The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-06-09


church.
People were in perils among In
dams, in partings, loneliness, and sor-
row from war, scourged by grass
hOppers, blown by billiards. and cy
clones. Through those Pioneers
have been secured to us the beauti-
full civilization of today. We must
not forget them. Such of them as
are alive should be treated with
respect and gratitude: such as are
dead. remembered with honor and
thankfulness. l mention a few |
knew in this section, that will sug-
gest to you many others, that l
didn't know.
The People He Knew.
"The Stocks who lived in Old
Shelbyville-a large, intelligent, vel
TODD family, ,on the side of law, or
der, and religion, nearly all passed
away.
"The Shannons-no family more
deserving of honors; no woman l
know of in Minnesota has acted
more heroic part than Mrs. Shan
non She brought up a family of
seven sons and one daughter. They
are good citizens. The men have
been credit to the professions
they have filled-the daughter, a
good homemaker. The father has
passed on, but the mother remains
honored and comfortable in her old
age. with her son. She is eighty
seven years old.
so I might mention the Parrots,
Wilkinsons, and particularly Mrs. M.
S. Wilkinson, a pure intelligent, no.
bic. Christian woman-far the better
part of her eminent husband The
Halls of Mankato and the Wises.
81 should mention many more
that you can recall and whom you
honor today
Spoke of the Ministers.
81 must mention some of the min
listers who in the early day endured
hardship as good soldiers of Jesus
Christ The visited the homes,
the children, organized the churches,
preached in the school houses, dwell
ings, groves. They fought the In
dams. and helped to lay the foun-
dations of the Christian common
wealth. Rev Conrad was one Of
the best.
REV. B. Y. Coffin, young at
traCtive earnest minister Rev. John
Powell, rugged. original, thought
full, strong, eccentric, entertaining,
devoted preacher. Rev. A. G. Per
kins, deep thinker, combative,
self-denying, eloquent, brotherly, pc
culiar, unique man. These men are
worthy of honor, and their works
are woven with the web of our So
ciety."
There Were Many More.
There are many more-the I'M
knOwn-1nd we may say of them
as of the unknown soldiers who fell
in defense of their country:
Unknown as here
Beneath the shelteping sod
Out utdl W nbtlly
And known to God"
"The pioneers came to establish
homes, not only in villages and cit
les but in the country. Homes that
would make life more attractive,
the country more valuable and them
selves more useful. Homes where
children would be raised and dici-
plined into good citizens. And
such should be the aim of Their
descendants.
"The hard, exacting toll, long
rs-inconveniences, slow returns
of rewards, and the lure of the
cities have interfered somewhat, but
better days have come, and the
rural life is Frightening; the farmer
is prosperous; his home is modern.
He and his wife are released of
drudgery, the high school and col
lege are within his reach; elevat-
ing entertainments at his village; the
church not far from his home; the
news from the world in his mail
box: and the ear of the world at
his lips: the worlds talent at his
chautauquas and lecture courses.
Stand by the home in the country"
Picnic Dinner Served.
Following song by the quartet,
a picnic dinner was served. Any
one who has ever enjoyed one of
those dinners that are gotten up by
the good women of Mapleton and
Sterling can appreciate the mere