I
NYPL
RESEARCH
UBRAR|ES
33433 08192330
HISTORY
OF
Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties
Minnesota
THEIR PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
JOHN A. BROWN
Editor-in-Chief
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families
VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
1916
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana
THE Nj
DEDICATION
To those whose hands planted the first homes in Cottonwood and
Watonwan counties; whose love of religion and education established the
first churches and schools; whose desire for good government led to th<
organization of civil townships and the selection of worthy public official'-;
whose wish for material prosperity has caused the building of mills and
factories and the opening of virgin tracts of land to cultivation — to those
who are gone, as well as to the many pioneers still living, is this record
of their achievements dedicated.
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
All life and achievement is evolution; present wisdom comes from past
experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exer-
tion and sacrifice. The deeds and motives of the men who have gone before
have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and
states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privi-
lege. It required great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres-
ent conditions of the people of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minne-
sota, with what they were five decades ago. From a trackless wilderness
and virgin land, they have come to be centers of prosperity and civilization,
with millions of wealth, systems of railways, educational and religious insti-
tutions, varied industries and immense agricultural and dairy interests. I
any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which dis-
closes the aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid
the foundation upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of
later davs? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record
the social, religious, educational, political and industrial progress of the com-
munity from its first inception, is the function of the local historian. \
sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving
of perpetuation, and which unite the present to the past, is the motive for
the present publication. The publishers desire to extend their thanks to
those who have so faithfully labored to this end. Thanks are also due to
the citizens of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties for the uniform kind-
ness with which they have regarded this undertaking, and for their many
services rendered in the gaining of necessary information.
In placing the "History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counl
Minnesota," before the citizens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that
they have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every bio-
graphical sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested, for
correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to
the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our effort to
please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are,
Respectfully,
HE PUBLISH! R
CONTENTS
VOLUME I
COTTONWOOD COUNTY
CHAPTER I— RELATED STATE HISTORY ii
A portion of Minnesota Originally Included in Louisiana Purchase — Indian
Cessions and Treaties — Territorial Government Established — I s —
Governor Alexander Ramsey — First Territorial Legislature— The Historic
Council with the Indians at Traverse des Sioux — The Treaty — Indian
Hunters Cause Trouble — Townsite Speculation — Constitutional Convention —
First State Legislature — Admission of Minnesota as a State — Aid to Rail-
roads— Financial Stringency — Unrest Among the Indians — Massacre of
1862 — Punishment of the Indians — Subsequent Treaties — A Period of Rapid
Development — Trouble Because of the Stair Issue of Railroad Bonds- Settle-
ment of the Question and Activity in Railroad Building — I ' rul-
ing Interests — Population Statistics — Military Record— Nami G ihy —
Area — Rivers — Lakes — Elevations — Climate — Chronological History of the
State.
CHAPTER II— GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES.. 59
Situation — Area — Natural Drainage — Streams — Lakes — Topography — Dis-
tances— Altitudes — Soil — Timber — Geological Structure — Water Falls and
Cascades — Drift and Contour — Moraines — Boulders and Pebbles— Peat.
CHAPTER III— PIONEER SETTLEMENT — 79
"Dutch Charlie" — First Settlers — Struggles of the Pioneers V\
73 — Old Settlers' Association — Early Hardships of a Mail Carrier.
CHAPTER IV— ORGANIZATION OF O IfOOD O - 90
Creation of — Area — Lakes — Soil — The Two "Sto nty
Government — Xo Hard County-seat Contests — County's Condition in 1884 —
Organization of the County — Fir —Assessed Valuation
Commissioners' Proceedings — First I i miums—
Grasshopper Appropriations— Taxes in 1877 — Court House Buildini
Locations for County Offices— County Jail— Caring for th( P< ian
Thistle Pest— County Officers' Fees in 1909— Tax Levy for 1916 -ity
Finances, July 1, 1916— County Officials, 1916— County an.!
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V— COUNTY AND STATE REPRESENTATION 110
Presidential Vote in Cottonwood County — State Senators — State Repre-
sentatives— County Auditors — County Treasurers — Sheriffs — Registers of
Deeds — Probate Judges — County Commissioners.
CHAPTER VI— TOWNSHIPS OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY 114
Civil Subdivisions — The Townships of Germantown, Amboy, Amo, Ann,
Carson, Dale, Delton, Great Bend, Highwater, Lakeside, Midway, Mountain
Lake, Rose Hill, Selma, Springfield, Southbrook, Storden, Westbrook—
Villages of Jeffers, Delft, Bingham Lake, Mountain Lake, Storden and
Westbrook.
CHAPTER VII— AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS 194
Fortunate Situation of Minnesota — Crop Failures Rare in Cottonwood
County — Poultry Show — Early and Present Stock Farms — The Creamery
Industry — Agricultural Societies — Farm Names — Agricultural Statistics —
Columbian Exposition Premium — Stock Men of 1908.
CHAPTER VIII— SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES 205
Ancient ^ree and Accepted Masons — Royal Arch Masons — Order of the
Eastern Star — Independent Order of Odd Fellows — Daughters of Rebekah —
Ancient Order of United Workmen — Modern Woodmen of America — Royal
Neighbors of America — Modern Brotherhood of America — Sons of Norway —
Daughters of Norway — Knights of Columbus — -Patrons of Husbandry.
CHAPTER IX— PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS 218
First Physician in Cottonwood County— Past and Present Physicians —
Silas D. Allen.
CHAPTER X— NEWSPAPERS 223
Papers, Past and Present, Published at Windom, Westbrook, Jeffers and
Mountain Lake.
CHAPTER XI— RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS 226
Methodist Episcopal Churches — Presbyterian Churches — Baptist Churches —
Danish Baptist Churches — Mission Band — Evangelical Lutheran Churches —
Dowie Zionists — Lutheran Churches — Mennon-ite Church — Catholic
Churches — Episcopal Church.
CHAPTER XII— BENCH AND BAR 241
Pioneer Lawyers — Others of a Later Day — Members of the Bar in 1916 —
Court Officers.
CHAPTER XIII— EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.. 244
Sterling Type of Pioneer Settlers — Early Educational Conditions and the
Improvements Which Have Followed Through the Years — The Great
Bend School House and Its Destruction — Early School Districts — An Early
School — Early School Teachers — First School House in the County — Schools
at Bingham Lake, Storden, Jeffers, Westbrook, Windom City and Mountain
CONTENTS.
Lake — Rural School Commencements — Salaries Paid County Superintendents
— School Lands — County Superintendent's Report for 1915 — An Early School
Superintendent.
CHAPTER XIV— BANKS AXD BANKING 267
Little Demand for Banks in Pioneer Days — Poverty of Marly Days Changed
to Prosperity and Full Bank Accounts — Banks at Windom, Jeffers, Storden,
Mountain Lake, Westbrook, Bingham Lake and Delft — Recapitulation.
CHAPTER XV— RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION 277
Railroads in Cottonwood County Early in Its History — The "Currie"
and Other Lines Which Have Been Constructed in the County.
CHAPTER XVI— MILITARY MATTERS 280
Grand Army of the Republic— Woman's Relief Corps— Helped in Capture of
Jeff Davis— "We Are Growing Old, John" -Soldiers Who Pledged Their
Votes to Grant and Wilson — Spanish-American War Soldiers.
CHAPTER XVII— CITY OF WINDOM 287
Name — Population — Windom as Viewed in 1893 — First Events — Commercial
Interests, 1S72 and 1882 — Postofhce — Municipal History— Waterworks —
Library — Ferry — First Elevator — Ruse Hospital — Industries — Removal oi
Old Landmark — The Old "Lock-up" — Commercial Interests in 191 m-
mercialt Clubs — The Tourist Club— Woman's Literary Club— Win. I
Pioneers — Windom's Greatest Fire.
CHAPTER XVIII— REMINISCENCES - 305
Pioneer Days in Great Bend —Blizzard of 1873.
CHAPTER XIX— MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS AND INCIDENTS 311
Immigration Association — Population Statistics — Nationality of Population —
Village Plats — Platted Cemeteries — Altitudes — Market Q Grass-
hopper Plague — Storm of 1873 — The Cyclones of 1903 and 1908 — Snow Storm
of iggl — Hay Burned — A Prairie Blizzard of 1873 — Fivc-Y. ai ( ,i assln.ppi-r
Scourge — Burning Hay for Fuel — Railroad Wreck at Windom Mountain
Lake Wreck— "The Old Ox Team."
WATONWAN COUNTY
CHAPTER I— GEOLOGY OF WATONWAN COUNTY
Situation— Area— Surface Features— Natural Draii raphy— Ele-
vations— Soil— Timber— Geological Structure— Lakes— Boulders and Gravel-
Building Stone— Peat.
CHAPTER II— INDIAN HISTORY AND TREATIES
Treaty of Traverse des Sioux— Indian Characters— Captivity
Juni— Causes Leading to the Indian Massacre of 1862— First Art of \
CONTENTS.
lence — Reminiscences of the Little Crow Uprising — The Government Not
Guiltless — Punishment of the Sioux — Pensioners of the Sioux Uprising —
Story of the Xew Ulm Massacre — Indians' Last Raid in This Section — In-
dians and Their Peculiar Customs — The Versatile Indian — Incidents Con-
nected With the Indian War.
CHAPTER III— THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS 376
The Pioneer Band — Early Deeds and Land Transfers — Timber Claims-
School Lands — Early Miscellaneous Deeds — Settlement Notes — First Set-
tlers in the County.
CHAPTER IV— ORGANIZATION AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT 381
Creation and Organization — Name — Area — County Commissioners' Proceed-
ings— First Militia Officers — Troubles of a Treasurer — County Finances,
1870 — County Expenses, 1877 — Aid to Farmers Who Suffered From the
Grasshopper Scourge — Relocating the County Seat — County Official Paper —
Salaries and Bonds of County Officers, 188-1 — Court House History — Jail —
Caring for the Poor — County Finances, 1897 and 1915 — Assessed Valuation,
1880, 1890 and 1916— Number of Buildings Assessed in 1894 — Treasury
Burglarized — Drainage.
CHAPTER V— COUNTY AND STATE REPRESENTATION 410
Presidential Vote — State Senators — State Representatives — County Com-
missioners— County Auditors — County Treasurers — -Registers of Deeds —
Sheriffs — Clerks of the District Court — County Attorneys — Court Commis-
sioners— Coroners — Probate Judges — School Examiners and County Super-
intendent— County Surveyors.
(II \i'TKR VI— TOWNSHIPS OF WATONWAN COUNTY 419
Townships of Adrian, Antrim, Butterfield, Fieldon, Long Lake. Madelia,
Nelson, Odin, Riverside. Rosendale. South Branch. St. James— Villages of
Darfur, Lewisville, Butterfield, Ormsby, Madelia, Odin, LaSalle and Grogan.
(II U'TLR VII— CITY OF ST. JAMES 467
Name — Platted — Early Conditions — First Events — Winter of 1870-1 — St.
James in 1885-6 — Municipal History — Fire Department — Societies — Commer-
cial Club — Public Library — Business Men's Association — Sanitarium — Long
Lake Park — Industries — Commercial Interests. 1(>1(> — Miscellaneous Items
CHAPTER VIII— CHURCHES 480
Methodist Episcopal Churches — Evangelical Lutheran Churches — Presby-
terian Churches — Christian Church — Church of Christ — Episcopal Churches —
Norwegian Lutheran Churches— Swedish Lutheran Churches — Mennonite
Churches — Baptist Churches — Catholic Churches.
CHAPTER IX— EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS 503
Present School System of the State— School Lands — Schools of 1875— First
Schools in Watonwan County— St. James Public Schools — Rosendale Town-
ship Schools and the Schools at Odin, Darfur, Lewisville, Ormsby and Butter-
CONTENTS.
field— Present School Statistics— High and Graded Schools— School lions,'
Locations — Early School Scandal.
CHAPTER X— THE BENCH AXD BAR 513
Requirements for Admission to Practice Law in Minnesota — List of Attor-
neys in This County — Present Members of the Bar.
CHAPTER XI— PHYSICIANS 01 THE COUNTY 516
Hardships and Poor Recompense of Early Doctors — List of Registered
Physicians — Other Doctors Who Have- Practiced in the County — Watonwan
County Medical Society — Early Physicians' Fees.
CHAPTER XII— NEWSPAPERS 521
Power of the Press — First Paper in the County — Papers, Last and Presi
at Madelia, St. James, Butterfield.
CHAPTER XIII— BANKS AND BANKING 525
Character of Banks — First Bank in Watonwan County — Banks at Madelia,
St. James, Odin, Lewisville, Butterfield, Ormsby, LaSalle and Darfur.
CHAPTER XIV— FRATERNAL AXD CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS 532
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons — Order of the I asti rti Mar — Independent
Order of Odd Fellows — Daughters of Rcbekah — Knights of Pythias — Modern
Woodmen of America — Royal Neighbors of America — Modern brother-
hood of America — Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen — Catholic Order "i
Foresters — Grand Army of the Republic.
CHAPTER XV— RAILROADS AXD TRANSPORTATION 541
Transformation in Local Conditions Through Advent of Railroads — Brief
.Description of the Various Railroads Which Have Entered Watonwan
County.
CHAPTER XVI— MILITARY HISTORY . 546
Many Veterans of the < i\il War in This County — The Spanish-American
War.
CHAPTER XVII— AGRICULTURE, STOCK-RAISING, ETC.
Watonwan, Purely an -Agricultural District — Creami ck Farms —
Improvement in Stock-raising Methods — Farm Nami ' Elgin
Colony — County Eair Societies— An Early llorsr and Cattli Fair— Dairy
Statistics — Creamery Companies.
CHAPTER XVIII— Ml I'M RS AXD OUT! 1 -
Murder of Lais Johnson— Thi Goblinski Quadruple Murder— Killing of ;
Jacobson— Suicide— The Younger Brothers and the Northfield Bi
Robbery.
CHAPTER XIX— SIDELIGHTS
Population of the County— Population by Townships— Altitudes of
CONTENTS.
County — Village Plattings — Spelling School in Pioneer Days — Old Settlers'
Reunion at Madelia, 1875 — "Song for the Old Settlers" — Great Storms —
Advantages of Watonwan County — Court House Corner-stone Laying —
Growth of Watonwan County — Grasshoppers — Birds and Wild Animals.
CHAPTER XX— REMINISCENCES 583
Interesting Review of Early Events and Conditions by Alexander Swanson —
The First House in Adrian Township — Transportation Troubles — Privations
of Pioneers — How the Children Helped — Tribute to Pioneer Heroes — The
Grasshopper Plague — Lack of Amusements in Early Days — Early Market
Prices — Tools and Machinery.
CHAPTER XXI— MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 392
Market Quotations — Anti-Horse Thief Association — The Prohibition Ques-
tion— Local Option Vote in 1915 — Russian Thistle Day.
HISTORICAL INDEX
VOLUME I
COTTONWOOD COUNTY
A
Agricultural Interests 194
Agricultural Societies 19S
Allen, Silas D. 221
Altitudes in the County 63
Altitudes in the State 49
Amboy Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 117
Character of Citizens 118
Drainage 59
Grasshopper Loss 315
Land Entries 118
Organization 118
Population 117, 312
Settlement 118
Topography 62
Amo Township — ■
Altitude 64
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Grasshopper Loss 315
Groves 123
Lakes 60
Land Entries 123
Location 122
Xante Changed 123
Organization 123
Peat 77
Population 122, 312
Settlers 123
Topography
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 205
\.ncien1 Order of United Workmen 210
Ann Township —
Altitude 64
a 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 126
Drainage 59
Grasshopper I oss 315
drives , 127
Land Entries 127
Organization
Population 127. 312
Settlement 127
Topography
Ana of the County 59
\.-r.i of the State 47
Assessed Valuation of ' ounty 96
Attorneys 241
Auditors, County HI
B
iks
< hurches 230
Bench and Bar 241
B lenl Societies
Bingham Lake —
Altitude
97
B ks 2P
I ;''
rches
Creamery 198
ttion 154
Lodges 213
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Bingham Lake — Com.
Pioneer Business Men 155
Platted 313
Population 312
Postoffice 154
Schools 247
Tile Factory 155
Blizzard of 1873 305
Boulders 76
Boundaries of County 91
C
Carson Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Grasshopper Loss 315
Lakes 60
Land Entries 130
Land Values 130
Location 1.50
Organization 130
Population 130, 312
Settlement 130
Topography 62
Catholic Churches 238
Cattle 202
Cattle Breeding 196
Cemetery Plats 313
Chronological History of Minnesota 50
Churches 226
Climate of Minnesota 49
Commissioners, County 112
Commissioners' Districts, First 97
Constitution of State 39
Corn 202
County Auditors 111
County Commissioners 112
County Commissioners' Proceedings 97
County Finances, 1916 107
County Government 93
County Offices 103
County Officers' Fees, 1909 ... _ 107
County Officials, hirst 95
County Officials, 1916 108
County Representation 110
County Roads 108
County-seat Contests 94
County Scats 103
County Superintendents' Salaries 260
County Treasurers 111
Court, First Term of 95
Court House History 102
Court Officers, 1916 243
Creameries 197, 202, 203, 204
Creation of County 90
Cyclones 316
H
Dairy Interests . . 197, 202,
203,
204
Dale Township —
Altitude
64
114
Assessed Valuation _ _ - .
96
Lakes _ _ .
60,
101
Land Entries
134
Location _ _ _
1 11
Organization . .
1 14
Population _ _
134
312
Settlement
114
6?
Danish Baptist Church
232
Daughters of Norway
215
209
Delft-
Bank
?75
Fire .
111
130,
133,
131
Platted .. .
111
Delton Township —
Altitude _
(.4
Area ... _ .
114
Assessed Valuation _ .
96
117
1 17
Land Entries
137
< Irganization — .
137
Population
117
312
Settlement -
1.17
6?
District Appointments, First —
98
Diversified Farming Interests- .
46
218
Dowie Zionists
235
S9
Drift Glacial -
71
..79,
145
HISTORICAL INDEX.
E
Early School Districts 245
Eastern Star, Order of the 206
Education 244
Educational Statistics 261
Episcopal Church 239
Evangelical Lutheran Churches 233
F
Fair Associations 198
Farm Animals 202
Farm Xames 200
Farm Statistics 202
Farming Interests, Diversified 46
Farming Methods 104
First Physicians 218
Fraternal Orders 205
G
Geography of the State 47
Geology of the County 59
Georgetown Township 123
German Evan. Luth. Trinity Church 235
Germantown Township —
Altitude o4
Area 1 14
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 114
Drainage 59
Grasshopper Loss 315
Land Entries 115
Natural Features il4
Organization 115
Population 115, 312
Settlement 115
Soil - 114
Topography 62
Glacial Drift - 71
Grains, Production of 202
Grand Army of the Republic 280
Granges 217
Grant and Wilson Voters 284
Grasshopper Appropriations 101
Grasshopper Plague 314, 323
Great Bend School House 244, 265
Great Bend Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
liroat Bend Township— font.
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 140
Land Kntries 141
Organization 140
Peat 77
Pioneer Days 305
Poor Farm 105
Population 140, 312
Schools — 244
Settlement 141
Topography 62
Growth of the State 44
H
Hardships of a Mail Carrier 88
Hay 2H2
Hay Burned 321
Highwater Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
^ssi ssed Valuation 96
Boundaries 145
Drainage 59
"Dutch Charlie" 145
Lakes 60
I and Entries 14d
Natural Features 145
Organization 1 -4' •
Population 140. 312
Settlement 146
Topography 62
Horse Breeding 195
Horses
I
Immigration Association 311
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Indian Hunters. Trouble with 37
an Treaties 33
Indian t'nrrst - -
J
Jail
Jeffers —
in 97
Banks
Business Interests 1-1
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Jeffers — Cont.
Churches 229. 234, 239
Early Growth 119
Fires 120
Creamery — . 121
Location 119, 121
Lodges 212, 214
Municipal History 120
Newspapers 223
Officials 120
Platted 313
Population 312
Postoffice 120
Schools 248
K
Knights of Columbus 216
L
Lakes of Minnesota 48
Lakes of the County 60, 90
Lakeside- Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 150
Lakes 60, 150
Land Entries ISO
Organization ISO
Peat 150, 312
Schools 245
Settlement 245
Topography '62
Lawyers 241
Live Stock Statistics 202
Lodges 205
Lutheran Churches 236
M
Market Quotations 314
Masonic Order 205
Massacre of 1862 42
Medical Profession 218
Mennonite Church 236
Methodist Episcopal Churches 227
Midway Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
Midway Township — Cont.
Assessed Valuation 96
Land Entries 157
Location 156
Population 157, 312
Schools 246
Settlement 157
Topography 62
Military Matters 280
Military Record of State 46
Miscellaneous Topics 311
Mission Band 233
Modern Brotherhood of America 2i4"
Modern Woodmen of America 211
Moraines 74
Mountain Lake —
Altitude 63
Assessed Valuation 97
Banks 272, 275
Business Interests 167
Business Men 159
Churches 229, 235, 236
Commercial Club 161
Early Growth 159
Fire Department 162
Fires 163
Grange 217
Industries 162
Lighting System 162
Lodges 210, 212, 217
Mennonite Hospital 161
Municipal History 160
Name 159
Newspapers 225
Officials 160
Peat 76
Musicians ' 160
Platted 159, 313
Population 312
Postoffice 160
Schools 246, 258
Settlement 160
Railroad Wreck 326
Mountain Lake Township —
Utitude 64
\rra •_ 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 164
I and Entries 164
Location 163
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Mountain Lake Township — Cont.
Name 163
Organization 164
Population 164, 312
Schools 245
Settlement 164
Soil 163
Topography 62
N
Name of the State 47
Nationality of Population 312
Natural Drainage 59
Newspapers -, 223
Norwegian Evan. Luth. Church 233
Norwegian United Evan. Luth. Ch._ 235
O
Oats 202
Odd Fellows 208
Officials from the County 110
Old Settlers' Association 83
Order of the Eastern Star 206
Organization of County 90, 95
P
Patrons of Husbandry 21"
Peat 76
Physicians 218
Pioneer Settlement 79
Pioneers, Struggles of 80
Plats 313
Poor, Caring for the 105
Population of the State 46
Population Statistics 311
Potatoes 202
Poultry Show 195
Prairie Blizzard 321
Prentiss, William 264
Presbyterian Churches ^29
Presidential Vote 110
Press, the 223
Probate Judges 112
R
Railroad Bonds 39
Railroad Wrecks 325
Railroads 277
Rebekahs 209
Registers of Deeds 112
R< lated State History 33
Religious Societies 226
Reminiscences 305
Representatives 111
Rivers of the County 59
Rivers of the State 48
Roads 108
Rose Hill Township —
Altitude 63
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 168
Churches 236
Drainage 59
Lakes 60, 168
Land Entries 169
Location ">8
Organization 169
Population 169, 312
Settlement "'9
Topography 62
Royal Arch Masons
Royal Neighbors of America 213
Rural School Commencements
Russian Thistle 106
Rye 202
S
Scandinavian Evan. Luth. Church.
School Districts -'45
School House, First in Countj 247
School Lands 261
ool Statistics 261
Schools 244
Secret Societies 205
Selma Township —
Altitude o4
Area ---- 1 14
sseil Valuation
Land Entries 171
Location 170
mization — 170
lation 170. 312
Settlement 171
phy
Senators, State HO
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Sheep 202
Sheriffs H2
Sioux Indians, Murders by 43
Situation of the County 59
Soil 64, 90
Soldiers' Monument 281
Sons of Norway 215
Southbrook Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 176
Grasshopper Loss 315
Lakes 61
Land Entries 176
Location 176
Natural Features 176
Organization 176
Peat 78
Population 176, 312
Settlement 176
Topography 62
Spanish-American War 286
Springfield Township —
Altitude 64
Area -- 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Grasshopper Loss 315
Land Entries 173
Location 172
Natural Features 172
Organization 173
Peat : 78
Population 173, 312
Schools 245
Settlement 173
Topography 63
State Constitution 39
State Representatives 111
State Roads 108
State Senators 110
Stock Farms 195
"Stolen" Townships 91
Storden —
Banks 271, 275
Business Interests 183
Business Men, Early 183
Creamery 198
First Events 182
Land Values 183
Storden — Cont.
Location 182
Lodges 212
Platted 182, 313
Postoflke 183
Schools 247
Storden Township —
Altitude 64
Area 114
Assessed Valuation 96
Boundaries 179
Drainage 59
Lakes 60
Land Entries ISO
Location 179
Natural Features 180
Organization 180
Population 180, 312
Settlement '- 180
Topography 62
Storm of 1873 316
Swine 202
T
Tax Levy, 1916-17 107
Taxes in 1877 101
Teachers, Early School 246
Territorial Government 34
"The Old Ox Team" 326
Timber 64, 65
Topography of the County 61
Town-site Speculation 38
Townships of the County 114
Transportation 277
Traverse des Sioux Treaty 35
Treasurers, County HI
Treaties with Indians 33
Tree Premiums 101
Trees 65
U
United Workmen, Order of 210
Village Plats 313
HISTORICAL INDEX.
W
Water-falls 69
"We Are Growing Old, John" 283
Wcstbrook —
Assessed Valuation 97, 193
Banks 273, 276
Beginning of 1S7
Business Interests 191
Churches 231, 233, 236, 238
Early Business Men 187
Fair, Street 191
Improvements 190
Incorporation 189
Location 193
Lodges 207, 211, 213, 214
Newspapers 223
Officials, First 189
Officials, Present 191
Old Settlement 1S7
Park 193
Platted 187, 313
Population 312
Postoffice 191
Public Improvements 191
Railroad Interests 188, 190
Schools 248
Street Fairs 191
Waterworks 190
Westbrook Township —
Altitude 64
Area 1 14
Assessed Valuation 96
Drainage 59
Lakes 60, 184
Land Entries 185
Location 184
Xatural Features 184
Organization 185
Population 184, 312
Schools 245
Settlement 185
Topography 62
\\ heat 202
Windom —
Altitude 63, 314
Assessed Valuation 97
Banks 267, 275
Business Interests, 1872 290
Business Interests, 1882 290
Business Interests, 1916 299
Lodges 205, 208, 211, 213, -'15. 280
Churches 227, 220, 230, 233, 235,
-'38, 239
Commercial Clubs 301
County Seat 287
Creamery 203
Fair Grounds 199
. Ferry 295
Fires 302
First Buildings 287
First Events 289
Hospital 296
In 1893 287
Industries 296
Library 294
Lodges 205, 208, 211, 213, 215. 280
Municipal History 292
Name 297
Newspapers 223
Physicians 218
Pioneers 302
Platted 313
Population 287. 312
Postoffice 291
Poultry Show I"
Railroad Wreck 325
Schools
Sii nation 90
Tourist Club 301
Waterworks
Woman's Literary Club 302
Winter of 1872-3 81
Woman's Relief Corps 21 1
Woodmen <>f America, Modern 211
HISTORICAL INDEX.
WATONWAN COUNTY
Adrian Township —
Altitude 329,
Assessed Valuation
Boundaries
Buildings Assessed, 1894
Created
Lakes
Land Entries
Location
Organization
Population
School Houses
Settlement
Vote on Bond Issue
Agricultural Societies
Agriculture
Aid to Farmers
Altitudes
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
Anti-Horse Thief Association
Antrim Township —
Altitude 329,
Assessed Valuation
Boundaries ~ .
Buildings Assessed, 1894
Creation of
Lakes
Land Entries
Location
Name
Organization
Population 423,
School Houses
Settlement
Vote on Bond Issue
Area of the County 327
Assessed Valuation Rates, 1875
Assessed Valuations
Attorneys
Auditors, County
572
406
419
406
389
419
420
419
419
570
510
420
403
551
548
392
571
532
592
571
406
423
406
386
32S
423
423
423
423
570
. 510
. 423
. 403
381
390
406
513
414
Benevolent Societies 532
Birds 582
Bond Issues 40-
Boulders __ 33-
Bounty to Soldiers 385
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.. 538
Building Stone 333
Buildings Assessed in 1894 406
Butterfield —
Altitude 328, 571
Assessed Valuation 406
Banks 529
Business Interests 428
Churches 483, 491
Commercial Club 4_9
Fires 4«-9
Improvements 429
Incorporation 4-9
Lodges •"13-"'
Municipal History 429
Newspapers 5-4
Officials, First 429
Platted 428, 572
Population 428
Postoffice 428
Presidents of 4-9
Schools 509
Vote on Bond Issue 403
Butterfield Township —
Altitude 320, 572
\„,i 4-7
Assessed Valuation 406
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Churches 487, 491
Creation of
Land Entries
Location
Organ i /at ion
Population 427. 570
School Houses 510
Settlement 4_\
Vote on Bond Issue 403
427
426
427
B
Banks 525
Baptist Churches .__■ 492
Bench and Bar 513
Captivity of Benedict Juni 336
Catholic Churches 493
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Catholic Order of Foresters 539
Christian Church 4S6
Church of Christ 486
Churches 480
Clerks of the District Court 415
Commissioners, County, List of 412
Coroners 416
Count}- Attorneys 416
County Auditors 414
County Commissioners, List of 412
County Commissioners, Proceedings 381
County Fairs 551
County Finances, 1868 386
County Finances, 1870 388
County Finances, 1874 390
County Finances, 1897 404
County Finances, 1915 405
County Government 381
County Medical Society 519
County Officers' Salaries and Bonds 398
County Officials, First 381
County Representation 410
County Seat, Locating the 394
County Superintendents 417
County Surveyors 417
County Treasurers 414
County Treasury Robbed 407
Court Commissioners 416
Court House Corner-stone Laying — 577
Court House History 399
Creameries 548, 553
Customs of Indians 370
D
Dairy Statistics 553
Darfur —
Assessed Valuation 406
Bank 531
Business Interests 422
Churches 484, 491
Improvements 422
Incorporation 422
Officials, First 422
Platted 422. S72
President of 422
Schools 508
Daughters of Rebekah 534
Deeds, Early 376
Dexter Township 389
Doctors 516
Doctors' Fees 520
Dodd, Captain, Death of 359
Drainage 407
Drainage of the County 327
Drewsville Township 388
Drift 330
E
Early Conditions 43(>
Early Transportation Troubles 584
Eastern Star, Order of 533
Echols 572
Education 503
Elgin Colony 551
Episcopal Church 487
Evangelical Lutheran Churches 482
Execution of Indian Murders 364
F
Farm Names 550
Farmers Mutual Fire Ins. Co
Farming Interests 548
Ferry-boat Fees 388
Million Township —
Altitude 329, 571
430
Assessed Valuation 406
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
lion of 386
Lakes 328
Land Entries 430
Organization 430
Population 430, 570
School Houses 510
Settlement 430
Vote on Bond Issue 403
First County Officers 381
Firsl House, the 583
Firsl Settlements 376, 380
Foresters, Catholic Order of 539
Fraternal Orders 532
G
Geology ^-'
Glacial Drift —
Graded Schools - -
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Grand Army of the Republic 539
Grasshopper Plague 580, 589
Grasshopper Relief 392
Gravel 332
Grogan 462, 572
Growth of Watonwan County 579
H
High Schools 509
House, the First 583
I
Independent Order of Odd Fellows- 533
Indian Character 334
Indian History 334
Indian Massacre of 1862, Causes of 344
Indian Traders, Schemes of 347
Indian Treaties 334
Indian Violence 351
Indians, Last Raid of 370
Indians, Their Peculiar Customs 370
J
Jail 403
Juni, Benedict, Captivity of 336
K
Knights of Pythias 534
L
Lakes 327, 331
Land Transfers, Early 376
LaSalle —
Bank 529
Business Interests 459
Lodge 537
Platted 459, 572
Postoffice 460
Lawyers 513
Lewisvillc —
Assessed Valuation 406
Banks S29
Business Interests 426
Churches 486
Improvements 425
Incorporation 425
Lewisville — Cont.
