CHAPTER III.

BIOGRAPHIES.

JOSEPH RENSHAW BROWN, one of the best known of the pioneers, came to

Dakotah, Schulenberg's addition, in 1839. For items in his history I

am personally indebted to him. He was born in 1805, and, when old

enough, apprenticed to a printer. On account of ill treatment he ran

away and enlisted in the United States army at the age of fourteen

years, serving as a drummer boy. He came with the army to the

Northwest Territory in 1819. After enlistment he made his first home

at Gray Cloud on the Mississippi, where he married a half-breed woman.

Wisconsin history says she was the daughter of Robert Dickson, Indian

trader and friend of the English in 1812. He learned and spoke the

Chippewa and Sioux languages fluently. In 1839 he founded the town of

Dakotah, at the head of Lake St. Croix, and erected some log

buildings. Through his influence, in part, St. Croix county was

organized, and the county seat located in Dakotah.

He built here a two story log court house, which, the county failing

to pay for, was left upon his hands. He kept a trading station, was

clerk of the county court and county commissioner. He filled several

offices of trust and was by far the most important and universally

serviceable man in the new county of St. Croix. In 1843 he left

Dakotah, and returning to Gray Cloud, continued his Indian trade at

that point and further west by means of branch houses. He was a member

of the territorial Wisconsin legislature two sessions at Madison. He

returned to Stillwater in 1848, left again in 1849, and in 1850

removed to St. Paul, where, in 1852, he purchased of Mr. Goodhue the

_Pioneer_, then the leading Democratic paper of the Territory. Mr.

Brown was chief clerk in the Minnesota territorial legislature during

the sessions of 1849, 1850 and 1851. In 1854 and 1855 he was a member

of the territorial council. In 1857 he was a member of the Democratic

wing of the constitutional convention. During his residence in St.

Paul he was interested in building up the town of Henderson, to which

place he ran a stage line from St. Paul. About this time, also, he

busied himself with the invention of a steam wagon, calculated to

traverse the western plains and drag after it trains of cars.

Financial and other difficulties prevented the completion of his

design, which, however, he never entirely abandoned during the

remainder of his life. In fact he went East in 1870 expressly to get

his invention perfected, but from this journey he never returned. He

died somewhat suddenly in New York in that year.

Mr. Brown was a man of iron will and muscular frame. He owed but

little to schools, but was a close observer of men and of the times in

which he lived. He was a genial companion and true friend, and a man

of honorable principles. His was a rugged but generous nature. He was

public spirited, far seeing and far reaching in his plans. He believed

in the great Northwest. He predicted its future greatness as a wheat

growing and agricultural country, and, as far back as 1839, predicted

that a great city would rise at the head of Lake St. Croix or at the

Falls of St. Anthony. Yet so little schooled was he in the wisdom of

the speculator that he sold the property in St. Paul now known as

Kittson's addition, and worth several millions of dollars, for one

hundred and fifty dollars, and a lot on Third street, now valued at

$25,000, for a box of cigars.

PAUL CARLI.--Mr. Carli was of German and Italian descent. He was born

in Italy, July 25, 1805. His father was a merchant. He was married in

Chicago, in 1834, to a sister of Joseph R. Brown, and moved in 1841 to

the outlet of Bolles creek, on the west side of Lake St. Croix, to a

place near the site of Afton. In 1846 he was accidentally drowned in

the lake, within sight of his dwelling. His children, Joseph R. and

Maria, are residents of Stillwater.

CHRISTOPHER CARLI, brother of Paul, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main,

Germany, Dec. 7, 1811. The youth of Christopher was devoted to study.

He was educated at Heidelberg University, and studied medicine. He

came to America in February, 1832. The March following he located in

Buffalo, where he practiced medicine three years, and returned to

Europe where he remained two years. Returning to America, he practiced

a year in Chicago, a year in New Orleans and another year in Chicago.

He came to Dakotah, St. Croix valley, May 24, 1841. March 12, 1847, he

was married to the widow of Paul Carli, Joseph R. Brown officiating as

magistrate. He was the first practicing physician north of Prairie du

Chien. His home was at Dakotah until the organization of Stillwater.

He opened his first office on the west side of Lower Main street,

block 28. His practice extended from Lake Pepin to Lake Superior and

from Menomonie Mills, Wisconsin, to the Mississippi river. His mode of

travel was by birch canoe, on horseback, on skates and on foot. He was

a member of the first city council in Stillwater and has been city and

county physician. He opened the first bank in Stillwater when

fractional currency was in demand. His floating scrip was all

redeemed. Two children, Christopher and Socrates N., are married and

residents of Stillwater. Dr. Carli died Nov. 6, 1887.

LYDIA ANN CARLI.--Mrs. Carli has passed through many stirring scenes,

and is one of the first female settlers in the St. Croix valley. A

fluent and interesting talker, her recitals of early incidents and

adventures are heart enlivening. Lydia Ann Brown was born in

Lancaster, Penn., March 18, 1818. In 1834 she came with friends to

Chicago, where in 1839 she was married to Paul Carli. She came to

Dakotah in 1841, and lived there until 1844. The village was

surrounded by Indians and there was no white woman nearer than Marine,

twelve miles distant. In 1844 the Carlis removed to the mouth of

Bolles creek, near Afton, on Lake St. Croix, where they built

themselves a two story house commanding a picturesque view of the lake

and the adjacent prairies and hills. It was a lone tenement, midway

between Prescott and Stillwater. Mrs. Carli having lost her husband as

before narrated, in 1847 was married to his brother, Dr. Christopher

Carli.

[Illustration: James S. Anderson]

PHINEAS LAWRENCE.--But little is known of the early life of Mr.

Lawrence. He had been a river pilot. He was the first sheriff elected

in the St. Croix valley, or northwest of Prairie du Chien. He was

elected and qualified in 1841. On serving the first and only summons

he was ever called upon to serve, he approached the party summoned,

holding up to view the documents, and exclaimed: "I, Phineas Lawrence,

high sheriff of St. Croix county, in the name of the United States and

of the Immaculate God, command you to surrender." He was a robust,

fleshy, cheerful man, and felt in all their force the responsibilities

of the position in which he was placed. His name has been given to a

creek in Chisago county, where he once logged. He died in Stillwater

in 1847.

JACOB FISHER.--Jacob Fisher, a millwright, came to St. Croix Falls in

1842, and being a skilled mechanic found employment at once on the old

mill at the Falls. He made the first land claim and framed the first

building in Stillwater. The building framed was the mill of which

mention has been made. This establishes his claim to priority as the

first white man who made a movement toward the settlement of

Stillwater. Others were before him in the settlement of Dakotah or

Schulenberg's addition. Mr. Fisher is a plain, frank, outspoken man,

who has no trouble in making his hearers understand exactly what he

means. He was born in Canada in 1813, and still resides in Stillwater.

He has a wife and one son in California.

JAMES S. ANDERSON was born at Marshalltown, West Virginia, on the

fourth of February, 1826. When he was twelve years old his parents

removed with him to Burlington, Iowa, where he lived for eight years.

He came to Stillwater in 1846, where he has since resided. In 1852 he

was married to Miss Harriet T. McDonald, at St. Louis, by whom he has

had four children, three of whom are now living--Robert M. Anderson,

prominently known in lumber circles, and Misses Sibella S. and Ella P.

Anderson. Upon Mr. Anderson's arrival at Stillwater, he engaged in the

employ of Elias McKean, then a prominent lumberman, now a resident of

Washington county. In 1869 Mr. Anderson formed a partnership with

William McKusick, John A. Nelson and Alexander Johnson, under the firm

name of McKusick, Anderson & Co., which firm built and operated the

large saw mill opposite Stillwater. Four years ago Mr. McKusick

retired from the firm, since which time the firm has been J. S.

