Dakota County History

Dakota County : its past and present, geographical, statistical and historical : together with a general view of the state
Authors: Mitchell, W. H.
City of Publication: Minneapolis
Publisher: Tribune Print. Co.
Date: 1868

DAKOTA COUNTY
PERHAPS the eye of man never rested on a spot of land better fitted to supply his material wants and meet the necessities of his nature since shut out from the original Eden, than are some portions of Minnesota: and some parts of Dakota county cannot he excelled for fertility of soil, beauty of landscape, and healthfulness of climate by any country on the face of the globe. A moderate climate, exhilerating atmosphere, and a soil whose productions are: almost boundless, added to one of the finest commercial locations in the State, make this county one of the most prominent and favored in the State.
Persons who possess a reasonably active imagination, and minds somewhat educated to appreciate the-beautiful in nature can picture to themselves a district: of country of some six or seven hundred square miles, in extent, entirely destitute of lofty mountains or evens high hills, except along the Mississippi river, yet with a gently undulating surface covered with rich herbage and in summer time with the various hued flowers that abound in such profusion on the "Western prairies intermingled with blossoming and fruit bearing shrubs


groves of native oaks like some old-time orchard, with here and there a long stretch or glade of natural meadow land, affording vast quantities of hay for the keeping of stock. Again as far as the eye can reach, until the view is lost in the blue distance beyond, lies spread out a beautiful swelling prairie, whose fruitful soil only needs the caressing care of the husbandman to make it bring forth, an hundred fold of all the choice fruits of the earth, and fill his granaries with golden grain and his pockets with material wealth. There seems to be literally no exhaustion to the gen-erous soil, and as the years roll around there comes not only seed time and harvest, but at harvest time A return far in advance of what the most sanguine generally anticipate, and year by year the agricultural, mechanical and commercial operations are doubled and even quadrupled, to meet the wants of the grow-ing prosperity of the country. "When we reflect that the germs of the future in latent embryo are contained an the bosom of the present; that today is ever giving color and character and shaping the destinies of to-morrow, we have only to examine the vast resources of wealth and material prosperity that lie hidden in the recesses of nature's great storehouse; the raw material with which the county is supplied and the aptitude of the people to lay bold of these natural advantages and turn them to the most profitable use, to form some conception of what the future of this county may realize. Looking backward for only a few short years from the present, and no signs of civilization greet the vision; no human habitations save the

wigwams of the red men, who have unlimited and undisputed sway and control of all those vast prairies; their trails as they go farther west to their hunting grounds, are the only roads that mark the tread of human feet; their bark canoes the only craft that cleave the waters of the rivers and lakes; their council fires lighting up the evening sky, and the savage war-whoop breaking the stillness of the otherwise silent prairies, and we may see a truthful picture of most of Dakota county previous to its settlement by civilized people in 1853. Some fifteen years have passed, and we look again. The magic wand of civilization has been moved over the prairies, the openings and the timber, and behold the change. Art and science have combined with the spirit of modern energy and enterprise, and covered the face of the country with cultivated fields and flowering gardens; has made roads and built bridges, and dotted the prairies with pleasant dwellings for homes, and elegant school houses for the education of the rising generation, and has reduced the wilderness to enclosed fields, thriving villages and the busy bustling city. In looking through the record of these almost present yesterdays we seem to be reveling in a kind of waking dream, the shifting pano-rama of succeeding days nearly dazes and blinds the comprehension, and were it not for the busy realities that everywhere surround us, we should almost deem it were a dream, for "life is oft so like a dream we know not where we are."
To the dull plodders of the East, the transformation seems almost the work of a miracle, and gazing with
open-eyed wonder, they more than half suspect that some powerful geni with his magic wand has passed over the country, and produced these startling results; but the spirit of adventure, combined with first class Yankee ingenuity marked the problem, and "Western perseverance solved it. Men of independent mind and effort, with hearts throbbing with cheerful hope; men of nerve and muscle, "with a heart for any fate," an invincible determination to conquer all adverse circum-stances, and hands willing and eager to demonstrate the fact, have looked out and made their homes on the fertile prairies that lie spread out so invitingly to the eye of the beholder. Beneath the tough web of the sward lay one vast garden, pregnant with all the rich fruits and golden grains; a mine of incomparably greater wealth than the richest veins of golden ore. This capital has been brought into active use by the energies of the toiling thousands who have turned the waste of wilderness into fertile fields and the treasures of the earth into channels to contribute to the happiness of man. And yet, the present importance and wealth are but the development of an insignificant portion of its real capacity; while vast unfurrowed fields still clad in the vestments of nature's primal beauty, invite the timer's of the soil to a closer acquaintanceship, and promise a rich reward for all the labor bestowed in their cultivation. At no time since the first settlement of the country have there been greater inducements to the agriculturist, the artisan, or the capitalist, to make homes within her borders, and it needs no prophet's tongue to tell that in the future there awaits unsurpassed

