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HISTORY OF ANOKA COUNTY 

and the Towns of Champlin and Dayton

in Hennepin County Minnesota

By Albert M. Goodrich

Minneapolis

Hennepin Publishing Col. 1905

Transcribed by MaryAlice Schwanke

CHAPTER X.

CITY OF ANOKA.

Two abortive attempts were made to incorporate the City of Anoka. The first act authorizing incorporation was passed by the legislature in 1858, but the charter was rejected by popular vote. A charter authorized by act of March 5, 1869, met with a like fate, and it was not until March 2, 1878, that the city was set off from the township of the same name.

The first city election was held March 12, 1878, and resulted as.follows: Mayor, George W. Church; clerk, John S. McLeod; treasurer, H. E. Lepper; Justices of the peace, W. W.Fitch and E. S. Teller; aldermen. L. G. Browning, J. H. Pierce, D. H. Lane, D. C. Dunham, A. Davis, H. N. Seelye; constables, Norman McLean and George Geddes.

POSTOFFICE.

The first postoffice in Anoka county was established at Itaska in May, 1852. But Itaska dwindled after the bill to move the capital failed, while Anoka grew. It was inconvenient to get mail at Itaska. During the fall of 1853 Mr. Larned used to get the mail at St. Anthony and bring it up in his hat. Some time that winter (1853 4) a postoffice was established at Anoka and George W. Branch was named as postmaster. His successors to the present time have been: R. M. Johnson, E. H. Davis, J. C. Frost, S. M. Varney, George Colbath, G. A. Jenks, M. Q. Butterfield, R. C. Mitchell, S. P. Starrett, Mrs. Johnson, R. M. Taylor, J. A. Foote, James C. Frost, J. A. Foote, T. M. Ryan, Mrs. T. M. Ryan, I. A. Caswell.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

A volunteer fire company was formed in 1857, and a few years later was incorporated under the name of “Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. I.” A hook

OSCAR L. CUTTER.

and ladder truck was built by members of the company. The year 1877 was a disastrous year for confiagrations, and immediately after the incorporation of the city in the spring of 1878, the fire department was reorganized, and steps were taken looking toward the purchase of more modern apparatus. A steam fire engine was bought and arrived Oct. 3, 1878. After the big fire of 1884 a chemical engine was added. The first officers of the city fire department were: Chief, O. L. Cutter; first assistant, R. M. Lowell; second assistant, L. H. Bruns. and arrived Oct. 3, 1878. After the big fire of 1884 a chemical engine was added. The first officers of the city fire department were: Chief, O. L. Cutter; first assistant, R. M. Lowell; second assistant, L. H. Bruns.

WATER WORKS AND ELECTR1C LIGHT.

The plant of the Anoka Water Works, Electric Light and Power Co., was installed as a result of an election held in the fall of 1889. Its franchise runs thirty-one years from Jan. 1, 1890. The city rents 66 hydrants and 25 twelve hundred candle power are lights for which it pays $6,336 per annum. The stand pipe is twenty feet in diameter and 11 5 feet high. There are seven and one half miles of water mains.

INDUSTRY.

Aside from agricultural pursuits, the saw mills and flour mill furnished employment to the greater number of Anoka residents previous to the Civil War. Ammi Cutter built two ill-fated saw mills and a tub and pail factory, all of which were destroyed by fire. In 1860 James McCann purchased the water power and all the mills run by it except the flour mill, and three years later, equipped a much better saw mill than the place had theretofore contained, raising the capacity to twenty thousand feet of lumber per day.

In 1868 A. and L. B. Martin built a steam saw mill on the west side of Rum river with a daily capacity of one hundred thousand feet of lumber, and employing over one hundred men. In 1870 another steam saw mill was built on the opposite river bank on the site of the burned Cutter mill, which gave employment to fifty men, and had a capacity of 75,000 feet. In 1872 W. D. Washburn & Co. purchased James McCann’s milling interests and immediately began the erection of a large steam saw mill with an annual capacity of sixteen million feet ol lumber and employing about 125 men. Logs for this large output were obtained on the upper waters of Rum river and its branches and from Mille Lacs and floated down the river to the mills. The lumber industry had attained its highest point when the country was swept by the panic of 1873. The lumber companies failed one

JAMES McCANN.

after the other. W. D. Washburn & C0. managed to keep afloat until Nov. 3, 1874, when they also made an assignment. Wages of common labor went down to a dollar a day and less. Recovery from this crisis was very slow throughout the country. The Martin mill passed into the hands of the St. Paul Lumber Co. and some years later into those of Reed & Sherwood. The smaller mill became the property of the Anoka Lumber Co., and later of Page Brothers, and W. D. Washburn succeeded in reorganizing his business under the name of the Washburn Mill Co. But credit was shaken and markets restricted, so that it was several years before the mills were back to anything like their old time output.

In the eighties it began to be apparent that logging on Rum river was nearing its end, and a board of trade

WASHBURN SAW MILL.
Built in 1872.

was organized for the purpose of encouraging other industries to locate in Anoka to take the place of the waning lumber business. In 1886 Leland & Hall built the largest potato starch factory in the country at Anoka, and the same year a shoe factory from Lynn, Mass., was induced to locate in the place. There are now two starch factories at Anoka.

The Anoka shoe factory is now operated as a branch by the North Star Shoe Company of Minneapolis, who took possession of it Sept. 15, 1897. It has a capacity of 800 pairs of shoes per day, and a product valued at about $300,000 per annum. It employs about eighty men.

In 1880 the Washburn Mill Company built the Lincoln

LINCOLN MILL.
Built in 1885.

Flouring Mill, with a capacity of 600 barrels of flour per day. This mill was burned in the great fire of August 16, 1884, but was immediately rebuilt with improved machinery. It was sold to the Pillsbury-Washburn Flour Mills Co. Feb. 19, 1890. The mill now has a capacity of 1600 barrels of flour per day.

The first bank at Anoka was organized April 1, 1874, by Walter Mann, W. R. Merriam and C. E. Blake of St. Paul, and was called the Bank of Anoka. It was reorganized

FIRST CHURCH IN ANOKA COUNTY.
Built by the Congregational Society on Jackson street, Anoka,
in 1857. Purchased by the Catholic Church in 1866. Removed in
1888 to make room for the new St. Stephens church.

as a national bank in 1881, and called the First National Bank. It was discontinued in 1889.
.
The Anoka National Bank was organized in 1883, with W. D. Washburn as the principal stockholder. The present oflicers are: John Coleman, president: A. D. Howard, vice president; L. ]. Greenwald, cashier.

The State Bank of Anoka was organized in February, 1892. Its present officers are: John Goss, president; Henry Lee, vice president; R. W. Akin, cashier.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper in Anoka county was established Aug. 25, 1860, by A. C. and E. A. Squire. May 31, 1863, the office was damaged by fire and there appears to have been no further publication of the paper. There are now no copies of this paper known to be in existence.