Anderson & Co. In 1874 Mr. Anderson became the senior member of a

heavy logging firm known as Anderson & O'Brien, of which the other

members were the well known lumbermen J. S. and John O'Brien. In

connection with his other business interests Mr. Anderson was a heavy

owner of pine lands, and a stockholder and director in the Lumberman's

National Bank. There were two other well known lumber firms of ancient

date with which he was connected, and these were McComb, Simpson &

Co., organized in 1850, and also Delano, McKusick & Co., organized in

1857. From 1857 to 1869 he was also a heavy logger alone. Mr. Anderson

died May 8, 1885. His death resulted from a mill accident, his rubber

coat having caught in the belting of a shaft revolving at a rapid

rate. His body was frightfully mangled, but he survived two days,

exhibiting, under the circumstances, the most remarkable composure,

dictating his will and arranging his business matters as calmly as he

might have done on an ordinary occasion.

EMANUEL DIXON FARMER was born in Tennessee in 1828, and came to

Stillwater in 1845, where he has resided ever since, engaged in the

lumbering and saloon business. He was married to Parmelia A. Collier,

in Stillwater, 1848.

COL. JOHN GREELY.--Col. Greely was sixty years of age when he came to

the West, and although a strong, active and enterprising man in the

earlier part of his life, owing to advancing years and ill health was

rather a spectator than an active participant in the stirring scenes

of his new home. He was born at Southampton, Massachusetts, April,

1777. He was married to Hannah Greely, a second cousin, at Hopkinton,

New Hampshire, Oct. 5, 1801. He followed the lumbering business on the

Merrimac river in early life. He furnished the timber used in erecting

the first factory in Lowell, Massachusetts, cut on the mountains of

North New Hampshire. In after life he moved to the west end of Sebec

lake, Maine, where he founded the town at first named Greely, but

afterward Willimantic, now the site of extensive manufactories where

the famous Willimantic thread is made. Col. Greely came to Stillwater

in 1847.

Born during the Revolutionary struggle, he lived to witness the

marvelous growth and prosperity of his country and died during the

first year of the war of the Rebellion. Aged as he was, having entered

upon his eighty-fifth year, he was intensely interested in the issue

of that struggle, and ardently desired to live long enough to witness

the triumph of his country's cause. It was not to be. He sank

peacefully to rest, Oct. 30, 1861, dying as he had lived, an honest

man, his memory revered by all who knew him, and cherished by three

generations of descendants. His children were three sons and five

daughters--Sarah, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Greenleaf, and Phebe and Servia,

wives of John McKusick. Miss Sarah alone survives.

MRS. HANNAH GREELY.--Mrs. Greely, the wife of Col. John Greely, was

born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, October, 1787, came to Stillwater in

1847 and died May, 1878, at the advanced age of ninety years. For

sixty years she and her husband walked side by side. She survived him

seventeen years, and, after a life well spent, resignedly folded her

hands and sank to her last repose.

ELAM GREELY.--Elam, son of Col. John Greely, was born in Salisbury,

New Hampshire, Aug. 13, 1818, and, with his parents, moved to Maine,

where they made their home on Sebec lake. In 1840 Mr. Greely came to

St. Croix Falls, where he was employed by the St. Croix Falls Company

the greater part of the time until 1843, when he became a settler at

the head of Lake St. Croix. He was one of the original owners of the

first mill at Stillwater. In 1844 he sold his interest to John

McKusick. The same year he was appointed postmaster at Stillwater. The

office was located at the southwest corner of Main and Chestnut

streets.

Mr. Greely filled many offices of honor and trust meritoriously. He

was a member of the third and fourth Minnesota territorial councils.

In 1845, in company with Edward Blake, he did an extensive pine log

business, running the logs to St. Louis, in which business he

continued until the death of Mr. Blake in 1848.

Mr. Greely early identified himself with the interests of Stillwater,

of which he was one of the founders, and which owes much of its

prosperity to his efforts. He was married in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in

1850, to Hannah P. Hinman, who, with three children, a son and two

daughters, survives him. His oldest son died Oct. 21, 1876. Mr. Greely

had many severe reverses in business, but by indomitable energy

recovered from them, and was able not only to care for his aged

parents, to bring them from Maine and keep them with him until

separated by death, but to leave his family well provided for. He died

suddenly away from home, Sept. 14, 1883. His body was brought to

Stillwater for burial.

HIMAN GREELY.--Himan, son of Col. John Greely, was born in Franklin,

New Hampshire, October, 1828. He came to Stillwater in 1846, where he

followed the business of lumbering. In 1850 he was married to Lucia

Darling. After a brief residence in Stillwater, he removed to

Beauford, Blue Earth county, where he remained until his death in

1882. His wife survived him but a few months. The bodies of both were

removed and buried in Fairview cemetery, Stillwater. Mr. Greely

applied himself closely to business, and was an honest, upright and

intelligent man. His education was derived chiefly from reading and

observation. He left two sons.

AQUILLA GREELY.--Aquilla, the youngest son of Col. Greely, was born in

Greely, Maine, June, 1831. During his youth he spent several years

with friends in Canada, where he learned the art of surveying. He came

to Minnesota in 1849, and followed surveying and lumbering. He died in

Stillwater, April 25, 1857.

ELIAS MCKEAN.--A thorough business man, an eccentric man, notably so,

an apt man, ready in reply, somewhat harsh, if irritated, but kind in

heart and forgiving in spirit, is Elias McKean. He was born in

Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1817, and received a practical

education. His father was a man of some note, and for twenty-eight

years a circuit judge in Pennsylvania. Elias McKean came to St. Croix

Falls in 1841, and for a year was in the employ of the Falls Company,

but afterward engaged successfully in business for himself. He was one

of the original proprietors of the Stillwater mill, and one of the

founders of Stillwater. In 1850 he settled on a farm on the west side

of Lake St. Croix. In 1855 he was married to the widow of Calvin F.

Leach, and a family of six sons has grown up around them.

CALVIN F. LEACH.--We are not able to give date or place of birth. Mr.

Leach came to St. Croix Falls in 1842 and soon after came to the head

of Lake St. Croix, and became one of the original owners of the mill,

and a founder of the city of Stillwater. In 1850 he was married to

Miss ---- Smith, of St. Anthony. He died in St. Louis in 1853. He was

modest and retiring in his demeanor, correct in his deportment and

respected by all his acquaintances.

SOCRATES NELSON.--Mr. Nelson was born in Conway, Massachusetts, Jan.

11, 1814, received an academic education, was married to Mrs. Bertha

D. Bartlett in 1844, at Hennepin, Ill., and the same year came to

Stillwater, and engaged in selling goods. Previous to his removal to

Stillwater he engaged in merchandising in Illinois, in 1839, and in

St. Louis from 1840 to 1844, where he established a trading post on

the Mississippi nearly opposite Reed's Landing, at a place since known

as Nelson's Landing. Mr. Nelson was the first merchant in Stillwater.

His store stood on Main street. He built a substantial dwelling and

lived in it until his death, May 6, 1867. He filled many public

positions, was territorial auditor from 1853 to 1857, and was a

senator in the second state legislature. As a merchant he was very

successful, being fitted by nature for commercial pursuits. In 1853,

he, with others, built a saw mill in South Stillwater and engaged in

lumbering. He was of a free and generous disposition in all his

relations of life. He conveyed, as a donation to Washington county, a

half interest in the block of land on which the court house stands.

His liberality and public spirit did much for the prosperity of

Stillwater. His wife and one daughter, Mrs. Fayette Marsh, survived

him, but Mrs. Marsh died in 1880. She was a woman of great sweetness

of disposition, and beloved by all who knew her. His widow died in

1885.

