Thomas Pulford deserves a spot in this hall of fame (Wykoff - A Journey Into Yesterday) because of the type of man he was and because of his long residence in this area. He was born in England October 8, 1848. The family came to America in 1851. They settled at Senneca Falls, New York, where they lived for five years. They were influenced, in 1856, by letters from friends already living here, to migrate to Minnesota where there was free land to be had and the promise of great opportunities. They crossed Lake Erie by lake steamer to Buffalo, traveled to Dubuque by train, and went to boat by Winona. They came by horse team and wagon to the home of Uncle Ned Linsey. (Now the home of John Evers.) The family lived with Uncle Ned until a log house could be erected on the homestead which was acquired as soon as possible. The government land office was at Chatfield. (The Pulford homestead is now owned by Irvin Evers.) There were then seven childdren. Thomas was eight years old. The youngest sister, Elizabeth, was born in the original house in January 1, 1860. They all knew the hardships of pioneer life. Fortunately, there was much wild game so they were never hungry. But it took some time to clear the land and harvest a crop. They all grew up, however, and eventually they all married. All, except Thomas, moved away. With the exception of ten years spent in North Dakota, Thomas lived most of his 94 years in this area.
Thomas Pulford and Eliza Rees were married on October 1, 1871, by the Rev. Gould who resided at "String Town Corners". They spent a three-day honeymoon at the Minnesota State Fair, held in Rochester that year. They moved into a small log house on the farm he had bought in section 16 the year before. Their five children were: Hattie, Fred, Rose, Matie, and Ed. Matie, alone, survives.
Mr. Pulford had the distinction of breaking more wild land in Fillmore and Fountain townships than any other one man. The land was covered with brush and some trees. The owner cut and burned the trees. The five strong yoke of oxen hitched to the large, sharp breaking plow did the rest. The oxen wore heavy yokes. All of the yokes were fastened to a heavy chain wich was attached to the plow. They were driven without lines. Being trained to respond to the commands Gee! or Haw! and speeded up by a flip of the long lash held in the hands of the driver. One man drove while another held the plow handles. They changed places from time to time. John Norton worked for Thomas for four seasons.
Mr. and Mrs. Pulford lived together for 64 years. In 1934, they were honored at an "Old Settlers Picnic" as the only couple left of those early pioneers. Mrs. Pulford died January 26, 1935. Mr. Pulford died March 1, 1942. He had been totally blind for ten years. But, since his hearing was excellent and his mind alert to the end, he never lost his friends.
The following is a tribute to Thomas Pulford by George Keenan, Jr. in a letter written to Matie after her father's death: "I was shocked to read in the Wykoff Enterprise about the death of your father - the passing of a grand man who lived to a ripe old age...He was the last of the old neighbors of that generation. I remember well his always calling on the sick. He was at Uncle Jim's (Keenan) when he passed away. He never failed to be on hand when the neighbors were in need... Accept my sympathy." Sincerely, Geo. E. Keenan, Coleraine, Minnesota
Thomas Pulford and Eliza Rees were married on October 1, 1871, by the Rev. Gould who resided at "String Town Corners". They spent a three-day honeymoon at the Minnesota State Fair, held in Rochester that year. They moved into a small log house on the farm he had bought in section 16 the year before. Their five children were: Hattie, Fred, Rose, Matie, and Ed. Matie, alone, survives.
Mr. Pulford had the distinction of breaking more wild land in Fillmore and Fountain townships than any other one man. The land was covered with brush and some trees. The owner cut and burned the trees. The five strong yoke of oxen hitched to the large, sharp breaking plow did the rest. The oxen wore heavy yokes. All of the yokes were fastened to a heavy chain wich was attached to the plow. They were driven without lines. Being trained to respond to the commands Gee! or Haw! and speeded up by a flip of the long lash held in the hands of the driver. One man drove while another held the plow handles. They changed places from time to time. John Norton worked for Thomas for four seasons.
Mr. and Mrs. Pulford lived together for 64 years. In 1934, they were honored at an "Old Settlers Picnic" as the only couple left of those early pioneers. Mrs. Pulford died January 26, 1935. Mr. Pulford died March 1, 1942. He had been totally blind for ten years. But, since his hearing was excellent and his mind alert to the end, he never lost his friends.
