Document - Historical information/data - History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings - 1/1/1881
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HISTORY
OF
DAKOTA COUNTY
AND THE
• i
' CITY OF HASTINGS,
INCLUDING TILE
f
EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS OF MINNESOTA.,
BY REV. EDWARD D. NEILL.
• AND
a
OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA,
BY J. FI,ETCIIF.R WILLIAMS.
i
MINNEAPOLIS:
NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY,
18H1.
316 HISTORY OF DAICOTA COUNTY.
Smitch, a native of Prussia. Katie, John, Charles Laughlin, was born in county of Mayo, Ireland,
and Mary are their children. Mr. Doffing's farm in 1826. In 1851, located at Syracuse, New York,
comprises seven hundred acres, which is well im- and there made her home six years. She then
proved and stocked. He gives considerable atten- came west as far as Freeport, Illinois, and two
tion to raising and breeding Norman horses from years later came to Minnesota. Her claim in
imported stock. Dakota county was made after her arrival. She
John Holmes was born in 1826, in England. was made a widow by the death of her husband
Was reared- as a farmer and came to America in October 16th, 1872. Seven children have been
1851, locating in Michigan. Here lie worked for born to her, three sons and four daughters.
the railroad until 1855, then came to Dakota Patrick Quinn was born in Tipperary county,
county, Minnesota, and pre-empted a portion of Ireland, in 1821. During early life, he engaged
his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. in farming. In 1849, lie came to America and
Married in 1851 to Miss Eliza Haynes, who was settled in Herkimer county, New York. Until
born in England, August 17th, 1827. Eight chil- 1855, he engaged in farming, was also employed
dren have been born to them, two sons and six in a cheese factory. Coming to Michigan at that
daughters. time, he remained one year, thence to Minnesota
_ Jacob Isla, Jr., a native of Prussia, was born and made his home in Hastings until 1863, then
February 11 th, 1852. When a child of four years pre-empted his present farm, on which he has
his parents crossed to the new world and settled since lived. Married at Utica, New York, in
in the township of Hampton, Dakota county, 1855, to Miss Helen Henly, who has borne him
Minnesota. Here Jacob grew to manhood- and three sons and one daughter.
` gained a practical education. He has occupied N. IV. Taplin was born in St. Lawrence county,
' his present farm since 1876, and has been quite New York, in 1838. During the fall of 1855,
successful in agricultural pursuits, having a nicely went to DeKalb county, Illinois, and the next
' improved estate. At New Trier, in 1876, he spring started for Iastings, Minnesota. He w
married bliss Mena Tank. They have three little a day laborer, also run a threshing man
daughters, Matilda, Mary and Alvina. til 1860, then purchased forty acres
Bridget Kane, a native of Ireland, was born farm. Ile now has one hun
in 1834. In 1856, she came to America, and to in Douglass, also eight
Minnesota the same year, locating on the place River valley. in, in
she now occupies. She was married to Peter 1860, who Mr. Tap-
Kane in 1858, who departed this life in the fall lin h clerk seven years.
of 1869. Ile left his widow with six children,
four sons and two daughters. s` ;k
Michael Klasen was born in Prum
24th, 1829. He was occupied in
and farming in his native co
came to America. to
county, Minnew ed farm
in Ve to Hastings. EAGAN•
ity until 1864,
to which he moved
during the time at the carpen- CHAPTER XLIX.
' 'Grade. Married in 1866, to Miss Elizabeth
Schweich, who has horse him one soli and one DESCRIPTION -SETTLEDIENT-FIRST EVENTS
daughter, Andrew and Eva K. Mr. Klasen's ORGANIZATION -SCHOOLS-CITURCIIES-BIO-
father, born in 1800, lives with him. The farm GRAPHICAL.
of one hundred and sixty acres is finely improved The town of Eagan is situated in the north-
and well stocked. ern part of Dakota county, and is bounded on the
Catherine McLaughlin, widow of John Me- north by Mendota, on the east by 'Inver Grove;
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EAG AN-SETTLEMENT. 347
on the south by Rosemount and Lebanon, and on with an occasional spot containing larger trees.
the west and north-west by Burnsville and the frThose latter were inge of elm timber appears along the river. a
Minnesota river. ,
The soil for the town is principally a clay loam,
SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS. unusually fertile, with-proper management. Oc-
The surface of the town is rolling in the north- cassionally a sandy loam appears, with numerous
ern portion, while in the southern portion it is gravely knolls.
