Annis Brothers
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Annis Family Brothers in 19th Century America
Annis Brothers
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Annis Family Brothers in 19th Century America
Henry, Charles, Allen and Hazen Annis
This page last updated January 5, 2021
Ira and Azro Annis
Ira and Azro Annis were born in Chelsea, Vermont, to the large family of James and Sarah (Clifford) Annis. Ira was the third child and eldest son and was born July 12, 1816. Azro was the seventh child and third son and was born January 2, 1827.
Sarah, their mother, died May 2, 1838 at Albany, Vermont and their father married again, two years later, to the widow Merinda Parker. Merinda certainly had her hands full with James and his eleven children and she would later give James five more children for a total of 16 children in the Annis household. Sadly, James Annis died destitute in 1849 at the age of 57 years. This left Merinda, his widow, a large family that was had to be broken up after she passed away in 1861. By this time, there were three children at home, George age 20, Caroline age 16, and Silas, the youngest child, age 13. George lived with his half brother Ira for a time and Caroline stayed with other relatives. Silas was adopted and his name legally changed to Charles Duckles. By this time Ira and Azro were both married and had begun families of their own, Ira in Albany, Vermont and Azro in Walden, Vermont. Ira Annis married on November 25, 1841 to Brilla J. Corey at Lowell, Massachusetts, after which the couple came back to Vermont.The brothers Ira and Azro had decided to move west to the Minnesota Territory in the Spring of 1856 and seek better fortune. Most pioneers that went west to Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin traveled by one of two ways. The first was by wagon the entire trip and the second was via the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, was the engineering marvel of its day. It included 18 aqueducts to carry the canal over ravines and rivers, and 83 locks, with a rise of 568 feet from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. Although built for the purpose of transporting freight, it became very convenient for pioneers to load their families and belongings and bypass the hazardous and rudimentary roads across western New York state. Once they arrived at Buffalo, New York, the pioneers would board a ship at the eastern end of Lake Erie and travel to Detroit. Once there they had the choice of traveling overland across the southern part of Michigan to Chicago or continue by boat around Michigan through the Great Lakes to Chicago.
We do not have clues as to how Ira, Azro and their family traveled west, but they made their way to Ripon, Wisconsin and arrived there in good time in late April 1856. Though Wisconsin was initially a distant frontier, the small numbers of French, English, Americans, and Native Americans who resided there had nonetheless explored and used the rich land and water resources that would soon bring thousands of immigrants into Wisconsin. Between 1836 and 1850, Wisconsin's population increased from a mere 11,000 to over 305,000. Some of these settlers came from the eastern United States, like Azro and Ira Annis, while others came from Europe. Wisconsin was not only proving to be a good place to settle, but also served as a major jumping off point to points further west that included Minnesota Territory and the Dakota Territory.
The route of the Erie Canal in 1856
The Annis family party included: Ira Annis age 39, his pregnant wife Brilla, age 35 and their four children, Richard age 10, Celia age 8, Iona age 6 and Ira age 4 and Flora age 2; Azro Annis, age 29 and his new bride, Marie J.(Hall)age 22; their sister Sarah (Annis) Sprague age 27, and her husband, Joseph W. Sprague age 24. This party would grow in size.
The first order of business upon reaching Ripon was to get outfitted which meant the purchase of wagons, stock and supplies. This would be followed by finding other pioneers that were traveling west to the territories and a trail master that would lead the wagon train and was experienced on the trail and the route. The man they chose was Uriah Payne, pilot and frontiersman, along with his three sons.The wagon train consisted of seven covered wagons which carried the household goods of the seven families, composed as follows: Ira Annis, his wife and five children; Sarah and Joseph Sprague; Azro Annis and wife, Asa P. Sherman, wife and two children; R. B. Hall, wife and one child; Russell Franklin, wife and one child; Charles Durkee, and Jonathan Holbrook, and Uriah Payne and three sons, for a total of twenty-five souls.
This wagon train started from Ripon, Wisconsin on May 10, 1856. They would make their way across the broad prairie with neither a bush or tree to greet them, and the wild prairie grass from eighteen inches to three feet tall. They would leave a trail behind them which would be followed and used as a road for a great many years, It is still a part of Mapleton, Minnesota's public highways.On average, ten miles a day would be a good day's haul for a wagon train, which was limited by the livestock it took along, as well as the speed of the wagons and consideration for the number of children and women. It is approximately 290 miles from Ripon, Wisconsin to Mapleton, Minnesota, which would be about 29 days travel at the speed. But the roads were non-existent, or little more than a faint wagon track. We know how long it took the Annis family to make the journey, because Ira's son could remember the dates. Leaving Ripon on May 10, 1856, they arrived near the area that they would eventually settle on June 1, 1856 which is a period of 29 days!
