representative in the territorial legislature of 1856 and of the state
legislature of 1859-60. He was one of the commissioners for locating
the capitol and university lands. He was postmaster in Stillwater many
years, and when he was eighty years of age acted as surveyor of
Washington county. Such is a brief record of an unusually active and
useful life. Maj. Van Voorhees was a thoroughly good citizen and
christian gentleman. In politics he was Whig and Republican. His
church membership was in the Presbyterian church, of which he became a
member in 1832. In 1817 he was married to Mary Workman Voorhees. He
died at his home in Stillwater, Jan. 24, 1879, aged eighty-six years,
and was buried with christian and masonic honors.
MICHAEL E. AMES, an attorney from Boston, came to Stillwater in 1849,
and became one of the leading lawyers of the Territory. He was urbane
and dignified, both in society and at the bar. He was a charming
conversationalist, and such a ready and fluent speaker that it was a
pleasure to listen to him. Many of his witty sayings will long be
remembered. He was twice married, but his domestic life was by no
means a happy one. He died in St. Paul in 1861, his life, no doubt,
shortened by intemperate habits, but he was polite and genial and
witty to the last.
JOSEPH BONIN is of French descent. He was born in Montreal, Canada,
Aug. 26, 1820. He was married to Margaret Bruce in 1851. The writer
first met Mr. Bonin in Stillwater in 1845. He was then in the employ
of John McKusick. He had spent much of his life on the frontier as an
employe of the fur companies, and could relate many stirring incidents
and perilous adventures. Mr. Bonin located at Baytown at an early day.
During the Rebellion he was a member of Company B, First Minnesota
Heavy Artillery.
MARCEL GAGNON.--Mr. Gagnon was born in Lower Canada, Aug. 17, 1825. On
arriving at manhood he came to the United States, and was an employe
of the American Fur Company several years. He removed to Stillwater in
1845, engaging in lumbering. In 1863 he enlisted in the Minnesota
Volunteer Independent Battalion, and served three years. Mr. Gagnon is
a polite, pleasant, hard working and independent man.
SEBASTIAN MARTY was born in Switzerland in 1809, came to America in
1836, to Stillwater in 1845, and located on a farm in section 32, town
of Stillwater, now known as the Jackman homestead. In 1850 he made his
home in section 30, town of Lakeland, where he resided until his
death, Nov. 3, 1885. His widow was formerly Christine Mamsche. He was
a quiet, unobtrusive, thoroughly honest and reliable man.
JOHN MARTY was born in Switzerland in 1823. He learned the art of
manufacturing straw goods in France. He came to America in 1846, to
Stillwater in 1848 and not long after settled on his farm in Baytown.
He was married to Anna M. Henry, in St. Paul, 1852.
ADAM MARTY.--Mr. Marty was born in Switzerland in 1839. In 1846 he
came with his grandparents to America and located at St. Louis. In
1849 he came to Stillwater and learned the printer's trade. He was
employed one year by John McKusick. He enlisted April 29, 1861, in
Company B, First Minnesota Volunteers, was severely wounded at the
battle of Gettysburg, and honorably discharged. He resides in
Stillwater, where he has held responsible positions, and has taken a
deep interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been
post commander.
MICHAEL MCHALE.--Mr. McHale came from Ireland in 1836; located first
in Quincy, Illinois; then, 1840, in Galena; in 1842 in Potosi,
Wisconsin, and in 1849 at Stillwater. He was interested in a saw mill
(McHale & Johnson's), and operated also as a contractor in prison
work. He was married to Rosanna McDermott in Wisconsin, 1847. She died
in 1856.
GEORGE WATSON.--Mr. Watson is, in common parlance, a self-made man.
Left alone in the world and dependent entirely on his own exertions
for a livelihood, he learned the carpenter's trade, learned it well,
and followed it industriously through life. Mr. Watson was born in
Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 13, 1823, and came to the St.
Croix valley in 1849. He lived a few years in Hudson, and then removed
to Stillwater, where he has the credit of building many fine
structures. He was married in 1860 to Frances Lyman, of Stillwater.
REV. ELEAZER A. GREENLEAF was educated at Bangor Theological Seminary.
He came to Stillwater in 1846, and became pastor of the first
Protestant Episcopal church organized north of Prairie du Chien,
excepting at Fort Snelling and some Indian mission charges. Mr.
Greenleaf was married to Susan P. Greely, of Williamsburg, Maine, in