Lawyers 515
Location 425
Lodges 336
Officials, First 425
Platted 425, 572
Population 426
Postoffice 425
Presidents of 425
Schools s08
Libraries 504
Little Crow Uprising 353
Local Option Vote, 1915 594
Lodges 532
Long Lake Township — *
Altitude 329, 572
Area 431
Assessed Valuation 406
Boundaries 431
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Churches 488. 490
Creation of 386
Indian Atrocities 433
Johnson Murder 556
Lakes 328, 431
Land Entries 432
Norwegian Settlement 437
Organization 431
Population 431, 570
School Houses 510
Settlement 432
Vote on Bond Issue 403
M
Madelia — ■
Altitude 328, 571
Assessed Valuation 406
Banks 525
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Business Interests, 1885 447
Business Interests, 1916 449
Business Men's Association 451
Churches 480, 483, 485, 486, 487, 492
Commercial Club 450
County Seat 394
Creamery 553
Early Business Interests 444
Fires 449
Incorporation 448
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Madclia — Cont.
Indian Scare 444
Lawyers 515
Location 443
Lodges 533, 535, 536, 539
Mill 448
Municipal History 448
Name 443
Newspapers 521
Officials 448
Platted 443, 572
Population 570
Postoffice 444
Schools 505
Vote on Bond Issue 403
Madelia Township —
Altitude 329, 571
Area 439
Assessed Valuation 406
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Lakes 327, 440
Land Entries 440
Location 439
Population 440, 570
Railroad Interests 440
School Houses 510
Settlement 440
Streams 440
Vote on Bond Issue 403
Markets, Early 591, 592
Masonic Order 532
Massacre at New LTlm 369
Medical History 516
Medical Society ?19
Mennonite Churches 491'
Methodist Episcopal Churches 480
Military History 546
Militia, First Officers 384
Modern Brotherhood of America 537
Modern Woodmen of America 535
Murders 556
N
Name of the County 381
Nationality of Population 571
Natural Drainage 327
Nelson Township —
Altitude . 329, 572
Area 451
Nelson Township — Cont.
Assessed Valuation 406
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Land Entries 452
Location 451
Name 452
Organization 452
Population 451. 570
School Houses 510
Settlement 452
Vote on Bond Issue 403
New Ulm, Defense of 355
New Ulm Massacre 369
Newspapers 521
North Branch Township 389
Northfield Bank Robbery 560
Norwegian Lutheran Churches 487
Norwegian Settlers 437
O
Odd Fellows 533
Odin-
Assessed Valuation 406
Banks 528
Business Interests 457
Creamery 457
Improvements 456
Location I 6
Lodges ^17
Officials 456
Platted 456, ?71
I'd]. illation 456
Postoffice
Schools '
Odin Township —
Altitude 32'*. 572
--sed Valuation
Boundaries 453
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Creation of - 389
Lakes 328, 453
Land Kntries — 454
Location 45.1
( Organization 453
Population 453. 570
School Houses 51"
lament 454
Vote on Bond Issue 403
Wild Birds - 45.5
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Officials, First County 381
Old Settlers' Reunion 573
Order of the Eastern Star 533
Organization of the County 381
Ormsby —
Assessed Valuation 406
Banks 529
Business Interests 439
Fire Protection 439
Location 439
Municipal History 439
Name 439
Officials, First 439
Platted 439, 572
Presidents of 439
Schools 508
Outrages 556
P
Peat 333
Pensioners of Sioux Uprising 369
Physicians 516
Pioneer Days, Story of 461
Pioneer Heroes 588
Pioneers, Privations of 586
Plattings 572
Poor, Care for the 403
Population of the County 570
Presbyterian Churches 485
Presidential Vote - 410
Press, the 521
Prices, Early Market 592
Privations of Pioneers 586
Probate Judges 416
Prohibition Candidates 418
Prohibition Question 593
R
Railroads 541
Rebekahs 534
Registers of Deeds 415
Religious Societies 480
Reminiscences 583
Representatives 411
Riverdale Township —
Altitude 329, 571
Area 458
Assessed Valuation 406
Riverdale Township — Cont.
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Creation of 388
Land Entries 458
Location 458
Organization 458
Population 458, 570
Railroad Interests 458
School Houses 510
Settlement 458
Vote on Bond Issue 403
Rivers 327
Rosendale Township —
Altitude 329, 572
Assessed Valuation 406
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Churches 4S8
Creation of 389
Lakes 460
Location 460
Organization 400
Pioneer Days 461
Population 460, 570
Railroad Interests 460
Schools 507, 510
Settlement 461
Vote on Bond Issue 403
Royal Neighbors of America 536
Russian Thistle 594
St. James —
Altitude 328, 571
Assessed Valuation 406
Banks 525
Buildings Assessed, 1S94 406
Business Interests, 1870 468
Business Interests, 1885 468
Business Interests, 1916 477
Business Men's Association 473
Churches 480, 485, 487, 489, 492
Commercial Club 472
County Seat 396
Creamery 555
Fire Department 471
First Events 468
First Settlers 468
Firsl Store 380
Home-coming 478
HISTORICAL INDEX.
St. James — Cont.
Horse and Cattle Fair 552
Hospital 474
Improvements 470
Incorporation 470
Industries 475, 479
Lawyers 515
Library 473
Lodges— .472, 532, 534, 535, 537, 539
Municipal History 470
Name 467
Newspapers 522
Officials, First 470
Officials, Present 470
Park 474
Platted 467, 572
Population 570
Railroad Interests 467, 543
Sanitarium 474
Schools 505
Vote on Bond Issue 403
St. James Township —
Altitude 329, 572
Assessed Valuation 406
Boundaries 464
Buildings Assessed, 1894 406
Creation of 388
Lakes 328, 464
Land Entries 465
Location 464
Organization 464
Pioneers 464
Population 464. 570
School Houses 510
Settlement 464
Vote on Bond Issue 403
School Examiners 417
School Lands 379, 504
School Statistics 509
Schools — 503
Schools in 1875 505
Secret Societies 532
Senators, State 411
Settlements, First 376, 380
Sheriffs 415
Sioux, Punishment of the 362
Situation of the County i-7, 381
Soil 329
Soldiers' Bounty 385
Soldiers Lodge 350
"Song for the Old Settlers" 575
South Branch Township —
Altitude 329, 572
Assessed Valuation 406
Boundaries
Building's Assessed, 1894 406
Churches 484
Creation of 388
Goblinski Murder 557
Lakes 463
Land Entries 463
Location 462
Organization 463
Population 463. 570
School Houses 510
Settlement 463
Vote on Bond Issue 10
Spanish-American War 547
Spelling School 573
Springfield Township 389
State Representatives 411
State Senators 411
Stock Raising 548
Storms 576
Streams 327
Surface of the County 327
Surveyors, County 417
Swedish Lutheran Churches 489
T
Timber 329
Timber Claims 376
Topography 328
Townships of the County -II"
Traverse des Sioux, Treaty of 334
Treasurers, County 414
Treaties with Indians 334
V
Village Plattings 572
W
Wakefield Township -
Wild Animals
Woman's Relief Corps 540
Woodmen of America, Modern
Y
York Township
Younger Brothers
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
VOLUME II
A
Abel, Frederick 449
Adrian, John 189
Albrecht. Richard 311
Anderson, Albert 180
Anderson, Amund 345
Anderson, Andrew H 395
Anderson, Bertel A 267
Anderson, C. H 171
Anderson, Carl C, D. V. S 46
Anderson, Charles 483
Anderson, Christian 367
Anderson, John A. 399
Anderson, Nels 55
Anderson, Ole 237
Anton, Frank T 105
Armstrong, Moses K 275
Arneson, Theodore J. 99
B
Balzer, Frank 318
Balzer, Jacob J 144
Balzer, Solomon 95
Beise. Henry C, D. M. D 146
Biel, Albert F. 390
Bill, James J. 316
Bisbee. John 400
Bishop, Carl R. 414
Bjoin, O. A. 429
Bolin, Amel 188
Bolin, Charles W 254
Bondhus, Thomas 155
Bonin, Ferdinand 370
Braathun, C. O. 219
Bradley, George P. 174
Brogger, Eivind 204
Brog.u;er, Jacob 283
Brown, John A. 440
Burley, Fred 233
Burton, William C. 383
C
Cadwell, Mason N. 62
Carpenter, Frederick J 107
Cassem, T. P. 456
Christensen, Fred T. 183
Christenson, Ole L 387
Churchill, Leroy C. 369
Clark, Willis J. 70
Clement, Berton F 200
Collins, Thomas C. i3
Comnick, Gottlieb 249
Cook. William A. 4JJ
Cooley, Charles H 448
Crowley, Charley T. 123
Curtis. Will 64
D
Dammann, C. W. 366
Davies, James T. 158
l)a\ eph 290
DeGonda, Anthony I'.
Dempsey, Gerald 426
Dewar, Frank 375
1 ,.ir. John, Sr 438
DeWolf, Milo T. - 43
Doerksen, Jacob P
Drake. George
Dryden, T. X. -. -
Dummett, William H. l-'l
Dyer, Francis M.
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
E
Eichstad, Emil H. 455
Ellingsberg, Anton 135
Engeswick, John A. 464
Englin, John S. 285
Englin, Theo. 225
Englund, A. W 327
Erickson, Elof 346
.Erickson, Nils 365
Ewert, David 45
F
Fast, Herman J. 187
Fast, Jacob J. 320
Fast, John H. 356
Fast, Peter P. 427
Fering, Severt J. 67
Fester, E. O. 358
Fisch, Michael L. 119
Flaig, Arthur J. 293
Flitter, H. C. 403
Flogstad, Martin H. 245
Flogstad, Paul 228
Foss, Julius E. 201
Foss Mercantile Company 201
Foss, William H. 201
Franz, Martin 317
Franz, Peter J. 211
Fredrickson, August :__ 353
Friesen, Abraham B. 140
Fuller, Walter A. 185
G
Gall, Frank 222
Gertner, Gottlieb 203
Gibbs, Edson A. 461
Gilbertson, Gustav E. 71
Gillam, Charles W. 88
Gillis, Rev. Benjamin C 209
Gjertson, John 194
Glasier, Jacob M 347
Goertzen, Cornelius 354
Goostii, Peter F. 460
Graff, Adolph 465
Grant, George W. 192
Grant, John G. 360
Grunenwald, Albert 361
Gushman, Leo A. 118
Gustafson, Charles A. 310
Gustafson, John F. 176
. H
Hage, Siver 4gi
Haislet, Herman W. 125
Hale, Walter M. 137
Halvorsen, Ole A. 167
Hammerstad, Ole 73
Hammond, Milton H. 42
Hammond, Hon. Winfield S 35
Hamre, Andrew C. 394
Hansen, Jens C. 260
Hansen, Severt 74
Hanson, Andrew M. 51
Hanson, Henry E. 120
Hanson, Jens 195
Harbitz, Monrad 326
Harper. Arthur 251
Hartmann, Rev. M. K 232
Hasenheyer, Gottlieb 132
Haugen. Hans A. 453
Haycraft. Emery 205
Hedquist. Olaf 58
Heggerston, E. E 166
Henderson, John 128
Henderson, Martin 388
Hengtgen, Jacob 131
Heppner, John 475
Hiebert, Jacob G. 86
Hofstad, Rudolf 350
Hofstrom, Charles O. 371
Hohenstem, Otto E. 76
Holen, Soren 208
Holte. Even O. 13S
Hovden, Ben 395
Hoyt. OK- I". 551
Huffman, John C. 450
Hunter, William \V. 304
I
Iverson, Iver O. 234
J
Jackson, Samuel 431
Jacobsen, Lars O. 4(>'>
Jacobson, Abraham 256
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Jacobson, Gunder 436
Janzen, Abraham 54
Janzen, David C. 480
Jencks. Perry M. 382
Jensen, Jens C 321
Jensen. Soren P. 181
Johnson, Albert E. 134
Johnson, Gunder 314
Johnson, Hon. J. E. 52
Johnson. John F. 148
Judd. Frank E., D. V. S 197
Juhnke, William 337
K
Kabrick, O. A., M. D 410
Kintzi. Theodore 90
Klaras. Fred H. 385
Kleven, Helge O. --;,)
Klocovv, Frank D 1'3
Knudson. Carl S. 392
Knudson, Elmer E. 179
Kobs, Johann W. 217
Kopperud, John E. 266
Krause. Herman C. 443
Krueger, Kumbert 63
L
Laingcn, Thorsten P. 298
Lande, O. C.
Langley, David P. n-
Lantz, John A.
Larkin, Charles
Larson. Lauritz 446
Leffler, Lorenz 288
Leonard. E. I
Leonard, H. P. 252
Le Tourneau, George 87
Lewis. James 20/
Lewis. Roy W. 477
Lien. Charles A. 103
Lindquist, August E. -'}
Lindquist. Gustav
Linscheid. Jacob J.
Lobben, Jens L. ^-
Loewen, Henry F.
Loewen, Nic F. 4
Loughran, Barney 424
Ludemann, Johann D. 471
Lun.lhol.il. Rev. Algot T
Mc
rthy, W. J., M. D 280
McCaule'y, Edward 151
Md lean, Mired J. -158
McLaughlin, William W -'74
M
Madson, Mabel S.
.Martin. Henry A. 330
ler, James S. 333
Mathisen, George W.
M ttison, X. C. 323
Mead. Wallace E. 65
Melheim, Claus 428
Mertens, August W,
Messenbrink, Fred C.
Meyer, A. 1'". ',,•,■',
ers, Rev. John
Miller, Michael P.
Milligan, Bert 419
Minder. Emil F. 68
Minion. Nathaniel I'. 272
ling, Gustav — 409
Mitchell. Harris 4'3
Mooi Ellison D 213
Moore, John E. 421
- 4H
Muller, Gustav _-
Mis "W7
N
Nai ' ■ I
Natl
Nelson, Christian N.
Nelson, John - -- -
Nelson, John E. "'
Neufeld
Nil
Noble, David A "•'
. Frantz I
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
O
Offerdal, Thomas 130
Olson, Hilmer J. 380
Olson, Knut 235
Olson, Mathias 364
Olson, Ole A. 338
Olson. Oluf T. 247
Osland, Ole 363
Otesa, O. A. 193
Ottum, Chris L 442
P
Palmer, U. H. 384
Pankow, Rev. Erdman A 216
Parr, M. W. 413
Paulson, Samuel 379
Pedersen, Christ 97
Pederson, George 244
Pederson, Iver I 377
Pederson, Lars P. 264
Pederson, Torvel 231
Pedvin, John 286
Perkins, Judge Alfred D. 37
Peters, Dietrich D. 238
Peters. Henry D. 296
Peterson, August E. 398
Peterson, Chester R. 77
Peterson, Laurits 268
Peterson, William A. 152
Pierce, Charles B. 142
Pietz, H. R. 294
Porter, Matthew S. 91
Potter, Edward C. 308
Potter, William A. 100
Prokes, Rev. Francis J 50
Purrington, Lewin M 417
Q
Quade, August 306
Qucvli, Andrew A. 82
R
Radtke, John F. 240
Rand, Alvin 312
Randall, John S. 258
Rank, Elmer E. 175
Rasche, Gustav T. 162
Rasey, Elwin Z. 160
Ratzlaff, Benjamin J. 420
Reinert, Ole 303
Reisdorph, John A. 372
Reisdorph, Robert 141
Rolf. Johan. D. D. S 224
Rossing, Anton 165
Rossing, William L. 255
Roxin, John 215
Ruhberg, Carl H. 404
Ruhberg, Peter A, 212
Running, Amel 78
Rupp, Jacob 229
Rupp, John E. 241
Rydeen, John 253
S
Sanborn. Benjamin C. 437
Sartorius. William 124
Savage, Donald R. 139
Savage, Rev. Edward 115
Schaffer, Arthur L. 376
Schmotzer, Edward F. 352
Schroeder, Frank 106
Schroeder, Heinrich 416
Schroeder, Louis E. 4S4
Schulte, William 307
Schultz, David D. 324
Schultz, Isaac D. 402
Schwandt, George 248
Scribner, B. J. 289
Seely, Whalen D. 56
Seines, O. E. 83
Senst, Herman A. 457
Senst, Otto 223
Shaner, Charles H. 199
Siem, Nels 407
Sivertson, George P. 127
Sizcr, Michael 467
Skjedser, Niels 445
Skrabeck, Halvor T. 243
Sletta, Alfred 433
Slctta. Ole E. 343
Smestad. Edward E. 191
Smestad, Hans P. 98
Smith, Willard C. 454
Solete. Fred 435
Somers, John W. 332
Sonnesyn, C. N. 80
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Sonnesyn, J. K. 111
Sorensen, Neal C. 153
Stark, Arthur O. 261
Sterrie, Peter N. 75
Stoess, Dietrich 270
Story, Lincoln L. 341
Strunk, Arthur F. 93
Sucker, Adolph 412
Sulem, S. J. 430
Sullivan, Edd T. 118
Sundt, Ole E. 336
Swain. W. S 349
Swanson, Alex 168
Swartz. Arthur L. 164
Swenson, Gilbert 236
Swenson, Henning L. 263
Swenson, Swen L. 466
Syverson. Olans 42.5
T
Tackels. LaMont H. 279
Takle, Jens 474
Thompson, Albert L. 149
Thompson, Jesse O. 57
Thompson, Knut S. 344
Thompson, Oscar J. 157
Thorkveen, Rev. Lars P 72
Thome, James P. 441
Thornton. Col. John J 66
Tibbedeaux, Tuffiel 40
Tonnesson. Thomas 94
U
Uhlhorn. Felix F. 102
V
Va -tad. Hans M. 434
Villa, John E. 96
Void, M. C. 284
Voshage, Henry 190
Voth, D. J. 47
Vought, Andrew P.
W
Wall. Jacob H.
Walsh, James J 265
Ware. Mark C. 169
Warner, Andrew W. !92
Wenstrom, Carl J. 109
Wenstrom, Otto 92
West, Mrs. Elizabeth R 408
West, John C. 393
Whiting, Solomon D. 184
\\ icklund, Alfred J. 85
Wog, Daniel E.
Woodruff, Amelias E. 406
Y
Yargi r, T. M. 374
Z
Zender, John 59
Zi rider, John J. • 60
o
Q
H
CO
O
a
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5
o
o
7.
O
H
O
o
COTTONWOOD COUNTY
MINNESOTA
CHAPTER I.
RELATED STATE HISTORY.
The greater part, or about two-thirds, of the territory embraced within
the boundaries of Minnesota was included in the Louisiana Purchase, ceded
to the United States by France in 1803. The remainder of this state, com-
prising the northeastern third part, lying east of the Mississippi river, was
included in the country surrendered from Great Britain by the treaty of
1783, at the end of the Revolutionary War. In 1805 a grant of land nine
miles square, at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Peter (now Min-
nesota ) rivers, was obtained from the Sioux Indians. A military post was
established on the grant in 1819, and in 1820 arrangements were made for
the erection of a fort, which was completed in 1822 and named Ft. Snelling,
after the commanding officer, and the grant has ever since been known
the Ft. Snelling Reservation. In 1823 the first steamboat ascended the
Mississippi as far as Ft. Snelling; and annually thereafter one or two trips
of steamboats were made to this isolated post for a number of years.
This territory was held by the Chippewa or Ojibway and the Dakota
or Sioux Indians, but adventurous pioneers had penetrated into the coun-
try along the streams tributary to the Mississippi river, and in 1836 Wis-
consin territory was organized, comprising all the territory west of Lake
Michigan, and including within its limits all the country west of the Great
Lakes and north of Illinois, the west boundary of the territory being the
Mississippi river.
INDIAN TREATIES.
In 1837 two important treaties were made with the native tribes of
Indians. The first one was made by Gov. Henry Dodge, of Wisconsin, with
the Ojibwavs, at Ft. Snelling, on the 29th of July, of that year, whereby
(3)'
34 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
they ceded to the United States all their pine or agricultural lands on the St.
Croix river and its tributaries.
On the 29th of September, of the same year, at the city of Washing-
ton, a treaty with the Sioux was made by Joel R. Poinsett, a special com-
missioner representing the United States, and about twenty chiefs, accom-
panied by Major Taliaferro, their agent, and Scott Campbell, an interpreter.
Through the influence and by the direction of Governor Dodge, this delega-
tion of chiefs had proceeded to Washington for the purpose of making this
treaty, by which the Dakotas, or Sioux, ceded to the United States all their
lands east of the Mississippi river and all its islands. The Indians were to
receive as consideration for the same $110,000 in cash, to be divided among
the mixed bloods, $90,000 in payment of debts owing by the tribes, and
$300,000 to be invested in five per cent, stocks, the interest of which should
be paid to them annually.
In 1848 Wisconsin adopted a state constitution, but ignored the enab-
ling act, and made the northern part of the western boundary of the state
along the line of the St. Louis and Rum rivers, which was not accepted by
the United States government, and the boundary line from the Mississippi
river to Lake Superior became fixed, as in the enabling act, on the line of
the St. Croix river and in a direct line to the mouth of the St. Louis river.
After the acceptance of the Wisconsin constitution, in May, 1848, the
territory north and west of the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers being prac-
tical}' without a government, the Hon. John Catlin, 'claiming to be still
secretary and acting governor of Wisconsin territory, issued a proclama-
tion for a special election, to elect a delegate to Congress. The election
was held on October 30. and Hon. H. H. Sibley was chosen delegate, and
after some delay was admitted as such into the Congress of the United
States.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.
On March 3, 1S49, Congress passed an act to establish (he territorial
government of Minnesota. It fixed the seat of government at St. Paul,
and established the southern boundary of the territory along the north and
west boundary line of the state of Iowa, from the Mississippi river to the
Missouri river, the western boundary through the middle of the channel
of the Missouri river to the mouth of the White Earth river, and up the
middle of the channel of the White Earth river to the boundarv line between
the United States and Great Britain, the northern boundary running thence
easterly and southeasterly on the international boundary line to Lake Super-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. Jtj
ior, and the eastern boundary running- thence in a straight line to the north-
ermost point of the state of Wisconsin, and following the north and west
boundary of said state down the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers to the
place of beginning. At this time the population of the territory was mainly
in the section east of the Mississippi river, and the settlers were almost
entirely engaged in lumbering. The territorial government was declared
fully organized, June i. 1849. by Hon. Alexander Ramsey, who had been
appointed first territorial governor. The year 1848 was noted as the year
of excitement from the discovery of gold in California, and the eyes of
many thousands of people throughout the east were turned westward, where
opportunities were opening for the growth of new states. Although at the
organization of the territory there was scarcely a thousand people, within a
year the census of 1850 gave to the territory a population of 6,077. Of this
number, however, 1,134 residents were credited to the northernmost part of
the territory on the Red River of the North, many of these being lialf-
breds, and the early pioneers engaged in the fur trade, brought there
through the influence of the Hudson Bay Company.
The first territorial election was held on August 1, 1849.
The first session of the territorial Legislature commenced in St. Paul,
September 3, 1849, during which counties were established and a code of
laws enacted. The second session was commenced in January. 1X51, at
which time the capitol was located at St. Paul, the university at St. Anthony,
and the state prison at Stillwater.
THE COUNCIL AT TRAVERSE I MUX.
In 1851 three treaties were made with the Sioux and with the Ojibway
bands of Indians, whereby large tracts of lands were relinquished to the
United States. In view of the great extent of country desired, ami the
importance of the transaction, and the long continued friend-hip of the
Dakota nation. President Fillmore departed from the usual mode of appoint-
ing commissioners, and deputed the Flon. Luke Lea, the commissioner of
Indian affairs, and Gov. Alexander Ramsey to meet the representatives -1
the Dakotas, and to conclude with them a treaty Eoi Mich lands as they
might be willing to sell.
On the 27th of June, 1851, Commissioner Lea arrived in St. Paul on
the steamboat "Excelsior," and on the 29th he, in company with Governor
Ramsey, landed at Traverse des Sioux, where the great council was to
held and the treaty consummated with the Sisseton and Wahpeton ban
36 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
of Sioux. Great delay in the proceedings was caused by the non-arrival of
certain Sioux chiefs from the upper country, and it was not until the 18th
of July that the council convened and the preliminaries to the treaty com-
menced. During this interval of about twenty days they all entertained
themselves as best they could with races, dances, suppers, sham fights, and
all sorts of fun.
On the 1 8th of July, all the chiefs having arrived, proclamation was
made, and being convened in grand council and the pipe of peace having
"been passed around, the council was opened by an address from Governor
Ramsey. On the 23rd of July the treaty was concluded and signed by the
chiefs, by which they ceded to the United States all the lands claimed by
these bands east of the Sioux Wood (or Bois des Sioux), and Big Sioux
rivers and Lake Traverse to the Mississippi, excepting a reservation one
hundred miles long by twenty miles wide, on the upper part of the Minne-
sota river. By this treaty the Indians were to remove within two years to
the reservation; to receive from the government, after removal $275,000,
to enable them to settle up their affairs and to become established in their
new home ; and $30,000 was to be expended in breaking land, erecting mills
and establishing a manual training school. They were also to receive for
fifty years from that time, an annuity of $68,000, payable as follows: Cash,
$40,000; civilization fund, $12,000; goods and provisions, $10,000; educa-
tion fund, $6,000.
About a week later, on the 29th of July, Governor Ramsey and Com-
missioner Lea met the chiefs and leading men of the Med-ay-wakanton and
Wah-pay-koo-tay bands of Sioux at a grand council at Mendota, to nego-
tiate another treaty for the sale of other lands, which was concluded on the
5th of August, being signed by sixty-four chiefs, head men and warriors.
In the treaty these bands of Indians ceded and relinquished all their lands in
territory of Minnesota and state of Iowa, and in consideration thereof the
United States was to reserve for them a tract of the average width of ten
miles on either side of the Minnesota river, and bounded on the west by the
Tehay-tam-bay and Yellow Medicine rivers, on the east by the Little Rock
river, and a line running due south from the mouth to the Waraju river;
and to pay them the following sums of money: For settling debts and aid
in removal, $220,000; for erection of buildings and opening farms, $30,000;
civilization fund, to be paid annually, $12,000; educational fund, paid
annually, $6,000; goods and provisions, annually, $10,000; cash, $30,000.
The annuities were to continue for fifty years from the date of the treaty.
These two treaties of 1851 at Traverse des Sioux and Mendota acquired
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 37
for white settlement nearly 24,000,000 acres of the finest lands in the
world. The cessions were mostly in Minnesota, but included about an eighth
part, or nearly 3,000,000 acres, in the state of Iowa, between the line of the
old "neutral ground'' and the northern anil western boundaries of the state.
That tract of country, and generally all lands in Iowa, claimed by the Sioux,
were therefore embraced in the articles of cession of both treaties.
The Senate of the United States, on the 23rd of June, 1852, rati lie 1 the
treaties, with amendments to each, which amendments were subsequently
accepted by the Indians, and on the 24th of February, 1853, President Mil-
lard Fillmore issued his proclamation accepting, ratifying and confirming
each of the said treaties as amended. The total lands in the present state of
Minnesota relinquished to the government by these treaties exceeded
19,000,000 acres; and they also ceded about 1,750,000 acres in South Dakota,
besides the tract described in Iowa.
The third treaty of 1S51 was effected by Governor Ramsey with the
Red Lake and Pembina bands of Ojibways at Pembina, by which they
ceded certain territory, sixty-five miles in width by one hundred and fifty
miles in length, intersected by the Red River of the North. This treaty
was not ratified by the government.
After the ratification of the treaties with the Sioux, a great wave of
immigration set in from all the eastern states, and an era of speculation
started which probably has never been excelled in any portion of the west.
A census, taken in 1857. gave a population of 150,037.
INDIAN HUNTERS CAUSE TROUBLE.