The Map of the United States and Territories in 1856
As they neared their destination they reached a place called Owatonna, a small town of one frame building and one log store on the banks of the Straight River. In a short 15 years it would grow quickly as more and more pioneers headed into the Minnesota and Dakota Territories.
It was here that the Annis party stayed for ten days to decide where they wanted to go next and it was finally decided that as Ira Annis had the only horse team, they would unload a light wagon, take a selected few people, a few guns and provisions and proceed to the Maple River. This where Uriah Payne had previously located a claim of 160 acres.
The party now began to split up and to go their different ways, either to land that they had already planned on settling or to find suitable acreage for the individual families. According to Ira's son, Stephen, in a later retelling of the trip they arrived at the banks of the Maple River on June 20. 1856, famished, footsore, and thirsty. Mr. Franklin told Russel Franklin told the party that there was a boiling spring of good cool water at the edge of the river below. As soon as they could, "men, women, and children made the descent of the steep bank, with cup in hand to get a good cool drink." Stephen also related that "there had been some limbs thrown into the shallow water, and not used to boiling springs, I stepped right into the bubbling sand and down I went nearly to my waist, and don't know how much farther I might have gone had I not been caught by some men and pulled out. Then when I came to drink the strong iron water, oh my! It was cold, but I could drink the stuff only by holding my nose."
A Map of Owatonna, Minnesota in 1870
Azro Annis
Ira and Azro split up at this point, with Ira going east up the river for a mile and a half, and Azro going west into Sterling township. It was here that Azro found a wife, and we can imagine after he had built his shelter and claimed his land that he was ready to marry and start his family. He was nearly 30 years old when he met and married Marie J. Hall. Her family was also from Vermont and she was 22 years of age. They were married for nearly three years when Maria died in childbirth and the baby did not survive.
In 1863, he met and married Harriet Eldridge, age 18, whose family had traveled from Chenango County, New York to settle in Minnesota. Azro and Harriet had a large family of thirteen children, with nine of them surviving to adulthood. . On October 10, 1870 Azro was granted a homestead patent for 160 acres in Sterling Township, Section 14. The Azro Annis family was proud of their farm and worked hard at its success. The family all participated in community events, and were associated with the Baptist Church. They remained and worked hard at their farm for 36 years near Sterling Center. In 1899 Azro became ill with cancer of the right eye and the eye had to be surgically removed. On July 14, 1900 Azro passed away, no doubt due to complications with the surgery or cancer. His widow Harriet, age 54, was left with five children at home. Azro was buried at Sterling Cemetery in Mapleton and his wife joined him for eternity 20 years later on January 20, 1920. Many of his descendants still live in the area of Sterling and Mapleton.
Burial place and headstone of Azro and Harriet Annis
Ira Annis
The life and times of Ira Annis were very much like his brother Azro. Ira was an industrious settler and soon had the beginning of a good farm and homestead near the town of Mapleton. But just as things were starting to get underway and the family was making a home for themselves, disaster and heartbreak broke upon the Annis family. Ira was no stranger to heartbreak. Ira and Brilla's first two daughters, Ellen Elizabeth and Abby Jane died from Diptheria within 2 weeks of each other in January 1852 in Albany Vermont. Ellen was 9 years old and Abby was 7 and they were buried at Hovey Cemetery at Albany, Vermont. Their brother Richard, age 5 at that time survived.
The graves of Ellen and Abby Annis
We are fortunate that the story of Ira and Azro Annis and their pioneer journey to Minnesota has been preserved in the words of Ira's son, Richard Steven Annis (1846-1910). Richard was a veteran of the Civil War, and served as a Private with the 11th Minnesota Infantry, but in his later years he wrote down this interesting account of the journey his family made, by covered wagon, to the area of Mapleton, Minnesota. He was only ten years old at that time (1856), but the adventure that a small boy experienced can still be felt in the words of an old man."Along about June 20th, 1856, there might have been seen a man of middle age, with a keen grey eye, and stern face, his trusty old rifle slung carelessly over his shoulder, his faithful, courageous, old yellow dog, Tige, following closely at his heels, making his way across the clear broad prairie lying between the streams known as the Cobb and Maple Rivers. This man would stop once in a while to survey the surrounding ground for about one half mile. In his rear, followed six or seven teams and covered wagons. This man was selecting out the best plans for crossing the low spots, and still keeping in view a certain point of timber on the Maple River. These six or seven covered wagons carried the household goods of the seven families, composed as follows: Ira Annis, his wife and five children; his sister, now Mrs. J. W. Sprague; Azro Annis and wife, Asa P. Sherman, wife and two children; R. B. Hall, wife and one child; Russell Franklin, wife and one child; Charles Durkee, and Jonathan Holbrook, and last but not least, our pilot and frontiersman, Uriah Payne and three sons. A total of twenty-five souls, making their way across the broad prairie with neither a bush or tree to greet them, and the wild prairie grass from eighteen inches to three feet tall. They left a trail behind which was followed and used as a road for a great many years, and is still a part of Mapleton's public highways.
