Document - Historical information/data - From Book History of Dakota County - 1/1/1881WESCOTT FAMILY
Post -its Fax Note 7671
HISTORY
OF
DAKOTA COUNTY
AND TITE
CITY OF HASTINGS,
INCLITDINO THE
EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS of MINNESOTA,
BY RED. EDWARD D. NETLL.
ANT)
t
OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA,
BY J. FLETCHER WILLIAMS.
•
MINNEAPOLIS:
NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
1881.
u
3s4
WESCOTT FAMILY
WESCOTT STATION
— HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNT', 1881
James . Wescott was born in Cumberland
- lnty, Maine, October 22, 1823. He went to
California In 1849, and followed mining until
1853. Returning to his former home, the next
spring, he came to Eagan and began farming,
having a claim of one hundred and flirty acres.
Here he has since resided and is one of the pio-
neers of the crnpty. In 1883, he entered the
army, joining Company I, First Minnesota heavy
Artilleyy, as junior lieutenant He wail honor-
ably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, at the
close of the war. Wail elected treasurer of Da-
kota county in 1880, and held the office two years.
IIis residence in Eagan is near Weatoott station,
which was named in his honor. August 23d,
1857, he married Mary E. Atkinson, who has
borne him seven children, five are living.
James Wescott soon purchased Le Bret's claim
right, and built a house sirteed feet egaare,which
he occupied with hlabrother, W. L. Wescott. 'in
the tall of 1854, the latibt returned to their for-
mer home, in Maine, and brought out his family.
James Wolcott being at that time unmarried,
the brothers continued to live together. Along
the route, by their house, there was a large
amount of travel, and from the time they began
to show the first signs of house -keeping. the Wea-
cotts were besought to entertain the travelers.
They were soon forced to make a business of
this, and Wescott'e inn became famous through-
out the country as a traveler's rest. Political
conventions were held here at an early day. On
one occasion, in 1856, a mass convention as-
sembled here, of which John Van IIoesen, of
Hastings, was chairman. Among other features
of the affair, speeches and motions were in
French, and the worthy chairman was forced to
call an interpreter to his assistance. After a few
years, W. L. Wescott removed to a claim of his
own, while his brother James continued to keep
public house until 1863. This he did with great
success, being unable at times to entertain all
who would be his guests. He still occupies his
original home, as much distinguished for his pri-
vate hospitality as he former1y ten• for hospitality
to the public.
BTATIONR.
In 1886, a flag station without a depot was es-
tablished on the line of the Iowa and Minnesota
division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and fit. Paul
railway, near the south-east corner of section 13,
on land belonging to James Wescott, from whom-,
the station is named Weetaott station.
• A store was established by the brothers7A. and
J. Lau, at Westcott station, March 4th, 1881,
,*here they keep on hand a small general stock
of merchandise suited to the wants of the Imme-
diate neighborhood
r'OST-OFFICE-
Westoott poet -office wile established in April.
1881, and A. Lan appointed postmaster.
UJeicoTt
•
Post-itvFax Note
HISTORY
OF
DAKOTA COUNTY
AND THE
CITY OF HASTINGS,
INCLITDING THE
EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS of MINNESOTA,
BY REV. EDWARD D. NEILL.
AND
OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA,
BY J. FLETCHER WILLIAMS.
MINNEAPQLI3:
NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
11381.
- a54
WESCOTT FAMILY
WESCOTT STATION
— HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNT'x, 1881
James _Wescott was born in Cumberland
lnty, Maine, October 22, 1823. He went to
California in 1849, and followed mining until
1853. Returning to hie former home, the next
spring, he came to Eagan and began farming,
having a claim of one hundred and sixty acres.
Here he has since resided and is one of the pio-
neers of the crnttity. In 1863, he entered the
army, joining Company I, First Minnesota Heavy
Artillepy, as junior lieutenant He was honor-
ably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, at the
close of the war. Was elected treasurer of Da-
kota county in 1860, and held the office two years.
IIis residence in Eagan is near Westcott station,
which was named in his honor. August 23d,
1857, he married Mary E. Atkinson, who has
borne him seven children, five are living.
James Wescott soon purchased Le Bret's claim
right, and built a house sixteen feet egnare,which
he occupied with hisbrother, W. L. Wescott. -In
the fall of 1864, the Lilt returned to their for-
mer borne, in Maine, and brought out his family.
James Wescott being at that time unmarried,
the brothers continued to live together. Lion
the route, by their house, there was a large
amount of travel, and from the time they began
to show the first signs of house -keeping. the Wes-
cotts were besought to entertain the travelers.
They were soon forced to make a business of
this, and Wescott's inn becahe famous through-
out the country as a traveler's rest. Political
conventions were held here at an early day. On
one occasion, in 1858, a mass convention as-
sembled here, of which John Van Iloesen, of
Hastings, was chairman. Among other feature@
of the affair, speeches and motions were in
French, and the worthy chairman was forced to
call an interpreter to his assistance. After a few
years, W. L. Wescott removed to a claim of his
own, while his brother James continued to keep
public house until 1863. This he did with great
success, being unable at times to entertain all
who would be his guests. He still occupies his
original home, as much distinguished for his pri-
vate hospitality as he form••1s ma• +or hospitality
to the public.
_BSI 3�__
5TATIONe.
In 1868, a flag station without a depot was es-
tablished on the line of the Iowa and Minnesota
division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul
railway, near the south-east corner of section 13,
on land belonging to James Wescott, from whom-,
the station is named Westcott station.
• A store was established by the brothers, —A. and
J. Lau, at Westcott station, March 4th, 1881,
,inhere they keep on hand a small general stock
jof merchandise suited to the wants of the imme-
diate neighborhood
r'owr -osmtm
Westcott poet -office was established in April.
1881, and A. Lan appointed postmaster.
WESCOTT STATION
DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE June 22, 1967 - Helen Duff,
Staff Reporter
About 6 miles north of Rosemount on Highway 49. is a small cluster
of buildings known as Wescott Station. Its growth now remains
dormant, but its early growth history goes back to 1857.
Now a part of the newly incorporated Inver Grove Heights village,
the road signs that nearby residents used to point it out as
"Wescott" has been removed, and there no longer is an identifying
mark to point to what was once a busy little roadside community.
Wescott was a crossroad community where two highways -one old Dodd
Road and the other called the Cannon Fall road met at the Wescott
point. A railroad also ran through the settlement.
The cluster of early buildings included a train depot, a school, a
store, a garage and a feed gristing mill. Named after James
Wescott who came to Eagan township in 1854, he was deeded this
particular piece of property in the year 1857.
Wescott was the agent for the Milwaukee railroad, whose trains
stopped there regularly to pick up passengers going "to the
cities". This railroad is about all that remains in its original
state from those early days.
The railroad proved to be the lifeline of the community in many
ways. The story goes that since the nearest doctor was at
Rosemount, when winter set in roads were often blocked with snow.
The local Rosemount M.D. took a hand car to ride on the tracks to
get to an expectant mother's side in time to deliver her baby at
Wescott. The infant was a boy, born to Mr. and Mrs. Milo Stephens,
long time residents of Wescott Station.
An account from the Dakota County book of history relates that " in
1896 a flag station without a depot was established on the line of
the Iowa and Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St.
Paul railway, near the south-east corner of section 13, on land
belonging to James Wescott, for whom the station is named Wescott
Station.
Some years later a depot was built and trains stopped to pick up
passengers and milk enroute to St. Paul and Minneapolis. The first
grocery store was established by Julius and August Lau and a post
office in connection in the year 1881. The first Wescott school
was built in 1898 and the first teacher was Nellie Linsley."
In the year 1917, Milo Stephens built a store, garage and a feed
gristing mill at Wescott on the then two main highways south, the
Hastings and Cannon Falls road and the Jefferson highway.
The community life began to wane when the main highway was moved
from the west side of the railroad tracks to the east side. Mr.
r
WESCOTT STATION
DAKOTA CO. TRIBUNE JUNEW, ‘41:z
HELEN DUFFg STAFF
G2-
PAGE .@'
Stephens moved his business right along with the road. His
original garage still stands where he moved it at that time.
In checking with the Minnesota Highway Department we learned the
road now called Highway 49 was the new Jefferson highway that ran
through the community. Highway records go back to 1921 which show
that grading of the fateful new highway from Highway 55 to
Rosemount was done in 1921 and paved in 1922. After this time
traffic sped through the community on rubber tired wheels of autos,
a Jefferson bus route was established which also went through the
community, and the railroad's passenger service rapidly declined at
Wescott.
The country grade school house continued to survive in its original
location until 1954 when consolidation of District 196 took place
and the children were then transported by bus to Rosemount. The
building was purchased by the daughters of Milo Stephens (Ella and
Evelyn) who dismantled the brick structure, salvaging some of the
greystone pieces and the school bell, which were used when they
constructed their home on the same site in 1956. This is the
residence of the Delmer and Gerhard Sachwitz families.
The Wescott grocery store still operates under that name and is now
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Silas Luke, who have been its owners and
proprietors for the past 18 years. They live next door to the
general store.
The garage stands but is not used any longer. The depot long ago
was torn down. Ghost town? Indeed not- as long as there are
descendants of the early settlers still living close by - it will
be known and called Wescott by them.
By HELYN DUFF
Staff Writer
About 6 miles north of Rose-,
mount on Highway 49, is a small
cluster of buildings known as
Wescott station. Its growth now
remains dormant, but its early
growth history goes back to 1857.
Now a part of the newly in-
corporated Inver Grove Heights
village, the road signs that near-
by residents used to point it out
as "Wescott" has been removed,
and there no longer is an identi-
ying mark to point to what was
once a busy little roadside com-
munity.
Wescott was a crossroad com-
munity where two highways -one
old Dodd road and the other called
the Cannon Fall road met at the
Wescott point. A railroad also
ran through the settlement.
The cluster of early buildings
included the train depot, a school
a store, a garage and a feed
grinding mill. Named after James
Wescott who cametoEagantown-
ship in 1854, he was deeded this
particular piece of property in
the year 1857.
Wescott was the agent for the
Milwaukee railroad, whose
trains stopped there regularly to
pick up passengers going "to the
cities." This railroad is about all
that remains in its original state
from those early days.
The railroad proved to be the
lifeline of the communityinrnany
ways. The story goes that since
the nearest doctor was at Rose-
mount, when winter set in roads
were often blocked with snow.
The local Rosemount M.D. took
a hand car to ride on the tracks
to get to an expectant mother's
side in time to deliver her baby
at Wescott. The infant was ahoy,
born to Mr. and Mrs. Milo Ste-
phens, long time residents of
Wescott station.
An account from the Dakota
county book of history relates
that "in 18S6 a flag station with-
out a depot was established on
the line of the Iowa and Minne-
sota division of the Chicago, Mil-
waukee and St. Paul railway, near
the south-east corner of section
13, on land belonging to James
Wescott, for whom the station is
named Wescott Station.
Some years later a depot was
built and trains stopped to pick
up passengers and milk enroute
to St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The first grocery store was
established by Julius and August
Lau and a post office in con-
nection in the year 1881. The
first Wescott school was built in
1898 and the first teacher was
Nellie Linsley."
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In the year 1917 MiloStephens"i
built a store, garage and a feed
grinding mill at Wescott on the
then two main highways south,
the Hastings and Cannon Falls
road and the Jefferson highway.
The community life began to
wane when the main highway was
moved from the west side of the
railroad tracks to the east side.
Mr. Stephens moved his business
right along with the road. His
original garage still stands where
he moved it at that time. 1
In checking with the Minnesota
Highway Department we learned
the road now called Highway 49
was the new Jefferson highway
that ran through the community.
Highway records go back to 1921
which show that grading of the
fateful new highway from High-
' way 55 to Rosemount was done in
1921 and paved in 1922. After this
time traffic sped through the
community on rubber tired
wheels of autos, a Jefferson bus
route was established which also
went through the community, and
the railroad's passenger service
rapidly declined at Wescott.
The country grade school house
li
continued to survive in its ori-
ginal location until 1954 when the
consolidation of District 196 took
lace and the children were then
transported by bus to Rosemount.
'The building was purchased byth:-
fighters of Milo Stephens olla
sAid
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86' l$
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s]i1ddns
Ganes
''0 S
IEvelyn?, who dismantled the
ck structure, salvaging some
the greystone pieces and the
ool bell, which were used when
ey constructed their home on
IT
same site in 1956. This is the
sidence of the Delmer and Ger-
d Sachwitz families.
The Wescott grocery store still
operates under that name and is
w owned by Mr. and Mrs. Silas
e, who have been its owners
d proprietors for the past 18
years. They live next door to the
general store.
The garage stands but is not
fused any longer. The depot long
was torn down. Ghost town?
eed not -as long as there are
If
cendants of the early settlers
1 living close by — it will be
wn as called Wescottbythem.
3s
aed JaP1
u!e q
ua)a14, •
PAGE B2 • STAR TRIBUNE *
Around St. Paul
Joe Kimball
METRO/STATE
You can't fill 'er up
at Wescott Station
Antique -shop owners draw traffic
with old sign advertising cheap gas
The Wescott family is having fun
with a big sign advertising gas-
oline for 24.9 cents a gallon,
premium for 25.9 cents. It's promi-
nently displayed in front of the Wes-
cott Station antique store at the cor-
ner of W. 7th and Chestnut Sts.
Wally Wescott, who runs the store
with his wife, Rose, and son Kurt,
pulled the old sign out of storage re-
cently, and with gas prices so high,
he's getting lots of people stopping
by to ask where they can fill up.
The latest high-water mark
A fine yardstick to compare the
height of this year's flood can be
seen inside Harriet Island's Wiging-
ton Pavilion.
Workers installed the 2001 high-
water -level marker 60 inches off the
floor Wednesday. The other high-
water marks in the pavilion are 1965,
102 inches; 1969, 80 inches; 1997, 58
inches; 1952, 53 inches; and 1993, 18
inches.
