OBIT: Wadena Pioneer Journal Vol XXII Friday January 12, 1900 (courtesy of Jeff Bender, descendant of Lauren Austin Paddock, received via email 9/12/2009):
BUSY LIFE ENDED L A Paddock dies suddenly Monday January 8, 1900
Monday noon our citizens were startled by the report that L. A. Paddock was dead. No one aside from his family and close relatives were aware that he was ill and even those nearest to him had no initimation that the end was near until a few hours before his death. His death was therefore a shock to his family and community in general and examplified emphatically the uncertainty of life.
Mr Paddock's last illness was brief. He returned home last week Thursday from Bemidji and Camp Lake where he had contracted what appears to be a severe cold. He had been absent from home several days and went to look after some property interets in Bemidji. His illiness was not looked upon as being serious and he was about the house Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He complained, however of feeling badly and did not come to town as was his custom, but busied himself writing letters and looking after matters of business. The last letter he wrote was Saturday, which was to his daughter, Mrs Minnie Buckland of Michigan City, ND and she received the letter on the same day she was notified by telegraph of his death. Sunday he was about the house and out doors several times, but toward evening he grew worse and early Monday morning he felt so badly a physican was summoned for the first time. Dr Kenyon went out and found that he was in a very critical condition and notified his family. He was suffering from a severe attack of pneumonis, but even that morning he got up and ate a very hearty breakfast. Mr Paddock was a large man and for many years had been a sufferer of asthma and when pneumonia fastens itself upon a man under those conditions it usually results in fatally. Dr Kenyon realizing the seriousness of the case at once came to town for medicine and took back with him Dr Babouck, whom Mr Paddock had expressed a desire to see. Mr Paddock was taken to his bed after breakfast and grew rapidly worse. He breathed with great difficulty and suffered considerable pain. He was conscious until a short time before his death and seemed to recognize the fact that the end was near. He desired that some of his absent children be sent for and talked some about business matters which he desired to be attended to, but Mrs Paddock and the family advised him not to worry over such matters and he finally sank into a semi-conscious state and breathed his last at 11:00 o'clock in the morning. Both doctors worked over him unceasingly until the end came.
When his death became known many were the expressions of regret heard upon all sides. Mr Paddock has resided on his homestead three and a half miles south of town for over twenty-five years and during that time his figure had become a familiar one upon our streets. He was a large fine looking man, being over six feet tall, well proportioned and symetrical and he gretted all with a cheery smile and a pleasant word. In his younger days, when he enjoyed the blessings of a vigorous and active manhood, he was as fine a specimen of physical strength and ruggedness as one would ever meet. Then he was fond of out door sports, was a crack shot with a rifle and a successful hunter and a typical and sturdy pioneer of the then undeveloped middle west. In those days his life was an active one. Full of hope and courage and possessed of much natural shrewedness and foresight in business matters, no obstacle too great for him to overcome or no problem too difficult for him to solve. He made money and he lost it time and again, but there was no such word as failure in his lexicon of those early days. In many respects he was a remarkable man and his life was an eventful one. Of late he still retained much of his energy and hopefulness, but matters did not go well with him the past several years. His health became impaired from early exposure and he would be greatly discouraged at times. But, adversity did not sour his genial temperment and at all times he was a most companionable man, a good neighbor, a kind husband and father, and an enterprising and progressive citizen.
AN EVENTFUL LIFE Incidents of the life of Mr Paddock during the early days
Lauren Austin Paddock was born at Newberry Ohio, March 23, 1827 and was therefore nearly 63 years old at the time of his death. At the age of 14 he moved with his parents from Ohio to La Crosse, WI, they being the first white settlers in that country at that time. He stayed with his parents until he was 17 years of age and during that time they established a good farm and a comfortable home in what was heretofore a wilderness. The country round about settled up quite fast and lumbering became the chief occupation of the sturdy young men of that time. Mr Paddock engaged in that avocation for two years. At the age of 19 he first married and becoming enthused with the prospects of making his fortune at Pikes Peak during the gold craze, he in the company with his young wife and a party of friends made that hazardous journey traveling with mules and wagons. This was in 1858. They made some money there, but returned to Wisconsin at the outbreak of the civil war and the day after he enlisted as a private and came outas a first lieutenant, serving in town in the quartermaster's department and as second lieutenant. He served until the war ended. After the war he went to Iowa where he settled on a farm and after spending a few years there he went to Marine Mills , where he went into the lumber business , which he followed up to the time of his removal to Wadena county twenty-five years ago. In the lumber business he prospered , but met with a series of reverses and lost about all of the fruits of his labor. His first wife died in 1868 and in 1870 he married his present wife, Miss Loretta Norton at Winnebago City, MN. In 1874 he came to Wadena with his family and took his homestead, the farm upon which he has since lived.