MRS. SOCRATES NELSON.--Bertha D. was born at Conway, Franklin county,

Massachusetts, Sept. 6, 1813. She was married to Geo. A. Bartlett, of

Conway, in 1838, and removed with him to Knoxville, Illinois, where he

died. She returned to her parents in Massachusetts, and removed with

them to Hennepin, Illinois. In the fall of 1844 she was married to

Socrates Nelson, and came with him to Stillwater. She died Oct. 8,

1885. She was the last of her family, husband and daughter having

preceded her to the world of spirits. The large attendance of old

settlers from Washington county and elsewhere at her funeral, and the

beautiful floral tributes contributed by her friends, attested but

partially the respect and veneration in which she was held.

EDWARD BLAKE.--Of Mr. Blake's early history we have no data. He came

to the St. Croix valley in company with Elam Greely in 1840, engaged

in lumbering, and died in 1849.

WALTER R. VAIL.--Mr. Vail, the second merchant in Stillwater, came

West in 1844. He built a store, with dwelling attached, just south of

Socrates Nelson's store, which buildings are still standing and

occupied (1886). Mr. Vail was not successful in business and moved

away in 1848.

[Illustration: MARTIN MOWER. A PRACTICAL AND SUCCESSFUL LUMBERMAN OF

STILLWATER.]

JOHN E. MOWER.--Mr. Mower was born in Bangor, Maine, Sept. 15, 1815.

He was married to Gratia Remick, in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1842, and removed

to St. Croix Falls, where he entered the employ of the Falls Lumbering

Company. Two years later he removed to Stillwater, where he built the

second frame dwelling, still standing. Mr. Mower was a millwright and

carpenter, but was engaged in lumbering most of his time. He purchased

an interest in the mill property at Arcola, in 1847, which place he

made his home until his death, which occurred June 11, 1879. He left a

widow and three daughters, Helen, wife of the late Louis Torinus;

Emily, wife of Henry Van Voorhees; and Mary, wife of ---- Richardson.

One son died after arriving at manhood. Mr. Mower was a pleasant,

reliable man, a kind husband and loving father. He was honored by his

fellow citizens with an election to the fifth and sixth territorial

councils, and to the seventeenth state legislature (house). The

territorial legislature affixed his name to a county.

MARTIN MOWER.--Martin, brother of John E. Mower, came to St. Croix

Falls in 1842, and worked in the employ of the Falls Company.

Afterward he engaged in lumbering and became one of the original

proprietors of the Arcola mill. He was also engaged in manufacturing

and merchandising in Stillwater. He built a fine block of buildings on

Chestnut street, recently burned down and rebuilt on a larger scale.

He has been one of the managing owners of the St. Croix Boom Company

from its origin. His business interests have been divided between

Stillwater and Arcola, but he has made the latter place his home since

1846. As a business man he is capable and shrewd, giving close

attention to his business; in his manner somewhat eccentric. He has

done in much to improve the farming and other interests of the

country.

WILLIAM WILLIM.--A firm, consistent, worthy citizen and true friend of

his adopted country is William Willim. He was born in the parish of

Woolhope, Herefordshire, England, June 26, 1821; came to America in

1838, and to Stillwater in 1844. He was married in 1847 to Clara G.

Haskell, and, after her death in 1850, to Joanna W. Hinman. Mr. Willim

is a stonemason, plasterer and contractor. He was a member of the

sixth Minnesota territorial legislature, and has filled many

responsible positions in Stillwater. Mr. Willim's was the first

naturalization that occurred in the limits of Minnesota. The oath of

allegiance, a somewhat unique and original document of its kind, bears

date of June 18, 1847, Stillwater, St. Croix county, Wisconsin

Territory, and is signed by Joseph R. Brown.

ALBERT HARRIS.--Mr. Harris was a native of Maine. He was born in 1815

and married to Miss Greenleaf in 1841, who died in 1853. He came to

Stillwater in 1845, where he died in 1856, leaving one daughter, wife

of the late Levi Thompson, attorney at law in Stillwater, and one son

in California. Mr. Harris was a house carpenter and much respected by

his neighbors.

CORNELIUS LYMAN.--Mr. Lyman is of the seventh generation of the Lyman

family that came over from England in 1631. He was born in Brookfield,

Vermont, Aug. 11, 1792. He was married in Brookfield to Betsey Cushman

and came to Illinois at an early date, whence he removed to Marine

Mills, in 1842, where he kept a boarding house until 1844, when he

removed to Stillwater, where he kept a boarding house until 1848. He

then removed to his farm three miles above Stillwater, where, by

industry and economy, aided by his faithful wife, he was able to build

a comfortable home, in which they continued to live until at a good

old age they were removed by death, which claimed them in the same

year, the husband dying January, 1864, and the wife in April. They

were members of the Presbyterian church from early life, and respected

as citizens, honored as Christians. Mrs. Lyman was one of the

excellent of the earth. Mr. Lyman had an inexhaustible fund of humor,

and was rather fond of practical joking. Many of his jokes were of the

rarest description. They left two sons, Cornelius Storrs and David

Pride.

DAVID B. LOOMIS.--Few men have been more active in business and public

life than David B. Loomis. He was born in Wilmington, Connecticut,

April 17, 1817. In 1830 he came with his parents to Alton, Illinois,

where, at the age of fifteen, he engaged as clerk in a store and

served in that capacity five years. Mr. Loomis was in the building in

Alton in which Lovejoy was shot and killed for the expression of

sentiments which the nation has since been compelled to adopt. In 1843

he came to the St. Croix valley and engaged in lumbering. In 1846 he

was one of the four original owners of the Arcola mill, but in 1849

sold his interest to Mr. Mower, and for four succeeding years was in

charge of the St. Croix boom. In 1847 he was surveyor general of logs

and lumber. In 1851 he was a member of the Minnesota territorial

council, and was re-elected in 1853, serving in all four years, during

one of which he was president of the council. In 1853 he was one of a

company that built a mill in South Stillwater. He sold out in 1859. In

1861 he entered the army as lieutenant, Company F, Second Minnesota

Volunteers, and was promoted to a captaincy. He served three and a

half years. Stillwater has been his home since the war. In 1873 he

represented Washington county in the legislature.

WILLIAM E. COVE.--The year of Mr. Cove's birth is not known. He came

to Stillwater in 1844. His marriage to Nancy Edwards, elsewhere noted,

was the second marriage in the village. He was by trade a house

carpenter. He removed to Minneapolis in 1864.

JOHN SMITH.--Of the eight first families, that of John Smith was one.

Of this particular "John Smith" little is known, except that he was

sober and industrious, and, in 1848, moved to parts unknown.

JOHN MORGAN.--We have no account of the early days of Mr. Morgan,

except that he was a native of Pennsylvania. He was living in

Stillwater in 1845, in the employ of Churchill & Nelson. In 1848 he

was elected sheriff of St. Croix county, Wisconsin. In the same year

he was married to Hannah Harnish. He settled on a farm and kept a

"half way house" on the road from Stillwater to St. Paul, when the

pioneer stages of Willoughby & Power were placed on this route. In

1848 he obtained a charter from the Wisconsin legislature for a ferry

across Lake St. Croix at Stillwater. This ferry changed ownership

repeatedly and was discontinued when the bridge was built.

