Fifty Years In The Northwest by William H. C. Folsom

1884. The proprietors are the Minnesota Iron Company, of which

1386 words | Chapter 168

Charlemagne Tower is president. The iron mines located in this vicinity are amongst the richest on the continent. Attention was first called to the Vermillion by the reported discovery of gold. Machinery for crushing and smelting was transported thither, but the thousands who rushed to the reputed gold field expecting to become suddenly rich, returned disappointed and disheartened. Attention had long before been called to the fact that there were rich iron mines in the district, but the circumstances were unfavorable for their development. They were in a remote position and accessible only by a journey of several days through woods and swamps. These mines could be reached and developed only by state aid, which was given in the shape of a grant of swamp lands, to be applied to building a railway from the lake to the mines. This grant having been obtained, Mr. Tower and other capitalists at once invested their millions in the mines, purchasing some 8,000 acres of land, covering the larger portion of the iron deposits in the district, embracing the present site of the village of Tower. A railroad sixty-eight miles in length was constructed from Tower to Two Harbors, a point twenty-seven miles north of Duluth. This road was completed in the spring of 1884, and the first shipment was made July 3d of that year, the total shipments for the year being 62,124 tons. The shipments for 1885 were 225,484 tons, and for 1886, 304,000 tons. Over $3,000,000 was paid to laborers in the Tower mines in 1887. COL. GEORGE E. STONE, of Duluth, is deserving of praise for his foresight and energy in opening the Tower mines. Mr. Stone labored with untiring zeal after the land grant to aid in building the road was given until the road was built and the mines opened. GEORGE R. STUNTZ is well known as the government surveyor of the Lake Superior region, whose work covers thousands of miles of North Wisconsin lands, lying along the southern shore of the lake, and who has accurately mapped the meanderings of the influent streams, the bays and shaggy projecting shores of the great "Unsalted Sea." There is no better topographical authority than Mr. Stuntz, and no one better posted as to the location and value of the Northern Wisconsin areas and the Vermillion mines. Having early made Superior City and Duluth his home, and for nearly forty years having been identified with the interests of the West Superior country, he is an oft-quoted authority. Many of his published articles contain most valuable information concerning the feasibility of connecting St. Croix and Superior waters. His assertions concerning the mineral wealth of the lake country, made before the development of the mines, have since been verified. Mr. Stuntz is a typical, sensible frontiersman, of American birth, aged about seventy years. CHARLES HINMAN GRAVES, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, born in 1839, received a liberal education, and in 1861 enlisted as a private in the Fortieth Massachusetts Volunteers, but was promoted step by step to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. In 1865 he was commissioned as a colonel in the regular army, but resigned in 1870, and located at Duluth. From 1873 to 1876 he was a member of the state senate. He has held several public positions in Duluth, and stands deservedly high as a citizen. He has labored zealously and efficiently for the prosperity of Duluth. OZRO P. STEARNS was born Jan. 13, 1831, at De Kalb, Lawrence county, New York. In his youth he was dependent upon his own resources. He graduated at Michigan University in 1858, after which he visited California, tried mining for a short time, and returning graduated in the law department of Michigan University. In 1860 he came to Rochester, Minnesota, and opened a law office. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Minnesota Volunteers, of which he was commissioned first lieutenant, but in 1864 was promoted to the colonelcy of the Thirty-ninth United States Infantry (colored). He served through many battles and campaigns, and was mustered out at the close of the war. In January, 1866, he returned to Rochester; in 1867 was appointed register in bankruptcy for Southern Minnesota; in January, 1871, he was elected to the United States senate for a short term to fill the vacancy caused by the death of D. S. Norton. In 1872 he removed to Duluth, and in 1874 was appointed judge of the Eleventh Judicial district, to which office he was elected in the fall of the same year, which position, by re-election, he still holds. Judge Stearns was married in February, 1863, to Sarah Burger, of Detroit, Michigan. LAKE COUNTY. This county lies on the north shore of Lake Superior, between the counties of Cook and St. Louis, extending northward to the British line. The whole region is abrupt, broken into hills and valleys, and rich in silver, iron and other metals. The great Vermillion iron mines of St. Louis county find an outlet through this county by the Duluth & Iron Range railroad, which finds a lake station at Two Harbors. The road was built from Two Harbors to Vermillion lake in 1885, from Two Harbors to Duluth in 1887. The entire road and extensive mines were sold in June, 1887, for $8,000,000, to Porter and others, who are now extending the road from Vermillion lake eastward to Thunder Bay and Port Arthur. It is already completed to Ely, a distance of twenty miles. Emigration during the years 1886-7 to this county has been very extensive. The two counties, Lake and Cook, have many features in common. They are similar in geological formation, produce the same metals in the same generous abundance, and being in the same latitude, and bordering upon the same lake, differ in no wise in climate and but little in productions. Large quantities of pine timber may be found in these counties, and saw mills are located along the lake shore where an accessible harbor can be found. There are several harbors between Duluth and Thunder Bay that might be improved by the government, greatly to the advantage of the country. The silver mines of Isle Royal and along the national boundary are extensive, and yield rich returns to the companies working them. TWO HARBORS, A flourishing village located on the shore of Lake Superior, takes its name from two small harbors bearing that name. The Vermillion Iron Company have built extensive piers into the lake to facilitate the shipping of ores. They have large shops for railroad purposes, with an electric light plant. The company employ about two hundred men. Two Harbors is the county seat of Lake county. COOK COUNTY. Grand Marais is the county seat of Cook county. It is a round, land-locked harbor. It has a lighthouse, and the government has built a breakwater four hundred feet long, thus making it a harbor of refuge, so that boats can lie with safety in any storm. Grand Marais is one hundred and ten miles from Duluth, on the north shore of Lake Superior. It is the best harbor that Minnesota has except Duluth. It is thirty miles south of the international boundary line, and forty-five miles northeast of the line by Lake Superior. It is the natural outlet for the mineral deposits north. There are large quantities of iron ore within thirty-five miles of the harbor. A railroad line has been run, and men are now at work on the iron deposits with a view of shipping the ore from Grand Marais to points where it is wanted for smelting purposes. Grand Marais was in early days one of the Northwest Fur Company's trading posts, but of late years has been used as a fishing station. Streets in the town are now being laid out, and from present indications Cook county, with its pine lands, iron ore and other mineral resources, will be one of the most thriving counties in the State, with Grand Marais as not only a harbor of refuge, but one of the competing ports for the shipment of iron ore. H. Mayhew, to whom we are indebted for items of interest concerning Cook county, is the oldest resident of Grand Marais, and one of the town proprietors.

Chapters