At the time of the Black Hills gold craze, Mr Paddock was again seized with a desire for adventure and in the company with several friends thay went to Bismarck. It was on this trip that he came near losing his life and the exposure to which he was subjected then no doubt contributed in no small way to his death. At Bismarck he and his friends joined, a company of several hundred men who were making their way to the Black Hills by wagon train. It was in the spring of the year and the wagon train made slow progress. Mr Paddock and six companions became impatient at the slow progress being made and they finally proceeded by themselves. The Indians were very hostile at that time, but they concluded to take the chances and were anxious to reach the hills about which fabulous stories of great gold discoveries had reached their ears. They had merely a pony to pack their luggage, but they bravely set out and would have probably reached the hills in safety had it not beeen that a severe blizzard and snow storm over took them. Mr Paddock and one friend laid down near a kollol, covered their blankets over them and remained there for one day and two nights and when they crawled out they were unable to find their provisions or companions. The weather turned bitterly cold and they wandered around aimlessly for eight days and several times laid down to die only to get renewed courage to press on. Some hunters discovered them on the eighth day and took them to the camps utilized by the stage lines established by N. P. Clarke of St. Cloud and they secured teams to take them to Bismarck. Here they received medical aid. Mr Paddock was frozen badly about the feet and hands, but he did not fare as badly as his partner , who had to have both legs amputated. It was a fearful experience and one which many men could not pass through without meeting death. Their five other companions perished in the storm.
Mr Packard figured prominently in many pioneer incidents of this county and had upon more than on ocassion displayed his bravery. As will be remembered by all old settlers, the first murder ever committed in this county was by an Indian in the town of Aldrich. A family named Costello lived here at that time and during a visit of some Indians to the house, the son and one of the Indians got into a quarrel. The son threw the Indian out of the house and the Indian, seeking revenge, fired a shot at him, but the bullet struck his sister, killing her instantly. The Indian was arrested by the sheriff, but was afterwards taken away forcibly by a crowd of Indians and taken to their camp on the Red Eye river. The affair occassioned much excitement at the time and an armed body of men went out to again secure the Indian. L. A. Paddock was one of the leaders of the movement and after coming up to the Indian camp, the members of which were very ugly, Mr Paddock alone volunteered to go to the camp and size up the situation. This he did at the risk of losing his life and he discovered that there were not near as many Indians as reported. They would not give up the murderer, however and Mr Paddock strongly advocated an attack. The other members of the party were more cautious, however, and finally persuaded him to retire. Mr Paddock never had any use for the Indians. During the Indian massacre near New Ulm in the early 1860's his sister was taken as a captive by a band of warriors and treated with much cruelty and he was always ready to fight redskins ever after that.
In the early 1880's Mr Paddock went into the lumbering business north of New York Mills and he carried on quite an extensive business. The town of Paddock, Otter Tail county was named in his honor. His mill was destroyed by fire and he afterwards devoted himself almost exclusively to farming. Mr Paddock was an excellent and successful farmer and had he devoted himself entirely to his farm he would have amassed a comfortable fortune. He kept himself thoroughly posted in agricultural matters and knew how to conduct a farm to the best possible advantage. In 1893-4, Mr Paddock was very comfortably situated, when unfortunately for him, he went to Duluth and entered into the grain business. In those times of depression the grain business was not profitable and he lost heavily. Afterwards he went to Georgia, where he located a colony in the lumber woods and was at the head of a company which erected a saw mill. He subsequently returned to Wadena and has since remained on his farm. barring a few months he spent at Bemidji in the lumber business. He traded his interests at Bemidji for business property there which the family still retains and the week before Mr Paddock's death he had just closed a contract whereby he leased the property at a monthly rental of $70.
During the last few years of his life, Mr Paddock was an ardent and enthusiastic Populist. He occupied a prominent place in the state organization, serving for some time on the state central committee and when Governor Lind was elected he applied for a place in the grain department in Duluth. He was given a minor position with only a salary of $65 per month and Mr Paddock would not accept that. He resigned and wrote a caustic letter to Governor Lind in which he stated his position. It was a great disappointment to him that a position of more importance was not tendered him.
Mr Paddock leaves a wife and a large family of children to morn his loss. All of the children were present at his funeral. By his first wife he had three children, Mrs Buckland of Michigan City, ND, Lorenzo A Paddock and John W Paddock. Eight children were born to them from his second marriage to Loretta Norton. They are: Mrs Dolly Waldrom of Bemidji, L. A. Paddock Jr, Mrs Helen Schriner of Hewitt, Della G, Arthur G, Elbridge Gerry, Ethel and Annabel. Of these all but Arthur and Elbridge Gerry are alive. He also had two sisters: Mrs L Li Tarbell (nee McNanny) and Mrs Tim Lynch both of Dodge Center, who were here to attend his funeral.
