippi River by a flood on the night before it was to commence running. The timber was used by f. Morrison the following year, in the erection of a steam saw-mill which manufactured the first lumber in the township, in the fall of that year. But, here we have to record a fatal accident. As that season, Alvin Wilkins was thrown upon the saw and disemboweled---split from neck to pelvis and instantly killed. At this time there were no Clergyman nearer than St. Cloud, and the funeral sermon was preached by a Mr. Fowler, an avowed infidel, but who had formerly been a preacher of the gospel A flouring mill was built in 1858, by Thomas C. Rogers, and another in 1860, by James Campbell. The first gathering of any society occurred in this way: H. D. Buxton, a Freemason, died, and w. T. Rigby called together an assembly of masons in an emergent lodge for his burial. Those present consisted of W. W. Webster, William Vorse, S. Churmard, Robert Shaw, James Abell, and E. C. Parmele. In October, 1858, a Masonic Lodge was organized. The first officers were: W. T Rigby, W. M.; T. c. rogers, S. W. ; J. M. Mitchell, J. w.; S Churmard, Treas., and W. W. Webster, Sec. AT a meeting of the Lodge, held on the 20th of October, 1866, upon the suggestion of w. T. Rigby, a committee was appointed to select suitable grounds for a cemetery. The committee reported on the 3d of November following, and were instructed to file articles of incorporation for the Lodge, and in its name to purchase five and five sixteenth acres of land in section thirty-four, and to have the same surveyed and platted for a burial place, under the name Acassia Cemetery. This was the first ground dedicated to that purposed between Monticello and St. Cloud. Rev. Levi Gleason was sent here by the Methodists about 1858, and soon after the first religious society was organized. The Episcopal and Congregational Churches were also organized about the same time. The products of Lynden, according to the agricultural report of 1880, were: wheat, 14,858 bushels, oats, 7,259 bushels, corn, 12,155 bushels, potatoes, 3,020 bushels; beans 98 bushels, sugar cane, 1,240 gallons; cultivated hay, 83 tons; wild hay, 742 tons; timothy seed, 16 bushels; apples, 52 bushels; wool, 92 pounds; butter, 12,990 pounds; and hone, 215 pounds. Biographical P 429 Samuel A Clifford, a native of New Hampshire, was born in the year 1814. The family removed to Vermont while he was young. His father being a carpenter, he learned the trade at home, and followed the business until he came to Minnesota, in 1855. He farmed one year near Minneapolis; then in 1856, removed to Lynden Township, and took a homestead in section twenty seven. He now owns a farm of two hundred and ten acres, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation. Mr. Clifford has held the office of Supervisor, County Commissioner, and been a member of the School Board for a number of years. He married Miss Zernah Blodgett, in the year 1838. The fruits of this union are six children; Franklin W. Carroll H., George C. Hiram, Laura A. and Ella. P 429-430 James Colgrove was born in Hornellsville, Steuben County, New York, on the 8th of May, 1841. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, have the advantages of a district school. Came to Minnesota in 1866, and soon after, settled on his present farm, which is situated on section thirty- four and contains four hundred acres. During the first seven years of Mr. Colgrove's residence in Lynden, he was engaged in teaching school, but has since devoted his entire attention to the cultivation of his farm. He has held the office of Supervisor for eleven years, has been Town Clerk a number of terms, and is now President of the Board of Education. Mr. Colgrove was united in Marriage with Miss Mary L. Stearns of Allegany County, New York, on the 3d of July, 1863. They have had four children, three of whom are living; Mary L., Francis A. and Pitt Payson. P 430 Wilbur F. Fisk was born in Vermont, in September, 1834. He lived in his native place till 1857, when he came to Minnesota and took a claim on sections thirty and nineteen, in the township of Lynden. Mr. Fisk married Miss Sarah M. Townsend of New York, in 1867. Their children are Estella L and Sarah E. P430 Otis R. Heath was born in Piscataquis County, Maine in the year 1827. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of sixteen years, began working in a saw mill, which business he has continued the greater part of his life. He came to Minnesota in 1857, and located north of Minneapolis, on Elk River, where he conducted a saw mill for seven years. He then removed to Sauk Centre, where he worked at the carpenter trade for thirteen years, coming to this township in 1877. His farm and home is on section thirty four. Mr. Heath was married in 1856, to Miss Agnes P. Stevens of Maine, who died in August 1869, leaving four children: Miriam P., Georgiana C. Agnes P and Laura A. His present wife ws Mrs. Emma A Slattery, to who he was married on the 20th of October 1870. P 430 Daniel D. Miller was born in Ohio, in the year 1843. He lived on a farm during boyhood. While quite young, the family moved to Iowa, engaging in agricultural pursuits. In 1868, he came to Fair Have, Stearns County, worked in a brick yard for one year, then, in 1869, came to Lynden Township and took a homestead on section twenty, where he still resides in the enjoyment of a comfortable home. He married Miss Hariet Danson in April 1869. They have six children; Ernest c. Carrie A., Lea N., Ella C., Eddie E. and William B. P 430 Truman Parcher is a native of Vermont, born on the 7th of April 1811. Was employed in agricultural pursuits till about thirty years of age, when he engaged in the wheelwright and carpenter business for seven or eight year, then for about seven years, built railroad bridges to different parts of the country, east and west. He came to Minneapolis in 1855, and then removed to Lynden township and took a claim on sections twenty-eight and thirty-three, buying enough land to make him a farm of two hundred acres, where he lives, enjoying the quiet of his country home. He married Miss Jennette B. Perkins in 1838. They had five children, three of whom are living; Lilla, Ola, Robert M. and Charles A. P 430 Luke H. Stokes was born in England in the year 1818. Came to the United States in 1849, stopping in Westchester County, New York, where he was employed at the wagon making and carpenter business until 1865, when he removed to Minnesota, and located in Lynden Township. Mr. Stokes took a claim in section twenty, making a pleasant home for himself and family. He married Miss Mary Wielding in 1846; they have had four children, three of whom are living, George W., Mattie and Samuel. P 430 Alvin Townsend, a native of Pennsylvania, was born on the 24th of June, 1821. His early years were spent on a farm, after which he learned the carpenter trade, and followed that business till he came west, in 1855. Mr. Townsend took a claim in Lynden Township, in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight, soon after arriving in the State, and still lives on the old homestead. He is among the early settlers of the town. He married Miss Harriet Patrick, in 1846. They have had five children, two of whom are living; Sarah M. and David L. P430-431 George E. Warner, a native of Lower Canada, was born on the 15th of November, 1826. He was reared on a farm, and followed that occupation and lumbering until 1853, when he removed to Vermont. In 1855, removed to Clearwater, Minnesota, and in 1857, settled on sections nineteen and twenty, in the town of Linden, and is still living on the same farm. Has been a member of the board of Supervisors for eight years, and Chairman for the last two years. Has been Justice of the Peace and served as a member of th School Board for a number of years. He married Sarah A. Wilcox of Canada, on the 18th of January, 1848. They have had two children, one of whom is living; Edward G. Page 1 of 4 Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. (Lynden Township, Stearns County Excerpts Chapter CII) Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 428-431