ANSON NORTHRUP.--This gentleman, whose name was borne by the first

steamboat ever launched on the Red River of the North, and who brought

the first drove of cattle through from Illinois to St. Croix Falls,

deserves a conspicuous place in the annals of the Northwest. He was

born in Conewango, Cataraugus county, New York, Jan. 4, 1817. His

education was limited, but he was a man of more than ordinary native

ability and energy. He lived in Ohio some years, and came West in

1838. In 1839 he drove the first herd of cattle through a wilderness

country from the Wisconsin river to the St. Croix. In 1841 he removed

his family from Ohio to St. Croix Falls. He came by way of St. Louis,

from that point embarking on the steamer Indian Queen for the Falls.

The steamer was three weeks making the trip. Above Prairie du Chien

crew and passengers were obliged to cut wood to run the boat. Mr.

Northrup had married Betsey Edwards, daughter of widow Edwards, one of

the pioneers of Stillwater. Charles H., their eldest son, was the

first white child born at St. Croix Falls. In the spring of 1844 he

moved to Stillwater, where he built and kept the first hotel in that

place. From 1847 to 1848 he was part owner of the Osceola saw mill

along with Mahony and Kent. In 1849 he removed to St. Paul, and built

the American Hotel on Third street, east from Seven Corners. In 1851

he removed to St. Anthony Falls and built there the St. Charles Hotel.

In 1853 he removed to Minneapolis, and built the Bushnell House, the

first brick building in the city. Subsequently he became a resident at

Long Prairie, Swan River and Duluth. Although Mr. Northrup's genius

tended chiefly in the direction of hotel building, his abilites in

other directions were beyond question. With equal facility he turned

his hand to lumbering, steamboating and statesmanship. His great

steamboat enterprise was the attempted transfer of the steamer North

Star by water from the Mississippi to the Red River of the North. The

boat was one hundred feet long by twenty wide, and of light draught.

Starting from St. Cloud in the spring of 1859 he performed the

wonderful feat of ascending the Mississippi as far as Pokegama Falls,

hoping to ascend further, and during a high stage of water to float

the boat over the height of land into some of the tributaries of the

Red river. The water was not sufficiently high. The winter following

he took the boat to pieces, and removed it by land to Red river,

opposite the mouth of the Cheyenne, where it was reconstructed and

launched, taken to Fort Garry and afterward sold to Mr. Burbank. This

boat, its name being changed to Anson Northrup, was the first

steamboat on the waters of Red river.

Mr. Northrup's political career commenced and closed with the first

Minnesota legislature, 1857-58, he representing the counties of

Morrison, Crow Wing and Mille Lacs in the senate.

During the Rebellion he served as wagon master. He lived in Texas

three years, returned to St. Paul, where he lived in 1874-75-76, and

now lives in Bismarck, Dakota.

ROBERT KENNEDY.--Mr. Kennedy, in 1839, located at Holmes' Landing, now

Fountain City, on the banks of the Mississippi, above Winona. In 1844

he removed to Dakotah, where he kept a hotel in the old tamarack court

house, built by Joseph R. Brown. In 1846 he kept a hotel in the

Northrup House, Stillwater; in 1848 he kept the American Hotel,

Shakopee. Subsequently he returned to St. Paul and kept a boarding

house, and for three years the hotel known as "Moffett's Castle."

Afterward he kept the Snelling House, and last the Bernard House.

From 1853 to 1856 he was collector of customs for the port of St.

Paul, and during that time the fees amounted to the enormous sum of

forty six dollars and forty-two cents. Mr. Kennedy spent about thirty

years as a landlord, in which capacity he was very popular.

HARVEY WILSON.--Mr. Wilson was born in Corinth, Saratoga county, New

York, December, 1815. He resided in his native county twenty-five

years, then removed to St. Louis, where, for three years, he engaged

in surveying. He came to St. Croix Falls in 1843 and to Stillwater in

1847. He acted as J. R. Brown's deputy clerk of court, June term,

1847. He was appointed clerk of the first Minnesota territorial term

of court, Aug. 13, 1849, in which office he continued until his death,

Nov. 3, 1876. Mr. Wilson was married in 1851 to widow Mary

Stanchfield.

ANDREW JACKSON SHORT.--Mr. Short was born in St. Clair county,

Illinois, in 1818. He came thence to the St. Croix valley and located

at Marine in 1843, and commenced running rafts with W. B. Dibble. In

1857 and 1858 he gathered logs as agent in Lake St. Croix, rafted and

run them below, but lost heavily and was in fact financially wrecked.

He afterward engaged in the logging and hardware business in

Stillwater. In 1868 he built the famous Dudley mills at Point Douglas,

at a cost of $35,000. Mr. Short made Stillwater his home until 1862,

when he removed to Hastings. Much credit is due him for what he has

accomplished. When he came to the St. Croix valley he could neither

read nor write, but by energy, industry and native force of character,

notwithstanding a few reverses, he has done far more than many other

men in his position could have done. As a man he is genial and social.

JAMES D. MCCOMB.--Mr. McComb was born in Washington county,

Pennsylvania, Feb. 13, 1827, came to Stillwater June 10, 1846, and

engaged in mercantile business with John H. Brewster three years, when

he entered the firm of Anderson, McComb & Co., Robert Simpson being

the third member. They did an extensive business for years. They built

the large stone store on the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. Mr.

McComb in 1860 became clerk in the surveyor general's office, which

position he held ten years. He was surveyor general of logs and lumber

four years, his accurate knowledge of the various marks used admirably

fitting him for the position. He served as deputy sheriff in 1846

under James Fisher, of Prairie du Chien, and in 1847 under W. H. C.

Folsom, of Stillwater. Mr. McComb has passed all the degrees in Odd

Fellowship. He was married to Eliza T. McKusick in Stillwater, March

4, 1851. Mrs. McComb died in Stillwater Sept. 17, 1885.

WILLIAM RUTHERFORD.--Mr. Rutherford was born in 1823, in Stanton

county, New York, and came to Stillwater in 1844. He married Christina

J. Holcombe, at Jackson, Mississippi, in 1849. In 1848 he removed to

his farm near Stillwater, where he has since lived. He has been quite

successful as a farmer. Mr. Rutherford died March 15, 1888. His name

will be remembered with honor.

ALBION MASTERSON.--Mr. Masterman has also prospered as a farmer. He

was born in Franklin county, Maine, in 1823; received a common school

education; was married to Eliza Middleton in 1848; came to Stillwater

in 1844, and in 1850 removed thence to his farm, where he died, Aug.

8, 1886. Mr. Masterman's life has been an industrious and exemplary

one.

JOSEPH N. MASTERMAN.--Mr. Masterman came to Stillwater, September,

1848. He engaged in lumbering and scaling continuously. He was born in

Franklin county, Maine, in 1814, and spent his youth at home, but his

education was somewhat limited. At the age of sixteen years he moved

to Schoodic, lived there fourteen years, when he married Alice M.

Prescott, and four years later came to Stillwater. His two sons,

Wellington and Joseph P., reside in Stillwater. Wellington is auditor

of Washington county.

MAHLON BLACK.--Mr. Black is of Scotch descent. His grandfather was a

naval officer during the war of the Revolution, and a soldier in the

war of 1812. Mahlon Black was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Oct. 4,

1820. He spent his youth on his father's farm, and received a common

school and academic education. When seventeen years of age he began

the study of medicine in Cincinnati Medical College, but did not

complete the course. In 1842 he came to Menomonie Mills, Wisconsin,

and engaged in lumbering until 1846. In 1847 he was connected with

government surveys, and the same year located in Stillwater. He was a

representative in the first, third, and last territorial legislature,

also a member of the extra session in 1857. He was mayor of Stillwater

in 1860-61. In 1862 he enlisted in a company of sharpshooters, which

was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was promoted to be

captain, and provost marshal in the second division of the Second Army

Corps, and one of Gen. Gibbon's staff officers. He was in fifty-four

battles and skirmishes, in some of which over 100,000 men were engaged

on each side. He was wounded four times, once severely, by a bayonet

thrust received in a charge at the battle of Petersburgh. He served

until the close of the war, and received a special and honorable

discharge from his commander, Gen. Smyth, on the face of which are

recorded the names of the battles in which he participated. In 1867 he

removed from Stillwater to Minneapolis, where he has held the

positions of land examiner and auditor of Hennepin county. He has the

distinction of being the first Odd Fellow initiated in Minnesota.

