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Home My WebLink About2021-02-09 PACKET 08.A.HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS —Washington County r 11 = Historical Society Volume 46, Issue 4 Washington County, Minnesota January 2021 The Stillwater Brick Pond and Steinacker Brickyard Stillwater's First Brick Making Business By Jerry Brosious Jerry Brosious is a former editor of the WCHS Whisperings newsletter and a frequent contributor to it. The "Brick Pond" A "brick pond " is an oxymoron, at least in the mind of a child. As a young boy growing up in Stillwater, I was in- trigued by that name, which sounded poetic, magical. That it was barely visible from the road added to the mystery. Eventually I learned why it was so named — it was the site of an early brick manufacturing business. When Stillwater's first brick -making business was opened shortly before the Civil War, there were only a few older in Minnesota. In 1859, Frederick Steinacker began a brickyard in Ramsey & Carter's Addition, east of Greeley Street and south of what is now Lily Lake Park, at the southern end of an area of ponds near Lily Lake. Early brickyard locations were chosen to have a ready source of water, necessary for the brick -making process. An academic journal assessed the quality of the clay: "Just south of Stillwater, on the shores of Lily Lake, are deposits of lake clays of a quality suitable for hard common In This Issue ... ... we bring you some great stories of early County settle- ments, contributions from our board of directors, and ... news of the organization. Executive Director's Report p. 2 Carter Dedication p. 3 Calendar of history events p. 7 Directors' Stories pp. 8-9 Grey Cloud Island settlers P. 10 00 �)1e.4 (� Thomas I 02.8$ Ito • • / tadr � • ro � homes �. •:. ��:. �.��• .� FAIRVIEW cConnell ur�y4 40 CEMETERY The Steinacker property is shown on this 1886 Stillwater plat map at the south side of a series of ponds that then connected Lily Lake and Brick Pond on the east. The road crossing the waterway at a diagonal is Greeley Street, which some sources say was bridged at this time. . red brick. They are known to be 10 feet thick over several acres. They are not convenient to any market, as no rail- road comes near and a steep hill lies between them and Stillwater. The clay is however of excellent quality. It slakes in two minutes and is very highly plastic, requiring 19 per cent of water for molding. It shrinks a little over 3 per cent on drying and has a tensile strength of nearly 100 pounds to the square inch. Burning tests at the Minnesota School of Mines experiment station (produced these statistics). " Frederick Steinacker Frederick "Fritz" Steinacker was born March 22, 1829, in Bavaria, Germany, and served for a while in the German army. In 1852, he emigrated to the United States, and BRICKYARD --CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 From the Executive erector Board & Staff Washington County It is OVER! 2020 is now hindsight — and we will move forward in 2021 ! As you have Historical Society read in previous issues, the past year with COVID has been tough on the Historical Society. All of our museums have been closed, most of our fundraisers had been can- Board celled, and revenues for the WCHS have fallen to depths we have not seen in decades. David Lindsey President We have made it through it all, and like so many other people and organizations, we will hold on as long as it takes. Ryan Collins Vice President Joe Otte Recording Secretary We are looking forward to opening our museums again — although it might not be in May as usual, but we will open sometime in 2021. This will be the 80th anniversary Tom Simonet Treasurer season for the Warden's House Museum, as it first opened to the public in 1941. Hay Myron Anderson Director Lake will again have the annual beer tasting and a special Washington County Rural Holly Fitzenberger Director School Reunion sometime in late summer or early fall. The Eder School in Oakdale Sheila Hause Director will also again be opened to the public and a root beer float event will be planned. Karlene McComb Director Dates for all of our events have not been set because of the pandemic — but watch our website, Facebook page, and the pages of the Whisperings. Angie Noyes Director The Washington County Heritage Center — Phase One — will begin this month! It Becky Piing Director has been a long road to get to this point. Your board of directors and staff have worked Michael Wilhelmi Director tirelessly to make it to this point. Greiner Construction will be doing the renovation. Bluestein Heritage Group and Spilt Rock Studios will be doing the exhibits and the Staff architects are MSR Design. The WCHS has put together a winning team, and this will Brent Peterson Executive Director be the best new Heritage Center in Minnesota when complete. Remember, this is only Position Open the first phase — we will still need support to completely finish the Center in the com- Warden's House Manager ing years. Position Open Our first event of the season will be the annual winter Ice Cream Social in Lowell Hay Lake Museum Manager Park, Stillwater, on Saturday, January 30, from noon to 4 PM. Free ice cream and