Silt that filled the building has
been removed, and the floors and
walls have been scrubbed; a lun-
cheon was held there Thursday.
New sod laid in the park last Au-
gust has turned green and, except for
a few low spots, is expected to survive.
Star Trbune photos by Joe Kimball
Gasoline prices from days gone by are
displayed on this old sign outside Wes-
cott Station at the corner of W. 7th
and Chestnut Sts. In St. Paul.
Hundreds of personalized step- ,
ping stones, with names and sayings
etched into them, came through with
only a few chips and scrapes, al-
though sand and debris must still be
cleaned away from some stones.
The park, which recently received
an award from the Minnesota Parks
and Recreation Association, reopens
today.
Coincidentally?
An eco-activist — or odor adver-
sary — posted signs saying "Gopher
State Stinks" and "Shut 'em Down"
on trees in the Summit Hill neigh-
borhood Thursday to protest the
stench from the nearby ethanol
plant. But the signs weren't on just
any of street - the targeted block
was the one where Mayor Norm
Coleman lives.
Post office coming soon
Construction of a new post office
on the first floor of the downtown
Hamm Building is underway, and it
should be open in June. The Waba-
sha Court building used to have a
post office, but_it closed abruptly in
January because of leaky ceilings and
other structural problems.
Blues for Blue Neon
The first victim of the downtown
coffee wars will be the independent
Blue Neon shop on Wabasha Street,
tucked below the Victory Parking
ramp. When Dunn Bros. and Star -
bucks opened last year less than a
block away, many wondered how
long they all could last.
Blue Neon owner Dave Morley
will close in mid -June to concentrate
on his other coffee carts in down-
town St. Paul and Minneapolis, while
TO:
r-
INVOICE
3830 Pilot Kn load?
g
Ea an, Minnesota 55122-T897
city of aagan 6 81- 4 6 0 0
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Luci Wescott Pfaltzgrafs
50 Kaiholu P1
Kailua, HA 96734
N2 7617
Date March 31, 1997
Contains
50% Waste Paper,
Including
10% Post Consumer
Waste
0/0,966/
PLAT/LOCATION:
AMOUNT
DESCRIPTION
1
Lone Oak Years
S5.00
8
cooies
2.00
postage
&
handling
5.00
TOTAL
$12.00
Invoice Prepared By: Liz Witt
Finance/City Clerk
name
WHITE - Customer
YELLOW - Remittance PINK - Department
Tf1TAI f1I IF I IPf1N RF(;FIPT - nnf 9/n,,
department
GOLD - Finance
PRANK E. TURGEON
PROPRIETOR & NOR.
SEVENTH,
WABASHA AND
ST. PETER ST$.
ST PAVL,I1I1 'r`eb: I9th. I c22.
Mr. A.F. Rahn, Town Clerk.
Mendota, :inn.
rea Sir, —
I am in receipt of ypur check for 4 270.
and am enclosing the signed receipt for sane.
Geo Wescott Address is.
Geo. Wescott,
II i 3—So. Robert St. Et.Paul, Minn.
A-cbie pee Wescott.
I830—Stever_aMinn.Minneapolis: M
Yours truly,
T.-•.""escott.
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In
Helen Lillian (nee Hilback
Wescott. Devoted wife of
57 years to Wells L.
(Bugs) Wescott. Born
January 8, 1920. Preceded
in death by daughter,
Barbara J. Pontliana.
Survived by children, Ann
M. (Bunny) Method, wife
of Ronald R. Green, Wells
J. Wescott, husband of
Mary Louise, Jane E.
Schadegg. wife of Michael
T., Mary E. Wescott, mate
of Thomas Gegax, and
William C. Wescott;
sisters, Dolores A. Thoring
& Mary Louise Tomlinson;
brothers. Fredric C. Hilback
and Ron Skudstad; grand-
children, Captain Leigh E.
Method, Michael J.
Method II. Auralyn A.
Method. Christopher W.
Method, Wells J. Wescott,
Amanda M. Wescott,
Kristine A. Schadegg,
Sarah J. Schadegg and
Megan A. Schadegg; great-
grandchild, Kacey J. Me-
denwaldt. Mass of Chris-
tian Burial 10:30 am
Thursday, Christ the King
Catholic Church, 5029 Ze-
nith Ave S., Mpls. Inter-
ment Ft. Snelling National
Cemetery. Friends may call
5-8 pm Wednesday at
Washburn-McReavy Edina
Chapel, W. 50th St. & Hwy
100 at Vernon Ave., & one
hour before the service at
church. Prayer service
7 pm Wednesday evening
Washburn-McReavy
Edina Chapel
612-920-3996 b L Q
in their homes.
Radio station KSTP began commercial broadcasts from a trans-
mitting facility at Wescott in 1928. (The radio industry had
begun only shortly before in 1921, and KSTP was the first com-
mercial radio station to be located in Lakota County.) The
location proved unsatisfactory, and the company relocated in
St. Faul in 1930. However, for a time the small community took
the name Radio Center -- even on official road maps -- and it
was several years before the name was changed back to Wescott.
1898. (The bourd-ry of this school district was generally con-
sidered as the outline of the Wescott community.)
For several years the rail station at Wescott provided the
best means of travel to the "city" for local citizens. With few
roads and even fewer automobiles, the train was both quick and
convenient, considering the alternative was a farm wagon drawn
by horse or oxen. As late as 1917 the fare from Wescott to
Rosemount (6 miles away) was 140, and to St. Paul via Mendota
was about 300. Prior to the introduction of the telephone, the
telegraph office operated by the station agent was an important
communication link.
In 1917 i:ilo Stephens built a store, garage and feed -grinding
mill at Wescott, just across the Eagan boundary in Inver Grove.
By 1922 the "new" Jefferson Highway (now Highways 49 and 3) was
constructed from Highway 55 into Rosemount, shifting the route
from the west to the east side of the railroad tracks and in-
cluding a short loop into Inver Grove. Stephens moved his business
short2y after to be located along the new road. The store con-
tinued to operate under various owners.
The use of automobiles on the improved road, along with a
new bus line which provided service over this route, quickly de-
creased passenger use of the railroads. Even so, Wescott for a
time continued as a small center of activity for local residents.
An electric generating plant run by Broker Electric was located
here and for many years provided power to customers between
Wescott and i:endota. Connected with this was a '_ocker plant at
which oca1ly butchered rnea.t was processed and freezer lockers
were rented to nearby residents who did not yet have electricity
•
•
•
Wescott and ricols
T'agan's boundaries have remained unchanged since its original
organization in 1860. i'owever, it was not long before smaller
areas of local recognition developed. "ever incorporated as villages,
and ail but gone today, Wescott and "'icols are nevertheless impor-
tant parts of Fagan's past.
Wescott
An early history of nakota County mentions that in 1°60 there were
no roads in all nakota f'ounty worthy of note. 'r'ransportation on
land was along a few Indian trails that only today's snowmohilers
would cherish. In the spring of 1852 the U.S. Government alloted.
funds for surveying and clearing what became nodd Road, running through
the eastern portion of Fagan, most of which is still in use today and
bears the ori.7inal name. By 1865, 65 miles were cleared and com-
pleted for travel. Its course was surveyed by captain nodd which
accounts for its name. Property records of title show that in 1864
the Minnesota Central Railway Co, purchased the right of way for
what is now the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad.
In 1866 Westcott Station was established near the southeast corner
of section 24, Fagan, which was part of the farm then owned by
James Westcott. The community has continued to carry the name for
about 125 years, although many of its buildings were vacated or
roved, including the railroad depot and nistrict 106 school.
A store and post office established in 1881 were out of business
by the turn of the century. Fadio station KSTP established a
broadcasting station at Westcott and for a few years pushed the name
of Westcott off Minnesota maps, but "Radio Center" lasted only a
•
•
•
few years before Wescott returned to the official map. (Through
the years a "t" has been left out of the spelling.)
An electric generating plant by prooker electric was operated
for years, and provided power to customers between Wescott and
Mendota. They also operated a meat locker where locally butchered
meat was processed and freezer lockers rented to the many farmers
and neighbors who did not have electricity until after 1937, when
a loan through R.E.A. helped them build their own lines.
Never having been organized as a village, Z-;escott' s boundaries
were generally known by the boundaries of School nistrict ing
(now defunct) and/or by places that used the name, from Wescott
'arden Lots in the northwest to ^'orthern States Power Wescott in
*he southeast.
Today the Wescott corner may not seem too important to local
citizens who can jump in their car and be in a big city in ten or
fifteen minutes, hut to the people who lived here before cars and
trucks were common, it was something --to be able to walk to the depot
and ride a train, instead of riding behind a team of work horses
or oxen, to town. As late as 1917 the fare to Rosemount was 14c
and reportedly to St. Paul via Mendota the cost was once less than
30c. Telegraph lines preceded the telephone, and a telegram could
he sent during the years that a station agent was on duty. The
railroad side-tracks running northwest from the Wescott depot were
a busy marketplace, especially in the fall, when Mr. Wescott bought
all the farm produce such as onions, potatoes, and wheat, that
was raised by the local farmers. Some older citizens today have
stated that as many as two or three car -loads were loaded there in
a single day during the busy season.
•
•
•
Grocery or general stores have come and gone but were a great
convenience in their time.
A blacksmith's shop, owned and operated by William L'olz, where
farmers got their plowshares sharpened and/or other things repaired,
and of course their horses shod, was located on the farm Mr. Holz
obtained by warranty deed from James Westcott, dated January 10, 1882.
A surxrquent deed shows William tTolz transferring to ^istrict 106
in necemher 1807 the property on which the schoolwas built.
As of the beginning of 1078, Fagan Industrial Park has grown
and has been extended to Wescott Road, which includes the Wescott
farm on which the Wescott railroad station was established. A
large branch of the West Publishing Company has been completed
there.
Continuing northwest on nodd Road from what was the vSTP Radio
Station, there is a trail of business and industrial firms such as
Able Craft Metal, Scherman Trucking, Truck Repair and Equipment,
Spector Freight, Carl A. Anderson Inc., Twin rity Wire sloth,
Minnesota Fence & Iron, and Gopher Smelting Company at Yankee
noodle Road. At the intersection of odd Road and t'ighway 55 is
another business corner, the oldest of record, Stark's "Halfway
louse." Many associate the name "Halfway House" as a place people go
to recover from alcohol addiction. In early days some thought of
this place as a place to become addicted, as it was a center for
glasses, quarts or gallons to bring home and "keep the home fires
burning." '^oday the Falfway Mouse has a seating capacity of about
260, music and dancing, game machines and pool tables. Mr. Fric
Stark has been in charge of the establishment since l°74.
James niffley
CCrd.UNITIES: WESC. TT ANL NICC La
Eagan's boundaries have remained unchanged since its original
organization in 1860. However, it was not lung before smaller
areas of local recognition developed. :ever incorporated as
villages, and all but gone today, Wescott and Nicols are never-
theless important parts of Fagan'` past.
Wescott
Cn the east side of Eagan was Wescott, which began with the
inn that opened on the James Westcott property in the 1850s ( the
"t" in the spelling of Westcott was dropped over the years).
Travellers in wagons and stagecoaches stopped to rest there on
the way to and from St. Paul.
A flag station for the Chicago, iiilwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road line was established on the Wescott property in 1866 and
some years later a depot was built there. In addition to the
rail stop, traffic came from the intersection of two main roads
at Wescott--Lodd Road and the old Cannon Falls Road (which ap-
proximated the present route of County Road 71). A general
store was opened there in 1881 that was operated by two brothers,
Julius and August Iau. The same year a post office was established
with August Lau as postmaster, although both the post office and
store were closed by the turn of the century.
Even so, Wescott was an active center for the neighboring farm
residents. Produce grown by area farmers was purchased here and
then shipped by rail to market. In 1882 a blacksmith shop was
opened by William Holz on land he had purchased from James Wes-
cott. small portion of this property was later acquired by
SchoolListrict 106, on which the Wescott School was built in
1 '
�-1 "r s f n r. % fy� aU Giy `� 'pc C c77 Cif/ ea i L? I Lc� C4 w - / c.160
h
/ & ('o T q Co !7 rS % Sc ? `i
•
•
•
CHRIST LU2E RAN SCHOOL
Courtesy Loretta Tnglert and Fred Boesal
L. T. R. Richard Scherer, John Haus, Ted Goers, Henry Goers,
John Scherer, Herman Benke, Elmer Rahn, Caroline Haus, Art
Rahn, Loretta Rahn, Edith Rahn,
2nd Row: Gilbert Rahn, Fred Dahlke, Bill Dahlke, Fred Boesel,
Herman Heuer, Laura Ho•ppeaer, Emily Haus, Louise Boesel, -
a Boesel Fred Gerhard, Margaret Rahn, Laura Dahlke, Carrie
Scherer, Rudy Uhl, Emil Goers, Marie Benke, Walter Rahn.
I
\-\\ Ry
Bea --
Some notes:
I Wescott School built 1898
A. Was "delux" (see picture in news article)
B. School named for James Wescott who came to Eagan Township
in 1854 and was the agent for the Milwaukee Railroad whose
trains stopped their regularly (Wescott Station)
C. Eliza and William Holz gave the land for the school (14
acres)
D. First teacher - Miss Nellie Linsley
E. Names of other teachers - Miss O'Brien, Mrs. Kate Mueller,
one of the Diffley's taught there
F. Teachers here today! (hopefully)
1. MRS. ELLA BODE
2. MRS. SMITH (who was Miss Bergman) -- taught there 12
years
3. Any other Wescott School teachers here?
G. Are there any students from Wescott School here?
1. Agnes Polzin
2. Ella Sachwitz
3. Others?
II. Consolidation of Independent School District 196 in 1954
A. Closed school
B. Students bussed to Northview & Rosemount Schools
C. Building purchased by Ella Sachwitz and her sister
1. Family long time residents of Wescott Station
2. Father was Milo Stephens who built a store, garage and
a feed grinding mill there in 1917
III. MRS. SACHWITZ has made possible the acquisition of the bell
by the City possible
A. Acknowledge Ella Sachwitz
1 tillg ° ,t34 3 S a fi
� �. at a flil $ Is . ,
+9 m>di2 6`d�'°$ nd( 8
g c BQmniSg pra'�'.p. ' �`F g4;
quo �a5 «��y$�`o$
yyi °�""J BaatE , r.�S���u.a
m
e 8 a .. rjt6bg��3i���xP���
Y = gg EECM p jai .A u
1
Marie Dehrer. Freida Wunder. ROW 4: Rouen Roue. Paul Chapdelalne. Irvin Brown. Joseph Des
twlaueler1, Louis McCoy. Bert Mueller, Eldon O'Berg, George Krech, Harold Kirchner and Bar -
Id Bois.
