CATHOLIC CHURCH. Father McMahon preached the first sermon about 1856. The church was organized in June, 1864, with five members. The corner stone of the church was laid that year, but it was not completed until June, 1866. It is a stone structure of about 25x40. Father Carey, pastor. We are indebted to Mrs. Anna Hartery for this sketch, as no one else could be found to give any information. SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, OF CANNON FALLS, This meeting was held in a frame house of Andrew Swanson, where The trustees elected at this meeting were: Andrew Swanson, Nels Hawkinson and Jonas Engberg. Engberg was also treasurer. A resolution to build a church was car. ried, and subscriptions to the amount of $465 was raised. At a meeting held June 8, 1857, they arranged plans to build a frame church, 30x40, eighteen feet high, with tower. Andrew Lindstrom laid the foundation in June, 1857, but the church was never completed. This congregation, in 1862, built a church in the township on section 3, 20x26, which was used until the summer of 1878, when they built a frame church on section 1, 36x60, with tower, at an estimated cost of $4,000. A. Wahlin is the pastor. A story is related by Mr. G. Westman that during the year 1858 they were to have the Lord's supper administered, and a collection was taken up and a bottle of wine procured. On the morning of that eventful Sabbath the wine was to be brought from the south side of the Little Cannon to the north side. The river being high, the seven members residing on the south side were to be taken over in a skiff, as well as the wine. When they reached the middle of the stream the boat was upset. With the assistance of the people on either shore they were all saved, except old Mrs. Angberg, who was found several months after eight or nine miles down the stream. It is needless to say the wine was lost. This abure! ST. ANSGAR'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. August 15 1960 at the P. A. Ced Matson, Wedesti 3. C. Jack Widholm. The trustees v At a meeting th. This st spring of 1 en built in The present tr ast Johnson The deacons J. Johns Lawson. membership C. Wald, su BIOGRAPHICAL. : emigrated Douglas count Organized Jun 460, at whic ars in each mor the north side The charter me then N. Casy, cers: John ten N. Care Present officer vard McKenzi lerstam. First members: G. Westman, A. P. Johnson, Gustof Bergman, Magnus Anderson, John Anderson, rom, John Beck, Otto Johnson, A. W. Carlson, Lewis son, C. P. Swanson, John Moline, Gustof Thumberg and were G. Westman, A. P. Johnson and John Matson. held February 17, 1872, it was resolved to build a frame structure is 34x50, 18 feet posts. It was commenced in 1872, and completed the same year. Its cost with the n 1874, including furniture, was $3,000. trustees are: J. Danielson, A. A. Beaurlin, C. P. Swenson, on and Abraham Moline. were: A. P. Benson, G. Westman, S. A. Renquest, C. son, John Nelson, Swan Nelson, Peter Shallgreen and John Donaldson, treasurer, and G. Westman, secretary. ip is 300. Average attendance at Sabbath School fifty, superintendent. -Rev. A. Wahlin was born in Sweden, September 20, ed to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1868. In 1870 he moved nty, Minn., and came to Cannon Falls June 15, 1876. SECRET SOCIETIES. ORIENTAL LODGE no. 31, a. f. and a. M. une 26, 1860. Worked under dispensation until October ich time received charter. Meets first and third Saturonth. In 1861, they purchased two lots and a building de of Little Cannon River, which was fitted up for a lodge members were: Joseph E. Chapman, John L. Armington, y, William H. Mosier, Samuel Finney and Ralph Tanner. n L. Armington, W. M.; Joseph E. Chapman, S. W.; rey, J. W.; William H. Mosier, Treas.; Samuel Finney, ers: Andrew McKenzie, W. M.; Norman Daniels, S. W.; ALLEGHANY LODGE NO. 33-I. o. 0. F. Organized Jany. 3, 1872. Charter members: M. E. Henderson, J. W. Newell, George McKenzie, J. W. Neff and E. L. Clark. Officers: M. E. Henderson, N. G.; J. W. Newell, V. G.; E. L. Clark, secy.; G. W. Neff, treas. At the time of organization there were thirteen initiations. There are now sixty members. Meet Friday of each week. Present officers: E. W. Newell, N. G.; Cris. Doner, V. G.; E. L. Clark, secy.; Edward Harnish, treas. Assets amount to the sum of $1,000. VALLEY ENCAMPMENT NO. 11. Organized April 3, 1873. Charter members: M. E. Henderson, Lyman K. Ayrault, Warren Gilchrist, Geo. Manning, G. W. Neff, E. L. Clark and L. White. Officers: M. E. Henderson, C. P.; Lyman K. Ayrault, H. P.; Geo. Manning, S. W.; Orrin Gilchrist, J. W.; E. L. Clark, Scribe; G. W. Neff, Treas. At this meeting there were five initiations. Present membership, twenty-three. Present officers: G. W. Neff, C. P.; S. L. Dorman, H. P.; Cris. Doner, S, W.; Mathew Laner, S. W.; E. L. Clark, Scribe and Treas. MUTUAL LODGE NO. 40—a. O. U. W. Organized January 30, 1878. Charter members: S. Higham, G. A. Follett, G. H. Cross, S. Hanson, William Smith, H. H. Manning, Myron D. Gibbs, O. T. Jones, W. H. Scofield, C. E. Daniels, J. L. Scofield, E. Holden and A. L. Cawley. Officers: G. H. Cross, M. W.; Levi Manning, recorder. CANNON FALLS LODGE NO. 253-p. of H. Meets on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. D. Valentine W. M.; Geo. H. Brooks, secretary. PRAIRIE FLOWER Lodge No. 169-I. O. G. T. Organized March 2, 1875, with fifteen charter members. M. McKay, W. C. T.; Ida Mallett, W. V. T.; Adelia Stranahan, secretary; Miss Hattie Copeland, treasurer. Present officers: Jacob Fraley, W. C. T.; Miss Hattie Copeland, W. V. T.; E. L. Clark, secretary, and Miss Minnie Clifford, treasurer. Present membership, thirty-five. Meets on Monday of each week. SCANDINAVIAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, nan, president; Haagen Thompson, vice-president; L. tary; John Mattson, treasurer. in Danielson, C. G. Rydell, and P. Flygare. Meet first month. Admission fee was $2, but was reduced to fifty to twenty-five cents. ers: G. Westman, president; C. P. Swanson, vice-presieterson, secretary; and John Danielson, treasurer; J. es Lund, and Swan Hanson, trustees. ber of members, forty-five. POST OFFICE. in 1855. The following persons have been postmasters: zie, Eli Ellsworth, George L. Baker, A. J. Phelps, J. E. . Barlow, and W. H. Scofield. The last appointed March money order system was established August 8, 1871. f money orders issued, 7,198. HOTELS. FALLS HOUSE. ks, in the fall of 1854, built a log hotel 16x24, giving it he Falls House, and sold it to Andras Durand, in April, It an addition, 16x24, April, 1855. These buildings were ere the hotel now stands. In the fall of 1856, a part t house was built, being 30x40, two stories. In the 8, it was sold to Edward J. Turner, who rented it to ampen, who was its proprietor for ten years. Subwas rented to Col. Williams, Sole Slosson, John English Sept. 18, 1871, D. L. Davis took charge of it, he hav1 the property as early as Sept. 19, 1866. In the fall of s sold it to Peter Gravlin, who kept the house until 1875, is again came in possession of the house, and has since ietor. He has refitted the building, and in the spring of ■addition, 14x22 feet. EXCHANGE HOUSE. was built by Peter Gravlin and Christopher Benway, in House." They sold out to John Williams, in 1874, and he to Helstrum and Riddell. David Platt, in June, 1875, bought it and changed the name as above. He is the present proprietor. poor, Matts tes of the pe mas, Swan P Previous to thi NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS. 66 CANNON FALLS BEACON." The The editors and proprietors of the "Cannon Falls Beacon" are O. T. Jones and L. C. McKenney. The enterprise was the outgrowth of the "Cannon Falls Gazette." The editor and proprietor of the "Gazette " in its day and generation, was R. M. Hamline, who started it in July, 1856. It was carried on by that gentleman for a period of about fifteen months, when it was sold to Mr. Hatch, who kept it agoing about one year, and then he disposed of the property to Hoag Bros. For luck they changed its name and styled it the "Cannon Falls Bulletin." career of the "Bulletin " was brief but brilliant. At the end of one year it pulled up stakes and marched off to Northfield, to greener fields and pastures new, leaving Cannon Falls without a paper from that time until June, 1874, when Mr. Bromwick started the "Echo." journal continued to echo a year and then succumbed to the force of circumstances, leaving the town again without a paper, until August 4, 1876, when John A. Leonard started the "Cannon Falls Beacon," which he continued until July 6, 1877, when he sold to O. T. Jones and C. A. Cook. April 5, 1878, Mr. Jones purchased Mr. Cook's interest. May 27, 1878, L. C. McKenney purchased a half interest with Mr. Jones, and the paper has since prospered. Under the present management the "Beacon " has become a shining light to more than 600 subscribers, and the good work still goes on. VASA. That This township was named in honor of Gustavus Vasa, king of Sweden, more generally known as Gustavus I, the Christian king, and the founder of the Lutheran Church. It was first settled in 1853, by a company of Swedes, of whom Hans Mattson, S. J. Willard, Peter Green, Charles Roos, Gustaf Kempe and others were of the number. The township was organized in 1858, at which time the following officers were elected: (First named, chairman.) Supervisors, Charles Himmelman Cherles Charleson Nila Peterson alonk Swanto John |