Notwithstanding there was an abundant supply of good land outside of
the limits of the land ceded under these treaties, the adventurous spirit
of the pioneers led many of them to settle on the extreme limits of the
grant, and in immediate proximity to the Indian settlements. In the south-
western portion of the state, particularly, settlements were made close to
the boundary line of Iowa and north and west of Spirit lake. Some were
in Iowa and some were in Minnesota, and all were within the jurisdiction
of the Indian agent resident in the territory of Minnesota. Although tin-
Indians were living on the reservation lands west of these settlements, in
their hunting expeditions they were accustomed to return to the ceded
lands. In a general way the Indians were civil, and committed only petty
depredations; but their visits were at times annoying. Among the Indians
there was a single band, under the leadership of Ink-pa-du-ta, or the S<
38 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
let Point, of about fifteen lodges, which had been for many years an inde-
pendent band and of a thieving, vagabondish character (really outlaws from
the Sioux nation, and not represented in the treaties of 1851), who had
taken possession of a strip of land running on both sides of the boundary
lines of Iowa and Minnesota, and extending to the Missouri river. In
March, 1857, a few of these Indians were hunting in the neighborhood of
Rock river and one of them was bitten by a dog belonging to a white man.
The dog was killed by the Indian, and in return the owner of the dog made
an assault upon the Indian, and afterward gathered his neighbors, and they
went to the Indian camp and disarmed them. The arms were afterward
returned to them, and the party moved northeast, arriving at the Spirit Lake
settlement about the 6th of March, where they massacred the men and took
four women into captivity. Other settlements were attacked, and alto-
gether forty-two settlers were killed. Two of the women were afterward
rescued through the efforts of Hon. Charles E. Flandreau. then the Indian
agent An effort was made to punish this band of savages, but all escaped
except the eldest son of Ink-pa-du-ta, who had ventured into the camp of
other Sioux, near the agency, and was killed in an attempt to capture him.
TOWN-SITE SPECULATION.
In 1855 and 1856 town-site speculation became the absorbing thought,
and when the panic of 1S57 set in, Minnesota was soon in a deplorable
condition. The demand for an extensive railroad system and a state gov-
ernment had originated in the flush times of 1856 and 1S57, and on Febru-
ary 26, 1857, Congress passed an act authorizing a constitutional conven-
tion, and granting a large amount of lands in aid of public schools. On
March 3, 1857, an act °f Congress was approved making a large grant of
lands in aid of railroads.
The election of members of the Constitutional Convention was held on
June 1, 1857, and the result was an almost equal division representing the
Democratic and Republican parties. So close was this division, and there
being some contested seats, when the convention assembled, on July 13,
two distinct organizations were made, each proceeding to frame a Con-
stitute m, but finally, by conference committees, they united in one docu-
ment, which was submitted to a vote of the people on October 13, and was
adopted almost unanimously. By this Constitution the boundaries of the
state were changed on the west, making the Red River of the North the
line, up the I'.uis des Sioux, and thence extending along that river and
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 39
through Lake Traverse and Big Stone lake, and by a direct south line to the
north boundary of Iowa.
This Constitution provided for an election of state officers at the same
time of voting upon the adoption of the Constitution, resulting, bj a close
vote, in the election of the Democratic nominees. The first stale Legisla-
ture was convened on the 2nd of December, 1857, and continued in session
until March 25, 1858, when a recess was taken until after the state should
be admitted. Some doubts were raised as to the legality of the acts of
the Legislature previous to admission by Congress. The act of admission
was passed and approved. May 11, 1858. The Legislature again assembled
in June, and finally adjourned, August 12, 1858. During this prolonged
session the embryo state was without funds, and a loan of $250,000 was
authorized; but as the acts of the Legislature before admission were some-
what irregular, the loan could not be readily negotiated. To tide over the
difficulty state warrants were issued in the form of bank notes, and passed
current, with more or less discount, until the summer of 1N5N, when tin
were redeemed from the proceeds of the loan consummated after the admis-
sion of the state.
RAILROAD BONDS ISSUED.
The first Legislature worked diligently in what they considered the
best interest of the state, and as the grant of lands by the United State
in aid of railroads within the state had to be turned over to companies, a
large part of the session was devoted to railroad legislation. The scheme
of further aid to companies who might be willing to undertake the build-
ing of railroads was originated, and was commonly denominated the "Five
Million Loan Bill," contemplating the loan of the credit of the state, to
that amount, in such sums as would be paid upon the grading and final
completion of certain miles of road. On a submission of this law to the
people it was adopted by a large majority. The opposition at the time of
the vote upon this measure was very bitter, and continued after bonds «
being issued, and with the dissatisfaction arising from the small I of
work completed and the large amount of bonds issued, threatenings of repu-
diation advocated by leading men in the state caused a in financial
circles and a final collap 1 oi the whole scheme, with the foi the
mortgages taken by the state upon the railroad lands and Ira; ind
the abandonment of all railroad construction for the tim The total
amount of bonds issued under this provision of the constitution v 75,-
000. By the foreclosure proceedings the state acquired about 250 miles of
40 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
graded road, the franchises of the companies and the lands, amounting to
five million of acres, as indemnity for this issue of bonds. Notwithstanding
the state had acquired all the rights, including the improvements of the rail-
road companies, the feeling against any settlement of the bonds was strong
enough to secure an amendment to the constitution in i860, prohibiting the
passage of any law levying a tax or making other provision for the pay-
ment of the principal or interest of these bonds without having the same
submitted to a vote of the people and adopted.
The two years following the crash of 1857 were replete with financial
disaster and a shrinkage of inflated .values in town-sites; but the country
was filling up with farmers, and the rich soil of the state was giving
abundant harvests. The political contest of 1859 was bitter, and resulted in
the Republican party carrying the state, both for state officers and the Legis-
lature
The census of i860 gave the state a population of 172,023. During
this year there was great hope of a largely increased immigration into the
county; but the political situation in the Union, starting with the opening
of the presidential campaign of that year, soon indicated a disturbing ele-
ment throughout the country, and distrust and depression were manifest
on all sides which was not allayed by the result of the presidential election.
The war period, commencing with the time of the President's proclamation
in April, 1861, to the final close of the rebellion in 1865, did not permit any
material growth in the state. About twenty-two thousand of her able-
bodied citizens volunteered and were enlisted in the Union army.
UNREST AMONG THE INDIANS.
The Indian reservation set apart by the treaties of 185 1, a tract twenty
miles wide on the upper part of the Minnesota river, embracing some of
the finest lands in the state, was becoming a barrier to settlements in
the upper Minnesota valley. Settlers had taken lands close up to the reserva-
tion, and there was considerable complaint that Indians were coming off
the reservation and committing petty depredations, and the Indians had
more or less complaints to make regarding the extortions practiced by the
post traders. The encroachments of the whites were viewed with suspicion
by the Indians, and sooner or later, from these causes alone, a conflict would
probably have occurred. The War of the Rebellion, calling away so many
of the able-bodied men of the state, left the frontier settlements almost
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 4 I
defenseless, and doubtless caused the younger portion of the tribes to become
more offensive to the settlers and more exacting in their demands.
The lands embraced within the reservation under the treaties of 1S51
were in the very heart of Minnesota, and, considering- the forests and
streams, were the choicest of farming lands. The settlers on the boi
were anxiously coveting this "Garden of Eden." A sentiment was created
throughout the state that the Indians should abandon the tribal relations
and become civilized. To this end the head men of the Dakota nation
were induced, in 1858, to go to Washington, under the charge of Hon.
Joseph R. Brown, in whom they had great confidence, for the purpose of
negotiating for the whole or a part of this reservation. Treaties were
signed ceding the ten-mile strip on the north side of the river, upon the
payment of $140,000, and the government provided that every head of a
family or single person over the age of twenty-one adopting a civilized
life should secure in fee eighty acres of land. From some cause the pay-
ments of $140,000 were never made, and there was great dissatisfaction
on account of this treat}-, among those of the tribes who were adverse to
accepting the condition of civilization; and from the fact that there v
no money divided among them on account of this relinquishment a bitter
dissension arose between the older chiefs and the younger members, the
latter claiming that they had been robbed either by the chiefs or by the
government, and they proposed to have the settlement, peaceful or other-
wise.
This internal strife was augmented from year to year by the withdrawal
of families who were willing to accept the civilization fund, the number in
three years succeeding the treaty amounting to one hundred and sixty |
sons. They were, however, still annuity Indians, and claimed thi right to
be heard in the councils. The annuity Indians, all told, numbered about six
thousand two hundred, and the annual cash payment to each pi 1
amounted to about fifteen dollars. The Indians were treated as wards of
the United States. Two agencies were established, around which v,
gathered storekeepers to sell the Indians goods in anticipation of the annuity
payments; and, usually, the annual payment was simply a settlement of
the claims of the traders, who took the risk of furnishing th in
advance. That there was injustice practiced upon the Indiai '.uhtless
true; probably not so great as the disaffected Indians imagined. There
was enough, however, to make the time of the annual payment an anxi
period, for fear of an outbreak. The failure of the governmenl in
attempt to punish the Spirit Lake murderers had a tendency I
42 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ing among the leaders of the rebellious spirit that if they could only unite
the whole body of Sioux in an uprising they could make a successful attack
upon the settlers, and perhaps regain the lands formerly held by the Indians.
The War of the Rebellion, starting in 1861, gave renewed energy to the
discontent. The Indians were well aware of the reverses of the Union
forces during the first year of the war. The calls for troops were taking the
able-bodied men from the farms, and many of the half-breeds had volun-
teered for the army. All these conditions had a disquieting effect, and,
added to this, in 1862 the June payment was not made; and as there was no
satisfactory answer for the delay, the traders took advantage of the neces-
sities of the Indians and insinuated that perhaps the government would go
to pieces, and there would be no further payments. The missionaries endeav-
ored to counteract these evil influences, and. with the aid of the civilized
Indians, succeeded in averting deliberate outbreak. The delay in payment
of annuities, however, tended to keep up the discontent, particularly among
the younger braves, who were the hunters. Their vagabond life brought
them into the settlements, and in contact with the whites; and their worth-
less, lazy habits made them offensive to the families, as beggars of meals or
money, or anything that took their fancy.
MASSACRE OF 1862.
These are, in brief, the circumstances which led up to the great mas-
sacre of 1862, which for a short time threatened the lives of all the settlers
on the western boundary of the state. There was no concerted action for
the massacre, and to some extent there is an uncertainty as to why the first
murders were committed. Four young men or boys are believed to have
commenced the massacre, in a spirit of bravado, making a threatening
attack first upon a family, driving them from their home, and afterward
following them to a neighbor's house, where, after an altercation with the
families, they killed three men and two women. These occurrences took
place on the 17th of August, in the township of Acton, twelve miles west
of Litchfield Realizing that if they remained in the vicinity punishment
would soon overtake their murderous acts, they lost no time in going back
to camp, relating what they had done, and asking protection. A hasty
consultation was had between two of the chiefs; they realized that the mur-
derers must be given up, or the annuities would be stopped, and a war of
extermination would be inaugurated. They chose to stand by the murder-
ers, ami immediately following there was a general uprising of the entire
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 4}
Sioux bands. So swift were their movements, before any effective resistance
could be brought against them, that about eight hundred of the settlers,
men, women and children were murdered within a few days. The prompt
action of the state authorities, aided by the national government, resulted
in the capture of about 2,000 of the belligerent Indians and the withdrawal
of the remainder beyond the boundaries of the state, into the wilds of
Dakota. Of the captured Indians, 303 were found guilty of murder and
rape, and were condemned to death by a military court-martial. Of this
number 265 were reprieved by President Lincoln, and the remainder, thirty-
eight of the most prominent engaged in the massacre, were hung in Mankato
on the 26th of December, 1862. The next year the general government
authorized an expedition against the Indians who had escaped to the Dakota
plains, because of their constant raids in small squads on the frontiers of
the state for the purpose of horse-stealing and marauding upon adven-
turous settlers who might risk going back to their abandoned farms. \.fter
two decisive encounters, the Indians retreated beyond the Missouri river,
and in 1864 another expedition was sent forward and a final settlemenl
of the Sioux outbreak was accomplished, by a confiscation and surrender
of the ponies and arms of most of the bands hostile to the government.
The several tribes of Sioux Indians were engaged in this massacre, and
were the representatives of the tribes that had made the cession of lands
in 1851, under the first and second treaties of that year. Under these
treaties the government had set aside trust funds of 82,520,000. from which
there was paid annually the sum of Suo.ooo. Settlers who had lost prop-
erty urged their claims for indemnity, and Congress promptly established a
commission to receive all claims and investigate the fact-,. The commis-
sion was duly organized and established headquarters in the city of St. Paul,
and carefully examined all the claims presented. The total number filed
was 2,940, with damages amounting to $2,458,795.16. The commission
allowed 2.635 claims, and cut down the damages t.. $1,370,374. By .
Congress these claims were paid, and the annuities and all furtl
ments to the tribi were stopped. The state was also reimbursed for extra-
ordinary expenses incurred duriri riod of insurrecl
On the 2nd of Octob r, [863, a treaty was concluded at the old cro
ing of Red Lake river, about twelve miles east of the present m
Crookston by Alexander Ramsey and Morrill, ai chiefs
and head men of the Red Lake and Pembina bai bway Ind
for the cession of a large tract of country, being the
in one of the treaties of 1851, but not ratified at that lime, of which the
44 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
boundaries are as follow: Commencing at the intersection of the national
boundary with the Lake of the Woods; thence in a southwest direction to
the head of Thief river; thence following that stream to its mouth; thence
southeasterly in a direct line toward the head of Wild Rice river; and thence
following the boundary of the Pillager cession of 1855 to the mouth of said
river; thence up the channel of the Red river to the mouth of the Cheyenne;
thence up said river to Stump lake, near the eastern extremity of Devil's
lake; thence north to the international boundary; and thence east on
said boundary to the place of beginning. It embraced all of the Red River
valley in Minnesota and Dakota, except a small portion previously ceded,
and was estimated to contain 11,000,000 acres. This treaty was ratified by
the Senate, with amendments, March 1, 1864. The Indians, on the 12th of
April, 1864, assented to the amendments, and President Lincoln, by his
proclamation of the 5th of May, 1864, confirmed the treaty.
A PERIOD OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT.
The close of the Civil War in the spring of 1S65, and the return of the
soldiers, and the assurance of no further depredations from the Sioux
Indians, started a new era of prosperity and rapid growth. The Legislature,
in the meantime, had granted charters on the foreclosed roadbeds and lands
to new railroad companies, and the construction of roads was furnishing
abundant labor to all who were coming to the state. The population at
this time was 250,099, and in 1870 the ppoulation had increased to 439,706,
nearly doubling in five years. The railroad companies had within the same
period constructed nearly 1,000 miles of railroad, and continued their build-
ing with even greater vigor until the financial crisis of 1873 brought all pub-
lic enterprises again to a stand, and produced stagnation in all the growing
towns. The farmers had been active in developing the country, and were
adding largely to the productions of the state when the grasshopper raids,
for the time being, destroyed the growing crops, and caused great financial
distress for two or three years.
The census of 1875 gave the state a population of 597,407, still showing
a fair increase, but small in comparison with the live years following the
close of the rebellion. By 1878 the state had fairly recovered from the
financial crash of 1873, but speculation has at no time since 1878 been so
reckless as during the two periods ending in 1857 and 1873.
Along with the prosperity of the state, caused so largely by the rapid
railroad building, the state pride began to assert itself with more force,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 45
and the prominent citizens continued to urge an adjustment of the dis-
honored railroad bonds. In 1877 a proposition setting aside the proceeds
of 500,000 acres for internal improvement lands in settlement was by act
of the Legislature submitted to a vote at a special election called for the
12th of June, and was voted down by the decisive vote of 59,176 against
to 17,324 votes for, the proposition. This vote was largely owing to the
fact that the state at that time had almost an entire new population that
had come into the state long after the bonds were issued and had no definite
knowledge of the history of the original indebtedness.
In 1881 the Legislature enacted a law providing for the adjustment of
these bonds and designating the judges of the supreme court as a com-
mission to make the settlement. The constitutionality of this law was
questioned, a writ of injunction was served, and the final determination of
the supreme bench was that the law was unconstitutional, as also the
amendment of i860, prohibiting any settlement without a vote of the people.
This latter act had previously been determined unconstitutional by the
supreme court of the United States. An extra session of the Legislature
was called in October of the same year, when the final adjustment was
authorized by act of the Legislature, on a basis of fifty per cent, of the
amount nominally due, and, after a careful examination of all the claims
presented, the bond question was forever set at rest by the issue of adjust-
ment bonds, to the amount of $4,282,000, to parties entitled to receive
them. For the payment of these bonds the proposition of setting aside
the proceeds of the 500,000 acres of internal improvement lands was again
submitted to the general election in 1881, and by a vote of 82,435 votes in
favor, and 24,526 votes against, the action of the Legislature was rati
and the stigma of repudiation removed, which had been fastened upon the
state by the popular vote of 1877.
In 1880 the national census gave the state a population of 780,773.
the state census of 1885 swelled these figures to 1,117,798, indicating the
extraordinary growth of forty-three per cent.; but an examination of the
figures shows that the growth was mainly confined to the citi< ; nearly
eighty per cent, of increase, while in the farming community and small
towns the percentage of inn vas only twenty per cent.
During the ten years between 1880 and 1890 there w period oi
great activity in the railroad building, and 2,310 miles of road were pul in
operation. This alone gave great energy to the business of the state,
caused a large increase in the population of the cities, and gradually cul-
minated in a most extravagant real estate boom, and an era of the wild
46 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
speculation. In the country the growth was normal over the entire state,
although large numbers of farmers in the southern half of the state were
attracted to the plains of Dakota, where great activity was being developed
by the pushing of railroads into different sections of the territory.
DIVERSIFIED FARMING INTERESTS.
The settlement of the Dakotas and the consequent breaking up of the
virgin land, after the year 1885, almost doubled the wheat yield of the north-
western states, so that the farmers of Minnesota were soon confronted
with the question whether wheat should continue to be their leading staple.
In the southern part of the state the wheat return was not enough per acre
to yield any profit to the farmer at the reduced prices ; and gradually meth-
ods have changed, so that the leading agricultural industries now include
dairying, stock raising, and general diversified farming. It seems probable
that Minnesota will hold her place as the greatest wheat-producing state,
and will also earn a greater reputation as the best all-round farming state
in the Union.
The national census of 1890 gave the state a population of 1,301,826,
an increase of 184,028 in five years, of which amount about 70,000 increase
went to the cities and 114,000 to the country districts, showing eighteen per
cent, increase in the cities and fifteen per cent, increase in the country. The
state census of 1895 showed an increase of 272,793, or 21.95 per cent, in the
preceding five years, giving a total population of 1,574,619.
According to the census of 1910 the population of Minnesota was
2,075,708, showing an increase of 17.8 per cent, during the preceding
decade. The population of the five largest cities was as follow: Minnea-
polis, 301,408; St. Paul, 214,744; Duluth, 78,466; Winona, 18,583; and
Stiliwater. 10.19S.
.Minnesota was the first state of the Union to respond to the call of
the President for volunteers at the beginning of the war with Spain, in
April, 1898. Three regiments, designated as the Twelfth, Thirteenth and
Fourteenth Regiments of Minnesota Volunteers, were mobilized at St. Paul,
April 20, and were mustered into the United State service on May 7 and 8.
The Fifteenth Regiment was mustered into service on July 18. In total
this state furnished 5.315 officers and enlisted men for the volunteer army.
At the close of the war the Twelfth and Fourteenth Regiments returned to
Minnesota, and were mustered out of service in November. The Fifteenth
Regiment continued in service until March 27, 1899; and the Thirteenth
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 47
Regiment, after more than a year of service in the Philippine Islands, was
mustered out on October 3, 1899.
NAME.
Minnesota derives its name from the river which was named "Minisota"
by the Dakotas, pronounced "Min-nee-sotah," applied to the stream, in its
natural state in the summer season, after the waters were cleared from the
roiling caused by the spring floods. Mini, water; sotah, sky-colored.
Apparently to secure the correct pronunciation in English letters, the con-
vention called at Stillwater, in 1848. for the purpose of procuring a terri-
torial organization, instructed their delegates to see that the name of the
territory should be written Min-ne-sota.
GEOGRAPHY.
Geographically, Minnesota occupies the exact center of the continent
of North America, midway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and also
midway between Hudson bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This state is bounded
on the south by Iowa, on the west by South and North Dakota, on the north
by Manitoba and Ontario, and on the east by Wisconsin. It extends from
latitude 43 degrees 30 minutes, to 49 degrees 24 minutes, and from 89
degrees 29 minutes, to 97 degrees 15 minutes, west longitude. From its
southern boundary to the northern is about 400 miles, and from its most
eastern to the extreme western point about 354 miles.
AREA.
Minnesota is. in area, the tenth state of the Union. It contains 84,287
square miles, or about 53,943,379 acres, of which 3.608,012 acres are water.
In altitude it appears to be one of the highest portions of the continent, as
the headwaters of three great river systems are found in its limits, those
of streams flowing northward to Hudson tward to the Atlantic ocean,
and southward to the Gulf of Mexico.
About half of this surface, on the south and west, consists of rollii
prairie, interspersed with frequent groves, oak openings and belts of hard-
wood timber, watered by numberless lakes and streams, and covered with a
warm, dark soil of great fertility. The rest, embracing the elevated distrii 1
immediately west and north of Lake Superi ists mainly of rich min-
48 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
eral ranges and of the pine forests which clothe the headwaters of the Mis-
sissippi, affording extensive supplies of lumber. There is but a very small
percentage of broken, rocky or worthless land in the state. Nearly all is
arable.
RIVERS.
Numerous rivers and watercourses give the state excellent drainage.
But few states are so well watered as Minnesota. Its navigable rivers are
the Mississippi, the Minnesota, the St. Croix, the St. Louis, the Red River
of the North, and the Red Lake river, all of which, near their sources, have
extensive water powers; while a number of smaller streams such as Rum
river and Snake river, both valuable for lumbering, the Cannon and Zumbro
rivers, the Vermilion, Crow, Blue Earth, Des Moines, Cottonwood, Chip-
pewa, LeSueur, Root, Elk and Sauk rivers, also furnish line water powers.
These with their tributaries and a host of lesser streams penetrate every por-
tion of the state. Some of the water powers furnished by these streams
are among the finest in America, and many of them have been utilized for
manufacturing purposes.
LAKES.
The lakes of Minnesota are more numerous and varied in form than in
any other state in the Union. Bordering on the northeast corner of tin-
state for one hundred and fifty miles, the waters of the great Lake Superior
wash its shores. Within the state there are about ten thousand lakes, the
largest of which is Red lake, in the central northern part of the state, bor-
dering partly by dense pine forests, with its overflow through Red Lake
river, by a devious course, into the Red River of the North. On the same
northern slope, in St. Louis county, is the beautiful Vermilion lake, with its
tributaries, at the edge of the great Vermilion iron range, and flowing into
Rainy lake, on the northern boundary, and then through Rainy Lake river
into the Lake of the Woods, and thence into Lake Winnipeg, and finally
into Hudson bay. On the southern slope of the state is Itasca lake, the
source of tin- Mississippi, with Cass lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Leech lake,
and other innumerable lakes, all adding volume to the water of the Mississippi,
eventually flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Then there is Mille Lacs, the
source of Rum river, and the picturesque Lake Minnetonka. These are the
largest lakes in the state. Of these, however, only Minnetonka, White Bear,
Bald Eagle and Chisago lakes have so far been much utilized as summer
resorts. The incomparable park region, traversed by the Great Northern
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 49
and Northern Pacific railroads, is the paradise of summer idlers, of hunters
and fishermen; but it is not in this portion alone that all the beautiful lakes
are found. The northeastern and the southwestern sections each have
numerous lakes to attract the summer visitor.
There is an undoubted modification of the climate of the state, caused
by these numerous bodies of water, giving a most delightful summer tem-
perature.
Fine varieties of fish are abundant in all these lakes; and the state
expends annually thousands of dollars, through a game and fish commission,
to improve the varieties and to prevent their wanton destruction.
ELEVATION.
Surveys with leveling from the sea show that the shore of Lake Supe-
rior is the lowest land in the state, 602 feet above sea level. The waters
of the northeastern part of the state south of the Mesabi iron range flow
into Lake Superior, and are carried to the Atlantic ocean. The Mississippi
river, having its chief source in Lake Itasca, at 1,466 feet elevation, runs in
a southerly direction, leaving the state at 620 feet above sea level.
The Red River of the North, rising in the north, near Itasca lake, at
a height of 1,600 feet above the ocean, after a circuitous route south and
west to Breckenridge, in Wilkin count}-, and then flowing north along its
great valley, leaves the state at an elevation of 750 feet. The average
elevation of the state is given at about 1,275 Ieet The highest elevation is
the Misquah hills, in Cook county, 2,230 feet.
CLIMATE.
The elevation of Minnesota above the sea, its fine drainage, and the
dryness of the atmosphere give it a climate of unusual salubrity and pleas-
antness. It has an annual mean temperature of 44 degrees, while its mean
summer temperature is 70 degrees, the same as that of middle Illinois and
Ohio, southern Pennsylvania, etc. The excessive heats of summer often fell
in other states are here tempered by the cooling breezes. Its high latitude
gives it correspondingly longer days in summer than states further south.
and during the growing season there are two and one-half I ire sun-
shine than in the latitude of Cincinnati. This, taken in 1
the abundant rainfall of early summer, accounts for the rapid and vigoi
(4)
50 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
growth of crops in Minnesota, and their early maturity. The cool hreezes
and cool nights in summer prevent the debilitating effects of heat often felt
in low latitudes. The winter climate is one of the attractive features of the
state. Its uniformity, and prevailing freedom from thaws and excessive
spells of cold, severe weather or heavy snow storms, and its dryness, together
with the bright sunshine and electrical condition of the air, all tend to enhance
the personal comfort of the resident, and make outdoor life and labor a
pleasure.
These features tend to make this climate the healthiest in the Union.
It gives life and briskness to those performing manual labor, enabling them
to do more work than in a damper or duller climate.
CHRONOLOGICAL.
In the following list some of the more important events in the state,
from the earliest explorations to the present time, are set forth in chronolo-
gical order :
I635- Jean Nicollet, an explorer from France, who had wintered in the
neighborhood of Green Bay, brought to Montreal the first
mention of the aborigines of Minnesota.
1659-60. Grosseilliers and Radisson wintered among the Sioux of the Mille
Lacs region, Minnesota, being its first white explorers. In a
previous expedition, four years earlier, they are thought to
have come to Prairie Island, west of the main channel of the
Mississippi, between Red Wing and Hastings.
1661 Father Rene Menard left Kewennaw, on Lake Superior, to visit the
Hurons, then in northern Wisconsin, and was lost near the
sources of the Black and Chippewa rivers. His breviary and
cassock were said to have been found among the Sioux.
1679. July 2, Daniel Greyselon Du Lhut (Duluth) held a council with the
Sioux at their principal settlement on the shore of Mille Lacs.
Du Lhut, in June, 16S0, by way of the St. Croix river, reached
the Mississippi and met Hennepin.
1680 Louis Hennepin, after captivity in the village of Mille Lacs Sioux,
first saw the Falls of St. Anthony.
1689 May 8, Nicholas Perrot, at his Ft., St. Antoine, on the Wisconsin
shore of Lake Pepin, laid formal claim to the surrounding
country for France. He built a fort also on the Minnesota
shore of this lake, near its outlet.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 51
1695. LeSueur built a fort or trailing post on Isle Pelee, now called Prairie
Island, above Lake Pepin.
1700. LeSueur established Ft. L'Huillier, on the Blue Earth river (near
the mouth of the LeSueur), and first supplied the Sioux with
firearms.
1727 The French established a third fort on Lake Pepin, with Sieur de
La Perriere as commander.
172S. Great flood in the Mississippi.
1763 By the treaty of Versailles, fiance ceded Minnesota, east of the
Mississippi, to England, and west of it to Spain.
1766 Capt. Jonathan Carver visited St. Anthony falls and Minnesota
river. Lie claimed to have made a treaty with the Indians
the following spring, in a cave afterward called "Carver's
Cave," within the present limits of St. Paul, at which he said
they ceded to him an immense tract of land, long known as
"Carver's Claim," but never recognized by the government.
1796. Laws of the Ordinance of 1787 extended over the Northwest terri-
tory, including the northeastern third of Minnesota, east of
the Mississippi river.
1798-99. The Northwestern Fur Company established itself in Minnesota.
1800. May 7, that part of Minnesota east of the Mississippi became a part
of Indiana by the division of Ohio.
1803. April 30, that part of Minnesota west of the Mississippi, for the
preceding forty years to possession of Spain as a part of Louis-
iana, was ceded to the United States by Napoleon Bonaparte,
who had just obtained it from Spain.
1803-04. William Morrison, the first known white man to discover the
source of the Mississippi river, visited Elk lake and explored
the streams entering into the lake forming the head of the
river.
1805. Lieut. Z. M. Pike visited Minnesota to establish government rela-
tions there, and obtained the Ft. Snelling reservation from
the Dakotas.
1812. The Dakotas. Ojibways and Winnebagoes, under the lead of hostile
traders, joined the British during the war. Red river colony
established by Lord Selkirk.
1819. Minnesota, east of the Mississippi river, became a part of Crav
county, Michigan. Ft. Snelling established, and a po t al
Mendota occupied by troops, under command of Col.
52 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Leavenworth. Maj. L. Taliaferro appointed Indian agent,
arriving on April 19.
1820. Corner stone of Ft. Snelling laid on September 10. Governor Cass
visits Minnesota and makes a treaty of peace between the
Sioux and Ojibways at Ft. Snelling. Col. Josiah Snelling
appointed to the command of the latter post.
1823. The first steamboat arrived at Mendota, May 10, Major Taliaferro
and Beltrami being passengers. Maj. Stephen H. Long
explored Minnesota river, the Red river valley, and the north-
ern frontier. Beltrami explored sources of the Mississippi.
1826 Great flood on the Red river; a part of the colony driven to Minne-
sota, settling near Ft. Snelling.
1832. Schoolcraft explored sources of Mississippi river, and named Lake
Itasca (formerly called Elk lake).
1833 First mission established at Leech lake by Rev. W. T. Boutwell.
1834. The portion of Minnesota west of the Mississippi attached to Michi-
gan. Gen. H. H. Sibley settled at Mendota.