Sept. 21, 1850, he was married to Jane M. Stough, of Pennsylvania.

MORTON S. WILKINSON.--The record of Mr. Wilkinson, though brief, is

brilliant. He was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, New York, June

22, 1819; received an academic education in his native town; read law;

was admitted to the bar at Syracuse, New York, in 1842; commenced

practice in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and in 1847 came to Stillwater.

Mr. Wilkinson was the first practicing lawyer northwest of Prairie du

Chien, was the prosecuting attorney at Judge Dunn's court in

Stillwater, June, 1847, and was a member from Washington county of the

first territorial legislature in 1849. He removed to St. Paul in 1850,

to Mankato in 1857, and in 1859 was elected United States senator. In

1860 he was one of the commissioners to compile the state statutes. In

1868 he was elected representative to Congress and at the close of the

term was re-elected. From 1874 to 1877, inclusive, he served as state

senator from Blue Earth county. Mr. Wilkinson is an eloquent and

forcible speaker, and a man of unusual ability, a sound and logical

reasoner, and withal fluent. He has been twice married. His first wife

was a daughter of Rev. Lemuel Nobles, of Michigan. Mrs. Wilkinson died

in Michigan. He married a second wife before coming West. They reside

in Wells, Minnesota.

WILLIAM STANCHFIELD.--Mr. Stanchfield was a native of Maine, born in

the year 1820, was married to Mary Jackins, in Bangor, Maine, in 1840,

and came to Stillwater in 1846, where he engaged in keeping a hotel on

Main street, which was burned while he was in charge. Mr. Stanchfield

died in 1850, leaving a widow who subsequently married Harvey Wilson,

and an infant daughter, who became, years after, the wife of George

Davis.

THOMAS RAMSDELL.--Mr. Ramsdell was born at Falmouth, England, Dec. 28,

1820. He married in England and came to this country with his wife in

1843. He settled in Stillwater in 1844, and removed to his farm in

1846, where he has been successful in raising apples and smaller

fruits. His wife died in 1851. His second wife was Jane Willey. Mr.

Ramsdell has been a quiet, good citizen, reliable and trustworthy.

CHARLES MACY.--An orphan at thirteen years of age, Mr. Macy's early

life was full of changes, adventures and vicissitudes. He was born in

Canada East in 1821. He lived a somewhat wandering life until 1845,

when he came to Fort Snelling, and shortly after to Stillwater, where,

in 1846, he made a claim which became his permanent home. He was

married in 1854.

JONATHAN E. MCKUSICK.--There was no more genial, pleasant, off-hand

man than Jonathan E. McKusick. He was the life of public gatherings.

His remarks, full of wit and sentiment, would keep his audience in a

pleasant frame of mind. At old settlers' meetings his fund of

anecdotes, historical incidents and reminiscences were in the highest

degree interesting and entertaining. Mr. McKusick was born in Cornish,

Maine, in 1812; was married to Minerva King in 1836, and came up the

Mississippi on the ice, in December, 1845, to Stillwater, which he

made his home until his death, which occurred Aug. 21, 1876. He took

an active interest in the welfare of the city and held many offices of

trust. He served his country during the war of the Rebellion, and in

1863 was appointed quartermaster with the rank of captain, which

position he held until mustered out at the close of the war.

JOHN MCKUSICK.--Prominent amongst the pioneers of the St. Croix

valley, and deserving of special mention for his enterprise and public

spirit, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Cornish, Maine,

in 1815; received a common school education; came to Illinois in 1839,

and to St. Croix Falls in 1840, where he engaged in the lumbering

business, getting logs to the Falls mill, and sawing them. Through

industry and economy he saved enough to enable him to become part

owner and builder of the first mill in Stillwater. He has held many

positions of trust. He served as state senator in 1863-64-65 and 66.

He was active in aiding to secure the land grant to build railroads

into Stillwater, in the welfare of which city he has ever manifested

the deepest interest. He has been one of the largest proprietors, and

most liberal in improving and adorning the city, has encouraged a

sound system of finances, and has steadily opposed the bonding system.

Mr. McKusick was married to Phebe Greely in 1847, who soon afterward

died. He married his second wife, Servia Greely, in November, 1849. He

has three children living, Newton, Chester and Ella. Mrs. McKusick

died Feb. 18, 1887.

[Illustration: John McKusick]

WILLIAM MCKUSICK, a younger brother of Jonathan E. and John McKusick,

came to Stillwater in 1847, and engaged in lumbering. He was a member

of the fifth territorial house, and a senator in the second, sixteenth

and seventeenth state legislatures. In 1870, with the firm of

McKusick, Anderson & Co., he built the large saw mill at Houlton,

opposite Stillwater. In 1882 he made his home upon a farm at Big Stone

Lake.

NOAH MCKUSICK, another brother, came to Stillwater in 1847, followed

lumbering some years, removed to Oregon, and died there in 1886.

ROYAL MCKUSICK came to the valley in 1848, and died a few years later,

leaving a large and respectable family.

IVORY E. MCKUSICK.--Ivory E., brother of John and J. E. McKusick, was

born in Maine, July 2, 1827. In 1847 he came to Stillwater, with which

city he has since been permanently identified. He spent two years

working in the old mill, the first built at Stillwater, and then

engaged in lumbering until 1859. In 1862 he was appointed prison

guard, and served two years. In 1864 he was in the service of the

government, and helped build Fort Wadsworth, Dakota. He served as

surveyor general several years, and later has engaged in the

forwarding and commission business. He was married to Sophia A.

Jewell, Feb. 9, 1854. He is a man of probity and merit.

CHARLES E. LEONARD.--The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 25,

1810, at Worthington, Massachusetts. His father died when he was four

years old. In his early life he experienced some vicissitudes. He

tried farming and hotel keeping, but owing to poor health was obliged

to give up these employments. He started West in 1846, remained awhile

in Hancock county, Illinois, and in 1847 came to Stillwater, where he

engaged in mercantile pursuits. He removed to St. Anthony in 1850, to

St. Paul in 1855, to Point Douglas in 1866, to Sioux City in 1880, and

to Princeton, Mille Lacs county, in 1881. Mr. Leonard has held several

official positions. In 1852 he was appointed territorial treasurer,

and in 1857, serving four years; was a member of the Democratic wing

of the constitutional convention. He did some military service during

the Indian outbreak in 1862. He was married to Catherine Yendes, of

Rodman, New York, January, 1835.

DANIEL MCLEAN.--Mr. McLean was born in the north of Ireland in 1800

and came to America in his youth with his brothers. He lived

successively in Philadelphia, Indianapolis and St. Louis, whence he

embarked for St. Croix Falls in 1839, in the employ of the Falls

Manufacturing Company. He came to Stillwater in 1848. Through industry

and economy he accumulated a handsome fortune, which, at his death, he

left to his heirs in Stillwater. He was an upright christian man. He

died in Stillwater in 1873.

ROBERT SIMPSON.--Mr. Simpson was born in Sussex, England, in 1815. He

married Mary Ann Shelley in 1840 and came the same year to the United

States. After spending two years in New York and other places, he came

to St. Croix Falls in 1842, where he followed lumbering until 1850,

when he came to Stillwater. He belonged to the firm of Simpson,

Anderson & McComb, lumbering and merchandising, and engaged in other

branches of business. He was a member from Stillwater of the first

state legislature. He is a quiet, unobtrusive gentleman, greatly

esteemed by those who know him. Mrs. Simpson and an only child died in

Stillwater in 1856.

