Clearwater Excerpts Chapter CXXIII, 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 ========================================================================= Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. "Clearwater Exerpts Chapter CXXIII." Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 519-526 Includes brief Bios on the following: BARRETT, Charles H. BENSON, George B. BOYINGTON, Alonzo T. CAMPBELL, Hugh E. H. CLOCKER, Edward CROSSMAN, Edwin P. DODDS, John DOYON, D. S. FULLER, Jed F. HIBBARD, James KIRK, Samuel KIRK, William J. LYONS, Robert A. MARKHAM, Selah MAXWELL, James MERRILL, Isaac E. PORTER, Thomas C. PRATT, George O. RANNEY, Harrison J. SCHWAB, Phillip SHAW, Leroy SHAW, Robert SMITH, Cyrus SMITH, Seymor STEVENS, Simon VORSE, Charles H. VORSE, William WEBSTER, Horace WEBSTER, William W. WEST, William P. WHEELOCK, Jared D. WHITNEY, Isaac Clearwater Chapter CXXIII P 519 Description - Clearwater Village - First Things - Churches - Schools - Societies - Town Organization Clearwater is the most northern town in Wright County, and is separated from Sherburne County on the north, by the Mississippi River, while on the west the Clearwater river marks the line separating it from Stearns county. Silver Creek forms its eastern, and part of its southern boundary, the remaining portion being bounded by Corinna. The surface is rolling, and in the northern part principally prairie, bordered by a narrow belt of timber skirting the river, while south it merges into brushland, beyond which is heavy timber land. Numerous fine lakes are found throughout the town, and two of more considerable size makes slight encroachments from the town of Corinna on the south. Some good meadow land is found in the southern portion, and along the Mississippi to the northern part. The soil in the prairie portion is a dark sandy loam with clay subsoil, and produces excellent crops; in the timber portion it is clay and dark loam, and I unsurpassed for fertility. The cultivated area of this town is proportionately greater than that of any other in the county. While as yet few settlers had taken homes between here and St. Anthony, some hardy pioneers penetrated to this point, where they selected claims, and laid the foundation upon which has since been built an intelligent and prosperous community. Foremost among the early settlers here was Selah Markham, a native of New York State, of whom further mention is made in the succeeding pages of this work. With him rests the honor - not only of being the first permanent settler here, but also prominently identified with the early history of the county. His claim was on section seven, where he built a cabin in the fall of 1854, which has since given place to his present comfortable rural home. John Oakes also located a claim here the same fall, boarding with Mr. Markham during the winter, and the following spring, building on his claim in section eight. Mr. Oakes was a native of Franklin County, Maine, born in 1798 and died in 1863. Asa White, another settler here in 1854, with other, staked out the town site of El Dorado, now Clearwater. Mr. White was a Clear Lake, opposite, as early as 1847, being then engaged in trading with the Indians. Thomas C. Porter came in the following spring, and took a claim near the present village of Clearwater, which has since been his home. A sketch of his life appears elsewhere. Among the early settler of this year, (1855) were Dr. J. D. Wheelock, Simon Stevens, Horace Webster, and John Farwell, the first three of whom are hereafter mentioned. During the years 1855- 56, many settlers were added, and a thriving community sprung up as if by magic. Clearwater Village - This enterprising village is pleasantly situated in the extreme northern part of Wright County, on the right bank of the Mississippi river, at the mouth of the Clearwater river. Here Nature seems to have been in her kindliest P 520 mood, and just brushed back the bluffs which front the river, leaving a beautiful table of dry almost level land on which, the village is chiefly built. A small portion, however including some of the public buildings is on the more elevated plateau, back of the first level, which still another portion is on the west bank of the Clearwater River, and in Stearns county. A portion of this site was claimed in 1855, by Asa White. A Boyington, and others, and called El Dorado. During Mr. White's absence that season, the ground was claimed by Simon Stevens, Horace Webster, and John Farwell, and