1. Chapter 1 2. INTRODUCTION. 3. INTRODUCTION. 4. CHAPTER I. 5. CHAPTER II. 6. CHAPTER III. 7. CHAPTER IV 8. CHAPTER V. 9. CHAPTER VI. 10. CHAPTER VII 11. CHAPTER VIII. 12. CHAPTER IX. 13. CHAPTER X. 14. CHAPTER XI. 15. CHAPTER XII. 16. CHAPTER XIII. 17. CHAPTER XIV. 18. CHAPTER XV. 19. CHAPTER XVI. 20. CHAPTER XVII. 21. CHAPTER XVIII. 22. CHAPTER XIX. 23. CHAPTER XX. 24. CHAPTER XXI. 25. CHAPTER XXII. 26. CHAPTER XXIII. 27. Chapter II, page 32, read Stillwater and St. Croix County, instead of 28. CHAPTER I. 29. 1781. Mr. Brisbois lived a stirring and eventful life. He died in 30. CHAPTER II. 31. 1845. Capt. Wm. Holcombe acted during this period as clerk of the 32. CHAPTER III. 33. 1857. From 1857 to 1869 he was also a heavy logger alone. Mr. Anderson 34. 1777. He was married to Hannah Greely, a second cousin, at Hopkinton, 35. 1882. His wife survived him but a few months. The bodies of both were 36. 1885. She was the last of her family, husband and daughter having 37. 1846. As a business man he is capable and shrewd, giving close 38. 1838. In 1839 he drove the first herd of cattle through a wilderness 39. 1847. He was appointed clerk of the first Minnesota territorial term 40. 1848. He engaged in lumbering and scaling continuously. He was born in 41. 1820. He spent his youth on his father's farm, and received a common 42. 1843. He settled in Stillwater in 1844, and removed to his farm in 43. 1844. He came to America in June, 1847, and to Stillwater in 1848. Mr. 44. 1815. He was reared during his minority by an uncle, at Cambridge, New 45. 1853. In 1852 Gov. Ramsey appointed him territorial auditor. He was a 46. 1838. He became a great sufferer in the later years of his life. He 47. 1826. He received a good common school education. At the age of 48. 1857. Mrs. McPhail died in Stillwater in 1885. They left no children. 49. 1845. He was married in 1860 to Miss Jackins. He made his home in 50. CHAPTER IV. 51. 1838. Polk county, originally a part of Crawford, in 1840 became a 52. CHAPTER V. 53. 1857. The name of Gov. Holcombe will long be remembered in the valley 54. 1850. Through untiring industry and honorable dealing he has secured a 55. 1884. Mr. Stratton wrote for the Minneapolis papers many interesting 56. 1826. He settled on a farm near St. Croix Falls in 1856, where he 57. 24. The first sermon in the town of Clayton was preached by Rev. W. W. 58. 19. The west part is somewhat broken by the St. Croix bluffs; the 59. 1866. Few men have been more active in the opening up of a new 60. 1861. A. A. Heald, M. C. Lane and John Hurness were the first 61. 1864. Their new house of worship was built in 1870. The first settlers 62. 1867. It is situated on the same stream, a few rods above the first. 63. 1856. These have been succeeded by Rice, Webb, Clark Brothers, 64. 1853. The first white child born was John Francis, in 1847. The first 65. 1858. In 1874 he removed to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he died in 1878, 66. CHAPTER VI. 67. 1849. James Hughes was appointed in 1850. The first district court was 68. 1852. A day was fixed in 1852 to vote on the change of name, Willow 69. 20. Wm. H. Phipps. 70. 1838. Mr. Bouchea had been educated for the Catholic priesthood. He 71. 24. He took a deep interest in the affairs of the pioneer settlement, 72. 1847. Mr. Andrews was a carpenter and took some important building 73. 1847. He was appointed receiver of the United States land office at 74. 1812. His parents were George and Mary Hoyt. Both grandfathers were 75. 1814. He removed to Harford, Pennsylvania, with his parents when six 76. 1851. He was married to Clarissa A. Day in 1841, who with one son and 77. 1850. Mr. Jones died in 1874. Mrs. Jones, five sons and two daughters 78. 1827. At eighteen years of age, he went to Weston, New York, where he 79. 1881. In 1887 he served again as a member of the assembly. 80. 1833. He received a common school and academic education and attended 81. 1884. He was a man of eccentric manners, but upright life. 82. 14. By industry and perseverance they have become independent, and own 83. 1848. In 1830 he was a member of the Maine legislature; in 1849 and 84. 1867. He was married in 1867 to Mary J. Stewart, of Pennsylvania. He 85. 1858. The North Wisconsin railroad passes through the southeast corner 86. 1870. He left a widow and four sons, three of them farmers in Troy. 87. CHAPTER VII. 88. 1886. His home business is farming and real estate. He was married in 89. 