prosperity, and a golden harvest for those who labor assiduously for that development. If the exertions and never-ceasing activities of the people are judiciously expended, a brilliant future awaits them. The Great Proprietor has dealt out to them of the garnered treasures of the earth with a more than bountiful hand, in fertility of soil, springs and streams of water, the facilities of communication, that reach nearly every town in the county, and make it one of the most accessible in the State. The natural communication and primal one is by way of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers which bound the county on the north and east affording rare shipping facilities for all the productions of the soil, and for bringing merchandise to their homes. The next is the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis railroad which enters the county at the northern extremity at Mendota, and runs through the entire length from north to south, having five stations within the limits of the county, viz: Mendota, "Westcott, Rosemount, Farmington, and Castle Rock. This road is at present the only one in the State having a direct eastern communication, and is consequently the principal thoroughfare through the State. The Hastings & Dakota Railroad is a line running from Hastings west through the whole county, and crossing the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis road at Farmington. Twenty miles of this road are completed and the cars running thereon. The St. Paul & Chicago Railway also runs through a portion of the county, crossing the Mississippi river at Hastings. The Minnesota Valley Railroad, starting at St. Paul, runs through the county on the northern line, connecting with the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis road at Mendota, and has three stations within the county. Navigable rivers bounding it on the north and east, and four different lines of railroad running through it, gives commercial communications unsurpassed by any of equal extent of country on the continent.
Dakota county lies on the east side of the Mississippi river, directly opposite where the St. Croix river empties into it, and where the Mississippi river commences the task of dividing the States of Minnesota and "Wisconsin, the great river having till this time passed entirely over Minnesota soil. On the north the Minnesota river divides Dakota from Hennepin county, Scott and Rice counties lying on the west, and Rica and Goodhue on the south. These are the general boundaries, though Dakota county is so irregular in form that it would be difficult to give an exact idea of its shape, without giving a map of the county.

THE FIEST SETTLEMENT
in the State, aside from the government troops at Fort Snelling, was made in this county at Mendota in 1826, by Jean Baptiste Faribault, an Indian trader from Canada. No other settlers arrived for some years. In 1834, H. H. Sibley, afterwards the first governor of the State of Minnesota, located at Mendota, and soon had quite a colony of immigrants established at that point, and in his adventurous pioneer life saw very much of interest, and had many adventures that would of themselves form an interesting volume. We can hardly find room for extended notices, but give some extracts from some of his writings and his journal, which, he has kindly permitted us to copy.
In an address before the "Old Settlers' Association" of Winona, he said:
"It may seem paradoxical, but it is nevertheless true, that I was successively a citizen of Michigan, "Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota Territories, without changing my residence of Mendota. The jurisdiction of the first named terminated when "Wisconsin was organized in 1836, and in turn Iowa extended her sway in 1838 over the west of the Mississippi. "When the latter was admitted as a State, with very much diminished area, the country lying outside of the State boundaries was left without any government until the establishment of the Minnesota territorial organization."
"It was my fortune to be the first to introduce the machinery of law into what our legal brethren would have termed a benighted region, having received a commission of Justice of the Peace from the Territorial Governor of Iowa, for the county of Clayten. This county was an empire of itself in ex-tent, reaching from a line some twenty miles below Prairie du Chien on the west of the "Father of Wa-ters" to Pembina, and across to the Missouri River. As I was the only magistrate in this region and the county seat was some three hundred miles distant, I bad things pretty much under my own control; there was little chance of appeal from my decisions. In fact some of the simple minded people firmly believed that I had the power of life and death. On one occasion I issued a warrant for a Canadian who had committed a gross outrage, and then fled from justice. I dispatched a trusty constable, and he overtook the man below Lake Pepin, and brought him back in irons. The Mends of the culprit begged hard that he should not be severely punished, and after keeping him in "durance vile" for several days I agreed to release him if he would leave the country, and threatening him with dire vengeance should he ever return. He left in great haste and we never saw him afterwards."

Mr. Sibley relates among other interesting incidents of the manner of meting out justice in early times, the following:
"A justice, not a hundred miles from Kaposia, was called upon to decide between two adverse claimants, and after hearing the evidence the magistrate decided in favor of the plaintiff, whereupon the defendant accused him of partiality and injustice, and the dignity of the court came very near being seriously compromised by a fisticuff between the court and the party considering himself aggrieved. An appeal was taken to the District Court, by the defendant, and when the writ was served upon the justice ordering him to produce a transcript of his docket and other papers in the case, instead of complying with the mandate of. the court, he committed to paper a long and elaborate address to the judge, setting forth that the appellant had abused him; that he was a mean scamp generally, and concluded by stating to his honor that he had erred in granting an appeal and if he wanted the papers in the ease he might look for them, as he (the justice) would have nothing further to do with it. It was duly dispatched to the judge and read by the clerk, but was subsequently abstracted from the files by some person, probably, in search of legal lore."
Mr. Sibley was foreman of the first grand jury ever empannelled in what is now the State of Minnesota, which consisted of twenty persons, three only of whom could speak or understand English, the rest being all Frenchmen. The court was held at Mendota, Judge Cooper presiding. His Honor delivered a written charge to the jury, of considerable length, which was profoundly listened to, though not a word was understood by more than three of the jurors.
The amount of land under cultivation in the county we have been unable to accurately obtain. The area of cultivated fields is yearly increasing and with wonderful proportions, and the increase in the value of personal property, and the number of animals of domestic use is in equal proportion.
The present total valuation of personal property in Dakota county is $1,129,294. Number of animals- horses, 4,901 cattle, 8,527; mules and asses, 106; sheep, 4,798; hogs, 3,986. At the late sale of school lands, 16,097 acres were purchased for $9,262.42, on which $1,542.35 principal, and $874.60 interest, were paid down, leaving $7,710.07 unpaid.
"We give the following statement of the amount of land broken during the year 1868, in each of the towns of the county, which we have copied from the Farmington Telegraph :