a nominal fee for chili all donated by Leo's Grill & Malt Shop in Stillwater. Stop down, enjoy ice cream and embrace the winter! Chairs Position Open We would like to thank the City of Stillwater for their support of $5,000 for our Endowment Fund Chair operations in 2021 and for $10,000 for the new John Runk Exhibit in the Heritage Nancy Goodman Center. Also, we want to thank the local foundations for their continued support — for Newsletter Editor without their financial support of our operations, the WCHS would not be able to func- tion. AND a big shout -out to the members and other supporters who donated this past Historical Whisperings is year to the Heritage Center campaign and to our everyday operations. You are the published y by the Washingtonn County Historical folks who help keep our history alive! Society, PO Boa. 167, Since we are still in the throes of the pandemic, the 2021 Annual Meeting will be a Stillwater, MN 55082-0167. lot different than in the past. We will not meet and enjoy the knowledge of one of the Website: www.wchsitin.org many fine historians throughout the region. The WCHS Board of Directors will decide Phone: 651-439-5956 on what to do for the annual meeting and contact each member through the mail. For information abozzt stories Remember this is YOUR historical society. We need you to renew your member - and newsletter articles, contact ship, as it is due in January. You can fill out the form on the back of this newsletter or editor@wchsmn.org go to www.wchsmn.org and visit the membership page and renew online. Give a gift For information about events and membership or convince others to join this worthy organization. Making sure you send collections, contact in your renewal assures that the Washington County Historical Society can continue i?ijbrniation@wchsl)ii7.org with our programs, events, and the mission of your Society. To book a museum tour contact Brent T. Peterson, information@wchsmn.org or WCHS Executive Director phone 651-439-5956 2 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS News of WCHS ... January Ice Cream Social Join the Washington County Historical So- ciety and other fans of winter on Saturday, January 30, 2021, noon to 4 PM, in Stillwa- ter's Lowell Park at Mulberry Point for eve- ryone's favorite inappropriate winter event —the Winter Ice Cream Social! This is an outdoor event but guests will be re- quired to practice social distancing and wear their masks (except while slurping ice cream). In addition to FREE ice cream, there will be cups of chili available at a nominal fee, sponsored by Leo's Grill and Malt Shop. All proceeds and donations benefit the Washington County Historical Society. Annual Meeting Cancelled We can't have our usual gathering this March, so er will find another way to inform the membership what is going on and to vote for members of the board of directors. An annual report will be issued in April. For more information please call 612-439-5956 or email brent.peterson @wchsmn.org Board Memberships Voting will be done by ballot on three board memberships that expire this March. The board members holding these seats are David Lindsey, current board President; Tom Simonet, current Treasurer; and Sheila Hause. All have indicated that they will rerun. If you or someone you know would like to run for the board of directors and get your name on the ballot, please con- tact Brent Peterson at 612-439-5956 or email brent.peterson@wchsmn.org. Watch our website wchsmn.org and Facebook page for updated information James Carter Gravesite Dedication Washington County community members came together October 28 at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater to honor the life of Jim Carter, a former slave who died in Stillwater in 1913, and to dedicate his gravesite. (For more on the life of James Carter, see the July and October 2020 issues of Historical Whisperings.) The dedication ceremony October 28 was led by the Washington County Historical Society and attended by members of the Minnesota National Guard, Stillwater mayor Ted Koslowski, Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel, and US Congresswoman Betty McCollum. Alix Cogan, an intern in 2019 at the Warden's House in Stillwater, said she noticed Carter's portrait while giving tours and wanted to learn more about him. Cogan decided to visit his grave at Fair- view Cemetery one day, but couldn't find it. That's when she realized Carter had never been given a proper headstone. She mobilized other members of the society and local businesses to get the gravestone made for Jim Carter and his wife, Anna. Cogan is a history major at the University of St. Thomas. At his original funeral Carter was given military honors and a volley shot over his grave site. No headstone was laid until the Washington County Historical Society members found out and, with the help of Fairview Cemetery, placed the stone at his and his wife's grave last month. Tom Simonet, WCHS treasurer, was master of ceremonies at the event, which saw a crowd of about 40 people. Stillwater resident and diversity speaker Tony Carr (above) gave a few remarks. The Minnesota National Guard Honor Guard gave Carter a special salute with a rifle volley and military honors at the gravesite (below). It was a tribute to his service at the armory, even though he never served in the armed forces himself. Also attending the rededication ceremony were Minnesota Guard Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Lt. Col. Eduardo Suarez, and Brig. Gen. Sandy Best, the special assistant to the chief, National Guard Bureau. JANUARY 2021 3 BRICKYARD —CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 over the next four years worked in a number of locations: New York, Virginia, Ohio (where he learned brick -making), and then St. Louis, New Orleans, and Memphis (where he worked for the Little Rock Railroad). In 1856, he settled in Stillwater. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany B of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Steinacker returned home in 1863 and in 1865 married Magdalena Stoltz. They were members of Stillwater's German Catholic Congregation —Immaculate Conception, later called St. permanent separation from Lily Lake. Warner & Foote's 1881 history reported that in the six years at the new location, business increased to annual produc- tion of at least 500,000 brick, employing an average of eight men. By 1880 between 800,000 and 900,000 brick were pro- duced with fourteen men employed. The Stillwater Messenger of May 14, 1881, reported that "Steinacker started the fire in his first kiln of brick this season last Saturday, and he will have some 80,000 ready for delivery by the 23rd, of which B. McSweeney will receive 40,000." Mary'S. Most of the digging for clay was probably done on the Making Bricks west side of the pond, a bit south of where the Victoria Villas apartments are now located. This area was the Scullen farm in What are the basics of brick -making? Indispensable of the 1950s-1960s, and, indeed, Mike and Dorothy Scullen's course is clay and the quality of the brick depended on the type property was the former Steinacker residence and brickyard. A of clay used as well as the entire process. In the 19th century, 40-foot deep area on the west side of the pond, about midway, the ideal location was a source of clay that was near a water is thought to be the result of mining. People were fearful of source, as well as for sand. Steinacker's swimming in that area of the brickyard had all of these at hand. BRKW8 s BRICKS pond. When the new Stillwater The clay was dug (mined) and then I High School (now Junior High) brought to a mixer, where the right portions Extra Qvibl Cbft! for Ca&) was built around 1960, culverts of water and sand were added to the clay. �`REDERICK STELIAYZR b" a t1W � were installed for drainage into The clay, water, and sand were thrown into a the ponds, which resulted in shallow circular pit. Vince Godon of NMW BRIE higher water levels. mnbricks.com notes; "A pole with a wheel was anchored to a on NO Vkh Lke, to Hatcombels AddMm br oale. 401m. pivot in the middle of the pit, while the other end was attached to a horse. As the horse walked in a circle around the edge of the pit, the wheel would mix the batter into the correct con- sistency for a good `mud'. " The damp mixture was placed in brick molds which were anywhere from one to eight molds per individual tray, then placed in drying sheds or on the ground. The final process was placement of the individual molded clays in the kiln. These were fired at high temperatures for a period between one to three days, when the bricks were ready for use and sale. In the early years of the brickyard's operation, three to four men were employed and produced 200,000 brick annual- ly. By 1875, the business needed more land and Steinacker purchased ten acres a very short distance to the north, also in this stretch of ponds. The Steinacker home was located on the site of the business, and the driveway remains to this day at Victoria Villas Apartments. Warner & Foote's 1881 history describes the property as being at the lower end of Sunfish Lake. (Sunfish Lake was the earlier name for the present Lily Lake.) The 1886 plat map (see page 1) shows the lake and ponds area as a continuous body of water, which would mean covering the lowest point on Greeley Street around today's entrance to Lily Lake Park. Some Stillwater old-timers have said they heard there was a bridge over the lowest part of Greeley Street. Later, when sew- er lines were installed, the area was filled in to create a IZ3.03 Tho Thomcrs Afro eireeyZZ, ♦ar�,�,a RI( ir w,,,, �u ells„ ArUcv,r R8 4.0Y This 1901 Stillwater plat shows the brickyard, now zinder the name of M. Mueller (Muller). The brick pond does not show, perhaps because it is contained in private properly. 