The cluster of early buildings
Included the train depot, a school
a tost�ore, m•{i�g�Naraamge and a. ford
fDckn�wew' crone m
Ship in 1854, he was deeded thl5
particular piece of property in
the year 1857.
Wescott was the agent for the
Milwaukee railroad, whose
trains stopped there regularly to
pick up passengers going "to the
cities." This railroad is about all
that remains in its original stair,
from those early days.
STUDENTS AT District 108 at Wescott In 1905 were (from left) ROW 3 — George Cbapde- The railroad proved to be the
talus, St. Paul; Omar DesLaurters (deceased); Isabelle (Furey) Steller, Florida; Edmlre lifeline of the o0mmunityln many
(Chapdelaine) Mellack, St. Paul; Nellie (Phelan) Perron (deceased); John Furey, (deceased): ways. The story goes that 'rose
Julius Dehrer. Bethel, Minnesota. ROW 2 — Henry Cbspdelalne, Rosemount; Otto Schuls, the nearest doctor was at Rose-
mount, when winter set in roads
unknown; Walter Kirchner, Highway 100, SR Paul; Walter Schulz, unknown; Oscar Andersen were often blocked with snow.
(deceased); Reine Chapdelaine, St, Paul; Edward Phelan. Farmington: Albert Erickson (de- The local Rosemount M.D. took
ceased). ROW 1 — Lydia (Dehrer) Sells, St. Paul; Rose Phelan, Farmington; Made (Erick. a hand car to ride on the tracks
son) Dehrer, Rosemount; Josephine (Furey) O'Mara, Seattle. Washington; Florence (Pea am- to get to an expectant mothers
side 1n time to deliver her baby
lent Fitsrer►Id, South St. Paul; Alke (DesLaurteru) Rosenberger, South St. Paul: FIIW.
derson. unknown. The teacher, she sou 1a rear. old .t the time, was Jeatahrr Jess.. An -
at 1a Wescott. 18 The Yeefant was ahoy,
.:'$''.born to tt. he Yee. Y1to ter.
, . ..„ phens, long time residents of
Wescott station.
An account from the Dakota
county book of history relates
that "In 1886 a flag station with..
out s depot was established on
the line of the Iowa and Minne-
sota division of theChicago,Mil-
waukee and St. Paul railway, near
the south-east corner of section
13, m land belonging to James
Wescott, for whom the station is
named Wescott Station.
Some years later a depot was
built and trains stopped to pick
up passengers and milk ernoute
to St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The first grocery store was
established by Julius and August
Lau and a post office In con-
nection in the year 1881. The
first Wescott school was built in
1898 and the first teacher was
Neale Linsley."
In the year 1917 Milo Stephens
built a store, garage and a feed
grinding mill at Wescott on the
then two main highways south,
the Hastings and Campo Falls
road and the Jefferson highway.
The community life began to
IN 1923 these were the youngsters attending District 106 at Wescott. Most are deseedents of the wane when the from the a we highway was
moved westathe
4908 class picture. Pictured (from left( are ROW 1: Julia Difflsy, Loretta Deel.attrieri Ella railroadrailroade
tracks to the east
side.
aide.
9tephena Melinda Stephens, Bertha Dehrer, Mary Hale. Evelyn Stephens and Rosemary Hale. Mr. Stephens moved his business
ROW 2: Frank Dehrer. George Mueller, Earl Schwan', Willard Krech. ROW 3: Lillian right along with the road- His
Schwan', Made Mueller. Margaret Dllfley, Cora Hots, Grace Garrity, Agnes Dlffley. Alma Hob, original garage still stands where
he moved it at that time.
In checking with the Minnesota
Highway Department we learned
the road now called Highway 49
was the new Jefferson highway
that ra,: through the community.
Highway records go back to 1921
which show that grading of the
fateful new highway from High-
way 55 to Rosemount was done in
1921 and paved in 1922. After this
time traffic sped through the
community on rubber tired
wheels of autos, a Jefferson bus
route was established which also
went through the community, and
the railroad's passenger service
rapidly declined at Wescott. •
The country grade school haute
continued to survive in its orl-i
ginal location until 1954 when the i
consolidation of District 196 took
place and the children were then(
transported by bus to Rosemount(
The buliding was purchased byth..'si
daughters of Milo Stechens cEllsl
'Ufavh►A:+;'4AtItet.'' `ii A
jf rattris
b%. Vault ti nut.
a PAU4,
�Q'\FEBi9s
1 4 PS(
nv1922
�C1P
A.F. Rahn, Town Clerk.,
Mendota, Minn.
4
FRANK E. TURGEON
PROPRIETOR & MGR.
a_. x::dbs�o
SEVENTH.
WABASHA AND
ST. PETER STS.
ST. PAlm.minit. Feb. I9th. 1922.
A.F. Rahn, Town Clerk.
Mendota, :1inn.
fear ir,-
I am in receipt of ypur check for $ 270.00
and am enclosing the sinned receipt for same.
Geo Wescott Address is.
.Geo. Wescott,
II73-So. Robert St. St.Paul, Minn.
Abbie Dee Wescott.
I u33-Stevens 'Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
Yours truly,
.' eecott.
FRANK E. TURGEON
PROPRIETOR & M.
SEVENTH,
WABASHA AND
ST. PETER STS
1,Tr. Rahn,
1:endota,
rea..f Fir,—
. I at: enclosing the Lgreement to
Damages signed "py all the heirs but James Wescott.
Yours truly,
"James Wescott soon purchased Le Bret's claim right, and
built a house sixteen feet square, which he occupied with his
brother, W.L. Wescott. In the fall of 1854, the latter returned
to their former home in Maine, and brought out his family. James
Wescott being at that time unmarried, the brothers continued to
live together for a few years until W.L. moved to a claim of his
own." The Wescott residence was a well-known inn for several
years. It was on this property that a train station was established
around which the small community of Wescott developed. Recently,
the West Publishing Company built their facility on the former
Wescott farm.
„0,0 . ko- 1 uz-t-Ltztt
"Westcott post -office was established in April, 1881, and A. Lau appointed
postmaster.”
In another edition of History of Dakota County it is stated that "In 1855 Mr. Thomas
(most likely it should read James) Wescott opened his house as a tavern, which is the
only one ever in the town. It was called one of the best on the route, and many a
weary traveler has thanked his 'lucky stars' that he arrived at Wescott's ere the night
set in to expose him to the inclemency of the weather."
Oral History
The name Westcott station came from "the home in the West" West cote (home).
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway purchased the right-of-way for the
railroad from James Wescott and proceeded to lay the tracks. However, payment was
not made for the land before the first train came through. James sat on a chair on the
tracks with a shot gun, stopped the train, and forced it to back up to the last station.
When the payment came through the train was allowed to pass.
James Wescott
Father of Wells Libbey Wescott
Born: September 12, 1795; Gorham, ME; Cumberland County
Married Dorcas Libbey on April 30, 1815 in Standish, ME; Cumberland County
Remarried Hannah Hanson, Place and date are unknown
Died: April 3, 1870; in MN; Dakota County
James Wescott
Brother of Wells Libbey Wescott
Born: October 22, 1823; Gorham, ME; Cumberland
County
Married Mary E. Atkinson on August 23, 1857 in
Farmington, MN; Dakota County
Died: May 4, 1910; in Egan, MN; Dakota County
newspaper articles in the Hastings Gazette and the
Hastings Democrat. According to cemetery
records he is buried in Lakeside, not St. Luke's. }
JAMES WESCOTT,, EAGAN
On Wednesday, May 4, 1910, James Wescott
died at his home in Wescott, of heart failure in the
87th year of his age. He was buried in Farmington
on Saturday, the 7th inst, from the Methodist
church, Rev. J. L. Seager conducting the services.
James Wescott was born in Cumberland Co.
Maine, October 22, 1823, and died at Wescott,
Minn., May 4, 1910.
He went to California in 1849, and followed
mining until 1853, when he returned to his former
home in Maine. In 1854, with his brother Wells
Wescott, he came to Eagan township, Minn., took
up a homestead and lived on it until his death.
In 1860, James Wescott was elected treasurer
of Dakota county and served in that office for two
years. In 1863 he enlisted in the service of his
country in Company I, 1st Minnesota, heavy
artillery, as junior lieutenant. He was honorably
discharged at Marshall, Tennessee, at the close of
the war.
Mr. Wescott was married August 23, 1957, to
Mary Atkinson, who survives him.
Three sons and one daughter are also living.
His brother Wells Wescott, resided in Lakeville
township.
*****
The undersigned wish to express publicly
their appreciation of the kindness tendered him by
friends during the illness and burial of their
husband and father. It would be impossible to
remember all these by name, but it would not be
out of place to refer particularly to the choir which
rendered the necessary music so feelingly at the
funeral.
Mrs. James Wescott and Children
Newspaper and date unknown
Austin Knapp from the Hastings Gazette on the
occasion of his 96th birthday.
AUSTIN KNAPP, HASTINGS
Neighborhood friends of Austin Knapp, Civil
war veteran and one of the few survivors of
General William Tecumseh Sherman's gallant
army, assembled at his home on West Third street
February 17 for a quiet but enjoyable celebration in
honor of his ninety-sixth birthday. Three broken
ribs, which the venerable citizen suffered in falling
over a sawbuck a few days ago, prevented him
from playing any birthday games during the
evening but even this handicap --- a rather serious
one at the age of ninety-six --- failed to spoil his
enjoyment of the refreshments which his friends
had thoughtfully brought with them, or the
delicious pink and white birthday cake, which his
granddaughter, Mrs. Lester Knapp of Minneapolis,
had baked for the occasion.
Other gifts of candy and fruit and a visit with
his two sons, Dr. M.A. Knapp and Rolland Knapp,
both of Minneapolis, were additional features of
the day for the genial veteran, who has weathered
seventy-five Minnesota winters without flinching.
Mr. Knapp's first recollections of Hastings date
back to those pioneer days when the main street of
the city was a swamp, bordered by Indian
wigwams. He came here at the age of twenty
from Pontiac, Mich., his birthplace. He resided for
short periods at Red Wing, Spring Lake and
Owatonna but soon returned to this city where the
remainder of his life has been spent.
September 1997 Page 11
The Boys from Castle Rock
Company F of the Eighth Regiment
By Marlys Stevens Guildner
When President Abraham. Lincoln issued a call for 600,00
of the Rebellion in the summer of 1862, volunteers wer
CH R! UT. MINNESOTA IRISH
VOLUNTKERi�,
Sars.field Guards.
$120 BOUNTY,
70 Ca•h when sworn in.
4O Ca,,h when the Company is musterrd in,
10 Cash tip each of the Brat five Married
r:en enlisting in this Company.
'The family of each Married Man will receiee $5 per
month front the County, $5 per month from the I icy,
and whatever may he offered by the Citizens' Comm'
tree And the tir4i tiAe Married Men enlisiine in this
I%�2m"any will rrcrive in adaitton to all of this $2 50 per
month for their families.
Rec' utting Office ' 0. 2. Rogers' Block, Third A.reet
Saint Paul. JOH K
M. it. SU:,t.' V AN.
TIIO 134 .WA Rif.
Recruiting c dicers.
St. Paul. August 14, 1862.-dlr�
This advertisement for recruits for the Eighth Regiment
appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer and Democrat 19 August 1862.
0 more troops to fight in the War
re being sought from the many
midwest states. Quotas were
set and if there were not
enough volunteers, a draft
would be put into effect.
Leonard Aldrich had a picnic
gathering at his home in
Poplar Grove on 1 August
1862 for the purpose of
raising a company of
soldiers. Men from all the
surrounding area responded
and there were enough
volunteers to form Company
F, assigned to the 8th
Minnesota Infantry Regiment,
with Mr. Aldrich elected to
serve as their Captain.
The men proceeded to
Hastings by teams and wagons
where they were sworn in and
shortly thereafter sent to Fort Snelling. There had been such a successful response to the call
for volunteers that there were not enough rifles, uniforms and equipment on hand, so they were
given a one week fu rlough to go home and harvest their grain which had been left behind in the
fields. When they returned and were preparing to head south to fight in the war, the Dakota
Conflict took place in the New Ulm and Redwood Falls area. At the request of Governor
Alexander Ramsey, Company Falong with others, were dispatched to guard the frontier and
fight the Indians. They chased them into the Dakota Territory, through the Badlands, across the
Yellowstone River where it met the Missouri River, into Montana and to the west. There were
many skirmishes along the way. Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, was a forward postforthe troops
and afield hospital was located there. Two years were spent on the frontier to accomplish this
assignment.
j
1
Page 12 Over the Years
Company F then regrouped and loaded aboard flat boats along with their horses, supplies
and equipment and headed down the Missouri River to Sioux City, Iowa --- a trip of 1,000
miles in 20 days. Then they traveled overland across Iowa to Chicago, where they boarded
cattle trains for the trip to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Finally they were to see real action!
The first battle they were engaged in was near Murfreesboro on 7 December 1864, known
as the Battle of Cedars. Company F suffered several casualties there, 3 killed and 16
wounded. Killed were Samuel H. Higgins --- a cannon ball went completely through his
chest ---, Sergeant Aaron Brigham, and James H. Payton. The wounded included Alonzo
Aldrich. Many rebel prisoners were taken at this battle.