1835. Catlin and Featherstonhaugh visited Minnesota.
1836. The territory of Wisconsin organized, embracing the part of Minne-
sota east of the Mississippi, the part on the west being attached
to Iowa. Nicollet visited Minnesota.
1837 Governor Dodge, of Wisconsin, made a treaty at Ft. Snelling with
the Ojibways, by which the latter ceded all their pine lands
on the St. Croix and its tributaries ; a treaty was also effected
at Washington with a deputation of Dakotas for their lands
east of the Mississippi. These treaties led the way to the first
actual settlements within the area of Minnesota.
1838. The treaty ratified by Congress. Franklin Steele makes a claim at
St. Anthony falls. Pierre Parrant makes a claim and builds
a shanty on the present site of St. Paul.
1839. St. Croix county established.
1843. Stillwater settled.
1846. August 6, the Wisconsin enabling act.
1847. The Wisconsin Constitutional Convention meets. The town of St.
Paul surveyed, platted and recorded in St. Croix county regis-
ter of deeds' office. First improvement of the water power
at tin- Falls of St. Anthony.
1848. May 29, Wisconsin admitted, leaving the area of Minnesota without
a government. August 26, the "Stillwater Convention" held,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. C }
taking measures for a separate territorial organization, and
asking that the new territory be named Minnesota. October
30, H. H. Sibley elected delegate to Congress.
1849. January 15, H. H. Sibley admitted to a seat. March 3, the bill
organizing Minnesota passed. March 19, its territorial officers
appointed. June 1, Governor Ramsey declared, by proclama-
tion, the territory organized. September 3, the first terri-
torial Legislature assembled.
1850. Great flood this year; highest water ever known. Minnesota river
first navigated by steamboats. Census shows 6,077 inhabi-
tants.
1851. Location of the capitol, university and penitentiary; another flood.
July 23, treaty of Traverse des Sioux completed and August
5 the treaty of Mendota, opening the territory west of the
Mississippi to settlers.
1852. June 23, the treaties ratified by the United States Senate.
1853. Pierce's administration. \V. A. Gorman appointed governor. The
capitol building completed.
1854. Celebration of the opening of the Rock Island railroad, the first road
to the Mississippi river, by a mammoth excursion, reaching
St. Paul, June 8. Large immigration this season and the
three succeeding ones, and the real estate mania commences.
1857. Enabling act passes Congress, February 26. Gov. Samuel Medary
(appointed by Buchanan), arrives on April 22. Legislature
passes a bill to remove the capital to St. Peter, but it fails to
accomplish the object. Ink-pa-du-to massacre, April. Land
grant passes Congress. April 27. extra session of the Legis-
lature to apportion land grant. July_ 13, Constitutional Con-
vention assembles. Real estate speculation reaches its height,
and is checked by the financial panic, August 27. < i
revulsions and hard times. Census shows 150,037 population.
October 13, Constitution adopted and state officii- elected.
1858. State loan of $250,000 negotiated. Five million loan bill passed bj
the Legislature. March 9; ratified by vote of the people, \pril
1;. Great stringency in money market. State admitted, May
11. State officers sworn in. May 24.
1859. Hard times continue to intensify. "Wright County War." "Glen-
coe" and "Owatonna" money issued. Work on the land
grant road ceases. Collapse of the five million scheme.
54 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
export of grain this fall. Hard political struggle; the Repub-
licans triumph.
i860. Another warm political canvass. Federal census, 172,023.
1 861. April 15, President proclamation for troops received; the first regi-
ment recruits at once; June 22, it embarks at Ft. Snelling for
the seat of war.
1862. Call for 600,000 men. August 17, massacre at Acton; August 18,
outbreak at Lower Sioux Agency, eight miles east of Red-
wood Falls; 19th. New Ulm attacked; 20th, Fort Ridgely
attacked; 25th, second attack on New Ulm; 30th, Fort Aber-
crombie besieged; September 2d, the bloody attack at Birch
Coulee. September 19, first railroad in Minnesota in opera-
tion, between St. Paul and Minneapolis. September 23, bat-
tle of Wood Lake; 26th. captives surrendered at Camp
Release; military commission tries 321 Indians for murder,
rape, etc. ; 303 condemned to die ; December 26, 38 hung at
Nankato.
1863. General Sibley's expedition to the Missouri river; July 3, Little
Crow killed; July 24, battle of Big Mound; July 26, battle of
Dead Buffalo Lake; July 28, battle of Stony Lake.
1864. Large levies for troops. Expedition to Missouri river, under Sully.
Inflation of money market. Occasional Indian raids.
1865. Peace returns. Minnesota regiments return and are disbanded. In
all 22,016 troops furnished by the state. Census shows
250,099 inhabitants.
1866-72 Rapid railroad building everywhere; immigration heavy; "good
times" prevail, and the real, estate inflated.
1873. January 7, 8 and 9, polar wave sweeps over the state; seventy per-
sons perish. September, the Jay Cook failure creates another
panic. Grasshopper raid begins and continues five seasons.
1876. September 7, attack on bank at Northlield by a gang of armed
outlaws from Missouri; three of the latter killed and three
captured.
1877. Biennial session amendment adopted.
1878. May 2, three flouring-mills at Minneapolis explode; eighteen lives
lost.
1880. November 15, portion of the hospital for the insane at St. Peter
destroyed by fire; eighteen inmates burned to death, seven
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, .MINX. 55
died subsequently of injuries and fright, and six missing; total
loss, $150,000.
1881. March i. the state capitol destroyed by fire.
1884. January 25. state prison partially burned.
1886 April 14, a tornado strikes the cities of St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids,
demolishing scores of buildings and killing about sc\
people.
1887. Important legislation regarding the liquor traffic, common carriers,
and elections.
1889. The Legislature enacts the Australian system of voting in cities of
10,000 and over. The first electric street railway started in
the state at Stillwater.
1890. United States census shows a population of 1,301,826. July 13, an
excursion steamboat returning from Lake City encampment
foundered on Lake Pepin, and 100 people drowned. July
13, tornado swept across Lake Gervias, in Ramsey county,
demolishing several buildings and killing six people.
1891 June 15, a series of tornadoes started in Jackson county, near the
town of Jackson, traversing Martin, Faribault, Freeborn,
Mower and Fillmore counties, on a line nearly parallel with,
but from five to fifteen miles ninth of, the Southern Minnesota
division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, doing a large
amount of damage to farms and farm buildings, and causing
the death to about fifty people along the track of the storm.
1892. Tune 7, Republican national convention held at Minneapolis. The
Australian system of voting used at the November g<
election.
1893. The Legislature authorizes the appointment of a capitol commission
to select a site for a new capitol, and providing a tax of two-
tenths of a mill for ten years to pay for the site and the
erection of a building. A great financial crisis causes the
failure of several banks and many mercantile and manufactur-
ing establishments in the larger cities of the tate
1894. September I. forest fires start in the neighborhood of Hincl ley, in
Pine county, carrying death and destruction over nearl)
hundred square miles of territory, destroying the towns of
Hinckley and Sandstone, causing the death of 417 people,
rendering homeless and destitute 2,200 men, women and
dren, and entailing a property loss of about $1,000,000.
56 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
1895. A census of the state was taken during the month of June, and the
total population of the state was found to be 1,574,619.
1896. The Red Lake Indian reservation was diminished to about a quarter
part of its former area, and on May 15 a large tract of agri-
cultural and timber lands formerly belonging to that reserva-
tion was opened for settlement.
1897. July 2, the monument at Gettysburg to the First Minnesota Regi-
ment was dedicated.
1898. July 27, the corner stone of the new capitol was laid. Minnesota
supplied four regiments for service in the Spanish-American
War, being the first state, May 7, to respond to the president's
call. October 5, the Pillager Indians attacked United States
troops near Sugar Point, Leech lake.
1899. Semi-centennial of the territory and state celebrated by the Old Set-
tlers' Association, June 1, and by the Historical Society,
November 15.
1900. Population of Minnesota, shown by the national census, 1,751,394.
Death of Senator C. K. Davis, November 27.
1 90 1. In the Pan-American Exposition, at Buffalo, New York, the superior
exhibits of wheat, flour, and dairy products of Minnesota
caused her to be called "the Bread and Butter State."
1902. August 23, the fortieth anniversary of the Sioux War celebrated at
New Ulm. Monuments and tablets erected there and at other
places in the Minnesota valley.
1903. Tide of immigration into Minnesota, particularly in northern and
western sections. April 22, death of Alexander Ramsey, first
territorial governor, later governor of the state, United States
senator, and secretary of war.
1904. Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Minnesota exhibits win many first
prizes for flour, butter, fruits, iron ores, work of pupils in
schools, etc.
1905. January 3, Legislature convenes in the new capitol. The population,
according to the state census, June 1, was 1.079.912.
1906. September 3, live stock amphitheater on the state fair ground dedi-
cated, with address by James J. Hill. Attendance at the fair
on that day, 93,199; during the week, 295,000.
1907. Folwell Hall, the new main building for the College of Science,
Literature and Arts, of the University of Minnesota, com-
pleted at cost of $410,000 for the building and its equipment.
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 57
The total number of students of this University enrolled in
all departments for the year was 4,145.
190S. The fiftieth anniversary of the admission of Minnesota to statehood
was celebrated in connection with the state fair, its attendance
during the week being 326,753.
1909. Death of Gov. John A. Johnson as the result of an operation, at
Rochester, Minnesota, September 21, 1909. Lieut.-Gov.
Adolph O. Eberhart sworn in as governor by Chief Justice
Start, in the Supreme Court retiring room, at 11 o'clock the
same day.
1910. Population of Minnesota, shown by the national census, 2,075,708.
Death of State Treasurer Clarence C. Dinehart, June 8. E.
S. Petti John appointed to succeed, June 11. Forest fires in
northern Minnesota during the second and third week in Octo-
ber, results in death to about thirty people and the destruc-
tion of about $20,000,000 of property. Spooner and Baudette
wiped out.
191 1. The Legislature ratified the proposed amendment to the United States
Constitution for election of United States senators by popular
vote. October 18, George E. Vincent was inaugurated presi-
dent of the University of Minnesota.
1912. The Legislature in special session enacted a new primary election
law and "corrupt practices" act. October 19, the statue of
Governor Johnson on the capitol ground was unveiled.
1913. June 16-20, the American Medical \ssociation held its sixty-fourth
annual session in Minneapolis United States postal savings
bank and parcel post inaugurated in Minnesota. Practical reforms
in state road laws enacted. Work begun on the new building
of the St. Paul Public Library ami Hill Reference Library. New
postoffice and new railroad depot building in Minneapolis.
November 5, the historic Carver's cave, all trace of which had
been lost for forty years or more, was definitely located.
1914. March, Minneapolis made the reserve city in the Northwest for the
system of regional national banks. Remarkable impetu
building operations in Minnesota cities. April 4, Frederick
Weyerhauser, extensive lumber operator, died in his winter home
at Pasadena, California. April 15. plans adopted for St. Paul's
new terminals and union depot. May 0. a bronze statue of Gen.
James Shields, tendered by the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army
58 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
of the Republic to the state of Minnesota, for a niche in the
capitol. Unveiled in November; formally presented to the state
by Commander Samuel Appleton, of the Loyal Legion; accepted
by Governor A. O. Everhart; eloquent memorial address by
Comrade and Companion John Ireland, archbishop. July 4-1 1,
the National Educational Association held its annual convention
in St. Paul. November, Winfield Scott Hammond, Democrat,
elected governor of Minnesota, defeating William E. Lee, Repub-
lican nominee.
19 1 5. January 2, session of the thirty-ninth Legislature opened at the state
capitol ; Hon. J. A. A. Burnquist, lieutenant-governor, president
of the Senate; H. H. Flower, speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives. January 3, Winfield Scott Hammond inaugurated
governor of Minnesota. February 12, birthday of Abraham
Lincoln observed by Minnesota Commandery of the Loyal Leg-
ion by a banquet at the West hotel. Minneapolis. Oration by
Bishop William A. Quayle, of the Methodist Episcopal church.
February 19-20, forty-ninth annual convention of the Minnesota
Editorial Association assembled at the St. Paul hotel, St. Paul,
President H. C. Hotaling, presiding. December 30, death of
Governor Hammond. December 31, Lieutenant-Governor Burn-
quist assumed the office of governor.
1916. February, discovery of discrepancies in the office of Walter J. Smith
treasurer of the state, and his subsequent resignation.
CHAPTER IT.
GEOLOGY. TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES.
Situation and Area. Cottonwood is one of the second tier of counties
north of the Iowa line, from which it is separated by Jackson county. From
St. Paul and Minneapolis southwest to Windom is about one hundred and
thirty miles. From La Crosse and the Mississippi river west to the eastern
boundary of this county is one hundred and eighty miles. It is thirty mil*
long from east to west, and from its west line onward to the east line of
Dakota, is fifty miles.
Cottonwood county has a length of the townships, and a width from
north to south of four; except that on the northeast line, two of the townships
that would he included in this county if it were a complete rectangle, belong
to Brown county- With this reduction, Cottonwood county ha- eighteen-
townships, each six miles square. The main towns and villages of the
county are situated in the southeast part, on the line of the St. Paul & Sioux
City railroad. These are Windom. the county seat, situated in Greal Bend
township; Bingham Lake, in Lakeside, and Mountain Lake. Cottonw I
county has an area of 650.39 square mile-, or 416,250 acres, of which about
eight thousand acres are covered with water.
Natural Drainage. The northwest part of Cottonw I county, includ-
ing Germantown, Highwater, Ann, Westbrook, Storden, northwestern Amboy,
and most of Rose Hill, is drained to the Cottonwood river, which flows
through southern Redwood county, only a few miles farther north, and
enters this county for a short distance in the northeast part of Germantown
township. Its tributaries from Cottonwood county, in their order from \
to east, are Dutch Charley's. Highwater. Dry and Mound creeks.
largest of these is Highwater creek, whose sources are several lake- in I'
Hill township, only three to seven miles from the Des Moines river. It-
course in this county is east-northeast, about eighteen miles.
The little Cottonwood river, tributary to the Minnesota, a few miles
below the Cottonwood river, rises nearly at the center of Cottonw inty,
and its first ten miles, flowing northeast, are in Vmboy and Delton town-
ships. Its farther extent of aboul thirty miles eastward thro \\n
countv is approximately parallel with the Big Cottonwood, and mainly il
60 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
to six miles distant to the south from that river. A tract in the east part of
Cottonwood county, reaching west to its center, including Selma, Mountain
Lake, Carson, the south half of Delton, and the northeast part of Dale, is
drained by the headstreams of the Watonwan river, tributary to the Blue
Earth, and. by that, to the Minnesota. The area in Cottonwood county, in-
cluded within the basin of the Minnesota river, is approximately four hun-
dred and fifty square miles.
The remainder of this county, including its southwestern townships, an
area of about two hundred miles, is drained by the Des Moines river, which
flows in a zigzag course, crossing South Brook, Springfield, diagonally, hav-
ing a general southeast direction in South Brook and Great Bend, but mak-
ing an offset in Springfield by running eight miles northeasterly. Harvey
creek, the outlet of Lake Augusta in northeastern Amo township, entering
the Des Moines at its big bend in the southwest corner of Dale township, is
its largest tributary from the north in this county; from the south it receives
the outlet of a string of lakes, which lie in the southwest part of Great Bend,
and the outlet of Heron lake.
Among the lakes of Cottonwood county, in the reports of 1882, the fol-
lowing merited enumeration : Mountain lake, two miles long and from a
half mile to one mile wide, two miles southeast from the depot and town of
this name, has long since been drained and farmed ; Bingham lake, one mile
long from northeast to southwest, close north of the town to which its name
is given ; Clear, Cottonwood, Wolf, Summit and Glen lakes, one-third to two-
thirds of a mile long, in the west and southwest portions of Lakeside town-
ship, one to three miles eastward from Windom, beautiful lakes of clear
water, divided by irregular, hilly or rolling areas of prairie, and skirted by
narrow woods; Fish lake, nearly two miles long from northeast to south-
west, and one-fourth to two-thirds of a mile wide, crossed by the south line
of Lakeside township, and having about half its area in Jackson county; the
String lakes, reaching two and one-half miles from north to south, four
miles west of Windom; the Three lakes, and Swan lake, each about one mile
long, in Dale; Rat, Long, Eagle and Maiden lakes, from one-third to one mile
long, in the south half of Carson township; Lake Augusta, about one and
one-half miles long and a half mile wide, in Amo township; Hurricane lake,
more than a mile long from north to south, lying in section 31, Highwater
township, and section 6, Storden township; Double lake, of similar extent
and trend, in sections 23 and 26, Westbrook township; Berry and Twin lakes,
with others, varying from a quarter of a mile to about one and a half miles in
length, trending to the south or southeast, in Rose Hill township; Oaks lake,
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 6 1
one and a half miles long from north to south, but narrow, lying in section
32, Rose Hill, and sections 5 and 8, Southbrook; and Talcott lake, in sec-
tions 19 and 30, South Brook, a mile long from north to south, with the Des
Moines river flowing through its northern end.
Topography. In northern Cottonwood county a massive ridge of the
red Potsdam quartzyte extends twenty-five miles from west to east through
Storden, Amboy, Delton and Selma, terminating in the west edge of Adrian,
the northwest township of Watonwan county. This highland is mostly cov-
ered by a smooth surface of till, but has frequent exposures of the rock. Its
altitude increases from one hundred feet at its east end to three hundred feet
westward, above the broad, slightly undulating sheet of till, which, excepting
a morainic tract, is stately, covers the region toward the north. The height
reached at the top of this quartzyte ridge, thirteen hundred to fifteen hundred
feet above the sea, is a permanent rise of the land, which to the south and
southwest holds nearly this average elevation, with a general ascent west-
ward.
This ridge was probably considered by the early French explorers as the
northeast border of the Coteau des Prairies, which name, meaning the High-
land of the prairies, they gave to an elevated tract, extending about two hun-
dred miles from north-northwest to south-southwest in eastern Dakota and
southwestern Minnesota. Of this highland in Cottonwood county, Nicollet
says: "Under the forty-fourth degree of latitude, the breadth of the coteau
is about forty miles, and its mean elevation is here reduced to fourteen hun-
dred and fifty feet above the sea. Within this space its two slopes are rather
abrupt, crowned with verdure and scalloped by deep ravines thickly shaded
with bushes, forming the beds of rivulets that water the adjacent plains."
It is not continuously recognizable as a great topographic feature smith of
this quartzyte ridge.
The Little Cottonwood river and the north branch of the north fork of
the Watonwan river flow northeasterly through gaps in the range of quartzyte
a hundred feet or more below its crest, the former finding its passage at the
middle of the north half of Delton township, and the latter about a mile
west from the center of Selma township. Excepting at these points, the
ridge is unbroken and uplifts a broad, smoothly-rounded top, covered with
till, through which the quartzyte has occasional outcrops. It extends in its
course a little to the north of west twelve miles from the north part oi
tion 25, Selma township; to the north part of sections 9, 8 and 7, Delton
township, and thence a little to the south of west ten miles to Highwater
creek at the middle of Storden town-hip. In its east half, through Selma
62 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
and Delton, this ridge has a width that increases toward the west from a half
mile to one or two miles, elevated fifty to one hundred feet above the aver-
age of the land for the next five or six miles to the south, and twice this
height above the country which it overlooks northward to the horizon. Both
slopes of the range have a gentle descent, that to the north occupying a width
of one to two miles, and reaching from section 7, Delton, to the falls formed
by this quartzyte on the headstreams of Mound creek, in the southwest cor-
ner of Brown county, and in the northeast quarter of section 36, German-
town township. In the central and southwest part of Amboy township and
the east half of Storden, this highland, besides slowly increasing in elevation
westward, expands to a greater width, and forms an approximately level
plateau of till, one to three miles wide, with outcrops of the quartzyte only
upon the slope which descend from it. The most southern exposures of this
rock in Cottonwood county are in the west part of sections 6 and 7, Dale,
and in section 12, Amo, on the western descent from the most southern part
of this plateau, which here in northwestern Dale is seventy-five or one hun-
dred feet above the remainder of this township and its Three lakes, and
about one hundred and fifty feet above Lake Augusta on the west.
This area of Potsdam quartzyte is the only part of Cottonwood countv
which has exposures of the bed-rocks, the remainder being moderately undu-
lating or rolling and sometimes hilly glacial drift. The general slope, as al-
ready stated, rises from east to west, and at the west side of Amo and in
Rose Hill, this drift attains as great an altitude as the quartzyte range eight
miles northeast in Amboy and Storden.
The townships of Westbrook, Ann, Highwater and Germantown, lying
ninth of this height of land in Rose Hill, Amo and the ridge of (|uartzyte,
have mostly a smoothly rolling contour, with the crests of swells fifteen to
thirty feet above the depressions. The creeks which drain this district north-
ward to the Cottonwood river, flow in valleys that they have eroded twenty
to forty feet below the average surface.
The valley of the Des Moines river in South Brook township, the most
southwest township of Cottonwood county, is less distinct in its outlines, and
it> depth is less, than in any other part of its extent below Lake Shetek.
South Brook has mostjy a rolling contour of massive swells, variable in their
forms, trends and extent, rising twenty to fifty feet above the Des Moines
river, which flows among them in an irregular course, generally without any
well-defined valley of bottomland and bluffs, hut turned here and there by
small undulations. In section ig it passes through the north end of Talcott
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COl -. MINN. 63
lake, which lies in a shallow basin of the drift-sheet, covering nearly a square
mile, but only five to eight feet deep.
In Springfield township, where the Des Moines flows northeast, at right
angles to its course both above and below, it again occupies a definite valley,
channeled fifty to seventy-five feet below the average heighl of the rolling
surface on either side. At the northeasl corner of this township is the greal
bend of the Des Moines. Here it enters a valley transverse to its course
through the last eight miles, and is earned jn it thence to the southeast. This
valley has a nearly flat alluvial bottom-land, a third to a half of a mile wide.
enclosed by bluffs fifty to sixty feet high. It continues two or three miles
northerly from the great bend, with the same width and depth; and is less
distinctly marked three or four miles further, along the upper part of Harvey
creek to Lake Augusta. The excavations of this channel were probably ef-
fected by floods discharged from glacial melting, while the receding ice-sheet
still covered the county farther east. In the central part of Great Bend town-
ship the river is bordered on the west by morainic knolls and small ridges of
rocky till, which rise successively one above another to the top of the Blue
mounds, one to one and a half miles distant, and in the vicinity of Windom
the ascent from the river eastward has a similar contour.
Distances along the Des Moines river, measured in direct lines between
its principal bends, are as follow: From its source to the foot of Lake
Shetek (this portion being commonly called Beaver creek), twenty-four miles;
to a point on the south line of Cottonw 1 county, two miles north to the
north end of Heron lake, in Jackson township, forty-eight miles; to its ^reat
bend, fifty-six miles; to Windom, sixty-three miles; to the state line, ninety-
one mile; and to its mouth at Keokuk, Iowa, aboul three hundred and eighty-
five miles. Thus, a little less than one-fourth of it-, length lies in Minnesota.
Elevations, St. Paul & Sioux City railway, from profiles in office of T.
P. Gere, former superintendent, St. Paul:
Feet.
Mountain lake, depot .1 1.300
Bingham lake, depot 1,420
Summit, grade r>437
Windom '_ 1.353
Des Moines river, water l-?>?,]
Bluff siding 1,425
The highest portions of Cottonwood county, about fifteen hundred feet
above the sea, are in Pose Hill township, in western Amo, and the plati
64 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
upon the west part of the quartzyte ridge in southeastern Storden and south-
western Amboy, and the tops of the Blue mounds, which are fourteen hundred
and fifty to fifteen hundred and twenty-five feet above the sea. The lowest
land of this county, nearly five hundred feet below these tracts, is where the
Cottonwood river enters the northeast corner of Germantown township, at
a height of about ten hundred and thirty feet above the sea. The elevation
of the Little Cottonwood river where it leaves the county, is estimated to be
eleven hundred and fifty feet; and of the most northern tributary to the
Watonwan river, at the east line of Selma township, eleven hundred feet.
The Des Moines river descends into this county approximately from fourteen
hundred to thirteen hundred and thirty feet above the sea.
Estimates of the average height of the townships of Cottonwood
county are as follows : Selma, twelve hundred and twenty-five feet above
the sea; Mountain Lake, including two governmental townships, thirteen
hundred feet; Delton, thirteen hundred and twenty-five; Carson, thirteen hun-
dred and seventy-five ; Lakeside, fourteen hundred and ten ; Germantown,
twelve hundred ; Amboy, fourteen hundred ; Dale, fourteen hundred and
fifty; Great Bend, fourteen hundred and ten; Highwater, twelve hundred and
twenty-five; Storden, fourteen hundred; Amo, fourteen hundred and fifty;
Springfield, fourteen hundred and thirty; Ann, thirteen hundred; Westbrook,
fourteen hundred and twenty; Rose Hill, fourteen hundred and fifty; and
South Brook, fourteen hundred and twenty-five. The mean elevation of Cot-
tonwood county, derived from these figures, is thirteen hundred and sixty
feet.
Soil and Timber. The soil of Cottonwood county has the same nearly
uniform fertility that characterizes all southern and western Minnesota. A
black, sandy clay, with some intermixture of gravel, and containing occa-
sional boulders, forms the soil, which has been colored to a depth of about
two feet below the surface by decaying vegetation. Unmodified glacial drift
or till, the same as the soil, excepting that it is not enriched and blackened
by organic decay, continues below, being yellowish-gray to a depth of ten
or twenty feet, but darker and bluish beyond, as seen in wells. This deposit
contains many fragments of magnesian limestone, red quartzyte, granites and
crystalline schists; and its tine detritus is a mixture of these rocks pulverized,
presenting in the most advantageous proportions the mineral elements needed
by growing plants. Wheat has been the principal crop, but stock-raising
has also received much attention during several years past. A large variety
of crops is profitably cultivated in this region, including wheat, oats, corn,
garden fruits and vegetables, potatoes and hay.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 65
From 1873 to 1876 Cottonwood county, in company with all south-
western Minnesota, was distressed by the ravages of the Rockv Mountain
locust. To many the work of plowing and sowing, and the wheat sown, were
total losses during those years. In 1880 frequent groves were noticeable in
the county, which had been set out to shield farm houses from the wind,
and still remained, though the buildings were gone, and the farms deserted,
telling where in this struggle the grasshoppers had conquered. Though the
wheat was nearly everywhere eaten by them so that no harvest could be
saved, the prairie grass suffered only slightly, and from this epoch herding
has taken an important place in the agriculture of the county.
This county is natural prairie, affording rich pasturage, and ready for
the plow. Less than a hundredth part of their area was wooded, including
small groves and narrow skirts of timber and brushwood about the shores of
the lakes, along the large creeks, and especially along the whole extent of
the Des Moines river. The following species of trees and shrubs are found:
American or white elm, bur-oak, white ash, box-elder, black walnut, willows,
prickly ash, smooth sumach, frost grape, Virginia creeper, climbing bitter-
sweet, wild plum, choke-berry, black raspberry, rose, thorn, smooth wild
gooseberry and wolfberry, common red or slippery elm, cottonwood, hack-
berry, waahoo, and black currant, less frequent, also basswood, sugar
maple, etc.
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.
Potsdam Quartsyte. The only exposures of bed-rock in this district are
the red quartzyte, which< forms a prominent ridge in the north part of Cot-
tonwood county, reaching into the edge of Brown and Watonwan counties.
From the most eastern to the most western outcrop of this rock is a length
of twenty-three miles, and the width upon which it is occasionally exposed
increases from a half mile or less at the east to six miles at the west. The
contour of this area is a massive highland of rock, mostly covered by a
smooth sheet of till, with gracefully rounded top and moderate slopes. The
general character of this formation, and the location, extent, and special fea-
tures of its outcropping ledges are to be noted here.
About thirty miles east-northeast from this ridge in northern Cott<
wood county, the same rock formation has extensive exposures, and it con-
tinues westward into Dakota to Dell Rapids and Sioux Falls on the Big
Sioux river, and to Rockport on the James river, seventy miles west of Min-
nesota, and about one hundred and eighty miles westward from New Ulm,
(5)
66 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
in Brown county. All these outcrops are mainly very hard, fine-grained
quartzyte, differing in color from pinkish gray to dark dull red, always hav-
ing some red tint; and varying in the thickness of its beds from a few inches,
or sometimes only a half inch or less, to one or two feet. It is usually per-
ceptibly tilted, with considerable variability in the direction of its tips, which
vary in amount from one or two to fifteen or twenty degrees, and rarely attain
an inclination of forty-five degrees. This quartzyte is a metamorphosed sand-
stone. At a few places it occurs in an imperfectly indurated condition, being
a more or less crumbling sandrock, composed of water-rounded grains. Some-
times, too, it is a conglomerate, enclosing abundant water-worn pebbles up
to an inch in diameter, which was originally an ordinary fine gravel, having
become so cemented as to form a very compact and hard, tough rock, and
by diminution in the number of pebbles scattered through it, the formation
exhibits all grades between this pudding-stone and its typical condition as
a quartzyte. Again, it occasionally contains layers, from less than an inch
to several feet thick, of argillaceous rock, so fine-grained and even in its
texture as to appear microscopically homogeneous, doubtless metamorphosed
from deposits of fine silt or clay in the midst of beds of sand; commonly
dull red, but often mottled with pale spots, or striped by the same lighter tints
in parallelism with its stratification; soft enough to be easily carved and pol-
ished, and its best varities entirely free from grit. This has been named
catlinite, and its finest layer is that which has been worked by the Indians,
at the celebrated Red Pipestone quarry.