platted in the spring of 1856, by J. H. Talbott and Simon Stevens. These counter-claims led to quite a spirited contest, which, however, was amicably settled, the latter claimants retaining the land. It is now one of the leading villages of Wright County, having four general stores, two drug stores, one clothing and general miscellany, one hardware store, one boot and shoe store with shop, two millinery shops, one harness shop, three blacksmith and one wagon shops, one furniture factory, one flouring mill, one lumber mill, one livery stable, one hotel, a meat market, three churches - two Protestant and one Catholic - a Masonic lodge, and a graded school of three departments. First Things-- The first white woman to claim a residence in Clearwater, was Mrs. Abigail P. Camp., now Mrs. T. C. Porter, who came in August of 1855, in the capacity of housekeeper for the town and company. The next was Mrs. J. D. Wheelock, the same fall. Mrs. Wheelock died in the autumn of 1881, at the family residence in Clearwater. The first white child born was Mary Whiting, a daughter of Mr. Newel Whiting in 1857. The first marriage ceremony n this vicinity was performed on the 2d of September, 1855, uniting the destinies of J. W. Stevenson and Emma Kent, who are mention in the town history of Lynden. Clearwater had neither a Justice of the Peace nor minister at that date. J. W. Stevenson died in August, 1856, his death being the first in the town. The first school effort was under direction of A. C. Powers, in the winter of 1857-58; the second by Miss Harvey, afterwards the wife of Horatio Houlton, of Elk river, Sherburne County, the old building first used as a store serving as a school house. In 1860, a school building was erected-the first in the place. The building is now owned by the Catholic Church, and stand on the hill, back of the village school house. The first Physician was Dr. J. D. Wheelock, who located in the autumn of 1855, and has since continued in practice. A Post -office was established in 1855, and Simon Stevens commissioned Postmaster. In 1858, he was succeeded by W. W. Webster, and by J. M. Brown in 1861, and he by H. L. Gordon. About two years later it passed to J. A. Stanton, then to J. E. Firte, and in 1873, Jed F. Fuller became Postmaster, and has since retained the office. The first hotel was built in 1855 by Stevens, Webster and Farwell, Mrs. A. P. Camp assuming the duties of hostess. In the spring of 1856, they sold the furniture and rented the house to Mr. Allen, the blacksmith. In 1857, Frank Morrison built the large hotel still in use, and known as the Morrison House. IT has been under the management of different parties since its erection and is now conducted by W. R. Blackburn. The first representative of the legal profession was Willis G. Butler, who came in the spring of 1857. He was a delegate to the convention that placed Abraham Lincoln in nomination for his second term, and at one time took an active part in public affairs. He died here on the 13th of April 1881. Religious services were held as early as December 1855, at the residence of Mr. Dow, hear the village, by the Rev. Mr. Creighton of Monticello, and in 1857, by Rev. Mr. chamberlain, an Episcopal clergyman, in the hotel building first erected. Services were next held in a two-story building, the lower part of which was used as a store, and the upper part for schools, religious and other public meetings. A ferry was strung across the Mississippi at this point by Stevens, Talbott & Co.,, in the spring of 1856, which has since been in use. It has several times changed hands and is now owned by R. A. Lyons and Peter Lemme. The first saw-mill was commenced in 1856, at the mouth of Clearwater River. When nearly ready to begin work, a freshet carried mill, dam, and everything away, and no further effort was made until the year following, when Herman Woodworth built a mill on the same stream, a mile above the former site, which was torn down and removed in 1876. A team saw-mill was built on or near the site of that firs mention, in 1858, by Frank Morrison, which in 1878 was removed to Motley, Morrison County. A flouring mill was built in 1858, about eighty rods above the mouth of Clearwater River, by P 521 Rogers and Mitchell. Ten years later it was torn down, and replaced by a larger one, under the proprietorship of Davis and Beale, who had previously purchased the mill property. Mr. Davis still retains the controlling interest in the property, the firm name being C. F. Davis & Co. The cheery ring of the anvil was heard in the summer of 1855, in a shop opened by Stevens, Webster & Farwell, who soon after sold to Mr. Allen, and he, in 1856 to George Fuller. The first store was opened by Seth Gibbs and Newel Whiting in 1856, in a building on the river bank near the ferry. The following spring W. T. Rigby opened another store, and in 1858, a third establishment was opened by S. A. Heard; soon followed by a fourth, by O. S. Lock. In 1871, a good two story frame school house was erected on the upper table of the village plat, in which two, and a portion of the year, three departments are maintained. The organization of an independent district was effected not long since and the schools are making commendable progress. Two other schools are maintained in the town outside the village, one located on section seven and the other on section twenty- two. Churches The Methodist Episcopal Church dates its existence from the 23d of January 1858, when Rev. Levi Gleason held the first Methodist service in the village at that date, and organized a class of six members, and two probationers. James Lee was appointed Class leader, and Robert Lyons and Joseph Pratt, Stewards. The following named pastors have succeeded Mr. Gleason's first ministry in the order given: B. Blaine, S. T. Sterrett, T. M. Berlin, L. Gleason, Moses S. Harriman, C. T. Barkaloo, Rev. Mr. Boel, L. Gleason, C. T. Garvin, N. Lathrop, M. B. Smith, J. N. Henry and L. P. Smith. A parsonage was purchased by the society here several years ago, and a neat church edifice was begun in the summer of 1881, which at this writing, is still in process of construction. The congregational church was organized on the 20th of April, 1859, with the following membership: Mr. and Mrs. Abel Kent, L. H. Hollman and wife, H. Woodworth, and Nathan Walker, the latter being elected Deacon. The pastor was O. S. Senter. In 1860, Rev. Loyal Twitchell, then pastor, took steps leading to the erection of a suitable house of worship, and work was soon after begun. In November the building was so far completed as to be used for holding the regular services, and on the 1st of May, 1861, it was completed and dedicated. Rev. William Crawford became pastor at this time, remaining one year, and in November, Rev. William B. Dodd was called to fill the pulpit, remaining till 1867. The following year Rev. J. G. D Stearns assumed pastoral charge, remaining until 1876, then was succeeded by Rev. Nelson Clark, who was followed a year later by Rev. P. S. Smith. Mr. Smith closed his labors in July, 1881, since which time the pulpit has been vacant. The Christian Church is represented by a partially organized membership of about twenty, and hold frequent service during the year, being supplied by missionary preachers. The Catholics have a small membership in the vicinity, and a few years ago bought the old school building, which has since been partially fitted for service, and in it their meetings are held at irregular intervals. Societies--- In August 1858, a Masonic lodge was instituted, mention of which occurs in the town history of Lynden, Stearns County. A lodge of Good Templars was organized in March, 1881, and is still active. The Patrons of Husbandry were also well represented in times past, but are not now in existence. Town Organizations--- Pursuant to an act of the Legislature relating to town organization, the present territory embraced in Clearwater, with that since organized as Corinna, was set apart by the County Commissioners, as the town of Clearwater, and a meeting held in the village of Clearwater on the 11th of May, 1858, at which the following officers were elected: Supervisors, J. D. Wheelock, Chairman, Hiram Woodworth and Cyrus Smith; Clerk, Samuel Whiting; Assessor, John Townsend; Collector, J. H. Dunton; Justices of the Peace, J. D. Wheelock and Thomas Doble; Constables, A. H. Williams, and J. H. Dunton; Overseer of the Poor, Simon Stevens. On motion of Simon Stevens, a tax of $150 was voted, to defray the town expenses for the ensuing year. During the Indian troubles, a stockade was built in the village, where a number of families from the timber found friendly shelter during the days P 522 of suspense and fear. No town was more prompt to respond to the call fro volunteers during the War of the Rebellion, about sixty responding, and serving in the early Regiments. The present condition of the town is most cheering: good farms, good roads, good educational and religious privileges, a