In September A. C. Squire sold the printing material and subscription list to A. G. Spaulding, who changed the name to Anoka Star, and the first issue of the new paper appeared Oct. 3, 1863. Many of the advertisements which had been running in the Republican reappeared in the Star, printed with the same type. Nov. 5, 1864, the Star appeared with Chas. W. Folsom and Ed. H. Folsom as editors and publishers. In March, 1865, the Star passed into the hands of a stock company composed of citizens of Anoka, who voted to change the name to Anoka Sentinel. The first number of the Sentinel appeared April 8, 1865, with Chas. W. Folsom and J. M. Thompson as editors and publishers. The last issue of the Sentinel which can now be found is that of June 23, 1865. Probably the paper was discontinued at that time or soon after.

August 31, 1865, the Anoka Union was started by George Gray. Many of the advertisements which had been appearing in the Sentinel were continued in the Union, but Mr. Gray began his paper as Vol. I, No. I.

FIRST STORES EAST OF RUM RIVER.
Main street from First to Second Avenue in 1863.

April 5, 1866, the name of Granville S. Pease appeared as one of the publishers, and in June Mr. Pease became sole proprietor, having purchased all the stock of the company previously in control. The paper has never since changed ownership. The Union is widely quoted. and Mr. Pease has come to be one of the best known men in the state.

WESTWORD HO!
Immigrants going west with ox teams in 1868. Main street from First to
Second avenue. showing Ticknor‘s drug store still unfinished, the first brick
building in Anoka. Photo. by J. M. Woods.

Sept. 7, 1866, John M. Thompson started the Anoka Press, which he published seven or eight years, and then sold it to W. H. Campbell, who changed the name to Anoka Republican. About 1877 the paper passed into the hands of a man named Wildridge, who changed the name to Anoka Sun. He only published it a few months. Up to this time this paper had been printed on the west side of Rum river, but it was now moved to the east side and William C. Whiteman, now of Ortonville, became its publisher. The next publisher was Frederick D. Carson. Double names for newspapers were now becoming quite common by consolidations, and Mr. Carson added the old name to the new, calling his paper the Sun and Republican. In 1879 Mr. Carson sold the paper to Ammi Cutter, who changed the name to Anoka Herald,

ANOKA STREET FAIR.
Main street from First to Second avenue Oct. 1, 1904. Photo. by
Ralph Bruns.

and soon after engaged Alvah Eastman as editor. In 1880 Mr. Eastman purchased the paper, which he owned and edited until 1891, selling it in that year to A. A. and I. A. Caswell. For ten years I. A. Caswell’s name appeared at the head of the Herald columns as publisher. In June, 1901, the paper passed under the management of C. I. Cook and F. A. Dare, and the next year was sold to Cook & Chase. In 1904 Roe G. Chase became the sole publisher and editor. Under his management the high standard set by Alvah Eastman and the Caswells has been well maintained.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ANOKA.
Built in 1866. Afterward enlarged.

In 1901 the Minneapolis Democrat was moved from Minneapolis to Anoka by N. P. Olson, its publisher, and the name changed to Anoka Free Press. The paper found plenty of friends and was soon on an enduring basis. The paper is independent democratic. Mr. Olson is severe in his criticism of tendencies which he deems undesirable, and his editorials often cut like a whiplash.

One fact worthy of note is that the now powerful Minneapolis Journal is the outgrowth of a small weekly started in Anoka by W. H. Lamb in 1876. The Anoka Journal did not prosper, and when there came an up heaval and consolidation of twin city dailies, Mr. Lamb moved the plant to Minneapolis and began the publication of a daily of the same name. The paper changed hands several times, and finally became a very valuable property.

Other Anoka papers were the Headlight, published in 1885 and the Democrat in 1889.

CHURCHES.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL. - The first class was organied at Anoka Dec. 10, 1854. This charge was first called the Benton County Mission, Wisconsin Conference, and James H. VVhite was appointed as missionary. In 1859 a church was built on lot 1, block 15, corner of Monroe street and Fourth avenue, but when ready for inside furnishings was destroyed by fire supposed to have been started by an incendiary, July II, 1859. Services were then held in the Third Avenue School House, and afterward in a hall on Main street. The present church was completed in I866, but has since been remodeled and greatly enlarged. The present pastor is Rev. A. A. Graves.

CONGREGATIONAL. - The Congregational church was organized May 6, 1855, at the residence of Rev. Royal Twitchell, just over the line of the town of Grow, with five members, Rev. Royal Twitchell, his wife, Almena M. Twitchell. Benjamin Messer and wife, and Allen N. Nourse. A church was built in 1857, which stood on the present site of St. Stephens Catholic church. This was

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ANOKA. Built in 1867.

the first house of worship in Anoka. In December, 1866. the building was sold to the Catholic society, and meetings were held in the town hall for a year. Meanwhile work was being pushed on the present church, which was completed in 1869. Extensive repairs were made in 1885. The present pastor is Rev. Edwin Ewell.

BAPTIST. - The First Baptist Church was organized

BAPTIST CHURCH, ANOKA.

March 25, 1856, in the Third Avenue School House. Meetings were infrequent in the beginning, but ]an. 3, 1857, Rev. Lyman Palmer was called to the pastorate. In 1858 the construction of a church was begun on lower Ferry street, and it was dedicated March 1, 1859. This church was several times enlarged, and was sold a few years ago and the present fine brick church built on the

ST. STEPHENS CHURCH, ANOKA.
Dedicated July, 1889. Photo. by Nelson.

corner of Main and Ferry streets. The present pastor is Rev. F. R. Leach.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL. - Services were first held in the Robbins School House on the west side of Rum river. The first meeting for the organization of the parish was held at the office of C. T. Curtiss, an attorney, Sept. 17, 1858. The church was erected on its present site in I860 and dedicated July 11 of that year. Soon after the church was moved to Third avenue, south of the site of the present Library Building, where it remained until 1880, when it was returned to its original site. The present pastor is Rev. R. R. Goudy.

CATHOLIC. - The first mass was celebrated by Father Earth at the residence of Peter Donnelly, Aug. 15, I856. As adherents of the church increased the services became more regular, and in 1873 Father McDermott became the first resident priest. In October, I866, the old Congregational church was purchased, and this church was utilized until 1889, when the present fine St. Stephens church was erected, the dedication taking place in July, l889. The church maintains a school in connection with St. Ann’s convent. The present pastor is Rev. Oliver Dolphin.