extremely rough. Lakes appear in several parts The principal crop is wheat, though considem
of the town, principally in the central and south- ble quantities of corn, barley and oats are pro-
eastern parts. These lakes are peculiar, from the duced. Some of the farmers engage in market
fact that they have neither visible inlets nor out- gardening, to a small extent.
lets. They have pure, clear water, and some of SETTLEMENT.
them are of considerable depth: A large marshy :x
lake extends from Mendota into the north-west The Indian village, known as Black Dog's, and
township, but with this one excep- situated near the mouth of Black Dog's creek, in
part of Eagan
tion, the lakes of the town have high, sloping section 18, has been previously described, After
banks, with gravelled shores and bottoms. The the treaty of 1837, a Frenchman named Louis
largest lake in the town is Black Ilawk or Long Martin, was stationed among these Indians as
lake. It lies in sections 16, 17 and 21, and ex- farmer. He located on section 17, and the In-
tends nearly east and west. Its area is about dians began to form a new village round him.
ninety acres. Its length is not far from a mile, Several log buildings were erected for residences
and its width averages about thirty rods. and shops.
Le May lake, situated in the north-western In the spring of 1849, Hazen Mooers, succeed
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part of section 10, is so named from the known Indian trader. was appointed
settlers living near. It is a beautiful sheet of Mr. Martin. His wife was a half-breed Sioux, by
water, and covers about fifty acres. ' whom lie had three children. After the ratifica-
Fisll lake lies in sections 15 and 16, and is tion of the treaty of ]852; when the Indians were
about thirty acres in extent. removed to Red Wood agency, Mr. Mooers went
In early times, there were great numbers of with them. J. W. Brown, who bad married a
fish in these lakes, but latterly only the smaller daughter of Mr. Mooers, in 1846, came down to
kinds remain. Great number of them yre killed Black Dog village, in the fall of 1849, and as- Y
in the shallow lakes by the past see winter. sisted his father-in-law. When the Indians were
Interested parties have at variot# times, at- removed he remained on the land, and pre-empted
tempted the culture of fish in these bodies of wa- a farm, in the northern part of section 17, which '
ter, but as a rule, they have been unsuccessful. he lived on until 1857, when he removed to Red
One small stream, called Black Dog's creek, Wing. Ile resided there fir six years, returning }
crosses the west line of the town near the west at the end of that period tai -his farm in Eagan.
quarter post of section 18. It empties into the Here he lived until n hhe sent old his place original
ri renal
Minnesota river nearly where the north line of claim and remove to his p
section 18 intersects it. dente, in the nortf west (ldirter of section 9.
Along the Minnesota river, in the north-west Mr. Brown is accordingly the first white settler
part of the town, a strip of bottom land appears, of the town. At the same dine with him, John
averaging nearly a mile in width. This principally Brown and a Mr."]?ortV made claims also, in
meadow. East of this, extending to the Black section 17. Neither of their retrained, however,
Dog road, is sliAtly rolling and higher land, but a short time.
finely adapted, to agricultural purposes. This Two brothers, Campbell, made a claim in the -
portion of the town, with a few hundred acres in north-east quarter of section 18. They had been
and near sections 2 and 3, constitutes all of the attaches of the Indian farm, and 6b sold their
original prairie land. The remaining portions of claim rights to Franklin Steele. A comrade
the town were largely covered by a brushy growth, named Benjamin Young then took vl?iioh
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80 HISTORY OP DAKOTA COUNTY
of the claim, probably for Mr. Steele, and contin- quarter of section 2. After a short interval he
tied to live there for several years. Mr. Young sold his claim and returned to Mendota. Fran-
was one of the first two justices of the peace. cis Le Clair made a claim partly in sections 2
elected within the limits of the present town of and 11. Ile soon sold it, and after a season,
Eagan. Ile subsequently removed to St. Paul, located another where he now resides, in the
and is now somewhere among the Indians in the north-west quarter of section 2.
West. About this time Mr. Credit made a claim in
Michael Le May came soon after the treaty of sections 12 and 13. He died about the year 1866.
1852 was ratified, and settled in the southern During the summer of 1852, Joseph Turpin
part of section 10. He brought his family out, claimed the land now owned by John Shields, in
in October of that year, and still lives on his the south-west quarter of section 2. His wife +
original claim. His soil Flevier came at the was a half-breed, and like her husband old. Both
same time, and his family also, came on in Oc- husband and wife died within a few hours of
tober. He made a claim on the northern side of each other, after living on their claim several
section 15, and lived there until 1864, when he years.
went to Canada. John Kennedy made a claim in the northern
He returned subsequently, and father and son part of section 3, but never lived on it. Ills
are now living together. residence at that time was in Mendota. He
Joseph Langlois came at the same time with afterwards served as county register of deeds,
t the Le Mays, and made his claim in section 15. and at present is the genial post-master of Hast-
He took full possession of it in the spring of ings.
