Then & Now: A History of Rice County, Faribault & Communities

Preface & acknowledgetnents
A worthy project
People are people, and where they settled in the
mid-1800s when vast, spacious midwestern and
western states became the mecca for adventurous,
ambitious colonists; what they believed in, what they
said and what they did, all became a part of recorded
history.
Happenings, events, incidents, official records,
concerned people of a century ago and they concern
Rice County now because we are the inheritors of their
actions, projects and accomplishments.
That is the chief purpose of this Rice County
Bicentennial Book - to relate the story of their
projects, ambitions and achievements and compare it
to what is happening in the same county now.
This has been a great Bicentennial Year - the
official anniversary of 200 years of American
statehood.
The anniversary has been observed on a national
scale - a gigantic speechmaking, bell ringing,
patriotic celebration was held on the July 4 weekend at
Washington, Philadelphia and other cities.
Recognition also was given in Minnesota and other
states of the union and by the Rice County Bicentennial
Commission, official sponsor of this book, ''Then and
Now."
It is with a feeling of pride and dedication that this
book has been published. It has not been an easy taskthe
area includes all of Rice County, its two large
cities, four villages, 14 townships and a dozen
unincorporated communities - but it has been an
enjoyable assignment and a rewarding one due to the
excellent cooperation all of us have received from
interested people in all sections of the county.
We have endeavored to create and assemble a
book which will be attractive, readable, full of
accurate information, illustrated with pictures of
bygone and present days.
We are aware that there have been some omissions
and some iamilies and individuals probably have not
been recognized. But this has not been intentional. We
have tried to do the best job possible within the limited
time allowed us.
That this history book is faultless, we do not intend
to presume. It is probably not within the power of man
to arrange a work of this sort without mistakes of one
sort or another; that it will meet with the unqualified
approval of all, we dare not expect but we trust that the
merits of the history chronicled will overbalance any
shortcomings that may be observed.
The Rice County Bicentennial Commission and the
staff of this book are deeply appreciative of the
financial assistance and loyal cooperation given by the
Rice County Board of Commissioners, the Faribault
City Council, the Northfield Council and the village
councils and township boards which made this project
possible.
L. E. Swanberg, Editor
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