Later they proceeded by steamboat on the Ohio River to Cincinnati, then by train to
Washington, D.C. They camped at Arlington Heights for 2 weeks, then went on a steamboat
on the bay at Alexandria, rounding Cape Hatteras to Morehead City, North Carolina.
From there to Kingston, North Carolina, by rail. They were engaged in the battles of
Kingston in March 1865. They joined General William Tecumseh Sherman in his march to
the sea at Fort Goldboro, then on to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they met Gen. Joe
Johnston when he surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant. Then on to Charlotte, North
Carolina, where they were mustered out on 11 July 1865.
The trip home was by way of Fortress Monroe, on to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne,
Chicago, then to St. Paul, a trip which took 10 days. Cannons were fired on the bluffs in St.
Paul from the time the Regiment came into sight until it landed. They were met by bands
and music and speeches of welcome by the Governor of the State and others. After dinner
at the capitol, the Regiment expected to take a boat to Fort Snelling and be discharged but
instead were given a furlough until called for when the men could return and receive their
pay and final discharge. They did this on 1 August 1865, just three years from the time of
their enlistment.
Company F had a number of reunions starting in 1872. In the Farmington Press of 16
December 1875 William Fowler and Thomas Hodgson of the reunion committee shared the
synopsis of the reunion for the benefit of those who could not attend. After listing the
members of the Company and their whereabouts, if known, they described dinner. "The
siege of the dining room was a specimen of perfect military tactics. The groaning tables
were so thoroughly invested upon all sides that there was not even a chance for the leg of a
chicken to escape. That they should be starved into unconditional surrender was evident
from the beginning. However, they held out with remarkable tenacity; but 1 think even Mr.
Bigelow would acknowledge that the victory was ours. Let no one infer that the dinner was
inadequate; on the contrary there was enough and good enough and lots left. Mr. B. was
entitled to the thanks as well as the pay which he afterwards received."
September 1997 Page 13
The Fighting Family
George Panchot, of Marshan, this county, the
patriotic sire of five noble sons who have gave
their services to their country, having enlisted in
a Company now forming in this county for the
New Cavalry Regiment, we take this opportunity
of briefly referring to them, and challenging any
family to present a more glorious record.
George Panchot enlisted in Company "H",
First Regiment Minn. Volunteers, and was killed
at the battle of Antietam.
Peter J. and David enlisted in Company "F",
3rd Regiment of Minn. Volunteers, and are now
at Little Rock, ARK.
Charles Panchot, enlisted in the 5th
Regiment Minn. Volunteers, and is now attached
to the Pioneer Corps.
Augustus Panchot, enlisted in Hatch's
Battalion, and is now guarding our frontier from
the merciless savages.
George Panchot, the sire of the flock enlisted
in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, on Tuesday last.
November 26, 1863 Hastings Independent
He has lived in his present dwelling on West
Third street for the past fifty-five years, residing
alone the greater part of that time. He does his
own cooking, chops his own wood and keeps
"open house" for the young people of the
neighborhood, who drop in frequently in the
evening to listen to stories of frontier life and
enjoy some of their venerable host's culinary
specialties.
Mr. Knapp is a cook of no mean ability, having
prepared his own meals for nearly half a century
on an antiquated and rust -eaten but still serviceable
stove that was first installed in his home fifty-five
years ago. Biscuits and coffee are two favorite
items on the veteran's bill of fare. He likes his
coffee strong --- if someone else is furnishing it ---
he admits with a chuckle.
Bronchial trouble deprived the veteran of his
voice about a year ago but even this affliction has
failed to diminish his interest in life or prevent him
from performing his daily tasks.
He reads the newspapers thoroughly and keeps
closely in touch with national and civic affairs.
Until recently he was a regular caller in the
downtown district of the city but his health has
failed considerably during the past year and long
walks are beyond his endurance.
His daily constitutionals, to which he attributes
much credit for his longevity, are a "sip" of
kerosene and a pinch of pure white sand.
28 February 1930 Hastings Gazette
RICHARD MORRILL, RANDOLPH
Richard Baxter Morrill was born at Galena, Ill.,
July 8, 1842. When four years old he moved with
his parents to Shellsburg, Wis. Two years later
they moved onto a farm in Monticello township,
Lafayette county, Wisconsin.
In 1854 with his parents he came to Minnesota
by steamboat up the Mississippi River, the river
being low, they landed at Point Douglas and the
following summer he and his parents came to a
point on the Cannon River and filed a pre-emption
right in section 8 on part of which the village of
Randolph was built.
On November 20, 1861 Mr. Morrill was united
in marriage to Sarah Jane Foster, who died in
December, 1919.
Eight children were born to this union: Hattie,
who died in 1879; William, 1919. Six children
survive: Mrs. M. E. Dibble, Charles, and Glen of
Randolph, Jennie (Mrs. Charles Carligan) of
Burbank, Calif., Mrs. Will (Nettie) Barber of
Tregorva, Sask., Canada; 17 grandchildren and one
sister, Mrs. Mary Lewis of Spokane, Washington.
In September, 1863, Mr. Morrill enlisted in
Brackett's Battalion, served and was mustered out
on May 16, 1866.
For many years Mr. Morrill was the owner of a
hotel and rooming house, he held many offices of
trust which he faithfully performed, in later years
his health was poor and retired from active service.
His wonderful mind and desire to keep abreast of
the times made him an outstanding character and
his conversation was pleasing as well as instructive.
Page 14 Over the Years
No one will ever know the help he has given
humanity in his day. A dutiful husband, father and
neighbor has gone on.
The past six weeks he failed rapidly, the spirit
to carry on was present but the flesh was weak.
The funeral services were held Saturday at two
p.m., Saturday in the Methodist church where he
was a member and trustee for many years. For
over 50 years the deceased was a member of the
Masonic lodge in Cannon Falls. The entire service
was conducted by Brother Masons and Rev.
Thompson, pastor of the Methodist church.
Interment was in Lakeside cemetery which he
helped organize and its first president.
Thus another highly respected citizen and
neighbor has answered "Taps."
November 27, 1925 Dakota County Tribune
WILLIAM NIXON, FARMINGTON
The people of Farmington were shocked
Sunday evening when the announcement was made
that William Nixon, a business man and one of our
earliest pioneers, was dead, death resulting from an
attack of pneumonia, occurring at 9:15 that
evening.
About two weeks previous he contracted a
severe cold, which continued to grow worse. It
later developed into pneumonia in virulent form.
On Friday before his condition improved some and
the news was heralded about that Billy Nixon was
going to get well and this impression was upon the
minds of our people when the news came that he
was dead.
William Nixon came to Farmington at the
close of the War of the Rebellion and entered
business, and for fifty years he was identified with
the trades people of our town. He married early in
life and to this union three children -- Arthur and
Guy Nixon and Mrs. Rilla Drake of Minneapolis
were born and survive him. About seventeen years
ago he was divorced from his wife and two years
later married Miss Nettie Russell of Emporia,
Kans. In this union the marriage relations were
more congenial and the spirit of thrift soon became
in evidence from every quarter. Billy Nixon was
always known as a good dreamer. He dreamed
with his eyes open and wide awake and with his
William Nixon from the Farmington Centennial
Book, 1872 - 1972.
helpmate they made money, the bulk of which he
bequeaths to his widow who helped him make it.
The deceased was born in Liverpool, England,
March 4, 1843. He came with his father to St. Paul
at the age of five and at the beginning of the War
of the Rebellion enlisted and served through the
entire war. He held numerous local offices and
was on the village board and helped set out the
trees which now envelops Farmington as a
veritable park. He was with every movement for
the betterment of social life and among the
boosters who put Farmington dry. He was an
honored citizen and will be missed from our
business circle.
Mrs. Nixon informs the Tribune that she will
remain in Farmington and conduct the business
along the lines as planned before Mr. Nixon's
death.
December 31, 1915 Dakota County Tribune
JOHN KING, NININGER
Rapidly the old veterans are passing away from
the scenes of their struggle and victory. Capt. John
King, a former resident of this city died at Bird
Island on the afternoon of Thursday, March 18th.
He served during the war of the rebellion in the
Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and made a bright record
September 1997 Page 15
John King of Nininger in his Fifth Regiment
uniform.
as a brave and competent officer. He was born in
Ireland and came to this country with his parents
while a child and lived at Haverstraw, N.Y. until
1855, when they came to this State, settling at
Hastings. He removed to Renville county in 1871
remaining there until 1879, on a claim which he
had taken. Removing from there to Bird Island, he
took charge of the Merchant's hotel which he
occupied until burned down. He was 49 years of
age, and leaves a wife but no children to mourn his
death. The remains were brought to Hastings and
buried at Vermillion. The pall bearers were Daniel
O'Brien, Thomas McDonald, G. Cassidy and
David Atkinson. A large number of friends
attended the funeral and saw the old soldier laid
away to rest until he shall be called to join the
Grand Army in the roll call beyond the skies.
Happy the man that can go as Capt. King did,
feeling that he has not lived in vain for his strong
arm has been raised to strike for Liberty, and to
save the Union. For this his memory will be
cherished by his comrades, and by every true
citizen who respects the man that offered his life
for the Nation in her hour of need. Peaceful be
his rest.
26 March 1886 Hastings Banner
INDIAN JOHN, HASTINGS
Died, at his home in Ravenna, Muck a pea wah
ken zah (Indian John) in the seventy-seventh year
of his age.
A great heart has ceased to beat. A great soul
has been called to its maker. He who met and
defied death a thousand times has yielded to the
conqueror of all.
In the terrible times of 1862, when women and
children scarce dared to to breath, and the truest
and bravest of the land were in the field battling
against the hostile Sioux, there was non whose
heart beat with warmer throbs for the defenseless,
or whose deeds of valor shone more brightly than
his. At the risk of his own life, incurring the bitter
hatred of his own tribe, he stood bravely for the
defense of unprotected women and children,
protecting whom he received injuries whose pains
left him only with death. Thrilling is the story of
his exploits, and, to us, in these days of peace and
safety, marvelous.
Because of the invaluable assistance rendered
the whites his property was destroyed by the
The wedding picture of "Indian John" and "Indian
Lucy" loaned by Joan and Frederick Voigt. It was
Frederick's great-grandfather Herman Voigt, upon
whose land Indian John lived.
Page 16 Over the Years
members of his own tribe, and he driven out,
barely escaping with his own life.
While scouting for Gen. Sibley in 1863,
overtaken by a blizzard on the open prairie, he laid
for forty-eight hours benumbed and half frozen.
For weeks he hovered between life and death, but
at last the scales turned and his life was spared.
From the terrible injuries received in those years
he never recovered. Though suffering intensely at
time, no murmur was ever heard to escape his lips.
Cheerfully he bore his burdens, and bowed in
humble submission to his will, whose faithful
follower he was.
Of late years his injuries incapacitated him
from manual labor, and left him dependent on
charity. A few warm friends, remembering the
hardships and unrequited services of former days,
strove to smoothe his pathway and lighten his
burdens. He lived beyond the allotted three score
years and ten, just long enough to have tardy
justice rendered him. Aug. 9th, 1888, his name
was placed on the United States pension roll.
Before he could receive any of the benefits
therefrom he responded to the roll call above.
His hardships are ended; he has entered upon
his rest.
S.
Indian John, as he was known to use all, was a
remarkable man. It was not one act alone or his
conduct during the Indian outbreak of 1862 that
commanded the esteem of the whites, though his
deeds then made him a public benefactor and gave
him a place in the history of the state. He was a
kindly, industrious man, with a nice sense of honor
and duty, who never failed to return any act of
kindness extended to himself. An acquaintance
told me that he gave John permission to turn his
ponies in his pasture several years ago, and he said
he meant it to be from year to year, but that John
every spring came to his house to be sure that it
was so meant before he availed himself of it, and
he added that he was the gainer by it, for if the
fence was down, the cattle out, or the gate left
open, John always drove them back and mended
the fence and saved him from loss from the gaping
doors of a neighboring pound.
It was such a character that won the respect of
the citizens of Hastings and caused such a general
attendance at his obsequies.
C.
29 September 1888 Hastings Gazette
HERMAN VOIGT, HASTINGS
Herman Voigt and his "constant pal", his pipe, in a
photo loaned by Joan and Frederick Voigt, the
great-grandson mentioned in the article.
Sitting contentedly in his easy chair and
smoking his beloved pipe, his constant pal,
Herman Voigt, who is nearing the century mark as
regards age, observed his 98th birthday on
Tuesday in a pleasant and happy manner. He
remarked that the present day generation does not
know the meaning of hard times or strife. "Present
times are bad, that is certain," he said, "but not as
bad" as when he came to America 82 years ago, as
a lad of 16 years.
He first saw the light of day in Germany,
August 14, 1836, and came to the United States in
1852. He has not since been back to the
Fatherland. He came to this locality in 1857 when
Hastings was a primitive village in the woods and
with few houses. It was "just an Indian trading
post with more copperskins than white persons,"
the pioneer said.
September 1997 Page 17
He has lived at his present home for 58 years
which is a nice farm home about a mile from the
down town district of the city, located on the 10th
street road to the State hospital, near Ravenna
township.
For a number of years he was located in St.
Louis, Mo., and it was there that he enlisted in the
Civil War, serving four years and then receiving
his honorable discharge at its close. He returned to
this locality after the war and for many years
operated a large lumber and saw mill in Wisconsin.
He voted twice for Abraham Lincoln and is the
only surviving member of the G.A.R. Peller post in
this community. His health is fine, and he is up
and around the house, walking to the mailbox on
his birthday and being well pleased with the
birthday greetings which he received.
"My health is good," he said, "and if I feel as
well as I do on this birthday, guess I am good for
another 20 years." He is friendly and sociable and
likes to have his friends drop in and chat with him.
