1878, and came to Princeton. Mr. Walker has since carried on a boot and shoe shop, which is the only one in the village.

GREENBUSH.

CHAPTER CLVI.

DESCRIPTIVE--EARLY SETTLEMENT--FIRST THINGS

ORGANIZATION-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIO

GRAPHICAL.

This town originally embraced four Congressional townships, lying along the western line of the county, beginning with the southwestern township of the county, and so remained until the organization of the town of Milo, which reduced its area one-fourth. Near the south line of the town is the border of the heavy timber which extends many miles northward, and the dense forest suggested to the early settlers the name adopted -Greenbush. The entire area embraced is about 69,120 acres, of which 1,236 are improved.

The surface is rolling, and somewhat broken near some of the streams. In the southeastern part of the south township, is a small tract of brush prairie, with light, sandy soil; the remainder of the township having a rich, heavy soil, heavily timbered, with extensive wild meadows intervening. In the next township north, is a fine growth of hardwood timber, with tracts of pine, much of which has been removed by lumbermen.

The town is watered by Battle and Estes brooks, and Rum river in the south, and in the northern part by the West Branch of Rum river, also the main stream, Chase Brook, and several affluents of Rum river further north. Among the first settlers within the present limits of the town were: Philander P. Farrington, a native of Maine, whose father also came with him, the two settling on sections twelve and thirteen, in 1856. The former is still living on the original farm. Robert Ceraw, a native of Ireland, came in 1856, and located in section twenty-five, where he has since resided. The same year, Murdock Campbell, of Scottish birth, came here from Canada, and selected his present home in section eleven. Isaac Gillespie, B. S. Farrington, L. Twitchel, Mr. Perkins, and others, were also among the early settlers.

The first religious services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Twitchel, Congregationalist, at the resi

dence of B. S. Farrington, about the year 1857, and by others of the same denomination, at other private houses, until the erection of a schoolhouse, after which that was used for preaching, and other public meetings. For the past few years the Methodists have occupied the field, the minister stationed at Princeton officiating.

Catholic services were held in what is known as the French Settlement, in 1868, by Father Maurer, at the residence of Joseph Robideaux, in section thirty-two. Soon after the residence of Louis Rushford became their place of worship, and in 1880, they had completed a new church near by, which has been used at somewhat irregular intervals since.

The first school was taught about 1860, in the residence of B. S. Farrington, by M. A. Twitchel, who was paid by subscription. About two years later a small log schoolhouse was built, which in time was replaced by a frame building. This was destroyed by fire, and soon after, the present building was brought here from Princeton, and is near the site of the old one, section twenty-five.

The first school in district number five was opened in the spring of 1869, at the residence of M. Kenely, in section twenty-eight, Miss Mary Jane Kenely being employed as teacher. In 1870, a schoolhouse was built on section twenty, which has since been in use.

In district number four a building was erected for school purposes in 1867. It was located on section two, and was in use until replaced by the present structure, in the spring of 1881.

A Post-office-Estes Brook-was removed from the town of Milo, and established at the residence of William Huggins, in section six, in the fall of 1880.

Greenbush was organized in 1869, the first meeting being held at the school house on section two, at which the following officers were elected: Supervisors, B. Babb, Chairman, C. W. Maddox and George Wetzel; Clerk, George S. Maxfield; Treasurer and Assessor, B. S. Farrington; Justices of the Peace, Samuel Orton and M. Kenely; the last named, however, did not qualify. The same year the territory was dismembered by the organization of the town of Milo, north of which are but few settlers, the major portion being in the south congressional township.

The agricultural report of 1880 furnishes the following as the products of the town: wheat, 6,339 bushels; oats, 5,832 bushels; corn, 5,927

bushels; barley, 96 bushels; rye, 407 bushels; buckwheat, 60 bushels; potatoes, 2,904 bushels; beans, 46 bushels; sugar-cane, 40 gallons; cultivated hay, 56 tons; wild hay, 1,417 tons; clover seed, 383 bushels; tobacco, 40 pounds; wool, 408 pounds; butter, 14,827 pounds; cheese, 900 pounds; and honey, 1,116 pounds.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

MURDOCK CAMPBELL was born in 1823, in the Highlands of Scotland, where he remained until eight years of age. Then came with his parents to Canada, and when old enough, engaged in the lumber business and was soon made foreman in a lumber camp. In 1856, he came to Minnesota and located his present farm, being one of the first settlers in the town. Since his residence here, Mr. Campbell has devoted his time to the cultivation of hay, which he sells to the lumbermen, and is also engaged in freighting. He was united in marriage, on the 24th of July, 1852, to Margaret McCosham, who has borne him four children.