1853, and continued a resident of the town until Louis Letendre came during the summer of
about the year 1859, when he removed to Rice 1852, and settled in the central part of section 13.
county. He sold his claim not long afterward to Dr. F. R.
Somewhat earlier than the last mentioned set- Smith, a non-resident. At the same time Louis
tiers, came Robert O'Neil, in June of 1852, and Lavaille made the claim next north. He went to
made a claim in the central part of section 2, Hennepin county with Mr. Letendre, where- the
hiring men to work it. Mr. O'Neill was, at that latter died.
time, a resident of St. Paul. In August, 1853, (suite a growth in the settlement of the town
with his family, he took up a permanent resi- was visible during the year 1853. Among the
i~
dence in Eagan, and has since lived on his settlers of that year were P. Chapdelan, F. Le 4
original claim, which has been largely added to Bret, Dosi% Auge and his son, TretHe, James ` r
by purchase. and W. L. Wescott, T. N. Dailey, Michael Reid, r
Mr. O'Neil has always occupied a prominent and T. J. McCollum and sons. i
position among his townsmen and in the count
~ Y `Mr. Chapdelxii lioiight of I✓award Bibaux and as well. He was elected to the first state legis- Felix Ake, who had come in earlier, the claim in
lature of 1857-8, and served as one of the first sections 12 and 13, now owned by James Wes-
representatives ele*d 4b* the county. He cott. While At St. Paul, the river rose too high
was chairman of the board tf county commis- for Mr. Chapdelan to return to his land, and Le
stoners from 1853 until 1858, when under the Bret, taking advantage of this absence, jumped
r state organization, the office of county Commis- his claim. Mr. Chapdelan then made a claim
sioner ceased for a time to exist. further south, and lying partly in the towns of tt''
Jean Rousseau, who hadLiarried ahalf-breed, Eagan and Inver Grove.
was another settler of 1852. 'He made a claim In James Wescott soon purchased Le Bret's claim
the central part of section 12, but after a abort right, and built a house sixteen feet square,which
time removed to Mendota. In 1860, he went to he occupied with his brother, W. L. Wescott. 1n
Redwood Agency, where he died. He was among the fall of 1854, the lat(br returned to their for- ~
the first French settlers of Eagan. mer home, in Maine, and brought out his family.
Philbert Le Clair came also during the sum- James Wescott being at that time unmarried,
mer of 1852, and made a claim in the south-west the brothers continued to live together. Along
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EAGAN-.SE71TLEXENT. 349
the route, by their house, there was a large The following year, 1854, settlement continued
amount of travel, and from the time they began unabated. Among the earlier arrivals were,
to show the first signs of house-keeping.the Wes- James Callan, John O'Lary, Thomas Fallon Dow,
Edward -
cotts were besought to entertain the travelers. Michael Eagan, Edmund Barry,
~
They were soon forced to make a business of ling, Patrick Mooney, William Harper Edward
1 this, and Wescott's inn beeaffie famous through- Taylor and John Cheever.
' out the country as a traveler's rest. Political James Callan made a claim in sections 28, 29 ,
conventions were held here at an early day. On and 33, where he has since resided, figuring
one occasion, in 1856, a mass convention as- prominently among his people and in the county.
sembled here, of which John Van Hoesen, of John O'Lary came in March, and settled on
Hastings, was chairman. Among other features the west side of section 14. He still lives on his
of the affair, speeches and motions were in original claim, having added to it by purchase.
French, and the worthy chairman was forced to Edmund Barry, came not long after, and settled
call an interpreter to his assistance. After a few in section 23, where he now owns a fine farm of
years, W. L. Wescott removed to a claim of his three hundred and live acres. Mr. Fallon settled
own, while his brother James continued to keep on the west side of section 23. Mr. Dowling
public house until 1863. This be did with great in section 26, Mr. Eagan in the north-west
success, being unable at times to entertain all quarter of section 22, Mr. Cheever in section 12,
who would be his guests. He still occupies his Mr. Mooney in the south-west quarter of section
original home, as much distinguished for his pri- 22, Mr. Harper in the south-east quarter of sec-
vate hospitality as he form or hospitality tion 21, and Mr. Taylor in the south-west quarter 3
to the public. of the same section.
