It was said that Francis Yerman & John Mann were the first to settle here. It was said that they both had built their cabins in the wilderness.
David Hickock, John Ingebretson, Harry Danielson, Oliver Knutson & Knute Knutson were among those that settled in 1855.
Mr. Hickock & Mr. Mann opened hotels out of their newly built resideces. It was never really said who built theirs first, but both grew to be successful.
Mrs. Francis Yergens had the first bith in the township.
John Gillis, Robert Lawler, Johnathon Melott, Cornelious Bennett, Gideon DeGroff, James McDonough, John Warren, Austin Iddings and Eleanor Cowan were just a few of the many settlers that filed claims in 1856.
So many people were in and around the area that the two hotels that had all ready been built were unable to attend everyone so a third hotel was built by Peter Easterly on his arrival to the area. The stage ran through town from Red Wing.
It was said that a Mr. J.V.H. Bailey had conducted a tavern.
The first death was said to David Hickocks wife.
The first religious service in the township was that of Rev. Jabez Brooks when he conducted the service of Mr. Hickock's wife.
Henry Trudell, Edward Morgean, Harriet Mogean, John Jarvis, Watts Sherman, John Mansur, Madeline Renville, Joseph Montour, Vital Bouiere, Mary Bouiere, Frederick LaChappelle, Augustin Trudell, Laura C. Brown, Patrick McGinnis and many others settled in this year and Goodhue had begun to grow into a town.
1n 1857, Georgette Easterly was the first known teacher to conduct shcool when the first school was opened.
The post office was esablished in 1858 and was conducted through Peter Easterly's hotel. The office was believed in Goodhue Center at the time. The office was said to have opened and closed four times during this period through the Civil War. Another source states he was the postmaster through 1864.
The first elections were held in in 1858 & township officers were decided.
Minnesota becomes the 32nd State in May of 1858
The population in 1860 was 272 citizens.
The Civil War Years
A building was erected by Mr. Henricks. Part of the building was used as a saloon.
A Call To Arms is sent through out Goodhue County to raise a company of men.
The Boys from Goodhue answered the call. Some make there way to Red Wing and joined in with the 1st company being formed as well as other joined 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.
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.
The building that Mr. Henricks had built in 1861 that was used in part as a saloon was sold to Joseph Batlo who made additions and opened it as a hotel that was known as the Goodhue House.
In 1864, Goodhue had set aside $1,200. for the purpose of the war.
What could you get for your money in Goodhue 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.