UNIVERSALIST. - The Universalist church was organized Feb. I0, 1867. J. J. Couchman, John Mayall and L. H. Lennon were the first trustees, and Rev. Moses Goodrich the first pastor. S. Stockwell was elected treasurer. In 1871 a church was projected and was ready for dedication Feb. I 5, 1872. The present pastor is Rev. W. F. Trussell.

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN. - This church was organized Jan. 11, 1870, and reorganized in 1871 by Rev. Jonas Osland. The first deacons were Jonas Norell, J. Edsberg, P. Englund. Trustees: A. Petterson, Olaf Petterson and Jonas Norell. The present pastor is Rev. P. E. Fredlund. This society has a substantial church edifice located on Fourth avenue.

DR. KLINE'S SANATORIUM.

This popular home for the sick, which is beautifully located on south Ferry street on a rolling tract of fifteen acres abutting on the left shore of the Mississippi river and on the right bank of the Rum river at the forks of the two streams above the mouth of the latter, was

DR. KLlNE'S SANATORIUM, ANOKA.

established in the spring of 1892, and has been under the personal medical supervision of Dr. James Franklin Kline, the owner, from the beginning. The grounds have been lavishly laid out. and the landscape effects prove to any observer that the doctor is an expert not only in his own profession, but also in the field of landscape gardening, for here we find trees and shrubbery. buildings and all located just where they should be to secure charming views up and down the great river and over the smaller stream - desiderata so essential to the many indisposed who find beneficial treatment and rest at the Sanatorium. The main building itself is a three story structure with mansard roof and is constructed of pressed brick, with partition walls and joists fitted in with solid concrete, thus making it as nearly fire proof as possible without the use of structural iron. It has fifty-four rooms all adequately heated by steam and lighted with electricity. For utility and convenience the interior arrangement of Dr. Kline’s Sanatorium is with out a superior in the Northwest, and it was designed to meet every emergency in medical and surgical treatment.

Housed within this institution Dr. Kline has all the remedies known to the medical profession, skillfully placed for immediate use, and a complete assortment of surgical instruments and appliances for quick or carefully planned operations. Nothing seems to be lacking for medical or surgical treatment.

In addition to the above, the patient who is afflicted with neurasthenia - or nervous disorders - will find in Dr. Kline’s Sanatorium one of the best equipped electrical outfits in the state. The very latest practice in electrical applications is carried out, not only in the treatment of nervous troubles, but also of many other afllictions for which electricity has been demonstrated to be of advantage. For catarrh and diseases of the respiratory organs complete spraying outfits are at hand. Baths in all forms, massage and Swedish movements are administered. and trained nurses are in constant attendance.

Just a word for Dr. Kline himself. He was born in Richville, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1862: was educated in the common schools of his native state. He graduated from Bryant & Stratton’s Business College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1879, and later took a special business course at Archibald’s Minneapolis, 1884-5. He took the medical course at the University of Minnesota, graduating in Homeopathy in 1892. He came to Anoka in

JAMES F. KLINE. M. D.

1893, since which time he has been in continuous practice. Dr. Kline was health officer for the City of Anoka several years, and for nine years has been surgeon for the Great Northern Railroad Company. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Woodmen, Royal Neighbors, Workmen, and Degree of Honor, and is examiner for for the New York Life Insurance Co. Dr. Kline was married Sept. 15, I885, to Miss Anna Griffith, and there have been born to them Stella, Jessie and Harry.

THE PHILOLECTIAN SOCIETY.
BY MRS. GEORGE H. WYMAN.

During the fall of 1899 several prominent ladies of Anoka met at the home of Mrs. G. S. Pease for the purpose of organizing a club to be known as the Ladies’ Social Club of Anoka. A simple plan of organization was agreed upon, the idea being to make the club almost wholly social in its character. The number of members was first limited to fifteen. but was afterwards changed to twenty-five, only married ladies being eligible to membership. The club met at the homes of its members once in two weeks from three to five o’clock on Friday afternoons. The only officer was a secretary, the hostess always acting as chairman. and the only committee an executive committee, whose chief duty was to arrange for a place of meeting. The ladies brought their work, and chatted or listened to the reading of some interesting article.

In the spring of 1890 a few of the members commenced agitating a more complete organization, with a more definite object and an increased membership. A committee was finally appointed on constitution and bylaws, their report being read and adopted at a meeting held at the residence of Mrs. C. H. Tasker, June 20, 1890. Only a few of the rules and regulations, governing The Ladies’ Social Club remained unchanged. The membership was increased to thirty-five; the name changed to The Philolectian Society; the object, the social and mental improvement of its members, and an admission fee of fifty cents and dues of twenty-five cents quarterly were charged. New members were elected by ballot, three votes against excluding. The following officers were elected for one year, their term of oflice to date from the first Friday in June: President, Mrs. Flora L. S. Aldrich, M. D.; first vice pres., Mrs. Cassimer Cutter; second vice pres.. Mrs. Edward L. Reed; third vice pres.,

COLONIAL HALL.
Residence of Doctors A. G. and Flora L. S. Aldrich, Anoka. Photo. by Nelson.

Mrs. W. W. Freeman; sec., Mrs. George H. Wyman; treas., Mrs. William Giddings. There were twenty-six charter members, Mesdames E. O. McGlauflin, Aldrich, Bruns, McFarlan, Featherstone, C. P. Cutter, Geddes, Hammons, Bond, Eldridge, Reed, Hilliard, Gilkes, Wyman, Lenfest, G. D. Goodrich, Stone, Plummer, Brown, Gillespie, Chamberlain, Wm. Giddings, Freeman, Macomber, Berry and White. Only eight of these are members at the present time. Two have died, three withdrawn, and the others have found homes elsewhere.

The executive committee planned programs for each meeting, and interest in the literary work of the society rapidly increased. Articles on given subjects were read, papers written and discussed, debates were held, and some

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE H. GOODRICH, ANOKA.

attention given to parliamentary law. The society subscribed for one or more standard magazines, but felt the need of books, especially those of reference.

In the spring of 1892, the Anoka Union published an article advocating the establishment of a free public library in the city. Almost simultaneously with this pub lication, Mrs. J. H. Niles, who had been visiting a fine library in Menominee, Wis., very enthusiastically proposed that the Philolectians undertake the establishment of a library in Anoka. Her enthusiasm was so contagious that the society decided to increase its membership to fifty, to incorporate this object in its constitution, and to proceed to take the necessary steps for the accomplishment of this object. In accordance with certain provisions of the statutes of the state, a petition was circulated by them, presented to the city council, and unanimously granted. A tax of one mill was levied, and a library board of nine directors appointed by the mayor. The society canvassed the city for books, periodicals, furniture, anything that would be useful or ornamental in such an institution, and met with a very liberal response. In January, 1894, the free public library of Anoka was formally opened to the public. Having pledged financial support, the society now entered upon a series of sociables, concerts and entertainments of various kinds, and have succeeded in contributing from one hundred to two hundred dollars annually to the library fund, besides giving books, at one time one hundred dollars’ worth, and rendering other needed assistance. In 1898 and 1899 the library committee of the Philolectian So ciety succeeded in having one of the four rooms recently occupied by the library, set apart for a juvenile department. Money was raised by the committee for books, tables and chairs for the children. They also organized a Library League, and meetings were held every Saturday afternoon, at which one or more ladies from the committee or the society, instructed and entertained the children. The meetings of the League have been discontinued, but the children’s reading room is still maintained, under the supervision of the librarian. Further particulars in regard to the library are given in subsequent pages of this volume.