This colony started from Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, about the 10th day of May, and fell in with Uriah Payne. They soon learned that he was making his way to Minnesota, and as the colony had no particular point in view, naturally drifted along until we reached a place called Owatonna, a city of one frame building and one log store on the banks of a little stream called Straight River, but which we later found to be one of the crookedest little swimming streams we ever saw and which we boys fully explored, for ten days following, with a little old mud scow. Here a halt was called and a council held. Some wanted to stop, while others wished to go farther on, and it was finally decided that as Ira Annis had the only horse team, they would unload a light wagon, take a selected few, a few guns, provisions, etc... and proceed to the Maple River, where Mr. Payne had previously located a claim of 160 acres in the timber just west of where Jud Cornell lives. This party, after an absence of ten days, decided to proceed from Owatonna, so all except Mr. Franklin returned for their families, and reached the banks of the Maple River, where Ben Taylor now lives, at about three o'clock in the afternoon on June 20th, 1856, famished, footsore, and thirsty, for it was a warm day. Mr. Franklin told us there was a boiling spring of good cool water at the edge of the river below, and as soon as we could, men, women, and children made the descent of the steep bank, with cup in hand to get a good cool drink. There had been some limbs thrown into the shallow water, and not used to boiling springs, I stepped right into the bubbling sand and down I went nearly to my waist, and don't know how much farther I might have gone had I not been caught by some men and pulled out. Then when I came to drink the strong iron water, oh my! It was cold, but I could drink the stuff only by holding my nose.
Well, in a few days our little colony began to scatter out, Ira Annis and A. P. Sherman going east, up the river, about one and a half mile; Azro Annis going west into the township now called Sterling, where some of the family still reside. After this separation began the struggle for eatables and wearables. The summer and fall of 1856 was very dry, and the earth was parched and cracked in places, making fissures large enough for me, a small boy, to run my foot into the ground above my knee. My father started breaking plow at once after getting settled, and well do I remember one day along in July, while driving four yoke of oxen, we looked away to the northeast, near where the village of Mapleton now stands, and saw something very peculiar glistening in the sun. For a time we could not make out what it was, but a little later on, discovered it was a company of Indians, about one dozen, all on horseback, and the sun was shining upon their guns which caused the glistening. Well, my curiosity was aroused, and a little fear too, for when they arrived at our tent, they wanted water. But the funny part was to come, and it was this; when we left Wisconsin we had a good ten gallon keg of vinegar, and upon our arrival at our new home found three oak trees spreading at the earth between which we had placed our vinegar keg. Those Indians saw the keg and began circling around it and smelling at it until my father's cousin, Charles Durkee, went and drew out about a quart and handed it to one of the band. He smelled of it, and passed it on until it went the round. Then Mr. Durkee took a spoon and drank a spoonful and each of the party followed suit, then seemed to proceed on their way quietly. Later on, we used to have them call quite often, as our house was on their direct trail from the agency at Lura Lake, and so to Bass and Rice Lakes.
But I am getting ahead of my story, and will return. On the 4th of July 1856, at our tent was held one of the first, if not the first, celebrations ever held in Mapleton. We had prepared a good pole swing between two large oak trees (our party had been enlarged by the arrival of another Holbrook by the name of Joel, so that there were about twenty-five in number). Captain R. B. Hall made a speech, we fired the old double barrel, muzzle loading, shot guns, waved our flags, ate a good hearty dinner, and all returned home as happy as could be expected.The winter of 1856 and 1857 was cold and many hardships we passed through. Then began the Johnny cake times and for three years it was nothing but beef and Johnny cake three times a day; even Johnny cake was scarce. Some ground their own meal in a coffee mill on account of the long distance to travel to the mill and the cold weather, but we all, as a usual thing, were a healthy lot."
By November of 1859 they had seven children on the farm and all were healthy and well. They were Richard Stephen (age 13), Celia Irene (age 11), Iona Lucinda (age 9), Ira Darius (age 7), Flora Eva (age 4), Sarah Marie (age 2) and the new baby, William Horace. Brilla became pregnant again in the spring of 1861 and on January 17, 1862 gave birth to a boy Albert S. Annis. Brilla died of complications the same day. The baby survived for nine months but joined his mother on September 21 of the same year.