1854. A building for a graded school was erected in 1859. A high 90. 19. Trimbelle river drains the eastern portion and the Kinnikinic the 91. 1854. Charles Hutchinson was the first postmaster, and the office was 92. 1814. He was liberally educated. He came to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 93. 1830. He graduated at the Chicago Medical College in 1860, and in 1861 94. 1810. He graduated at Yale College. He came to River Falls in 1858 and 95. 1866. The first town meeting was held at the house of J. Prickett. The 96. 1871. The first settlers in the order of their coming were James 97. 6. It was organized Aug. 15, 1863. Among its first settlers were 98. CHAPTER VIII. 99. 19. He built a flour and saw mill, the first in the county, a good 100. 1865. He subsequently became the first settler in the town of 101. 1877. Millions of feet of pine timber have been gathered and marketed 102. CHAPTER IX. 103. 9. It has seventy-five miles of lake shore, with some fine harbors, 104. 1855. It was the first newspaper published at the head of Lake 105. CHAPTER X. 106. 20. It contains about forty dwellings, three large boarding houses, 107. 1874. His seat was contested by John Hallburg, of Centre City. The 108. CHAPTER XI. 109. 1883. The first supervisors were Eric Hokansen, John Rines and Haquin 110. 1855. He lived there eight years and filled various responsible 111. CHAPTER XII. 112. 1703. This fort was in all probability erected on the plateau below 113. 1884. There is also a good school house. The village was incorporated 114. 1852. Henry married Margaret Smith, daughter of David Smith. During 115. 1856. He died in 1874, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters. 116. 1873. They have three children. Elof, John, Elias and Hans are 117. 1865. In 1868 he came to Taylor's Falls and engaged in teaching, which 118. 1859. The first marriage was that of Peter Abear to Kittie Wickland. 119. 26. Mr. and Mrs. Walmarson reared a fine family of children. Nelson 120. CHAPTER XIII. 121. 1863. At the close of the war, in 1865, he settled in St. Paul and 122. 1865. He died in 1872. Edward H., his second son, for some years has 123. 1823. He came to Marine Mills in 1844. For two years he was in the 124. 1804. He graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 125. 1822. In the spring of 1849 he came westward, and engaged in 126. CHAPTER XIV. 127. 1847. A military road was surveyed from Point Douglas to Superior 128. 1840. In 1843 he opened a grindstone quarry in the soft, coarse 129. 1854. The first child born was Nathan, son of John Atkinson, in 1846; 130. 1867. In 1885 they removed to California. 131. 1874. Four children survive him. 132. 1858. In 1874 a large church 50 × 80 feet, ground plan, and with 133. 1875. Rev. L. O. Lindh was the first pastor. Oakland Cemetery 134. 1858. The Marine flour mill was built in 1856 by Gaskell & Co. The 135. 1859. Henry F., a son by his first wife, enlisted in 1862, in the 136. 1869. A plat of ten acres, beautifully situated in a natural grove 137. 1855. They were followed by Dunn, Barnum, Hatch and Beecroft. 138. 1819. He was married to Sarah Blanchard in 1848. Mr. Jackman, with his 139. 1849. Their children are Daniel, Thomas, James, Elisabeth, Mary, 140. 1826. In 1844 he came with his parents to St. Louis, Missouri, where 141. 22. This fragment contains the famous painted rock, now included in 142. 1841. He was married in 1846 to Jane Middleton. 143. 1815. Mr. Gilbert settled in Woodbury in 1851. In company with Mr. 144. CHAPTER XV. 145. 1850. It was organized regularly in 1853 by Rev. T. M. Fullerton. The 146. 1878. Two great fires occurred in the penitentiary in 1884. The 147. 1850. He was educated at the high school in Bangor. With his brother 148. 1829. Part of his early life he spent on a farm, but later he learned 149. 1851. In 1858 he came to Stillwater, and in 1861 was awarded the 150. 1824. Her parents emigrated to America in 1847 and settled in 151. 1886. Mr. Butts was married to Augusta Miller in 1856. Mrs. Butts 152. 1828. His parents were natives of Massachusetts, tracing their lineage 153. 1836. He came to Osceola, Polk county, Wisconsin, in 1850. In 1859 he 154. 