The planes of bedding of this quartzyte frequently show very distinct
and beautiful ripple marks, such as are made by waves upon the sandy shores
and bottom of lakes or of the sea. No fossils have been detected in this
formation, as here described in southwestern Minnesota and southeastern
Dakota; and fucoid impressions, rarely observed, are the only remains of
life yet found in the probably equivalent Cupriferous series of red quartzytes
and sandstones interstratified with thick balsatic overflows developed about
Lake Superior. The quartzyte from New Ulm to the James river is closely
like the sandstone and quartzyte associated with trap rocks in northeastern
Minnesota, in northern Wisconsin and northern Michigan, hut its deposition
was not similarly accompanied by outflows of igneous rock, nor has this
formation in southern Minnesota been intersected by trap dikes. Foster and
Whitney referred these rocks in the region of Lake Superior to the Potsdam
age, considering them the western equivalent and representative of the Pots-
dam sandstone in Xew Ynrk, and the explorations by this survey of their
continuation into northeastern Minnesota sustain this conclusion, while the
C0TT0XW00D AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, .MINX. 6j
observations of this quartzyte outcropping in the southwest part of the state
and farther west indicate that it belongs to the same epoch. This formation
underlies the Caliciferous or Lower Magnesian scries, which outcrops along
the lower part of the Minnesota river from a point fourteen miles east--
southeast of Xew Ulm, in Brown county, and along the St. Croix and
Mississippi rivers.
In the northeast quarter of section 25, Sclma township, this red quartzyte
is exposed upon an eastward slope of till, with an area three rods long from
northwest to southeast, and about a rod wide, rising some two feet above
the general surface. In the southeast quarter of section 23, Selma township,
this rock outcrops on a southward slope along a distance of about twenty-
rive rods from the east to west, with a width of two or three rods and a
height of only one to two feet. It dips about ten degrees southward. Both
these ledges have been slightly quarried. They are the ordinary, very hard
quartzyte, intersected by systems of joints which give it a rhomboidal frac-
ture. Other outcrops of the same stone, which have not been visited in this
survey, occur northwestward at numerous places in this township and in the
northwest part of Delton, upon the high ridge and in the hollow where the
north branch of the Xorth fork of Watonwan river crosses it.
The quartzyte also has frequent exposures in Delton along nearly the
whole extent of the Little Cottonwood river through this township, and in
its tributary ravines. In the east part of the southeast quarter of section 8,
it has been much quarried in the banks and channel of this stream, sup-
plying rough stone used for foundations, cellar walls, well curbing and cul-
verts, or by the Russian immigrants, for chimneys, being sometimes teamed
fifteen miles. It occurs in layers of all thicknesses up to two and one-half
feet, the thinly bedded portions, as usually, being much divided by joints
into rhombodial fragments a foot or less in length. The bedding planes
are often ripple-marked over several square rods together, in parallel undula-
tions about a quarter of an inch high and two to four inches apart from crest
to crest. This dip is about 5 degrees south, 20 degrees west. This is some
twenty rods east of the Little Cottonwood falls, where the same rock in
its upper portion forms layers three to six feet thick, dipping about six-
degrees to the south, but only a few feet lower, near the level of the stream,
is thin-bedded and somewhat contorted and irregular in stratification,
Quartzyte outcropping in the north part of the southwest quarter of
section 18, Delton township, occurs in layers up to six inches thick, dipping
about three degrees south, seventy degrees east. Twenty rods farther smith
it has a dip of the same amount but changed in direction to south forty
68 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
degrees east, all these bearings being referred to the true meridian. Its only
exposures observed in the south half of this township are in the southeast
quarter of section 30, where it is visible at numerous places along an extent
of about an eighth of a mile in a ravine tributary to the Watonwan river.
A ledge of this rock, very remarkably striated, and bearing rude Indian
inscriptions, is found on the ridge about a mile northeast from the Little
Cottonwood falls and quarry, being in the north part of the northwest quarter
of section 9, Delton township. It has an area of about twenty rods long
from east to west, and four to eight rods wide. The dip of its stratification
is distinctly seen, but is believed to be about five degrees southward, which
is the slope of the surface. Numerous figures are pecked on this rock, rep-
resenting animals, arrows, etc., similar to those inscribed by the Indians on
the quartzyte beside the boulders called the Three Maidens, near the Pipe-
stone quarry. From this ledge westward the same typical quartzyte fre-
quently outcrops upon the higher part of this ridge and on its northern slope
through the northwest part of Delton, northern Amboy, and northeastern
Storden.
In the southwest quarter of section 2, Amboy township, a ravine ten
to fifteen feet deep extends east-northeast in a straight course about fortv
rods, varying from two to three rods in width, bordered by vertical walls,
ten to fifteen feet high, of rough, thick-bedded quartzyte, of red or reddish
gray color, nearly level in stratification, mostly much divided by joints.
The eastern half of this ravine holds a long pool, ten to twenty feet wide,
and five to eight feet deep. At the top of the wall of rock south of the
west part of this pool, the much jointed, deep red, striated surface is in
many places soft and like pipestone to the depth of an eighth of an inch:
but within, there small jointed masses are gritty and hard, the pipestone
being only a thin coating at the bedding planes. At the western end of this
ravine, on its north side, eight feet above the rivulet that flows east in to
this pool, this rock encloses a layer, nearly level, varying from four inches
to a foot in thickness, somewhat like the pipestone of the famous quarry
in Pipestone county, having nearly the same very fine texture and dark red
color, but not so hard, ami al this place, through its extent of twenty feet
exposed to view, easily divisible into small flakes and fragments because of
joints, and therefore not seen in any solid mass. The edge of this layer
has been mostly removed by weathering to a depth of two to six feet into the
wall of tough, reddish gray quartzyte. which overhangs and underlies it.
The divisions of this very fine-grained bed from the coarse quartzyte are
not definite lines, but these unlike sediments are more or less blended and
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 6>)
interstratified through one to six inches. Both above and below, the quartz) te
in some portions contains pebbles up to a third or half of an inch in diameter,
and is quite variable in texture, hut is nowhere finely laminated. At a tew
places the pipestone also is found to contain these small gravel stones; and a
few fragments of pipestone up to three inches in diameter are seen enclosed
in the quartzyte within one to two feet above the pipestone layer.
WATER-FALLS AND CASCADES.
Picturesque falls are produced by this formation in the northeast quarter
of section 36, Germantown township. The rock here is mostly a very coarse-
grained, thick-bedded sandstone, slightly iron rusty or reddish in color.
Xearly all of it is somewhat friable, being thus unlike the other exposures
of this formation in this county. In some portions, however, it is here very
hard and compact, and then usually has a deeper red hue. Its dip is about
five degrees, ten degrees east. Besides this general dip, the beds often show
oblique lamination. This rock is in some places slightly conglomerate, hold-
ing pebbles of white quartz, and less frequently of red felsyte, or, possibly,
jasper, the largest seen being an inch long. These falls are about two miles
northeast from the gorge last described, being on the lower portion of the
same stream, which is one of the sources of Mound creek. Along its inter-
vening course and within short distances from it on each side, this forma-
tion has frequent outcrops, notably for a quarter of a mile south and south-
west of the falls. The stream descends thirty feet in a little succession of
cascades, within a distance of twenty rods; next below which is a basin some
six rods' long and four rods wide, bordered by vertical or overhanging
walls of rock, about thirty feet high. At its east end 1 1 1 i s- basin is so con-
tracted that for a distance of about twenty feet these walls of rock are only
eight to fifteen feet apart. Below, fur the next twenty-five rods, the gorge
is four to six rods wide, bordered by vertical walls of reddish sandstone or
quartzyte, which decline from thirty to twenty and ten feet high. The same
rock is seen thence nearly all the way for a half mile east, mostly forming
cliffs fifteen to twenty feet high at the south side of this creek, to the junc-
tion of another stream from the south in section 31, Stately. Brown county,
which also has an interesting fall formed by the quartzyte.
The most western exposure of tin- rock learned of in Cottonwood county
is in the northwest quarter of section 28, Stofden. Typical quai
compact and tough, varying in color from dull red to slightly reddish gray,
is here exposed in the bed of a stream tributary to Highwater creek. al(
JO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
a distance of fifteen rods or more from north to south, with a width of two
to four rods. Its dip is about five degrees to the southeast or south sixty
degrees east. It is much divided by joints and is thereby somewhat fractured
into rhomboidal pieces. Ripple-marks were seen in several places, the undu-
lations being two to three inches wide. Fragments of red pipestone one to
two inches in diameter occur rarely in this rock. Another outcrop is reported
one mile northeast from the last, on the the northeast quarter of section 21,
Storden, in a ravine; and others occur a half-mile southeast of Carlson's,
near the center of section 27. in the bed of small ponds through which the
brook flows. The west part of the southwest quarter of section 6, Dale,
has considerable exposure of quartzyte, scarcely rising, however, about the
general surface of the till, along a distance of twenty rods and more from
north to south, on a westward slope, about a mile east from the east end of
Lake Augusta. The stone varies in color from yellowish gray to a dull red,
is much jointed, and has a dip at the quarry of about five degrees northeast.
Laminae of pipestone from a fourth to a third of an inch thick, deep red,
traversed by whitish veins, in their predominant red color and soft slaty tex-
ture, closely like the pipestone of Pipestone county, were noted here upon
the surface about fifteen feet east of the quarried excavations, occurring at
bedding planes along an extent of about two rods. Here, also, fragments of
this deep red pipestone, up to one or two inches in diameter, are enclosed
in the quartzyte, which is mostly of a more grayish red color.
Several other outcrops of this rock, similar in extent and character,
occur within a distance of a mile to the south and southeast through section
7, Dale, and in the east edge of section 12, and perhaps also of section 1,
Amo. These most southern exposures of this area of quartzyte were exam-
ined by Professor Winchell in 1873. The stone is very hard, but banded
with light and red beds, evident on the planed surface and on the fractured
side.
The observations of dip recorded in the foregoing pages indicate that
these Potsdam strata in Selma, Helton, Stately and Germantown are mono-
clinal, dipping generally about five degrees southward: and that probably
farther wesl in Germantown, Amboy, Storden. Dale and Amo, where a greater
width is exposed, they are sunclinal on the north, dipping about five degrees
toward the south, and on the southwest dipping an equal amount toward the
northeast and north. From the Little Cottonwood falls in Delton along the
distance of three miles northerly to the falls in section 36, Germantown.
Professor Winchell in a recent reconnoissance found numerous outcrops of
the rock with a nearly uniform southward dip of about five degrees, from
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. Jl
which he computes the thickness of the formation exposed between those
points to be approximately one thousand three hundred and eighty feet.
Stratigraphically, the lowest of the beds thus observed are at the falls on
Mound creek in Germantown, where outcrops extending twelve hundred
feet from north to south, with a dip of five degrees toward the south, give
a thickness of one hundred feet for the friable sandstone seen at that place.
This forms the base of the strata measured, being below beds of very hard
and compact quartzyte, which are almost a quarter of a mile thick.
DRIFT AND CONTOUR.
The surface of the Potsdam quartzyte in many places shows distinct
glacial markings, notes of which are presented in the following table. These
bearings are referred to the true meridian, from which the magnetic needle
here has a variation of about ten degrees to the east.
Course of glacial striae in Cottonwood county: Selma, northeast quar-
ter of section 25, south twenty degrees east; Selma, southeast quarter of
section 23, south twenty degrees east; Delton, southeast quarter of section
30, south fifteen degrees east; Delton, southwest quarter of section 18, south
fifteen degrees east; Delton, northwest quarter of section 18, south twenty-five
degrees east; Delton, northwest quarter of section 9, south twenty-five degrees
east; Arnboy, south part of section 2, mostly south forty degrees east;
Amboy, southwest quarter of section 2, south 35 degrees to 50 degrees ea>t.
Germantown, northeast quarter of section 36, south thirty degrees east,
and south seventy degrees east; Dale southwest quarter of section 6, south
twenty degrees to twenty-five degrees east; Dale, south part of section 7,
south thirty-four degrees east; Amo, east part of section 12, south thirty
degrees to three hundred and twenty degrees east.
Near the Little Cottonwood falls, in the S. E. quarter of section 8,
Delton, and at points on the north side of the quartzyte ridge in the north-
west part of this township, the angles of projecting ledges of this rock were
observed to be rounded off by glaciation.
Remarkable deflections and intercrossing of glacial striae were found
at the locality mentioned in the N. W. quarter of section 9, Delton. It is
on the southern slope of the ridge formed by this quartzyte, as already
described. This ridge is elevated about 300 feet above the lowland, which,
from its base two or three miles farther north, extends northward more
than fifty miles, across the basin of the Minnesota river; but its height above
the average surface to the south and southwest is slight, probably not exceed-
72 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ing 50 feet. Its length is about twenty-five miles, extending from east to
west; and this locality is near the middle of its extent. Very distinct glacial
markings occur here promiscuously, crossing each other in all directions
between north to south and south sixty degrees east, and very rarely, south
eighty degrees east, but a great majority are between south twenty-five
degrees east and forty degrees east. Many are from ten to thirty feet or
more in length, and from an eighth to a half of an inch deep ; others are
very delicate lines. Cumed striae were observed at one place; two or three
parallel furrows, covering a width of several inches and extending about ten
feet to the southeast, were gradually deflected nine inches southerly from
their direct course in the last four feet. All the other very abundant inter-
crossed striae observed here are straight, or deviate only slightly from
straight courses. The outcrop containing pipestone in section 2, Amboy,
furnished the only similar instance seen in these counties. Here several
parallel glacial scratches bend twenty or thirty degrees in a length of about
eight inches. The curvature of these ice-marks, where no obstacle existed
to cause deflection, indicate that they were engraved during the final melting
and recession of the ice-sheet, when it had become thin, and that its margin
at the date of this curved striation was within a few rods. In such a situa-
tion the unequal melting of the edge of the ice must produce changes, such
as are thus recorded, in the direction of its motion. The prominence of the
quartzyte ridge doubtless gave unusual irregularity to the outlines of the
retreating ice-border in northern Cottonwood county, which, by the result-
ing deflections of the glacial current, appears to have been the cause of the
singularly varying and intercrossed striation of this region.
During the greater part of the last glacial epoch the ice-fields here
appear to have flowed in a nearly south-southeast course; but when they
were being melted away, the direction of movement close to the ice-border
would be often deflected because it must flow toward the nearest part of
this irregular and changing boundary, which here and there became indented
by bays of small or large extent. The intercoursing striae on the ledge in
section 9, Delton, record very changeable glacial currents, now deflected to
a due south course, twenty degrees to the right from the direction which
they had previously held through this glacial epoch, but presently diverging
as much or twice or three times to the left, attaining a southeast or even a
nearly east course. The medial moraine directly south of this locality, in'
Carson and Lakeside, suggests that, when the ice retreated, probably two
glacial currents converged here, pushing against each other, and that the
striae bearing south were made by the current on the east, and those bear-
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 73
ing south sixty degrees to eighty degrees cast by the current on the w< I
Divergences to the east from the prevailing direction of glaciation w
noted also four miles farther northwest, in Amboy and Germantown, u
the northern slope and at the north base of this massive ridge. In German-
town a surface about a yard square was observed, on half of which the striae
bear uniformly south thirty degrees east, and on the other half seventy
degree- east, these portions meeting at a slightly beveled angle from which
each side slopes clown two or three degrees. The former of these courses
of striation is probably that which prevailed till the departure of the ice-
sheet, when the great quartzyte ridge and the irregularity of the glacial melt-
ing caused a deflection of forty degrees toward the east. The later ice-
current was steadily maintained during a considerable time, sufficient for
planing off a part of this surface of very hard quartzyte. but not touching
the adjoining part, which could only escape by having a thin covering of
drift.
DRIFT.
The drift spread over Cottonwood county is principally till, in part
morainic, being accumulated in knolls and hills, or with a prominently roll-
ing surface in massive, smoothly sloping swells, hut for the greater part it
is only gently undulating in contour. Its thickness on the quartzyte ridge
varies from one inch to probably fifty feet or mure, and in other portions of
this county it probably varies from one hundred to two hundred feet in depth.
The moraines to be described were formed at the west border of the ice-
sheet of the last glacial epoch, the first when this ice covered its maximum
area, and the second after it had receded considerably from it- farthest lim-
its, when its retreat was interrupted by a halt and perhaps even by some
readvance.
In the southwest part of Cottonwood county, this belt of notably roll-
ing and hilly drift occupies the west half of Great Bend, the north part of
Springfield, northeastern South Brook, southwestern Amo, and nearly all
of Rose Hill. Its width in these townships varies from two to five mile-.
To the northeast, from the offset of the Des Moines river which crosses
this formation in Springfield, it lies a few miles northeast of this river and
parallel with it, having within its limits of this county, and especially in Rose
Hill town-hip. a prominently rolling contour in smooth swell-, twenty to forty
feet above the intervening hollows and frequent lakes. To the south fn
this offset and the great bend of the Des Moines, the second terminal moraine
lies west of this river and approximately parallel with it, their distance
74 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
apart being from one to ten or twelve miles, along an extent of a hundred
and forty miles, through Jackson county and onward in a nearly south-
southeast course to Pilot mound and Mineral ridge in northern Boone
county, near the center of Towa.
The most conspicuous portion and most roughly broken contour of this
morainic belt in Cottonwood county are in the west part of Grant bend,
where a group or range of hills, known as the Blue mounds, begins three
miles west of Windom and thence extends three or four miles in a north-
west course, with a width varying from a half mile to one and a half miles,
lying between the Des Moines river on the northeast and Spring lakes on
the southwest. These hills are composed of till with frequent boulders, and
rise in very irregular slopes to heights of one hundred to one hundred and
seventy-five feet above the river and twenty-five to seventy-five feet above
the general level at their west side. The most elevated of these mounds,
in sections 17 and 20. are visible from the southeast part of Murray county,
fifteen miles to the west; but from the east they can only be seen within
a distance of six or eight miles.
Medial Moraine. Across the Des Moines river, the land ascending
from it east of Windom, opposite to the Blue mounds, has similar but less
prominent morainic features. It consists of irregular knolls, hillocks, and
low ridges of till, which enclose hollows and lakes, occupying a width of
two or three miles, and gradually rising in this distance about one hundred
feet above the Des Moines river. This tract seems to be part of a medial
moraine (so called because formed between opposing ice-currents), con-
nected with the second terminal moraine as a branch from its northeast side,
and extending north through the two western ranges of sections in Lake-
side and Carson. Its most broken portion is found in sections 17, 8 and 5,
Carson, which have many small hills and ridges forty to seventy-five feet
high, mostly trending from north to south, composed of till with abundant
boulders. Ten miles north from these hills in Carson is the morainic tract
through which Mound creek flows in Stately, but the interesting area, across
which the quartzyte ridge extends from east to west, is destitute of such
knolly drift deposits.'
Beyond the knolly and broken ascent east from the Des Moines river
in the vicinity of Windom, the contour changes to a smooth and nearly flat
expanse of till, which thence extends seventy-five miles eastward, descend-
ing with an imperceptible slope to the Blue F.arth river, and beyond this
rising in the same manner to the belts of drift hills at the sources of the
LeSueur and Cannon rixers. The eastern two-thirds of Lakeside and Car-
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 75
son, and all of Mountain Lake township, included in the vast area of intra-
morainic till, are slightly undulating and differ only live to ten feet in broad
swells and depressions from being a perfect plain. This expanse, stretching
on all sides to the horizon, would be commonly called level, but the survey
of the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad shows that its descent eastward is
uniformly about twenty feet per mile through these townships, or some two
hundred feet in the ten miles from the railroad summit, a mile west of Bing-
ham Lake to the east line of this county. Tf the same slope were continued
westward it would pass over the summit of the Blue mounds ; hence they
cannot be seen east of Bingham Lake. Mountain Lake, which has given
its name to a railroad station and township, is so called because it contains
an island that rises about thirty-five or forty feet in steep bluffs, attaining the
same height with the bluffs that surround the lake, even with the average
surface of its vicinity.
An exception to the generally smooth contour of the drift-sheet north
of the quartzyte ridge is found in a quite roughly hilly morainic area,
apparently isolated, which lies mainly in the north half of Stately, the most
southwest township of Brown county, and extends into Germantown to the
west side of section 12. Its abrupt mounds and ridges of stony till are
twenty-five to seventy-five feet high, having their greatest prominence in
Stately along the lower part of Mound creek. This tract appears to belong
to a third terminal moraine. Through the middle of Germantown a notable
valley, having a flat bottom of stratified gravel and sand, enclosed by mod-
erately steep slopes which rise abnut forty feet to the undulating surface of
the till on each side, was observed, extending five or six miles in an east-
southeast course from near Dry creek at the north side of section 17 in this
township, to Mound creek at the east side of section 30, Stately. Another
valley of similar character was noted three-fourths of a mile farther south,
running parallel with the last through the north part of sections 25 and 26,
Germantown township. These deserted water-courses were probably formed
during the departure of the last ice-sheet. Upon this region its border,
doubtless, retreated to the north and northeast, and while it still lay as a
barrier upon the north part of Germantown and was accumulating the
morainic hills that lie a few miles to the north-easl in Stately, the draina
from its melting was carried by these valleys southeasterly, Farther north-
west, the land for a considerable distance, along the probable course of the
ice-margin in this stage of its retreat is lower than where these valleys occur,
and therefore would be occupied by a lake, and again southeastward, from
j6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the south part of Stately to Silver Lake -in Martin county, a narrow glacial
lake probably extended along the border of the ice-sheet, having a height of
about twelve hundred feet above the sea, and overflowing south of Iowa
lake to the east fork of the Des Moines river.
Boulders and Pebbles. The boulders of the drift in this county are
mainly granite, and syenite, crystalline schists, quartzyte and limestone.
The ciuartzyte ridge in northern Cottonwood county has supplied from a
tenth to a half of the large rock-fragments in the drift south of it. Among
the large boulders, over one foot in diameter, in this county, it may be that
a twentieth part are limestone. At Windom limestone containing recepta-
culites was found in the drift in digging cellars.
Agriculture must be the chief industry and source of wealth in Cot-
tonwood county. The soil, the narrow belts of timber beside rivers and
lakes, the natural pasturage and plough-land of its broad expanses of prairie,
are peculiarly fitted for farming operations.
The Potsdam quartzyte of northern Cottonwood county has been quar-
ried to some extent, as already mentioned, in sections 23 and 25, Selma
township, in section 8, Delton township, and in section 6, Dale township.
Owing to the very hard and gritty nature of this rock and its tendency to
rhomboiclal fracture, it supplies only rough blocks, seldom of large dimen-
sions, yet quite suitable for common foundations and walls, and for the
masonry of culverts and small bridges.
Peat. An exploration of the peat of southern Minnesota was made
in 1873 by Professor Winchell, whose descriptions embrace the following
notes pertaining to Cottonwood county:
Mountain Lake. Near Mountain Lake station, a coarse turf-peat
covers the surface of a dry slough to the depth of ten to eighteen inches.
Near a spring, along the side of this slough, which is tributary to Mountain
Lake, the surface quakes and the peat is thickest. Around Mountain Lake
the land is low and is flooded in the wet season. This low land contains
considerable peat for some distance out toward the lake. The surface
shales under the tread. It is covered in summer with a tall grass, which
much resembles the wild rice, yet the softest places, where the peat occurs
purest, are furnished with a short grass. Peat here is two or more feet
thick. This peat, taken two feet below the surface, was found to contain,
when air-dried, 8.69 per cent, of hygrometric water; 31.90 of organic
matter, and 50.41 of ash. A hundred pounds of it is estimated to be
equivalent to forty-two pounds of oakwood.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. JJ
Lakeside. Section 24. In a dry slough, covering many acres, the
surface consists of a turf-peat, to the depth of about a foot, passing into a
black mud and sand. The very top is fibrous and even spongy. The
analysis of this gave 10.80 per cent, of hygrometric water: 6.33 of organic
matter, and 72.87 of ash ; a hundred pounds being equivalent to twenty-one
pounds of oak-wood. Peat is again found farther west in the same town-
ship, and also on land five miles east of Windom. In a narrow spring
ravine, where water stands or slowly runs throughout the year, and near its
head, a thickness of a foot or more of turf-peat may be taken out over a
space of a few rods square. It is thicker and better near the head of the
ravine than at any other point, owing to the more constant protection of
the grass and roots from the prairie fires.
Great Bend. The northeast quarter of section 36, in Great Bend town-
ship contains peat. In a turfed ravine, where water stands or oozes through
the turf, sloping gently toward the Des Moines river, a turf-peat may be
taken out to the depth of a foot or twenty inches. The belt containing peat
is from ten to twenty feet wide, and similar in its situation to that in Lake-
side township, but more extensive. Tt shakes under the feet for three or
four feet about, but a horse can walk safely over it in most places in the
dry season. Indeed, it is mown for hay each year. An irony scum lies on
the ground and on the grass stalks. The peat itself is a turf, but contains
shells and some grit. Another similar ravine is on the same claim. Numer-
ous others might be located along the ravines that cross the Des Moines
bluffs.
Amo. Section 12. A slough that shakes is in a valley that forms the
prolongation of the Des Moines valley northwestward above the great bend
a few miles above Windom. and lias a spongy peat about two feet in thick-
ness, with black mud below. It covers six or ten acres. This peat, taken
two feet below the surface, was found to contain, when air-dried, 9.85 per
cent, water; 42.63 of organic matter, and 47.52 of ash; a hundred pounds
of it being equivalent to fifty-six pounds of oakwood. In the same pro-
longation of the Des Moines valley, two miles abo 1 die bend of the Des
Moines, is a thickness of two or three feel of |>cat. This valley seems to
hold about two feet of peat along a considerable area through the middle,
and would supply a great quantity. It is not of a superior quality, but
might be very useful. An analysis of peat taken here shows 13.58 per d
of hygrometric water; 53.28 of organic matter, and 33.14 of ash; a bundled
pounds of this air-dried peat being consid. ual in value to seventy
Jb COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
pounds of oak wood. Peat from this place three feet below the surface
yielded 11.03 Per cent- °f water; 41.67 of organic matter, and 47.30 of ash;
a hundred pounds of it being equal to fifty-five pounds of oak-wood.
Springfield. In a dry slough in section 6, there is a peaty turf near
the mouth of a ravine in considerable abundance.
South Brook. Section 2. Side-hill peat occurs on a gentle slope over
the space of a few rods, having a thickness of a foot and a half or two feet.
Such peaty patches appear also on the opposite side of the main valley,
arising from the issuing of springs that keep the surface moist, while the
lower land in the same slough is dry and hard. This peat is not free from
sand. It also smells strongly of sulphuretted hydrogen.
CHAPTER III.
PIONEER SETTLEMENT OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
The following are stanzas from a lengthy poem written hy Thomas
Campbell, a resident of the county, and seem appropriate in introducing this
chapter :
The dreamer was worn, old and gray,
As he dozed in his chair in the closing day.
And the crimson sun sinking low.
While his dreams went back to long ago.
And he slept on the porch of the bo stead there,
The neat farm-house, on the landscape fair;
On the blooming prairie spreading wide,
And crossing the flow of the Des Moines tide,
By the loosened waves of imprisoned thought,
The ways of Time's backward trail were sought;
Then a mental vision soon appeared,
Of Cottonwood hack some forty years.
Of a country fertile and fair to rtew,
'inly trod by the moccasined fool of the Sioux,
Or the hoof of his pony in reckless pace,
In the onward rush of the buffalo chase,
P.ut the scene is shifting to later years.
Progressive times and white men's ways.
And the plain is dulled left and righl
Willi wagon tops of canvas white;
Ami later on. in the seasons' train,
Tin' yellow patches of waving grain.
Ami I he many pictures of peaceful toil .
• if settled life on a grateful soil.
This county was surveyed in 1858-9; the surveyors found a few Ger-
mans including Charles Zierke, known as "Dutch Charlie." No one knew
where he came from here. It was reported that he was mas acred in the
Indian outbreak of 1862. He resided in the northwest part of Cottonwood
county, where there is a creek named after his nickname. "Dutch Charlie
Creek." About a dozen persons had effected settlement in what is Cotton-
wood countv now, prior to 1862, when the Indian n ■■: I in, the fust
actual settler in the county was a homesteader named Joseph F. Bean ; the
80 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
second was George B. Walker. Then a few families came to the West-
brook settlement; early in 1868 came J. W. Benjamin, Simon Greenfield,
and others locating in the present township of Lakeside. The settlement
increased, but with no marked degree of rapidity until the railroad came
through the county. The first settlers marketed their crops at Xew Ulm,
where they also purchased their supplies. On June 1, 1871, the railroad
grading was completed through Cottonwood count}- ; this was the old St.
Paul & Sioux City line, now the Chicago, St. Paul. Minneapolis & Omaha
system. On June 1 that year the rails were completely laid as far as Win-
dom on the Des Moines river.
STRUGGLES OF PIONEER SETTLERS.
The early settlers of this county had anything but a promising outlook.
Prairie fires and terrible hail storms swept away much of the property of
the settlers in their destructive pathways, but these hardy sons and daugh-
ters felt determined to fight their way through these obstacles and advers-
ities. The crop of 1872 was an average crop and the people felt encour-
aged. In the spring of 1873 a large crop was planted, and the immigrants
of previous years, not only of this but of adjoining counties, had expended
every resource in preparing the ground and providing seed. A promising
harvest was apparent; and all felt that the reward for their severe priva-
tions would soon be at hand. But alas, early in June of that year the entire
part of southwestern Minnesota was visited by grasshoppers, and nearly
all of the growing crops were destroyed and grasshopper eggs laid and
buried in the soil, only to curse the country the next season. Great desola-
tion was among the farmers. Appeals made to the charitable throughout
the better favored sections of the country brought considerable immediate
relief. In the Legislature in January. 1874, an appropriation of five thou-
sand dollars was made for relief of the devastated regions and, later, twenty-
five thousand dollars was appropriated for the purchase of seed grain.
Wheat was sown from this seed, it came up nicely, but the grasshopper
eggs, likewise, hatched out in all their teeming millions. When old enough
to eat, they set to work and destroyed all of the growing crops again. The
hatching commenced in May and in June their wings had developed enough
to enable them to lly frisky. After eating up much of the crops they
migrated, filling the heavens at noon-day so as to almost darken the sun
and give the sky the appearance of a snow-storm in winter season. They
continued to fly and to leave for the south until in July, when having joined
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. Si
the older grasshoppers, their venerable ancestors, they all disappeared from
the county, leaving hundreds and thousands of acres barren and desolate.