railroad almost completed, a thriving village; Clearwater stands among the foremost towns in the county, both in present attainments and future prospects. The cultivated area of Clearwater township is 2,572 acres, and the products, according to the agricultural report for 1880, were: wheat, 18544 bushels; oats, 9335 bushels; corn 22,005 bushels; barley, 18 bushels: rye 440 bushels; sugar cane 3,043 gallons; cultivated hay, 216 tons; wild hay 1,689 tons; wool 1,046 pounds; butter 28,350 pounds; and honey, 50 pounds. Biographical P 522 Charles H. Barrett, a native of Franklin County, New York, was born on the 15th of June, 1854. His father was a farmer, to which business Charles gave his attention till twenty-four years of age and then leaned the harness business. He came to Clearwater in 1869, engaged in the harness business in 1878 and continues the same to this date. He married Miss Minnie P. Heath, of Sauk Centre, on the 21st of September 1879. They have one child: Chester O, born June 12th 1880. P 522 George B. Benson was born in Stowe, Lamoille County, Vermont in the year 1824. He grew to manhood on the farm on which he was employed until thirty years of age. He was then engaged in the freighting business for five years, after which he came to Minnesota and resided in Minneapolis six months. In the spring of 1860, he come to Clearwater, and has identified himself with the progressive affairs of the town ever since. He owns and carries on a farm in Lynden, Stearns County, but resides in the village. Mr. Benson has been twice married; first to Miss Elizabeth Barrows, of Canada, in 1847, who died august 1870, leaving six children; Charles S. Ida A. Walter S., Cora M., George L and Alice. His present wife was Miss Mary A. Tewksbury. P 522 Alonzo t. Boyington dates his birth in New York State, on the 23d of February 1833. He was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native state, and when twenty years of age, went to Illinois and remained on year. He came to Clearwater Township in 1854 and selected a claim on sections one, tow, eleven and twelve. He is one of the earliest pioneers of the town, and has resided on the old homestead for twenty-seven years, while Minnesota has sprung from an obscure territory to a wealthy and populous State. Mr. Boyington was married on the 22d of march 1857, to Miss Isabella r. Campbell, of Canada. Their children are John E., Harriet F., Annie J., Amelia O., Ida J., Lettie E and Mary A. P 522 Hugh E. H. Campbell is a native of Scotland, born in the year 1848. He learned the milling business in his native country, and came to America in 1869. He came at once to Clearwater, and has been engaged in milling here ever since. He was united in marriage with Miss Helen Hudek, of Maple Lake, on the 15th of September 1880. P 522 Edwin P. Crossman was born in Kennebec Co., Maine, in the year 1852. He was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the schools of the vicinity afforded. When he was twenty years old, he went to Lynn, Massachusetts, and followed the shoe business for five years. In 1878, he came to Clearwater, and formed a partnership with S. M. Phillips, in a hardware and dry goods business. After a couple of years the partnership was dissolved and the stock divided, Mr. Crossman taking the hardware department, which he still carries on. He was married on the 18th of December, 1879, to Miss Mary Hall, of Stillwater. They have one child, named Arie, born on the 7th of March 1881. P 522 Edward Clocker, a native of England, was born on the 28th of December, 1830. He learned the blacksmith trade in youth, and emigrated to America in 1852, stopping fro some time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Galena, Illinois. Then went to the copper mines on Lake Superior, where for five years he was engaged in mining. He then went to Green Bay, Wisconsin for five years, and in 1868, came to Clearwater, where he now resides, working at his trade. he was untied in marriage with Miss Mary Davis in 1860. They have had two children, Catharine and Richard. His wife died in 1864. P 522-523 D. S. Doyon was born in Franklin County, Vermont, in the year 1853. When eleven years old he commenced clerking in a dry goods store which was his occupation until coming to Minnesota in 1871. The first summer was spent on a farm, after which he was engaged in a lumber office at Clearwater for three years, and in a flouring mill for the next three years. He then went to Rochester, and after a year's