Mr. Auge came in the spring, and made a claim The farm now owned by Patrick Coghlin, in
on the south side of section 4, where he died De- sections 11 and 12, was the home of David Fari-
cember 22d, 1871. His sons, George and bault, a mixed blood. A Frenchman, Michel
t Treflle, came into possession of the homestead. Archambeaux pre-empted it for him. Mr. Fari-
j Dosite Auge, Jr., made a claim at the same bault built him a pleasant house, and surrounded
r4'' time with his father, and adjoining him on the it with a picket fence. Here he lived for some
north. Here he continues to make his home. years, but finally removed.
h
Treflle Auge made his claim partly in sections 8 A well-known character in the town was John
and 9. He sold it, after an interval of three Conklin, who had been a soldier, it is said, at
years, and at present lives in Mendota. Fort Snelling. He early acquired the name of
Mr. Dailey came in the fall of 1853, and settled "Black Hawk," and was commonly so called.
in section 11. Ile afterward removed to the After his discharge from the army he was in the
south-west quarter of section 10, where he died employ of General Sibley, who placed him on the about four years since. farm now owned by L. Trapp, in section 8. 1'.
r.
Michael Reid arrived the twelfth day of May, Sibley afterwards placed him on a farm at the
1853, and located on what proved to be school east end of Long Lake, subsequently known as
land, and hence not subject to entry. He lived Black Hawk lake, doubtless in Conklin's honor. .
on this land about a year, when he settled on the Liquor was the natural enemy of Conklin;
south side of section 9. Here he died, October f omhthis weaknthe ess, he atNininger. Aside
as a worthy
4th, 1877.
T. J. McCollum settled in the spring of 1853, man. While living on the farm now owned by
on the north-west quarter of section 19, and his Mr. Trapp, Conklin married Mrs. Helen Dumi,
son, Jefferson McCollum, pre-empted it. Madi- who died at the lake farm in the spring of 1871.
son, another son, mad claim partially in the FIRST EVENTS.
south-west quarter ofction 19, while William
made his in the northern part of section 30. The first birth of a whits child in th6 town was,'' After a few years, the McCollums removed t` that of Mary
A. Brown, November 22d, 1849.
Scott county. She was a daughter of J. W. and Mary Brown,
350 HISTORY OF DAK07A COUNTY.
i
r and was born at their home in the Indian village 1861- Patrick Eagan, chairman; Michael Co-
of Black Dog. She lived with tier parents until mer, clerk. Mr. Eagan resigned during the year
tier marriage with Jasper McCollum in 1871. and Robert O'Neill was chosen in his place. Mr. ; Q
They now live in a house on tier father's place, Comer also resigned, and Michael Downing was
and have had six children. chosen by the board December 28th, 1861, to act
The next birth was that of Susan F. O'Neill, in his stead during the remainder of the term.
January 7th, 1854. Her parents were Robert 1862 and'63-Patrick Eagan,chairman, Michael;
and Catharine O'Neill, and lived at home until Downing, clerk. 1864-Michael Kirby, chair-
she was sixteen years of age, when she lived man; Michael Downing, clerk. Mr. Kirby re-
with tier sister in Minneapolis until her marriage signed and Patrick Mooney, one of the board was
with Martin Kennedy, June 8th,. 1880. She now elected to succeed him, and Michael Gorman was
resides in St. Paula elected to fill the place vacated by Mr. Mooney,
The first marriage of parties hying in the town September 27th, 1864. 1865-W. F. Donaldson,
was that of Alexander Huard and Jane Me- chairman; Michael Downing, clerk. 1866-Robert
Dermott. They were married in 1854, and in O'Neill, chairman; Patrick Callahan, clerk.. Mr.
1855 he made his home in the western part of O'Neill failed to qualify and W. F. Donaldson
Inver Grove, where he lived a number of years, was chosen as chairman. 1867-`P. F. Donald-
when lie moved to his present location in the son, chairman; Michael Downing, clerk. 1868-
north-west quarter of section 12. W. F. Donaldson, chairman; Michael Downing,
clerk. 1869-Patrick Eagan, chairman; Michael
ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS.
a Downing, clerk. 1870-Patrick Fagan, chairman; #
t Eagan was formerly a part of the town of Men- Michael Downing, clerk. 1871,1872,1873-IIugh
dota as established by the county commissioners, Barnes, chairman; Michael Downing, clerk. 1874
April 6th, 1858. At a meeting held by them on the -Eugene Le May, chairman; Michael Downing,
20th of the same month.. a town was formed con- clerk. 1875 and 1876-James Callan, chairman;
sistingof sections thirteen to thirty-six inclusive, Michael Downing, clerk. 1877-.Tames Callan,
in the present town of Eagan, and called Mont- chairman; Michael Downing, clerk. 1878-Robert
gomery. This action proved unsatisfactory, and O'Neill, chairman; Michael Downing, clerk.