1858. He was intrusted with the expenditure of public moneys from 155. CHAPTER XVI. 156. 1859. This bank, a private institution, was the beginning of the 157. 1820. He came to Minnesota in 1851, locating at St. Anthony, but in 158. 1877. The first supervisors were Moses Ripley, George Tisdale and 159. CHAPTER XVII. 160. 1854. The proprietors were J. Russell, G. M. Sweet and S. Van Nest. 161. 1855. Asa White, D. Gilman, C. W. Borup, N. Myrick, Gen. Lowry, and 162. 1827. He served an apprenticeship to a printer in Canada for five 163. 1809. He received a common school and academic education, and learned 164. 32. It derives its name from a rapid in the Mississippi river, formed 165. 1853. One daughter lives in Alabama and his youngest son is a 166. 1871. The name, Brainerd, was given to the new town in honor of Mrs. 167. CHAPTER XVIII. 168. 1884. The proprietors are the Minnesota Iron Company, of which 169. CHAPTER XIX. 170. 1849. A post office was established and Ard Godfrey was appointed 171. 1871. Edwin S. Brown. 172. 1871. Eli B. Ames. 173. 1888. A. A. Ames. 174. 1811. He received an academic education, and remained with his parents 175. 1814. He was the oldest son of Billy and Phebe (Baker) Ames, whose 176. 1818. In 1829 he removed with his parents to Lower Canada, where he 177. 1860. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Sixth Minnesota Volunteers, 178. 1809. He was educated at Princeton College and West Point, graduating 179. 1844. He served as a soldier during the Mexican War. He was the first 180. CHAPTER XX. 181. 1865. Of Benoit little or nothing is known. The Freeman brothers were 182. 1847. Its effects, however, were not greatly felt until toward the 183. 1888. Robert A. Smith. 184. 1857. The early settlers were much disturbed by roving bands of 185. 1886. 1887. 186. CHAPTER XXI. 187. 1861. In 1863, before the expiration of his second term, he was 188. 1806. He received a thorough classical and medical education. In 1828 189. 1822. He came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1840. The writer first met 190. 1820. His father, Otis Bigelow, was a Revolutionary patriot and 191. 1842. In 1845 he came to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, remained at this 192. 1820. He studied law with his father, Judge Samuel J. Wilkin, and 193. 1858. He was married to Helen M. Olds, in New York, in 1840. Their two 194. CHAPTER XXII. 195. 1830. He received a common and high school education and spent one 196. 1868. He served as state senator in 1866-67. He has been an 197. CHAPTER XXIII. 198. 1817. His early life was passed amongst the Ojibways in the employ of 199. 1842. When he came to Gray Cloud island he was accompanied by a Mr. 200. 1827. Mr. Berry received an excellent education at the Pittsfield 201. 1879. He has been twice married. His first wife was Ellen Brady, of 202. 1878. He married a second wife in 1880. His family consists of eight 203. 1634. Jean Nicollet ventured into Wisconsin, and explored the country 204. 1658. Two fur traders penetrated to Lake Superior and wintered there, 205. 1660. Rev. M. Menard with eight companions came to La Pointe, Lake 206. 1665. Claude Allouez, an eminent pioneer missionary, succeeded Menard, 207. 1669. Father Allouez established a mission on the shores of Green bay, 208. 1670. Father Allouez made a voyage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers to 209. 1671. In this year the French took formal possession of the whole 210. 1673. Louis Joliet, accompanied by Father James Marquette, discovered 211. 1674. Father Marquette coasted Lake Michigan, from Green Bay, by 212. 1679. The Griffin, a schooner built by La Salle, and the first to make 213. 1680. About the first of May Father Louis Hennepin arrived at Mille 214. 1683. Le Sueur made a voyage of the Fog and Wisconsin rivers to the 215. 1688. Nicholas Perrot first planted the cross and arms of France on 216. 1695. Le Sueur built a fort on Isle Pelee, in the Mississippi, below 217. 1700. Le Sueur established Fort L'Huillier, on the Blue Earth river 218. 1719. Francis Renalt explored the Upper Mississippi with two hundred 219. 1721. Previous to this date a French fort had been established at 220. 