ing: Reson Spates, Margaret Spates, Justin Chamberlain, Maria Chamberlain, John Leason, Mary Leason, Amelia Wright, Mary F. Wright, James A. Wright, Wm. H. Wright, Beverly M. Wright, Samuel F. Hardy and Mary Hardy. Charley Spates, son of Reson Spates, was the first child born in the township. SPRING CREEK MILL. This flouring mill was built in 1856. It is a wood structure, main building two stories in height, 30x58 feet, with two wings, one 25x50, and the other 20x25. It contains three run of stone, two for wheat and one for middlings. The mill is provided with the middlings purifier system, and the motor is water. Its capacity is 65,000 bushels annually. The building is a frame structure, four stories in height, and it enjoys a water power of great natural advantages with a fall of thirty feet, confined between high and narrow bluffs that renders the location a privilege of more than ordinary worth for milling purposes. The building was put up by W. W. Phelps, and owned and operated by him for a time, when it was sold to William Featherstone, who owned it up to the time the present proprietor, M. Herschler, came in possession, 1875. COUNTY POOR FARM. The farm for the support of the poor is located in this township, about three miles from the city of Red Wing, on the Hastings and St. Paul road. It contains 183 acres. The buildings were erected in 1867, at a cost of about $6,000. A furnace for warming the apartments was constructed, costing nearly $1,000, and furniture costing not far from $3,000, was put into the house. It is now in charge of S. E. Eastlund. A large number of indigent persons, mostly aged people and children, are cared for annually. WELCH. This township, located in the extreme northern part of the county, was among the last to be secured by the early settlers. Although claims were made in 1855-6, they were soon abandoned for the deserted homesteads in the south part of the county. These opportunities were eagerly watched by the temporary pioneers of this township, and not until 1857 and '58 was a permanent settlement made. These changes ad county is in 1866, ar 29 own. Am the interes American 1. In the sent estate. clerk at the ature, and and county Letsel Henry, iom much ment of the to THENEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATION8. is township muty. It is bol son Falls tow ty. In the ently organiz Ternment town ed the usual six ificent wate perly rapids, n ne Creek fil the Little C Biler streams. ge county, Wi Sorman Danie ds. Among those of the early pioneers of this township Villiam Boothroyd, a native of England, who settled in 851, where he resided until 1858; settled in this townd on his present estate, being the largest landholder in ong those who have been most prominently identified sts of the town and county is Hon. N. C. Crandall, the resident of the township who settled in Dakota county e fall of 1869 he came to this county and settled on his Has been justice of the peace three years, and is towne present time. He represented this district in the last has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the y. Among others of the early settlers is E. W. Carver, , John Bloom, Gohcham Esta, D. O. Swanson and others, credit is due to their interest in the growth and develtownship. STANTON. p is located in the extreme northwestern portion of the >ounded on the north by Cannon River; on the east by wnship; south by Warsaw; and west by Sciota, in Dakota › early days the territory was called Prairie Creek, subnized into the township of Lillian. It is not a full-sized wnship, being only four section deep from north to south, ix sections the other way. The Cannon River affords a ater power, presenting a succession of falls, or more , not excelled by any similar stream in the Northwest. I flows through the centre of the township, and on the Cannon, and there are besides numerous springs and 3. lement was made in 1855, by a party of emigrants from Wisconsin, consisting of Wm. Stanton, sen., John Stananiels, Robert Deakin, Wm. Stanton, jr.. Samuel Daniels, and others. These men with their families located claims west corner of the township, and the settlement was in honor of the oldest cattley M W with them those habits of industry and frugality characteristic of that people. In the fall of 1855, Mr. George Gould was married to a daughter of Samuel Daniels, being the first marriage celebrated in the township. In 1856, their first child was born, being the first child born in the township. In the fall of the same year Peter Fagan, and Hugh Woden, with his father and two sisters, came to the settlement and made claims. Of the latter family, all have since died. Late in the fall of 1854, John and George Seasons, with their families, settled on the Little Cannon. Alonzo and Jonathan Dipple and William Thomas came about the same time. The wife of George Seasons died the following winter, the first death that took place in the township. At the house of William Stanton, the first religious service was held, Rev. J. W. Hancock officiating. William Cleveland taught the first school at the little village of Stanton. In 1862 Robert Deakin was elected clerk of the court, re-elected in 1866; was elected probate judge in 1864, re-elected in 1866 and in 1868. Subsequently the township was re-christened and now bears the title of Stanton. The appellation may be more appropriate in honor of the early settlers of that name, but "Lillian" is the more fluent and poetical term. CHURCHES. In the summer of 1874, the Methodists erected a very cosy and pretty church building on section 32. It is 28x44 feet and cost $2,000. Services are held quite regularly by Rev. Ezra Tucker. OXFORD METHODIST CHURCH. This church building stands on section 36. It was completed in June, 1873; size, 26x40 feet. The first sermon was preached in the new structure, Oct. 1873, by the Rev. Ezra Tucker, he supplying both churches. The township is liberally supplied with churches and schools, and well tilled farms and elegant farm houses greet the eye all over the township. OXFORD FLOURING MILL. This valuable enterprise is located on section 25, Little Cannon River. It was erected by the Archibalds & Wilcox in 1867, and put in operation in the fall of the same year. It is 30x70 feet and contains four run of stone. Its capacity is 70,000 bushels per annum. 156. Much the new enterp 1578, and is CANI red its name Stoughton. Cannon Falls, Ju The first dea and Miss Sara ents of the tow rporated Man ia claim, ne. qr. And 9, sec, 18, mery took th village prope Liam Freeborn, c is, Richard F ed by S. A. Har ober 16. 1958 |