was reconsidered and repealed at the same meet- 1879-Robert O'Neill, chairman; Michael Down- '
ing. By a special act of the state legislature ing, clerk. 1880-James Callan, chair'n, Michael
during the winter of 1861, tha awn o F.a¢an was Downing, clerk. Mr. Callan failed to quailfy,
detached with its present limits from Mendota. and the board at a meeting held March 27th,
The population at the census of 1880 was 642. 1880, chose Jabez Harper in his place. 1881-
The first meeting for the purpose of organizing Jeffrey Fanning, chairman; Michael Downing,
the town was held at the house of Michael Comer clerk.1
in the north-west quarter of section twenty-five, The first justices of the peace elected within the
April 3d, 1860. Robert O'Neill was chosen mod- present limits of the town were James Callan and
erator and Michael Comer clerk. At the election Benjamin Young, which was prior to the organi-
which ensued, the following officers were chosen zation.
for the coming year, viz.: Patrick Eagan, James The valuation for 1860, was $87,342. For 1870,
w Collar, Robert O'Neill, supervisors; Michael $106,521. For 1880, $177,890.
Comer, clerk; Thomas Faiinan, assessor; William
i iffley, treasurer; Micba4- ;Kirby, William SCHOOLS.
Harper, justices of the peace; Patrick Mooney, The first school hitft town was taught by Mi-
)~ouis Sansoucey, constables; Patrick Eagan, chael Downing duriii a winter of 1859-160, in
Anthony Devitt, Michael Cain, road overseers. a small log house 14x16 t, owned and built by
The following persons have served as chairmen Thomas Farman in th Ah-west quarter of
of the town board, and as town clerks, during section 14. For a new ditrict the attendance
the years following the organization to the pres- was unusually large, being about forty. This
ent time. building was used about two years, when a new
'"•l~"h ~ alt L ~ l,` , P ~ ~ ~ 1 d
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EAGAN-CHUI?CTIES-RAILROADS. i1
one of logs was built, and located in the south- place at the house of Edward Dowling, in the
east corner of the south-west quarter of section north-west quarter of section 26, and were con-
23, on land now owned by Patrick Quigley. This ducted by the Rev. Father Ravoux. Only a few S r+ `
building was used until about six years ago, such services were held, however, as, during the
when the present school-house was erected. It following spring, the church at Inver Grove was
is a frame structure 18x26 feet, and located on finished, and services were transformed thither.
i the site of the old log building, containing patent The Lutheran church at Inver Grove has a
seats, with a seating capacity of about forty. goodly number of members in this town, also in
The district is designated as district number 14. Mendota for whom the distance is so great that
The next school was commenced soon after the they have been holding meetings at the school-
first in a house belonging to Bartholomew Dailey, house in district number 91, in Mendota, or at Y' ;A 1.
in the western part of section 29. It was a small private houses every alternate Sabbath under they Y
log house built as a claim shanty, and was used auspices of their pastor, Rev. E. N. Volgert.
by the district for two years, then others until The society has. purchased about two iicfeg o i Yyl '
1865, when a school-house was erected near the land belonging to J. B. Pfieffer and his son-in-
center of section 29, on land owned by Daniel law, August Nachtigal for the purpose of erect- e
Niemeyer. It is a frame Structure about 16x22 ing a church edifice, where they intend holding
feet, contains plain seats, and will hold from services in alternation with the church at Inver
thirty to thirty-five scholars. This district is Grove. The plat of land lies on the east aide of
known as district number. 13. the St. Paul road, in the south-east. quarter of
In October, 1860, a school was taught in the section 2, and a cemetery will be in connection
y, house of Robert O'Neill, by Mrs. O'Neill for one with the church lot.
month, and then the services of Miss Elizabeth RAILROADS. kJ~ r
McDermott were secured, and she continued to
teach in the district a number of terms. The The Iowa and Minnesota division of the
next spring an old building was fitted up and cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway crosses tba
used for a school-house, until a log house was eastern part of the town, extending from north-
built on land now belonging to P. Coghlin, in west to south-east and leaving the southern line a*
• the north-east quarter of section 11. This build- near the quarter post on the south aide of section
ing was burned during the spring of 1865, and 36. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and a
was replaced by a frame erected soon after at the Omaha railway crosses the north-west part of the
same place. The locality was not convenient, town from nortli-east to south-west, and was ,
and the house was subsequently moved about a opened for traffic in 1865.