The membership of the society at the present time is limited to sixty, not including ministers’ wives, who may become members by signing the constitution and paying the admission fee. There are the following standing committees: executive, entertainment, music, membership, club courtesy and reciprocity bureau. Elaborate printed

RESIDENCE OF T. G. McLEAN,ANOKA.

Photo. by Nelson.

programs of a literary and miscellaneous character are made out each year, by the executive and music committees, for the regular meetings, while an occasionai social evening event is arranged, to which the husbands and friends of the members are invited. The society joined the State Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1895, and has usually been represented at its annual meetings. The colors of the society are brown and cream; the flower, the red carnation. The officers for the present club year of 1904-5, are: President, Mrs. D. S. Gow; vice president, Mrs. H. C. Johnson; secretary, Mrs. J. B. Berry; treasurer, Mrs. C. P. McLean.

The Philolectian Society is one of the oldest, largest and has the reputation of being one of the best working clubs in the state. Beside its public work and helpful influence in the town, it has done much toward stimulating and broadening the minds of its members, as well as bringing them in closer touch with each other along lines of mutual interest and benefit.

THE ANOKA PUBLIC LIBRARY.
BY MRS. I. A. CASWELL.

The first attempt to establish a public library in Anoka was made in 1859. Several gentlemen gave and solicited money and books, collecting several hundred volumes and renting a room that was opened at stated periods to allow residents of the town to borrow books. Later, the rapidly growing little town needed this room for other purposes, and J. M. Woods, one of our pioneer photographers, permitted the library to be kept in his apartments. There being no regular librarian, it was inevitable that the volumes should by degrees become scattered, and when Mr. VVoods’ increasing business rendered it impossible for him to longer store the remaining books. they were, at some time after 1870, given to the public schools.

In 1880 a library association was formed with the purpose of endeavoring to establish a city library, but, owing to various discouragements, the attempt was a failure, and nothing more along that line was done until

ANOKA IN 1869.
From a bird's eye view drawn by A. Ruger.

in 1892, as previously described in this volume, the ladies of the Philolectian Society took the matter in hand, with the gratifying result that a one mill tax for the establishment and support of a public library was granted, and the city council appointed the following members of the library board: E. L. Reed, G. H. Wyman, A. E. Giddings, E. E. Hammons, W. A. Greenwald, M'rs. VV. P. Macomber, Mrs. A. G. Aldrich, Mrs. P. S. Rose, and Miss Mary D. \Voodbury. In organizing. the board elected Mr. Reed president, Mrs. Aldrich vice president, and Miss VVoodbury, secretary and treasurer. The board rented the second story rooms in the Ticknor block. at the corner of Main street and Second avenue, appointed Mrs. Rose librarian, and bought nearly one thousand volumes, which, in addition to many books presented by private individuals, made a total of about 1500 volumes, beside 1700 of Congressional records and public documents contributed by Senator C. K. Davis. The library was opened in 1894, and was eagerly patronized from its beginning. The number of books issued month ly was at first about 800 a month, and the demand has steadily grown larger, until in 1904 an average of 1600 a month was issued, 200 of these being history, biography, travels, etc., and the remainder fiction. There were, exclusive of the public documents, about 3500 volumes in the library in 1904, of which 1634 were fiction for adult readers, 518 juvenile fiction, I77 biography, 164 history, 146 travel, 159 reference, 58 sociology, 87 bound periodicals, while the rest are theology, philosophy, poems, and unclassified books.

In 1903 Mr. J. E. Douglas of Anoka, wrote to Mr. Andrew Carnegie, asking if he would give Anoka a public library building. Receiving a favorable answer,

ANOKA IN 1879.

Mr. Douglas, who was a member of the library board, turned the correspondence over to Mr. Warnes, its secretary, who was active in closing the negotiations on the subject. Mr. Carnegie’s only condition to his generous gift was that the city should agree to supply $1250 per year for ten years for the support of the library. This was agreed to, and he assured the board that $12,500 would be sent in such installments as the building expenses should require. The site selected by the city council was the corner of Jackson street and Third avenue, and the board at once proceeded to the consideration of plans, selecting one furnished by R. D. Church, architect, and employing Mr. Fransen. a St. Paul contractor. The building was finished the first week in December, 1904. It is a fine structure of gray Columbus brick. with trimmings of Bedford stone. The portico, with its four handsome pillars of stone, and tile flooring, faces the corner, with walks leading on each side to the streets. The entrance leads up the steps of Georgia marble to the circular space beneath the dome, which is surrounded by pillars and faced by the librarian’s desk. On the north side is the children’s reading room, with a handsome grate and mantel, and on the north the general reading room, the stack room being in the southwest corner. behind the desk. and the remainder of the space on the main floor occupied by the librarian’s room and toilet rooms. The building is steam heated, and finished in red oak. with a cork floor covering. The furniture is of red oak and golden oak of good design. The large room in the basement has a maple floor, and is lighted, like the rest of the building, with electricity, but was not furnished at the time of the completion of the building. It was expected that it might be often used by the

PUBLIC LIBRARY, ANOKA.

Philolectian society. which has always retained its interest in the library. The building was formally opened on the evening of Dec. 6, 1904. The library board at this time was G. H. Goodrich, president, Mrs. I. A. Caswell, vice president, J. H. Niles, secretary and treasurer, Dr. J. H. Frank, C. L. Johnson, W. H. Jordan, Mrs. L. J. Greenwald, Mrs. J. C. H. Engel, and Mrs. A. C. Frauman. The librariain is Mrs. O. C. Bland. Those who have contributed money to the library, beside the Philolectian Society, are E. L. Reed, who twice gave $100 for books, and the following gentlemen, who, on the solicitation of G. S. Pease, gave as follows: J. J. Hill, $200; “W. D. Washburn, $50; C. A. Pillsbury, $25; J. S. Pillsbury, $25; Thos. Shevlin, $25; J. B. Gilfillan, $25; S. D. VVorks, $25; F. H. Peavy, $25; and P. B. Winston, $25.

CONFLAGRATIONS.

