STOUGHTON, George M.

STOUGHTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/14/2010 at 20:03:34

George M. Stoughton emigrated to Mitchell county from northern Vermont. Driving from Dane County, Wisconsin in the spring of 1856, he arrived in Osage early in May. The roads were almost impassible because of the deep mud. The streams often difficult to ford, made it a long, tedious trip. The Mississippi, though very high, was crossed by a mule ferry. Both at Nashua and Charles City, the horses had to swim the Cedar river, and the wagon was brought over in a boat.

On reaching the Lesch homestead, near the ford, he expected to stay until the river fell, but their cabin was already full with travelers waiting to cross, so there was no room for another family. So they ventured to try the ford; as they went in, the water was so high and swift that it rushed over the wagon box, which would have floated away if it had not been tied on, and the goods were all flooded, but they succeeded in crossing, came on and spent the night at L. S. Hart, Sr.

Soon he located on Section 32, Township 98, Range 16. They lived here seven years. Then moved to Section 7, Little Cedar, and engaged in sheep raising. Later Mr. Stoughton bought a farm near Osage, living in town until 1882, when he returned to the original homestead. But after a few years again removed to Osage, where he now lives. In January, 1853, he was married to Cordelia Hitchcock, who died June 28, 1909.

Among the early hardships Mr. Stoughton recalls a trip to Leroy, Minn., for seed wheat, in company with Mr. Nims and his brother-in-law. The snow was melting and a heavy rain began, which continued twenty-four hours, and by morning everything was afloat. They went about nine miles, tipping over some twenty times, and getting fast in sloughs many more, wading in icy water, unloading, hauling out empty sleds and reloading again and again. One of the mules became tangled in the harness, and was in danger of drowning, but Mr. Stoughton plunged into the icy water and held his head up until the harness could be cut.

[Source "Osage Township" by Clarinda Hitchcock]