mile further west, and during the month of sTATloxs. h
March, 1881, suffered the same fate as its prede-
cessor. Anew building is already erected by In 1866, a flag station without a depot was es-
`
the district known as number 11, in the south-east tablished on the line of the Iowa and Minnesota
' 1 0 corner of section B. It is 18x26 feet, was built division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul
Xt+ w
. T at a cost of $600, with patent seats, seating forty railway, near the south-east confer of section 18,
scholars comfortably, and is the finest school on land belonging to James Wescott, from who t
building in the town. the station is named `GVestcott station.,
In 1869, district number 12 was organized, and Nicola is also a flag without a depot; es- ~1A
a school-house built. The building is about tablished in 1867. It is located on the line of the
1 ' 16x24 feet. The district is the smallest in the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and- Omaha rail-
C y, in the north-west quarter of section 17, o ood
The y
town in respect to the number of scholars wa
town has fur entire districts and one joint dis- land then owned by John Nicols. pf
tract, witllour school-houses. POST-OFFICE.
cxuxcAES. Westcott post-office was established in April,
The first religious services in the town took 1881, and A. Lau appointed postmaster.
+
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352, HISTORY 'OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
- snorS AND STORE. made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in
In 1860, a blacksmith shop was opened by Rob- Fagan township, Minnesota, and three years later
ert Myhrs, on the south-east quarter of section 17. disposed of it, then purchased a farm of the same
He remained there about two years, then re- size in section 3. Mr. Burns has a fine farm and
moved to St. Paul and afterwards returned and is a well-to-do farmer; has held the office of
rented a farm belonging to James Slater, in the chairman of town board. Married in 1864, Miss
north-east quarter of section 31, where he put up Maria Cunningham. Their living children are:
f' another shop. This he operated several years, Mary, Charles, Hugh, Elizabeth, Clara and
and finally removed to Hamilton. He has the Ellen.
honor of being the pioneer blacksmith of the James Callan was born in Ireland in 1830. He
_ place. / ~ui1 r Qliti s a- came to this country, in 1847, and settled in New
r$ +x~-Q York for five years. Thence to Ohio and on to
Another shop was opened by George Auge in +
May, 1867, on the west side of the Mendota road, Minnesota, locating on his present farm
in the south-west quarter of section 4, which he in 1854. He was one of* the earliest
bontinues to operate. settlers. Ilia neighbors were far between.
! In 1869; Adward Rachenberg opened a black- Ile has taken a great interest in his town and
smith shop in the south-west quarter of section county; has held the office of county commis-
1, which he operated until about four years ago, sioner several ,years; has been one of the town
when it was closed to the public, and he uses it board two years; was elected clerk of the first
` only for his own'work. school board of the town. Ile has a farm of
Still another shop was opened by Herman Rad- four hundred acres, afrd is owner of the Callan
' pnik^ datz, in the fall of 1876, in the north. west quar- an Canadian stallion, one of the finest
w S h`(kses in the state. Married Miss Elizabeth
ter of section 2, where he still continues. He
-'odt, a native of Ireland, in 1851. Benjamin,
has, however, purchased a few acres of Mr.
'
Burns, a short distance south-west of his bresent James, Lizzie, Margaret, Frank, Ernest, Andrew,
Ideation, and purposes removing there. Charles and Robert are their children.
A store was established b the brothers, r A. and Patrick Coghlin was born in County Galway,
by
J. Lau, at Weatcott station, March 4th 1881 Ireland, March 6th, 1818. Ile came to this con-
tinent in 1852, proceeding from Boston to Clin-
g =t` ' ton, Massachusetts. For years later he removed
1 of merchandise suited to the wants of the imme-
diate neighborhood. to Minnesota, locating on a farm in $Eagan town-
ship, which place has since been his home. Ile
RioGRAriiroAr.. now holds the office of clerk of school district.
E. Barry, a native of county Kilkenny, Ire- Married in 1852, to Fanny Silk, a native of Ire-
land, was born in 1820. Came to America in land. Three children have been born to them:
s ~ April, 1846, landing in Quebec. He lived in that Mary Ann, Thomas and Frank.