Year after year they kept this up, aid coming from the state to tide over
the brave, never-give-up kind of people found among the county's first
pioneer band.
WINTER OF 1872-3.
The winter of 1872-3 was a long, cold one, never to be forgotten by
those living in southwestern Minnesota and Iowa. In January, 1872, soon
after the building of the railroad through the county, a severe snow and
wind storm — now called "blizzard" — swept this county in all of its fury.
The railroad was completely blocked from January until April 10. the next
spring.
In a storm of three days duration in February, 1872. two sons of a
Mr. Lader. of Mountain Lake perished in the snow. The next winter was
as bad, and at times worse, and only a few trains of cars run to bring in
supplies and fuel for the settlers. It was in the three days storm of 1873
that William Morris was frozen to death within eighty rods of his own
house, in Springfield township.
George B. Walker was an early settler of Cottonwood county and was
the first man to do any plowing in the county after the Indian massacre of
1862. He died April 13, 1887. On February 10. 1871, he was married
to Sarah Greenfield, and this was the first marriage ceremony performed in
Cottonwood county.
A more detailed account of the settlement of the county is found in
the various town-hip histories of the work. But the following gives quite
a number of well-known citizens who made up the pioneer band:
Mr. A. A. Soule settled about one mile southeasl of Mountain Lake in
1869. He purchased a pre-emption right of a trapper named Mason and his
equity in an adjoining piece of land heavily timbered with oak and other fi iresl
trees, consisting of about forty acre-. There was also forty acre- of artificial
timber which consisted of spruce, balsam fir, white cedar, American and Euro-
pean larch, willow, hard and soft maple, ash, cottonwood, coffeenut, black
walnut, basewood, whitewood, honey locust, elm, mountain ash, and otl
varieties.
During 1869 and 1870. Mr. Soule gave mosl of his time and energy to
the planting and growing of trees. At that time he was vice-presidenf of the
State Forestry Association. Few men take as much interest in forestry as did
(6)
82 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
this man. The attractiveness alone of Mr. Soule's farm was ample reward for
his diligent work, as it was generally known throughout southern Minnesota
that this farm was one of the most attractive in this section of the state.
Ira E. Pierce, Sr., came from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and settled
on a farm near Clear lake in 1 87 1 . He died in February, 1908, at the age of
eighty-seven.
Paul Pederson came from Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and settled in
Amo township in 1873. He died on March 28, 1908.
Myron Barr was one of the first settlers in Cottonwood county, settling in
Lakeside township in 1870 or 1871. He located on a small farm one mile
from the station of Bingham lake. During the construction of the railroad
Mr. and Mrs. Barr conducted the railroad boarding house, while the men were
working between St. James and Sheldon. At various times they boarded as
many as one hundred men at a time. With the coming of the grasshoppers
Mr. Barr lost all that he had in the way of crops and finally left the country.
He died in August, 1908.
J. N. McGregor was born in Belmont, Ohio, 1847, and came to YYindom
in 1871, where he formed a partnership with D. Patten in the general mer-
chandising business. Later he became county treasurer and president of the
First National Bank. He was a man interested in many public enterprises
and one who added to the life and spirit of the community. He died on July
22, 1912.
J. A. Billings, an old soldier, settled in Mountain Lake in 1872. He died
in May, 1909.
J. H. Reisdorph, known as "Uncle John," was bom in New York in 1826
and came to Cottonwood county in 1870. He was an old soldier and died on
February 18, 191 1.
Thomas S. Brown was born in Scotland and imigrated to this country at
an early age. He joined the ranks of the Union army and when the war was
over came to Cottonw 1 county and settled in Springfield township. He wa-~
fairly well read in law and finally became judge of probate. He died in
August, 191 1.
William Barnes, born in Maine, 1801, settled in Mountain Lake township
in 187-'. He died on September 30, 1881.
1!. W. May came to Windom in [872 and For a time was the only imple-
ment dealer in the village. He died in December, to 12.
Talior C. Richmond was horn in Vermont, C844, and came to Lakeside
township in 1871. He was an old soldier and died in March, [913.
Aaron Schofield was born in England, [8^1. lie came to this country
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 83
and settled in Carson township, section 28, on a tree claim, lie died 1 11
February 14. i<)i6.
P. B. Crosby came to Windom in [872 and erected one of the first tene-
ment houses in the village. He died in February, 1874.
COTTONWOOD COUNTY OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
In every intelligent, thinking community the pioneer settlers have always
organized Old Settlers' Reunion Societies of one sort or another, and Cotton-
wood county is no exception to the rule. The idea obtains in a special degri
in the counties west of the Alleghany mountains in states that have been
settled a hundred years or less. These associations have done, and are still
doing, much to preserve the local history and promote a friendly feeling
among both the pioneers and their sons and daughters. The true fires of
patriotism and love of country or of home are strengthened by a narration of
such important events as tend to stir the blood and quicken to life those divine
affections of man. The love of home and parents and kindred has thus been
strengthened by oft-told tales of aged fathers or mothers, especially of those
pioneer fathers and mothers who toiled early and late, hard and long, in
order to give their descendants the priceless boon of a home and plenty; of
refinement and love of God and humanity.
The pioneers in gathering in these annual reunions, seem to live over
again those early days and years. Their eyes sparkle and they grow young
as the fading reminiscences of other days are recalled. As was well stated
by a pioneer in a nearby community, at a meeting of the ( )ld Settlers' Society :
"You come together with varied emotions. Some of you, almost at the foot
of life's hill, look hack and upward at the path you have trod, while others
who have just reached life's summit, gaze down into the valley of tears with
many a hope and fear. You gray-headed fathers, have done your work; you
have done it well; ami now as the sunset of life is closing around you, you
are given the rare boon of enjoying the fruit of your labor. You can see the
land won by your own right arm from its wilderness state and from a savage
foe, passed to your children and your children'- children, literally 'flow ing with
milk and honey;' a land over which hover the white-winged, white-robed
angels of religion and peace; a land fairer and brighter and more glori
than any other land beneath the blue arch of heaven. You have done yi
work well, and when the time of resl shall have come, you will sink to
dreamless repose with the calm conscioi f dutj d
"In this hour let memory take her strongest -way ; tear aside the thin veil
84 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
that shrouds the misty past in gloom ; call up before you the long-forgotten
scenes of years ago; live over once again the toils and struggles, the hopes and
fears of other days. Let this day be a day sacred to the memory of the olden
time. In that olden time there are no doubt scenes of sadness as well as of
joy. Perhaps you remember standing by the bedside of a loved and cherished
dying wife — one who in the days of her youth and beauty when you proposed
to her to seek a home in a new wild land, took your hand in hers and spoke
words like these : 'Wither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will
lodge ; thy people shall be my people and thy God my God : when thou diest I
will die, and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me and also if aught
but death part me and thee.' Or, perhaps, some brave boy stricken down in
the pride of his young manhood; or some gentle daughter fading away in her
glorious beauty; or some little prattling babe folding its weary eyes in the
dreamless sleep. If there are memories like these, and the unbidden tears well
up in the eye, let them come, and today one and all shed a tear or two to the
memory of the loved and lost."
The pioneer comes to dig and delve, to plant and to sow, to hew and to
build, the crooked path to make straight, the rough to make smooth. Neither
the river, the lake nor the sea, nor the mountain-chain, nor the vast wilderness
have obstacles for them.
Pursuant to a call issued for a meeting to be held on October 19, 1901, a
large number of old settlers and their families met at the court house and
proceeded to organize an old settlers association. Committees were appointed
to perfect the organization and to prepare a constitution and set of by-laws,
which were adopted on December 14, that year. The first set of officers was
as follows: F. M. Dyer, president; Matt Miller, secretary; Mrs. George E.
Le Tourneau, treasurer. The vice-presidents were as follow: First commis-
sioner's district, H. A. Nelson, town of Ann; second commissioners district,
M. N. Caldwell, town of A1110 ; third commissioner's district, Orrin Nason,
Windom; fourth commissioner's district, I. F. Pierce, town of Lakeside; fifth
commissioner's district, L. P. Richardson, town of Selma. Jackson county
territory to he represented by A. J. Frost, town of Delafield.
CONSTITUTION.
We, the old settlors (if Cottonwood county, in order t" preserve the traditions
and history of its early settlers, in pi lote social Intercourse between ourselves
and our families, and in keep thai acquaintance and friendship which was so dear
to ns during the trying years of our early history, do ordain and establish this con-
stitution for ihi' <>iil Settlers' Association of Cottonwood County, Minnesota.
Article 1. The territory embraced under iiiis constitution shall be Cottonwood
county and thr northern tier of townships in Jackson c ity, state of Minnesota,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 85
Article II. Any person, after having resided in the territory described in Article
I for twenty years, may become a member of this association by signing this coi
stitution.
Article III. Section 1. The officers of this association shall be a president and
one vice-president for each commissioner district In Cottonwood county, and one
for the northern tier of townships in Jackson county; a secretary and Treasurer,
who shall hold their offices for one year, or until their successors arc elected.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings, to
appoint standing committees, unless otherwise provided, to call special meetings, to
provide a place for holding all meetings of the association, and till by appointment
any office that may become vacant, except that of president.
In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the oldest rice-president shall fill the
unexpired term.
Section .'!. it shall he the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of the associa
tion and a record of its membership in a book provided lor that purpose.
Section 4. It shall lie the duty of tin1 treasurer to receive all moneys of the asso
ciatiou and to pay out the san 1 an order .it the secretary, signed by the president,
and to take a voluntary contribution at any regular or special meeting.
Section 5. It shall he the duties of the vice-presidents to preside in the absence of
the president, in the order of seniority, to solicit membership and to inform the secre-
tary of any deaths that may occur in the association.
Article IV. Section 1. This association shall meet semi-annually in Windom, Cot-
tonwood county. Minnesota, on the first Saturday in June and on the second Saturday
in October of each year.
Section 2. The officers of the association shall he elected by ballot at the semi-
annual meeting, held on the first Saturday in June of each year.
Article V. This constitution may he changed or amended by a two -thirds vote Oi
the members present at any regular meeting.
A regular meeting was held on June 7, 1902. at which a bountiful dinner
was enjoyed, after which came the election of officers and then a short pro-
gram. Mr. E. Savage related some reminiscences and E. C. Huntington gave
a talk on "The South."
On October 11, 1902, the association met at the court house, where ati
enjoyable program was rendered. Experiences of the early days were told
by Doctor Allen, Dewain Conk. I. E. Pierce and J. G. Redding. Music for the
occasion was furnished by Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Stedman and Messrs.
Churchill and Gillam. October, 190^. marked another happy meeting of the
old settlers in the court house. The old and familiar song, "Home, Sv
Home," was sung with great spirit and enthusiasm by everyone. Such men as
Arthur Johnson, Mr. Lewis, E. C. Huntington, M. T. DeWolf and II. M.
Goss delighted the audience with their reminiscences of tin- early days. Mrs.
Fred Weld read a very interesting story.
At the regular meeting held on June 3, 1905, an elegant dinner was
served after which a splendid program was rendered. The three <>ldc-t per-
sons, each above eighty-two years of age, led the way out to the dinner table.
86 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
These were S. Hanson, S. S. Gillam and Mrs. E. M. Peterson. Short talks
were made by E. D. Mooers and S. S. Gillam, the former speaking on the first
postoffice and mail route established in Cottonwood county, and the latter
giving his experiences in building a claim shanty. The meeting closed by
singing "America."
One of the enjoyable features of the meeting held on October 12, 1907,
was the song, "The Old Red Cradle," and also another song by the old settlers
quartette entitled, "A Home on the Prairie." Talks were made by I. E. Pierce
on his travels; by F. M. Dyer on the prairie fires, and Ole J. Finstad on the
grasshoppers.
On October 10, 1908, and also on October 9, 1909, the old settlers were
given a rare treat in having with them the Hon. W. S. Hammond, who de-
livered two stirring addresses. His address on the "Legacy," was especially
well received. At the regular June meeting Mr. R. H. Jefferson related many
experiences of the early settlers and at the close of his remarks suggested that
a fund be started to build an old settlers monument. This idea was well
received.
Mr. F. F. Ellsworth, of Mankato, addressed the meeting in October.
Mr. Ellsworth's mother formerly lived in Windom during the early days and
was a daughter of Nelson Manning, the first representee in the state Legisla-
ture from Cottonwood county. Mrs. C. W. Gillam read an original poem
"Up and Down the Old Des Moines," that touched the minds and hearts
of the pioneers as few things ever have. In her closing remarks she also
suggested that a monument be erected in memory of the old settlers and
that a very fitting place to erect such a monument would be in the city park
overlooking the Des Moines river. This idea met with the hearty approval
of all and committees were appointed to investigate the matter and report
later.
An old settlers' picnic was held at Cadwell's grove in Amo township,
in tin- summer of [913. At the noon hour a bountiful dinner was served
by the old settlers' wives and daughters in the good old country style, with-
out any frills or decorations or any foreign names attached to the victuals.
This meeting was conceded by all to be one of the best ever held and every-
one anxiously looked forward to the next annual picnic.
The old settlers' choir opened the October meeting of 1915 by the
singing of " America." Reverend Norman gave a very interesting and stir-
ring address that delighted the hearts of the pioneers. Mr. E. D. Mooers
made some very appropriate remarks.
The following is a list of the presidents of the Old Settlers Association
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 87
in the order of serving: F. M. Dyer, J. G. Redding, D. C. Davis, W. A.
Peterson, D. A. Noble, W. W. Hunter. Mrs. LeTourneau, E. D. Mooers.
Among the numerous "memorials" found recorded in the books of
the Old Settlers Association of Cottonwood county, the following is a fair
sample of the tributes paid to the departed dead of the Association:
MEMORIAL.
A memorial to J. H. Clark, as prepared by Jens J. Jackson, for the Old
Settlers Association:
James H. Clark was born on the 24th of April, 1830, in the town of
Hollowed, Maine. His boyhood days were spent with his father in the
lumber industry, Inn when the young man l^ecame of age he packed his be-
longings into a little bundle and walked to the city of Bath, where he
secured work in a ship yard. He remained at this place until 1850. when
he left and started for the state of Minnesota and landed in Taylor's Falls
the same year. After staying there for several years he became acquainted
with Miss Carrie Jeelosen, to whom he became engaged to marry. When
the time came for them to be joined in wedlock, Air. Clark suggested that
they go before a justice of the peace as there was no minister in the place,
but Carrie said: "No, James, I want a minister of the gospel to communi-
cate to us the blessing of God that may accompany us on the journey of our
married life." So they drove thirty miles to the city of Stillwater, where
they found a minister, who pronounced them to be lawful man and wife,
on the 16th of April, 1864.
They resided at Taylor's Falls for a period of fourteen years and then
came to Windom in 1878, where Mr. (lark engaged in the lumber business
and occupied the lumber yard for a short lime where the Struck-Sherwin
firm now holds forth. Trade was scarce over there, he said, ami many a
lonesome day did he spend in that hovel as lie called his office, for want of
anything to do, for he was an industrious man and longed for the time when
trade would call him to manual labor as well as mental activity, lie was a
fearless man and he would never shrink from responsibility so long a„ ne
entertained an idea of being in the right. An incident, thai some may
remember, occurred in the winter of 1X81, will show that he feared nol
even the consequences of a lawsuit when his merciful heart dictated to him
to alleviate the suffering of humanity. Many may remember the lot
! ' ckade of 1881, but the road was open once, when a car of coal that I
longed to the railroad company was shipped in and found Windom destitute
88 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
of fuel. On Sunday morning Mr. Clark shouldered a shovel, marched to
the car. which was quickly opened and he assumed the authority of dealing
out the contents to those in need. He also assumed the responsibility of
being prosecuted for the act.
Mr. Clark was not generally known to have been a philanthropist, yet
there are many who remember his philanthropic deeds. An instance was
when Christmas eve dawned upon the village of Windom, he sat at his desk
with a little notebook in his hand and he would say that Christmas was near
at hand and God have mercy upon the poor. He would write a few names
and hand the book to me and say, "John," as he was in the habit of calling
me, "do you know of any other poor widow that may be in need?" When
the list was complete the names were copied on a slip of paper and handed
to a drayman, with instructions to deliver to each lady one-half of a ton of
coal. He furnished the fuel, paid the drayage and the matter was kept
quiet. He did not publish such facts to the world at large, he would not
tell the recipients, because such acts he considered a part of his duty. Noth-
ing gave him more satisfaction than to offer a little comfort to the lonely
widow and others in distress.
The love of kindness that he exhibited toward his family was note-
worthy of example. His watchful care for their comfort unlimited. He
truly complied with God's ordinance in performing the duty of husband
and father and the perfect confidence that existed between himself and
wife was due to the amiable nature of both.
Mr. Clark left Windom in the fall of 1895 and settled in Minneapolis.
He disposed of his business interests in the winter of 1896 and short Iv
after moved to the city of Los Angeles, California. Here he engaged in
the wholesale paper business, but only for a short time as his health was
failing and with it his ambition for active life.
His life had not been one of leisure. His holdings were acquired
through constant labor and study and he relinquished his hold upon manual
exertion, only when the tooth of time exerted its influence upon that mortal
structure that had withstood the tempests of time for more than three score
years and ten. He died on the 5th of February, 1904. at the age of seventv-
three years, nine months, and twelve days, leaving a wido\v*and two daugh-
ters to mourn his death.
EARLY HARDSHIPS OF A MAIL CARRIER.
Among other interesting reminiscences related at the first meeting held
by the Old Settlers' Association at Windom, was the following:
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 8l)
Orris Nason, known as "Tip," was called upon and gave some inci-
dents of real pioneer life. He came to Minnesota in [856 and worked near
Mankato. Mr. Nason carried the mail — he literally carried it as he had to
walk much of the time — from Mankato to Sioux City, Iowa, for four years.
The first round trip, a distance of four hundred and fifty miles, was made
in fourteen days. Probably the howling of the wolves urged Mr. Nason to
make the trip in so short a time, as those wild beasts were plentiful and
ferocious in the days from 1856 to 1861. Mr. Xason took a claim near
String lake. He and his wife, "Lib," managed to get along in some small
quarters, a tent answering for a dwelling. At one time a room about seven
by nine feet, answered for parlor, bedroom and kitchen. An ox team
furnished motive power for traveling and breaking up the prairie sod. Air.
and Mrs. Nason had many hardships to endure with storms and grass-
hoppers, but they now enjoy the well-earned fruits of their labors.
CHAPTER IV.
ORGANIZATION OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
Cottonwood county, Minnesota, was created, May 23, 1857, with the
county seat at Windom, and is one of second tier of counties north of the
Iowa state line, and the third county from the state of South Dakota. This
county has a length of five townships, and a width from north to south of
four, except that on the northeast corner, two of the townships which would
be included in this county if it were a complete rectangle, belong to Brown
county, Minnesota.
This leaves the county eighteen townships, each six miles square, an
area of six hundred and fifty and thirty-nine one hundredths square miles,
or equivalent to 416.250 acres, of which some eight thousand acres are
covered with water. In 1914 the county had fifteen hundred and eighty
farms. The villages of the county are : Windom, Mountain Lake, Bing-
ham Lake, Delft. Jeffers. Storden and Westbrook. Windom, the county
seat, is situated in Great Bend township on the banks of the Des Mi lines
river.
The county has numerous lakes within its borders, the chief of which
are: Bingham lake, one mile long; Bean lake. Augusta, Three, Swan,
Clear, Long and Willow or Fish lakes, ranging from one-third of a mile
to over one mile long, and some more scattered over the county. The sur-
face of the county is made up of really beautiful rolling prairie, diversified
by the lakes and numerous streams, while health groves planted by the bands
of the sturdy pioneers, enhance the beauty and value of the domain of the
entire county. Some of these artificial groves now tower from twenty to
fifty feet in height and afford a splendid, cooling shade for man and beast
in summer-time and a perfect wind-break during the roaring blasts and occa-
sional blizzards of the long severe winter months. These groves include
soft maple, Cottonwood, willow, ash. box elder, elm and other varieties
common to this climate.
SOIL.
The soil of Cottonwood county has been treated in the chapter on geol-
ogy and hence need not be here enlarged upon, more than to add that it is
of a rich make-up and produces corn and grain, with all the common grasses
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 91
of Minnesota. It withstands great drought as well as excessive rainfall.
The grasses of the county make it an ideal location for the dairymen and
st( ick growers.
The total assessed valuation of Cottonwood county in 1912 was $8,523,-
570. of which S1.Ji5._74 was personal property. The county has. of late
years, come to be known as among the "corn counties" of the commonwealth
"i Minnesota. The farmer now calls corn his staple crop.
Cottonwood county is bounded on the north by Redwood and Brown
counties; on the east by Brown and Watonwan counties; on the south by
Jackson county and on the west by Murray county.
THE TWO "STOLEN" TOWNSHIPS.
Much has been said and written in times pasl concerning the two civil
townships that should have been left as a part of Cottonwood county, but
which, through trickery, were stolen and added to Brown county. The
younger generation knows nothing of this, and in fact few know that town-
ship 108, ranges 34 and 35 ever belonged to Cottonwood county. To make
tins clear to the reader of this history the following able article from the pen
of Attorney Emory Clark, the pioneer attorney of Windom and Cotton-
wood county, will be given, as copied from the Windom Reporter, in which
paper it appeared in 1873:
At the request of the county auditor of this county 1 haw investigated
the matter of county lines between Cottonwood and Brown counties, and
will gladly give to the public the facts as 1 have discovered them by this
research.
The legislative assembly of the Territory of Minnesota, February 20,
1855, passed an act entitled "An act to define the boundaries of certain
counties," and in and by section 19 of --aid act provided "that so much .,1
the territory as was formerly included within the county of Blue Earth, ami
has not been included within the boundaries of any other county, as herein
established, shall be known a- the county of Brown."
By tin- act all the territor) wesl of range 28 ami south of township [09,
which embraced what is now the counties of Martin. Jack on, Nobles, Rock,
Pipestone, .Murray, Cottonwood and Watonwan, the south tier .if townships
in Brown county, and the west tier of townships of Blue Earth county, \
established as the county of Brown.
On February 11, 1856, the legislative assembly passed an act entitl
"An Act to organize the county of Brown, section 1, of which read-: I i
92 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the county of Brown is declared to be an organized county, and is entitled
to all the privileges and immunities, and subject to all liabilities of other
organized counties of this territory."
Section 2 locates the county seat at New Ulm. On May 29, 1857, the
legislative assembly passed an act entitled : "A bill to establish certain coun-
ties, and for other purposes."
Section 7 of this act reads: "That so much of the Territory of Min-
nesota as lies within the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby
established as the county of Cottonwood; beginning at the southeast corner
of township 105, north of range 34 west; thence due north to the north
line of township 108, north of range 38, east; thence due south to the south-
west corner of township 105, north of range 38, west; thence due east to
place of beginning."
This description would embrace twenty townships, and include the two
Congressional townships in township 108, ranges 34 and 35 which have here-
tofore been deemed a part of Brown county.
Previous to the year 1857, when our state Constitution was adopted,
county lines were subject to change at the will of the Legislature, but section
1, article 2, of the Constitution requires that "all laws changing county
lines already in counties already organized, shall before taking effect be
submitted to the elections of the county or counties to be effected thereby,
and be adopted by a majority vote of such electors."
In 1864 the Legislature passed an act entitled: "An act to change the
boundary line of Brown county," by which those two congressional town-
ships theretofore in the northeast corner of Cottonwood county, would
become a part of Brown county, and in the same act changing the county
line between Brown and Redwood counties.
The proposition was submitted to the electors of the three counties at
the annual election of 1864, but as Cottonwood county was not vet organ-
ized no vote was cast by her, and Redwood only cast fourteen votes in all.
that being her first election. Brown county cast two hundred and eighty-
seven votes in favor of the change ami none against it.
Now it is contended by some, that as the act provided for a vote of the
three counties on the proposition and one of these counties was then unor-
ganized, the result of the election in 1864 did not effect a change of the
county lines: and moreover that the law itself was unconstitutional, as it
endorsed more than one subject which was not expressed in the title. Be
this as it may, we still find in the General Statutes of 1866, chapter 8. sec-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 93
tion 16, that the boundary line of Cottonwood county is the same as estab-
lished on May 29, 1857.
The interests of Cottonwood county requires an early determination
of this state of doubt as to the county line. The assessed valuation of the
lands alone in these two townships amounted to $15,000, besides it embraces
one-tenth of the whole territory of the county. The tax and benefit of these
townships are now being enjoyed by Brown county. The authorities of
Cottonwood county should be as vigilant of the county lines as a farmer is
of his farm boundary lines.
(Signed > E. Clark.
May. 1873.
It appears that the good advice given by the above writer was not
properly heeded, for Brown county still retains the two townships in ques-
tion. It will be remembered that the vote was taken on this question in
1864 — a time when Cottonwood county had been depopulated by the Indian
uprising of 1862. and many of the settlers in Redwood and Cottonwood
counties had not yet returned to their claims.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Counties, like states and nations, have their own peculiar form of gov-
ernment. While each county has its own local laws and rules, and no other
county can dictate as to the management of affairs, yet all county govern-
ments are in perfect harmony with the general state laws under one common
constitution. Then, the townships in a county have still other rules that its
people make and abide by, which may or may not be like any other township
in the county; yet, in a general sense, all townships must be governed so as
not to interfere with the laws of the county in which they may be situated.
In Cottonwood county the offices in both township and county govern-
ment have been held generally by representative citizens who have sought
only to do the will of the people in a lawful manner, as they have understood
the laws. There have been a \v\v exceptions to this rule, but nol more so
here than in any other township or county in Minni 50ta,
It has been the general policy of this county (and was so from the very
beginning) to live within its means, and while bonds have at certain tii
been issued, it was in order that the small warrants against the county mi]
be paid in full when presented. However, such bonds have usually 1«
issued for the purpose of making internal improvements from which the
94 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
succeeding generations, possibly, may reap the greatest benefits; hence, it is
no more than right that they should pay a share of the amount called for in
these bond issues, whether it be for county buildings, roads, drainage or
other improvements which are demanded by a progressive people. All of the
later improvements made in Cottonwood county have been made with a
view to the future — the bridges and public buildings, etc., having all been
constructed of the best materials and by skillful workmen, who have not been
allowed to slight their contract in the least.
NO HARD COUNTY-SEAT CONTESTS.
At first the seat of county government was at a point about four miles
above present Windom, on the Des Moines river, and was known as Big
Bend. There the first county business was transacted, but in November,
1872, the entire set of county officials were removed to quarters provided at
the new village of Windom, which, being on a railroad, was the logical place
for the county seat to be located. Here it has remained ever since, although
there was a time when the people in and about the village of Jeffers thought
they were entitled to the county seat. They were very near the exact geo-
graphical center of the county and had secured a branch railroad, which
made their argument all the stronger, but the seat of justice was not moved
and the fine, expensive court house that stands in Windom today will no
doubt house the county offices for many li ing years to come.
So sure were the good citizens of Jeffers that they could induce the
voters to remove the county seat to their place, they donated what is known
as the "court house square," hut the ground has always stood unoccupied.
I lad the center of the county had a railroad at the date of its organization, it
would doubtless have secured the county seat, hut at that early day the
settlements were far from the center of the county and the nearest railroad
point was naturally taken.
county's condition in 1884.
The following article was taken from the Windom Reporter, June 12,
1884: "The tax collection of Cottonwood county at the settlement of the
auditor and treasurer, June 1, [884, amounted to $14,51)1. 58. leaving a less
amount of unpaid taxes on the hooks than ever shown before. The court
house is paid for and Cottonwood county is entirely out of debt. We doubt
if there is another county in the state with such a clean record.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, SIINN. 95
"These are facts for the homeseekers and land buyers to consider. It
you locate in Cottonwood county you have no old taxes to pay, no court
house to build and you have the finest land the sun shines on and as low taxes
as are to be found in any civilized country."
ORGANIZATION.
Cottonwood county was organized in 1S70. The first meeting of the
county commissioners was held on July 29, 1870, and the members of the
board were Allen Gardner. J. W. Benjamin and I. L. Miner. They ap
pointed the first set of county officials and their selection were as follows:
Charles Chamberlain, auditor; H. M. McGaughey, treasurer; Ezra Winslow,
register of deeds; E. B. Sheldon, sheriff; T. C. Imus, judge of probate; J.
W. Shofer, county attorney; L. L. Miner, court commissioner; Orren Nason,
surveyor; J. A. Harvey, coroner.
At the August meeting in 1870 Great Bend was organized, and the first
election for township officers was held at the residence of Charles Chamber-
lain, August 27.
Originally the county offices were kept at Great Bend, but in 1872, by
vote, it was decided to remove them to \\ indom.
Cottonwood county was attached to Watonwan county for judicial pur-
poses, June 15, 1871, but, by an act of the Legislature in [873 it was de-
tached from Watonwan county and Murray and Pipestone counties wen
attached for judicial purposes.
The first term of court was held in Windom, commencing November
11. 1873, with Hon. Franklin H. White, judge; J. G. Redding, clerk-
Charles White, sheriff. Three criminal cases were docketed and there wen
twenty-four civil cases on the docket. The first legal clerk of the courts was
H. M. McGaughey, though early in the organization of the county one was
appointed, but without authority. Judge White appointed Mr. McGaughey
in July, 1873, and he held the position until the fall election, that year, when
he was succeeded by J. G. Redding.
The first representative from the county was Hon. Nelson II. Manning,
who was seated in January, 1874.
The first Fourth of July celebration in Cottonwood county was held in
i860, in J. W. Benjamin's grove in Lake-id hip. The orator on that
occasion was George Gray.
The first birth in the county was probably a child born to I B. Sheldon
96 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES. MINN.
and wife, in an immigrant wagon, on the hanks of Cottonwood lake, in either
1868 or 1869.