The following is a tribute to Thomas Pulford by George Keenan, Jr. in a letter written to Matie after her father's death: "I was shocked to read in the Wykoff Enterprise about the death of your father - the passing of a grand man who lived to a ripe old age...He was the last of the old neighbors of that generation. I remember well his always calling on the sick. He was at Uncle Jim's (Keenan) when he passed away. He never failed to be on hand when the neighbors were in need... Accept my sympathy." Sincerely, Geo. E. Keenan, Coleraine, Minnesota
Thomas Pulford deserves a spot in this hall of fame (Wykoff - A Journey Into Yesterday) because of the type of man he was and because of his long residence in this area. He was born in England October 8, 1848. The family came to America in 1851. They settled at Senneca Falls, New York, where they lived for five years. They were influenced, in 1856, by letters from friends already living here, to migrate to Minnesota where there was free land to be had and the promise of great opportunities. They crossed Lake Erie by lake steamer to Buffalo, traveled to Dubuque by train, and went to boat by Winona. They came by horse team and wagon to the home of Uncle Ned Linsey. (Now the home of John Evers.) The family lived with Uncle Ned until a log house could be erected on the homestead which was acquired as soon as possible. The government land office was at Chatfield. (The Pulford homestead is now owned by Irvin Evers.) There were then seven childdren. Thomas was eight years old. The youngest sister, Elizabeth, was born in the original house in January 1, 1860. They all knew the hardships of pioneer life. Fortunately, there was much wild game so they were never hungry. But it took some time to clear the land and harvest a crop. They all grew up, however, and eventually they all married. All, except Thomas, moved away. With the exception of ten years spent in North Dakota, Thomas lived most of his 94 years in this area.
Thomas Pulford and Eliza Rees were married on October 1, 1871, by the Rev. Gould who resided at "String Town Corners". They spent a three-day honeymoon at the Minnesota State Fair, held in Rochester that year. They moved into a small log house on the farm he had bought in section 16 the year before. Their five children were: Hattie, Fred, Rose, Matie, and Ed. Matie, alone, survives.
Mr. Pulford had the distinction of breaking more wild land in Fillmore and Fountain townships than any other one man. The land was covered with brush and some trees. The owner cut and burned the trees. The five strong yoke of oxen hitched to the large, sharp breaking plow did the rest. The oxen wore heavy yokes. All of the yokes were fastened to a heavy chain wich was attached to the plow. They were driven without lines. Being trained to respond to the commands Gee! or Haw! and speeded up by a flip of the long lash held in the hands of the driver. One man drove while another held the plow handles. They changed places from time to time. John Norton worked for Thomas for four seasons.
Mr. and Mrs. Pulford lived together for 64 years. In 1934, they were honored at an "Old Settlers Picnic" as the only couple left of those early pioneers. Mrs. Pulford died January 26, 1935. Mr. Pulford died March 1, 1942. He had been totally blind for ten years. But, since his hearing was excellent and his mind alert to the end, he never lost his friends.
The following is a tribute to Thomas Pulford by George Keenan, Jr. in a letter written to Matie after her father's death: "I was shocked to read in the Wykoff Enterprise about the death of your father - the passing of a grand man who lived to a ripe old age...He was the last of the old neighbors of that generation. I remember well his always calling on the sick. He was at Uncle Jim's (Keenan) when he passed away. He never failed to be on hand when the neighbors were in need... Accept my sympathy." Sincerely, Geo. E. Keenan, Coleraine, Minnesota
Thomas Pulford and Eliza Rees were married on October 1, 1871, by the Rev. Gould who resided at "String Town Corners". They spent a three-day honeymoon at the Minnesota State Fair, held in Rochester that year. They moved into a small log house on the farm he had bought in section 16 the year before. Their five children were: Hattie, Fred, Rose, Matie, and Ed. Matie, alone, survives.
Mr. Pulford had the distinction of breaking more wild land in Fillmore and Fountain townships than any other one man. The land was covered with brush and some trees. The owner cut and burned the trees. The five strong yoke of oxen hitched to the large, sharp breaking plow did the rest. The oxen wore heavy yokes. All of the yokes were fastened to a heavy chain wich was attached to the plow. They were driven without lines. Being trained to respond to the commands Gee! or Haw! and speeded up by a flip of the long lash held in the hands of the driver. One man drove while another held the plow handles. They changed places from time to time. John Norton worked for Thomas for four seasons.
Mr. and Mrs. Pulford lived together for 64 years. In 1934, they were honored at an "Old Settlers Picnic" as the only couple left of those early pioneers. Mrs. Pulford died January 26, 1935. Mr. Pulford died March 1, 1942. He had been totally blind for ten years. But, since his hearing was excellent and his mind alert to the end, he never lost his friends.
The following is a tribute to Thomas Pulford by George Keenan, Jr. in a letter written to Matie after her father's death: "I was shocked to read in the Wykoff Enterprise about the death of your father - the passing of a grand man who lived to a ripe old age...He was the last of the old neighbors of that generation. I remember well his always calling on the sick. He was at Uncle Jim's (Keenan) when he passed away. He never failed to be on hand when the neighbors were in need... Accept my sympathy." Sincerely, Geo. E. Keenan, Coleraine, Minnesota
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