--city seven years, then removed to St. Paul, Min- Franklin Ifannessy. a native of Ireland, was
nesota. After making his home there more than born March 25th, 1817. Coming to America in
f a year, he removed to Eagan township, and took 1830, he located at St. John, New Brunswick,
a government claim of one hundred and sixty and three years later removed to Eastport, Maine,
acres:. here bb has since lived. His wife was soon after to Machias. Making this his home
Miss Ann Grant, a native of Ireland, whom he four years he proceeded to Boston, Massachusetts,
harried in •1845. Patrick, Michael, Edmond,, ~ and after a residence of five years went to Port-
Stephen, James, John, Thomas and Joseph are I land, Maine. In 1856 lie came to Minnesota; lo-
their surviving children. i cating in Eagan township; and in 1876 purchased
Hugh Burnk. was born, In, County Mayo, Ire- a farm of 'one hundred and twenty acres. His
land, in 1887. WTtdit twelve years old he came to wife was Miss Mara Bickley, Married In 1941.
America, and for Wyft years resided in Clinton, Six children have been born to thein, only brie of
M"whusettd; ire to West Virginia, where ;whom is living, John K.
h~ *bmained tj Coining westward, he 1 Joseph Hoysler is a native bf Minnesbta, born
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' dam?.:, ~ +~V
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-PAGAN fiI00RAPHIOA . $8$ ~ °
in Eagan in 1856. At an early age he was thrown be remained a short time in St. Paul, then moved
upon his own resources, having earned his own to what is now the town of `Eagan, and made a f
livelihood since twelve years of age. Ile married claim of eighty acres, where he has since lived.
Miss Melvina Le Clair, a native of Mendota, Min- Married in 1844, to Bridget Barry, who has borne
,nesota. Two children have been born to them: him eight children. Mary Ann and Thomas are
Eugenia and William. the surviving ones.
Alexander Huard was born in St. Nicholas, James McDonough was born in County Mayo,
• Canada, in 1818. Here he was reared to man- Ireland, and, in 1859, came to America. Land-
hood, and in 1848 came to Minnesota, and until ing in New York, he lived there one year, then
x:
1855, lived at Mendota, then moved to Inver went to Vermont. In 1865, he came to Minne-
Grove, locating on a farm. Since 1868 he has sots and purchased a school section in Eag#u
made his home in Eagan. Married Miss Jane township, on which he now resides. His wife," " r
McDermott, a native of Ireland, in 1854. Ellen whom he married in 1853, has borne him four
and Mary Ann are their children. children: Terrence,, Annie, John and Patrick
August Lau was'born in Germany, in 1856: John O'Leary was born in. County Cdrk} Ire-° t
Ile lived with his parents until 1881, coming with land, in 1826. Came to America in 19h, end tof fr
them to America in 1872. In company with his two years worked in an iroh fonna y, then came. .
brother Julius he opened aestore at Westcott sta- to St. Paul, Minnesota. Two years later, be todk,
tion, they being also postmasters. a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Eagih
Julius Lau, a native of Germany, was born in township, having now a farm of two hundred and ? ~r
/ 1859. Came to America with his parents in 1872; thirty acres. Since his becoming a resident of
he lived in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, one this township, he has been a thrifty farmer. ,
year, and has since lived in different towns in Da- Married Mary O'.Driscoll, in 1851. Mary, Bridget,•
kota county, Minnesota. In 1881, he and his Daniel, Ann and John are their living children.'
brother opened a store at Westcott station. Robert O'Neill was born in Ireland, July 29th, ;r
Francis Le Clair was born in Montreal, Can- 1811. When seven years old moved with his
ada, January lst, 1819. Came to Mendota, Min- parents to America. Through the advice of
nesota, in 1849, and made a claim of one hnn- friends his father removed to Perth, Ontario,
dred and sixty acres, which he sold a few months remaining until 1828; thence to Buckingham, '
later. He, however, invested in another farm of Lower Canada, and settled on a farrh. In 1858,
ninety-two acres . in Eagan township, in 1859, Robert came to Minnesota, and-engaged in lum-
where he has sce lived as a tiller of the soil. bering three years. In the meantime he made a
Miss Eliza Labrie, a native of Montreal, became claim of two hundred and thirty acres in Eagan
his wife August 25th, 1857. Eight children have township, and in 1853, moved to it. During the
been born to them. The living are Mary Ann, fall of that year he was elected first chairman of
Edward, Sellena, Frank, Norman and Nelson- county board of commissioners; was a member
Eugene Lemay was born in Canada East, in of the territorial legislature in 1857; and lies since
1840. When thirteen years of age, he came to held several town offices. In politics he is a
Mendoth with his father's family, remaining with staunch, democrat. Ills wife was Miss Catherine
them until attaining majority. In 1867, he pur- Forbes, who was born. on the beautiful Isle of
chased a farm in Eagan township; and has since Montreal. She has borne him twelvb ehildren; A
added to it by purchase' until his farm now com- eight of whom are living.
