Corinna Excerpts Chapter CXXII, 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: February 2007 ========================================================================= History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. "Corinna Excerpts Chapter CXXII." Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. c1881. Pages 516-519 Includes brief Bios on the following: DAKIN, Levi H. DAY, W.W. HEBERLING, James K. Polk HEBERLING, David HENNEMAN, Anthony HIGGINS, James KUHNLEY, Andrew LONGWORTH, Octavius MARVIN, Joseph MOATS, Jesse RANSOM, Martin SCHEYER, John P. TOWNSEND, John WINGET, Ira Corinna Chapter CXXII General Description-Early Settlement-Organization-Schools-Churches- Agricultural Statistics-Biographical Corinna lies in the northwest portion of the county, and has an area of about 23,000 acres, 1349 of which are under cultivation. The surface is undulating and generally covered with timber, except where removed for agricultural purposes. About 5,000 acres of the aggregate area is covered with water, the largest lake being Clearwater Lake, which lies in the northwestern part, extending into Stearns County, and is a popular summer resort. Octavius Longworth has a large and comfortable residence, surrounded by a number of summer cottages, light and airy, on the north bank of the lake. This place is visited each summer by a number of southern families and health seeker, whose systems are invigorated by the bracing draught form this beautiful expanse of water. The first permanent settlement in this town was made in 1856, by Elijah Doble, Sen., now dead, John F. Doble, Lorenzo Doble, Elijah Doble, Jr., Ebenezer Perry, and Charles I. Dakin. These men were natives of Maine and were accompanied by their families. They settled on sections eight, nine, and sixteen, on the north shore of Clearwater Lake, and were soon followed by others. The population has steadily increased, until the census of 1880 showed population of 386 persons. This town was embraced in Clearwater Township until 1860, when a separate organization was effected, and the name of "Delhi" applied, but soon changed to "Corinna," because of a town in another portion of the State having previously adopted the same name. In addition to the present territory of Corinna, the present area of Southside was also included in the new town, but was reduced to its present limits on the organization of the latter in 1868. The first officers were: Supervisors, H. L Gordon, Chairman, L. H. Dakin and Elijah Doble; Assessor, Charles M. Gordon; Collector John F. Doble; Clerk, Octavius Longworth; Justices of the Peace, Edward Moody and Octavius Longworth: Overseer of the Poor, J. F. Gates; and constables, Charles I. Dakin and J. F Doble. A town was laid out on section twenty-one, in 1857 or 1858, by George Saunders, A. McDonald, William McDonald, Charles I. Dakin, and J. F. Doble, and named Osseo. Some improvements were made, but it did not meet the expectations of the proprietors, and the enterprise was given up. A steam saw mill was built in 1865, by David Heberling on his farm in section nine. It was run for a few years and abandoned. In 1867, a water-power saw mill was erected by Cedar lake, on the Clearwater Creek, by L. H. Reynolds of Illinois. It was leased and operated by David Heberling & Sons for a number of years but was destroyed by fire sometimes ago. Religious services were held by Rev. M.S. Harriman as early as 1857, although the first sermon preached was probably over the line in Stearns County, yet the congregation was largely composed of residents of Corinna Township. In 1859, Bartlett Blaine, a Methodist Minister, held meetings in the house of Lorenzo Doble. Services were held by that denomination in private dwellings and school house until 1878, when the congregation erected a building over the line in Southside Township. In 1871, through the instrumentality of Octavius Longworth, and Rev D. B. Knickerbacker, of Minneapolis, a Protestant Episcopal Church was erected near Mr. Longworth's residence. It is a very pretty structure and was dedicated by Bishop Whipple in September 1872. There has been no regular clergyman, but the pulpit is very often supplied by guests of Mr. Longworth and others. There is also a German Methodist organization in this town. The first services were held by Rev. Mr. Mentz in 1864, at the residence of Martin Ransom. A church was built in 1875-76, on section nine. Corinna is divided into four school districts. The first public school was held in the house of E. Doble, in 1862, the district then comprising the present towns of Corinna and Southside. The first school house was built in 1868. This was a primitive looking edifice, composed of round P 517 logs, but was replaced by a neat frame building in 1871. The products of this town, according to the agricultural report of 1880, were: wheat 13,429 bushels, oats, 4,218 bushels; corn, 7,702 bushels; potatoes 1,546 bushels; beans 54 bushels; sugar cane 1,815 gallons; cultivated hay, 158 tons; wild hay, 241 tons; tobacco 136 pounds; wool 350 pounds; butter 9,321 pounds; and hone 450 pounds. Biographical P 517 W.W. Day, (deceased) a native of Milton, Vermont, was born on the 16th of October, 1822. When he was twelve years old, the family moved to Franklin County, New York, where he worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age