Silver Creek Excerpts Chapter CXXXIII, 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. (Silver Creek Excerpts Chapter CXXXIII) Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 566 - 570 Includes brief Bios on the following: ANDREWS, Anthony BROWN, Alfred BRYANT, Charles BRYANT, Charles H. COOMBS, George DUNKLEE, Chester FERGUSON, Henry GRANT, John J. KENNEDY, Paul MCKENZIE, D. MCKENZIE, John D. LAMBERT, E. J. LAMBERT, Edson M. LOCKE, Joseph S. MIDWOOD, George H. H. MELROSE, Thomas MARTI, George SIMMONS, Abram SCHERMER, Tennes SCHERMER, Conrad WADE, Ira C. WANN, Thomas Note: There are other names mentioned within the information. Silver Creek Chapter CXXXIII General Description-Early Settlement-Town Sites---Mills---Schools--- Churches---Agricultural Statistics---Biographical Silver Creek lies in the northern portion of the county, and embraces an area of about 24,000 acres, 2,882 being under cultivation. The surface is undulating, and in the eastern part, quite broken. Extending a few miles back from the river, it is covered with brush and light poplar groves, but towards the south west part, heavier timer is found. The soil near the river is light and sandy, but the greater portion of the town has a dark loam. Silver Creek enters the town on the south line and runs in a northerly direction, entering the Mississippi on section fifteen. The township is also watered by numerous lakes. The first white man to remain any length of time in this town was Archie Downie, who made a claim near the mouth of Silver Creek about 1852 or 1853. When the Indians were removed from the vicinity he also left. The first permanent settlers were Joseph S. Locke, J. W. Sanborn, and Thomas Melrose, who made claims in 1855, and were followed during that and the following year by a number of others, who settled in different parts of the town. The population in 1880, numbered 381 persons. The town site was surveyed and platted about 1856, near the mouth of Silver Creek, and named Fremont. The principal proprietors were George and E. H. Day, of St. Anthony. A steam sawmill was erected, a store, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and hotel were also built, but further improvements seemed impossible, and the enterprise finally collapsed. All that remains is the hotel, which is now the residence of Chester Dunklee. Another town, named Mount Vernon, was laid out in 1857, by F. Thompson, of Monticello, on sections four, five and eight, but this never rose above the common dignity of a paper town. A saw-mill was erected on section five, by Lambert& Chubb, in 1875. It has now passed into the hands of Mr. Chubb, who has recently remodeled it. The present capacity is five thousand feet per day. The first Post-office was established in 1855, or 1856, and named "Silver Creek." It was located on section fifteen, and A. G. Descent was the first Postmaster. It has been kept at different places since, but is now in charge of J. N. Locke, who resides on section eight. A Post-office was established at the house of Moses Goodrich in 1857, and called "Bianca," but was discontinued in three or four years. "Ypsilanti" Post-office was also established in 1857, at the house of J. Brooks, on section twenty-five, but suspended a couple of years later. The first religious service held in the town was at the house of a man named Glazier, now owned by F. Hitter, by a Baptist clergyman, in 1858. A church organization was effected soon after by Rev. Rueben Weeks. Rev. Moses Goodrich, a Universalist minister, also held meetings at his own house on section eight, and in other localities. Philip Locke, one of the pioneers of the town, and much interested in its welfare, offered $1,000 to the denomination that should erect the first house of worship. This was taken advantage of by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who erected a building on section thirty-three, in 1863, but it was subsequently moved to its present location on section five. Rev. J. B. Chaffee was the first minister. The first school in the town was taught by Miss Jeanette Dunklee at the old town of Fremont in the summer of 1858. There are now four schools in the township, in which the regular terms are taught. From the agricultural report of 1880, we gather the following as the products of the town for that year: wheat, 14,841 bushels; oats 5,267 bushels; corn, 18,315 bushels; beans 14 bushels; sugar cane, 801 gallons; cultivated hay, 64 tons; wild hay 857 tons; wool, 1,505 pounds; butter, 16110 pounds; cheese, 335 pounds; and honey 700 pounds. Biographical P 566-567 Anthony Andrews, a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, was born in January, 1831. He grew to manhood under his father's tutorage, on the farm. In 1852, he came to Minnesota locating in Richfield Township, Hennepin County, which was his home for thirteen years. In 1865, he came to silver Creek Township, locating on section six, where he has since given his attention to farming. He married Miss. Marry J. Richard, a native of New York, in the year 1854. They have eleven children. P 567 Alfred Brown, a native of Newark, New jersey, was born on the 28th of May, 1841, when his father was engaged in the manufacture of gas fixtures. In 158, the family moved to Illinois and engaged in farming for a time. IN 1860, Mr. Brown visited the home of his childhood, remaining one year. On his return to Illinois in 1861, he enlisted in Company I, of th Twenty- fifth, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and one month. During his soldier life, did not miss a march or an engagement in which the regiment participated. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga, and Mission Ridge, and the General Sherman on his march to Atlanta. After being discharged, spent about two years at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, and in 1866, returned to Minnesota, locating on a farm in section thirty-four, Silver Creek Township, where he has been a tiller of the soil ever since. He was elected Town Clerk in 1868, and again in 1875, also Town Treasurer the same year, and has filled both offices since. He married miss Laura A. Heath on the 21st of August, 1865. They have five children. P. 567 Charles Bryant, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was born on the 9th of August, 1809. He father was a mason, and Charles learned the trade while a boy, working with his father till about twenty-two years of age, when he commenced business for himself, working in the vicinity of Boston for a number of years. In 1850, he moved to New York, working in that city and Brooklyn until 1858, when he bent his way westward, remaining in Minneapolis for one year. In 1859, came to silver Creek Township and located on section nine, making it his home for a number of years, but during the hard times was compelled to give it up. Then he took a homestead in Corinna Township, where he lived a number of years, but subsequently returned to Silver Creek, where he still resides. P 567 Charles H. Bryant, was born in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the 1st of March, 1839. When a child of five years, the family removed to Illinois remaining about five years; then returned to Massachusetts for one year, and thence to New York City, where the subject of this sketch lived till sixteen years of age, when he went to West Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving an apprenticeship of two and one-half years to the carpenter trade. The following year he came to Wisconsin, and after spending some time in that State came to Wright County, whither his father and family had previously moved. In 1859, he secured his present farm in section seventeen, and made farming his business. He married Miss Belinda Mathers, on the 21st of April, 1859. They have five children. P 567 George Coombs, a native of Hancock County, Maine, was born on the 29th of June, 1823. His mother died when he was but eleven years old, and from that time till sixteen years of age, he worked on some neighboring farm. Then went on the Penobscot River, logging and lumbering til 1857, when he came to Minnesota and located in what is now the township of Orrock, Sherburne County, where he farmed for tow years. In 1859, moved to the farm in this township, where he still resides. He married Miss Mary Smith of Maine, in1845, she died on the 18the of December, 1871, leaving seven children P 567 Chester Dunklee, one of the oldest settlers of the town, was born on the 1st of December, 1810. In youth he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that business i his native County for a number of years. At the age of twenty-three, he left home and went to Claremont, New Hampshire, following his trade till 184, when he engaged in the marble business, continuing it for sixteen years. In 1856, came westward to look at the country and seek a future home, and in the following winter located on section fifteen, Silver Creek Township. Soon after locating he formed a company and commenced the erection of a steam saw-mill, on what was then the town site of Fremont, and soon after, built a hotel which is now his residence. P 567-568 Henry Ferguson, one of the pioneers of this township, and now one of the oldest residents, was born in Canada, West on the 14th of January, 1826, where he lived with his parents on the farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits. His father died when he was about twenty-six years of age; after which he controlled the farm until 1855, when he came to the United States, remaining on the banks of the Upper Mississippi with his family, among about eight hundred friendly Indians, in what is now Sherburne County. In a few weeks after his arrival, he took a claim in section thirty-two, Silver Creek Township, being one of the first to locate in this town. The land at that time was not surveyed, but he at once commenced improving the claim, which has been his home ever since. He has held the office of Assessor, Supervisor, Trustee and other offices since the organization of the township. He married Miss Letitia Campbell, on the 29 of September, 1853, who was born in Canada and was the second woman in the township. They have six children. P 568 John J. Grant was born on th e8th of October, 1829, in Chenango County, New York; when but a child the family moved to Genesse County, and from thence to Steuben County, where he spent his early years. At the age of twenty, commenced working in the pineries during the winter, and on the Erie Canal during the summer, which he followed till 1862, when he came to Monticello, Minnesota and rented a farm for two years, then located on the farm in this township, where he now resides. He married Miss Adelaide Manley on the 9th of September, 1859, who died July 18, 1865; he chose for a second wife, Eva M. Walker, on the 5th of October 1866. They have five children. P 568 Paul Kennedy, a native of Canada West, was born on the 6th of January, 1834. He grew to manhood at home, accustomed to farm-work, and lumbering, and spent a year or two in the state of New York prior to making a trip westward. In1856, took a homestead in Woodland Township, but soon after, sold