Anoka suffered severely from fires in its earlier days. The destruction of the flour mill Feb. 24, 1855, was the first of these. The loss was $12000, the heaviest loss by fire in Minnesota up to that time. The hotel of J. R. McFarlan was burned on the night of June 18, 1856, the boarders barely escaping with their lives. On May 31, 1863, occurred the fire which caused the death of George C. Colbath and burned the records of the county treasurer’s olfice. The mill of Stowell & Co. burned Aug. 12, 1864, entailing a loss of $10,000. April 18, 1867, Cutter’s mill, together with his tub and pail factory, were destroyed by fire, and in September of the same year Houston & Prescott’s sash and door factory and Sias & Pomeroy’s furniture factory were burned. On the night of March 13, 1869. fire caught m the rear of the dry goods store of James J. Couchman on Main street near First avenue and ten stores were destroyed, with a loss aggregating nearly $20,000. Aug 23, 1870, the old Kimball House burned. 1877 was a disastrous year for fires. On Aug. 20, fire caught in the lumber yard of W. D. Washburn & C0. and destroyed nearly $100,000 worth of lumber and buildings. The fire smouldered in the edgings which had been piled along the east river bank, and was not entirely extinguished for several weeks. The last spark had hardly been quenched when Reed & Sherwood’s lumber yard on the west side caught fire, causing a loss of some $30,000, and in November the sash and door factory of Bergsma & Co. was burned, entailing a loss of $25,000. This fire also swept away the old town hall. which stood near the present site of La Plant’s feed store.

The great fire of Aug. 16, 1884, destroyed the Lincoln mill and laid the whole business part of the city in ashes from Rum river east to Third avenue. Eighty six buildings were burned, and the loss amounted to more than $600,000.

SOCIETIES AND LODGES.

FREEMASONS. - Anoka Lodge No. 30, A. F. and A. M., was organized Oct. 21, 1859, with twelve charter members. The first officers were W. M., Owen Evans; S. W.. J. F. Clark: J. W.. J. H. .Martin: Treas.. J. B. Lufkin; Sec., J. H. Colbath: S. D.. N. Small; J. D., J. P. Strout; Tiler, Geo. M. Small. The first mason initiated was Albert \/Voodbury, and he was also the first to be raised to the degree of master mason.

KNIGHTS oF PYTHIAS. - l\/Iinnesota Lodge No. 8, was organized Dec. 26. 1872, with nineteen members. The first officers were: C. C., M. V. Bean; V. C., D. C. Dunham; P., R. D. Carvill; M. E., S. B. Sheldon; M. F., O. L. Cutter; K. R. and S., W. W. Fitch; M. A., C. P. Cutter; J. G., E. L. Curial; O. G., H. E. Lepper; P. C., J. B. Tuttle.

GRAND ARMY oF THE REPUBLIC. - J. S. Cady Post was organized Oct. 28, 1880. The first officers were: Post Commander, J. W. Pride; senior vice, W. E. Cundy; jimior vice, J. H. Cook; officer of the day, D. M. Parker: officer of the guard, I. L. Twitchell; quarter master, W. F. Chase; chaplain, S. C. Robbins; sergeant, S. R. Wakefield; adjutant, N. C. Simmilkeir; sergeant

THE OLD HAY MARKET, ANOKA, 1872.

major, S. VV. Lent; second .M. sergeant, J. W. Wells. The post now numbers about a hundred members.

A. O. U. VV. - Anoka Lodge No. 8, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized March 6, 1877, with fifteen members. The first officers were: Master, J. I. Giddings; past master, P. A. Bergsma; foreman, H. W. Featherstone; overseer, X. C. Simmilkeir; guide, O. McFall; receiver, Henry Webster; finance, H. C. Loehl; recorder, C. L. Parsons.

The Royal Arcanum, Degree of Honor, Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors also have organizations.

TOWN ORGANIZATIONS.

RAMSEY.—The early settlement of this town has already been described. The town was organized in 1857, and the first officers were: supervisors, Jared Benson, chairman, Isaac Varney and Cornelius Pitman; clerk, David Whiting; treasurer, William Tennyson; collector, Joseph C. Varney. Population: 1860-192; 1870-265; 1880-387 ; 1890-398 ; 1900-490.

BURNS. - The first settler of Burns is said to have been a Mr. Derigan, who made his home on section 29 about 1853. In 1854 Charles M. Ford made a claim in section 35 and gave his name to the brook which flowed through his land, although he spent much of his time for some years at Anoka, where he started the first blacksmith shop. In 1855 came Charles Merrill and Franklin Demarest. The first wedding was that of Thomas Webb and Edith Flint in 1857. The first white child born in the town was Robert J. Demarest, son of Franklin Demarest, who was born in August, 1857. The first religious service was in I858, held at the house of M. Montfort. The first school was taught by Miss Clara Wakefield in 1863. The town of Burns was organized in 1869, it having previously formed a part of St. Francis. The first officers were supervisors, John D. Keen, chairman. John A. Muzzey and W. D. Laclair; assessor. Homer McAlister; treasurer, James Kelsey; clerk, \Villiam D. Cheever. Population: 1870-340; 1880-552; I890 650; 1900-920.

OAK GROVE - The first settlers in Oak Grove were Moses S. Scelye, Sr., Jarvis Nutter and John M. McKenzie, who made claims in May, 1855. Mr. Seelye was accompanied by his son H. E. Seelye, who assisted in breaking the first sod and who still lives on a farm adjoining the original claim. Close behind these came David .Rogers, who arrived in June of the same year; and a little later John C. Smith made a claim. Gilbert Leathers assisted the settlers in breaking land during the summer and put up a house for himself, and in the fall

LAKE GEORGE.
Photo. by Ralph Bruns.

Franklin \Vhitney arrived. The next spring brought John F. Clements, and during 1856 Alden W. Norris, Grafton Norris, Justus Seelye, Thomas Gaslin and John Cundy settled in the town, west of Rum river. In Oak Grove east of the river there was a considerable settlement during 1856, including George Small, Stephen Sias, David Sias, Pomeroy with his three sons, George, John and Elwin. William Vye, Benjamin Grinnells, Jonathan Emerson, James Murphy, David Moore (now living in Burns), McDonald, Patrick Corrigan and Gilligan. In 1857 came Thurman W. Morton (now living in Burns), Charles and Michael Atckison, Copeland, and Patrick Gallagher. Religious services were held in Oak Grove in 1857 by Rev. Lyman Palmer, and a Baptist church was organized not long after. In the same year Miss Nora Orton taught the first school. The first white child born in the town was Rosalia B. Smith, daughter of John C. Smith, who was born Oct. 16, 1857. The town of Oak Grove was organized in 1857, and the first officers were: supervisors, A. W. Norris, chairman. Dennis E. Mahoney and Peter Brennan; clerk. Frank Lane; collector, John C. Smith; justices of the peace, Moses S. Seelye and D. Mahoney; assessor, Thomas B. Richards. Population: 1860-231; 1870-98; 1880-305; 1800-293; 1900-494.