The senior Voigt sleeps well, eats well and his
faculties are keen and alert. He reads his daily
newspaper with interest and keeps abreast of the
time. He and his daughter Miss Minnie reside
together. Other near relatives are a son Louis Voigt
Sr. of Hastings and two grandchildren, and three
great-grandchildren, all of this city and numerous
relatives in the Twin Cities. His great-grandson,
Frederick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Voigt Jr., was
six years old on Wednesday, August 15, and the
two had a nice visit together on "Grandpa Voigt's
birthday."
A birthday dinner was enjoyed by Mr. Voigt at
his home on Sunday. A beautifully decorated
green and white cake, ornamented with his name
and age was the gift of Mrs. Lou Bremer of St.
Paul, a relative of his. He was very much pleased
with the dinner and cake and the birthday wishes
he received. His step -daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth
Buschman and her daughter Miss Claribel
Buschman of St. Paul were with him on Sunday.
Mr. Voigt is one of the oldest pioneer settlers
in this locality and he is well known here by the
older generation, who extend to him their best
wishes for his continued good health and many
happy birthday greetings.
17 August 1934 Hastings Gazette
{Upon Herman Voigt's death at the age of 102
years, he was the last remaining Civil War veteran
in Hastings and the oldest veteran in the state of
Minnesota.)
GRIFFIN PHELPS, LAKEVILLE
By the death of Griffin Phelps, which occurred
on Monday evening, (June) 8th, Lakeville loses her
oldest settler, one who has been closely identified
with the growth and development of the town for
60 years.
The deceased was born in Hampton, Windom
County, Conn., on February 3, 1826, and at the
time of his death was 88 years, 4 months and 5
days old. He was one of the family of six children,
his father Zeba Holt Phelps, and mother whose
maiden name was Betsy Griffin, both being born in
New England.
The deceased remained on the home farm until
1853, when with a party of 100 he came to
Minnesota. The objective point was Faribault, but
being unable to cross the Cannon River, the party
disbanded, Griffin going to St. Paul and working in
the lumber mill of J. J. Brackett.
The same fall he first visited this section, and
squatted on a claim on the bank of the lake, now
Lake Marion. He later gave up this right and
pre-empted 160 acres in Section 29, 30 and 31, a
portion of same now being owned by G.
Klemenhagen, J. Wilde and the R. McClentick
estate. The first ground Phelps, who also sowed
the first grain - one bushel of rye - in the fall of
1853.(sic)
The next year he returned east for his wife, to
whom he was married in March, 1854, and whose
maiden name was Sarah J. Simons. On arriving
here the young couple moved into a log house near
the lake. In 1854 he was appointed by President
Pierce as the first post master in this part of the
county, citizens of Rosemount, Empire, Eureka and
Poplar Grove coming here for their mail. The next
year, first school was started, on the subscription
plan.
In 1864, at the time of the Indian outbreak in
this state, Mr. Phelps enlisted in Co. F. Hatch's
Page 18 Over the Years
Battalion, Minnesota Cavalry, being detailed to
convey drafted soldiers from here to South
Carolina. In April, 1866, he received his discharge
and returned home.
In 1870 he sold his farm and went east,
remaining five years, then came back and built a
house on the small farm just south of town, where
he lived until his death. Following the death of his
wife, he was on August 4, 1888, united in marriage
with Miss Harriet Wilson, a native of New York
who is left to mourn his departure.
Mr. Phelps is one of the last survivors of that
noble band who came here, endured all of the
hardships and by hard labor converted the
wilderness into the beautiful farming community
which it now is, and for so doing is entitled to all
honor. As a man he was broad and liberal in his
views and true to his friends whom it was always
a pleasure for him to accommodate when so called
upon. His friends, which included the settlers here
for the past 60 years, always found in him a true
man, and were always met with the glad hand and
pleasant smile.
The funeral was held from the (home at?)
noon, and was largely attended. Rev. Hanscom
officiated and preached a most excellent sermon.
The choir sang, "The Home of the Soul." a favorite
hymn of the family, and "It is Well With My Soul."
The services were concluded at Oak Grove
cemetery, where the choir sang "In the Sweet Bye
and Bye," and where interment was made in the
handsome lot prepared by the deceased many years
ago.
June 26, 1914 Dakota County Tribune
JOHN TEACHOUT, CASTLE ROCK
Funeral services over the body of John
Teachout were held at late his home in Castle Rock
yesterday (Thursday) at 1 p.m., conducted by Rev.
J. D. Batson, assisted by Rev. O. V. Siniff.
Interment was at the Castle Rock cemetery. The
pall bearers were all sons of veterans as follows:
Will Perry, Lyman Day, Jud Batson, Loren Rowell,
Louis Stevens and Lee Stevens.
John Teachout was born March 9, 1833, at
Gainesville, Wyoming county, New York. He died
Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 11:45 a. m., at the age of 71
years, 11 months and 6 days. He came with his
John Teachout of Castle Rock.
parents to Bradford , Wis., in 1840. He married
Cordelia Case, a Wisconsin girl, March 26, 1856,
and moved to Minnesota the same spring, taking
up a government claim in Castle Rock where he
has since resided. He leaves a widow and four
children, Etta Annis, Frank Grant, Orena Elnora
and George Henry. Annis and Orena reside at
home, George on an adjoining farm and Frank is at
Garvanza, Cal. The oldest daughter, Etta Cecelia,
died in 1862 at the age of four.
John Teachout was a member of Canby Post,
G. A. R., at Farmington. He served in the war as a
member of Co. I Minnesota heavy artillery. He
was a member of the Poplar Grove Free Baptist
church. In politics he was a member of the
republican party all his life. He was earnest and
loyal in all relations of life and was a valued
neighbor and friend. He believed in newspapers
and has been a subscriber to the Tribune since its
first issue.
Mr. Teachout is the last member of his father's
family, his brother, George M., of Minneapolis,
having died in Florida last week. His funeral was
held at Prescott yesterday at 3. p. m.
All memories of the late John Teachout are
pleasant and agreeable. He had a ready wit, was an
entertaining companion and had a shrewdness and
perception which gave great value to his
friendship. His death adds another to the list of
those we have respected and trusted who have
gone before. A simple life, filled with the small
September 1997 Page 19
details of daily cares, yet so well rounded out by
the fact of all obligations met and all duties well
done, that one will miss John Teachout as one
misses comforts heretofore enjoyed. The cordial
hand grasp, the friendly greeting, the neighborly
enquiries, the generous sympathy - these we shall
never secure from him again. For those who loss
is most immediate, his family, his children, his
relatives, the sympathy of the community goes out
and it goes out in the full knowledge that the
strong man who is gone lived the full measure of
his life in peace and good will with all men, that he
fought a good fight, that he has finished his course,
true and staunch to the end, keeping the faith.
Feb. 17, 1905 Dakota County Tribune
JOHN THURSTON, FARMINGTON
THE FUNERAL OF JOHN H. THURSTON
The remains of the late John H. Thurston
were brought to Farmington from St. Paul last
Saturday morning and the funeral services were
held in the Church of the Advent, Episcopal, at 10
o'clock. The Rev. Dr. Andrews of St. Paul
officiated. Numerous old friends of the deceased
attended the funeral.
The burial services of the Grand Army of the
Republic was rendered at the grave by Canby post.
The deceased was a member of this post.
The remains were interred in the family lot in
Corinthian cemetery.
The pall -bearers were M. W. Neiderkorn, C. O.
Wescott, H. W. Hosmer, D. J. Johnson, M. Moes,
and Dr. Geo. R. Day.
The Life of John H. Thurston
John Henry Thurston, the third child of
Daniel Merrill and Jane Moore Thurston, was born
in Portland, Maine, Jan. 25, 1832. He received his
education in that city, and learned the machinist's
trade at which he worked until his removal to
Minnesota in 1855, and his father and brother
Sumner; he lived for a short time in St. Paul before
taking out a claim in Lakeville township. Nov. 1,
1858, he was married to Miss Ellen M. Brimhall,
of Eureka, by whom he had three children, Daniel
Merrill and Albert Henry, who died in infancy, and
Mary Louise, who died in her llth year.
Sept. 25, 1861, Mr. Thurston and his brother
Sumner enlisted in a militia company of which
Robert S. Donaldson was captain, and which
became the nucleus of Co. C., 4th Minn. V. The
company wintered at Ft. Ripley, Minn., where he
was confirmed in the Episcopal church by the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Whipple, Jan. 10, 1862. In April,
1862, the regiment assembled at Ft. Snelling,
going thence to Benton Barracks, St. Louis. Mr.
Thurston was soon detailed into the brass band.
He was present at the battles of Iuka and
Corinth, Yazoo Pass expedition, battles of Port
Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hills, and siege and
surrender of Vicksburg. He left the regiment at
Vicksburg, being detailed as Quartermaster
Sergeant of the 49th U. S. Colored Troops, and
afterward being promoted to Adjutant and 1st
Lieutenant. In March 1864, he resigned, and
stayed at home until the following August, when
he became Chief Head Clerk to the Quartermaster
of the General Hospital of the Army of the
Tennessee. He was with Sherman on the famous
march from "Atlanta to the Sea," and was always
very proud of this experience.
After the close of hostilities, he went with a
wagon train from Washington, D. C., to
Jeffersonville, Ind., and thence by rail and steamer
to Ft. Leavenworth, Kas.
His wife and two sons died very soon after his
return home, and he moved to Minneapolis,
working at his trade in what is now the C. M. & St.
P. shops. July 18, 1866, he married Miss Louise
Mosbaugh, of Cambridge City, Ind., who survives
him. They had one child, Walter M., now living
with his mother.
After living for a short time on his farm, Mr.
Thurston moved to Farmington in 1868, opening a
drug store with L. P. Fluke, whom he afterward
bought out. In 1872 he entered the railway mail
service, which he left in 1877, owing to serious
injuries received in a collision, and from which he
never fully recovered. In 1883, he started the
Farmington "Reporter;" later, in company with F.
A. Weld, he bought the "Press" and united it with
the "Reporter" under the name of the "Farmington
Journal." The partnership was dissolved the
following year, Mr. Weld continuing the paper.
In 1885 he sold his drug business to B. F.
Henry, and in 1886 moved to Belle Plaine, Minn.,
Page 20 Over the Years
where he bought wheat for two years. In 1890 he
re-entered the mail service, being detailed as
Division Printer in 1891, and holding this position
until the day of his death.
In 1894 he moved his family to St. Paul, where
they have since lived.
3 October 1902 Dakota County Tribune
FREER SHELLENBARGER
CASTLE ROCK
Freer Shellenbarger passed away at his home in
Castle Rock last Thursday, November 23, at the
age of 77 years, 10 months and 9 days.
The deceased was born in Mahoning county,
Ohio, Jan. 14, 1845. In his boyhood the family
moved to Indiana, settling at Silver Lake. Here he
lived until he was 15 years old when he enlisted in
the U. S. Infantry, 8th Regiment, Ind. Here he
served three years and later re -enlisted in the 118th
Regiment, Ind.
Freer Shellenbarger and Miss Elizabeth Doub
were married January 1, 1871. Four children were
born to this couple, two sons and two daughters, all
of whom are living.
Freer Shellenbarger in a photograph loaned by
Phyllis Shellenbarger Betzold.
A GRAND UNION PARTY
�1 tll be given at the DAKOTA HOUSE, in West Saint
Patti, on
T` C1R !SAS EVEN Nci.
The Ferry crossing to and fro will be FaL E for all
who wish to attend.
Tickets only $1 for a't aiy and Gentleman.
All Uukatl,us itre respectfully invited to attend.
a'.ij6.d2t
In 1862 a number of "Union" parties were held
including this one at the Dakota House in West St.
Paul. From the St. Paul Pioneer & Democrat, 6
August 1862.
Mr. and Mrs. Shellenbarger moved to
Minnesota in 1879 settling first in Washington
county and about a year and a half later they
moved to Dakota county, 1-2 miles north of Old
Castle Rock until the time of his death.
Mr. Shellenbarger was an enterprising and
successful farmer. The substantial improvement
made on the farm he lived on for forty years bear
testimony to his wisdom and skill in his chosen
occupation. As a neighbor and friend, Mr.
Shellenbarger has been respected by those with
whom he was associated in the activities of
community life. As a citizen, he was devoted to
the welfare of his country, for which he gave three
years of faithful service as a soldier. He fought in
twenty-four engagements and was with Grant at
Vicksburg and at Cedar Creek, West Va.
His wife, four children, Berton, Mrs. Gloa
Dilley and Mrs. Laura Lace all of Castle Rock and
Frank of McGrath, Minn., 18 grand children, two
sisters, Mrs. C. Bolin of Castle Rock and Mary
Madison of Hastings, and a large circle of friends
mourn the departure of Mr. Shellenbarger.
The funeral was held at the home, Saturday,
November 25, Rev. Meade, formerly of Castle
Rock officiated. The burial took place at West
Castle Rock cemetery.
December 1, 1922 Dakota County Tribune
September 1997 Page 21
sJBaA ay3 aan0 ZZ a$gd
First name Last name
James
Benjamin F.
Henry G.
Christopher
Joseph
Henry M.
Volney R.
William
Richard
Eli
Aaron A.
Alonzo G.
William H.
William
Michael
Francis
James
John
Peter
John
Orison
William W.
Fred
John
John H.