stay there, returned and was employed in the flouring mill of Davis & Beal at this place until January, 1880, when he purchased Mr. Beal's interest and is still a partner. P 523 John Dodds, a native of Michigan, was born in the year 1836. He commenced to work in a saw mil in early life. Came to Minnesota in 1866, engaging in lumber business in Clearwater, which he still continues. He married Miss Matilda Connick in 1872. They have three children; Delia, Edward and an infant unnamed. P 523 Jed F. Fuller was born in Milton, Chittenden County, Vermont., on the 10th of January, 1839. His father was a farmer and directed his son's early footsteps amid the routine of farming labors. At the age of sixteen, Jed F. engaged in mercantile trade, and clerked for two years. He came to Clearwater, Minnesota, on the 16th of June, 1857. His father had come the year before, with whom he lived till 1861, when he enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served about four years. In 1865, he returned to Clearwater, and engaged in mercantile business, which he has continued to this date. He has served the town as Supervisor and Assessor, and has held other local offices. Has been Postmaster since 1873. He married Miss Mary J. Northrup, of the state of New York, on the 19th of March, 1864. Their children are Edna M., Leslie G., and Lester J, who are twins and Marion L. P 523 James Hibbard, a native of New York, was born in the year 1828. In 1850, he went to Canada, and farmed for seven years, then moved to Wright County, Minnesota, and located on a farm in Silver Creek township. After farming till 1874, he moved to Clearwater and engaged in the livery business, which he still continues. He married Miss Eveline Foster, and they have four children; Edgar, John Jennette A. and Louisa. P 523 William J. Kirk, a native of Aroostook county, Maine, was born on the 28th of August 1826, attaining manhood on a farm, and learning the harness making trade. In 1854, he went to Illinois remaining one year; then went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for one year; then to Clearwater in the spring of 1856, engaging in the livery and carpenter business for two years, after which he engaged in the manufacture of harness till 1879. During this time he bought the ferry of J. F. Folbert, and controlled the same till 1880, when he sold it. He also owns a farm in Clear Lake, Sherburne County, where he has lived for the last twelve years. He married Miss Amy Stevenson, of Clear Lake, in July, 1860. They have tow children; William H and Mary A. P 523 Samuel Kirk, a native of Bangor, Maine was born on the 16th of June, 1831. He was raised on a farm and learned the harness making trade at Woodstock, New Brunswick, which he followed for eight years; then went to Wilmington, Will county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for two years; then came to Clearwater, Minnesota in 1856; Here he engaged in carpenter work and teaming for two years, and in 1858, engaged in farming, living in the village for one year, after which he moved to his farm in section eleven, where he now resides. He married Miss Marie Baskervill, of New York, on the 11th of July 1859. Their children are, William J., Ella M. and Effie B., twins and Samuel B. P 523 Robert A. Lyons, was born in Ohio,, on the 23d of August, 1844. He came to Minnesota with his parents in 1856, who settled in Lynden, Stearns County. He worked on the farm until twenty years of age and then for two years, was employed in the transportation business from St. Cloud to Fort Abercrombie, and the next five or six years were spent in running a ferry on the Mississippi river. In 1869, he moved his family from Lynden to Clearwater, and the next year took the mail contract from Clearwater to Clear Lake, running a stage to connect with the trains. In 1880, he purchased and now owns a half interest in the ferry at Clearwater. Miss Louisa J. Meacham, of Howard Lake, became his wife on the 9th of May 1872. P 523 James Maxwell, deceased, was born in Scotland in the year 1821. He emigrated to America in 1842, locating at Springfield, Ostego County, New York, for four years; then returned to Scotland for one years, after which he came to America, locating at Litchfield, Herkimer County, New York. He was employed on a farm there till 1857, when he came to Clearwater and bought a farm in section twenty-three. He married Miss Christina Connell, of Scotland, on the 18th of November 1849. Their children are, Mary A., Margaret