GROW. The first settler in Grow was probably Rev. Royal Twitchell, who took a claim just over the line from Anoka about 1852. Samuel Branch made a claim just above the Upper Ford and in 1853 John Glynn made a claim above Branch. In 1854 came Francis Peteler, a Mexican War veteran, who settled at Round lake, and Jacob Milliman abandoned his claim on Rum river and settled near Peteler. He was soon followed by Thomas McGraw and Patrick Tierney. By 1856 there was quite a settlement in the town, including besides those already named, M. D. Lapham, Peter Kelsey, Walter Gay, Gay (father of Walter Gay), Stephen Libby, Isaac Barstow, U. W. Hank, Deacon J. F. Wheeler, Joseph McKinney, William Staples, D. Y. Smith, John Mayall, Edwin Davis, Captain Nathaniel Small, Hiram Prouty, Charles Whitehouse, Jared Haskell, Eli Rogers, Major Ripley (afterward postmaster at Champlin), John Starkey, Silas O. Lum, Edward Stack, Andrew Talbot, Daniel Shannon, Harvey Richards and John De Lacy.

This town was organized in 1857, with the name of Round Lake. The name was changed to Grow in 1859 in honor of Galusha A. Grow, who spoke at Anoka in the political campaign of that year. The present town of Ham Lake was included in the organization until 1871. The first school was taught by John Giddings in the house of James W. Groat about 1857. The first child born in the town was David Glynn, son of John Glynn, who was born in December, 1853, and died six years later. Population: 1860 (including Ham Lake)-330; 1870 (including Ham Lake)-396; 1880-419; I890 -485; 1900-721.

BLAINE. - The first permanent settler appears to have been Philip Laddy, who came there about 1862. George Townsend came soon after, and Green Chambers settled on Townsend’s claim after the latter had gone in 1865. Up to 1877 this town formed a part of the town of Anoka. The first town officers were: supervisors, Moses Ripley, chairman, George Tisdale and Richard Delong; clerk, G. F. Murrell; assessor, H. P. Winder; justices of the peace, Thomas Schleif and Thomas Conroy. Population: 1880-128; 1890-205; 1900-374.

HAM LAKE. - The craze for laying out town sites was manifested in this town before it had acquired any permanent population. In 1856 the town of Glencarie or Glen Gary was platted on land now owned by Berger Titterud. Seven or eight houses were built and the place widely advertised as a future city. One day after the panic of 1857 the houses were destroyed by a prairie fire. Some of the inhabitants barely escaped with their lives, and with the scanty lot of household effects saved from the flames they took their departure, and the embryo metropolis came to an end.

John Scully, a native of Ireland, made a claim on section 31 in March, 1858; a Mr. Conley settled near by, and in October of the same year Josiah Hart settled on section 6. There was no further settlement until 1866, when Mats Gilbertson settled in section 20, followed soon after by H. M. Titterud and A. B. Livgard. Other early settlers were Nels Peterson, Ole Moore, Iver Peterson, Ole Foss, Ole Peterson, Thomas Olson and Ole Heglund. The town began to fill up with Scandinavians, and in 1871 it was detached from Grow and organized under the name of Ham Lake. The first town officers were: supervisors, John Rowe, chairman, A. B. Livgard and C. Olson; clerk, Charles Rowe; treasurer, D. C. Money; justice of the peace. Josiah Hart. Population: 1880-235; 1890-384; I900--505.

BETHEL. - The first settlement in Bethel was made in the northern part of the town in the spring of 1856 by Rice Price, Owen Evans, Asher Hyatt and Joseph Canny. They were Quakers, and the place came to be known as the Quaker Settlement. The same summer came Edward E. Pratt. Elisha Day, Louis Mitchell, James Dyer, and John Dyer with their families. The last named died in the spring of 1857, and was the first person buried in the town. Three single men also came in 1856: John Dougherty, John McCann and Charles Ross, and in the fall came James Cooper, an enthusiastic abolitionist. who thought he would find the Quakers congenial neighbors. The Quakers held regular religious services, and started a Sunday school, which was attended by the children of the settlement.. The services were generally led by Mrs. Asher Hyatt. The first wedding in Bethel was that of John Dougherty and Margaret Dyer, and the first white child born in the town was their son, John B. Dougherty. In the spring of 1859 came John H. Strong, now living just over the line in Isanti county. In the fall of 1862, at the time of the Sioux massacre, the Quakers moved away and never returned.

RESIDENCE OF J. H. COOPER, BETHEL.
Built by James Cooper in 1859, with lumber sawed by hand.

The town of Bethel was organized in 1858 and included nearly all of the present town of Linwood. The town was reduced to its present limits when Linwood was organized in 1871. The first town officers were: supervisors, Owen Evans, chairman, W. Dickens, and Rice Price; clerk, J. Mayhew; treasurer, John Wyatt; 1876 Hugh Spence started a store near Mr. Cooper’s house, and the place began to be known as “Cooper’s Corners.” The postoffice was removed to Bethel station in 1899. Population: 1860 ( including Linwood)-128; 1870 (in cluding Linwood)-216; 1880-423; 1890-4I9; 1900-617.

LINWOOD. - The first settler in what is now Linwood, was Joseph Sausen, who located in the southeast corner of the town on section 24 in 1855. W. Dickens settled on section 5 in 1857. Other early settlers were Edward Servis, Michael Hurley, Fergus McGregor, Joshua Mayhew, James Shorrocks and Timothy O’Connor. The town of Linwood was organized Sept. 5, 1871. The first town officers were: supervisors, J. G. Green, chairman, F. MacGregor and Michael Hurley, treasurer, E. G. Smith; clerk and justice of the peace, D. VV. Green. Population: 1880-227; 1890-242; 1900-333.

COLUMBUS. - The first settlers of Columbus were John Kleiner, who settled in section 11, and J. H. Batzle, who settled in section 25. They came in 1855. The following spring James Starkey platted the village of Columbus in section 22 and built a saw mill to give employment to the settlers who were invited to make their homes in the new town. Kleiner put up a hotel in the village, and a few years later Captain Starkey built a two and a half story hotel said to have cost $10,000. In the fall of 1856 came Yost Yost, who made a claim the following year on the farm where he still lives. The saw mill ran during the winter of 1856-7, but the next year was shut down on acount of financial troubles and May 2, 1865, it was burned. Captain Starkey spent large sums of money in trying to make Columbus a city, but finally gave up the struggle, and moved away.