In 1847 the State of Wisconsin was admitted to the Union, or all that portion east of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, leaving those counties west of the rivers without any government. H. H. Sibley was chosen a delegate to Congress to represent that portion of the territory, the inhabitants claiming that the act admitting the State did not abrogate the territorial government. After some delay, Mr. Sibley was admitted to his seat, and the territory of Minnesota having been organized at the same session, Mr. Sibley was re-elected in 1849, and again in 1851- thus serving five consecutive sessions of Congress. In 1854 he was elected to the territorial legislature, and in 1857 to the constitutional convention. The same fall he was elected as first Governor of the State of Minnesota.
In 1859, Ignatius Donnelly, of Nininger, was elected to the office of Lieut. Governor of the State, and re-elected in 1861. In 1862 he was elected as Representative in Congress from the Second District of Minnesota, and re-elected in 1864, and again in 1866, being the present Representative. In 1857, L. Smith was chosen as Secretary of the Territorial Council. In 1854 H. H. Sibley and D. M. Hanson represented the northern part of Dakota county and a large district, now several counties, in the Territorial Legislature. In 1855 Henry G. Bailey was chosen Councillor and M. T. Murphy and O. C. Gibbs, as Representatives. J. J. McVay and C. Powell Adams as Representatives in 1856-Mr. Bailey as Councillor having been elected for two years. The Delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1857, were H. H. Sibley, Josiah Burwell, D. J. Burns, H. G. Bailey, Andrew Keegan and Thomas Foster. The members of the Legislature this year were H. G. Bailey D. "W. C. Dunwell as Senators and J. C. Dow, Robert O'Neil, James Locke, R. C. Masters and M. T. Murphy as Representatives. Mr. Dow resigned the office and Eli Robinson was elected to fill the vacancy., For 1858 Eli Robinson and A. H. Morris were elected to the Senate, and A. M. Hays, Moses Bixley, Henry Kaska and H.G.O. Morrison Representatives. The Representatives for 1859 were I. M. Ray, Michael Waldhier, Ara Barton, Charles McGrorty and M.A. Miller. But there being no session held this year, the election resulted in empty honors and no work. In 1860 A. M. Hays was elected Senator, and J. G. Cooper and H.G.O. Morrison Representatives. The following named persons have represented the county since that time:

Probably no State in the Union responded more liberally and promptly to the call for troops to crush the rebellion than the young State of Minnesota. With a population of only about 176,000 in 1860, at the breaking out of the war, she sent into the army over 12,000 able-bodied men, who earned a fame second to none in the whole army of the Union. The name of Minnesota troops was everywhere a synonym of victory. Dakota county furnished her full quota, as will be found recorded in the following pages. We have given the rank of all the commissioned officers as far as we could obtain them, at the time of leaving the service. In the following list we have given the names and credit to the different towns just as we found them recorded in the Adjutant's General's office at St. Paul. Those who have held commissions in the army, as far as we could learn, are as follows,
H. H. Sibley, commissioned as Colonel, with command in the field; promoted to Brigadier General, and afterwards breveted Major General.
Brevet Brigadier General-W. G. LeDuc and C. Powell Adams, of Hastings.
Lieut. Colonel-R. S. Donaldson, of Lakeville.
Majors-Jas. H. Donaldson, Empire; O. T. Hays, John Kennedy, Wm. B. Leach, Hastings; J. M. Bowler, of Nininger.
Surgeons, with the rank of Major-J E. Finch, F. B. Etheridge, R. D. Traver, of Hastings; J. L. Armington, of Randolph.
Captains-H. G. Bailey, of Hastings, killed at the battle of Nashville; L. W. Collins, A. P. French, J. B. Preston, Isaac P. Tichnor, H. D. Pettibone, Thos. M. Smith, Edward Oakford, C. W. Nash, of Hastings; John Elng, Nininger, and Ara Barton, of Randolph.
Lieutenants - R.. J. Chewning, Castle Rock; A. J. Patch, Douglas; J. J. Clague, (Reg. Army,) Greenvale; J. E. Chapman, S. H. Dickens, T. R. Huddleston, Harry Hoover, Barnard McKenna, Frank J. Mead, Frank M. Langley, Edward Dampier, of Hastings ; E. B. Higgins, of Randolph; John More, Vermillion; A. R. French, West St. Paul.