his interest in the homestead and returned to Silver Creek. In 1869, he located o his present farm in sections twenty-one and twenty-eight. In 1871, he visited the Black Hills, and remained about three years working in the mines, then returned to his home. He married Miss Catherine McDonald, of Canada, on the 22d of September, 1862. They have seven children. P 568 D. McKenzie, one of the oldest living settlers of the town, was born in Canada West, on 22d of February 1820. His parents were from the Highlands of Scotland, and came to Canada, when our subject was quite young. Mr. McKenzie lived with his parents till he attained manhood, when he commenced life for himself, working at farming, lumbering, etc., and finally became employed in a Pail factory at Gault, Canada, where he remained till 1856, when he came to Minnesota, and soon after located on a farm near Limestone Lake, Silver Creek township. In 1857, moved to his farm in the same township, where he still resides, located on the west bank of McKenzie Lake. Mr. McKenzie has been Justice of the Peace and Supervisor for several terms, and at present, is Chairman of the Board. He married Miss Catherine Quig on the eighteenth of March, 1845. They have three children. P 568 John D. McKenzie, a native of Canada, was born on the 21st of April, 1850. In 1856, the family came to Minnesota spending the winter at Stillwater. In the following spring, his father made a claim in silver Creek Township, to which the family moved in the fall. In the fall of 1879, John D. bought a part of the old farm, and built a comfortable house, in which he now resides.. He married Miss Abbie Dunklee, daughter of one of the oldest settlers, on the 9th of November 1873. They have four children: Homer A., Howard E., Ada E. and an infant unnamed. Mr. McKenzie has been giving special attention to stock raising for some years past. P 568 E. J. Lambert, an old settler of Hennepin County, was born in the city of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, on the 26th of October, 1828. He grew to manhood on a farm near the above named city. At the age of twenty-one he left home, engaging in various pursuits until 1855, when he went to Marquette, Wisconsin, returning to New York the following spring. In 1858, he moved to Hennepin County, Minnesota, and lived on a farm for one years; then came to Silver Creek Township and pre-empted his present farm, where he lived till 1874. Then moved to Minneapolis for a few years, after which he returned to his farm and has lived here since. Since living in the State, Mr. Lambert has devoted a large portion of his time to hunting and trapping. He hunted with the Sioux Indians several season, and is regarded as on eof the best marksmen and most successful hunters in the country. His son John is following in the footsteps of his father in this particular, having killed over fifty dear the past winter. Mr. Lambert Married Miss Mary Jane Morris, November 21st 1852. They have three children. P568-569 Edson M. Lambert, one of the early settlers of the township, and a successful trapper, was born in Tompkins County, New York, on the 9th of November 1830. He engaged in farming until 1857, when he came to Minnesota, remaining a few months in Winona County; then returned to the state of New York. The following year he again returned to Minnesota, locating in Hennepin County, but spent most of his time in Silver Creek Township, hunting and trapping. He was in company with the Sioux Indians on several hunting expeditions prior to the outbreak of 1862. During the Indian war, he was one of the party that volunteered from Richfield Township, Hennepin county, to aid in relieving the settlers, and was distinguished for his bravery. While on his return from an expedition to Fort Ridgely, he was thrown from his horse and injured, from which he has never fully recovered. In 1875, head n J. D. Chubb built a steam saw mill in the town, which he controlled for a few years and then sold. He married Miss Mary B. culver on the 18th of May, 1852, who died on the 6th of January 1858. Married Mrs. Alma A. Reichards on the 5th of June 1863, and has three children. P. 569 Joseph S. Locke, (deceased) one of the pioneers of the town, was born in New Hampshire, on the 21st of July, 1804. When a youth, he went to sea, following that occupation for about three years; then farmed for a time, and was afterwards employed in a factory in Lowell, Massachusetts; and also was a policeman in that city, and then to Franklin county, Maine where he farmed until coming to Minnesota in the spring of 1855. He then took a claim in Silver Creek Township, a and was a resident of the town till his death, which occurred on the 22d of June, 18875. He took a prominent part in all the affairs of the town. His oldest son, J. N. Locke, was born on the 17th of November, 1844, and lives on a part of the old farm. He was appointed postmaster of Silver Creek post-office in 1880, and has held the office since that date. H married Miss Annie L. Melrose a daughter of one of the pioneers of the town, on the 6th of April 1872. They have three children. P 569 George H. H Midwood, a native of Rochester, New York, was born on the 28th of august, 1832. Soon after his birth the family moved to Auburn, New York, where the father owned and operated a woolen mill. After George had completed his school days, he assisted his father in the factory. In 1854, the family removed to Richfield, Hennepin County, Minnesota, where he lived on his father's farm until 1863, when he became associated with the Quartermaster department, at