4 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Fritz Steinacker's Civil War Service When the Civil War broke out in April of 1861 and President Lincoln called for a regiment from each state, Minnesota was the first to respond within days. The twenty -three -year -old Stillwater brickmaker, "Fritz" Steinacker, enlisted in Stillwater's Company B, orga- nized on April 29. Only a few months later, there was an alarming item in the local Stillwater Messenger (Aug. 6, 1861): "All of Company B are now known to be safe —either here or in Alexandria ---except Corporal Wm. Pierson, Charles Tanner, Frederick Stienacker (sic) and Henry Krone. These four brave men are among the missing, whether `gone to their long home' or whether they are prisoners in the hands of an unscrupulous enemy, we Mrs. Steinacker Takes Over Frederick Steinacker died in Stillwater April 18, 1882, after a brief illness; he was only in his mid -fifties. The Stillwa- ter Messenger reported that "his comrades of the Grand Army and nine of his comrades in Company B, first Minnesota regi- ment" attended the funeral. The following year the brick works was thriving. In July 1883, the Messenger noted: "Mrs. Steinacker, at her brickyard near Lily Lake, is manufac- luring between 4000 and 5000 pressed brick daily. These brick are equal in color, solidity and finish to the famous St. Louis pressed brick. St. Paul parties stand ready to take the entire product of her kiln. " The following year, son Joseph Steinacker's name ap- peared on advertisements for the yard. Two years after Frederick's death, the widowed Magdale- na ("Lena") married William Muller (sometimes spelled Mueller, sometimes mistakenly shown as Miller). Born in Datteln, Westphalia, Prussia (now Germany) in 1833, Mul- ler was in Stillwater by 1857 and became a prominent car- riage and wagon builder. With his marriage to Lena Steinacker in 1884, he went out of that business and be- came proprietor of the brick- yard. A business profile in the 1887 city directory describes its product: William Muller cannot tell, yet we almost hope the former. Stienacker is said to have been seen near Fairfax; if so he is probably safe." Although Steinacker was not killed or held prison- er, he was home a year and a half later on a medical discharge. The Messenger (Jan 27, 1863) announced: "HOME FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT. Mr. F. Steinacker of Company B, First Regiment, returned home a few days ago having been discharged on ac- count of illness --not being able to do duty since the Ball's Bluff Battle. Yesterday two other members -- Harlow McIntire and Wm. F. Schraeder, returned, hav- ing been discharged on account of inability." Joseph and Albert Steinacker apparently later had a hand in running the brickyard. The sons of Fred and Lena are shown below in a 1904 photograph of the St. Joseph's Socie- ty from St. Marys Church in Stillwater..... "The peculiar quality of clay necessary to produce brick is not wanting here and those made by Miller [sic] are equal to the famous Menomonie article. They are of a bright red color and are very durable. The large amount of extra hard binned brick used in building the big sewer was fr.trnished by this yard as well as those for the construction of many fine business blocks and residences. The present capacity of the yard is 3 0, 000 brick per da}; or about 2,500, 000 during the season. The works employ about thirty men. " In addition to these facts, the Minneapolis Tribune in 1887 reported the use of six or seven teams of horses at the brick- yard. CONTINUED NEXT PAGE JANUARY 2021 5 CONTINUED Accidental igniting of kiln roofs was not uncommon. In 1886, the St. Paul Daily Globe reported that "the fire depart- ment was called to Lily Lake last evening about 7 o'clock by the burning of the roof on a kiln of brick in Miller's (sic) yard." In 1889 the Messenger could note that: "There was manrfactured during the past year at the brick yard 1,400, 000 of common, veneering and sewer brick, some- what over half the number called for by the trade in 1887. The average number, manufactured with a crew of twenty-two men, was 20, 000 per day. " JOSEPH STEINACHER, Advertisements ` for the brick- pant and Common yard shoe,,ing it run bl, Joseph and Albert Steinacker. - Yard on South Greeley, ne90rleana St. THE LILY LAKE BRICK YARC)9 ;AJ6 - 4 EINACKER• Prop., Al ,(- OMMON BRICK-�4 .ra o„1•,.. ,.��rni ,lor,ara 1.,. rrl....1,.�, STILLWATER. NIINN. 1316 S. 6RE ELE Y. On March 17, 1889, William Muller died at the age of 56. Subsequent city directory listings show Magadalena as pro- prietor of the brickyard. The official catalog of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago shows that "M. Mueller, Stillwater, Brick (red) and clay," was an exhibi- tor! By the time of the 1900-01 directory, son Albert Stein- acker is shown as proprietor of the Lily Lake Brick Yard, maker of common brick (no mention of pressed brick). Magda- lena Stoltz Steinacker Muller died in Stillwater on November 13, 1908 at the home of her daughter Theresa Seiberlich, 715 S. 7th Street. Sometune before 1909, the half -century -old Steinacker- Muller brickyard ceased operation. Albert Steinacker became the owner of a new brick -making business in Park Falls, Wis- consin, where he remained for the rest of his life. 77te brickpond around 1960 as seen fr•oin the former brick- yard, i ,hen Mike and Dorothy Scullen owned the properly. (His name was Myron, but all knew him as "Mike. " He m ned the Home Dairy dislribuling business in Stillwater. Do you remember it?) A couple of newspaper items add color, albeit dark, to the story of the brickyard. "Christian Wendt, a married man 27 years old, was drowned soon after noon Monday in a pond at the rear of Muller's Lily Lake brick yard while bathing with two fellow workmen