The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-06-30

10th of that year The first officers
were: Joel Gates, president; Lucius
Troendle, James Mclaughlin and G.
Il. Wick, trustees P. A. Foster, re-
corder; Sherman Pelt, treasurer ; c.
W. Smith, justice and Henry Tenney,
constable.
The school district was organized in
1869, when g. A Clark opened
school in his own home. AS result
of a petition circulated in the district
special school meeting was held on
the 9th of February, 1878, at which
the site of the present school building
was selected. As result of the steps
taken, Mapleton has first class schools
which reflect great credit upon it.
The churches of Mapleton are the
Free Baptist. organized in 1866; Ger
man Lutheran, in 1871; Roman Cath
Ollie, in 1875; Congregationalist, in
1882. The Methodist Episcopal in
1879. The Methodist Episcopal in 1889.
They all have good church buildings
and parsonsges.
Situated in a rich farming locality
Mapleton enjoys fine run of business
and is possessed of progressive set or
business men, ever alive to her best
interests, as a result Mapleton is max
ing rapid progress. and is the best
town in the southern portion or Blue
Earth county.
AMBOY
The life of Amboy dates from the
building of the Gilmore branch of the
Omaha road The village of Shelby
willie had some life remaining in it at
that time and made struggle for the
station, but the railroad seemed to
prefer another site and went farther
north. They made an offer to the land
owners around where Amboy now
stands that if they could get free
deed of forty acres, thy would locate
there The money for the forty was
quickly raised, and Amboy was born.
The road was liberal in giving the
new town a start, and as it was sur
rounded by a fiue farming country,
business men saw it was an excellent
point. and took hold with a will.
Robert Richardson opened the first
store and was the first postmaster. He
later sold out to Thomas J. Cross and
his son, David, who have since been
closely identified with the growth of
the village. David Cross is the pres
ent postmaster. During the past few
years the village has grown rapidly
and is today one of the most thriving
Uowps in the county.
LAKE CRYSTAL.
The site of Lake Crystal is located
on land which was taken from both
Judson and Garden City townships
There was strong attempt made to
establish a town at this point in 1857,
but the venture proved a failure.
The name chosen at that time for the
village was Crystal Lake City and
was taken from the lake near which
the present village is situated. In
1869 when the Omaha road was built
through this section another attempt
was made toward the founding of
village. This move proved successful
and the present village site was laid
out. The village was incorporated
early in 1870 and the following were
first officers chosen: President, A.
Chemidlin; L. o. Hunt, W. R. Robin
son, NJ. E. Dunn and VIM. McGillis,
trustees; w. P Marston, recorder ;
Henry Humphrey, assessor; j.
Simmons, treasurer; Evariste, Fran
chere, justice, and Alonzo Frizzell,
constable.
The village occupies most advan-
tageous position as to location, is the
junction of the main line of the Oma-
ha road, and the Elmore branch, and
commands a most excellent trade. 1t
is possessed of excellent schools, which
are the pride of its citizens, and
which are most closely and carefully
watched. 1t has eight church organ
izations, which look we'll after the
spiritual affairs of its citizens. Its
beautiful lakes, upon the shores Of
which it is located afford most excel
lent, facilities for boating, fishing anc
other sports, and the place might bt
developed in fine summer resor
we're a little attention turned in tina
direction by it's enterprising citizens
MADISON LAKE.
This village located on banks OF
lake by the same name, has becom
a well known summer resort, ant
Point Pleasant, which is covered will
summer homes, is known not onl..
throughout the state, but far to tn
southwark as we'll. The village wa
first settled in 1884 when the railroad
which is now a part of the Grea
Western was built through, the com
pany putting up the first building
The village enjoys good trade fror
the surrounding country, which ha
developed into fine farming countr
, and through the summer time especl
ally is a very lively place. Electri
railway connection with Mankat
would greatly enhance its value as
summer resort and make it one of I'll
most sought places in the state. tt
village was incorporated few yea
ago 1t has good schools and is posses
ed of three church organizations. c
Point Pleasant is located line sum
mer hotel, and a large number Of co
h., Hot manila q wall