ROBERT CERAW, one of the early settlers of this town, was born in Ireland, on the 7th of November, 1826. His parents came to Canada when he was but an infant, our subject making that his home till twenty years of age. Then, after living in New York about ten years, he came to this place in 1856, and has since resided here.

MICHAEL CORBIT is a native of Ireland, born on the 20th of August, 1827. He landed in America in the spring of 1847, spent several years in the states of Massachusetts and New York, and came west, locating in Wisconsin in 1855. Three years later, he removed to Shakopee, and engaged in farming and on steamers on the Minnesota river for about ten years. Since 1868, has been a resident of this town, locating first in section twentysix and smbsequently coming to his present farm. Miss Ann McQuinn became his wife on the 3d of October, 1858. They have three children.

ALEXANDER DE SHAW was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 20th of May, 1838. Both his father and grandfather visited this section of the country at a very early date; the latter spending twenty-two years in the employ of the Fur Company, coming as early as 1800. When the subject of this sketch was an infant his parents moved to New York, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining till 1871, when he came to this township and located his present farm.

He has held a number of local offices, and

since 1875, has been Assessor of the town. The marriage of Mr. De Shaw with Miss Eliza A. Grow occurred on the 2d of March, 1859. Of ten children, the result of this union, eight are living.

PHILANDER P. FARRINGTON, the first settler in this town, is a native of Andover, Maine, in which place he learned the blacksmith trade. After living in Portland for some time, he came to Minnesota, engaged in the lumber business on the Rum river, and staked out a claim on the land now included in the village of Princeton; but returning, after an absence, found it taken by another. He located the farm which has since been his home, in 1856. Mr. Farrington enlisted in Company C, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, serving till the close of the war. Was united in marriage with Miss Melinda Orton, on the 19th of February, 1865. They have had five children, four of whom are living.

BENJAMIN S. FARRINGTON dates his birth on the 3d of February, 1827, in Oxford county, Maine, where he was reared on a farm and resided until twenty-one years of age. Then removed to Massachusetts, remaining but a few months, however, and returned to Maine. In 1852, he took a trip to California, and being quite successful in mining, remained several years. Came to Minnesota in 1855, and the following year located his present farm. Mr. Farrington was the first Assessor and Treasurer of the town, holding both offices two years; also held the office of County Commissioner two terms.

ISAAC GILLESPIE, one of the pioneers of this town, was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1829. He resided with his parents until coming to America in 1857, and the spring of the following year came to the farm which he has since made his home. On the 7th of June, 1858, he was married to Margaret Henry.

PAUL GROFF, a native of Otsego county, New York, was born on the 27th of December, 1820. When twenty-two years old he enlisted in Company I, of the Fourth United States Artillery; was discharged at the end of five years, and re-enlisted in Company K, of the First United States Dragoons, serving one year. Then, after living on a farm in Iowa, he came to Sherburne county, Minnesota, in about 1859, and finally to his present home, which is located on section twenty-four; he also owns land on which he is making improvements, in section one.

NELSON A. GROW was born on the 14th of No

vember, 1841, in Franklin county, New York, which was his home until coming to Minnesota in 1869. Came directly to this place, and now owns a farm of two hundred acres. Mr. Grow has served the town as Supervisor three years, and for the past two years has been Treasurer. Miss Adaline Jesmer became his wife on the 3d of July, 1864, and eight children have been born to them.

FRANK HENRY was born in the northern part of Ireland on the 3d of December, 1819. He resided with his parents until coming to America in 1849. After remaining a few years in New York, he came to New Jersey, where he was married to Miss Margaret Hoey in 1855. They came to Minnesota and located on a farm near St. Paul till 1858; then removed to Oak Grove, Anoka county; and in 1867, came to this place, having since made it their

A. D. JESMER is a native of Franklin county, New York, born on the 7th of June, 1846. At the age of twenty years, he commenced life for himself; engaged in the lumber business in his native State for a year, then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and the same year (1867) located a claim in section thirty-two, Greenbush township, and has since lived here. Mr. Jesmer was a member of the board of County Commissioners for six successive years, and is at present Town Clerk, having held the office several terms. united in marriage with Julia Ann Robideaux, on the 9th of September, 1868.

He was

JOSEPH JESMER is also a native of Franklin county, New York, and was born in the year 1848. He came to Minnesota in 1867, purchased land in this township the same year, and now has a well improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Ann Robideaux. She has borne him fourteen children, thirteen of whom are living.