Burnsville
Connelly, Michael Foley, John Melony, Patrick Monahaa, James McCay, James	McDonough, Thomas Nash, James Stewart, George Siherry, John McCanny, James	Gammon, James Ledwidge, John Shovlin, Dennis Stiff, George Walsh, William
Castle Rock
Aldrich, Alonzo Aldrich, Leonard Aldrich, Joseph L Ashman, John Burroughs, Wm A Crow, Oliver H Chewning, K J Chapelle, Alhert Day, Alfred A Duff, James Day, Levi E Davison, James. C. Drury, Martin L Davis, John C . Fowler, "William Gauman, CharleB H Haraden, Samuel, Higgins, S H Holmes," Sames H Huggins, Thomas R McNutt, Gilbert.	Mayson, James Marsh, George Millard, Frank O Plummer, Chas. P Pryor, Henry Plummer, Bartlett Rice, C M Stevens, Cushman Sacket, George W Stevens, Barney Whittemore, James E Whitney. Benjamin Willson, Thomas Wood, Alonzo H Willman, L K Conerton, John Hatch, Charles M Sullivan, Mathew Case, Wm H Case, Clark Hatch, WmS	Vanvalkenburgh, Noah C Hyde, Frederick, Smith, Wm H Morrill, Richard B Town, Abraham E Bluett, Edward Child, Henry D Mills, Silas Riddle, Wm Steele, Edward R Wheeler, Edward Mill, Joseph Cook, Joseph, Stevens, Freeiand A Vaughn, Hiram W Hoff, Benjamin Mikel, Nicholas Teachout, John Willson, James A Morrison, John T
Douglas
Depuy, S P Ford, Patrick Gould, Myron C Knowles, John F Patch," A J Twitchell, Smith S Austin, John Holmes, Nelson M Haycock, Abner M McLaughlin, Hugh Paul, "Victor	Pratt, Job J Rhodes, Wm H Slye, Gilbert E Seeley, Robert GrafEman, Francis Pyie, Henry M Phipps, Charles M Brink, Andrew- Larson, Andrew Gee, Thomas Storer, Gardner	Stam, Edward Berwick, Casper Hatch, Geo S Neafeer, Edward Hamilton, Charles Friend, Charles Newell, Charles Rice, Edward B Strong, Wm J Soper, Palmer
Eagan
Felix, Peter Harper, Henry Soonan, Martin Sansoncy, Lewis Turpin, Serier	Turpin, Francis Healey, William Lemay, Mathias Lemay, Napoleon O'Harmon, Themis	O'Detts, Theofelt Dailey, Bartholomew Lemay, Thomas Terreaux, Soseph (sic) Williams, Henry
Empire City
Amidon, Calvin Abby, Edgar S Bennett, Jedediah Banker, Steven F Cummings, W W Eastbrook, Daniel Everett, Wm W Pish, Theodore Felton, Ezra V Felton, Daniel, Jr. Hughes, John Lackey, Elisha Porter, Artemus Putnam, Charies F Perry, Wesley Simonds, E B Sanderson, Benj ' Backhofi; John Betke, Fred Felton, Daniel Heslett, H H Kraps, John Loper, James McMullen, Patrick Monson, Chad C Ray, F G Stowell, Albert Felton, Ezra V	Lambert, Zebina Spearin, Simon B Bacon, Abel Jones, Charles Kellogg, Geo W Mastin, John Plummer, Wilson Pool, James W Shadingor, Himm Stanley, George Pidgeon, Louis Whittier, G B Bunker, SF Dodge, Leroy Donaldson, James H Imeson, Zinzie Imeson, Jonathan Imeson, James Masters, RH Mattison, Samuel W Pryor, John Pharl, James Pool, John W Pool, Benjamin Smith, Joseph A Shadinger, Wm Westbank. C F Samson, Magna	Black, Thos Haycraft, John Haycraft, Samuel Studibill, Henry VanDoren, I N Haycraft, Joel M Battin, Solomon Burton, David Coburn, William Kaska, AL Dilley, E V R Dewey, William Griswold, Benson Haycraft, Calvin Jolly, J W Livingston, John M. Lumsden, DJ Pool, Johnson Rhoades, Isaac C Shadinger, Howard Shadinger, Clymer Shadinger, Adnah Speck, A C Searles, J A Scofield, Thos B Smith, Thos C Paul, Joseph
Eureka
Erbar, Albert McMillan. Deuman - Standaley, R J Torgeson, Andrew Anderson, Cornelias Dansmore, Irving A Haney, William Higgins, H B Meir, Christopher Thompson, John	Leyde, Wm M Miller, Frank Nest, Andrew Beytein. Chas T Linburgh, John Brocher, August Mis-e-gaw-buck Mallory, G B Asbysonson Byergroff Wood, E H	Evenson, Ole Severson. Edward Walters, C C Thorison, Carl Eox, William Aslakon, N Johnson, Brady Nass, Andrew Oleson, Ealvor
Greenvale
Bates, Alexander Bates, Myron Barrett, H M Sloxom, Daniel Bates, William A Boardman, Hugh Bogne, Zachariah Carter, E B Clagne, J J Dean, JRB	Hodgson, Thos C Hendrick, Patrick Hott, Charles H Howell, Rowell More, Robert Marsh, Henry Pond, Billions Park, D A. Jr . Rice, Geo W Sanderson, Halvor	Webb, John W Cowles, John H Beaklin, Olof McAndrew, Thos Stewart, Charles McAndrews, Patrick Phars. Thomas Gustaff, Endre Klassy, Thos
Hampton
BallarcU Eli Ballard, Elias ; Buchman, Jacob Beissell, Gottfried Barton, Volney B Darling, J M Danlinger, Jacob Fuecker, Anthony . G"iger, Francis W Goergen, Peter Holden, E N Hammon, Henry Hakss, Bichmold Haas, Nicholas Heil, Joseph Haas, Michael Frothum, John Jemesson, Geo.L Hasel, Nicholas Martin, Jasper V Nymeier, Henry Putnam, Ira Raymond, Fred Sherd, Charles Clift, Walter Waite, Oliver Howard, Wm H Pelta, Anthony Cragan, Enoch Mullen, Charles Sadcliffe, Joseph Bock, Peter Loyle, James P Cunningham, Lather Ellis, John C	Scott, Louis Stier, Fred A . Hammon, Henry Haas, Nicholas Martin, Jasper W Nymier, Henry Drure, Edward H Smith, Wm T Bell, George Casick, Thomas Eastman, Seth W Twilayson, William McCarger, Swanson, Anton Wing, Gorvis Aldrich, Cyrus C Hall, A P Snyder, Theodore Murray, Duncan Stanchfield, Wm M Dolgner, Christian Palmer, George Burger, Jack Welker, Atwood Hofer, Charles Dickman, John Richardson, L G Rhinehart. Oscar Smith, William Sidebottom, John Ghounard, Lewis Haflet, Abram Bell, Steven Becker, Nicholas Jones, James B	Turner, William Wright, Sheldon Battles, Felix, Quinn, William Gilford. Samuel J" Smith, Francis Coleman, Henry Cooper, John Lavercrombe, John Fallman, Sylvester Harold, Alonzo Smith, William Smith, Daniel Grimer, Henry Borden, Daniel B Clemetson, John Hanson, John M Perent, Felix Haggard, Henry Van Wart, T T Harding, Price B Harding, Cyrus B Richardson, William Emerson, Naihan Ribaken. Lewis Gibson. Abel Wells, Charles Jose, Horatio Duff, Robert Steams, Perer Cain, Thomas Fennis, John H Greenfield, Oliver