School district No. 1 was organized in 1870 in the southwest part of
Big Bend township. The district was three miles square. A school house
was erected in that district in 1871, the school being taught by Miss Nettie
Sackett at Great Bend in 1871.
Th earliest marriage in the county was that of George B. Walker to
Sarah J. Greenfield. February 18, 1871.
The first store in Cottonwood county was in Big Bend, John T. Smith
being the proprietor, and he was also postmaster.
ASSESSED VALUATION.
In 1871 the assessed valuation of the county was $99,817; taxes assessed
on the same that year amounted to $1,585.14. The number of acres of land
assessed was $6,043 ! value of real estate was about $24,000, and of personal
property, $75,550. The first tax was paid by George F. Robison in January,
1872.
In 1895 the county's assessed valuation was $3,380,000 in realty and
personal property. The total taxes that year amounted to $73,847.88.
In 1878 the assessed valuation of lands in Cottonwood county was as
follows: Dale township, $3.50 per acre; Amboy township, $3.50 per acre;
Southbrook township, $3.50 per acre; Ann township, $3.50 per acre; Spring-
'field township. $4.00 per acre; Amo and Delton townships, $3.50 per acre;
Highwater and Germantown townships, $3.75 per acre; Carson township,
$4.00 per acre; Selma township, $3.50 per acre.
In 1905 the total assessed valuation of all real estate in Cottonwood
county was $6,171,632; of personal property, $863,684.
By townships and villages, the assessed valuation of Cottonwood county
in 1916 was as follows, this representing about one-third of the actual value
of the realty named and about forty per cent, of the personal property held
in the county:
Township or Village. Realty. Personal.
Amboy township $ 514.190 $ 55.!90
\mo township 528.969 67,724
Ann township 5 1-9,286 61, 152
Carson township 5;A'.744 83,189
Dale township 534.420 68,257
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COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 97
Township or Village. Realty. Personal.
Delton township 530,379 52,914
Germantown township SS4.967 6=5,858
Great Bend township 518,945 65,447
Lake side township 517,622 61,532
Midway township 551.850 60,264
Mountain Lake township =522,869 54.717
Highwater township 530.660 70,675
Rose Hill township 524,838 57,250
Selma township 522,043 57.677
Southbrook township 474,732 48,614
Springfield township 523,197 66,127
Storden township ' 567,507 105,616
Westbrook township 537-388 68,ro4
Bingham Lake village 33-954 18,701
Jeffers village 77-937 52,372
Mountain Lake village 248,189 119,471
Westbrook village 112,710 78,189
Windoni village 471,534 248,148
Totals $10,498,597 $1,687,388
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' PROCEEDINGS.
The following is a transcript and general account of the more important
and historic facts connected with Cottonwood county, as shown by the min-
ute books kept by the commissioners in the county auditor's office at Win-
doni :
The first meeting of the county commissioners was held on July 27,
1870. the commissioners being .Allen Gardner, Jr., Joel W. Benjamin and
Lewis C. Miner. Mr. Gardner was elected chairman of the board and
Charles Chamberlin was appointed clerk.
The first regular act of this, the first law-making body of Cottonwood
county, was to divide the county into commission! 1 districts as follow: Dis-
trict No. 1 was made up of ranges 34 and 35; district No. 2 consisted of
range Xo. 36; district No. 3 consisted of ranges 37 and 38.
On motion of Commissioner Allen Gardner, Charles Chamberlin •
appointed countv auditor; on motion of Joel W. Benjamin, IT. M. Me-
(7)
98 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Gaughey was appointed county treasurer : on motion of Allen Gardner, Ezra
Winslow was appointed register of deeds; on motion of Joel W. Benjamin,
Ezekeil B. Sheldon was appointed sheriff; on motion of Lewis Miner, John
W. Shafer was appointed county attorney; on motion of Joel W. Benjamin,
Tabor Tmus was appointed judge of probate; on motion of Allen Gardner,
Lewis L. Miner was appointed court commissioner; on motion of Allen Gard-
ner, Orrin Nason was appointed county surveyor; on motion of Joel W. Ben-
jamin, John A. Harvey was appointed coroner; on motion of Allen Gardner,
Charles Chamberlin was appointed clerk of the district court.
DISTRICT APPOINTMENTS.
David Mooers and S. P. Stedman were appointed justice of- the peace
for district No. 2; John Wilford and Rev. John Cropsey, for district No.
3; Charles Robison and Frank Pones for district No. 1.
The first constables appointed by the county commissioners were P.
Thomas and O B. Bryant, for district No. 2: R. A. Nichols and Mr. Oaks,
for district No. 3: Kirk Sheldon and I. F. Grant, for district No. 1.
David Mooers was appointed assessor for district No. 2; John Wil-
ford. for district No. 3; Simeon Greenfield, for district No. 1.
On motion of Allen Gardner, Hosea Eastgate was appointed overseer
of the poor.
SECOND MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
The second session of the county commissioners was held at Great
Bend, August 15, 1870. The object of this meeting was to organize civil
townships in the county. A petition having been presented by the legal voters
of township 105, range 35 west, asking that a township be organized, it was
done. The board named the new township "Lakeside," and ordered that
the first township meeting and election lie held at the house of Joel W. Ben-
jamin on Saturday, August 27, 1870. O. M. Benhaus, Tabor Tmus and
Simeon Greenfield were appointed judges of the election, and R. I'. Mathews
was appointed clerk. Several other townships were organized (see township
histories).
lanuary 3, iHyi, was the date for the next meeting of the county board,
it also being held at the first county seat, Great Bend. The members present
were S. B. Stedman and Hogan Anderson. H. M. McGaughey was ap-
pointed county school superintendent. The board resolved to levy a tax of
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES. MI \X. go
three hundred dollars "for the purpose of defraying the expenses already in-
curred and to be incurred during the present year."
At the April 22, 1871, meeting, the county officers were ordered to hold
their respective offices at the building of the auditor, "who will furnish ample
room for the keeping of all books belonging to the county. The clerk is
instructed to notify each officer of this order."
At the January 2, 1872, commissioners' meeting, the first held at W'in-
dom, seventy-two men were drawn for grand jurymen and seventy-two for
trial jurymen. The district court was held at Madelia, Watonwan county,
as this county was then attached to that for judicial purposes.
At the last-named meeting, it was resolved to lease the offices then being
occupied by the count}' auditor for the next year at one hundred dollars per
year, payable quarterly, the owner to light and heat the building. Emory
Clark was declared elected county attorney and gave his official bonds to the
commissioners. The board at that session decided to grant licenses to sell
intoxicating liquors to any who might make out the proper application papers
and the amount to be charged was seventy-live dollars.
On March 4, 1872. the commissioners met again and at that time they
declared the office of county treasurer a acant, the sureties to be discharged
from further obligations. On motion of member Hogan Anderson, Eli V
Stedman was appointed county treasurer to fill the agency, and he forthwith
furnished bonds in the sum of five thousand dollars. L. L. Miner, previous
county treasurer, was requested to pay over all the county money and the
papers and books belonging to Cottonwood county.
On January 7, 1873, the members present at the board meeting were
George A. Purdy, George F. Robison and Hogan Anderson, Mr. Purdy being
chairman. Official bonds were furnished a- follow: Eli A. Stedman. treas-
urer; T. G. Redding, court commissioner; S. M. Espey, county auditor;
Charles White, sheriff; A. D. Perkins, judge of probate.
At this session H. M. McGaughey was allowed fifty dollars for services
as county superintendent of schools for that year. The liquor license was in-
creased to ninety dollars per year.
On Tanuarv 9, 1873, the county treasurer's bond for ten thousand dol
lars wa^ furnished by the newly-elected o unty treasurer, M. E. Donohue.
At this session of the board they accepted the donation from the Si. Paul &
Sioux City Railroad Company for block No. 23, in the village of Windom,
to be used to erect a court house and county buildings upon, and that S. M.
Espev be requested to notify the company to send on the <\r^:\ for the same.
On January 11, 1873, the commissioners first let a contract for pub!
tffO*90
100 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ing the proceedings of the county board to the JVindom Reporter at fifty
cents a folio.
On February 4. 1873, the following resolution was passed: "Be it re-
solved by the board of county commissioners of Cottonwood county that M.
E. Donohue, of said county, having failed to furnish an additional bond as
treasurer of said county and that the ten days having elapsed since he was
notified; therefore, be it resolved, that the said Donohue is hereby removed
from said office of county treasurer. Members George A. Purdy and George
F. Robison voted in the affirmative and Hogan Anderson in the negative.
Another resolution the same day was as follows : "Be is resolved by the
board of county commissioners of Cottonwood county that Eli B. Stedman
be declared appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of county treasurer
caused by the removal of M. E. Donohue."
It appears of record that Treasurer Donohue furnished bonds, but the
list of bondsmen contained three who were not considered financially good,
hence the commissioners demanded further security, which the treasurer
failed to furnish and refused to do so.
The board of commissioners provided for the construction of the first
wagon bridge over the Des Moines river at Windom during the year 1873 ;
it was built by Contractor N. H. Manning and cost the county seven hundred
dollars for the structure and about three hundred dollars for building ap-
proaches to it.
Nothing special transpired, as shown by the records, until the meeting
held on June 6, 1874. when County Treasurer Stedman resigned and the
commissioners appointed C. H. Smith to fille the vacancy.
In January, 1875, the county attorney had his salary fixed at two hun-
dred dollars per year.
On July 26, 1875, the county commissioners requested His Honor, Judge
Dickinson, if it was consistent with good business policy, not to call a special
term of the district court in this county that summer or fall, on account of
the total destruction of the crops and the inability of the county to secure the
necessary expenses for the same.
In 1876 the county issued its first bond. Bond No. 1, for twelve hun-
dred dollars, was issued to H. D. Winters, August 1, 1876, for five years at
ten per cent, interest per annum. This bond was issued for the purpose of
paying off the floating debt of the county.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. JOI
TREE PREMI1
In 1S76 the commissioners allowed George F. Robison nine dollars
premium, or bounty, on the three and sixty-eight hundredths acres of limber
he had growing and also the one hundred and eighty rods of hedge about his
farm premises. Aaron Schofield was allowed two dollars premium on his
one acre of planted timber; \Y. T. Richardson, on his three and thirty-six
hundredths acres of timber, received a credit of six dollars and seventy-two
cents.
GRASSHOPPER APPROPRIATIONS.
In 1877 the county commissioners had plenty of work trying to adjust
the losses sustained by the farmers of Cottonwood county by reason of the
seventeen-year locusts (commonly called grasshoppers). An agenl was
appointed in this county to measure and destroy all grasshoppers brough.1 to
his notice within the county. On motion, the commissioners ordered that the
compensation for measuring and killing these pests and their eggs should be
one and a half dollars a day for actual time employed in measuring, killing
and making out proper reports and accounts of the same.
On March 28. 1877, S. B. Stedman was appointed superintendent of
burning prairie grass for Cottonwood county for the year commencing April,
1877; his compensation was fixed at one dollar and fifty cents a day and ten
cents a mile for use of team when necessary to use a team in his work.
taxes in 1877.
In 1877 the county revenue was $3.5117. and the taxes levied were to
cover the following items of county expenses: Officers' salaries, $2,320;
interest, $270; court house expenses, $500; incidental expenses, $250, with
five per cent, for losses. Ordered that $500 he raised for caring for the poor
and $250 for bridge purposes.
In 1879 the commissioners offered a bounty on gophers to the amount
of five cents for each head or pelt broughl to the court house and vouched
for as being killed within Cottonw I county.
In 1881 the commissioners ordered constructed a new combination
bridge of two spans crossing the Des Moines river at Windom. The King
Bridge Company obtained the contract at $2,1
On January 2, 1883, the commissioners ordered a bridge in Springl
102 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
township, over the waters of the Des Moines river in section 21, the same
to cost not in excess of nine hundred dollars.
At the January, 1883, meeting of the board a committee was appointed
to "arrange the office room now occupied by the register of deeds and audi-
tor at an expense of not more than fifty dollars."
COURT HOUSE BUILDING.
The first mention made in the records of the county of providing a court
house was made at the March meeting in 1883, in a motion made by M. T.
DeWolf. H. M. Goss and Joel Clark were appointed a committee, to report
at the next meeting with plans and specifications for a court house not to
exceed in cost three thousand dollars, and said committee was to also report
on the feasibility of building at once. On March 16, 1883, on motion, it was
resolved to build a court house as soon "as it can be practically done at a
cost not in excess of three thousand dollars."
On another motion, the plans and specifications by J. Clark for the court
house, which was to be thirty-six by fifty feet, were adopted. The building
was to be two stories high. John Clark was appointed building committee,
with full power to act in every particular, as his judgment might dictate, and
that it should be erected as soon as it could be. The commissioners were at
that time John Clark, C. Mead. T. Ellison, M. T. DeWolf and H. M. Goss.
This court house really cost $2,916.62. It had been opposed by the farmers,
who felt too poor to think of paying for a court house The county had long
been renting of Mr. Klock his building, which was also used for school room
purposes, and when court time came school had to be dismissed, for the teach-
ers had no other room; however, their pay as teacher went on just the same
as thought they were teaching.
County Commissioner Clark was appointed a committee to lease or rent
the hall or court room for dances, shows and was to get seven dollars a night
and three dollars for free lectures. It was resolved to tender the use of the
court house to the county agricultural society for fair purposes free of
charge. The village of Windom was ,<;iven free use of an extra room in the
court house by furnishing the same. The court bouse was insured for $2,-
500 at a $_'.-'5 per hundred rate for live years. On motion, Windom village
was granted the right to put their calaboose on the southwest corner of the
court house square, where the park and jail now stand. The old court house
now serves as a barn in Lakeside township.
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 103
OTHER LOCATIONS B"OR COUNTY OFFICES.
The following is the chain of places at which the county seat of gov-
ernment has been held at one time or another: First, the offices were held
up the river at Big Bend, at private houses. Second, the offices, at least a
part of them, were kept in the "Billy Wilson" small frame store building
that stood on the east lot of the present Foss Mercantile building property.
This had been erected by Air. Wilson for a store, but finding it too small,
he erected a second building, then leased the first one to the county for its
offices. Third, the county commissioners leased of Harvey Klock a two-
story frame building, about thirty by forty feet in size. It stood on lots 14
and 15, of block 19, original plat of the village of Windom, and was later
used as a residence and then as a drug store by Nels Quevli. It then was
occupied as a hardware store by George Miller and the present Earl Marshall
& Son hardware store occupies the same lot. The railroad company sold
this lot originally to David Patten and lie, in turn, to Harvey Klock, who
erected the building above referred to. The lot was purchased by Klock
for one hundred dollars in 1872. At first the village school was kept on
the first floor and the court house offices above.
The first court house built by the county — the one erected in 1883,
above mentioned — served well its purpose until the present magnificent tem-
ple of justice was provided in 1905.
In November 1893, the county board ordered steel shelving for the old
court house, the same to cost $267.
The question of a new court house was agitated and finally, on October
13. 1903, the count)- board of commissioners decided, by resolution, to con-
struct a new building on block No. 13. and not on the old county grounds,
where the jail now stand-. The citizen- of Windom were very anxious t"
have the new court house erected down in the business portion of the city.
so. on January 5, 1904, the county authorities exchanged the old courl house
square in block Xo. 23, for the present courl house square in block No. 13.
The city of Windom owned the block and simply exchanged it for the grounds
contained in block 23, except that the county reserved eighty feet, including
the ground where the jail was built and where it 'ill stands.
In 1904 the county sold bonds to the amounl of fifty thousand dollars
to the First National Bank of St. Paul, the bonds to draw four per rent,
interest. Later, it was found necessar thirty-fi liars
more in bonds with which to finish paying for the curt house, making the
104 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN,
cost of the structure about eighty-five thousand dollars, besides the grading
and other exterior improvements about the public square.
A contract was awarded to J. B. Nelson & Company, of Mankato, to
build the structure for $59,949.00, the contract being dated March 22, 1904.
Thomas Walsh, of Albert Lea, was employed by the county as superintendent
of construction. The record shows that August 11. 1905, the building was
completed and the last payment made to contractors Nelson & Company and
to the architects, Omeyer & Thori.
On April 25, 1906, the commissioners let the contract for grading the
grounds about the court house to J. G. Redding, at his bid price of $5,200.
On October 29, 1907, the commissioners resolved to designate the east side
of the court house as its front.
Concerning the material, the architecture and dedication of this, Cot-
tonwood's present court hou<=e, it may be added that the building is one of
the best planned and constructed in southern Minnesota. Its corner-stone
was laid, with ceremonies, on July 12, 1901, at one o'clock in the afternoon,
under direction of the Masonic fraternity. Senator Clapp made the ora-
tion. Judge Brown, who had served as judge fourteen years, also spoke.
There was a picnic dinner, a ball game and excellent music. The corner-
stone bears the following inscription : "Commissioners, David Ewert,
Daniel C. Davis, Whalon Seeley, Peter Wiens, Engbert Heggerstrom, John
A. Brown, auditor; David A. Stewart, attorney." The box in the stone
contained a copy of the Bible, Masonic papers, a copy of each local county
newspaper, a history of the county by D. A. Stuart, lists of county and vil-
lage officials.
On November 3, 1905, the new court bouse was dedicated, in the midst
of a large assembly, Governor Johnson uttering the dedicatorv words in a
masterly manner. The entire structure cost one hundred thousand dollars,
including all interior finishings, with the marble wainscoating, beautifully
decorated dome and court room.
COUNTY JAIL.
In July, t Si; r , it was resolved at a meeting of the county commissioners
to provide the county with a suitable jail and sheriff's house, but the matter
dragged along until January 6, 1898, when it was again ordered that plans
and specifications for a jail and sheriff's residence, said jail to have a separate
cell for women prisoners, be procured. They were submitted to and accepted
by the commissioners at a later date. The specifications called for Kasota
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. [05
pink stone and Menominee sand-moulded brick as the material from which
the main building should be constructed. Fred C. Molander was awarded
the contract for doing the structural work for $5,875. The cell work was
let to an Ohio firm at $2,147; tne heating plant cost $445 and was let to
Pond & Hasey Company. H. M. Goss was appointed as superintendent of
construction of this building, which is the one still standing at the south
side of the park overlooking the Des Moines river, which flows just beneath
the abrupt bluff at that point.
The county leased one cell in the new jail to the village of Windom at
fifty dollars per year, and the village was to keep the bedding, etc., in a
good and sanitary condition.
CARING FOR THE POOR.
Up to 1887 Cottonwood count} owned no county farm or house at
which the unfortunate poor might be cared for, but these people were cared
for at county and township expense, in the various townships of the county,
the county hiring some one to keep and look after them at a fixed price
per week or month. But, on February 15, 1887, the county commissioners
purchased of M. Milford, land in section 10. township 105, range 36 west,
for the sum of $1,700. On April 24, 1SS7, a committee was appointed to
secure plans and specifications for building a poor house on the land just
mentioned. It was not to cost in excess of $1,800. On February 17, 1888.
it was ordered to make an addition of a one-story wing, sixteen by twenty
feet in size. After this, the county's poor were cared for on this farm,
which is in Great Bend township. The auditor's record of the institution
in December, 1S90, gives the following items: Number of inmates in poor
house January 1. 1890, six; three were on hand the year before and thl
came that year; loss of inmates in two years lasl past, two; number remain-
ing in the institution. December 31. 1890, four. Acres of land in 1 r
farm, one hundred and sixty; net expenses of poor farm. $1,080. It was
not found a self-sustaining proposition and. as the number of pauper- was
very small in the county, it was decided by the county commissioners at
their meeting held in February, i8qi, to rent out the farm, which was done,
and the county paid a stipulated price for keeping the paupers.
Under a recent law of the state of Minnesota, any count) has the ri
to submit to a vote of the people whether or not the poor shall be kept by
the county at large or on the township plan. This was left to the voter
Cottonwood county at the general election in the autumn of igoo. when the
106 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
vote stood, five hundred and thirty-eight in favor of changing to the "town-
ship plan" and three hundred and forty-two votes in favor of continuing
the old count}- plan. The petition which brought this matter before the
people at that 1906 election was filed on September 25, 1906, and was largely
circulated by Silas Reisdorph, of Springfield township. It works well in
this county and the expense has not been over one-half the amount it was
under the old county plan of caring for the paupers. There is also a wise
provision in the statute by which the county at large pays all bills over three
hundred dollars contracted in keeping the poor in any one township or
village.
The poor farm was sold on March 11, 1903. to John S. Schillinger, of
Jackson county, for the sum of $7,500 — a high figure then, but not half its
present value; yet, it only cost the county $1,700 when it was first purchased
in 1887.
RUSSIAN THISTLE PEST.
Cottonwood county, in common with many of the western counties in
Minnesota, was wonderfully cursed in the nineties with the Russian thistle,
which drifted down with the winds from the northwest part of the state
and especially from the Dakotas, where in some instances this weed almost
depopulated the county in which it had gotten so strong a foothold. It is
said these weeds gut into this country by the Russian immigrants bringing the
seed here to sow for sheep-feeding purposes, as it is used to quite an extent
for that purpose in Russia. It has proven as bad a curse as the English
sparrow has to the cities and villages of the United States.
So thick had the growth of the thistles become in this county in July,
1896, that the board of county commissioners, on resolution, ordered, "That
after the expiration of the first day of September all Russian thistles stand-
ing or growing in the county of Cottonwood are required to be destroved
by public authority in accordance to law." Later, a tax was added to cover
the expense of a "weed agent," whose duty was to enforce the law and see
that all weeds were cut and the expense charged up to the landowner, if
not previously seen to :is directed.
At the session of the hoard in July, 1897, the following was the record:
"Whereas, the well-known Russian thistle has made its appearance again
and is to he found growing in Cottonwood comity. Therefore, pursuant
to the statutes in such cases made and provided, and at a meeting of the
board of county commissioners of said county held on the 13th day of July,
[897, it is resolved, by said board >'! county commissioners, that sixty-four
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. IO7
days from and after this date be the time fixed in which all persons, com-
panies or corporations owning or occupying land within said county are
required to destroy all Russian thistles found growing or standing on the
said lands according to the statutes in such cases made and provided."
MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS.
In July, 1901, the county commissioners ordered that a bounty of fifteen
dollars be paid for each male wolf killed within this county; also that the
sum of twenty dollars should be allowed for each female wolf that should
be killed in the county.
In 1902 the bond required to be put up by the county treasurer was
forty thousand dollars, the county to pay the fees exacted by the bonding
or surity companies. If the bonds were of a personal nature, then sixty
thousand dollars were required at the hands of the treasurer as his bond.
In 19 1 3 the bond was fixed at fifty thousand dollars.
COUNTY OFFICERS' FEES IN I9O9.
In 1909 the fees of the various county officials were as follows :
Sheriff. Si. 579; clerk of the court, $1,434: court commissioner, $10.00;
coroner, S5.60; register of deeds, $2,346.06; superintendent of schools,
$1,091. 15; auditor, $2,117 75; judge of probate, $1,062; treasurer, $2,] 18.83;
surveyor, $51.51; county attorney, $1,200.
TAX LEVY FOR IQ[6-[
7-
The tax levy for 1916-17 is as follows: County revenue. S30.000;
county road and bridge, 830,000; county bond and interest, $2,000; county
sinking fund, $3,000; tubercular sanitarium. $1,900; total, $66,900
COUNTY FINANCES, JULY I, [916.
According to the county auditor's books, on the first day of July, i"
after an examination of the books of the county treasurer, D. C. Davis, the
following showing was made :
Cash in drawer $45-37
Cash items, checks, etc. • 207.6]
Deposited with Farmers State Bank, Windom 9-604
IOS COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MIXX.
Deposited First National Bank, Windom 16,198.01
Deposited Windom National Bank 13,693.56
Deposited First State Bank, Mountain Lake 10,996.53
Deposited First National Bank, Mountain Lake__ 7,146.31
Deposited State Bank of Jeffers 7,176.08
Deposited State Bank of Storden 5-7°9-59
Deposited First National Bank, Westbrook 5.566.99
Deposited Citizens State Bank, Westbrook 7,194.21
Deposited State Bank, Bingham Lake 3,207.22
Deposited Farmers Bank, Jeffers 4,663.79
Deposited Farmers State Bank, Storden 1,383.20
Time certificates 80,741.30
Total $173,534.38
COUNTY OFFICIALS IN I916.
S. A. Brown, auditor; D. C. Davis, treasurer; S. J. Fering, register
of deeds; P. G. Neufeld, clerk of court; A. W. Annes, judge of probate;
O. G. Peterson, sheriff; O. J. Finstad, county attorney; A. R. Iverson,
superintendent of schools; L C. Churchill, court commissioner; Dr. L. L.
Sogge, coroner; A. S. Gove, surveyor; Ole Osland, H. R. Pietz, J. A. Brown.
N. P. Minion, J. I. Bargen, county commissioner.
COUNTY AND STATE ROADS.
During the last few years the "good roads" problem in Minnesota lias
absorbed the minds of many interested in such internal improvements and
now this state is not behind her sister commonwealths in the building of
good wagon roads within her borders, much money and time having of late
years being judiciously expended for such needful improvements.
In [912 the state made provisions for aiding in the construction of
what it terms "state roads." In this county one such road is already laid
out and partly worked, from Comfrey, on the north line, to Mountain Lake
village, thence to Bingham Lake, on to Windom, from which point it goes
to Jeffers, Storden and Westbrook. Another, known as the Walnut Grove
and Dundee road, is laid partly within this county. Some of this state road
system has already been graveled, and much is being accomplished in the way
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. IOQ
of making suitable, permanent culverts and bringing the road to a good
grade.
The state appropriates from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars annually
for these roads in Cottonwood county, while the county itself aids materially
in the laudable enterprise. Ere long the county will have excellent high-
ways in all of its townships, and be possessed of many miles of state read
besides.
CHAPTER V.
COUNTY AND STATE REPRESENTATION.
PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
r-
u
The first presidential campaign in which Cottonwood county took part
was that of 1872, when U. S. Grant and Horace Greeley were opposing
candidates. The following is the vote in this county for that and every
subsequent election to the present date :
1872 — U. S. Grant (Rep.), 437; Horace Greeley (Liberal-Dem.), 47.
1876 — Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep.), 387; Samuel J. Tilden (Dem.), 76.
1880— James A. Garfield (Rep.), 717; W. S. Hancock (Dem.), 128.
1884— James G. Blaine (Rep.), 599; Grover Cleveland (Dem.), 137;
John P. St. John (Prohib.). 34: B. F. Butler (Greenback), 26.
1888 — Benjamin Harrison (Rep.), 760; Grover Cleveland (Dem.),
273; Fisk (Prohib.), 90.
1892 — Benjamin Harrison (Rep.), 727; Grover Cleveland (Dem.),
201; James B. Weaver (Pop.), 769.
1896 — William McKinley (Rep.), 1,242; W. J. Bryan (Dem.), Sio;
Joshua Levering (Prohib.), 43.
1900 — William McKinley (Rep.), 1,368; W. J. Bryan (Dem.), 547;
J. G. Woolley (Prohib.), 73.
[904 — Theodore Roosevelt (Rep.), 1.541; Alton B. Parker (Dem.),
214.
[908— William H. Taft (Rep.), 1,240; W. J. Bryan (Dem.). 526;
E. W. Chafin (Prohib.), 98.
1912 — William H. Taft (Rep.). 325; Theodore Roosevelt (Prog.),
i,07<j; Woodrow Wilson (Dem.), 511.
STATE SENATORS.
The following have served as state senators from the districts in which
Cottonw 1 county has been situated since the organization of the county:
J. A. Latimer, 1870; C. W. Thompson, 1871 ; (apportionment of 1871)
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. Ill
William D. Rice, 1872; William D. Rice, 1873; E. P. Freeman. 1874; E. P.
Freeman, 1S75 ; l- p- Durfee. 1876; I. P. Durfee. 1877; C. H. Smith. [878;
A. D. Perkins, 1879; A. D. Perkins, 1881; (apportionment of 1881 ) George
Knudson, 1883; George Knudson, 1S85; John Clark, 1887; John Clark,
1889; (apportionment of 1889) Erick Sevatson, 1891 ; Erick Sevatson, 1893;
Frick Sevatson, 1895; Erick Sevatson, 1897; (apportionment of 1S97)
E. J. Meilicke, 1899; E. J. Meilicke, 1901 ; \Y. A. Smith, 1903: W. A. Smith,
1905; H. E. Hanson, 1907; H. E. Hanson, 1909; A. C. Olson, 191 1; A. C.
Olson, 1913; (apportionment of 1913) C. W. Gillam, 1915.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
The members of the Lower Hou.se representing Cottonwood county
have been: (Apportionment of 1871 ) E. Berry, 1S7J; J. W. Seager, 1873;
J. F. Daniels, 1874; Charles F. Crosby, E. Berry, 1875; J. A. Everett, Lee
Hesley. W. H. Mellen, 1876; Dr. H. X. Rice. Lee Hensley, C. H. Smith,
1877; Frank A. Day, L. H. Bishop. Alex. Fi'ddes, 1878; M. F. L. Shanks,
T. Lambert, P. J. Kniss, 1879; J. A. Armstrong, \Y. D. Rice, I'. Kniss,
1881 ; (apportionment of 1881) S. Blackmail. 1883; S. Blackman, 1885; W.
R. Estea, 1887; W. R. Estea, 1889; (apportionment of 1889) Henry F.
Tucker, 1891 ; John Paulson, 1893; E. J. Meilicke, 1895; George M. Laing,
1S97; (apportionment of 1897) D. L. Riley, John E. Johnson, 1899; D. L.
Riley, W. A. Potter, 1901 ; A. M. Schroeder, J. D. Schroeder, 1003; L. O.