The funeral occurred from the M.E. church in this city Wednesday after noon and was largely attended by the town. Rev John Hughes presented a discourse and his remains were placed in the Wadena cemetary.
innesota pioneer
BUSY LIFE ENDED L A Paddock dies suddenly Monday January 8, 1900
Monday noon our citizens were startled by the report that L. A. Paddock was dead. No one aside from his family and close relatives were aware that he was ill and even those nearest to him had no initimation that the end was near until a few hours before his death. His death was therefore a shock to his family and community in general and examplified emphatically the uncertainty of life.
Mr Paddock's last illness was brief. He returned home last week Thursday from Bemidji and Camp Lake where he had contracted what appears to be a severe cold. He had been absent from home several days and went to look after some property interets in Bemidji. His illiness was not looked upon as being serious and he was about the house Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He complained, however of feeling badly and did not come to town as was his custom, but busied himself writing letters and looking after matters of business. The last letter he wrote was Saturday, which was to his daughter, Mrs Minnie Buckland of Michigan City, ND and she received the letter on the same day she was notified by telegraph of his death. Sunday he was about the house and out doors several times, but toward evening he grew worse and early Monday morning he felt so badly a physican was summoned for the first time. Dr Kenyon went out and found that he was in a very critical condition and notified his family. He was suffering from a severe attack of pneumonis, but even that morning he got up and ate a very hearty breakfast. Mr Paddock was a large man and for many years had been a sufferer of asthma and when pneumonia fastens itself upon a man under those conditions it usually results in fatally. Dr Kenyon realizing the seriousness of the case at once came to town for medicine and took back with him Dr Babouck, whom Mr Paddock had expressed a desire to see. Mr Paddock was taken to his bed after breakfast and grew rapidly worse. He breathed with great difficulty and suffered considerable pain. He was conscious until a short time before his death and seemed to recognize the fact that the end was near. He desired that some of his absent children be sent for and talked some about business matters which he desired to be attended to, but Mrs Paddock and the family advised him not to worry over such matters and he finally sank into a semi-conscious state and breathed his last at 11:00 o'clock in the morning. Both doctors worked over him unceasingly until the end came.
When his death became known many were the expressions of regret heard upon all sides. Mr Paddock has resided on his homestead three and a half miles south of town for over twenty-five years and during that time his figure had become a familiar one upon our streets. He was a large fine looking man, being over six feet tall, well proportioned and symetrical and he gretted all with a cheery smile and a pleasant word. In his younger days, when he enjoyed the blessings of a vigorous and active manhood, he was as fine a specimen of physical strength and ruggedness as one would ever meet. Then he was fond of out door sports, was a crack shot with a rifle and a successful hunter and a typical and sturdy pioneer of the then undeveloped middle west. In those days his life was an active one. Full of hope and courage and possessed of much natural shrewedness and foresight in business matters, no obstacle too great for him to overcome or no problem too difficult for him to solve. He made money and he lost it time and again, but there was no such word as failure in his lexicon of those early days. In many respects he was a remarkable man and his life was an eventful one. Of late he still retained much of his energy and hopefulness, but matters did not go well with him the past several years. His health became impaired from early exposure and he would be greatly discouraged at times. But, adversity did not sour his genial temperment and at all times he was a most companionable man, a good neighbor, a kind husband and father, and an enterprising and progressive citizen.
AN EVENTFUL LIFE Incidents of the life of Mr Paddock during the early days
Lauren Austin Paddock was born at Newberry Ohio, March 23, 1827 and was therefore nearly 63 years old at the time of his death. At the age of 14 he moved with his parents from Ohio to La Crosse, WI, they being the first white settlers in that country at that time. He stayed with his parents until he was 17 years of age and during that time they established a good farm and a comfortable home in what was heretofore a wilderness. The country round about settled up quite fast and lumbering became the chief occupation of the sturdy young men of that time. Mr Paddock engaged in that avocation for two years. At the age of 19 he first married and becoming enthused with the prospects of making his fortune at Pikes Peak during the gold craze, he in the company with his young wife and a party of friends made that hazardous journey traveling with mules and wagons. This was in 1858. They made some money there, but returned to Wisconsin at the outbreak of the civil war and the day after he enlisted as a private and came outas a first lieutenant, serving in town in the quartermaster's department and as second lieutenant. He served until the war ended. After the war he went to Iowa where he settled on a farm and after spending a few years there he went to Marine Mills , where he went into the lumber business , which he followed up to the time of his removal to Wadena county twenty-five years ago. In the lumber business he prospered , but met with a series of reverses and lost about all of the fruits of his labor. His first wife died in 1868 and in 1870 he married his present wife, Miss Loretta Norton at Winnebago City, MN. In 1874 he came to Wadena with his family and took his homestead, the farm upon which he has since lived.