St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained till 1865. He then spent about two years in traveling through the West. In 1867, located on a farm in Silver Creek Township, where he still lives. Married Miss Angeline H. Tenny in 1873. They have one son, named George L. T. P 569 Thomas Melrose, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland was born on the 22d of February 1822. When sixteen years of age, commenced to learn ornamental gardening serving an apprenticeship of four years. After that was employed in the offices of warehouses at Glasgow and Leith, Scotland, where he remained until 1849, when he emigrated to the United States, locating at Newark, New Jersey. Here he worked at ornamental gardening fro about five years. In 1855, came to Wright County, making a claim in section twenty-five, Silver Creek Township, which has been his home since that date. During the first few years of his life in Minnesota, devoted a portion of his time to trapping and hunting, to procure means to improve his farm. He has filled most of the town offices with credit to himself, and was chosen to represent the County in the House of Representatives in 1874. he married miss Ann Robertson, in Scotland on the 27th of March, 1849. They have four children. P 569 George Marti, a native of Switzerland, was born in December, 1822. When young he learned the carpenter trade, and took a thorough course in music, working at his trade and being a member of the Government band. In 1852, he emigrated to the United States, and located at Freeport, Illinois, working at his trade and organizing the brass and string bands in that place. In 1857, came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and the same year took a claim on section fifteen, Silver Creek Township. He made St. Paul and St. Anthony his home and worked at his trade until 1861, when he moved to his farm in this county. Married Miss Elizabeth Burkhart in May, 1846. They have five children. P569-570 Abram Simmons, a native of Schoharie County, New York, was born on the 6th of May, 1827. While yet a child, the family moved to Tompkins County, where he grew to manhood, working chiefly in the lumber business. In 1857, he came to Minnesota, making his home for three years in Richfield Township, Hennepin County. In 1860, moved to his present farm in section six. He married Miss. Elmira L. Morris on the 13th of July, 1849. P 570 Tennes Schermer, a native of Holland, was born on the 1st of December, 1841, living on a farm and obtaining a good education. In 1867, purchased a mill and store in his native land, which he operated till 1874, when he sold out and emigrated to the United States. Soon after landing in America, located on a farm in Silver Creek Township, where he still resides, giving his attention to farming. He married Miss Nellie Slagter, on the 19th of April, 1863. They have eight children. P 570 Conrad Schermer was born in Franklin County, Indiana, on the 1st of June, 1836, where he lived with his father until 1857. Then went to Texas on a land exploring expedition, remaining three years. In 1860, returned to Indiana, and in a short time, set out for Minnesota, spending a few weeks in Stearns County, and then coming to Wright County, where in company with a partner he purchased tow section of land in Silver Creek and Maple Lake Townships. In the fall of the same year, returned to Indiana, and in1861, enlisted in Company D, of the Sixteenth Indiana volunteer Infantry; was in the battles of Second Bull Run, Antietam, Huntsville and many others without receiving a single wound. When discharged he returned to Indiana, and in 1866, moved to his farm in Minnesota, where he now resides, being one of the most extensive farmers in Silver Creek Township. He married Miss Pauline Gherbeck on the 29th of June, 1864. They have five children. P 570 Ira C. Wade, a native of New Brunswick, was born on the 23d of August, 1829. When Ira was about nine years of age, the family moved to Aroostook County, Maine. At the age of twenty one, he left his home, and worked in the pineries during the winter, and rafting during the summer until 1854, when he went to Michigan and engaged in lumbering till 1856, when he moved to Minnesota and followed his old business. In 1862, he enlisted in Company D, of the first Minnesota Cavalry, know as the "Mounted Rangers,: serving one year. In 1866, he came to the farm in section twelve, Silver Creek Township, where he now resides. He married Miss Susan A. Bailey on the 2d of October, 1864. P 570 Thomas Wann, a native of Hartford County, Maryland, was born on the 11th of October, 1836. His parents moved to Coles County, Illinois, while Thomas was an infant, living there until 1849, when they moved to Bureau County. Here Mr. Wann lived with his father till 1858, when he commenced business for himself. In 1862, he enlisted in Company H, of the Forty- seventh Illinois volunteer infantry, serving three years. After being discharged he returned to Bureau County, remaining till 1869; then came to Minnesota living on a rented farm until 1871, when he located on the farm in section thirty-four, where he now lives. Page 1 of 6 Minnesota Historical Company, Publisher. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley Minneapolis. (Silver Creek Excerpts- Chapter CXXXIII.) Minneapolis, MN. c1881. Pages 566 - 570 ========================================================================= Copyright Rebecca B Frank 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm =========================================================================