Daniel
Anson
Peter
Howard
Akers
Arbuckle
Bailly
Baltes
Barker
Barrett
Barton
Battin
Batton
Beyergeant
Brigham
Burgess
Burroughs
Cager
Carlin
Case
Casey
Casey
Collins
Connerton
Corson
Cummings
Diehr
Duke
Essency
Estabrooks
Foster
Gergen
Griffin
Town
Ravenna
West St. Paul
Hastings
Hampton
Hastings
Hampton
Lakeville
Mendota
Marshan
Hastings
Empire
Hastings
Mendota
Empire
Hastings
Hampton
Nininger
GRAND ARMY OF THE DEAD
THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CIVIL WAR
Regiment & Company
First Reg Co. H
Sixth Reg Co. A
Fifth Reg Co. G
Seventh Reg Co. F
Third Reg Co. F
Seventh Reg Co. A
Second Reg Co. K
Ninth Reg Co. I
Fourth Reg Co. C
Fifth Reg Co. G
Eighth Reg Co. F
Seventh Reg Co. F
Sixth Reg Co. C
First Reg Co. H
Ind. Battalion Co. D
Ind. Battalion Co. F
Fourth Reg Co. C
Fourth Reg Co. C
First Battalion Co. B
Third Reg Co. F
Seventh Reg Co. F
First Reg Co. H
First Reg Co. H
Seventh Reg Co. F
First Reg Co. H
Fourth Reg Co. C
Seventh Reg Co. F
Seventh Reg Co. F
Third Reg Co. F
Circumstances of death
Battle of Gettysburg
At Memphis, Tennessee
Of wounds received at battle of Nashville, TN
At Mankato, Minnesota, or Mendota
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
At St. Louis, Missouri
Of wounds received at Chickamauga, GA
At Fort Ridgely, Minnesota
In hospital
At Cairo, Illinois
At Battle of Cedars
At Winona, Minnesota
At Fort Snelling, Minnesota
Battle of Antietam
At Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory
Drowned at Hastings, Minnesota
Battle of Iuka, Mississippi
Of wounds
At Battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
At Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
By accidental discharge of a gun
Battle of Gettysburg
In hospital at New Orleans, Louisiana
Battle of Gettysburg
At Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Of wounds received at battle of Tupelo, Mississippi
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Date of death
2 July 1863
8 September 1864
7 January 1865
26 March 1863
16 October 1863
24 November 1863
September 1863
5 November 1862
24 June 1864
7 December 1864
28 November 1864
14 August 1865
17 September 1862
18 May 1864
31 October 1864
19 September 1862
13 November 1864
14 July 1865
7 October 1864
14 October 1864
27 October 1861
2 July 1863
2 July 1863
15 July 1862
14 October 1864
18 July 1864
6 December 1864
EZ abed L661 aaquia;daS
Halver Halverson
Nicholas Hass
Samuel W. Hatch
William Henderson
Samuel H. Higgins
Albert G. Hunt
William Irvine
Horance Jameson
Alex M. Johnson
James W. Jolley
Patrick Keating
Henry C. Knapp
Elisha Lackey
Zebina Lambert
Isaac Lyons
William E. Maddocks
Charles O. Maybee
Alexander R. McLeod
Edward L. Moizo
John Moore
Sidney A. Morris
John A. Moulton
Davis Newell
Henry Niemeier
Marquis L. Odell
David Panchot
Alfred
James H.
William
Benjamin
Jeremiah
Robert
William
Parks
Payton
Plummer
Pool
Pool
Poor
Pratt
Hampton
Sciota
West St. Paul
Sciota
Marshan
Nininger
Hastings
Ravenna
Castle Rock
West St. Paul
Sciota
Castle Rock
Greenvale
Greenvale
Nininger
West St. Paul
GRAND ARMY OF THE DEAD
Fifth Reg Co. G
Third Reg Co. F
Ind. Battalion Co. C
Seventh Reg Co. F
Eighth Reg Co. F
Third Reg Co. B
Sixth Reg Co. A
Brackett's Batt Co. C
Fifth Reg Co. H
Second Cavalry Co. F
Tenth Reg Co. H
Ind. Battalion Co. F
Fourth Reg Co. C
Brackett's Batt Co. D
Fourth Reg Co. E
First MR Co. C
Ind. Battalion Co. B
Sixth Reg Co. A
Seventh Reg Co. F
Seventh Reg Co. F
Brackett's Batt Co. C
Seventh Reg Co. F
Seventh Reg Co. H
Third Reg Co. F
Second Cavalry Co. F
Third Reg Co. F
Third Reg Co. B
Eighth Reg Co. F
Brackett's Batt Co. C
Fourth Reg Co. C
Third Reg Co. I
Third Reg Co. F
Sixth Reg Co. A
At Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
At Alexandria, Minnesota
Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi
At Battle of Cedars
Of wounds received at battle of Birch Coolie, MN
In action at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory
At Clear Creek, Mississippi
In action on Missouri River
In New Orleans, Louisiana
At Fort Snelling, Minnesota
Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi
At Fort Snelling, Minnesota
At Hastings, Minnesota
At Hastings
At Pembina, Dakota Territory
At Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
At Trimbelle, Wisconsin
In hospital
At quarantine hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
After capture
On hospital steamer, Baltic
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
By accidental discharge of a pistol
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
At Battle of Cedars
While on march from Fort Snelling to Sioux City
Battle of Iuka, Mississippi
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas
At Memphis, Tennessee
24 February 1864
29 August 1864
3 June 1865
14 July 1864
7 December 1864
November 1864
3 September 1862
27 August 1865
10 July 1862
7 May 1865
25 May 1865
30 July 1865
22 May 1863
27 March 1864
15 September 1863
10 November 1863
30 March 1864
14 November 1864
31 December 1864
5 May 1865 - 5-16-i
1 March 1862
5 May 1865
11 October 1864
1 September 1864
2 December 1863
12 August 1864
7 December 1864
19 May 1864
19 September 1862
11 October 1864
24 August 1864
22 September 1864
saeaA aq; .iaAO tiZ aced
Robert Ragey
Stewart Richmond
Michael Riley
Henry F. Roch
John B. Scott
Smith Scott
John Sholl
Halver Sjolee
Francis Smith
George M. Smith
Jabez Snitzinger
Michael St. Jake
Carl Therson
Francis Thompson
Joseph H. Thompson
Sumner Thurston
Joseph Twovett
Alonzo Verrill
Henry C. Walker
Henry Whetsler
William H. Wikoffe
GRAND ARMY OF THE DEAD
First Reg Co. H
Randolph Third Reg Co. F
Fourth Reg Co. F
Second Reg Co. K
Ind. Battalion Co. F
Second Reg Co. F
First Reg Co. H
Ind. Battalion Co. F
First Battalion Co. A
Eighth Reg Co. K
First Reg Co. H
Fifth Reg Co. G
Third Reg Co. I
Lebanon Fourth Reg Co. C
Lebanon First Reg Co. C
Lakeville Fourth Reg Co. C
Third Reg Co. B
Lebanon Eighth Reg Co. F
Fifth Reg Co. G
Sixth Reg Co. A
First Reg Co. H
At Alexandria, Virginia 18 September ?
At Pine Bluff, Arkansas 9 November 1864
At Vicksburg, Mississippi 9 July 1863
At Mission Ridge 25 November 1863
At Hastings, Minnesota 3 March 1865
At Somerset, Kentucky 26 February 1862
Battle of Antietam
At Fort Snelling, Minnesota 19 October 1865
Of wounds received at battle of Deep Bottom, Virg 14 July 1865
At Fort Rice, Dakota Territory 10 September 1864
Battle of Bull Run 21 April 1861
At Iuka, Mississippi 18 August 1862
At Little Rock, Arkansas 26 November 1864
Near Farmington, Mississippi 12 June 1862
Battle of Bull Run 21 July 1861
At Lakeville, Minnesota 5 October 1863
At Little Rock, Arkansas 17 November 1863
At Little Rock, Arkansas
At Vicksburg, Mississippi 12 October 1863
Battle of Birch Coolie, Minnesota 2 September 1862
Battle of Gettysburg 2 July 1863
NOTE: This is an imperfect list as the record keeping was imperfect.
William E. Maddocks was never listed as deceased in any Civil War roster.
Jackie Koza located an obituary for him in the Hastings Independent of 19 November 1863.
The town column is often not filled in either because no source gives a town or they give conflicting towns.
If you know the hometown of any of these men, please let us know so we can update our information.
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1
Over the Years
A Publication of the Dakota County Historical Society Volume 37 Number 1 September 1997
�OLDFERS FOR THE WAR.
The Secretary of War has ac-
cepted the First � Regiment of
Minnesota Volunt eers for three
Tears or during the war,;there-
ors
TWO HUNDRED
'Able-bodied
M E 1NT
will be accepted imnediately
to take the place of those three
months men who decline to
serve longer.
W . A. GORMAN,
Ool. ] st Reg, Min. Vols.
Dakota County in the Civil War
Dakota County Historical Society & Museum
130 3rd Avenue North
South St. Paul MN 55075
(612) 451-6260
Staff
Gregory A. Page, Director
Rebecca J. Snyder, Associate Director/Librarian
Carrie Ronnander, Curator of Collections
Eleanor M. Clubb, Administrative Assistant
Helen R. Waldoch, Receptionist
Officers
Mary Kaliszewski, President
Steve Larson, Vice President
Bill Wolston, Secretary
Lois Puckett, Treasurer
Roger Tonderum, Past President
Trustees
Sue Doty Dick Guyer
Gayle Marthaler Gerald Mattson
Daniel Retka
Jeanette Birnstengel, South St. Paul Chapter
Sharon Bruestle, Mendota/West St. Paul Chapter
David Nystuen, Honorary Consultant
Advisory Council
Duncan Baird Margaret S. Hubbs
Thomas G. Mairs La Donna Riste
Roger B. Shepard
Membership Support of the Dakota County
Historical Society & Museum is one of the most
important sources of funding for the
organization.
Members Receive: Over the Years --- Published
twice a year, this feature publication focuses in
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Dakota County Historical Society, 1997
Over the Years
A publication of the Dakota County
Historical Society
Volume 37 Number 1
September 1997
We would like to thank the following people
for contributing information and
photographs for this publication:
Phyllis Shellenbarger Betzold
Marlys Stevens Guildner
Gayle Quillin Marthaler
Frederick & Joan Voigt
Special Thanks to our supporting
organizations:
CenexlLand O'Lakes First American Bank
City of Farmington GNB Battery Technologies
Kathy's License Service
City of Apple Valley
Destron Fearing
Wakota Credit Union
Steininger Construction
Dakota Electric Association
Dakota County Government
Front cover: This advertisement for volunteers
appeared in the 16 May 1861 issue of the Hastings
Independent. Many of the men who volunteered in
Company H of the First Regiment of Minnesota
Volunteers may have been responding to such an
ad.
Members of the Peller Post of the Grand Army of the Republic gathering on 30 May 1910. Standing, left to
right: Unknown, Jacob Deitzen, William Matteson, William Gates LeDuc, C.C. Hardy, Herman Piehl,
W.M. Rhoads, Theo Coolwell, Jerome Hanna, William Norway, Dr. Julius C. Fitch, L.G. Hamilton,
Unknown. Seated: Ed Carson, Henry Carson, Jacob Grether, John E Wray, Frank Kaiser, Chas. Webster,
Andrew Rockstad, John H. Hone, Austin Knapp, A.E. Owen, Jerry Richardson.
This issue of Over the Years highlights the Civil War research that volunteer Jackie Koza
has been working on ever since she came to the DCHS three years ago. She has often said
that it has taken her longer to research the war than it did to fight it.
Jackie started with entering into a database the variety of lists of Dakota County veterans
to which the Society has access. She then went through the three contemporary newspapers
we have to seek out items on Dakota County in the Civil War. After typing these up and
cross referencing them in the database, she is now looking up the obituaries of as many of
these men as possible. The project has encompassed the most thorough research on
Dakota County in the Civil War to date. We have pulled some of her findings and
expanded upon them for presentation in this publication.
This research is inevitably imperfect. The roster in the Adjutant General's Report of 1866
contains many errors, some which we can spot and others we cannot. An example is the
residence of Leonard Aldrich, who formed Company F of the Eighth Regiment from his
farm in Castle Rock. The roster lists his residence as Hastings even though we know it was
not. That was an easy one to spot because we know his name well and he was indeed listed
as being from Dakota County. How many men whose names we are not so familiar with
had their residences mistakenly listed as St. Paul? It may be years before we know.
But don't tell Jackie that.
September 1997 Page 1
WILLIAM CUMMINGS, EMPIRE
Died.--- At the hospital, Camp Stone,
Maryland, on Sunday, October 27, of a bullet
wound, received by the accidental discharge of a
musket, Sergeant William W. Cummings, of
Company "H" First regiment Minnesota
Volunteers, aged 27 years and 4 months--- "The
noblest work of God, an honest man."
Sergeant Cummings was born in the town of
Dunstable, State of Massachusetts, on the 27th day
of June, A.D., 1834. In the year 1855, being then
scarcely 21 years of age, he emigrated to the then
sparsely inhabited territory of Minnesota, and
engaged in the occupation of school teaching in the
vicinity of Empire City, Dakota County. After
teaching a short time he took a claim and began
making improvements, and succeeded in laying the
foundation of a permanent home, when the present
crisis in our National affairs came on. When the
proclamation of the President, calling for 75,000
men to aid in putting down this gigantic rebellion,
was flashed over the country, and he left his plow
to rust in the furrow, and was among the first to
take his life in his hand and offer it, if need be,
upon the altar of the Constitution and the Laws.
He volunteered in company "H," first under the
three month's call, and subsequently for three years
or during the war. Upon the appointment of
Company officers he received the appointment of
3d Sergeant, but at the time of his death held the
position of Orderly Sergeant and acting Second
Lieutenant. He participated in the action at
Manassas, on the 21st of July last, and during the
disastrous engagement was distinguished for great
coolness and courage. During the heat of the
engagement, while cheering on the men, he
received two wounds, from which he had scarcely
recovered when he received the wound which
stretched him on a bed of suffering for twelve
days, and finally resulted in his death. His father
arrived a few hours before he died --- in time to be
recognized by him and listen to his last requests.
The Supreme architect of the Universe, to our
poor, short sighted visions, very often works in
riddles, and yet it does not become us to question
why or wherefore, for we know "He doeth all
things well," but bend beneath the stroke and
murmur "Not my will, but thine, 0 Lord, be done."
To his aged parents, who in losing him, have lost
the only prop of their few remaining years --- to his
numerous friends both East and West, who knew
and prized him for his manly and sterling worth ---
to his companions in arms with whom he has
shared the dangers, and trials and the joys of a
soldier's life, and who always found him
overflowing with warm hearted sympathy for their
many trials --- to all, in fact, who loved him for his
many virtues, I would say, he has gone and awaits
us "on the other shore;" has received the crown,
and with it the precious words, "well done good
and faithful servant." --- And affectionate son, a
warm hearted friend, and a brave and gallant
soldier, has gone to his reward.
