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ST. LAWRENCE This town is situated south of Helvetia and west of Little Wolf, the first settlement being made by Erick Hermann, G. Hermann and M. A. Oleson, in 1852. First town officers: O. E. Duetzer, Chairman; C. S. Ogden, Clerk; S. M. Wait, Treasurer. In 1855, the first schoolhouse was built, and Mrs. Sarah Merry taught during the same year. In 1854, Judge Ogden built the first store and the first sawmill. At his house, also in 1854, the pioneer sermon fell from the lips of Rev. Mr. Green, of Washington County. Churches were erected by the Methodists and the Baptists in 1866. A post office was established in 1856, with N. Livermore as Postmaster. It is said that St. Lawrence has more native born citizens in proportion to its voting strength -180-than any other town in the county.
St. Lawrence is one of the central townships of the county, and though it was first settled, in 1852, by Erick and G. Hermiansen and M. A. Oleson, the section attracted little notice until such men as C. S. Ogden and H. Collier became residents and the Village of Ogdensburg came to life. That was in 1854.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED The Town of St. Lawrence was organized in 1855. The first meeting of the town board was held at Mr. Ogden's store, and the following officers were elected: chairman, 0. E. Dreutzer; clerk, C. S. Ogden; treasurer, S. M. Waite; justices of the peace, H. Collier and C. S. Ogden. In the same year a little log schoolhouse was built in the village, and Mrs. Mary Merry opened it. Squire Collier also heard his first case in 1855, its title being C. S. Ogden vs. O. E. Dreutzer, but the cause of the contention between these leading citizens being unknown. It took some years for the pioneers to "make a match," but it was accomplished in 1857, when D. C. Barker and Emma Boyden were united in marriage before S. M. Collier, justice of the peace.
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