At the time of the Black Hills gold craze, Mr Paddock was again seized with a desire for adventure and in the company with several friends thay went to Bismarck. It was on this trip that he came near losing his life and the exposure to which he was subjected then no doubt contributed in no small way to his death. At Bismarck he and his friends joined, a company of several hundred men who were making their way to the Black Hills by wagon train. It was in the spring of the year and the wagon train made slow progress. Mr Paddock and six companions became impatient at the slow progress being made and they finally proceeded by themselves. The Indians were very hostile at that time, but they concluded to take the chances and were anxious to reach the hills about which fabulous stories of great gold discoveries had reached their ears. They had merely a pony to pack their luggage, but they bravely set out and would have probably reached the hills in safety had it not beeen that a severe blizzard and snow storm over took them. Mr Paddock and one friend laid down near a kollol, covered their blankets over them and remained there for one day and two nights and when they crawled out they were unable to find their provisions or companions. The weather turned bitterly cold and they wandered around aimlessly for eight days and several times laid down to die only to get renewed courage to press on. Some hunters discovered them on the eighth day and took them to the camps utilized by the stage lines established by N. P. Clarke of St. Cloud and they secured teams to take them to Bismarck. Here they received medical aid. Mr Paddock was frozen badly about the feet and hands, but he did not fare as badly as his partner , who had to have both legs amputated. It was a fearful experience and one which many men could not pass through without meeting death. Their five other companions perished in the storm.
Mr Packard figured prominently in many pioneer incidents of this county and had upon more than on ocassion displayed his bravery. As will be remembered by all old settlers, the first murder ever committed in this county was by an Indian in the town of Aldrich. A family named Costello lived here at that time and during a visit of some Indians to the house, the son and one of the Indians got into a quarrel. The son threw the Indian out of the house and the Indian, seeking revenge, fired a shot at him, but the bullet struck his sister, killing her instantly. The Indian was arrested by the sheriff, but was afterwards taken away forcibly by a crowd of Indians and taken to their camp on the Red Eye river. The affair occassioned much excitement at the time and an armed body of men went out to again secure the Indian. L. A. Paddock was one of the leaders of the movement and after coming up to the Indian camp, the members of which were very ugly, Mr Paddock alone volunteered to go to the camp and size up the situation. This he did at the risk of losing his life and he discovered that there were not near as many Indians as reported. They would not give up the murderer, however and Mr Paddock strongly advocated an attack. The other members of the party were more cautious, however, and finally persuaded him to retire. Mr Paddock never had any use for the Indians. During the Indian massacre near New Ulm in the early 1860's his sister was taken as a captive by a band of warriors and treated with much cruelty and he was always ready to fight redskins ever after that.
In the early 1880's Mr Paddock went into the lumbering business north of New York Mills and he carried on quite an extensive business. The town of Paddock, Otter Tail county was named in his honor. His mill was destroyed by fire and he afterwards devoted himself almost exclusively to farming. Mr Paddock was an excellent and successful farmer and had he devoted himself entirely to his farm he would have amassed a comfortable fortune. He kept himself thoroughly posted in agricultural matters and knew how to conduct a farm to the best possible advantage. In 1893-4, Mr Paddock was very comfortably situated, when unfortunately for him, he went to Duluth and entered into the grain business. In those times of depression the grain business was not profitable and he lost heavily. Afterwards he went to Georgia, where he located a colony in the lumber woods and was at the head of a company which erected a saw mill. He subsequently returned to Wadena and has since remained on his farm. barring a few months he spent at Bemidji in the lumber business. He traded his interests at Bemidji for business property there which the family still retains and the week before Mr Paddock's death he had just closed a contract whereby he leased the property at a monthly rental of $70.
During the last few years of his life, Mr Paddock was an ardent and enthusiastic Populist. He occupied a prominent place in the state organization, serving for some time on the state central committee and when Governor Lind was elected he applied for a place in the grain department in Duluth. He was given a minor position with only a salary of $65 per month and Mr Paddock would not accept that. He resigned and wrote a caustic letter to Governor Lind in which he stated his position. It was a great disappointment to him that a position of more importance was not tendered him.
Mr Paddock leaves a wife and a large family of children to morn his loss. All of the children were present at his funeral. By his first wife he had three children, Mrs Buckland of Michigan City, ND, Lorenzo A Paddock and John W Paddock. Eight children were born to them from his second marriage to Loretta Norton. They are: Mrs Dolly Waldrom of Bemidji, L. A. Paddock Jr, Mrs Helen Schriner of Hewitt, Della G, Arthur G, Elbridge Gerry, Ethel and Annabel. Of these all but Arthur and Elbridge Gerry are alive. He also had two sisters: Mrs L Li Tarbell (nee McNanny) and Mrs Tim Lynch both of Dodge Center, who were here to attend his funeral.
The funeral occurred from the M.E. church in this city Wednesday after noon and was largely attended by the town. Rev John Hughes presented a discourse and his remains were placed in the Wadena cemetary.
innesota pioneer
OBIT: Wadena Pioneer Journal Vol XXII Friday January 12, 1900 (courtesy of Jeff Bender, descendant of Lauren Austin Paddock, received via email 9/12/2009):
BUSY LIFE ENDED L A Paddock dies suddenly Monday January 8, 1900
Monday noon our citizens were startled by the report that L. A. Paddock was dead. No one aside from his family and close relatives were aware that he was ill and even those nearest to him had no initimation that the end was near until a few hours before his death. His death was therefore a shock to his family and community in general and examplified emphatically the uncertainty of life.
Mr Paddock's last illness was brief. He returned home last week Thursday from Bemidji and Camp Lake where he had contracted what appears to be a severe cold. He had been absent from home several days and went to look after some property interets in Bemidji. His illiness was not looked upon as being serious and he was about the house Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He complained, however of feeling badly and did not come to town as was his custom, but busied himself writing letters and looking after matters of business. The last letter he wrote was Saturday, which was to his daughter, Mrs Minnie Buckland of Michigan City, ND and she received the letter on the same day she was notified by telegraph of his death. Sunday he was about the house and out doors several times, but toward evening he grew worse and early Monday morning he felt so badly a physican was summoned for the first time. Dr Kenyon went out and found that he was in a very critical condition and notified his family. He was suffering from a severe attack of pneumonis, but even that morning he got up and ate a very hearty breakfast. Mr Paddock was a large man and for many years had been a sufferer of asthma and when pneumonia fastens itself upon a man under those conditions it usually results in fatally. Dr Kenyon realizing the seriousness of the case at once came to town for medicine and took back with him Dr Babouck, whom Mr Paddock had expressed a desire to see. Mr Paddock was taken to his bed after breakfast and grew rapidly worse. He breathed with great difficulty and suffered considerable pain. He was conscious until a short time before his death and seemed to recognize the fact that the end was near. He desired that some of his absent children be sent for and talked some about business matters which he desired to be attended to, but Mrs Paddock and the family advised him not to worry over such matters and he finally sank into a semi-conscious state and breathed his last at 11:00 o'clock in the morning. Both doctors worked over him unceasingly until the end came.
When his death became known many were the expressions of regret heard upon all sides. Mr Paddock has resided on his homestead three and a half miles south of town for over twenty-five years and during that time his figure had become a familiar one upon our streets. He was a large fine looking man, being over six feet tall, well proportioned and symetrical and he gretted all with a cheery smile and a pleasant word. In his younger days, when he enjoyed the blessings of a vigorous and active manhood, he was as fine a specimen of physical strength and ruggedness as one would ever meet. Then he was fond of out door sports, was a crack shot with a rifle and a successful hunter and a typical and sturdy pioneer of the then undeveloped middle west. In those days his life was an active one. Full of hope and courage and possessed of much natural shrewedness and foresight in business matters, no obstacle too great for him to overcome or no problem too difficult for him to solve. He made money and he lost it time and again, but there was no such word as failure in his lexicon of those early days. In many respects he was a remarkable man and his life was an eventful one. Of late he still retained much of his energy and hopefulness, but matters did not go well with him the past several years. His health became impaired from early exposure and he would be greatly discouraged at times. But, adversity did not sour his genial temperment and at all times he was a most companionable man, a good neighbor, a kind husband and father, and an enterprising and progressive citizen.
AN EVENTFUL LIFE Incidents of the life of Mr Paddock during the early days
Lauren Austin Paddock was born at Newberry Ohio, March 23, 1827 and was therefore nearly 63 years old at the time of his death. At the age of 14 he moved with his parents from Ohio to La Crosse, WI, they being the first white settlers in that country at that time. He stayed with his parents until he was 17 years of age and during that time they established a good farm and a comfortable home in what was heretofore a wilderness. The country round about settled up quite fast and lumbering became the chief occupation of the sturdy young men of that time. Mr Paddock engaged in that avocation for two years. At the age of 19 he first married and becoming enthused with the prospects of making his fortune at Pikes Peak during the gold craze, he in the company with his young wife and a party of friends made that hazardous journey traveling with mules and wagons. This was in 1858. They made some money there, but returned to Wisconsin at the outbreak of the civil war and the day after he enlisted as a private and came outas a first lieutenant, serving in town in the quartermaster's department and as second lieutenant. He served until the war ended. After the war he went to Iowa where he settled on a farm and after spending a few years there he went to Marine Mills , where he went into the lumber business , which he followed up to the time of his removal to Wadena county twenty-five years ago. In the lumber business he prospered , but met with a series of reverses and lost about all of the fruits of his labor. His first wife died in 1868 and in 1870 he married his present wife, Miss Loretta Norton at Winnebago City, MN. In 1874 he came to Wadena with his family and took his homestead, the farm upon which he has since lived.
At the time of the Black Hills gold craze, Mr Paddock was again seized with a desire for adventure and in the company with several friends thay went to Bismarck. It was on this trip that he came near losing his life and the exposure to which he was subjected then no doubt contributed in no small way to his death. At Bismarck he and his friends joined, a company of several hundred men who were making their way to the Black Hills by wagon train. It was in the spring of the year and the wagon train made slow progress. Mr Paddock and six companions became impatient at the slow progress being made and they finally proceeded by themselves. The Indians were very hostile at that time, but they concluded to take the chances and were anxious to reach the hills about which fabulous stories of great gold discoveries had reached their ears. They had merely a pony to pack their luggage, but they bravely set out and would have probably reached the hills in safety had it not beeen that a severe blizzard and snow storm over took them. Mr Paddock and one friend laid down near a kollol, covered their blankets over them and remained there for one day and two nights and when they crawled out they were unable to find their provisions or companions. The weather turned bitterly cold and they wandered around aimlessly for eight days and several times laid down to die only to get renewed courage to press on. Some hunters discovered them on the eighth day and took them to the camps utilized by the stage lines established by N. P. Clarke of St. Cloud and they secured teams to take them to Bismarck. Here they received medical aid. Mr Paddock was frozen badly about the feet and hands, but he did not fare as badly as his partner , who had to have both legs amputated. It was a fearful experience and one which many men could not pass through without meeting death. Their five other companions perished in the storm.
Mr Packard figured prominently in many pioneer incidents of this county and had upon more than on ocassion displayed his bravery. As will be remembered by all old settlers, the first murder ever committed in this county was by an Indian in the town of Aldrich. A family named Costello lived here at that time and during a visit of some Indians to the house, the son and one of the Indians got into a quarrel. The son threw the Indian out of the house and the Indian, seeking revenge, fired a shot at him, but the bullet struck his sister, killing her instantly. The Indian was arrested by the sheriff, but was afterwards taken away forcibly by a crowd of Indians and taken to their camp on the Red Eye river. The affair occassioned much excitement at the time and an armed body of men went out to again secure the Indian. L. A. Paddock was one of the leaders of the movement and after coming up to the Indian camp, the members of which were very ugly, Mr Paddock alone volunteered to go to the camp and size up the situation. This he did at the risk of losing his life and he discovered that there were not near as many Indians as reported. They would not give up the murderer, however and Mr Paddock strongly advocated an attack. The other members of the party were more cautious, however, and finally persuaded him to retire. Mr Paddock never had any use for the Indians. During the Indian massacre near New Ulm in the early 1860's his sister was taken as a captive by a band of warriors and treated with much cruelty and he was always ready to fight redskins ever after that.
In the early 1880's Mr Paddock went into the lumbering business north of New York Mills and he carried on quite an extensive business. The town of Paddock, Otter Tail county was named in his honor. His mill was destroyed by fire and he afterwards devoted himself almost exclusively to farming. Mr Paddock was an excellent and successful farmer and had he devoted himself entirely to his farm he would have amassed a comfortable fortune. He kept himself thoroughly posted in agricultural matters and knew how to conduct a farm to the best possible advantage. In 1893-4, Mr Paddock was very comfortably situated, when unfortunately for him, he went to Duluth and entered into the grain business. In those times of depression the grain business was not profitable and he lost heavily. Afterwards he went to Georgia, where he located a colony in the lumber woods and was at the head of a company which erected a saw mill. He subsequently returned to Wadena and has since remained on his farm. barring a few months he spent at Bemidji in the lumber business. He traded his interests at Bemidji for business property there which the family still retains and the week before Mr Paddock's death he had just closed a contract whereby he leased the property at a monthly rental of $70.
During the last few years of his life, Mr Paddock was an ardent and enthusiastic Populist. He occupied a prominent place in the state organization, serving for some time on the state central committee and when Governor Lind was elected he applied for a place in the grain department in Duluth. He was given a minor position with only a salary of $65 per month and Mr Paddock would not accept that. He resigned and wrote a caustic letter to Governor Lind in which he stated his position. It was a great disappointment to him that a position of more importance was not tendered him.
Mr Paddock leaves a wife and a large family of children to morn his loss. All of the children were present at his funeral. By his first wife he had three children, Mrs Buckland of Michigan City, ND, Lorenzo A Paddock and John W Paddock. Eight children were born to them from his second marriage to Loretta Norton. They are: Mrs Dolly Waldrom of Bemidji, L. A. Paddock Jr, Mrs Helen Schriner of Hewitt, Della G, Arthur G, Elbridge Gerry, Ethel and Annabel. Of these all but Arthur and Elbridge Gerry are alive. He also had two sisters: Mrs L Li Tarbell (nee McNanny) and Mrs Tim Lynch both of Dodge Center, who were here to attend his funeral.
The funeral occurred from the M.E. church in this city Wednesday after noon and was largely attended by the town. Rev John Hughes presented a discourse and his remains were placed in the Wadena cemetary.
innesota pioneer
BUSY LIFE ENDED L A Paddock dies suddenly Monday January 8, 1900
Monday noon our citizens were startled by the report that L. A. Paddock was dead. No one aside from his family and close relatives were aware that he was ill and even those nearest to him had no initimation that the end was near until a few hours before his death. His death was therefore a shock to his family and community in general and examplified emphatically the uncertainty of life.
Mr Paddock's last illness was brief. He returned home last week Thursday from Bemidji and Camp Lake where he had contracted what appears to be a severe cold. He had been absent from home several days and went to look after some property interets in Bemidji. His illiness was not looked upon as being serious and he was about the house Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He complained, however of feeling badly and did not come to town as was his custom, but busied himself writing letters and looking after matters of business. The last letter he wrote was Saturday, which was to his daughter, Mrs Minnie Buckland of Michigan City, ND and she received the letter on the same day she was notified by telegraph of his death. Sunday he was about the house and out doors several times, but toward evening he grew worse and early Monday morning he felt so badly a physican was summoned for the first time. Dr Kenyon went out and found that he was in a very critical condition and notified his family. He was suffering from a severe attack of pneumonis, but even that morning he got up and ate a very hearty breakfast. Mr Paddock was a large man and for many years had been a sufferer of asthma and when pneumonia fastens itself upon a man under those conditions it usually results in fatally. Dr Kenyon realizing the seriousness of the case at once came to town for medicine and took back with him Dr Babouck, whom Mr Paddock had expressed a desire to see. Mr Paddock was taken to his bed after breakfast and grew rapidly worse. He breathed with great difficulty and suffered considerable pain. He was conscious until a short time before his death and seemed to recognize the fact that the end was near. He desired that some of his absent children be sent for and talked some about business matters which he desired to be attended to, but Mrs Paddock and the family advised him not to worry over such matters and he finally sank into a semi-conscious state and breathed his last at 11:00 o'clock in the morning. Both doctors worked over him unceasingly until the end came.
When his death became known many were the expressions of regret heard upon all sides. Mr Paddock has resided on his homestead three and a half miles south of town for over twenty-five years and during that time his figure had become a familiar one upon our streets. He was a large fine looking man, being over six feet tall, well proportioned and symetrical and he gretted all with a cheery smile and a pleasant word. In his younger days, when he enjoyed the blessings of a vigorous and active manhood, he was as fine a specimen of physical strength and ruggedness as one would ever meet. Then he was fond of out door sports, was a crack shot with a rifle and a successful hunter and a typical and sturdy pioneer of the then undeveloped middle west. In those days his life was an active one. Full of hope and courage and possessed of much natural shrewedness and foresight in business matters, no obstacle too great for him to overcome or no problem too difficult for him to solve. He made money and he lost it time and again, but there was no such word as failure in his lexicon of those early days. In many respects he was a remarkable man and his life was an eventful one. Of late he still retained much of his energy and hopefulness, but matters did not go well with him the past several years. His health became impaired from early exposure and he would be greatly discouraged at times. But, adversity did not sour his genial temperment and at all times he was a most companionable man, a good neighbor, a kind husband and father, and an enterprising and progressive citizen.
AN EVENTFUL LIFE Incidents of the life of Mr Paddock during the early days
Lauren Austin Paddock was born at Newberry Ohio, March 23, 1827 and was therefore nearly 63 years old at the time of his death. At the age of 14 he moved with his parents from Ohio to La Crosse, WI, they being the first white settlers in that country at that time. He stayed with his parents until he was 17 years of age and during that time they established a good farm and a comfortable home in what was heretofore a wilderness. The country round about settled up quite fast and lumbering became the chief occupation of the sturdy young men of that time. Mr Paddock engaged in that avocation for two years. At the age of 19 he first married and becoming enthused with the prospects of making his fortune at Pikes Peak during the gold craze, he in the company with his young wife and a party of friends made that hazardous journey traveling with mules and wagons. This was in 1858. They made some money there, but returned to Wisconsin at the outbreak of the civil war and the day after he enlisted as a private and came outas a first lieutenant, serving in town in the quartermaster's department and as second lieutenant. He served until the war ended. After the war he went to Iowa where he settled on a farm and after spending a few years there he went to Marine Mills , where he went into the lumber business , which he followed up to the time of his removal to Wadena county twenty-five years ago. In the lumber business he prospered , but met with a series of reverses and lost about all of the fruits of his labor. His first wife died in 1868 and in 1870 he married his present wife, Miss Loretta Norton at Winnebago City, MN. In 1874 he came to Wadena with his family and took his homestead, the farm upon which he has since lived.