when he commenced to till the soil for himself on a neighboring farm. In 1854, he came to Minnesota, locating on a claim in Hennepin county, near Excelsior, where he lived for two years, when he moved to Silver Creek, Wright county, locating where the town site of Fremont was afterwards fixed. Here he and others built a steam saw mill. In 1862 moved to the farm in section fourteen, Corinna, where he lived till his death, on the 8th of August 1879. After this, his widow and son Edwin C., conducted the farm. Edwin C. Day was born on the 15th of May, 1856 at Excelsior, Hennepin county, and has lived at home ever since. P 517 Levi H. Dakin, one of the oldest resident of the town, was born in Nova Scotia on the 25th of December, 1830. When he was but three years old, the family moved to Aristook County, Maine, where he worked on a farm till 1856, when he came to St. Paul, Minnesota and from that place walked to Clearwater, and soon after came to Corinna township and took a claim on section twenty-one, living in a log house with a bark roof for some time. He soon commenced to improve his farm, and continued the effort till he sold it in 1865. During the Indian war the family sought protection in Clearwater, where they remained for two years. After selling his farm, bought another in section twenty, to which he has since added as his circumstances have permitted. He was a member of the first board of Supervisors. Married Miss Clara J. Smith, on the 29 of September, 1861. They have two children. P 517 Anthony Henneman, a native of Germany, was born on the 18th of December 1838. At the age of thirteen, emigrated with his parents to America and located on a farm in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-two, commenced life for himself, being engaged in farming in Pennsylvania till 1869, when he came to Minnesota and located on section eleven in the town of Corinna, where he still resides. He married Miss Margaret Knorr on the 3d of March, 1861. They have twelve children. P 517 James Higgins, deceased, was born in St. Lawerence county, New York. while he lived in his native State, worked most of the time at lumbering. He came to Minnesota in 1863, and spent the first three years i the pineries and on the river. He married Mrs. Amelia Higgins, of Clearwater, on the 31st of December, 1865, and the following year located on his farm in section thirty, Corinna Township, where he lived till his death, October 5th, 1876. Mrs. Higgins has controlled the farm since the death of her husband. P 517 David Heberling, deceased, one of the early settlers of the town, was born in May 1815, in Pennsylvania. he was engaged in lumbering, principally on Sandy creek, one of the tributaries of the Alleghany river, and at the same time carried on a farm. In 1865, he came to Minnesota, and bought land on the banks of Clearwater lake, in section nine, where he engaged in farming; also built a steam saw mill, and run it for run it for three or four years. He married Miss Susanna Rissinger on the 6th of March 1836. They had ten children, eight of hwom are living. He died on the 21st of May 1871. His oldest son, Paul K., since a boy has been identified with his father in business, he was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of December 1836, came to Minnesota with his parents in 1865, and lived on the farm since, being engaged in farming and the manufacture of lumber. He married Miss Esther Rissinger in 1860. They have one child, a boy. P 517 James K. Polk Heberling, a native of Pennsylvania, was born on the 22d of January, 1845. He lived with his parents in his native State, engaged in farming and lumbering till about twenty years of age. In 1865, came to Minnesota and lived for some years with his father. In 1867, commenced to manage business for himself on a portion of his father's farm, where he may yet be found, favored with success in his business operations. He married Miss Minnie Fetters on the 9th of April, 1868. They have four children. P 517-518 Andrew Kuhnley was born in Jefferson County Pennsylvania, on the 20th of February, 1832. At the age of nineteen, commenced to learn the carpenter trade in Clearfield County. After having become acquainted with the business, was employed in different parts of the State, making his native county his home until 1859, when he came to Minnesota. Sometime during the same year, located on a farm in section fifteen, Corinna township, where he still lives. He has devoted a large portion of his time to his trade since residing in the town. He married Miss Anna c. Foss on the 10th of February, 1853. They have six children. P 518 Octavius Longworth, on e of the earliest settlers of this town, is a son of David Longworth, of New York City, one of the largest book publishers of his day in America. Mr. Longworth was born in New York City, on the 23d of March, 1805. He received an academic education, and engaged with his father in business for some years. Then for a time conducted the business alone, giving special attention to stationery, in which he continued till the financial crash in 1837. His residence was in that part of Brooklyn, embraced in Williamsburg prior to 1854. Soon after closing out his store he was appointed Postmaster of Williamsburg, by President Harrison in about 1840. In 1856, he moved to Iowa, locating near Davenport, making his home on a farm fro three years. In 1859, he came to Minnesota, locating on the north bank of Clearwater Lake, in this township. The home of his choice, on the banks of this beautiful lake, after twenty years of toil, commands the admiration of many tourists that visit this place. Mr. Longworth was the first Town clerk, and the first Justice of the Peace. He was united in marriage with Miss Phebe D. Wade, of New Jersey, on the 30th of December 1830. They have had eleven children; five boys and six girls, eight of whom are living. P 518 Joseph Marvin, a native of Onandaga, County, New York, was born on the 9th of December 1803. His father was one of the pioneers of that county, and died when his son Joseph was but nine months old. He lived on the farm with his mother and step-father until twenty years of age when he commenced to farm for himself in the neighborhood, which he continued about twenty years. In 1864, he moved to Michigan, and farmed in Calhoun county for one year, then opened a hotel in Evansville, Wisconsin, and in connection with his son, run it for a short time. In 1865, came to his present farm in section twelve where he lives at this writing. He was united in marriage with Miss Maria Bently, on the 19th of November 1826, who died on the 6th of November 1862. They had six children; four of whom are living. P 518 Jesse Moats was born in Ritchie County, West Virginia, on the 9th of May, 1821. At the age of twenty-six, he commenced working for himself on a farm, which he continued for seven years. Then moved to Athens County, Ohio and lived on his farm for thirteen years. In 1867, he came to his farm in section twenty-nine, Corinna Township, where he still resides. He married Miss Sarah Clutter in October 1847. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and died on the 2d of March, 1881. They had six children, five of whom are living. P 518 Martin Ransom, a native of Baden, Germany, was born in May, 1830. When he was ten years old, his father died. Martin lived on a farm until nineteen years of age; then emigrated to the United States, located near Albany, New York, and was employed on the railroad for several years. In 1858, he came to Minnesota, and after prospecting for some time in different parts of the State, located on a farm in section twenty. He Married Miss Wilhelmina Teatz, on the 21st of April 1858. They have seven children. P 518 John P. Scheyer, a native pf Prussia, was born on the 7th of November, 1837. When John was about fifteen, his parents emigrated to America and located on a farm in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, whre Mr. Scheyer supported his parents and family, until the death of the former. In 1870, he moved to Minnesota, locating on a farm in section fourteen, Corinna Township, which has been his home since. He has been Supervisor and Assessor of the town. Was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Reiter on the 23d of August, 1860. They have ten children. P 518-519 John Townsend, one of the old settlers of this region, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of April, 1818. At the age of twenty-one, he left his father's farm and went to Illinois working in different parts of the State at the cabinet, carpenter, and wagon-making trades. He was also for a time in the employ of John Deere, the celebrated plow manufacturer. In 1851, he came with John Stevenson, to Clear Lake, Sherburne County, Minnesota, and were among the first settlers of that town. In 1855, he took a claim in Lynden, Stearns County, living there short time; then moved to the present village of Clearwater, and built the first frame dwelling in the place. In a few months after this, took a claim on the prairie in the same town, where he lived till 1866, and then removed to a timber farm in this township. He is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Ponsford. Mr. Townsend was united in marriage with Miss Sara Stevenson, of Sherburne County, in 1850. They have two living children. P 519 Ira Winget was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of March 1834. When he was about thirteen years old, the family moved to Athens County, Ohio, where he attended school, and worked on his father's farm until 1855, when he engaged in a saw-mill enterprise in the same county, which he continued till 1860. He then moved to Missouri and at the commencement of the war, enlisted in Company B, in one the Missouri State regiments, engaged infighting the Guerillas in the State until 1864. when he moved his family to Corinna township, Minnesota. Soon after arriving here, Mr. Winget enlisted in Company E, of the First Minnesota heavy Artillery, and served to the close of the war. After returning from the army, he homesteaded the farm on which he has since resided in section thirty-tow. He was united in Marriage with Miss Phebe Jane Clutter, on the 13thof December 1855. They have had seven children, five of whom are living. Page 1 of 5 Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. "Corinna Excerpts Chapter CXXII." Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 516-519 ========================================================================= Copyright Rebecca B Frank 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm =========================================================================