WILLIAM H. HOOPER.--This gentleman attained considerable notoriety in

later life as an influential Mormon and a delegate to Congress from

Utah from 1859 to 1868. He was a man of unquestioned ability and an

eloquent speaker. His plea for "religious liberty," made against the

Cullom bill, is said to have been one of the most eloquent speeches

ever delivered in Congress. Mr. Hooper was born in Warwick Manor,

Maryland, Dec. 25, 1813. In 1835 he moved to Galena and engaged in

mercantile business. In the panic of 1838 Mr. Hooper and his partner

failed to the amount of $200,000, but, after years of struggling, the

debt was entirely paid. In 1843 Mr. Hooper engaged in steamboating as

clerk on the steamer Otter, on the Upper Mississippi and its

tributaries, and was well known at Stillwater. His boat in 1843 landed

the mill irons for McKusick & Co.'s mill. In 1844 he built the steamer

Lynx and several other boats, the last being known as the Alex.

Hamilton, of which he was part owner. This was burned at St. Louis in

1849, which left him again penniless. In 1850 he emigrated to Salt

Lake and there in his business enterprises greatly prospered. Although

he espoused Mormonism and became one of its leaders, he was opposed to

polygamy. He died in Salt Lake City.

JAMES H. SPENCER.--James H. Spencer came to Stillwater in 1845, a boy

of sixteen. His educational privileges had been limited, but he was

ambitious and studious, and by his own unaided exertions acquired a

practical business education. He followed lumbering and exploring, and

was employed as state timber agent for fifteen years. He was born in

Boone county, Missouri, in 1829, and was married to Rose M. Winters,

in Stillwater, in 1869.

JOHN T. BLACKBURN.--The brothers Blackburn were born in Cincinnati,

Ohio, John, the elder, in 1823. He came to Stillwater in 1844, and has

since been actively engaged in lumbering. His home has been at

Stillwater, Marine, Taylor's Falls, and Shell Lake, where he now

resides.

JOSEPH T. BLACKBURN.--Joseph, the younger brother, was born in 1834,

and in 1847 came to Stillwater. He has followed lumbering and Indian

trading. He has made his home at Stillwater, at Taylor's Falls, and,

since 1860, on Totogatic river, in Douglas county, Wisconsin, ten

miles from Gordon. Mr. Blackburn enjoys wilderness life, is eccentric

in manner, and attends strictly to his own business.

HORACE K. MCKINSTRY.--We have no data of Mr. McKinstry's early life.

He came to Stillwater in 1846. His family consisted of his wife, three

daughters, and son, John, who afterward married the eldest daughter of

Anson Northrup. Mr. McKinstry was a justice of the peace in 1847 and

1848, and was engaged in mercantile business the two succeeding years.

He removed to Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, a year or two after and died

there March 12, 1884.

SETH M. SAWYER.--Mr. Sawyer was born in Skowhegan, Maine, in 1822. He

came to Stillwater in 1846, followed lumbering, and afterward engaged

in building a saw mill in the firm name of Sawyer & Heaton. In 1850 he

was married to Eliza McKinstry. Mr. Sawyer left Minnesota in 1866 for

an extended sojourn in the Southern States, and engaged in business

there, but nothing is known positively of his present whereabouts.

HENRY SAWYER.--Henry, the younger brother of Seth, came from Skowhegan

to Stillwater in 1849, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for two

years in partnership with Horace McKinstry. In 1856 he built the first

stone block in Stillwater, on lot 2, block 27. In 1857 he built the

Sawyer House, a four story hotel. Mr. Sawyer married Lucy Noyes. He

died in Stillwater, Dec. 27, 1865, and his remains were buried in the

Kah-ba-kong cemetery, at Taylor's Falls.

ALVAH D. HEATON.--Mr. Heaton was the partner of Seth Sawyer in

building the second saw mill in Stillwater. He came to St. Croix in

1847 and worked at the Osceola mills some time. He was a partner in

logging with O. H. Blair and afterward with Wm. Kent. He was a

brother-in-law to Hon. Cyrus Aldrich, representative in Congress from

Minnesota. In after years he removed to Idaho.

JOHN MCKINZIE.--Mr. McKinzie was born at Inverness, Scotland, in 1818,

and came to America in 1841. He located in Stillwater in 1846, and

followed lumbering until 1856, when he removed to a farm in the Lyman

settlement. He married Rose Carlton in 1872 and removed to Miles City,

Montana, in 1879.

GEORGE MCKINZIE, a younger brother of John, came to Stillwater in

1851, and engaged in lumbering and exploring. In 1885 he was adjudged

insane and sent to the St. Peter's hospital, from which he was soon

released. He afterward visited California, where he was drowned in San

Francisco bay. He was unmarried.

HENRY KATTENBERG.--Mr. Kattenberg was born in Prussia in 1821, and

married to Arnebia C. Silova, at Kemper, on the banks of the Rhine, in

1844. He came to America in June, 1847, and to Stillwater in 1848. Mr.

Kattenberg opened a shop and engaged in the tailoring business. By

industry and close application to business, he prospered and secured a

pleasant home. By liberality and kindness in extending credits, and an

unfortunate venture in lumbering, he lost $14,000, which effectually

closed his business operations. With characteristic honesty, he

turned over to his creditors his homestead and all he had to meet his

liabilities. In 1880 he removed to Taylor's Falls and commenced

keeping hotel at the Falls House, on Bench street. In October, 1886,

he purchased the Dalles House of Mrs. C. B. Whiting.

JULIUS F. BRUNSWICK.--Mr. Brunswick was born in Switzerland in 1826;

came to this country in 1846, remained a year in Illinois, and came to

Stillwater in 1848, where he engaged in lumbering, farming,

merchandising, and dealing in pine lands. Mr. Brunswick applied

himself closely to business and was successful. Feb. 29, 1859, he

married Margaret Darms, of Stillwater. He died at his home in

Stillwater in 1874, leaving a widow and seven children.

HENRY MCLEAN.--Mr. McLean was born in Washington county, Maine, in

1828, and in 1848 came to Stillwater, which has since been his home.

He is engaged in lumbering. In 1851 he married Caroline Cover.

HUGH BURNS.--Hugh Burns came from Ireland to America in 1830, when he

was but eight years of age, lived in the province of New Brunswick

until 1848, when he came to Stillwater, where he has since been

engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1850 he removed to St. Anthony,

in 1855 to St. Paul, and in 1856 to Stillwater.

SYLVANUS TRASK.--Mr. Trask was born in Otsego county, New York, Nov.

16, 1811. He secured a liberal education, and taught school several

years in the state of New York. He came to Stillwater in 1848, and in

1852 was married to Euphenia Turner, of St. Paul. He represented the

Stillwater district in the first and second territorial legislatures,

1849-51. For many years he has been a surveyor and scaler of logs.

ARIEL ELDRIDGE.--Mr. Eldridge was born in Hartford, Vermont, June 10,

1815. He was reared during his minority by an uncle, at Cambridge, New

York. In 1844 he came to the Wisconsin lead mines, at Platteville, and

in 1848 to Stillwater, where he worked afterward at his trade of house

carpenter until 1862, when he opened a book and stationery store. He

has held several city and county offices. In 1849 he was married to

Sarah L. Judd. Mrs. Eldridge died in Stillwater, Oct. 12, 1886, aged

eighty-four years. Mrs. Eldridge taught the first school in

Stillwater.