employed at the yard. Wendt was unable to swim, and slipping into a hole beyond his depth, strangled and sank. Efforts of his companions to effect a rescue proved fruitless and they were at length obliged to abandon him in order to save themselves. The body was afterward recovered. Wendt's home is at Lewiston, Winona County, where he leaves a widow and two children." Stllwater Messenger, July 14, 1888 "Mrs. William Miller (sic), a widow living near the Lily Lake brick yards, on the western outskirts of the city, received a visit Tuesday night from a burglarious stranger, who suddenly appeared at her bed and threatened her life if she did not re- veal where her money was kept. He followed his threat by choking Mrs. Miller, who managed to strike a call bell on the stand close to the bed, the ring arousing her young son, at whose approach the robber ran and disappeared. Mrs. Miller had in the safe $200, which had been collected from various parties about the city during the day." St. Paul Daily Globe. July 4, 1889 6 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS "A Walk Around the Bloch" ® by Spike Carlsen "A Walk Around the Block: Stoplight Secrets, Mischievous Squirrels, Manhole Mysteries & Other Stuff You See Every Day (and Know Nothing About)" is a fun read from Stillwater author Spike Carlsen. This new book by Spike Carlsen answers your questions about the mundane, everyday things in our world. Where does electricity come from? What happens to our trash and recyclables when they leave our curb? How is our water cleaned? Carlsen observes the tails of squirrels closely, contemplates the shapes of road signs, and reveals the history of front porches. While there are plenty of facts, statistics, and cultural histories in the book, anecdotes about the people Carlsen meets along the way become unforgettable. Spike Carlsen is an editor, author, carpenter, and woodworker who's been immersed in the world of wood and woodworking for 30 years. He is former executive editor of Family Handyman maga- zine, where he wrote hundreds of articles on home improvement and woodworking, and oversaw the creation of the Readers Digest Complete Do It -Yourself Manual. He's made appearances on the CBS Early Show, HGTV, and Modern Marvels. Prior to becoming an editor, Spike worked as a carpenter for 15 years and ran his own construction and remodeling company. He and his wife Kat have five children Available at your favorite and live in historic Stillwater, Minnesota. In his spare time he enjoys biking, wood- bookstore, at Amazon, and as working, and working with the staff and students at Bomalang'ombe Secondary a kindle book.. School in Tanzania on establishing a tree farm and other projects. WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY Calendar of Events Note: Most previously scheduled events have been cancelled or postponed by all Washington County history organizations for the foreseeable future. This includes even many outdoor events. Listed here are the events we know of. Please contact the sponsoring organization for updated information about these events. Remember, any event may change or be cancelled due to virus concerns. South Washington Heritage Society (SWHS) 651-459- 7950—no meetings until further notice; Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) 651-439-5956, Denmark Town- ship Historical Society (DTHS) 651-366-9853; Gam- melgarden 651-433-5034, Afton Historical Society 651- 436-3500; Historic Courthouse 651-275-7075. Saturdays —Guided tours of Historic Courthouse at 1 Pm by reservation only; no large tours. Historic Courthouse, Stillwater. Call 651-275-7075 to reserve. Thursdays, Fridays &Saturdays—Scandia Butik Gift Shop open by appointment only at 10 AM, noon, and 2 Pm. and on Sundays noon and 2 PM for individuals and groups of up to 4 people; Masks required. Call 651-433-5034 or email butic@gammelgardenmuseum.org. January 30 Saturday—WCHS Ice Cream Social, Lowell Park Mulberry Point, Stillwater, noon-4 PM. Free coffee, root beer and ice cream. Fun for all! Kids line up for ice cream cones at the 1916 ke Cream Social. JANUARY 2021 7 Meet Your Board of Directors We've asked the directors to share some of their reasons for be- coming involved with the Washington County Historical Society and their goals for the future. From time to time we will run these stories so you can get to know these dedicated people better. Ryan Collins Greetings! My name is Ryan Collins; I am the current Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Washington County Historical Society. my students. It also allows me to demonstrate that we are all lifelong learners. I first got on the Board in 2005 I am a 6th-grade Minnesota Studies was looking for a way to give back to teacher at Mahtomedi Middle School. This is my 20th year as a middle school educator. I love teaching, as it is a way for me to get our next generation excit- ed about the past. I have been teaching about Minnesota for the past seven years. My favorite thing about it is that I can teach them about what is found outside their front door. My favorite units to teach about are the fur trade, the U.S. - Dakota War, and the lumber industry. Living in Stillwater, I am able to make the connection for