The Dakota War
To make matters worse for the family the Dakota War began on August 17, 1862. The Dakota War of 1862 was a brief conflict between the Dakota people of Minnesota and settlers. Lasting only five weeks, the conflict had a profound impact on not only the Dakota, but Native Americans across the state. The conflict can be viewed as one of the genocidal efforts to forcibly remove the Dakota from Minnesota, which also included the internment of hundreds of women, children and elderly on Pike Island below Fort Snelling.On August 17, a Dakota hunting party stole eggs from settlers in Acton Township, located in Meeker County. The raid led to the deaths of five settlers. Little Crow, a chief of the Mdewakanton band of Dakota, decided to continue the raids. The day after the raid in Acton, Little Crow led another raid against the Lower Sioux Agency near Morton, MN in Renville County. A relief force, led by the Minnesota Militia, was routed by the Dakota.
In the subsequent days, Dakota warriors led raids against New Ulm and Fort Ridgley, both of which had limited success. Because of the Civil War, the US government was slow to send troops to quell the uprising. Instead, military forces were primarily comprised of volunteer groups, led by former Governor Henry Sibley.
On September 23, federal forces defeated the Dakota at the Battle of Wood Lake in Yellow Medicine County. Three days later, the Dakota surrendered, releasing nearly 300 captives. The Dakota who surrendered were held until military trials could take place that November. Hundreds of Dakota were held at Camp Release, near Montevideo.
In 1864, Not long after his wife Brilla passed away, Ira remarried to Christina Shurtleff, and she, no doubt, helped raise the surviving children. Ira died at the age of 66 on October 10 1882 at Mapleton and was buried at Chase Cemetery in that city.
Ira's obituary appeared in the Mankato Free Press (errors included) and reads:"Ira Annis departed his life October 10th, 1882, aged 64 years. The suhject of this notice was born in Chelsey, Vermont in the year 1818. Before he was of age, he went to Albany, Vermont where he was married to a Miss Corey in the year 1840. He remained in Albany till the year 1853 when he moved to Wisconsin and from there to Minnesota in 1856 and settled a few rods from the place he leaves as his homestead. His first wife died in 1860 leaving a family of 7 children, three sons and four daughters, which are all still living, the youngest a son of 23 years old. About two years after the death of his first wife he was married to a Mrs. Christiana Lewit, a lady from Vermont, with whom he has lived pleasantly until death separated them. Bro Anis embraced the Christian religion in 1864 and united with the Mapleton Free Baptist Church. With this church he has loved and labored. His home was the home of her ministers and he was always ready to contribute liberaly to the support of the gospel, and also has paid largely for church building. He was firm in his Christian faith and lived a very exemplary life.
He was a man of good business capacity and also a man of great industry. He has always labored hard until the last ten or twelve years which have been to him have been years of suffering.
He died siting in his chair of disease of the heart. His funeral services were largley attened by sympathizing neighbors and friends. The community feel to mourn the loss of one of the oldest settlers and also a kind neighbor. As a church we have lost one of our ablest financiers and supporters. The wife has lost an affectionate husband, the children a kind father, and although he has left for his family a good estate, yet we trust he has gone to possess a grander one above.
He labored hard to build a church here which he saw completed, but he has left the church militant to enjoy the church triumphant. May God bless the bereaved family."
Henry, Charles, Allen and Hazen Annis
Grave of Hazen Annis 1813-1847
Hazen Annis was born October 23, 1813 in Warner, New Hampshire the youngest child and son of Lieutenant Moses Annis and Lydia (Currier) Annis. He had 9 siblings, 3 sisters and 6 brothers. Hazen married in 1839 at Warner to Clarissa Ann Hill. She was born July 5, 1817 in Western, New York, the daughter of David and Laura (Church) Hill.
Hazen and Clarissa had four sons at Warner: Henry Lee Annis, born May 1840; Charles Annis, born August 1841; Allen Clark Annis, born 1843 and Hazen Mason Annis, born September 1845.
For reasons yet unknown Hazen died on April 23, 1847 at the age of 33 years and leaving a widow and four young sons all under the age of eight years. The widow Annis had little choice and gathered her children and went to Westernville, New York where her parents had moved. The Hill and Annis family were two families that had been close. David ad Laura Hill had moved westward to New York in the early 1800's and all of their children, including Clarissa were born in Western, Oneida County, New York. The fact that she married Hazen Annis in Warner, New Hampshire shows that she had to go there in order to be married and that is where their four sons were born. The boys were spread out with aunts and uncles in Western and Westernville, New York. Their mother died on November 28, 1850 leaving the boys orphaned.