A. Katie C. James A., Julia E., Lottie M. and Dena I. Mr. Maxwell died on the 4th of April 1872. P 523-524 Isaac E. Merrill was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, in the year 1840. When he was a small boy, the family moved to Jefferson County, where he participated in the labors of the farm till he left the State. He came to Minnesota in 1867 and located on a farm in section eleven in the town of Clearwater, Wright County, where he still resides. P 524 Selah Markham, a native of the state of New York, was born on the 9th of April, 1813. He grew to manhood on a farm, participating in its labors until 1838, when he went to McHenry county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1854, and removed to Clearwater, Minnesota, taking a claim on section seven. He was the first to open a farm and build a house in the town, in the fall of the same year. In 1857, went to Cannon Falls, Goodhue county, remaining seven years; then returned to Clearwater, engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and adding a general blacksmith department, which he continued for some years. In the meantime he conducted a farm, to which he has given his entire attention since closing his shop. Mr. Markham was County Commissioner and Assessor before the town was organized. He married Miss Lucinda Luce, on the 25th of October 1835. They have 10 children; Homer, Ursula, Martha J., Manville, Anna E., Rosela L., Alfred, Willie, Minnie and George L. P 524 Thomas C. Porter was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of April, 1826. he was reared to agricultural pursuits, acquiring, in the meantime, the trade of shoemaker. When he was twenty-one years old, he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and after working at his trade a short time, embarked In a steamboat for the upper Mississippi. Arriving at St. Paul, he started for Fort Garry with an ox team, being thirty-five days on the road. He spent the winter with his brother, who had a trading post at that point, and the following June, returned to St. Paul. Went again to Fort Garry in the fall, and during that winter) 1848-1849) was engaged in selling goods to the soldiers and others at the fort. In June, 1849, he went to Dakota Territory, and spent the summer trading with the Indians. Returning to St. Paul, he engaged in the transportation business between that place and Crow wing, and in the winter of 1849-50, located at Little Falls, and was engaged in the lumber business there for two years. The next two years were spent in the transportation of goods from St. Paul to the upper country, and in 1853, he took a claim on section thirty-five, in the present town of Clear Lake, Sherburne County, being one of the pioneers of that locality. On the 8th of March 1855, he selected the claim in Clearwater Township, which has been his home ever since, moving thereto the following year. Mr. Porter is one of the representative men of Wright County, and has held a number of county and town offices. He is now a member of the State Legislature. Mrs. Abigail P. Camp became his wife in the fall of 1856. They have one daughter Maud J., born in 1862. Mrs. Porter was the first white woman to reside in Clearwater, being housekeeper at the Hotel, for the town site company. P 524 George O. Pratt was born in Afton, Chenango County, New York, on the 17th of May, 1843. He took an active part in the labors of the farm till he attained manhood. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in the Twenty - seventh new York Volunteer Infantry, serving about two years, when he was transferred to the Fifteenth, New York Heavy Artillery, serving for two years more. After receiving his discharge, went to Michigan and farmed for about two years, then moved to Clearwater, Minnesota, and located on sections ten and fourteen, where he still resides. He married Miss Minerva Merrill, of Michigan, in April 1866. Their children are, Clara, Jesse P. Bertha M., and Emile G. P 524 Harrison J. Ranney, a native of Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, was born on the 4th of March, 1824. He was raised On a farm, following agricultural pursuits till twenty-five years of age. Then went to Arkansas, engaging in mercantile business for four years; then moved to Michigan engaged in farming for four years, came to Clearwater, Minnesota and has been in the employ of Samuel Whiting as a salesman ever since. He married Miss Helen McConnell on the 10th of January, 1856. They have three