my students that something important happened here that helped to pave the way for Minnesota to become a state, as the territorial convention happened in downtown Stillwater. I always enjoy learning new things about the St. Croix Valley and Wash- ington County that I can pass along to the community. Having the history education background, it made sense to me that I could practice what I preach and give back to the community while supporting the preservation of our county's past. I served until 2008, when my wife and I started a family. In 2014, there was a vacancy on the Board so I applied and was brought back in. I have been here ever since. This really is an exciting time for Washington County. WCHS has been working hard to make our dream of a Washington County Heritage Center a reality. I cannot wait for the opportuni- ty for my students to have the ability to visit the center to learn more about the rich history of Washington County. I am proud to work with a dedicat- ed group of board members and staff who are working to make this happen, and appreciate the members and their support. We cannot do our work without the support of the mem- bership. I have always believed in the im- portance of giving back to one's com- munity. That is why I got involved in WCHS and currently serve the City of Stillwater as a city council member. When I have some free time I have also been working on my genealogy, re- searching the Collins family. Three years ago, I traveled to Laragh, County Sligo, Ireland, and walked the property that was once that of my great -great grandparents. It was an amazing expe- rience and a reminder that history is indeed a story, and I was able to add to the story of my past by visiting the homeland of my ancestors. Whether it is my personal or pro- fessional life, history is an important part of it and I am honored to serve the residents of Washington County on the Board of Directors of the Washington County Historical Society. Remember, Your Membership Is Due January 1 This year, more than ever, the Washington County Historical Society needs your support! Please be sure to renew your membership as soon as possible. This is an ideal time to upgrade your membership to a Patron or Sustaining Membership, to give a gift membership, and/or to add a donation to your membership check. There is a convenient Membership Application blank on the back page of this issue. Thanks to everyone for your support! 8 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Sheila Haase Hi! My name is Sheila Hause. I am a board member of the Washington County Historical Society and a board member of the Woodbury Heritage Society. Although I grew up in North St. Paul, I have lived in Stillwater for 30 years. I have two family ties from Washing- ton County: I am a descendant of the Bonse Family, which has deep roots in Stillwater. My maternal great -great grandfather, Ber- nard Bonse, was the proprietor of The Union House/Northwestern Hotel, lo- cated in Stillwater. My great-grand- father, John Bonse, worked at a log- ging camp as a cook, and then later as a streetcar conductor for Stillwater and then for St. Paul. I still have his rock- ing chair with the back slats faded showing the years of wear of his uni- form belt, and the two tacks under the armrests where he had his sandpa- per to strike his match for his pipe. I am also a descend- ant of one of Woodbury's earliest families, Freder- ick and Sophia Raths. They would be my pater- nal great -great grandparents. they purchased a farm locate is now Marsh Creek. The sm section, built in 1870, was ai meat to the original log hou, now what sits on the corner i Road and Radio Drive. This known as the Heritage Hous little white house." My great-grandparents 1 another home on Bailey Roa my grandparents would later :1um many years (and where my dad grew up). This farm is still standing today and now functions as a business for painted horses. I can remember going out to "the farm" with my dad when he would need to help with chores. I still can hear the whispers of the pine trees situated between the farmhouse and the little yellow house next door that my Grandma (Frances Bonse grandpa passed away. There were no housing developments just wide-open farm fields in every direction. I remember when the new Bailey Road was put in and playing in the trees left standing between the "old" and the "new" Bailey Road with my sister and cousins and picking fresh asparagus in the ditch in front of the farmhouse (I didn't even LIKE aspara- gus back then!). It does not seem that long ago. Mostly I am sad to see the old farmhouses and barns slowly dis- appearing as this is such a rich part of our history. I so enjoy hearing my dad tell sto- rics of his childhood memories, such as threshing time and silo filling, or his first car. Yes, even the stories of "brotherly and sisterly love": when he and his brother were helping to teach their younger sister how to ride a bike by pushing her down the hill and yell- Jal, pedal" as she ran into the silo, or the time my uncle threw a pitch fork and it landed in my dad's leg, or when the kids brought their pony into the kitchen just to hear their Mom yell! I am sure grand- ma and grandpa had their moments