1727. The French established a fort on Lake Pepin, with Sieur de 221. 1728. There was a great flood in the Mississippi, and Fort Beauharnois 222. 1751. Sieur Marin, in command at Green Bay, made a peace with the 223. 1761. Capt. Balfour and Lieut. Gorrell, with English troops, took 224. 1763. The English, under Lieut. Gorrell, abandoned Green Bay in 225. 1766. Capt. Jonathan Carver visited St. Anthony falls and Minnesota 226. 1774. A civil government was established over Canada and the 227. 1786. Julian Dubuque explored the lead region of the Upper 228. 1788. There was an Indian council at Green Bay. Permission to work the 229. 1793. Lawrence Barth built a cabin at the portage of the Fog and 230. 1796. The western posts were surrendered by the English to the United 231. 1803. Antoine Barth settled at the portage of the Fog and Wisconsin 232. 1809. Thomas Nuttall, the botanist, explored Wisconsin. 233. 1814. Gov. Clark took possession of Prairie du Chien. Prairie du Chien 234. 1816. Indian treaty confirming that of 1804. 235. 1818. State of Illinois was organized; Wisconsin attached to Michigan. 236. 1822. The New York Indians purchase lands east of Lake Winnebago. 237. 1823. January. Counties of Brown, Crawford and Michillimackinac made a 238. 1824. First term of United States court held at Green Bay, Judge Duane 239. 1825. Great flood on the Red River of the North; a part of the colony 240. 1827. Rush of speculators to lead mines. 241. 1828. Fort Winnebago built. Indian treaty at Green Bay. Lead ore 242. 1832. Black Hawk War. 243. 1834. The portion of Minnesota west of the Mississippi attached to 244. 1837. Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin, made a treaty at Fort Snelling, with 245. 1838. The treaty ratified by Congress. Frank Steele makes a claim at 246. 1840. St. Croix county established. 247. 1847. The Wisconsin constitutional convention meets. The town of St. 248. 1848. May 29th, Wisconsin admitted. August 26th, the "Stillwater 249. 1850. Great flood on the Mississippi. Minnesota river navigated by 250. 1851. Permanent location of the capital of Minnesota at St Paul. 251. 1852. President Pierce appoints Willis A. Gorman governor of 252. 1854. Real estate mania commenced. Treaty with the Chippewas at La 253. 1855. Treaty at Washington, District of Columbia, with the Chippewas, 254. 1857. Enabling act to admit Minnesota passed Congress. President 255. 1858. Minnesota admitted as a state. State loan of $250,000 256. 1859. Hard times. Work on the land grant road ceases. Collapse of the 257. 1861. April 13th. President's proclamation for troops received. The 258. 1862. Call for 600,000 men. August 17th, massacre at Acton; 18th, 259. 1863. Gen. Sibley's expedition to the Missouri river. July 3d, Little 260. 1864. Large levies for troops. Expedition to Missouri river under 261. 1865. Peace returns. Minnesota regiments return and are disbanded; in 262. 1873. January 7th, 8th and 9th, polar wave sweeps over the State; 263. 1876. September 7th, armed outlaws from Missouri attack a Northfield 264. 1878. May 2d, three flouring mills at Minneapolis explode; eighteen 265. 1880. November 15th, hospital for the insane at St. Peter partly 266. 1886. Cyclone destroys Sauk Rapids. Wisconsin legislature adopts 267. 1854. Several reservations were set aside in each purchase for the 268. 1887. Alvah H. Heald, receiver; Wm. M. Blanding, register. 269. 4. Albert Henry Judd, Orange Walker, Samuel Burkelo, Hiram Berkey, 270. 5. Martin Mower, David B. Loomis; Lots 7 and 8, Sec. 29, T. 31, R. 19, 271. 6. John Allen; Lots 4 and 5, Sec. 2, T. 29, R. 20, west of river; gold 272. 7. Eleazer R. Steves; Lots 1 and 2, Sec. 14, T. 29, R. 20, east of 273. 10. Himan W. Greely; E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20, gold. 274. 21. Himan W. Greely; W. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20, gold. 275. 1832. This lake is really the source of the Mississippi, though from 276. 1888. David Day. 277. 1887. Morton S. Wilkinson. 278. 1875. The _True Republican_ was established by M. A. Fulton in 1875, 279. 1850. He is now a resident of Fleming, Cayuga county, New York.

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