The town of Columbus was organized in 1857. Capt. Starkey was probably chairman of the board of supervisors, and Mr. Somers was a town officer of some kind. A postoffice was established in 1858, but was discontinned a few years later. Mary Yost (Mrs. Edward Ryoux),

YOST YOST, 1864.

was the first white child born in the town. Population: 1860-119; 1870-71; 188o-92; 1890-262; 1900-484.

FRIDLEY.- John Banfil settled in what is now Fridley in 1847, and kept a stopping place for the accommodation of travelers. Two years later Henry M. Rice acquired considerable land and built a country residence at Cold Springs, giving his name to the creek which flows through the town. In the spring of 1853 came Isaac Kimball, who purchased the hotel from Banfil, and a little later Job Eastman settled in the place. A ferry across the Mississippi river was established about 1854. May 23, 1857, the county of Manomin was organized, with the same limits as the present town of Fridley

HON. ABRAHAM M. FRIDLEY.

(including Columbia Heights). A. M. Fridley was made chairman of the board of county commissioners. This miniature county of eighteen sections of land, continued to exist until 1870, when it became a part of Anoka county, as the town of Manomin. In 1879 the name was changed to Fridley. The first officers of the town of Manomin were: supervisors, John Sullivan, G. W. Thurber and Thomas Casey; clerk, G. R. Weeks; treasurer, John Sullivan.

The following correspondence explains the circumstances connected with the formation and discontinuance of Manomin county :

State of Minnesota, District Court, Second District.

Saint Paul, April 8, 1899.

Major Fridley,
Fridley, Minn.

My dear Major: - In connection with my lectures at the University of Minnesota on “Taxation” I want to give a brief statement of the history of Manomin county. To that end will you be good enough to give me what knowledge you have on this subject and refer me to authorities where that knowledge can be supplemented. Hoping to see you soon in St. Paul, and with pleasantest recollections of our transactions while I was at the bar, I remain,

Very cordially yours,
Edwin A. Jaggard.

Fridley, Minn., Apr. 18, 1899.

Judge Edwin A. Jaggard,
Court House, St. Paul, Minn.

Dear Sir: Your favor of 8th inst. was duly received, requesting information concerning Manomin county. It was organized by an act of the territorial legislature approved May 3, 1857, and abolished by constitutional amendment adopted Nov. 2, 1869.

The bill passed by both houses embraced, in addition to the territory comprising the present town of Fridley, the town of Mound View, both taken from Ramsey county; but by skulduggery, presumably by a Ramsey county politician, Mound View was omitted in the enrollment of the bill presented to the Governor (an uncle of mine), who approved it without discovering the emasculation. Of course, a county of so small an area and sparsely populated was unable to maintain an organization without embarrassment and liability of being subject to exorbitant taxation, should its political management fall into incompetent hands. It was "an elephant on our hands," difficult to get rid of, because of the constitutional provision against reducing counties below four hundred square miles, hence the constitutional amendment was submitted and adopted as the only way out of the dilemma. With best wishes for your continued success and prosperity, I remain,

Very truly yours,
H. C. FRIDLEY.

C. J. SWANSON

One of the most important industries in Anoka county is the Northwestern Fireproofing Works, situated just north of the Minneapolis city limits. The proprietor, C. J. Swanson, started in the business of brick making at Camden Place in 1875, and four years later purchased the present site east of the river, upon which buildings were erected in 1880. Large quantities of hollow brick and hollow tile fire proofing are manufactured and shipped to all parts of the West. About seventy-five men are employed at the works, and as many more on buildings.

Population: 1860-104; 1870-103; 1880-257; 1890-476; 1900 (including Columbia Heights)-566.

ST. FRANCIS.- George Armsby, E. Fowler and Smith L. Gale were the first settlers to take up their residence in

SCENE AT ST. FRANCIS.

St. Francis. This was in 1855. J. P. Austin, W. P. Clark and others followed the next year. The first school was taught by Miss Hattie Waterhouse at the house of E. Fowler. The present flouring mill at St. Francis is the property of the St. Francis Milling Co. It is a five story building, and was erected in 1888. It has a capacity of 250 barrels of flour per day. The bulk of the output is shipped to Chicago. The St. Francis Starch 1895. The first year the company made 600 tons of starch. The average run per annum since has been about 300 tons, varying with the character of the season and the price of potatoes. There are about 140 stockholders, nearly all of whom are farmers. The starch is shipped to Chicago and Boston. The St. Francis Canning Fac tory has run four seasons. Corn is the only product canned. The last two years about 2500 cases have been turned out in a season. In a good year the factory should turn out double that amount. Population: 1860 (including Burns) 153; 1870-166; 1880-70; 1890-324; I900-483.

CENTERVILLE. - The early settlement of this town is described on page 50. In 1854 Charles Peltier built a saw mill, and in company with F. X. Lavellee and Francis Lamotte, platted the village of Centreville. The settlers in the village and vicinity were mostly French, and this came to be known as the French settlement. Oliver Dupre, A. Gervais, Joseph Forcier, Paul and Oliver Peltier, Stephen Ward and L. Burkard were among the first comers. Meanwhile German settlers had been making claims near the home of F. W. Traves in the western part of the town, among them Henry Wenzel, who came in 1855, and this place was known as the German settle ment. The town of Centreville was organized August 11, 1857. The first officers so far as known were: Oliver Peltier, chairman, Francis Lamott; clerk, Charles Peltier; treasurer, Stephen Ward; justice of the peace, Francis Lamott.

The first religious service in the town was at the residence of Francis Lamott. where mass was said by Father Kaller in 1854, who continued to visit the place occasionally

CATHOLIC CHURCH AT CENTREVILLE.
Photo. by Johnson.

for several years. He was succeeded by Father Robert, and in 1861 Rev. Joseph Goiffon was placed in charge of that parish and that of Little Canada, a position which he held for many years. His successors have

R EV. JOSEPH GOIFFON.

been Rev. Francis Combette, Rev. H. Bonnefous, Rev. A. Van den Bosch, Rev. Peter A. Quesnel, and the present pastor, Rev. Marcil Masl. The Church of St. Genevieve of Paris was erected in 1859.

Population: 1860-351; 1870-687; I880-876; 1890 1134; 1900-1175.

CHAMPLIN.

The first settler in Champlin was Charles Miles, who built a house near the Mississippi a few rods below Elm creek in 1852. The following spring Joseph B. and Augustus Holt took claims On the present site of the village. Augustus Holt erected a frame house in the summer of 1853 - the first in the village. Richard M. Lowell, a brother-in-law of Miles, had been here as early as 1851, but did not make a claim until 1853, when he located above the village near the river. Robert H. Miller, John K. Pike and Benjamin Messer also settled above the village, and here also came John Shumway, who had sold his fractional claim in Ramsey to Moses Brown. Mr. Lowell soon sold his claim to a Mr. Stevens, and made another claim in section 30. Colby Emery also located in Section 30 that year, and William Milhollin and Rev. Lewis Atkinson settled in section 33. Stephen Howes made a claim in section 29, and Hiram Smith settled on the south line of the town.