with three very outgoing children! children will be able to it children the rich family enjoyed having. ' these family pictures that -tions to Stillwater and left, her great -great grand- Bonse. At left, the North- n Stillwater of which he 'or. Above, the Raths' farm in Woodbury. JANUARY 2021 9 HISTORIC WASHINGTON COUNTY First County Settlement on Grey Cloud Island By Nancy Goodman In 1836, when Wisconsin became a Territory, it included the unorganized land of the old Northwest Territory up to the Mississippi River. The land between the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers was still Indian Territory. No settlers were allowed in the area that now includes Washington County. Only licensed traders were allowed to set up posts in this area. Lumbering interests put pressure on the U.S. govern- ment to purchase the pine lands of the St. Croix. So in July of 1837, Governor Henry Dodge of Wisconsin Territory met with the Ojibwe at Fort Snelling, where a treaty was signed ceding the Ojibwe lands to the U.S. Another treaty was signed that September in Washington D.C. with the Dakota, who had claimed the lands now included in Wash- ington County. The treaties were ratified in 1838. The few Dakota living in the area were required to move. The village of Medicine Bottle on Grey Cloud Island, the only Dakota village in what is now the county, moved across the river to the unceded lands of Iowa Territory now known as Dakota County, First Settlers Were Traders Among those ready to take up residence in the newly opened land were Hazen Mooers and his son-in-law, An- drew Robertson. These men had been operating a trading post for the American Fur Company on the Minnesota River, but after a bad winter's trade they decided to move to the ceded land. Dr. Thomas Williamson, missionary at Lac qui Parle, noted: "Mr. Moore [sic] has abandoned his houses and expects to leave the Indian trade and engage in some other more lucrative business." Mooers had been employed originally by James Aird at Prairie du Chien and had married Aird's daughter Margaret, or Marpiyarotawin (Grey Cloud Woman), whose mother, a sister of Wabasha, was also named Marpiyarotawin. Grey Cloud Woman had a daughter Jane by an earlier marriage, who married Andrew Robertson. The site Mooers and Robertson selected was Grey Cloud Island on the Mississippi, a place where Mooers had had a trading house in earlier years. In 1838, they moved r � Itn6lnfon'!••. t WAS 11aew,.cn .no --�► IINdldrw mm. VO.W 11l7111 ' r 4 `, it // p Grey Cloud yI,, Island after ",,,,.,'„•' ��- the 1837 llt y hj Treaties Ihgr4/,�1j \\IN„ �. C Mawn's Frm 4183 alms' i + 'v4a/ff/rll R�/ ` r ♦ r ♦ ♦ • ♦ + r their families and trade goods into three bark lodges left by Medicine Bottle's people on the northwestern end of the island when that band moved across to the Pine Bend. Rob- ertson soon named the island Grey Cloud after his mother- in-law. Joseph R. Brown, another American Fur Company trad- er whose post had been at Lake Traverse, also moved to the western part of the island to a site called Chanwakan (Medi- cine Wood). Brown brought his new "femme" Susan Frenier and their baby daughter Lydia Ann — their son Angus was born on the island in Au- gust — to the southern shore of the island where a log house or ---� had been erected by the Fur ► Company the summer before as a trading house. This house was located about 250 feet back from the Mississippi Riv- er, about a mile downstream Above: Joseph R. Brown; from Medicine Bottle's new Left: Andrew Robertson village on the opposite shore. Accompanying Brown to the island were James Clewet, Marcel Courturier, Joseph Bour- cier (Brown's chief boatman), and Pierre Felix. All had been long in the employ for the Fur Company. They built their cabins close by Brown's. Also with the Brown household were Winona Craw- ford, Susan's mother, her son Gabriel Renville, her baby Francois (later known as Charlie Crawford) and her new husband Akipa (Meeting), who was a full -blood Wahpeton and relative of Tankamani (Big Walker). 10 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Opening Up Farms The new "more lucrative" business all of the above had selected was farming. Mooers and Robertson soon built two log houses with stone chimneys near the river, and at first they farmed a part of the gardens and cornfields formerly cultivated by the Indians. They raised corn, potatoes and vegetables to sell at Fort Snelling. Their first crop of wheat was planted in 1839. Eventually they specialized in blooded stock and hogs and did some dairying, shipping their pro- duce, hogs, cattle, butter, and cheese to St. Louis by steamboat. Brown followed much the same pattern, grazing cattle in the marshlands near Baldwin Lake.. He also opened a store well - stocked with goods suitable to the Indian trade, had a sideline of selling wood and produce to the steamboats, and "kept tavern." Akipa, who said he did not like Akipa (drawing front T. Hughes, Indian Chiefs) Membership Report The Washington County Historical Society welcomes new and renewing annual members listed here. Thanks to every- one for your support. And special thanks to those of you who added a donation to your membership check. WCHS truly appreciates