"His life was gentle,
and the elements so mixed in him
That nature might stand up
And say, to all the world,
This is a man!"
7 November 1861 Hastings Independent
R.S. DONALDSON, HASTINGS
Col. R.S. Donaldson died at his home in
Stewart last evening. The end was not unexpected
as he had been in very feeble health for some
months, and recently had been sinking rapidly.
Deceased was one of the best known men in
this section of the state and his name was
synonymous for everything that is admirable in
man's character. His death will be mourned by
greater numbers and more sincerely than that of
almost any other man in the county. His influence
was great and always for good.
Col. Donaldson was born in Ohio Oct. 13,
1828, his parents being Virginians. When a young
man he learned the carpenter's trade with his
brother in Indiana and worked at that trade until
1855 when he moved with his family and thirteen
other families to Dakota county, Minnesota, where
they settled near Farmington.
At the beginning of the Civil War Mr.
Donaldson recruited a company of volunteers
which was mustered into service Oct. 17, 1861, as
Co. F, Fourth Minnesota Infantry. Mr. Donaldson
was commissioned captain and his company was
ordered to Fort Ridgely where they spent the
winter. In the spring the company was sent south
and saw service in the battles of Iuka, Port Gibson,
Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill and the siege of
Vicksburg, July 24, 1863, Capt. Donaldson was
promoted to Lieut.-Colonel of the 50th U.S.
Page 2 Over the Years
The Wallpaper
The Hastings Conserver of 15 September
1863 thanked Col. Donaldson for a copy of the
Vicksburg Daily Citizen dated Thursday 2 July
1863, printed on "wallpaper". The one page
specimen is now in the collection of the Dakota
County Historical Society. It is indeed printed
on a sheet of wallpaper of a green and beige
pattern. Amid the assorted national news are
reports on the progress of the war. In the middle
of the page is the following:
"ON DrT. --- That the great Ulysses --- the
Yankee Generalissimo, surnamed Grant --- has
expressed his intention of dining in Vicksburg on
Sunday next, and celebrating the 4th of July by a
grand dinner and so forth. When asked if he
would invite Gen. Jo. Johnston to join he said
"No! for fear there will be a row at the table."
Ulysses must get into the city before he dines in
it. The way to cook a rabbit is "first to catch the
rabbit", etc."
In the last column there is a piece that reads,
"The Yanks outside the city are considerably on
the sick list. Fever, dysentery, and disgust are
their companions, and Grant is their master. The
boys are deserting daily and are crossing the
river in the region of Warrenton, cussing Grant
and abolitionists generally. The boys are down
upon the earth delving, the burrowing, the bad
water and hot weather."
The city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, fell on 3
July 1863. The very last item on the page,
inserted by Union soldiers, shows the changes
that took place:
"NOTE
" JULY 4th, 1863.
"Two days bring about great changes. The
banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg. Gen.
Grant has "caught the rabbit;" he has dined in
Vicksburg and he did bring his dinner with him.
The "Citizen" lives to see it. For the last time it
appears on "Wall Paper." No more will it
eulogize the luxury of mule meat and fricasseed
kitten --- urge Southern warriors to such diet
nevermore. This is the last wall -paper Citizen,
and is, excepting this note, from the types as we
found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a
curiosity."
Colored Infantry, which he commanded until
March 21, 1865, when he was transferred to the
64th Colored Infantry with the full rank of colonel.
Shortly afterward he was appointed assistant
commissioner of the Freedman's Bureau and had
charge of the northern half of Mississippi. He
filled this position with marked ability until April
17, 1866, when he left the service and returned to
his home in Dakota county where he lived until
1877 when he removed to a farm near Stewart
where he lived for a time and later engaged in the
machinery and hardware business in Stewart
which, with his son, C.R. Donaldson, he has
conducted ever since.
Col. Donaldson served for five years as one of
the regents to the state university and has always
been prominently identified with public affairs of
the county and state. He has served as postmaster,
village councilman and member of the board of
education for many years. He was a prominent
and influential Mason, having been master of the
lodge at Brownton many times. He was the father
of the newly constituted Stewart lodge and was
Master of that lodge at the time of his death.
R.S. Donaldson was married to Miss Eliza
Curry on Dec. 19, 1849, and six children were born
to them. Mrs. Donaldson's death occurred several
years ago.
Col. Donaldson's funeral will be held at one
o'clock tomorrow, Sept. 15, and his remains will
be taken to Farmington for interment. Many from
this city will attend the funeral.
21 September 1900 Dakota County Tribune
WILLIAM MCCUNE, HASTINGS
William McCune, right, with an unidentified friend
in their uniforms. Photo loaned by Gayle
Marthaler.
September 1997 Page 3
Mr. William H. McCune died on Sunday at
the residence of his daughter, Mrs. R. S. Stoneman,
where he has made his home for several years. He
was eighty-one years of age and was a veteran of
the Civil War, having served four years and four
months as a sergeant in the 12th Wisconsin Light
Artillery. He leaves four daughters, Mrs. F. H.
Giddings, of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. F. E.
Parmalee and Mrs. A. L. Remington, St. Paul, and
Mrs. R. S. Stoneman, of Hastings. Interment at
Lakeside, the Rev. William Blackwell officiating.
13 March 1920 Hastings Gazette
PETER THOMPSON, EUREKA
A worthy and useful life ended when Peter
Thompson a well known and respected Minnesota
territorial pioneer, veteran of the Civil war and
resident of Eureka passed away at his home Friday,
May 11 at 11 a. m. He was 81 years of age.
Leaving. his folks across the sea, at the age of
16 years, the deceased sailed for America with
other immigrants from Christiania, Norway. After
twelve weeks of tussel with the elements they
landed at Quebec. But the tragedy of the trip came
when they proceeded and came as far as Lake Erie.
It was on a dark and foggy night when he awoke
hearing wild shrieks and confusion. He sprang to
the deck and found that their boat had collided
with an outbound vessel and was fast sinking. He
climbed a mast and clung to it until rescued but all
his acquaintances among 500 were cradled in the
bosom of the silent deep and were lost. This left
him penniless.
It took courage, ingenuity and vitality to forge
ahead but he was undaunted. The experiences
intervening this and settling at his present
homestead would, if properly related, make a
good-sized book and would be out of place in this
writing.
In 1856 he found himself a homesteader in
Dakota county, Minnesota. On May 18, 1858, he
was married to Miss Barbara Noben in a little log
cabin on his homestead. In after years it served as
a church, schoolhouse and postoffice. In 1862 he
was one of the volunteers who went to defend New
Ulm and Fort Ripley against the Sioux Indian
uprising. In 1863 he enlisted in the 2nd Minnesota
Light Artillery and served until the close of the
Civil war. He served as treasurer for the Town of
Peter Thompson and his great-granddaughters.
Eureka for 36 years. In 1881 he was appointed
postmaster at Christiania postoffice and served
nearly 25 years. He helped organize school Dist.
48 and was its clerk for 34 years. He helped
organize the Eureka Farmers Mutual Fire
Insurance company and served as treasurer for 18
years. In church affairs he took a serious interest
but was in no sense excitable. He was a member
of the G. A. R. of Farmington, Minn.
To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Thompson were born
nine children. Mrs. Thompson died in 1897; this
marking the beginning of the lonesome chapter in
the history of Peter Thompson, but faced it with
fortitude worthy of a crown of glory.
During the last few years the home has been
kept up with the help of two daughters, Thilda M.
and Lillie E. These two daughters and two sons, O.
J. Thompson, of Seattle, Wash., and N. A.
Thompson of Duluth, Minn., are the only surviving
members of the family. A sister, Anne Ellestad
who has made her home with him for several years
and one brother in North Dakota also survive him.
The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon at
the late residence; Rev. Skavalan officiating.
Interment at Christiania cemetery. The pallbearers
were: W. A. Parry, Ole P. Ruh, K.A. Thompson,
John Thompson, Gus. Anderson, and Art Forstrom.
Peter Thompson's career was one of activity
and usefulness in many ways. He brought with
him from Norway the sturdy qualities of the old
Vikings and blended them with a manly Christian
spirit and made for himself a records attained only
by a few. He did not seek greatness but performed
Page 4 Over the Years
his duties in a quiet manly way which will make
his memory respected by all those that knew him.
18 May 1917 Dakota County Tribune
DANA FELIX, MENDOTA
Death of Dana Felix, 85 years old,
frontiersman, scout, trader, Civil war veteran and
Indian fighter, at his home near here April 14,
marked the passing of a picturesque Minnesota
figure.
One of the few surviving members of A
company, Sixth Minnesota, the only regular
military unit engaged in the disastrous battle of
Birch Coulee in the Sioux outbreak in 1862, Mr.
Felix was widely known among Civil and Indian
war veterans.
Born near the Sibley house at Mendota, he
knew General H. H. Sibley intimately. His father,
Pierre Felix, and his mother, both part Sioux, were
wards of Sibley. His father was an employee of
Sibley.
When 16 years old, Felix became a freighter,
transporting government supplies to the western
forts. He witnessed several Indian battles and
knew such chieftains as Shakopee, Little Crow,
White Eagle, Scarlet Feather and Hole -in -the -Day,
a Chippewa. Later he became a trader and in 1860
entered the service of the government as a scout.
When hostilities began he enlisted as a
volunteer and when the outbreak was suppressed,
served in the south until the close of the Civil War.
After the war he returned to Mendota and became
a farmer. Some years later he acquired a farm at
Grainwood, near Prior Lake, where he died. Seven
sons and two daughters survive.
20 April 1928 Dakota County Tribune
CHARLES ROWELL, CASTLE ROCK
DIED. -- At Castle Rock, August 7, 1898, of
cancer of the stomach, Charles E. B. Rowell, in the
fifty-seventh year of his age.
Charles E. B. Rowell was born at Fort Miller,
Washington County, New York, March 12,1842,
Substitutes
The Union enacted conscription in 1863 in
order to bolster the number of troops. The
federal government set a quota of troops for each
state to meet and in turn this was broken down
by congressional district and town. If the state
could meet the quota the draft would not be
SUBSTITUTES FUitNI3IIED
cos-- •
D!IAHT. ED MEN.
The Highest Cash Price Paid for
Substitutes.
Ofiloa next door to Provost MarsbaPs.
the WDI M. LEYDA.
An advertisement from the St. Paul Pioneer on 11
June 1864 shows that it was acceptable to
purchase a substitute.
enforced. This caused states and sometimes
counties and townships to offer bounties for
enlistment. Some men enlisted, claimed the
bounty and then deserted.
A draftee could pay a fee, usually $300, to
have his service commuted until the next draft
came along. He could also purchase a substitute
if he wanted to have his service commuted for
the duration of the war.
Some of the people from Dakota County
who furnished substitutes include:
George Brown, Lakeville
Charles Haynes, Eureka
Michael Lucius, Eureka
R. McAndrew, Greenvale
Davis McKay, Greenvale
Dennis McNamara, Ravenna
Dominic Moes, Eagan
Willis Reed, Lakeville
Wells Wescott, Lakeville
In addition over 45 men commuted their
service by paying a commutation fee, some paid
two or three times.
September 1997 Page 5
and moved to Grafton, Lorian County, Ohio, in
June 1856; enlisted Sept. 9, 1862, was mustered
into service in Hoffman's Battalion Company D.,
One Hundred and twenty-eighth Regiment, Ohio
Volunteers - Infantry, Sept. 1865 at Johnson's
Island. Mustered out of service July 13, 1865, at
Camp Chase, Ohio. He came to Castle Rock,
Minnesota in September 1865. Nov. 10, 1868, he
was married to Miss Sybil Childs. He purchased
the farm upon which he lived at the time of his
death, March 1, 1869.
His first Minnesota home was a little log cabin
in which his eldest son was born. By persistent
industry he worked himself up to a prosperous
farmer. He was a good and loyal citizen and a man
of uprightness and integrity. He was a kind
husband and father and an obliging neighbor. His
memory will live long in the hearts of the people
among whom he dwelt.
On Sunday evening, Aug. 7, as the sun sank
out of sight, his lamp of life went out, and calmly
and peacefully he fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.
A wife and five children; also two sisters and one
brother are left to mourn his loss.
The dark reaper has thrust in his sickle and
another old settler and old soldier has fallen, and
to -day we ask the question, "Our fathers, where are
they?" Reminiscences are carrying me back to the
past, when many of these fathers were borne away
by loving hands and hidden in the earth. Today I
was passing that silent city of the dead. As I
looked upon the monumental slabs standing like
sentinels to guard the mounds in which the
sleepers rest, I was overwhelmed with emotion
while thinking of the floods of tears that has
drenched those grassy beds. The monuments
mutely tell us where the fathers are and when they
fell. This father has finished his journey. He came
undismayed to the dark, death -shaded valley, and
to the deep rolling river; he found strong -winged
angels waiting for him that they might conduct him
to the other shore. Truly it can be said he was fully
prepared for the summons: "to arise and depart."
Rest on my brother, though thou art dead,
Yet dear as the life ye gave;
No careless footsteps e'er shall tread
The herbage o'er your grave;
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her record keeps,
For honor mourns the hallowed spot
Where a loyal soldier sleeps.
Castle Rock S. J. O.
The above was received too late for insertion
last week and, at the request of the writer, the
Tribune waited till the same was received. Mr.
Rowell was a valued friend of the Editor; a
frequent visitor at the office, one whose good
judgment was highly esteemed and whose claims
as a worthy and patriotic citizen were generally
recognized.
18 August 1898 Dakota County Tribune
WALTER STRATHERN, ROSEMOUNT
Mr. Walter W. Strathern died at his home in
Rich Valley on Monday from paralysis, after an
illness of over a year. Mr. Strathern was born in
Roxburyshire, Scotland, Feb. 21st, 1832, coming
to America in 1852, and stopped in New York a
year, then locating at Rich Valley in 1853, and
pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land,
which still remains a part of the homestead. Early
in 1861 he married Mary Tracy, who survives him.