Hastings
Allen, Michael Allison, Wm H Allison, M M. Adams, C P Arnold, Isaac W Anderson, Henry Armsden, Albert Baldwtn, A M Boyle, Robert Brawand, Rudolph Burgess, Alonzo G Bradley, Hugh Burgess, H W Bemis, Geo W Burkman, C C Barker, Joseph Burkman, William Bailley, H G Breman, Bernard Barrett, H E Bradbury, Geo-W Colby, Frank H Corson, Orson Cronan; Patrick Collins, LW Coates, Geo W Crawford, Samuel Clifford, J C Connerton, John Conliten, Patrick Chapman, Joseph B Cady, H C Cross, David C Cressy, Erastus T Dickens, S H Duffy, Hugh Dungay, Edward Dampsey, Patrick Demmick, E W Downs, Thomas Dilley, George Eaton, James Eidridge, Francis Erdman, George A Estee, Israel H Puller, Cyrus P Freidheim, Mosci Farmer, Amasa Foster, A G Fritz, Alvis Fredericks, Cornelius French, A P Fahey, Patrick, Finch, J E Goldner, Joseph Gillett, Davis N Groff, Samuel Huddleston, TB Hays, O T Heagy, A J Hamilton, L G Hoover, John L Henderson, Walliam Hurron, George T Hope, Thomas Howe, PF Hecht, Henry Henrickson, LF Hoover, Henry Harris, John Hethington, Henry Holmes,James. H Hunnybun, Thomas Hale, Eliphalet B Ingham, Samuel H Ingraham, George Johnson. Charles Jeffers, James A , Johnson, Norman C Jacks, Christopher C Johnson, Henry Keating, James Keating, Patrick Kennedy, Thomas Keating, Robert Kennedy, John. Kissenmacher, Walden Knowles, Eddington Kingsley, Alex Lehman, Fred Lancaster, GW Low, Henry A Leach, William B Lennon, Timothy Lahey, Michael Mernin, John Mertz, John G Mahoney, John McKenney, Patrick Morton, John H McKenna, Bernard Mangles, Deitrich Mead, Frank J Mars, John Mathews, Adolphus Munson, Oliver. Mathews, Adolphus McDonald, A J Meyer, John Owen, A P Paul, Brand Preston, John B Pride, John C, jr. Titcher, Joseph E Pitcher, John B Pusey, -Joseph F Royce.Geo W Rice, Benj A Rarnum, Edwin Carran, Martin Dekay, Edward Mohernmern. August Powell, Robert Allen, Henry D	Smith, HD Springstead, David Spreasser, Wm D Searls, Jasper N Smith, Henry D Springstead, Henry Sastros, Walter Trader, E A Thurleman, Peter Tucker, Charles M Twichell, N H Traver, R D Taylor, Treble Tickner, Isaac P Warner, Robert Webster, Martin Young. A J Allen, Michael Paul, Charles McDonald, Thomas Haman, H H Demosey, Patrick Fahey, P E Brown, E F Conerton. John Cooper, John Haas, Nicholas Holmes, J W Hecht, Henry Holsemer, Peter Hethrington, James H Kissenmacher, Walden Keating, John Kennedy, William Lake, George McKenna, Bernard Morgan, David L Panchat, David Panchat, Peter Picket, Hiram Pitcher Joseph E Purcell, Michael Rowen, Thomas Sandy, Thomas S Severy, Nathaniel Seitenberger, August Vann, Ed A Duke, John Woodworm, D D Webster, Martin Meagles, Diderich Brennan, Barnard Lakey, Michael Leonard, Timothy Bush, Eli E Pettibone, H D KcCatty, John D Wright, Charles Fany, John C. Baldwin, Chas W Dilmore, Michael Dekay, W H Draper, Joel Graham, John H Keath, Harry J Kenney. Frank E Parker, fm L Smith, Chas E Schwartz, Christian JStanton. Stiles J Stoddard, Charles S Weichselbaum, Join Akers, Gideon Akers, Woodford Bro?n, William Collins, D W Hale, Eliphcid King, KW Kirky, Ed Ryan, James Stout, William Thompson. Joseph Bohrman, Benry Cariand, Michael Governor. Abel Henry, John Langley. Frank M Lewis, Nichols Miller, Edward Nash, Chas W. Schults. Charles Smith, Noll B Tibbetts, John Williams, John Pottle, Isaac Smith. Thos M Parliman, Edwin Barker, Edward D Montgomery, Richard Merville, Alex Ireland, John S Van Inwegen, Henry White, Samuel Buswell, Martin V Odell, Marquis L Slocum, George F Harris, Seth Jackson, A F Porter, Charles Mather, Wm-B Brockman, Edward Brown, Thomas G . Bush, Anthony Colby, Fredric I Coburn, Isaac Comer, Wm A Foster, Chas E Groff, William J. Rice, Edmbhd B Torrence, Robt J Abbott Elsa S Smith, Wm White, John Schurtz, Peter	Gates, Charles Hays, James Hodson, William Hoople, Jehiel Jenkins, Isaac F Jennison. Williston Kieley, Dennis F Kennedy. George Latte, Augustus McNiff, John. Panchot, George Pitcher, John Reynolds, Oliver P Reslar, John H Roasch, Joseph Tanger, Anthoay- Thompson, Samuel Welch, James S Whitney, Benj F Anderson, Charles Crow, Wm H Griswold, Frank C Parker, Robert Oakford, Edward Danpier, Edward Arnold, Mathew H Akers, Gideon Aschka, Rudolph Bell. Alonzo Bowker, Walter K Bissell, Francis M Buckman, Chas K Bennett, Jerome B Cole, Ambrose D Eaton, Warren L Freeman, Renbea Gillen, Patrick Henry, Louis Heslet, John Jacobs, James W Johnson, John Knight, Freeman Kenherson, James