Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/616

 .534 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY square, without any floor or window. Nobody thought of rais- ing wheat at that time. Our Hour, pork and butter all came from down the river." At the opening of navigation in the spring of 1853, the pros- pects of the future city were brightened. The arrival of the first boat was looked for with great expectations, and these ex- pectations were to a measure realized. It brought needed sup- plies of provisions. It also brought some friends, who had come to remain as permanent settlers. In fact, all that season and for several years following, the landing of the si earner at this port was hailed with delight. It was not an uncommon sight to see the larger part of the population hastening toward the river when a steamer was heard approaching. Among those who came to make the place their home this year were the following: William Freeborn, who having built the first frame dwelling in the city moved his family here; Isaac Lauver, -lames Akers, Kevs. Mathew Soi-in. Norris Hobart and Rezin Spates. These all brought their families. Several other families came later in the season, among whom were W. I). Chilson, Warren Hunt and T. J. Smith. The young men who were here as residents without fami- lies were Xels Nelson I known as Dr. Sweney's Xelsi. Mathias Petersen (Ringdahl), the Middaugh brothers. Hugh Adams. S. A. Hart. E. P. Lowater and David Puckett. Several built for themselves houses this year. Besides Mr. Freeborn's, already mentioned. William Lamer. -lames Akers, .Mathew Sorin, Norris Hobart and Warren Hunt had each of them a frame dwelling house completed during-the autumn of 1853. The remainder of the population occupied shanties or log cabins except the boarders at the hotel. In August of this year the first company of Scandinavians ■who colonized the town of Vasa landed here. These were the pioneers of practical farming in this county: S. J. Willard, Hans Mattson, Peter Green. Charles Roos and A. (i. Kempe. These men were so often seen in Ri>{ Wing for several months after their coming they were generally considered citizens, but they were the real founders of Vasa township. It was in this year also that the village was surveyed and platted by J. J. Knauer for the proprietors, who were the follow- ing: William Freeborn, Benjamin F. Hoyt. Charles L. AVillis and Alexander Ramsey. The great event of the year, which did most towards trans- forming tin 1 old village into the new. was the first great confla- gration. By this the style of architecture was wholly changed. It must be remembered that at this time the Indians had sold