They had nine children, the two oldest dying in
infancy, while the father was serving in the army.
The other seven are all living, John and Walter L.,
of Rich Valley, Fred, a physician of St. Peter,
Moses, a physician of Gilbert, Minn., Thomas, of
Sam's Valley, Or., Roland H., of Rich Valley, and
Mrs. Mary Maltby, of Pine Bend. In the darkest
days of the Civil war, in 1862, when President
Lincoln called for six hundred thousand volunteers
for the defense of the country, Mr. Strathern,
impelled by a high sense of duty to his adopted
country, volunteered for service, and was mustered
in Co. F, Eighth Minnesota Regiment, Aug. 15th,
1862. Before the several companies were got
together to form the regiment, the Sioux outbreak
occurred, and fast as the companies could be
supplied with arms they were dispatched to the
defense of the settlers. The regiment was got
together for the first time, May 24th, 1864, at
Paynesville, after more than a year; and a half
service by companies. Here they received their
regimental colors, and were mounted and formed a
part of Gen. Sully's expedition against the Indians,
driving them through the Bad Lands and Montana,
and finally across the boundary into the dominion
of Canada. In all these campaigns Mr. Strathern
performed his duties faithfully, and without
mishap. Oct. 26th, 1864, the regiment, having
turned in their horses at Ft. Snelling, started south,
and reached Murfreesboro, Tenn. in the latter part
of November. On the 4th of December, they with
Page 6 Over the Years
A War Casualty
Fate of Lieut. Moulton. --- Many of our
readers will recollect Sergt. J.A. Moulton, of Co.
F 7th Minn., who was afterwards commissioned
in the 67th U.S. Colored, and taken prisoner near
Rodney, Miss., about the 15th of April 1864.
His fate for a long time could not be ascertained,
but the indefatigable efforts of Col. A.J.
Edgerton, his commanding officer, have at last
proved successful, but only to sweep from Lieut.
Moulton's friends the hope that he might yet be
alive, and return to care for, and restore to health
his heartbroken mother. After being taken a few
miles from the place of capture, he was
deliberately shot by his guard, his body was
thrown to the side of the road, and carelessly
covered up with leaves and dirt. A lady residing
in the vicinity, who talked with Lieut. Moulton a
few minutes before his death, and was
acquainted with his captors, had his body
decently buried; guided and controlled by her
womanly instincts, although she was a bitter
rebel, gave such information as led to the arrest
of the murderers, and we hope, will lead to their
conviction and punishment. Co. Edgerton, in a
letter to Gov. Marshall, written recently from
New Orleans, spoke confidently of their
conviction, unless the Peace Proclamation
prevented, which it will not do.
26 April 1866 Hastings Independent
others under Gen. Milroys, won a victory over the
rebels at Overall's Creek, and drove them from the
vicinity. Dec. 4th they contributed very largely to
victory in the battle of Murfreesboro, for which
they were highly complimented by Gen. Thomas.
In this battle comrade Strathern was wounded and
sent to the hospital and his service with the
company ended. After the close of the war, by
order of the secretary, was discharged May 26th,
1865 and arrived home in June after nearly three
years faithful service for his country. Here he lived
fifty years in a more quiet, but no less faithful
service. When he built his little log house on his
claim, he opened it for Sunday school and church
service, and all the years of his life he exerted his
influence in a very large degree, by personal
service and money, in favor of church and school,
and his whole life exerted a high moral influence
in the community. The very large concourse of
people at his funeral showed the high esteem in
which he was held. He was laid to rest in Pine
Bend Cemetery by Dakota Lodge No. 7, of
Hastings. A salute was fired over his grave by a
squad of the Sons of Veterans from St. Paul, under
command of Corporal C. F. Doran, and Taps were
sounded by bugler Everett Craig, of the same
organization.
3 July 1915 Hastings Gazette
PERCIVAL BARTON, INVER GROVE
Dr. Percival Barton, one of our oldest
residents, died suddenly at his home in Inver
Grove on Saturday from heart trouble. He was in
his usual health and spirits, and had just sent a
message by telephone. Dr. Barton was born at
Anson, Me., Nov. 16th, 1822, graduated at the
Pennsylvania University in 1849, and was married
to Miss Sarah Paine at Madison, Me., soon
afterwards. They located in Dakota County in
1854. He was assistant surgeon of the Seventh
Minnesota Regiment during the civil war, later was
transferred to the Forty -Seventh Illinois, and
established the first freedman's hospital at Selma,
Ala. Mrs. Barton died in 1902. Dr. Barton was a
genial gentleman of the old school, very successful
in business matters and deeply interested in the
welfare of the community in which he lived so
many years. He was a member of the Loyal
Percival Barton, age 90, points out the camera to
his great grandson, George Gillette.
September 1997 Page 7
Legion and the Territorial Pioneer Association. He
leaves a son, Henry C., five grand children, and
eight great grand children. The funeral was held
from the Meeker undertaking rooms on Monday, at
two p.m., the Rev. John Pemberton officiating.
The pall bearers were P. H. O'Keefe, C. W. Clark,
A. S. Francis, T. H. Prince, E. F. Gould, and I. A.
Grant. Interment at the Union Cemetery, Inver
Grove.
28 February 1914 Hastings Gazette
JEROME HANNA, NININGER
Fifty-five years ago a young Minnesota
cavalryman, patrolling the Iowa border to guard
against Indian uprisings, was given an honorable
discharge from the service after two Army
physicians had examined his heart and told him he
had only two years to live.
The worthy physicians have probably long
Jerome Hanna from the History of Dakota County,
Franklyn Curtiss -Wedge.
since ceased to examine human hearts but the
young trooper who listened to their unpleasant
diagnosis fifty-five years ago last January,
celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday at his home on
East Seventh street last Friday.
A Gazette reporter, calling a few days ago at
the home of the venerable citizen who has given
the reputation of Army physicians a "black
eye,"and whose name, as you've probably
surmised, is Jerome Hanna, found him looking
exceptionally healthy, and feeling the same. He
wasn't particularly desirous of getting his picture
and biography in the newspaper, but he was willing
to talk about early days in the Northwest and that,
of course, was what the reporter wanted him to do.
It was learned, in the course of the interview,
that Mr. Hanna, was born on a farm in St.
Lawrence county, New York, December 20, 1843.
One of the clearest recollections of his childhood
days, he told his caller, is an incident that occurred
when he was six years old. A neighbor, whose
name was Miller, came to the Hanna home and
predicted that the world would come to an end in
1849. Mr. Hanna remembers that he was so badly
frightened he followed his father around the farm
for several days holding on to his trouser -leg for
fear they would become separated.
At the age of ten years he came to Minnesota
with his parents and located near Spring Lake,
where two of his older brothers had erected a log
cabin the previous year. The family made the trip
west from Ogdensburg, N.Y., to Chicago on a
Great Lakes steamer, and from Chicago they
proceeded to Galena, Ill., by stage coach. The last
leg of the journey up the Mississippi was a
steamboat trip on the "War Eagle," which was
making its maiden run up the river.
When the Hannas arrived here, Hastings was a
village of thirty white inhabitants, five log cabins
and the Barker boarding house or hotel. There
were many Indians encamped here at the time.
The "War Eagle" docked at the Hastings pier at
two o'clock in the morning of May 9 and travelers
spend the remainder of the night and several
succeeding days at the Barker House, which was
located on West Third street, where the S.P.
Gardner house, "Ennisview" formerly stood.
The log cabin at Spring Lake was completed
shortly after the arrival of the family and they took
up their residence in that locality.
Among the many exciting experiences recalled
by Mr. Hanna, in connection with his boyhood at
Spring Lake, was the suicide of a young German
Page 8 Over the Years
farm hand who, with his brother, ad asked for a
night's lodging at the Hanna home. Unable to
accommodate them, Mr. Hanna's father sent them
to a neighbor, Henry Sprague, who took them in
for the night. Shortly after they had retired
members of the Sprague family heard a shot and a
moment later one of the German youths came
running downstairs shouting that his brother had
shot himself. Mr. Sprague, on investigation, found
the boy dead with a bullet in his heart.
Two Hastings lawyers, learning of the incident,
planned to arrest the surviving brother, charge him
with murder and then agree to get him out of the
toils of the law if he would pay them his remaining
capital of $84, Mr. Hanna recalls, but when the
lawyers visited the Sprague farm to carry out the
scheme the youth had departed.
When he was nineteen years old, Mr. Hanna
enlisted in Captain Taylor's company of Home
Guards, composed of Hastings men, and shortly
afterward the troop was dispatched under the
command of General Sibley, to subdue an Indian
uprising near Fort Ridgely. The Indians had
disbanded when the soldiers arrived, however, and
Mr. Hanna soon returned home to help in taking
care of the harvest. He enlisted in the Army of the
Republic in 1863, serving with Company H. of the
Second Minnesota Cavalry, which was doing
patrol duty between Fort Ridgely and the Iowa
border, until he was discharged because of
impaired health, resulting from improper food.
He returned to Hastings in January, 1864,
prepared to spend his two remaining years of his
life as pleasantly as possible by operating a
forty -acre farm which he had purchased at Spring
Lake. When the allotted two years had expired
things were moving along so nicely, however, that
he decided to remain a while longer, and by clean
living and hard work he has managed to extend his
earthly career considerably beyond the average
span of life.
Quitting his farm after a year or two, Mr.
Hanna sold the homestead for $900 and went east
to visit a sister. When he returned to Hastings the
following spring he purchased an interest in a
grocery store but he and his partner failed to agree
perfectly and the firm was dissolved. Mr. Hanna
then resumed farming at Spring Lake and in
December, 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss
Julia M. Browning of Hastings. Two children were
born to them, both of whom are now living in
Hastings. They are Miss Nellie M. Hanna and
Mrs. Mary Stoudt. Mrs. Hanna passed away in
1926, and Mr. Hanna has since resided with his
daughters.
While in the army Mr. Hanna won many
honors and trophies as a sharpshooters and
marksman, some of the prizes including a gold
watch, corduroy hunting coat, $20 gold piece and a
pair of field glasses. He possessed an excellent
voice and for several years directed a choir of
thirty singers at the Spring Lake school. He served
for seven years as a member of the Hastings board
of education and was one of a committee of three
who supervised the construction of the old high
school building here. He worked early and late
through one entire summer, while directing this
project, without receiving a cent of compensation.
Mr. Hanna is one of the founders of the
Presbyterian church here and for thirty years he
was one of the trustees of the church. He was also
president of the Lakeside Cemetery Association
for thirty-three years and commander of the local
G.A.R. post for fifteen years, an office which he
still holds. He has seen the membership of this
fine organization dwindle from one hundred and
forty-three veterans to four surviving Civil war
veterans.
27 December 1929 Hastings Gazette
DAVID WELDON, HASTINGS
Mr. David Weldon died at the city hospital
yesterday morning from kidney and bladder
trouble, after a brief illness, at the advanced age of
seventy-seven years. He as born in Carrollton,
Mo., and given freedom at the death of his master.
In 1864 he enlisted in Company K, 102d U.S.
Colored Infantry as David Crockett, serving until
the close of the war. He was an old resident of the
city, and leaves a wife, four sons, and two
daughters. The funeral will be held from the house
on east Second Street to -morrow, at half past two
p.m. the Rev. Jabez Blackhurst officiating.
Interment in St. Luke's.
4 April 1903 Hastings Gazette
{In searching for Mr. Weldon on the 1900
federal census, the 1895 state census, the 1890
veteran's census no one by the name of Weldon
appears. However, he does appear in a couple of
September 1997 Page 9
The Home Front
The people at home supported the war in different ways. The ladies of Castle Rock presented a flag
to the Castle Rock company, while Hastings citizens sent needed supplies to Union soldiers in hospitals
in the South.
Flag Presentation. --- The ladies of Castle Rock, and vicinity, presented Company "F", 8th Regiment
Minnesota Volunteers with a beautiful silken flag an earnest of the good will of those at home, as well
as an object of admiration to the members of the company.
The presentation was made at Princeton, where that company is now stationed, by a delegation of
ladies from Castle Rock, received by Captain Aldrich in behalf of the company, in his usual happy
manner. We know that the silent thought of every soldier on that parade day was, "God bless our
mothers, wives and sweethearts, and inspire us to deeds of valor over which we may ever feel proud."
May 7, 1863 Hastings Independent
Sanitary Supplies. --- The ladies of this city have done nobly having collected the following list of
goods in four days, and forwarded to Nashville, Tenn., July 14, 1864. They propose to continue the
good works while there are such urgent appeals made as there are at present. We understand that they
propose to give an ice cream sociable next week at which time they want to see every man in town with
his wife, sister or some other man's sister.
Goods shipped. --- Contents of one box shipped to Nashville, Tenn. July 14, 1864.
31 shirts
18 pairs drawers
5 sheets
723 yds. bandages
2 cans lint
1 pocket mirror
2 bars fancy soap
3 pencils
5 skeins linen thread
1 paper needles
11 pairs cotton socks
15 books
8 pocket handkerchiefs
1 pair slippers
14 bales linen cloth
61 magazines
1 1/2 gross find combs
4 gents collars
2 cakes soap
4 jews harps
1 package envelopes
1 card shirt buttons
1 double gown
2 linen coats
Resolved, that the Hastings Council of the Union League of Loyal Women of America, hereby
tender the thanks of the Council to the patriotic ladies and gentlemen of Hastings, and to Mr. D.B. Truax
of Nininger, for their very liberal donations and assistance in collecting and forwarding Sanitary
Supplies to our sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals of Nashville, Tenn., and express their
heartfelt wishes for the future welfare and happiness of all engaged in promoting the cause of Union
and Liberty. May they never weary in their good work.
July 19, 1864 Hastings Conserver
Page 10 Over the Years