[Illustration: E. W. DURANT. A PROMINENT MINNESOTIAN OF RENOWNED

REPUTATION.]

EDWARD WHITE DURANT.--Mr. Durant is of Huguenot descent. During the

eighteenth century his ancestors lived in Massachusetts and were

active participants in the agitation against English oppression.

Edward Durant, Jr., an ancestor five generations from the present, was

a delegate to the Provincial Congress of 1774 and 1775, and chairman

of the committee on commercial correspondence. He died in 1782. Others

of the family filled prominent places, and were noted for their

whole-souled patriotism.

Mr. Durant was born at Roxbury, Massachusetts, April 8, 1829. He

received a common school education, and a year in the academy. He came

to Cincinnati in 1838, and in 1844 we find him with his parents in

Albany, Illinois. In 1848 he left his parents and came to Stillwater,

where he worked three seasons on the river, running logs. He then

became a pilot on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers and continued

in this business about sixteen years. He acted as salesman for Hersey,

Staples & Co. some years. He has been since then engaged in lumbering

and a portion of the time as a member of the firm of Durant, Wheeler &

Co. The annual sales of this firm amount to over half a million

dollars. In 1874 he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for

lieutenant governor and in 1876 was president of the state Democratic

convention. He represented his district in the fifteenth, seventeenth

and twenty-fourth state legislatures. He was several years grand

master of the Masons of Minnesota. He has served as mayor of

Stillwater, and often as a member of the council. Mr. Durant, as his

record shows him, is one of the most industrious men of the time, and

possessed of good executive and business abilities. Mr. Durant was

married Dec. 29, 1853, to Henrietta Pease, of Albany, Illinois.

OLIVER PARSONS.--Mr. Parsons was born in South Paris, Maine, and is

also descended from Revolutionary stock. He came to Stillwater in

1848, where he engaged in merchandising and farming. He removed to

Minneapolis in 1876, where he is at present engaged in selling goods.

He was married to C. Jewell, April, 1855. Mr. Parsons has ever been an

exemplary man.

ALBERT STIMSON.--A native of York county, Maine, Mr. Stimson spent

there his early life, and, after a few years in New Brunswick, came to

Stillwater in 1849. He followed lumbering in his native state and on

the St. Croix. He served as surveyor general of the First district,

Minnesota, three years. He was a member of the Minnesota territorial

councils of 1854 and 1855 and a member of the house in 1853. He was

mayor of Stillwater one year, alderman two years, and was also a

supervisor of Washington county. From 1870 to 1872 Mr. Stimson was a

citizen of Kanabec county, which county he helped organize, and of

which he was one of the first commissioners. His present residence is

Anoka.

ABRAHAM VAN VOORHEES.--Mr. Van Voorhees' ancestors were patriots

during the Revolution, and lived in New York and New Jersey. He was

born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 2, 1793. He was reared

as a farmer. His school privileges were limited. "The Major," as he

was familiarly styled, once told me that the educational advantages he

had received in youth were very few, and that his desires and

ambitions were far beyond his means to satisfy and fulfill, and he

remarked with justifiable pride: "And what I am now, if I amount to

anything, I owe to strong nerves and will power; God has always

sustained me, and I have always acknowledged allegiance to Him." The

major had an ingenious and inventive mind. Being studious and

industrious, he accomplished much without scholastic training, and

became well versed in the sciences, and an acute reasoner. In 1832 he

removed to Athens county, Ohio, where for five years he devoted

himself to mechanical pursuits and the study of the sciences. In 1837

he removed to Athens, and became editor and proprietor of the _Hocking

Valley Gazette_, and retained the editorship six years. While living

in Ohio, he served as county treasurer, county surveyor, member of the

legislature, and state senator. In the latter position he served four

years. In 1849 he was appointed by President Taylor register of the

United States land office at Stillwater, which place he held until

1853. In 1852 Gov. Ramsey appointed him territorial auditor. He was a

representative in the territorial legislature of 1856 and of the state

legislature of 1859-60. He was one of the commissioners for locating

the capitol and university lands. He was postmaster in Stillwater many

years, and when he was eighty years of age acted as surveyor of

Washington county. Such is a brief record of an unusually active and

useful life. Maj. Van Voorhees was a thoroughly good citizen and

christian gentleman. In politics he was Whig and Republican. His

church membership was in the Presbyterian church, of which he became a

member in 1832. In 1817 he was married to Mary Workman Voorhees. He

died at his home in Stillwater, Jan. 24, 1879, aged eighty-six years,

and was buried with christian and masonic honors.

MICHAEL E. AMES, an attorney from Boston, came to Stillwater in 1849,

and became one of the leading lawyers of the Territory. He was urbane

and dignified, both in society and at the bar. He was a charming

conversationalist, and such a ready and fluent speaker that it was a

pleasure to listen to him. Many of his witty sayings will long be

remembered. He was twice married, but his domestic life was by no

means a happy one. He died in St. Paul in 1861, his life, no doubt,

shortened by intemperate habits, but he was polite and genial and

witty to the last.

JOSEPH BONIN is of French descent. He was born in Montreal, Canada,

Aug. 26, 1820. He was married to Margaret Bruce in 1851. The writer

first met Mr. Bonin in Stillwater in 1845. He was then in the employ

of John McKusick. He had spent much of his life on the frontier as an

employe of the fur companies, and could relate many stirring incidents

and perilous adventures. Mr. Bonin located at Baytown at an early day.

During the Rebellion he was a member of Company B, First Minnesota

Heavy Artillery.

MARCEL GAGNON.--Mr. Gagnon was born in Lower Canada, Aug. 17, 1825. On

arriving at manhood he came to the United States, and was an employe

of the American Fur Company several years. He removed to Stillwater in

1845, engaging in lumbering. In 1863 he enlisted in the Minnesota

Volunteer Independent Battalion, and served three years. Mr. Gagnon is

a polite, pleasant, hard working and independent man.

SEBASTIAN MARTY was born in Switzerland in 1809, came to America in

1836, to Stillwater in 1845, and located on a farm in section 32, town

of Stillwater, now known as the Jackman homestead. In 1850 he made his

home in section 30, town of Lakeland, where he resided until his

death, Nov. 3, 1885. His widow was formerly Christine Mamsche. He was

a quiet, unobtrusive, thoroughly honest and reliable man.

JOHN MARTY was born in Switzerland in 1823. He learned the art of

manufacturing straw goods in France. He came to America in 1846, to

Stillwater in 1848 and not long after settled on his farm in Baytown.

He was married to Anna M. Henry, in St. Paul, 1852.

ADAM MARTY.--Mr. Marty was born in Switzerland in 1839. In 1846 he

came with his grandparents to America and located at St. Louis. In

1849 he came to Stillwater and learned the printer's trade. He was

employed one year by John McKusick. He enlisted April 29, 1861, in

Company B, First Minnesota Volunteers, was severely wounded at the

battle of Gettysburg, and honorably discharged. He resides in

Stillwater, where he has held responsible positions, and has taken a

deep interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been

post commander.

MICHAEL MCHALE.--Mr. McHale came from Ireland in 1836; located first

in Quincy, Illinois; then, 1840, in Galena; in 1842 in Potosi,

Wisconsin, and in 1849 at Stillwater. He was interested in a saw mill

(McHale & Johnson's), and operated also as a contractor in prison

work. He was married to Rosanna McDermott in Wisconsin, 1847. She died

in 1856.

GEORGE WATSON.--Mr. Watson is, in common parlance, a self-made man.

Left alone in the world and dependent entirely on his own exertions

for a livelihood, he learned the carpenter's trade, learned it well,

and followed it industriously through life. Mr. Watson was born in

Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 13, 1823, and came to the St.

