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This photo is of the old General Store and Post Office that was in Belvidere Mills. The post office was conducted at this store. Although a populated enough area to have volunteers in the Civil War, Businesses started about 1870.
Belvidere
Just a Little History through the Civil War Era
N.B. and George Gaylord were said to have been the first settlers but, many others followed, such as Joseph S. Thompson, H.H. Bakke, Claus Holst, F. Klair and others.
Ida Thompson is believed the first birth in June.
George Steel and Julia Pingrey were known to be the first marriage.
It was siad that J.B. Smith conducted the cermony in August. He was a justic of the peace at that time.
Among those that Settled here this year were Charles Osia, Josephine Osia, Thomas McNair, Margaret McNair, Josephine Racicot, JosephTrudell, Mary F. McNair, Elandor Racicot and others.
Mr. Gaylord was said to have built a mill during this time but, the exact date is not found.
Etta Gaylord was the first death. It was said that she was omly two years old when she died.
The first township elections were held.
The first constables were James Lane and George Day.
Minnesota becomes the 32nd state in 1858.
The population in 1860 was 191 citizens.
The Civil War Years
A Call To Arms is sent through out Goodhue County to raise a company of men.
The Boys from Belvidere answered the call. Some make there way to Red Wing and joined in with the 1st company being formed as well as other future companies. The Goodhue Volunteers soon to become Co. F of the First Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry. Once at Fort Snelling, the call is changed from 90 days to 3 years. Some men come back home not being able to leave their homes for so long a time, but would join in other future regiments that are called to be made.
The German Methodists were said to have built a log church.
During the Dakota Conflict, after the Indian attack on New Ulm in August, Companies of Civilian Soldiers were formed to protect the towns across the lands of Minnesota. On August 24,1862 a company of this type was organized in Goodhue County. The Goodhue County Rangers There were 36 men in this company. It was to act as a Home Guard for the area and served until September 22, 1862. It served as the southern defense of the frontier. Some of these companies saw action in the Indain War of 1862 and did have casualties. One other company in Red Wing was The Red Wing Cavalry.
Belvidere had more volunteers in the 6th Regiment that any other Regimnets.
The Roman Catholic Church was built in Bellchester.
This page was last updated on: March 17, 2012
The following is a time line that starts with the first settlement and runs through the Civil War years. Certainly there is more than is mentioned here. The purpose of this is to give a person a view of what life was like in the years preceding and during the Civil War and to learn a bit about the people in the area.
All of this information is from documented accounts. Sources and credits are found on my Source page.
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E-Mail me, if you have documented history of Belvidere, or of a person in this time period from Pine Island of the Civil War Era, that you would like to share. I am always adding to this site.
Thanks for the visit Date of page Jan. 31, 2008
Year What Took Place
Please Sign my Guest Book, I like to see who stopped in for a visit.
Private Anthony's
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For more Belvidere Civil War History, to see Rosters,
Goodhue County in the Civil War
see
What could you get for your money in Belvidere in those days?
One Dozen Eggs- 7 Cents, One Dozen Candles- 15 cents, Edds Shirt- 75 cents, Towels- 10 cents, Drawers- 75 cents, Slippers- 50 cents, Dressing Gowns- $1.47, Pillow Cases 12 1/2 cents, Shoes $2.50, Socks- 20 cents and Postage was 10 cents a letter.
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Courtesy of the Goodhue Conty Historical Society All Rights Reserved
1855
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Have You Visited The Goodhue County Museum in Red Wing Yet?
Stop In,
Just say Private Anthony sent you.
Minnesota's First County Historical Society est. 1869
Belvidere was represented in both the eastern & western theaters of the Civil Wa. In the eastern with The Goodhue Volunteers, Co. F of the 1st Regiment. The 1st Regiment was the only Minnesota regiment to fight in the eastern theater of the war in the Army of the Potomac, In the western theater where most of Minnesota's men were, There were men in the Indian uprising with such regiments as the Third Minnesota as well as others.
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Music: All Quiet Along The Potomac
Sequenced by Barry Taylor
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.