your support. To check on your membership sta- tus call 651-439-5956 or email information@wchsmn.org New and Renewina Sustaining Members Richard Johnson * Ted Kozlowski New and Renewine Patron Members Bruce Law * Don Lee * Michael Schmulske * Michael Wilhelmi New and Renewing Annual Members Allen Co. Library * Bruce Beutel * Ron & Muriel Carlson * Jim Cox * Marcia DeWolf * Sam Divita Glenys Dolan * Leslie Dorendorf * Wendell & Sue Fletcher * Lon Hembree * Donald Hovland * Sue Johnson * Beth Juran * Liberty * LeRoy & Sharon Looser * Doug & Mary Louise Menikheim * Patricia Mooney * Dan Parnell * Sharon Peterson * Elizabeth Sepesy * Patrick Shannon * Edna Siniff * Mary Speth Mary Stevens * Sue Steinwall * Jon & Candy Severson * Audrey Thueson-Radke * Renee Valois white men or their ways, actually did become a farmer and sold milk at Fort Snelling. Over the next years many other settlers joined these first ones and the island community grew. Many of these new- comers were former fur company employees and some were discharged soldiers from Fort Snelling. In 1841 Brown re- cruited David Hone, a timber cruiser for the Marine Mills Company, to ran his farm while Brown, who had been elected a representative to the Wisconsin Territorial Legis- lature, was in Madison. Hone soon left to become a founder of Point Douglas. Woodbury pioneer Alexander McHattie lived on the island for a while, as did James Norris, the first permanent settler in Cottage Grove, who arrived in the area as a clerk employed by Mooers and Robertson. More information on these families is available in Douglas A. Birk, Grey Cloud: An Archaeological Approach- John H. Case, "Historical Notes of Grey Cloud Island and Its Vicinity," available as a pdf from National Archives online-, Thomas A. Robertson, "Reminiscences," manuscript in MNHS and online. Do You Have a 9-� I Story? The Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley (Little Falls, Minnesota) is collecting stories for the Post-9-11 Project, a statewide initiative to commem- orate the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. The goal of the project is to look at the impact of the horrific events of that day through a Minnesota lens. What was your or your family's response to the attacks? Do you know someone who served in the Global War on Terror? Did your community hold any commemorative events? You can share your personal story on the Military Museum website at www.mnmilitarymuseum.org/ ex- hibits/test-gallery/share-your-story or send it to WCHS at PO Box 167, Stillwater, MN 55082. WCHS Facilities Are Closed Indefinitely The Washington County Historical Society has closed its museums, heritage center and research center until further notice. Research facilities may be opened by reservation. Emails and phone messages will still be answered. Keep an eye on our website at www.wchsmn.org and our Facebook page for updated information JANUARY 2021 11 DATED MATERIAL WAMMON (OUNTU *TAHL �001TV Box 167 Stillwater, MN 55082 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Contact Us To receive this newsletter by U.S. Mail or Email, or for information about the Washington County Historical Society, contact us at 651-439-5956 or email information@wchsmn.org On the web at www.wchsmn.org i MEMBERSHIP APPPL>ICATION or RENEWAL I Washington County Historical Society I I I 1 Name I I Address I City, State, Zip 1 1 Telephone eIndicate preferred type of membership _Annual Individual ($25) I —Annual Senior Citizen/Student ($15) 1 1t —Annual Family ($35) —Annual Patron ($75) _Annual Sustaining ($125) 1 —Life ($1,000) I 1 Additional donations are welcome and needed. 1 Volunteer help is also needed (check here or call). 1 Detach and mail to: WCHS Memberships PO Box 167, Stillwater MN 55082 1 Membership includes subscription to Historical Whisperings. ------------------------- Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 224 Stillwater, MN 55082 "#000002 000005 *"#ALL FOR AADC 550 COTTAGE GROVE HPC CITY OFFICE 12800 RAVINE PKWY COTTAGE GROVE, MNI 55016-6103 ii�ll�ll� a �lllll�1elll�llll'��ill�llll�i�llli�l�lllllll��ll�� Our Mission The Washington County Historical Society collects, preserves, and disseminates the history of Washington County and the State of Minnesota. WCHS programs include book publication, speakers and workshops, historical reenactments, vintage base ball, school programs, exhibits, print and electronic newsletters, historical markers, and a history website (www.wchsmn.org) with links to other history organizations. Our goal is to provide an oppor- tunity for all county citizens to learn about and enjoy our area's history and to build a sense of community heritage. The Washington County Historical Society is uniquely situated to document early Minnesota history and to tell the story of immigrants from the eastern United States and Europe who settled the region in the mid -nineteenth century. The county's geographic connections to the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers place the county at the forefront of settlement and the estab- lishment of the territory and state. For this reason we have chosen our motto, Gateway to Minnesota History 12 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS