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In the years 1888 or 89 A. J. Smith, who lived on and owned the land where
<br />Chounard Cafe now stands, gave the land for a church. Those prominent in aiding
<br />its construction and who solicited finances were: W. B. Wilson, Lewis Carpenter and
<br />sons, Alfred Bryant, A. J. Smith and others. John Smith, son of A. J. Smith, was
<br />a minister, and he preached here for some time. The church was built across the
<br />highway from the A. J. Smith home, where it stood for many years, until the south
<br />bound road of highway 169 was built in 1939, when the Highway department moved
<br />it to its present location. H. A. Bradeen was superintendent of the Sunday School.
<br />Later, members of the Baptist Church got interested and Jim Berry and his sister,
<br />Helen, came for Sunday School teachers and Harvey Pryor was superintendent. Some
<br />of those who attended were, Mrs. John Herman and daughter Mary, Mrs. Richard
<br />Jude and daughter Ethel and son Charles, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Woodbury, who then
<br />lived on Nugent place, and Mrs. Woodbury's brother and family the Frank Coogins,
<br />Mary Jedlica and Maud, Alice Hellet (Mrs. Leon McLauflin, Mrs. Charles McLauflin,
<br />Walter and Ozro Hall and sister Myrtle, Henry Wilson, Watt and Allen Thomas and
<br />sister Addie, who lived where Ronald Peltzer now lives, George Steins and there
<br />were others. Quite a houseful at times.
<br />People moved away and passed on. Others joined a church in Anoka, but an
<br />organization known as the Literary Society organized in 1909. The same people and
<br />the same organization changed its name to Farmer's Club about 1915, and Mrs. W. B.
<br />Wilson, who was still living and possessed the deed, presented it to the Farmer's
<br />Club, which still holds it, but will always be open to religious meetings. This club for
<br />many years had a membership of 75 to 100 members, but now about 25 of that
<br />number, of which Clifton Clark, Keith Clark, and their wives and Myrtle Wilson of
<br />the original, with the Sherwin Schenks and Harvey Warneke family.
<br />It is an interesting fact that the family of Sarden Wilson and R. B. Porter became
<br />acquainted during the Indian outbreak. All endured privations of pioneer days, and
<br />lived in Ramsey the greater part of their lives. Practically all the Wilson and Porter
<br />children, also grandchildren and great grandchildren attended school in District 16.
<br />A grandchild, Anna Wilson, daughter of Herbert and Blanche Wilson, also Helen
<br />Wilson, daughter of Henry and Myrtle Wilson, both great grandaughters of Sarden
<br />Wilson and of the latter of R. B. Porter, taught school in District 16. Also, the child-
<br />ren of Clarence Porter, grandchildren of R. B. Porter attended school in district 16;
<br />and Daisy Porter, later Mrs. Walter Bradley, taught school in District 28, now Ramsey
<br />Town Hall. Further, all decendents lived to grow up in Ramsey, but now Myrtle
<br />Wilson, writer of this story, is the only survivor. All have played an active part iri
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