Croix valley in 1849. He lived a few years in Hudson, and then removed

to Stillwater, where he has the credit of building many fine

structures. He was married in 1860 to Frances Lyman, of Stillwater.

REV. ELEAZER A. GREENLEAF was educated at Bangor Theological Seminary.

He came to Stillwater in 1846, and became pastor of the first

Protestant Episcopal church organized north of Prairie du Chien,

excepting at Fort Snelling and some Indian mission charges. Mr.

Greenleaf was married to Susan P. Greely, of Williamsburg, Maine, in

1838. He became a great sufferer in the later years of his life. He

died in Stillwater in 1878. Mrs. Greenleaf died in Minneapolis in

1881.

J. B. COVEY.--Dr. J. B. Covey came to Stillwater in 1844. He was born

in Duchess county, New York, in 1784. He practiced medicine many years

in Missouri. He died in Stillwater in 1851.

JOHN SHAESBY was born in Warwick, England, in 1811; came to America in

1836, to Stillwater in 1848; removed to St. Croix county in 1850,

thence to St. Joseph, to Rush River and to Baldwin in 1874, where he

died in 1880, leaving two children and his widow in comfortable

circumstances. His eldest daughter was the wife of Capt. Isaac Gray.

JOHN S. PROCTOR.--Mr. Proctor is of English descent, and was born in

Cavendish, Windsor county, Vermont, Feb. 26, 1826. He was favored with

a common school education. In 1846 he came to St. Louis, Missouri, and

served as mercantile clerk until 1849, when he came to Stillwater and

engaged in lumbering and mercantile pursuits. He was a member of the

firm of Short, Proctor & Co., hardware merchants. In 1860 he was

appointed warden of the Minnesota state prison, which office he held

until 1868. In 1860 he was also appointed secretary and treasurer of

the St. Croix Boom Company. He performed the duties of both positions,

but continued to serve the boom company twenty years. His experience

and reliability made him almost the umpire of this company. He was

appointed surveyor general for the years 1881 to 1884, inclusive. Mr.

Proctor was married to Caroline Lockwood, daughter of John Lockwood,

of Prairie du Chien, in 1854. They have one son, Levi.

BARRON PROCTOR, brother of John S. Proctor, came to Stillwater when a

young man, but after a few years removed to New Orleans, whence he

returned to Stillwater, and in 1873 engaged in flour manufacturing as

one of the firm of Cahill, Townshend & Co. He disposed of his interest

in 1880. Mr. Proctor was married to Hettie Carson, adopted daughter of

Socrates Nelson and widow of John A. Hanford. He lives in St. Paul.

HENRY WESTING is a native of Hanover. He emigrated to America in 1840

and came to Stillwater in 1848. He commenced his business career as a

day laborer and by industry, perseverance and tact, rose to a position

of wealth and influence. He died in Stillwater, Feb. 26, 1885, much

esteemed by his associates for his sterling qualities of character.

THOMAS DUNN was born in 1823, in Queens county, Ireland. He emigrated

to America in 1826, locating at Miramachi, on the northeast coast of

New Brunswick. He came thence to Maine, where he spent two years. He

came to the St. Croix valley in 1846, located in Stillwater, where he

has since lived and been engaged in lumbering. He is the owner of a

valuable land property at Yellow Lake, Burnett county, Wisconsin. He

has been a member of the Catholic church since infancy.

CHARLES J. GARDINER was born at Charlotte, Maine, in 1826, and came to

Stillwater in 1849, where he followed lumbering and farming. He served

as surveyor of the First Minnesota district five years. He was married

in 1853 to Pamela Jackman. They have five children.

SAMUEL STAPLES was born in Topsham, Maine, September, 1805. He came

west from Brunswick, Maine, in 1854, and located in Stillwater, where

he died, Dec. 26, 1887. He is the elder brother of Isaac, Silas and

Winslow Staples. He leaves a widow (his second wife), two daughters,

Mrs. E. A. Folsom and Mrs. G. M. Stickney, and two sons, Josiah and

Winslow, besides a step-son, William Langly.

JOSIAH STAPLES, son of Samuel, was born in Brunswick, Maine, June 20,

1826. He received a good common school education. At the age of

thirteen his family removed to Penobscot county, and later to the

province of New Brunswick, but returned to Maine in 1840. In 1848 he

came to Stillwater, and has since been continuously engaged in milling

and lumbering operations, and, latterly, in steamboating. He was

married to Lydia McGlaughlin in 1853. His children are six sons and

one daughter.

JOEL M. DARLING was born in Madison county, New York, in 1842. He came

to Galena, Illinois, in 1840, and to Stillwater in 1848, where he

engaged in farming. He served three years during the Civil War in

Company F, Seventh Minnesota, and has since been pensioned for

disabilities incurred in the service. He is unmarried. He lives in

South Stillwater.

EARLY RIVER PILOTS.

JOE PERRO.--"Big Joe" as he was familiarly called, was large of frame

and big-hearted as well, honest, manly, of good report for courage and

honesty. He was fearless and prompt in taking the part of the weak and

oppressed. We were once passing together up Broadway, St. Louis, when

we passed a peanut stand. A small negro boy was crying piteously and

begging the peanut vender to give him back his money, to which appeal

the peanut vender was obdurate. We halted. Joe Perro organized a

court, heard the testimony of man and boy, and satisfied himself that

in making change the man had wrongfully withheld a dime due the boy.

Joe decided in favor of the boy and ordered the vender of peanuts to

pay him the ten cents. He replied insolently: "It is none of your

d----d business." That was enough to kindle the magazine of Joe's

wrath. A sudden blow of his fist, and the man was prostrate on the

sidewalk and his peanuts and apples scattered. The last seen of the

discomfited street merchant he was on his hands and knees scrambling

with the boys for the possession of his scattered fruits, and casting

an occasional vengeful glance at the towering form of "Big Joe"

departing slowly from the scene of conflict. Mr. Perro is of French

parentage, and a native of Kaskaskia, Illinois. He has been a resident

of Stillwater since 1844.

JAMES MCPHAIL.--Mr. McPhail, as his name indicates, is of Scotch

parentage. He was born in Inverness, Scotland, in 1824, and came to

America in early life. He was one of the first log pilots on the

waters of the Mississippi and St. Croix. He settled in Stillwater in

1848, was married to Eliza Purinton in 1849, and died in St. Louis in

1857. Mrs. McPhail died in Stillwater in 1885. They left no children.

JOHN CORMACK.--Mr. Cormack commenced piloting on the St. Croix in

1845. He was married in 1860 to Miss Jackins. He made his home in

Stillwater continuously for thirty years, during which time he served

as pilot. He died at Princeton, Mille Lacs county, in 1885.

JOHN HANFORD.--Mr. Hanford was a St. Croix river pilot in the '40s. He

married an adopted daughter of Socrates Nelson, of Stillwater. He died

at Stillwater. Mrs. Hanford subsequently married Barron Proctor.

JOHN LEACH.--Mr. Leach made his home at Marine many years, during

which time he engaged in piloting on the St. Croix; subsequently he

removed to Stillwater. In the later years of his life he has been

blind.

STEPHEN B. HANKS.--Mr. Stephen B. Hanks, formerly of Albany, Illinois,

piloted the first raft from St. Croix Falls to St. Louis in 1842. He

followed piloting rafts and steamboats until 1885.

SAMUEL S. HANKS.--Samuel, a brother of Stephen B., commenced piloting

in the '40s, and is still active.

Among the early pilots on the St. Croix and Mississippi

rivers were Antoine Lapoint, Augustus Barlow, Richard

Whiting, James Hickman, George M. Penny, and Daniel McLean.