At the time of the Black Hills gold craze, Mr Paddock was again seized with a desire for adventure and in the company with several friends thay went to Bismarck. It was on this trip that he came near losing his life and the exposure to which he was subjected then no doubt contributed in no small way to his death. At Bismarck he and his friends joined, a company of several hundred men who were making their way to the Black Hills by wagon train. It was in the spring of the year and the wagon train made slow progress. Mr Paddock and six companions became impatient at the slow progress being made and they finally proceeded by themselves. The Indians were very hostile at that time, but they concluded to take the chances and were anxious to reach the hills about which fabulous stories of great gold discoveries had reached their ears. They had merely a pony to pack their luggage, but they bravely set out and would have probably reached the hills in safety had it not beeen that a severe blizzard and snow storm over took them. Mr Paddock and one friend laid down near a kollol, covered their blankets over them and remained there for one day and two nights and when they crawled out they were unable to find their provisions or companions. The weather turned bitterly cold and they wandered around aimlessly for eight days and several times laid down to die only to get renewed courage to press on. Some hunters discovered them on the eighth day and took them to the camps utilized by the stage lines established by N. P. Clarke of St. Cloud and they secured teams to take them to Bismarck. Here they received medical aid. Mr Paddock was frozen badly about the feet and hands, but he did not fare as badly as his partner , who had to have both legs amputated. It was a fearful experience and one which many men could not pass through without meeting death. Their five other companions perished in the storm.
Mr Packard figured prominently in many pioneer incidents of this county and had upon more than on ocassion displayed his bravery. As will be remembered by all old settlers, the first murder ever committed in this county was by an Indian in the town of Aldrich. A family named Costello lived here at that time and during a visit of some Indians to the house, the son and one of the Indians got into a quarrel. The son threw the Indian out of the house and the Indian, seeking revenge, fired a shot at him, but the bullet struck his sister, killing her instantly. The Indian was arrested by the sheriff, but was afterwards taken away forcibly by a crowd of Indians and taken to their camp on the Red Eye river. The affair occassioned much excitement at the time and an armed body of men went out to again secure the Indian. L. A. Paddock was one of the leaders of the movement and after coming up to the Indian camp, the members of which were very ugly, Mr Paddock alone volunteered to go to the camp and size up the situation. This he did at the risk of losing his life and he discovered that there were not near as many Indians as reported. They would not give up the murderer, however and Mr Paddock strongly advocated an attack. The other members of the party were more cautious, however, and finally persuaded him to retire. Mr Paddock never had any use for the Indians. During the Indian massacre near New Ulm in the early 1860's his sister was taken as a captive by a band of warriors and treated with much cruelty and he was always ready to fight redskins ever after that.
In the early 1880's Mr Paddock went into the lumbering business north of New York Mills and he carried on quite an extensive business. The town of Paddock, Otter Tail county was named in his honor. His mill was destroyed by fire and he afterwards devoted himself almost exclusively to farming. Mr Paddock was an excellent and successful farmer and had he devoted himself entirely to his farm he would have amassed a comfortable fortune. He kept himself thoroughly posted in agricultural matters and knew how to conduct a farm to the best possible advantage. In 1893-4, Mr Paddock was very comfortably situated, when unfortunately for him, he went to Duluth and entered into the grain business. In those times of depression the grain business was not profitable and he lost heavily. Afterwards he went to Georgia, where he located a colony in the lumber woods and was at the head of a company which erected a saw mill. He subsequently returned to Wadena and has since remained on his farm. barring a few months he spent at Bemidji in the lumber business. He traded his interests at Bemidji for business property there which the family still retains and the week before Mr Paddock's death he had just closed a contract whereby he leased the property at a monthly rental of $70.
During the last few years of his life, Mr Paddock was an ardent and enthusiastic Populist. He occupied a prominent place in the state organization, serving for some time on the state central committee and when Governor Lind was elected he applied for a place in the grain department in Duluth. He was given a minor position with only a salary of $65 per month and Mr Paddock would not accept that. He resigned and wrote a caustic letter to Governor Lind in which he stated his position. It was a great disappointment to him that a position of more importance was not tendered him.
Mr Paddock leaves a wife and a large family of children to morn his loss. All of the children were present at his funeral. By his first wife he had three children, Mrs Buckland of Michigan City, ND, Lorenzo A Paddock and John W Paddock. Eight children were born to them from his second marriage to Loretta Norton. They are: Mrs Dolly Waldrom of Bemidji, L. A. Paddock Jr, Mrs Helen Schriner of Hewitt, Della G, Arthur G, Elbridge Gerry, Ethel and Annabel. Of these all but Arthur and Elbridge Gerry are alive. He also had two sisters: Mrs L Li Tarbell (nee McNanny) and Mrs Tim Lynch both of Dodge Center, who were here to attend his funeral.
The funeral occurred from the M.E. church in this city Wednesday after noon and was largely attended by the town. Rev John Hughes presented a discourse and his remains were placed in the Wadena cemetary.
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