M. Minor, Ephraim Muhen, John Morse, Alanson S O'Brien, James Schoepf, George Straswell, John. Scott, John B Johnson. Heney F McGuire. Thos Allen, Wm H Bowers, Nicholas Garrett, Levi F Pitcher, John B -elley, John W Wolke, William. Batson, John D Harring Mathias Mang, Phillip Saltz, Wm Jameson, Geo D Carpenter, C A Ford, John Gildea,John Hewett, Warren Johnson, Christian Costetto, Thos Lockwood, James Mallery, Joseph H Gleson,Navi Phillip, Enoch Abbat, Tillman Breslin, Patrick Cole, John Casey, James Hart, Wm F Hart, George Hetherington, Charles Lyon, Wm H Nichols, Albert H Sidwell, Samuel J Smith, Chas A Salley, John Burnham, Alex Cole, Lafayette Collins, Warren. H Davis, Orrin G Haines, Hiram Murray, George Steward. Carey Gard, LB Klopfleisch.Fred Moyer, Michael Nye, Elisha Stitch, Lewis Chaska, George W Goodhowk, James Snowbrock, Thomas Blase, John H Cohoes, John Clark. Thomas Deidrieth, August Duff, Robert Grewe, Wm Rolfing, John Thole, Charles Heskett George E Snyder, Conrad Poor, Albert C Harris, Charles Sherman. John H Wayman, Andrew Bennett, Coleman Truax, George W Truax, Richard A Sprague, Willard Cook, Asa B Basherd, Wilfred. Altenberg, Gerga Burchedin,.Richard Welchlin, John G Meyer, Fred
Inver Grove
Arensdorf, Henry Bissell, F M, Bissell, Hiram Breman, Patrick Bush, Jofca Chambers, Joseph Cronkhite, Sam S Cooper, Charles D Gifibrd, Van HP Gross, Phillip Harper, A A Hamilton, Henry HosfordV Caleb Hurd, Michael Horeckner. Frederick Hackett, Charles M Jarvis. Wm H Jr Kock, Henry F Korphage, Henry Korpbage, Frederick Marcott, Joseph Morrison, John I Maloy, James Murray, Owen C O'Neil, Cornelius Patten, Edward Pemberton, George	Smith, George N Stevens, James Saady, Thomas' Watson, Francis M Shattuck, Alf B Wright, Henry C Welch, Thomas Whittemore,Johu D Biggerstafty William Carroll, Martin Cole, Benj F Cole, John F George, George, Gog, Charles Gpor, Joseph H Hidden, Geo'W Hanson, Andrew Johnson. John H Leach, Alonzo D Lyons, James H McCoUum, Wm M Rich, Chas H P Schaser, Henry Schaser, Sarpbine Swenson. Hans Schefler, Joseph Trimble, Joel	Wines, John Wood, Joseph Ponsford, william Wilkinson, John P Runtze, Charles . Yonng, Charles Dellaughter, John. A Bissell, Hiram -H Whittemore, James Johnson, E Peter Tome, O J Brant, Augustus Blackmer, JJI HostermeiL, Henry Lenzen, Leonard Schartzkofiy Julius Williamson, .Jacob White, William Verafier, Henry Beetle, David Kradler, David C Barton, Percival Kossbach, Gustavo Steams. Orange N Dubb, Henry Davis, John A Quigley, Thomas
Lakeville
Baker, Allen Casey, James Dyer, Pascall M Donaldson, R S Eaton, William Fonk, Christopher Getzman. Joseph Hame, William A Hosmer, Hobart N Honck, Elijah Ives, James K Johnson, Harmony B Johnson, William Johnson, Edward L Keeler, George W Keating, Lawrence Kelley, George	Longstreet, Wm S Lawson, Wesley McMullen, Pat Partlow, David S Smith, Caleb Sherman, Marshall Thurston, Sancher Thurston, John H Watson, John S Weaver, Geo A Wetherell, Alonzo Wetherell, Geo W Wetherell. Russell Wixon, Wm N Willoughby, John N Wixon, John W Longstreet, Wm S	Moran, Patrick Getzman, Joseph Disher, Henry Fitzsimmons, Richard Parker, Benjamin Rhoades, Harrison. Randells. Robert Haycraft, Isaac Emmons, Charles S Phillips, Edmnnd Record, George A Gustafi, Enders White, Joseph Dahlberg, Hans P Parks, George Young, John Shanley, Michael
Lebanon
Conway, James Clough, Cyrus Casey, John Chase, Wesley Finnerty, Michael Gilman, James B Haines, David Haines, ND Kent, William Morse, John W Potter, William	Perkins, Charles Smith, Wm H Thompson, Joseph C Thompson Alex M Thompson, Francis Wilson. Geo L Kent, William Morse, John W Casey, John Howard, Martin Parker, James	Scott, James Lloyd, James Ives, A A Haines, David E Hill, Wm H Batey, John S Lambert, Elijah Powers, George Richmond, Robert
Marshan
Day, Alonzo E Jeanin, Charles P Panchett, George F Panchett, Peter J Panchett, David Morgan, Elizur A Hardy, Justus K Simons, John L Amsden, Albert Barry, Andrew Curen, Frank Hanson, Henry Hanson, Anthony McYay, John J . McNelly, John Canfield, Henry Doolan, Peter Kooth, Augustus	Chanette, Louis Mason, Charles Ray, Frank Doerr, Wm Miller. Charles Jenne, Chillis W Leach, Calvin S Wasson, John E Mullen, John O Moore, Samuel Panchot, A F Wilkenson, Rich Wallace, James W Tahey, Thos. Case, Francis Jackson, J A Judge, Barney	Knight, Byron M Knapp, Henry C Sjolie, Halvor Smith, Absalom Wreston, James Drew, George G Willey, Warner E Felton, Israel B Manning, Michael Cadwell, Eugene Elcock, Simon Goodfellow, George H McMuller, Albert C Pethybridge, Joshua StClair, John Eger, William Saupe, Frederick
Randolph
Armington, J L Foster, Wm H" Hassan, James Leach, Albert, Parks, Alfred Richmond, Cicero	Richmond, Stewart P Barton, Ara Richmond, Seneca Brooks, Josiah R Brooks. Ephraim P	Foster, George Jenkins, James E Sheppard, Ira S Higgins, Eben B Madden, Wm
Ravenna
Akers, James Armstrong, Wm Ellis, Allen G Fisher, Charles Kelly, John Moizso, Edward Scherrer, Albert	Brown, Wm Darkin, William Akers, A H Baker, Delas Lytle, Isaac Sherry, James Walton, William	Hart, Michael Daniels, George Brown, Wm Bourke, Wm Johnson, James Clark, Wm Durkom, John