MICHAEL KENELY is a native of Ireland, born on the 16th of March, 1812. At the age of fourteen years he commenced learning the nail maker's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of seven years, then was employed in his native place till 1839. After coming to this country in the latter year, he resided six years on a farm in Canada, thence to Washington county, Wisconsin, until coming to his present farm in 1868. Mr. Kenely was the first Justice of the Peace in this town. He was married on the 5th of October, 1848, to

Miss Ellen Larkin, who has borne him eight children, seven of whom are living.

L. S. LIBBY dates his birth on the 16th of June, 1850, in Kennebec county, Maine, which was his home until eight years of age, when his parents came to Minnesota and located in Princeton. Our subject was engaged in the pineries during the winters, and in 1878, purchased a farm in this township, which has since been his home, devoting a portion of his time to the lumber business. He was united in marriage on the 4th of November, 1873, to Miss Etta M. Smith.

SAMUEL MARSHALL is a native of Carrol county, Ohio, born on the 3d of April, 1830. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and at the age of nineteen commenced learning the trade of a carriage maker, at which he was employed three years. Then, for three years, studied medicine, and in 1859, came to Minnesota and practiced his profession seven years in Anoka county. After residing on a farm in Richland county, Wisconsin, he returned to Minnesota and to his present farm in about 1873; has since devoted his time to tilling the soil and the practice of medicine.

SAMUEL M. ORTON was born on the 20th of June, 1847, in Canada, where he lived until nine years of age, and came with his parents to Minnesota. They first located in what is now the town of Milo, remaining about four years, and came to this township where they still reside. When our subject was twenty-one years old, he purchased his present farm, and was married on the 12th of June, of the following year, his wife's maiden name being Maribe J. Dunning. Of six children, the result of this union, four are living.

LOUIS ROCHEFORD dates his birth the 11th of September, 1825, in Quebec, Canada; where he learned the carpenter trade. Came to the Lake Superior copper mines in 1852, and opened a hotel, which he conducted three years, and then removed to Superior City, where he was one of the early settlers. Since 1868, he has been a resident of Greenbush township, filled some of its offices; and has a fine farm. Was married to Miss Caroline Bertrand on the 22d of September, 1861. They have three children.

JOSEPH ROBIDEAUX, one of the early settlers of this town, dates his birth in Franklin county, New York, on the 22d of August, 1821. He resided with his parents until 1847, when he purchased a farm in the same county, making that and St. Lawrence county his home till coming to St. Paul,

Minnesota, in 1863. There he operated a sawmill until 1866, when he located his present farm, and the following spring brought his family here. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Jesmer on the 1st of November, 1847. They have had twelve children, eight of whom are living.

PETER ROBIDEAUX, also a native of Franklin county, New York, was born on the 12th of November, 1830. When quite young he engaged as a sailor on the Lakes and St. Lawrence river; was soon made Captain, and finally purchased a steamer of his own, continuing in the business for about seventeen years. Then, after farming in New York for some time, he came to Minnesota in 1868, and purchased his present farm which he has since greatly improved. Married Julia Jesmer on the 2d of August, 1853. They have thirteen children.

PETER S. ROBIDEAUX, a son of the subject of our last sketch, was born in the same county as his father, on the 27th of March, 1858, and came with him to Minnesota, residing at home until 1879. He was employed in the woods and on the river until purchasing his present farm in the latter year. He was married to Miss Sophie De Shaw, who has borne him one child, named Edmond.

GIDEON B. REVES was born in Portage county, Ohio, in the year 1826. In 1857, he came to Minnesota and opened a farm in Hassan, Hennepin county, on which he lived three years; then, after living in Minneapolis two years engaged in painting, he returned to his farm and remained until 1866. In the latter year Mr. Reves came to his present farm in Greenbush, Mille Lacs county, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres. He served for a time as County Commissioner.

J. J. A. ROBIDEAUX dates his birth on the 15th of August, 1852, in Franklin county, New York. His parents came to Greenbush when our subject was quite young, and at the age of seventeen years, he commenced labor as a sawyer, to which he has since devoted the greater portion of his time; having been employed in the mills of Minneapolis, Anoka, Princeton, and Santiago, Sherburne county.

DONALT SCOTT is a native of Canada, in which place his father died when our subject was quite young, and he was left in charge of the old homestead. In 1872, he came to Minnesota, purchased a farm in this place and has since made it his home. Miss Margaret Orton became his wife on the 2d of February, 1857. They have four children.

REUBEN SEABY is a native of Stafford county,

New Hampshire, born on the 19th of September, 1812. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and resided in his native State until coming to Minnesota in 1857. He has lived in this county ever since, but in 1862, removed to his present farm. Mr. Seaby was united in marriage, on the 21st of June, 1855, with Mrs. Eunice Moulton, who was born in the same county as himself. They have had six children, five of whom are living.