The year 1854 saw a considerable accession of population. Rev. Wentworth Hayden settled in section 24 and gave his name to the lake near by. Daniel W. and Horace McLaughlin and W. W. Cate made claims on the prairie below the village. Samuel Colburn made his claim this year, and James McCann built a log house on the north bank of Elm creek. To section 25 came John I. Giddings, and in the southern part of the town Henry L. Cheever, James D. Hervey, Benjamin Bond. Charles B. Hale and E. B. Lowell made claims. Francis Thorndyke settled above the village near the river.

In 1855 came Samuel D. Leeman, David S. McConnell and John D. Hank. In May John Martin bought out John I. Giddings, and Alvah Hills and his son George A. Hills settled in section 31. William Davenport, James W. Dyson, Fredolin Zopfi and Terrance Donnelly settled between Leeman and Hayden lakes.

RICHARD M. LOWELL.

In 1856 John Stockton bought Mr. Stevens’ farm. James H. Trussell came from Brooklyn township in 1857.

The first birth was that of a child of Mr. and Mrs Stevens and the second a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Holt. The first death was that of Stephen Grant in 1856. In the summer of 1855 a shanty was erected near the west line of the town for a school house. The first school was taught by Miss Emily Thorndyke (Mrs. S. O. Lum), and the second school by Miss Mary Nelson (Mrs. G. G. Crowell). The first wedding was that of Cyrus Rollin and Miss Lucretia Clark, which took place in 1857.

In 1858 the township of Marshall was organized, embracing the present territory of Champlin and Dayton. The olficers elected served only one year, and the two towns were separately organized the following spring, under the names which they now bear. At the first town meeting for Champlin, held April 5, 1859, the following ofificers were elected: Supervisors, Rev. Wentworth Hayden, chairman, Samuel C. Griggs and Samuel D. Leeman; clerk, Joseph B. Holt; assessor, Jackson A. Linscott; collector, Job Keniston; overseer of poor, John D. Hank: justices of the peace, Samuel Colburn and Alvah Hills; constables, Joseph Downs and George A. Hills.

The village of Champlin was platted by Joseph B. Holt, Samuel Colburn and John B. Cook in 1854, but the plat was not filed until two years later. George Rollin started a hotel in 1855. Joseph Downs conducted the hotel from 1857 to 1859. Other early settlers were John Depue, \Nilliam Brander, Charles I. Clark, William A. Messer, Alonzo Cook, Christian Stahlberg, E. A. Linscott, and Franklin Wood. In 1859 a school house was built in the village on block 43. Nicholas Faber opened a general store in 1866, which he conducted for many years.

In 1867 A. P. Lane and Colonel D. H. Lane built the first flour mill on the north bank of Elm creek, but not long after it was undermined by extraordinary high water, and was swept into the river and destroyed. In 1874 Clark & Smith purchased the water power and built a flour mill on the south side of the creek This mill changed hands several times and was destroyed by

A PIONEER FAMILY.

fire in February, 1890. The same year the water power was purchased by O. S. Miller & Co., who erected a thoroughly equipped roller mill, which is still operated by them. In 1867 J. H. and J. G. Wiley built a steam saw mill below Lane’s flour mill. This mill was soon after burned. Another saw mill was erected by William Brockway and J. G. Wiley, but this was torn down on account of litigation in 1869. In 1871 Brockway and Brown built a large saw mill, which was destroyed by fire.

The Free Will Baptist church of Champlin was organized in 1854 by Rev. C. G. Ames as a branch of the Minneapolis church. The first members were Betsy Shumway, W. W. Cate, Sarah C. Cate, and W. VV. \Voodman and wife. In 1855 the church was organized independently and named Elm Creek Church. The first regular pastor was Rev. Wentworth Hayden, who served until 1863. In 1865 Rev. S. S. Paine became the pastor and remained in that capacity until 1870.

Pastoral work of the Methodist Episcopal church was done by Lorenzo D. Brown in 1865, 1866 and 1867. In 1872 a class of thirteen members was organized in the old school house by Rev. John Stafford, with George D. Miars as leader. The next year a small church 32 by 50 feet was erected. In 1900 the present church was built at a cost of $3,200. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Buttelman. The present trustees are, Mrs. O. S. Miller, Miss Sarah Ricker, G. W. Nicholls, John Allison and James Watson.

A postoffice was established in 1858. with J B. Holt as postmaster. Early postmasters were Samuel Colburn, J. A. Linscott, R. H. Miller, F. Thorndyke. and N. Faber. The present postmaster is Arthur J. Miller.

Population: 1860-I98; 1870-292; 1880-456; 1890-620; 1900-653.

DAYTON.

The first settlers of Dayton were Paul Godine and Isaiah Cowet, who came to the town in July, 1852. The same year J. Veine made a claim where the village of Dayton now is, and Marcellus Boulis, and Benjamin Livia settled near the river. In 1854 Francis Thorndyke, R. H. Miller andI John Shumway settled in Dayton near the Champlin line. The following year came Dr. L. Bistedeaux, who lived in the town thirty-seven years. and A. C. Kimball, who made a claim on the north shore of Diamond lake. Matthew F. Taylor made a claim near his present home.

In 1856 came Neil and Alexander McNeil, F. G. Laflin, A. D. Purmort, W. P. Ives and George Slauyter. The same year E. H. Robinson and John Baxter built a steam saw mill on the bank of the Mississippi below the mouth of Crow river. Mr. Robinson also built a blacksmith shop, and did some custom work for his neighbors

A postoffice was established in 1855, and John Baxter was appointed postmaster. The first school was taught by Miss Cynthia Slauyter in the summer of 1857. The first wedding was that of E. H. Robinson and Mrs. Sarah L. Gardner, June 29, 1856. The first white child born in the town was George Dayton Slauyter in September, 1856. A bridge was built across Crow river in 1857 The first religious services were held at the house of J. B Hinkley in the summer of 1857 by Rev. Winthrop Hayden. The first death was that of a Mr. Twombley, who was killed by a limb falling from a tree. J. B. Hinkley was the first justice of the peace, having been appointed in territorial days.

The French Catholic Church was organized in 1857. by Father Jennis, and a church was built the same year. A larger church was built in the village of Dayton in 1866. During 1904 a fine edifice of red pressed brick was completed at a cost of nearly $40,000. The church will seat 800 people. It was dedicated November 24, 1904. The present priest is Rev. C. A. Pettigrew.

Population: 1860-540; 1870-951; 1880-1197; 1890-1075; 1900-1r38.