MN AHGP Archives-Dakota Co. 1882 Bios
Dakota County biographies from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota
Alexis Bailly is well known as one of the early settlers of Minnesota, and one of those shrewd men who saw that the Sioux must soon relinquish
his title in favor of the United States, and waited in anticipation of the day when claims might be made. He was thoroughly acquainted with all the country about the upper Mississippi, and had fixed upon Olive Grove as an inevitable place for a townsite. Accordingly, Mr. Bailly detailed his son Henry to keep a hold of the site and be ready on the spot, as the first claimant. As there could be no legal occupancy, except under the license of a trader, such a license was procured, and Henry Bailly came to Olive Grove as its first permanent settler in 1850. Mr. Alexis Bailly went, as early as 1821, to the Red River of the North with a herd of cattle, and had several narrow escapes from the savages. He was afterward engaged as agent for the American Fur Company. For some years he had charge of the trading-post at Wabasha, and used often to make the journey from there to Mendota, with his family in a canoe; sometimes hunting and fishing, they would take weeks in reaching their destination. Mr. Bailly's wife was a daughter of Jean Baptiste Faribault.
Jean Baptiste Faribault, to whom belongs the honor of making the first settlement in Dakota county, was born at Berthier, Canada, in 1774, and died at Faribault, Minnesota, August 20th, 1860. He came to the West as a trader, in 1798, and came to Little Bapids, on the Minnesota river, in 1803-4. During the war of 1812 he remained the friend of the United States, and was arrested by the British, and for some time held a prisoner. In 1820 he located on Pike Island, at the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, from which high waters in 1822 forced him to remove to the east bank of the Mississippi. There he remained until 1826, when again the water forced tim to seek higher ground, which was gained with considerable loss in furs and goods. He then built at Mendota the first house in Dakota county. Mr. Faribault's family remained residents of Mendota for many years. He survived most of his large family of children. His son Alexander, born at Prairie du Chien, was the oldest of the children, and is still living near the city of Faribault, which he founded. His wife was the daughter of one Francis Kinie, by a Dakota woman. In person. Jean Baptiste Faribauit was small, but his bearing is said to have been dignified. He was a worthy man and his memory is held in due respect.
William Felton, born June 15, 1802, is a native of Pennsylvania. In 1825 he married Mahala
Dana, and in 1852 they came to Hastings, Minnesota. Mrs. Felton claims the honor of being the first white woman settler at this point. Upon their arrival they rented a log house, the first house built in the town, and opened the first boarding-house in the county. This log house was only 12x16 feet in dimension, with a kitchen 10x12 feet; in these narrow quarters Mr. and Mrs. Felton showed a generous hospitality that will long be remembered and recounted. As many as forty-three persons have remained of a night in that little log cabin, which was long ago pulled down. As early as 1853 this house was used as a place of worship by the Catholics; services were also conducted there by Rev. T. R. Cressy, a Baptist clergyman. Mr. Felton wes the first elected justice of the peace, and since 1856 has been coroner. In 1854 he built the first wharf and established the first ferry, at Hastings, across the Mississippi. Since 1856 the Feltons have resided on their claim in Nininger township.
O. T. Hayes was born in New London, Merrimack county, New Hampshire, December 2d, 1827. Early in life he embarked in mercantile pursuits. He first read law with Samuel Butterfield, of Andover, New Hampshire. Came to Hastings during the fall of 1853. Was practicing law and dealing in real estate; also appointed county attorney of Goodhue county by Governor Gorman. In 1855 was made county attorney of Dakota county, also postmaster. The latter position he resigned soon after. Was one of the first aldermen in Hastings, and mayor in 1860. In 1861 he assisted in raising Company H, First Minnesota Infantry, and went out as first lieutenant. After the battle of Bull Run, was mustered out on account of physical disability. In March, 1863, was commissioned major of the First Minnesota Cavalry, by Governor Ramsey, serving until mustered out at Fort Snelling in December, 1863.
He resumed his practice, but soon retired in consequence of declining health. He was a member of the legislature in 1863. He was admitted to the bar of supreme courts in 1854, at Hastings, and is now the oldest lawyer in Dakota county.
David Hone, one of the oldest living pioneers of Minnesota, was born in Otsego county, New York, April 5th, 1808, his father being one of the early pioneers of that county. In 1837 he removed to Madison county, Illinois. He then moved to Washington county, Minnesota, and made a claim by cutting his name on a tree where Marine Mills now stands. Returned for his family, and came back during the spring of 1839, making the trip from St. Louis to the headwaters of the St. Croix by boat in twenty-five days. After a short time spent in lumbering interests, removed in 1840 to Gray Cloud Island, and for three years engaged in farming. Daring the spring of 1843 located at Point Douglas, and in July of the same year commenced building the old Union house, which was finished in 1844, it being the first all frame building in the state. This he managed five years, then rented it. In 1871 came to Hastings. In 1875 he retired from active pursuits in consequence of failing health. Mr. Hone was formerly magistrate at Gray Cloud Island, and took a territorial census in 1849.
John Kennedy, was born September 22d, 1827, in Canada West. Here he was reared and received his education at the public and normal schools. He afterwards taught school several years. In 1853 came to Traverse des Sioux, Minnesota. The next spring he went to Mendota, Dakota county, and was book-keeper for General Sibley until January, 1856. He then resigned to take the office of register, of deeds, having been elected during the fall of 1855. This position he held six years. In August, 1862, he organized company F, Seventh Minnesota Infantry, paying all the expenses of organizing, as to uniform, arms, transportation, etc., the company being mustered in at Fort Snelling, with Mr. Kennedy as captain. Served until mustered out at Fort Snelling, August 16th, 1865, with the rank of major, which he received March 13th, 1865, for gallant conduct at the battle before Nashville, Tennessee. Returning to Hastings after the war, he was elected in 1866 auditor of Dakota county, which office he held until entering upon his duties as postmaster of Hastings in 1873.
Daniel W. Truax, one of the early pioneers of this county, was born in Montreal, Canada, December 23d, 1830. Removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, with his parents, and there received his early education. In 1849, came to Point Douglas and at once engaged in. farming. Was elected to the territorial legislature in 1851. Followed agricultural pursuits until 1853, then built a saw-mill in company with John Blakely in Nininger township, and in the fall of 1855, sold his interests and purchased a steam saw-mill, in which he was interested until 1861. Removing at that time to Hastings, he purchased in company with Mr. Knowlton. what is now known as the Libby mill. In 1863, disposed of his share, and until 1871, engaged in the grocery trade, and has since farmed and dealt in farm machinery. Married in 1853, Mary A. Truax, of St. Lawrence county, New York.
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