OF GOODHUE COUNTY, INCLUDING A SKETCH OF THE TERRITORY AND STATE OF MINNESOTA; TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY FRENCH DISCOVERIES, INDIAN MASSA- TIME OF ITS OCCUPANCY BY SWISS MISSION- EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRE- SENTATIVE MEN, AND OF ITS CITIES, TOWNS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC. ILLUSTRATED. RED WING, MINN. WOOD, ALLEY & CO., ST. JAMES BUILDING, PIONEER PRESS CO., ST. PAUL, Printers, Lithographers and Bookbinders. HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY JAN 3 0 1998 PREFACE. In the preparation of the following pages, we have aimed at conciseness and accuracy rather than elegance of diction and highsounding phrases. We are in the midst of mighty progress and marvelous development, and men will not wait to study fine-spun theories and pore over the intricate details of the metaphysical world. They want facts plainly stated, and couched in language brief, pointed, and applicable to the practical affairs of life. It has been our object to present, in a readable manner, as much information as could be given in the space allotted the several divisions of this book. Owing to the obscure and imperfect county war record which we had to unravel, and the preponderance of foreign population with which we had to contend-many of whom could not readily comprehend our motive-we found some difficulty in the early stages of the work in collating our data and laying the foundation upon which to build a reliable superstructure. As we progressed with the enterprise, however, and the people learned more of us, encouragement and words of good cheer greeted us from all classes, thenceforth we found the way plain and the work more easy. It may be said of our township histories that we have dealt partially by some, but if it so appears it should be attributed to those possessing the facts and refusing to impart them. We made every reasonable effort to do justice by each and all the townships, villages, county, places, and people; and we can truthfully say we |