children; Frank H., born April 15, 1857; Fred A, born May 29th, 1859; and Minnette, born March 13, 1861. P 524-525 Simon Stevens, a native of Lower Canada, was born in May, 1827, where he resided working on a farm till 1850, when he came to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first winter he engaged in cutting wood on Nicollet Island, and the following summer farmed on the town site of Minneapolis cutting hay where the Nicollet House now stands. The following winter was spent in the pineries on Rum River. In 1852, he, in company with Calvin Tuttle made a tour through some of the neighboring districts, and made a claim at the outlet of Lake Minnetonka. Here they built a saw mill, and operated it jointly till 1854, when Mr. Stevens sold his interest to his partner, and worked for him the following year. In the spring of 1855 he came to Clearwater, and in company with Messrs. Webster and Farwell, pre-empted the land on which the village of Clearwater now stands; built a log house, platted the village, kept the first hotel, and burned the first lime kiln in the town. In 1858, he moved to his present farm on section thirty -five, and has lived here ever since. He married Miss Kate C. Cole, of Canada, on the 24th of December 1857. they have had four children, but two of whom are living; Henry A., born on the 6th of March, 1858, and Charles M. born on the 8th of July 1861. P 525 Robert Shaw was born in Ohio, on the 16th of October 1836. He learned the shoe making trade in youth, and came to Clearwater, Minnesota, in 1857. He has been employed at his trade and controlled a general boot and shoe establishment ever since. He married Miss Sarah J. Johnson of Ohio, on the 16th of August 1856. They have one child, Willis A. born on the 6th of February, 1860. P 525 Cyrus Smith a native of Wayne County, New York, was born in the year 1830. His father was a merchant, and Cyrus helped in the store till he left his native state, on the 6th of May , 1856. Mr. Smith came to Clearwater, Minnesota, soon after leaving New York, and located on sections twenty-one and twenty-two, in Clearwater town, and still resides on the old homestead. He was one of the first to settle in the town, and has been a member of the board of Supervisors most of the time since. He married Miss Sarah W. Longworth on the 23d of August 1860. They have four children; Frank L., Mary L., Caroline C and Ocatavia L. P 525 Leroy Shaw was born in Washington County, Minnesota, in the year 1856. His father James Shaw, came to Clearwater in 1857, and located on a farm in section eight, and followed farming till his death in 1875. His son Leroy has come into possession of the old farm, and lives there at present. P 525 Seymor Smith, a native of Lower Canada, was born on the 24th of December, 1829. He attained manhood on a farm with his parents, and engaged in mercantile business for five years prior to leaving his native country. He came to Clearwater, Minnesota, in 1857; conducted a farm one year; then went to Neenah, now St. Augusta, Stearns County, for one year; thence to Clear Lake, Sherburne county, for two years; then in 1861 returned to Clearwater, where he has since lived on section seven. He married Miss Elizabeth Biggerstaff, in 1861. They have three children; Jennie C., Mary H., and Hellen E. P 525 Phillip Schwab, a native of Germany, was born in the year 1830. He emigrated to the United States with his parent in 1834, located in Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty, he went to New Orleans, engaged in a tan-yard one year; then to St. Louis, Missouri, in a drug store for two years. He then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and was engaged in varied callings till the Rebellion broke out, when he enlisted in the Twenty- eleventh, Illinois volunteer Infantry, serving three years. After receiving his discharge, came to Rockford, Wright county, and was in the mercantile business for two years; thence to Minneapolis one year; thence to Clearwater, and engaged in the grocery trade for seven years, when he engaged in the drug business, which he still continues. He married Miss Hattie Heberling on the 9th of October, 1869. They have four children; Lizzie M., Charles D., Edward P and William G. P 525 William Vorse, a native of the state of New York, was born in October, 1808. He was one of the early settlers of Clearwater, coming in 1855, and locating on Fish creek, in section seven, where he lived six years. He then moved to the village of Clearwater, and engaged in the manufacture of wagons, having learned the trade in youth. He married Miss Lois Heart, of Westfield, Massachusetts. They have on son, Charles H. P 525 Charles H. Vorse was born in Illinois, on the 24th of March, 1846. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. After being discharged, learned the wagon-making business, which he continues to follow. He has had a shop of his own for the last three years. Married Miss Ella Borgenrief December 25th, 1869. They have two children; Lois M. and Nellie. P 525-526 William W. Webster was born in Canada East, in April 1832. He was engaged in farming and merchandising prior to coming to Minnesota, in 1857. He then came to Clearwater, and worked one year for the town-site company; then clerked in a store and dealt in cattle and lumber till 1861, when he went to St. Anthony as agent for the Freight and Transportation Company for some time. He then enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving till December 1864. Then returned to Clearwater, and was out of business for about two years on account of ill-health; then clerked for some time, and has since conducted a general store on his own account. he married Miss Melvina Woodworth in September, 1861. They had two children; William F. and Charles H. His wife died in the fall of 1868, and he married Miss Lucy C. Walker, in August 1872. They have two children; Wallace and Anna L. P 526 Jared D. Wheelock, a native of Montpelier, Washington County, Vermont, was born on the 28thof September 1820. He received his early education at home, and subsequently attended lectures at the Medical College at Woodstock, Vermont. He commenced the practice of medicine at Greensboro', in 1843, where he continued for two years; then went to Stowe and practiced till 1855, when he moved to Clearwater, Minnesota, taking a claim on sections one and two, where he engaged in farming and practicing. He was the first physician in Wright County; the first Justice of the Peace in the township; ad also Chairman of the first board of Supervisors; Town Treasurer at the same time, and long a member of the School Board. During the war, was Surgeon of the board of enrollment of the second district of Minnesota, having his headquarters at St. Paul. He married Miss Mary Robinson, of Stowe, Vermont, on the 18th of January, 1845. They have two children; Isabel M. born on the 17th of November 1849 and Fannie L, born on the 3d of January 1864. P 526 Horace Webster, a native of Canada East was born on the 6th of July, 1828. In 1849, he came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and engaged in lumbering for two years. In the spring of 1852, went with Simon Stevens to Minnetonka and thence to Clearwater and assisted in platting the village, building a hotel, etc. In 1857, located on sections on and twelve, where he still resides. he married Miss Marinda Pease, in 1854. They have three children; Mary M., George N, and Fred. P 526 Isaac Whitney was born in Canada, on the 9th of March 1830. He went to Franklin County, Vermont, when a young man, learned the blacksmith trade, and worked at the business till 1880, when he moved to Clearwater, Minnesota, where he continues his chosen business. He was one year in the Twelfth Vermont Regiment during the war. He married Miss Julia Draper of Sheldon, Vermont, on the 26th of December 1859. They have three children; Levi R., Lucy C. and Flora M. P 526 William P. West, a native of Lewis County, Kentucky, was born on the 23d of October, 1842. At the age of 13, the family moved to Pope County, Illinois. In the spring of 1862, William enlisted in the Sixty-second Illinois volunteer Infantry, serving four years. In 1866, he went to Washington county, Illinois and was engaged in farming two years; then in 1868, moved to Lynden, Stearns County, and took a homestead on section eight, where he lived till 1876, when he sold out and came to Clearwater, locating on section fifteen. He married Miss Martha J. Moore, of Jefferson County, Illinois, on the 24th of May, 1866. Their children are, Frank A., Annie M., Harry C., Rose and Walter G. Page 1 of 24 Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. "Clearwater Exerpts Chapter CXXIII." Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 519-526 ========================================================================= Copyright Rebecca B Frank 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm =========================================================================