Henry L. Annis 1840-1919
The 1855 New York state census shows the eldest son, Henry L. Annis (age 15) working as a laborer with the Alexander Paddock family. In the 1860 (age 20) Federal census, working as a laborer for the Mason Nisbit family. On January 23, 1867 Henry Annis married Laura Stone (1845-1919). They settled in Rome, New York and lived there for the rest of their lives. They had no children. Henry L. Annis died November 26, 1919 at Rome and is buried with his wife at Rome Cemetery.
The grave of Henry and Laura Annis
His obituary read: Published in the Utica Herald - Dispatch, Wednesday, November 26, 1919 (transcribed with errors)
He was an expert cheese maker and for years was interested in the Williams factory at Hicks’ Mills where the first factory cheese was made. At South Hill he married Miss Laura Stone who died six month ago. Mr. Annis attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was a man of high character and charitable and was deeply devoted to his home and loved ones. Two brothers survive, Charles S. Annis of South Hill and Hazen of this city, and two nephews, Howard Annis of South Hill and Ernest of Schenectady. The funeral will be held at the house at 12 p.m. Saturday."
Charles Annis 1841-1923
The 1855 New York state census shows the second son, Charles Annis (age 13) living with his uncle Henry R. Hill and family as a Ward. with the Alexander Paddock family and in the 1860 (age 18) Federal census, working as a farm laborer for his uncle Henry.
Charles married on October 8, 1862 to Mary Slorah (1842-1915) at Rome, New York and they had six children, of which only two survived to adulthood.
The family of Charles Annis. From left: Charles Annis; Charles son Howard Henry Annis (1876-1954)
; Howard's wife Jessie May (Smith) Annis (1880-1960); Charles' wife Mary (Slorah) Annis;
The babies are Howard and Jessie's first two children, Marguerite F. Annis (1898-1978)
(left) and (right) Floyd Payne Annis (1899-1993)Charles and his family lived their entire life in Western and Westernville. New York. Charles was a farmer and cheese maker like his brother Henry. He died at the age of 82 on September 17, 1923 at Westernville, New York and is buried with his wife at Westernville Cemetery.
Allen Clark Annis 1843-1865
born 1843 at Warner, New Hampshire, the son of Hazen and Clarissa (Hill) Annis. "Clark", as he was commonly called was the third of four sons that were orphaned at an early age. His father died in 1847, and soon after that the brothers were taken to Oneida County, New York to be raised by several different relatives of their mother, the Hill family.
The 1850 Federal census shows Allen C. Annis (age 7) living with the Allen Clark family in Steuben, New York and in the 1855 New York state census with the same family at age 12. In the 1860 (age 17) Federal census, he was still with the Clark family.
On July 28, 1862, Clark enlisted in Company "D", 117th New York Infantry at Utica, New York and mustered into United States service at Rome, New York on August 13, 1862, he was described as single, blue eyes, light hair, and 5 foot 6 inches tall. He became sick while his regiment was stationed at Hampton, Virginia in March and April of 1864, but rejoined his unit in May. The 117th was assigned to Fort Fisher, North Carolina and it is here that Clark became ill again and died at the Base Hospital, Fort Fisher, North Carolina. He is buried at Wilmington National Cemetery, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Hazen Mason Annis 1844-1921
born September 1845 at Warner, New Hampshire, the son of Hazen and Clarissa (Hill) Annis. Hazen was the last of the four sons that were orphaned at an early age. His father died in 1847, and soon after that the brothers were taken to Oneida County, New York to be raised by several different relatives of their mother, the Hill family.
The 1850 Federal census shows Hazen Annis (age 3) living with his maternal grandparents family in Western, New York and in the 1855 New York state census with the same place at age 9. In the 1860 (age 15) Federal census, he was living with the Philip Winchel family in Western.
On December 29, 1869, he married Ophelia L. Bentley (1845-1813) at Rome, New York and they had two children, Clara Belle Annis (1871-1913) and Ernest Grant Annis (1873-1951). Like his brothers, Hazen was a farmer and a cheese maker. After 1913, when his wife Ophelia died, he remarried on November 17, 1814 at Rome, New York to Mary L. Lee (1852-1923).
The grave of Hazen and Ophelia Annis
Hazen died May 20, 1921 at the age of 76 in Rome New York and he is buried with his first wife, Ophelia, at Rome Cemetery, Rome, New York.
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