Rosemount
Atherton, Minor Baker, Chas E Barnum, Wheeler Beck, John Baker, George Baker, Wyman Farquiiar, Daniel Hauzel, Frank Harrington, Lloyd Hardick, Robert Knight, Emery Morgan, Daxid L McGuire, Cornelius Strathan, Walter	Akear, Treffle Haker, George E Brawley, Joan Z Bayley. Thomas F Eyer, Renier Fowler, Thomas Harrington, L M Harrison, Peter M. McDonald, John Salsbury, J B Sweadur, Louis Dowas, Francis Brown, Joseph S Baker, Wyman	Morse.E A Gibbs, Isaac Liddle, John T Duffy, John S Couant, Timothy Dolheimer, Valentine: Dolheimer, Henry Vetch, Jacob Ericson, Peter Lawson, Hans Blew, J A McKnight, EV Baker, Musson Maybee, BF
Waterford
Atkinson, Chas Bill, E S Boardsman. Jam Bill, David Brigham, A A Cowell, Thomas T Clark, James Dean. Frank J Dean, Reuben Elliot, Watson Gate, A J Glidden, C O Glidden, Sylvester Masters, Archer	Newell, AW Bobb, Joseph Nichols, James L Porter, Geo J Russell, James B Sackett, Chauncey Sackett, Dudley Wager, John H Weeks, Roland Bill, David E Boardman. James Simpson, James Shatta, David Shavone, David	Helgerson, Edward Frank, John Shepard, Philetus Truax, Oddy Voyk, Peter Twiggs, David Dion, Reuben B Bodges, John W Dixon, Geo A Glidden, Daniel E Hibbard, Culver Boath, James W Scarborough, Chas D Canfield, G C
West St. Paul
Arbuckle, B F Abbott, Wm H Beck, E S Brown, L D Bromley, Wilton Burck, Patrick College, John Cartwright, F M Cochrane, John Derlin Michael Dibble, H J French, A R French, E R Gearing, Robt Griggs, John Hayes, John Heinrieks, Fred Holman, Herman Holman, E W Hand, Benjamin Irvine William Kerslake, J J Krach, Mathias	Lossinger, Joseph Messinger, Addis E Mooney, Archibald McLeod, Alex R Mc Wiliiams, John North, E D Pratt, William Pemberton, Thos Pratt, William Roberg, John Ross, John Reed, Joseph H Simon, John Schmdt, Joseph. Schoening, Frank Simons, Frank Wichler, Henry Wagner, Jacob Leyde, G B Lloyd, S H Loftis, Patrick Bromley, Milton, Oliver, R B	Johnson, E L Weis, Mathew Koever, Aug Lemire, Theodore Silk, John Boyden, Henry Phillips, G C Wright, C A Bartlett, B S Reem, James, Morin, Theodule Lawrence, James McEntre, Daniel Smith, William Spooner, Albert Breit, J M. Dichto, William Lutz, Ferdinand. Luken, Henry Alten, Thomas Caravan, Felix Rigney, John Brown, C C
Sciota
Austin, Grange Bemer, Jefferson Bush, Hezekiah Chamberlain, Mark A Couper, John C Clutch, David F Finney, Geo W Fitz, Lorenzo Finney. James Gline, John Wesley Hopkins, George L Hunt, A G Jameson, Horace	Moore, Alex Noyes, St Clair Noyes, L D Noyes, James W Parks, Geo W Sherwood, Julius Sidwell, Aaron M Scott, Elias Smith, Adam Stark, Adam Skate, Charles Terry, George B Twiggs, David	Willson, John E Youmans, James P Jameson, Horace Parks, Alfred P Amsden, Galen Daniels, George Hoople, Nelson McCreary. Henry D Beyteen, John Blankenburg, Albert Green, Wm R Willson, James R
Vermillion
Burkee, Patrick Caldwell, Amos A Colby, Frank H Ennis, Martin Ells, Samuel Ellis, Howard Greig, Robert Hilmer, Jeremiah Jiegg, George Mowry, Frank C More, John McDowell, James	McKay, John M Morris, Sidney A Pettibone, Herman Joest, Joseph Spencer, John F Moran, Michael Lease, Nathan A Baine.WS Bothwell, S W S Cadwell, Eugene Hanson, John M Braman, Cyras I	Bird, Lemuel J Donahun, James B McGuire, Hugh Howe, James H Hall, Hollis Healy, Michael Clark, John R Bennett, Edward Mather, Samuel Weeks, Geo W Helin, John
Nininger
Bowler, J.M. Briggs, Alonzo Bittka, Christian. Brush, EE Bottomly, Joseph Countryman, Martin Fish, Arthur J Fitch, William F Griffin, Howard Kennard, Owen Knight, George "W King, John Lyon, Isaac Mowry, Israel C Mcllullen, Aaron O'Brien, Nichelas Parcell, Daniel Bussell, Charles	Stone, Eugene H Sheldon, Daniel Severy, Nathaniel Truax, RJ Tompkins, John Truax, J R Wasser, E K Wells, Leander Countryman, Willis Hatchins, Chas A Nesson, John O'Brien, Nicholas Bussell, Charles Stone, Eugene H Steffers, John Truax, Johnson H Zanger, George W Boug. Elias	Norelius, Lewis Griffin, Edward Sprague, Cassias Truax, Albert H Hanna, Jerome Knapp, Leonard M Russell, Sylvester Casey, Patrick Moran. Michael Countryman, John S Cagley, John W Countryman, Peter Countryman, Levi N Hama, Walter R Knapp Austin Sprague, Cassinett
Mendota
Ange, James Bryant, Chandler Beyargeant, Eli Cram, CC Clonkey, Antoine De Borzia, Bazilie Essency, John H Felix, Daniel Felix, Paul Granville, David Johnson, M D Jarvis, Francis Le Clair, Eleazer Le Bland, Peter Neheley, Morris, jr Young, BAD	Trambull, Nathan D Trucette, Joseph Lemay, Louis Garnell, Louis Turpin, S Turpin, Francis Sansonce, Louis Joiaville, Baptiste. Huart, Michael Muller, Louis Sherburne. Peter Coursall, William Chrispan, Joseph Coursell, Antoine Robinette, Vanoss Young, Joseph	Turpin, John B Campbell. Charles Auge, Joseph R Boursier,John Beauchenin, J B Labath, Bernhard Barie, Onesimus Plaisance, Phillip Oatney, Joseph Twey, Jabez Austin, John B Corner, Elsa Weldon, Charles McLane, Arnold Chrispan, Annable

County Newspapers
The history of the newspapers of Dakota county has been, like most other enterprises in a new county somewhat eventful and will form a not uninteresting chapter in the record of events. The first enterprise this kind was started in 1856, only three years subsequent to the first settlement of the county by who men, showing how closely upon the heels of civilization follows the education and enlightenment of the pioneers, and the demands of the people for the current news of the day, as well as the march of enterprise in a newly settled country.

THE DAKOTA JOURNAL
Was the first to embark upon the sea of literary and newspaporial life, and was launched sometime in the summer of 1856, under the guidance of Mr. James C. Dow, and devoted to the interests of the Democratic Party.

THE HASTINGS INDEPENDENT,
Under the supervision of Mr. C. Stebbins, laid claim to public favor, and made its debut on the 25th of July,
1857. The Independent was a well-conducted paper, Republican in politics, and did much towards the settlement and growth and improvements in the county by keeping before the people the advantages to be had by a settlement in this locality. Mr. Stebbins continued the publication for somewhat over ten years, until November 6th, 1867, when the Independent and Conserver were consolidated and the Hastings Gazette Was born of the union and published as at present, by Messrs. Todd & Stebbins.

THE HASTINGS LEDGER
Next had an ephemeral existence, of a few weeks or months only and retired from the public gaze for lack
of pecuniary sustenance. It was under the control of Mr. A. S. Dimond

THE HASTINGS DEMOCRAT
Made its first appearance in 1859, under the guardianship of C. Powell Adams, as editor and publisher Mr. Adams subsequently sold the material to John E Mars, who continued the publication of the paper for some two years. Dr. Adams still acting as editor.
The same year Messrs. Mars and Northrop commenced the publication of a monthly journal, as a literary enterprise, but the country was too new to afford sufficient patronage to sustain it, and the Frontier Monthly was discontinued after an issue of three numbers.
THE HASTINGS CONSERVES
"Was established in 1851 by Rev. C. M. Whitney, who published it for about one year, when he sold the office to Irving Todd, who continued to publish it until it was merged with the Independent into the Gazette on the 6th of November, 1867.
THE NORTHWESTERN DEMOCRAT,
Published by Frank J. Mead, came into public life in the spring of 1863. It was devoted, as its name indicates, to the interests of the Democratic party. It was a faithful worker and ally of the Democracy, but after an existence of about a year and a half, the enterprise was abandoned as not being a pecuniary success.

THE DAKOTA COUNTY UNION
Was introduced to the public of Hastings and of Dakota county on the 4th of April, 1866, by Alex. Johnston. It was Democratic in faith and works. Mr. Johnston sold a half interest to Mr. J. W. Fralick, in April, 1867, and in the June following Mr. James Scammon purchased the other half, and the paper is NOW published by Messrs. Fralick & Scammon. It is a neatly printed seven column sheet, and devoted to the interests of the Democratic party, and building up home institutions, and the development of the resources of Dakota county.
At Nininger there have been two papers started, but both have failed for want of material aid to keep the wheels in motion.
THE EMIGRANT AID JOURNAL
Was the name of the first paper published at this place, a large eight-column sheet, published by a Mr. McDonald. It was principally devoted to showing the advantages to imigrants of settling in this county. It lived only about six months.
THE DAKOTA SENTINEL,
Also performed a short pilgrimage of existence at Nininger, in 1861, under the control of Messrs. Lindergreen and Hoblitt, but imitated its predecessor in retiring early from public life.
THE FARMINGTON TELEGRAPH
Was started in the spring of 1868, by Frank J. Mead, at Farmington. It is Democratic in politics, and an earnest advocate of the local interests of the town. The Gazette, Union, and Telegraph are the only papers now published in the county.

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