prises one hundred and ninety-three acres. His John Shields, a native of the Emerald late, was f
• marriage with Miss Julia Auge, who was born born in June, 1812. Came to America In 185a
in Canada, occurred in 1862: They are the parents After visiting Ohio and Illinois he strived &t
of six children. Mendota, Minnesota. He lived on his farm
Thomas Manning is a native of Ireland, born five years then resided on General 8111 *1A farm
in County Tipperary, in 1810. Came to this con- ,thirteen years: Purchasing twob#il~ awl
tinent in 184tu, lending at (Juebec, where he re- 'he moved to It in 18'f9, and biatIV ie restdoff*
mained ten years. Coming thence to Minnesota, in which hti3 now lives. In 1854 to married' ~t<
23 ~aY
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MA HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
r. Bridget Broderick, a native of Ireland. Michael, California in 1849, and followed mining until
B., John, Margaret, Mary A., Thomas, Henry, and 1853. Returning to his former home, the next il• `
Francis are their children. spring, he came to Eagan and began farming, 4 1
Michael B. Shields was born in McHenry having a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. \`}4,•
~
county, Illinois, October 1st, 1851. When about Isere he has since resided and is one of the pio-
three years old he moved with his parents to neers of the coimty. In 1863, he entered the
Mendota, Dakota county, Minnesota, After a army, joining Company I, First Minnesota Heavy
few years residence at this place they removed Artilleyy, as junior lieutenant. Ile was honor-
to Eagan township, and located on a farm. Mr. ably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, at the
Shields, continued living at his father's house, close of the war. Was elected treasurer of Da-
and has acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's kota county in 1860, and held the office two years.
trade. Married in May, 1876, to Bridget Furey, His residence in Eagan is near Westcott station,
who has borne him two children, John and Mar- which was named in his honor. August 23d,
garet. 1857, he married Mary E. Atkinson, who has
John Silk was born in County Galway, Ireland, borne him seven children, five are living.
in June, 1823. After attaining majority he came
to America, and for seven years worked in a
cotton mill at Manchester, New Hampshire. In
1857, he settled in Eagan township, having pur-
chased a small farm on which he lived four years,
then bought his present farm. • Married on
+ Easter Sunday, 1854, to Miss Mary Hamburg, a
native of Ireland. Ten children have been born ~EMPIRE.
'I") born to them: James, John, Michael, Thomas,
Frances Jane, William, Henry, Edward, Mary
slid Charles.
James* Slater was born in Limerick county, CHAPTER L.
Ireland, in 1820. Came to this continent in 1837,
FIRST SETTLERS - ORGANIZATION - SCHOOLS
i` and made New York his home until 1854. Com-
- FARMINi rON INCORPORATED -BUSINESS
ing westward to St. Paul, Minnesota, he took a
> HOUSES-THE GREAT FIRE-SCHOOLS-
claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in what is
now Eagan township. His farm now consists of CHURCHES-BIOGRAPHICAL.
six hundred and forty-seven acres. In 1849, he As early in the history o"r%NigL cowkty as 1854,
married Miss Bridget O'Brien, a native of Ire- Alidon Amidon, N. Amidon and C. R. Rollins
land. They have had seven children, four made claims on the Vermillion river, on sections
of whom are living: James, Mary, Annie and 29 and 30, on the line of the St. Paul and North-
George. field road. The same year on section 24, on the
Maurice Walsh was born in Ireland in 1830. St. Paul and Cannon Falls road, near the Ver-
When eighteen years of age he came across the million river, L. Fish, Thomas Laird and E. P.
water to America, and for nine years made his Whittier made claims. Two hotels were opened
home in New York. Coming to St. Paul, Min- at this point in 1855, one on each side of the
nesota,"at that time, soon after came to Eagan river. This point was called Empire City, though.
township. Ile lived on his farm in that place no plat was made of the land. A post-office was
twelve years, then purchauwd eighty acres of Gen. established here. The Amidon settlement bade
Sibley, which he now owns. Bridget Reeny be- fair to become quite a village. A store was
came his wife in 1862; she has borne him seven opened by N. Amidon in 1857, near what is now
children, all living. Thomas, Maurice, Jerome, the entrance of the fair grounds, who afterwards
John, Timothy, Daniel and Mary. transferred ~liis interest to N. E. Slack. Mr.
James, Wescott was born in Cumberland James Tuttle opened the next store in what was
county, Maine, October 22, 1823. He went to known as'the Barkaloe house, which had been
i