The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-05

ITS EARLY sETTLEMsNr, GROWTH, PROSPECTS
AND GENERAL ADVANTAGES.

',
AND GENERAL ADVANTAGES.
From the Mo~or Csnn,y Mirror.
Albert Lea. the shire town Of FreeborD
county, has n beautiful and commanding
location, at the inlet Of Lake Albert Lea
The Lake, as well as the town, takes ,s
ZANE from Albert Lea, q gentleman who
made early surveys for the government in
this vicinity, and formerly resided at Mus.
catine, Iowa. Ia honor OF this early piO-
neer and surveyor, George :. Ruble laid
out and named the town Of Albert LA, IN
the Spring Of 1856. The first settlement
was made in July, 1855, by Lorenzo Merry.
10 August, following, George s. Rnble sc.
lec,ed his claim. wbereon he now resides,
and with indomitable energy Immediately
entered upon the improvement Of bis valua.
bic water power. lie now maintains in sue
cessful operation, one Of the most substan-
tial mills in the State. Besides saving and
grinding, he has connected 10 this power,
the machinery for making lath and shingles,
also a turning lathe for the preparation Of
cabinet ware. The legislature OF 1856 and
1857, appointed County Commissioners,
who selected Albert liza az the County
seat, and in October, 1857, said selection
was ratified by majority Of over 200 ofthe
voters Of Freedom. 1t has gradually 10.
creased in population, wealth, and i'm
provement. proportionate TO the growth Of
the adjoining country. and now contain
some 200 Inhabitants a printing press the
mills before mentioned, post Office, two
stores, one first class hotel, one drug store,
one physician, four lawyer Offices, one ma
sonic lodge or ball, one wagon shop, one
boot and shoe shop, one saloon, and a rea.
sonable number Of mechanics. a court
house. school house and church are in con.
temptation, and will doubles b. erected
the ensuing season. A fret class district
school, under the auspices II Miss Black.
MGR. s now disIsDsng its respective bless-
ings 10 the rising generation Of Albert Ira.
In the fall Of 1856, l.. + Wedge bough,
out the interest Of Lorenzo Merry, and in
the spring following, Dr.. A. &. Wedge 10
connection with VIM NORM, laid 0ut i'm.
por,ant additions 10 The same, and have
since made extensive salez Of lots, abd many
valuable improvements there. The same
year the Webher House, one Of the mcst
commodious hotels in SDa,bern Minnesota,
was commeuced The presnt SEASON, Mr.
4. y Webber has erected Tor the pubic
patronage concentrating al said bOtsl,
large and convenient barn, capable Of &C.
conmodating thirty hor.es, under The al.
ninistration Of the inimi,abe ClarFy
Jonla nc beg leave 70 commend he he
pitAliiIes OF ssid house 70 The travelling pub
lic. The value and advantages Of the water
power at Albert La must h. readily a.
kbo.leig,d, ~keu We consider IL Vocation
pear the geographical oentr ola h1qri,hng
county which IL prsT@ctvely rich 10 sgri.
cultural wealth, and rspdly hIling up Nth
a. in;eliger, olass Of Inhabitants. The
Inducements for capitalist. 10 invest money
n ,hs mY0gemen, u tits poser, AMI ,hs
eviction q nails thsron, l. wi,kog, = par
allel IN Ne state The fsll u %, ~ grea,
bang ony s1og, -veu Set bat he vi.