MILO.

CHAPTER CLVII.

DESCRIPTIVE EARLY SETTLEMENT-ORGANIZATION -FIRST THINGS--AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS--BIOGRAPHICAL.

The town of Milo was carved out from the original territory embraced in Greenbush, as mentioned in the history of that town. It is the second congressional township north of the county line south, and in the west tier of townships. Its area is about 23,000 acres, of which 185 are under cultivation. It is heavily timbered, and originally contained some fine tracts of pine, now removed. The west branch of Rum river, and Estes brook, are the principal streams, the former flowing through the town in a southeasterly direction. The surface is somewhat broken along the streams; otherwise it is gently undulating, and the soil mostly a dark loam, with extensive tracts of wild meadow. Among the early settlers in this town were: John C. Hatch, now a resident of Princeton, and mentioned among the personnels of that place, and William Fifield, now of Sauk Rapids, in 1856, both of whom were engaged in lumbering; Samuel Orton, now of Greenbush, and C. Pinkham, a native of Canada, who came in 1866. The earliest among the present settlers were: Sylvester Cone, of Ohio; Daniel Alguire, of Canada, and M. E. Northway. Allen McDonald came about the time, or before those last named, but has since removed.

The organization of Milo was the outgrowth of dissatisfaction arising at the first town meeting under the town organization of Greenbush, and the same year Milo was organized with the following officers: Supervisors, Sylvester Cone, Chairman, C. Pinkham, and George Crooks; Clerk and Assessor, P. I. Northway; Treasurer, M. E. North

way; Justices of the Peace, J. H. Farnsworth, and J. W. Babcock; and Constables, D. Alguire and M. E. Northway.

The first child born in the town was Alvird, daughter of William Fifield, in 1856.

The first school was opened in the house of Caleb Pinkham, about the year 1868, under the supervision of Miss Helen Cone, and was a private school. In 1869, a school house was completed, in which a term of school was taught that year. In district number seven, the first school was opened in 1874, by Miss Nellie Ryan.

The first religious services were held at the residence of William Fifield, by Rev R. Walker, in 1857. In the new sestlement meetings were held at the school house, soon after its completion, by Rev. William Kerr, and in 1879, by Bev. H. Hunt, of Princeton.

A Post-office was established in 1874, John A. Simmons being Postmaster, with the office at his residence, where it remained until removed to Greenbush, in 1880. Mail has been supplied weekly from Sauk Rapids, when not rendered impossible by the condition of the roads.

The agricultural report for 1880 show the following products: Wheat, 802 bushels; oats, 962 bushels; corn, 280 bushels; barley, 114 bushels; buckwheat, 64 bushels; potatoes, 570 bushels; sugar-cane, 10 gallons; cultivated hay, 47 tons; wild hay, 444 tons; wool, 46 pounds; butter, 2,325 pounds.

filled the office of Justice of the Peace for a time, and is at present Town Clerk.

JOHN A. EMMONS dates his birth in Greene county, New York, on the 26th of February, 1832. He came to Minnesota in 1857, and located in Wabasha county, which was his home several years. In 1862, enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving with Grant, Sherman, and Thomas, and when in Nashville, Tennessee, was wounded, but served to the close of the war. On his return, Mr. Emmons resided in St. Cloud for a time, and in the spring of 1866, came to this place and purchased a farm. Since 1874, he has been Postmaster at Estes Brook, until the removal of the office in 1880.

MIRON E. NORTHWAY was born on the 8th of September, 1847, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming and driving stage until 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry. After a short term of service he was discharged for disability, and in 1865, came to Rice county, Minnesota, and the fall of the following year to this township. Since his residence here Mr. Northway has filled a number of local offices. Was married on the 28th of October, 1866, to Miss Lucy Cone, who has borne him four children.

COMFORT PINKHAM, a native of Canada, was born on the 20th of July, 1831. His parents removed to Ohio when our subject was but three years old. In 1850, he came to Wisconsin, resided on a farm in Greene county seven years; then moved to Crawford county, and in 1861 enlisted in Company I, of the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served three years and eleven months, and participated in twenty-five engagements, among which were the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, second Bull Run, and Battle of the Wilderness, and on receiving his discharge, returned to Crawford county. In 1866, he came to this township which has since been his home. Has been a member of the board of Supervisors since the organization of the town, and also filled the office of County Commissioner one term. He was united in marriage with Miss A. Norton on the 24th of July, 1853. They have had five children, four of whom are living.