Addison Eli Todd7, (Eli6, Solomon5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born July 22, 1821, in Charlemont, Mass., died Sept. 14, 1878, married, March 22, 1860, Isabella Ball, who was born Feb. 13, 1833, in Greenfield, Mass., in which town they were married.
Mr. Todd lived the first twenty-one years of his life in Charlemont, Mass., assisting his father with the work on the farm. Attaining his majority, he started for the west. Arriving in Michigan, he found employment in the saw mills of Lenawa County for several years. Returning to Massachusetts, he purchased a piece of timber land and began manufacturing “shook,” or dressed staves which were shipped to the West Indies, to be used for barreling sugar. In 1854, he, with his brother, Dexter, journeyed to Minnesota, and was employed for a time in building and operating a large saw mill at St. Anthony, which was the first mill to be built on Rum River. In those days, wooden pins were used to hold the frame of buildings together. Each man on the job was requested to make a pin. As Mr. Todd’s was the best specimen offered, he was given the task of making enough for the mill then in process of construction.
In the spring of 1855, Mr. Todd returned to Minnesota, this time making the journey on horseback. Passing through Rochester, where the settlers were just beginning to build, he arrived the next day on the bank of Zumbro River. There being no bridge, he and his horse were obliged to swim across. This being accomplished, he proceeded to spread his money and papers on the grass to dry. Journeying on he soon after came to Elba, Winona County, Minn., which seemed to be situated in a well watered and wooded valley, and looked something like home to him, his old home in the east. Near here he took up his claim of 160 acres in sections 6 and 7, where he made his home until the time of his death, where his family lived for forty years.
In 1858, he built a saw mill, which for many years, prepared the lumber for the houses of his neighbors. Improvements were made on the farm from time to time, and by various purchases, the area was increased to 350 acres in the home farm and 40 acres more in another lot, it being well stocked, and free of debt.
In politics, Mr. Todd was Democrat, which did not, however, prevent him from supporting the Federal Government during the civil war. One time he advanced a thousand dollars to the town for bounties to volunteers, which was subsequently returned to him. He was chairman of the board of Supervisors during the war, and again in 1871. He was active in the support of the schools and held various school offices.
Children:
*1597. Oliver Smith, b. Aug. 14, 1861.
*1598. Mary Adeline, b. Aug. 14, 1864.
*1599. Charles Addison, b. Nov. 8, 1866.
*1600. Kate Belle, b. Feb. 20, 1871.
*1601. Addie Emma, b. May 25, 1878.