Tiegen, A. D. Palmer, 1905; Charles Winzer, R. H. Jefferson, 1907; John
Baldwin, D. A. Stuart, 1909; Henry Gntiedt, Elias Warner, 191 1 ; I), ('raw-
ford, Elias Warner, 191 3; (apportionment of 1913) George W. Grant and
Lars Tiegen, 191 5.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
The fir>t county auditor of Cottonwood county was Charles Chamber-
lain, who served until 1879; then followed S. M. Espey, 1879 to [889;
George F. Robison, 1889 to 1891 ; John \. Brown, (891 to [893; Herman
Tiechroew, 1893 to [899; Matt Miller, [899 to \,,,,\ : John A. Brown, [901
to 1911; E. H. Klock, 1 n 1 1 to 1915; S. A. Brown. 1015 and still serving
COUNTY TREASURERS.
The first county treasurer was L. L. Miner, succeeded by Eli V Sted-
man, who served until [879; C. H. Smith, 1879 to [881 ; J. X. McGregor,
112 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
1881 to 18S7; H. A. Cone, 1887 to 1895; Matthias Miller, 1895 to 1897;
James S. Kibbey, 1897 to 1905; Matthias Mill'er, 1905 to 191 1; D. C. Davis.
191 1 to present date.
SHERIFFS.
The first sheriff of the county was Hosea Eastgate, followed by Charles
White, who served until the election of S. B. Stedman, who served from
1S79 to 1883: W. W. Barlow, 1883 to 1891 ; Frank White. 1891 to 1893;
W. W. Barlow, 1893 to 1895; John H. Ness, 1895 to 1903; Ed. J. Severson,
1903 to 1911; D. A. Lahart, 1911 to 1913; O. G. Peterson, 1913 and still
in office.
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
The first register of deeds for this county was Ezra Winslow, followed
by H. A. Cone in 1879; F. Riis, 1879 to 1883; C. H. Anderson, 1883 to
1889; Henry E. Hanson, 1889 to 1907; S. J. Fering, 1907 to present date.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Tabor Imus was the first judge of probate, succeeded by Emory Clark
and A. D. Perkins; J. G. Redding. 1879 to 1883; G. M. Laing, 1883 to 1897;
Thomas S. Brown, 1897 to 1913: A. W. Annes, 1913 to present date.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1870 — S. B. Stedman, L. L. Miner, Hogan Anderson.
1871 — S. B. Stedman, R. P. Mathews, Hogan Anderson.
1872 — S. B. Stedman, Hogan Anderson, George F. Robison.
1873 — George A. Purdy, George F. Robison, Hogan Anderson.
1874 — George A. Purdy, F. Riis, George F. Robison.
1875 — George A. Purdy, F. Riis, A. A. Soulc.
1876— David Goss, F. Riis, A. A. Soule.
1877 — David Goss, W. L. Taylor, H. Anderson.
1878 — David Goss, D. C. Davis, Hogan Anderson.
1879 — David H. Anderson, H. M. McGaugbey, D. C. Davis.
1880— H. M. McGaugbey, T. Ellingson, D. C. Davis.
[881- II. M. McGaughey, T. Ellingson, H. M. Goss.
!882— John Clark, H. M. Goss, C. Mead. M. T. DeWolf.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. II3
1883— John Clark, H. M. F. Gk>ss, T. Ellingson, C. Mead, M. T.
DeWolf.
1884— M. T. DeWolf, C. Mead, T. Ellington, Charles Chadderdon.
1885 — Charles Chadderdon, T. Ellingson, A. Wigton, J. S. Naramore.
1886 — J. S. Naramore, Charles Chadderdon, C. Mead, A. Wigton.
1887— Charles Chadderdon. C. Mead. A. Wigton, M. T. DeWolf. Chris.
Brand.
! 888— Charles Chadderdon, A. Wigton, C. Mead, C. Brand, M. T.
DeWolf.
1889— M. T. DeWolf, Charles Chadderdon, C. Mead, A. Wigton, C.
Brand.
1890 — Ole Christophson, C. Mead, R. Jenness, J. F. Grant, H. Dickman.
1891 — D. C. Davis, Lars Swenson, C. Mead, R. Jenness, H. Dickman.
1892 — D. C. Davis, Lars Swenson, E. D. Mooers, Lars Swenson, C.
Mead.
1893 — D. C. Davis, H. M. Goss, E. D. Mooers, Lars Swenson. C.
Mead.
1894 — E. D. Mooers, H. M. Goss, Lars Swenson, W. D. Seely, D. P.
Langley.
1895 — E. D. Mooers, H. M. Goss, Lars Swenson, W. D. Seely, D. P.
Langley.
1897 — Lars Swenson. W. D. Seely, D. C. Davis, D. P. Langley and
H. M. Goss.
1899— Lars Swenson, W. D. Seely. D. C. Davis, D. P. Langley, D.
Ewert.
1 90 1 — Lars Swenson, W. D. Seely, D. C. Davis, D. P. Langley, David
Ewert.
1903 — W. D. Seely, D. C. Davis. Peter Wiens, David Ewert.
IQ05 — E. E. Heggerston, W. D. Seely, J. F. French, Peter Wiens.
David Ewert.
1907 — E. E. Heggerston. B. Johnson, J. F. French, N. P. Minion.
1909 — Ole Osland, Bernt Johnson, J. F French, N. P. Minion and
Jacob I. Bargen.
191 1 — Ole Osland. H. R. Pietz, J. F. French. X. P. Minion and Jacob
Larson.
1913— Ole Osland, H. R. Pietz, J. \. Brown, N. P. Minion and T. I.
Bergen.
(8)
CHAPTER VI.
TOWNSHIPS OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
Cottonwood county is sub-divided into eighteen civil township, each
having a local government of its own, but all working in harmony with the
general county government plan.
Germantown comprises congressional township 108, range 36, west.
Highwater comprises congressional township 108, range 37, west.
Ann comprises congressional township 108, range t,8, west.
Selma comprises congressional township 107, range 34, west.
Delton comprises congressional township 107, range 35, west.
Amboy comprises congressional township 107, range 36, west.
Storden comprises congressional township 107, range 37, west.
Westbrook comprises congressional township 107, range 38, west.
Midway comprises congressional township 106, range 34, west.
Carson comprises congressional township 106, range 35, west.
Dale comprises congressional township 106, range 36, west.
Amo comprises congressional township 106, range t,j, west.
Rose Hill comprises congressional township 106, range 38, west.
Mountain Lake comprises congressional township 105, range 34, west.
Lakeside comprises congressional township 105, range 35, west.
Great Bend comprises congressional township 105, range 36, west.
Springfield comprises congressional township 105, range t,"/, west.
Southbrook comprises congressional township 105, range 38, west.
GERMANTOWN TOWNSHIP.
This is the eastern township of the three northern townships of the
county, being described as township 108, range 36, west. It is bounded on
the north by Redwood county, on the east by Brown county, on the south
by Amboy township, Cottonwood county, and on the west by Highwater
township. Its surface is somewhat cut up by numerous prairie creeks or
runs, which afford splendid drainage, and at the same time make the gen-
eral scenery one of rare beauty. The soil in common with other parts of
this county is not lacking in the features and elements which yield abundant
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1 15
harvests. The chapter on Geology treats in detail of the soil, surface and
minerals of this township.
The population at various periods is as follows: In 1895 it had 488;
in 1900 it had 51 J and in 1910 it was placed at 522 by the United States
census returns.
ORGANIZATION.
Germantown was organized into a separate civil township in January,
1874, by a petition presented by a majority of the voters in township 108,
range 36. The first township meeting and election for officers was fixed
at the house of August Brand on January 24. 1874.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
To have been an early settler in Germantown township was to Ik.- counted
among the heroic band of men and women who braved many hardships and
saw the real "rough side of life," in Cottonwood county. Many of the
pioneers have passed from earth. In many cases the lands they entered
under either pre-emption or homestead act, have long since passed into the
hands of strangers. Those who came later knew not of the privations and
sacrifices made by the original settlers.
The following will give a brief record transcript of many who claimed
land and actually settled in this township:
Wesley D. Sprague homesteaded, June 3, 1878, at the Xew I'lm land
office the northwest quarter of section 2. U. S. Grant, President, signed his
patent papers.
Gottleib Scheef, claimed a homestead, May 7, 1879. the southeast quar-
ter of section 30, and his patent wa- signed by President R. B. I laves.
Caroline Retz claimed as her homestead right, land in the wesl half of
the northwest quarter of section 6, this township. It was entered at the
land office at Xew Ulm and the patent is dated March 13, 187a and i- signed
by President Hayes.
Henry finding homesteaded land in the northwest quarter of section 30.
The patent bears date of February 6, 1881, and i- signed by President I lave-,.
The entry was effected at the land office at Xew Ulm.
August Block claimed land as a homestead right in the wesl half oi the
southwest quarter of section 8; the patent is dated February i<». [881, and
is signed by President Hayes. The entry was made at the land office at
Xew Ulm.
Il6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
John F. Borsach homesteaded land in the south half of the southwest
quarter of section 6. It was entered at the land office at New Ulm, and the
patent is signed by President Hayes and bears date of December 30, 1879.
Henry Moll homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of section 24. His
patent is dated September 10, 1880, and was signed by President Hayes, but
the entry was made at the land office at New Ulm.
Ferdinand Heller homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of section
34. The date of his patent is February 10, 1881; and is signed by President
Hayes ; the land was secured at the New Ulm land office.
Herman Luck homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 34 at the
land office at New Ulm, his patent being issued by President Hayes and bears
the date of June 15, 1880.
Christine Werner homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter of
section 4, at the land office at New Ulm; her patent was issued and signed
by President Hayes, February 10, 1881.
George Werner homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter of
section 6; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented to him
by President Hayes, December 30, 1879.
Daniel Werner homesteaded the east half of the northwest quarter of
section 6; the same being entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented
by President Hayes, December 30, 1879.
Frederick Juhnke, at the New Ulm land office entered as a homestead
the south half of the southeast quarter of section 8, the same was patented
by President Hayes, February 10, 1881.
Herman Ohme homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter of
section 8, the same being entered at the land office at New Ulm ,and patented
by President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
Charles Tesmer at the land office at New Ulm entered as a homestead
the southwest quarter of section 4; it was patented by President Hayes,
February 10, 1881.
John Surratt homesteaded the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter
of section 32, at the land office at Worthington and the same was patented to
him by President Chester A. Arthur, July 10. 1885.
Daniel Raddatz at the Tracy land office entered as his homestead the
southeast quarter of section 22; it was patented by President Chester A.
Arthur, November 1, 1881.
William R. Divine homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 12 at
the land office at New Ulm and had the same patented to him by President
James A. Garfield, June jo, 1881.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 117
Frederick Schroter claimed a homestead in the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 20, the same being entered at the land office at Tracy and patented by
President Chester A. Arthur, February 10, 1883.
Christian Xerget entered the southeast quarter of section 20, at the
land office at New Ulm, and later obtained his patent from President Hayes,
who signed same on February 10, 1881.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Isaac Davis, at the Xew Ulm land office entered the east half of the
southwest quarter of section 10. The patent was signed by President U. S.
Crant, May 12, 1874.
George Werner entered the southeast quarter of section 32, at the Tracy
land office, and his papers were signed by President Chester A. Arthur, May
15, 1884.
Valentine Bott entered the east half of the northwest quarter of section
10, at the Tracy land office and his final papers were signed by President
Grover Cleveland. July 27, 1885.
Henry Essig entered the northwest quarter of section 24, at the Marshall
land office and his papers were signed by President Harrison. November 15,
1892.
AMBOY TOWNSHIP.
Amboy township is one of the central townships in the county, being
composed of congressional township 107, range 36, west. It is made up
of thirty-six full sections, and is bounded on its north by Germantown, on
the east by Delton, on the south by Dale and on the west by Storden town-
ship. Its surface, lakes and streams have already been covered in the chap-
ter on Geology, hence need not be referred to here. Of its schools and
churches special chapters will treat, in general. To one who has recently
visited this part of Cottonwood county, il v 1 without saying, that this has
come to be a veritable garden spot, where com and cream are king and
queen. The branch line of the Chicago, St. Paul, .Minneapolis & Omaha
railroad traverses the southern portion of the township, with a station at the
sprightly village of Jeffers.
The population of Amboy township in [895 was 443; in 1900 it was
placed at 489 and according to the 1910 United States census it had decreased
Il8 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
to 437. The inhabitants are a sturdy, painstaking class of good citizens,
many of whom are foreigners who came to our shores many years ago
without much means, save strong bodies and determined wills, and with
these they have forged to the front and today are among the most inde-
pendent, prosperous and contented people within southern Minnesota.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was formed by act of the county commissioners at their
meeting held on October 10, 1872, when township 107, range 36 west, was
declared to be organized and the first election called to meet at the house of
C. M. Bywater, and the judges of such election were, John H. Nelson, Peter
A. Wheeler, Milo T. DeWolf, and Charles M. Bywater was named clerk.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The records show the following to have been the early homesteaders
and also holders of pre-emption claims :
Moses DeWolf claimed as a homestead the southwest half of section
34, at the New Ulm land office, April 8, 1878, and the papers were signed
by President U. S. Grant, the land being in what is now Amboy township.
Emery Cook, at the New Ulm land office, entered a homestead in the
southwest quarter of section 36, May 29, 1878, the patent being signed by
President R. B. Hayes.
Henry C. McLean claimed land in the southeast of section 2, at the
New Ulm land office, and his patent was signed by President U. S. Grant,
February 27, 1879.
David W. Potter homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of section
10; his patent is dated February 20, 1881, and was signed by President
Chester A. Arthur. It was entered at the New Ulm land office.
George W. Tones homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of section
32, and his patent is dated March 13, 1879, and is signed by President
Hayes; this homestead was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
John A. Kelley homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 26; his
patent for same bears date June 24, 1878. and is signed by President Have-.
The land was secured through the land office at New Ulm.
Peter A. Wheeler homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 14, at
the land office at New Ulm, and had the same patented by President U. S.
Grant, December 20, 1875.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. II9
Adolph M. Scott homesteaded the northeast quarter of section iS, at
the land office at Tracy, and had the same patented to him by President
Grover Cleveland. January 9, 1886.
John Wright homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 26, at the
New Ulm land office and the same was patented by President U. S. Grant
June 20, 1874.
Wilber Potter homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 10, at the
land office at Tracy, and had the same patented to him by President Chester
A. Arthur. February 10. 1883.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Agnes E. Safley entered land in the north half of the southeast quarter
of section 12, and the patent was signed by President Benjamin Harrison,
March 1, 1892; the land office was at Marshall.
John Knowles, at the Tracy land office, entered the northeast quarter
of section 20, and signed by President Grover Cleveland, June 5, 1888.
Esther Dickerson, at the Marshall land office, entered the north half
of the northeast quarter of section 2, and the final papers were signed by
President Benjamin Harrison, April 24, 1891.
VILLAGE OF JEFFERS.
Jeffers is situated in section 20, township 107, range 36, west, and was
platted by the Inter-State Land Company, September 19, 1899. In so far
as the earlv history of Jeffers is concerned, there is not a great deal to be
said. The site that is now occupied by the village was homesteaded by
George Jeffers and Wesley Stoddard over forty years ago. When the
Currie branch of the Omaha railroad was surveyed through the county,
Mr. Whited. representing a townsite company, saw great possibilities in
locating a village at this place. So the beautiful farms or parts of, belong-
ing to the men mentioned above, were transformed into town lots and sold
at auction. The village sprung up like a mushroom over night ami soon
there were mechanics and tradesmen of all kinds on the ground.
Among the first on the ground to put up houses and open up for busi-
ness were Mr. Loomis and A. A. Faust: Mr. Faust's building was where tbe
co-operative store now stands. J. J. Duroe put up a building and started a
bank in the lumber yard. In the spring of 1900 Cowan & Castledine built
a business house on the site of the restaurant and Louie Dustin starts I a
120 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES. MINN.
drug store the same spring. L. P. Dolliff and Company installed their
lumber yard in the spring of 1899, as did the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Com-
pany. The Peary elevator was also put up in 1899. The early professional
men were Dr. W. N. Theissen and Attorney E. M. Duroe.
Jeffers has experienced two fires, each of which was rather serious.
The more destructive one occurred in May, 191 1, destroying four large
buildings and causing an unusually heavy loss. The first fire happened in
August, 1902, starting in the hotel which was consumed as were the build-
ings owned by A. A. Faust and Nels Anderson. The total loss was about
twenty-one thousand dollars.
The first postoffice in Amboy township was known as the Red Rock
postoffice and was located on the farm of D. M. Fairbairn, who was also
the postmaster. After Jeffers became a village the Red Rock office was dis-
continued and the postoffice took on the name of the village. The first post-
master appointed to the Jeffers office was A. A. Faust. He died before his
term expired and J. O. Ouerna was chosen to fill out the unexpired term.
Miss Ida Faust, the daughter of A. A. Faust, received the next appoint-
ment and as Mrs. Ida Mertens succeeded herself. The present postmaster
is Mr. J. H. Tofflemire. Through attention to business and with the help
of appreciative patrons, he has brought the receipts of the office up to the
point where it will soon graduate to the third class. The postal receipts
for the last fiscal year amounted to two thousand one hundred and eleven
dollars and seventy-four cents, exclusive of money orders. The money
orders for June, iqi6, amounted to one thousand and six dollars and ninety-
six cents. A rural route, with Bert A. Crist, was established on October
15, 1904; he is still serving in that capacity.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Jeffers became an incorporated village on September 28, 1899. The
first election placed in office the following men. President, L. P. Dustin;
recorder, Lewis E. Streater; trustees, C. G. Fredricson, V W. Binger, A.
A. Faust. The present officers include the following: President, William
A. Potter; trustees, E. F. Schmotzer, II. C. Schoper and J. M. Jackson;
treasurer, C. O. Castledine; clerk, Charles Grabert; justice, E. D. Helder.
The following is a list of all the presidents who have served to date: L. G.
Dustin, A. A. Faust (pro tern), H. H. Potter, L. A. Duroe. W. Gleason,
S. M. Pratt, M. C. Void, E. J. Viall, A. W. Mertens and W. A. Potter.
At present the village is lighted with gas lanterns, but there is a move-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 121
ment on foot to install an electric system. The village is also badly in need
of water-works, as now they have no ample means of fire protection except
chemical engines. With these things added, the village would be as modern
as any in the county. The village has about three miles of cement walks
and building more all the time. The present indebtedness is about one thou-
sand five hundred dollars.
Jeffers. the hub of Cottonwood county, is a beautiful, hustling little
town of six hundred population, located on the Currie branch of the Omaha
railroad, one hundred and fifty miles from the Twin Cities and sixteen miles
from Windom, the county seat. It is one of the busiest trading centers in
the state, according to size. It is located in the heart of die beautiful, roll-
ing plains of southern Minnesota. Its business people are up-to-date, pro-
gressive, courteous and accommodating. The farmers of the community are
up to the times in their farming methods, and rank high in the citizenship
of the community. Five years ago. good land could be procured in this
community at sixty dollars per acre, while most land is now worth around
one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. Jeffers has a modern system
of schools, fine churches and strong secret societies, all of which will be
treated in their respective chapters.
CREAMERY.
Jeffers is supplied with a prosperous and enterprising creamery under
the management of H. E. Nimtz. It is regarded as the most important
enterprise of the town and it is doubted if any one business concern turns
over as much money to the farmers as the creamery. The creamery has
about one hundred and forty patrons, with an average monthly output of
three thousand pounds of butter-fat per month. They supply the local mar-
ket with butter and ship the remainder to the markets in Chicago and New
York.
COMMERCIAL FACTORS IX lQl6.
In 1916 the business interests of Jeffers were represented by the fol-
lowing :
Auto garage — Iverson & Harrison.
Banks — State Bank, Farmers State Bank.
Barber — Charles Grabert.
Blacksmiths— Krame M. Michiel, George J. Koess.
Creamery — H. E. Nimtz.
122 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Confectionery — L. J. Bastian.
Druggist — F. J. Armantrout.
Elevator — Benson Grain Company, Farmers Co-operative Elevator
Company.
General dealers — Jeffers Co-operative Company, Thorne & Dustin,
Malachi Void.
Harness dealer — John AT. Jackson.
Hotel — The Jeffers, The Leader.
Hardware dealer — L. A. Duroe.
Ice dealer — Charles Burmeister & Son.
Jeweler — F. J. Armantrout.
Livery — David E. Noble.
Lumber dealer — L. P. Dolliff and Company, Haynes-Lucas Lumber
Company.
Milliner — Olga B. Grenwatz.
Meat market — H. C. Schoper.
Moving picture show — M. B. Fish.
Newspaper — The Review, E. F. Schmotzer, proprietor.
Physician — George P. Panzer.
Produce dealer — City Produce Market.
Restaurant — W. A. Sargent, L. J. Bastian.
Real estate dealer — The Jeffers Land Company. W. H. Dhabolt.
Shoemaker — Edward D. Helder.
Undertaker — Peter Anne.
AMO TOWNSHIP.
Amo township comprises all of congressional township 106, range t>7<
west. It is situated south of Storden township, west of Dale, north of
Springfield and east of Ruse IT ill township. Its thirty-six sections contain
some of fehe finest land in southern Minnesota. It is settled by an indus-
trious class of citizens, mostly of foreign birth, who have made a prairie
wilderness blossom like the rose. The principal lake within the township is
Lake Augusta. With the passing of years much of the former swampy
land has been transformed into beautiful pastures. The schools and churches
of the township arc mentioned at length in other chapters of this volume.
The population in [895 was 296; in 1900 it was 385, and according
to the census taken by the United States in 1910, the township contained a
population of 395.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I23
There are no towns or villages within this township and it is purely an
agricultural and dairy section, where the people vie one with another in
making substantial improvements and beautifying their places. Many of
the old homesteads of the county were located in Amo and have long years
since come to be valuable farms. The hundreds of artificial groves seen
here and there over this township, lend a charm once seen never to be for-
gotten. It was the wisdom and foresight of the pioneer band of settlers,
which caused to be planted out the cottonwood, the elm, the ash, the willow
and the maple trees, which today weave in the winds with their branches
extending far and wide, as so many living, growing monuments to those
hardy pioneers who set them out. These groves have for years provided
fire-wood for the farmer and made an excellent wind-break in winter time,
as well as a cooling retreat in the hot summer months.
ORGANIZATION.
Amo was formed as a civil township of Cottonwood county in February,
1873, at a special meeting of the board of county commissioners. It was
effected through a petition signed by the legal voters of township 108, ranges
37 and 38, asking that they be set off as a separate civil township, to be
known as Amo, the territory formerly being included in Westbrook town-
ship. The first election was held March 4, 1873, at the school house in
district No. 4. in township 108, range 37, west.
The record shows that it was first named "Georgetown,"' but soon
changed. It is believed that W. H. Benbow named it "Amo," which in
Latin means "I love."
FIRST SETTLERS AND LAND ENTRIES.
The books of the register of deeds at the court house at Windom, show
the following facts concerning the original land entries, homesteads and pre-
emptions, in Amo township:
Jemima Benbow obtained a homestead in the west half of the north-
west quarter of section 34; it was filed at the land office at Tracy and finally
patented by President Chester A. Arthur, February to, 1883.
John Wilford, an early pioneer in Minnesota, had patented to him a
homestead in the west half of the southwest quarter of section 26, from the
Worthington land office and it bore the signature of President U. S. Grant.
124 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
William G. Shafer homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 26, at
the Jackson land office, the papers heing signed by President Grant.
Gilman S. Redding patented at the Worthington land office, February
22, 1879, the east half of the northeast quarter of section 25, the same bears
the name of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Presbury W. Moore homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 34,
May 11, 1879, under the signature of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Tames A. Moore claimed the northwest quarter of section 26, at the
Worthington land office. April 15, 1879, signed by President U. S. Grant.
Elias N. Peterson homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 12, on
December 18, 1879, at the Worthington land office, the same being signed
by President Grant.
David Pratt claimed, as a homestead, the north half of the southeast
quarter of section 8, township 106, range 37, west. The date was October
14, 1879, and the patent was signed by President Hayes.
Hiram S. Ellis homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of
section 10, and the same was patented to him by President Chester A.
Arthur; the entry was effected at the land office at New TJlm, and the date
of patent was June 20, 1882.
Francis T. Seely homesteaded the south half of the northeast quarter
of section 32; it was filed at the land office at Tracy and patented March 1,
1883, with the signature of President Chester A. Arthur attached.
Alonzo K. Peck claimed as his homestead the west half of the north-
west quarter of section 24 and the west half of the southwest quarter of the
same section. The patent was signed by President U. S. Grant September
5. i874-
Philip Zorn homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 18; it was
filed at the land office in Tracy and was patented to him by President Chester
A. Arthur. March 10, 1883.
Martin Bales homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 26; it was
originally filed at the land office at Tracy and patented to him by President
Chester A. Arthur March 10, 1883.
William W. Barlow homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 26;
his filing was made at the land office at New Ulm, while his patent was
issued by President Chester A. Arthur, April 10. 1882.
Leslie Anderson claimed as his homestead right the northeast quarter
of section 20. His filing was made at the land office at New Ulm, and his
patent was signed by President Hayes, March 13, 1879.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 125
Warren Hunt homesteaded the west half of the southwest quarter and
north half of the southwest quarter of section 32; it was filed at the laud
office located at Xew Ulm and was patented to him by President Chester A.
Arthur. February 13, 1882.
Orrin Silliman homesteaded the east half of the southwest quarter of
section 14: also the north half of the southwest quarter of same section; he
made his filing at the land office at Tracy and received his patent from
President Chester A. Arthur, March 3, 1884.
William H. Bigalow homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 30,
making his filing at the land office at New Ulm, receiving his final patent
from President Chester A. Arthur. January 2, 1882.
Lewis L. Bigalow homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 30; his
filing was made at the land office at Tracy and his patent was obtained from
President Chester A. Arthur, February 10, 1883.
Daniel C. Ashley homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 14, mak-
ing his filing on same at the land office at New Ulm and receiving his patent
from the hands of President Chester A. Arthur, June 20, 1882.
Ransom Bigalow claimed as his homestead right the southeast quarter
of section 30, and received his patent from President Chester A. Arthur,
March 10, 1883. The entry was made at the land office at Tracy.
Orrin Polk Moore, at the Tracy land office entered a homestead situated
in the east half of the southwest quarter and the south half of the north-
west quarter of section 28, and had the same patented to him by President
Chester A. Arthur, May 24, 1884.
David Pratt at the land office located at Tracy entered the south half
of the southwest quarter of section 8, and had the same finally patented to
him by President James A. Garfield, June 20, 1881.
John C. Sprague, at the New Ulm land office, entered as his homestead
the southwest of the northwest quarter of section 6, and the same was pat-
ented to him by President Hayes, February 20, 1880.
John F. Tabbert homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter
of section 6, the same was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur,
January 15, 1885.
Ebenezer Rice homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 8, at the
land office located at Tracy and had the same patented to him by President
Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Elbert D. Cole homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 4, at the
land office then located at Tracy, and the same was later patented to him by
President Chester A. Arthur, October 1, 1883.
126 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Feder C. Jensen homesteacled at Tracy, the south half of the northeast
quarter of section 28, the same being patented to him by President Grover
C. Cleveland, May 20, 1885.
O. Scott Mead, at the land office at Tracy, entered the northwest quarter
of section 34, and had it patented by President Chester A. Arthur, March
10, 1883.
George Chapman at the New Ulm land office entered as a homestead
the east half of the northeast quarter of section 26, and had it patented June
20. 1882, by President Chester A. Arthur.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Orrin P. Moore at the New Ulm land office, entered a tract of land
described as the west half of the southeast quarter of section 28; the final
papers were issued to him by President Hayes, who signed the same, Janu-
ary 10, 1879.
John W. Rice pre-empted land in this township in the northwest quarter
of section 4; the final papers were signed by President Benjamin Harrison,
January 5, 1892.
James E. Reynolds entered land in the New Ulm land office, described
as the south half of the southeast quarter and the south half of the south-
west quarter of section 22, the same being finally patented to him by Presi-
dent Hayes who signed the instrument, January 10, 1879.
John Robertson, at the land office at Marshall, entered the southeast
quarter of section 8, the final papers were signed by President Roosevelt
December 12, 1901.
ANN TOWNSHIP.
Ann civil township is the extreme northwestern township in Cotton-
wood county; it is six miles square, comprising congressional township 108,
range 38 west. It is bounded on the north by Redwood county, on the east
by Highwater township, this county, on the south by Westbrook township
and on the west by Murray county.
It was originally a pure prairie country, hut through the foresight and
unrelenting toil of the settlers who first made settlemenl here, groves of elm,
maple, Cottonwood and other varieties of forest and shade trees were early
planted out, and now they wave in all their growing beauty, affording a
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES., MINN. 127
beautiful cooling shade in mid-summer and in winter are appreciated by
both man and beast for the wind-break they afford. These groves, here
and there over the township, give it a look resembling a forest land, when in
fact not a native tree was found growing by the first corners, but all have
been planted as seed, seedlings or cuttings shipped in from abroad. Many
of these trees now measure sixteen inches in diameter and tower up thirty
and forty feet.
This township, as well as most all of the northern tier of townships,
is settled largely by foreigners, who have made a fine agricultural section
out of what in the seventies was but a prairie wilderness. The various
census enumerations for this township show the following: In 1895 ^ had
a population of 402; in iqoo there was 500 and according to the United
States census returns in 1910, there was a population of 433.
ORGANIZATION.
Ann township was organized by the board of county commissioners at
one of their regular meetings during the year 1876, as it does not appear
of record in January, 1876, but does appear in the list of townships January
1, 1877.
EARLY LAND ENTRIES.
The records of the countv show the following to have made homestead
or other land entries, at some one of the various land offices in this state,
and these men and women constituted the first settlers of Ann township :
Engbert E. Heggerston, at the Xew Uhn land office, entered as his
homestead claim the northeast quarter of section 18; he received his patent
from President James A. Garfield. June 20, 1881.
Peder Pederson claimed as a homestead right the east half of the north-
east quarter of section 8; it was filed at the land office at Tracy and was
finally patented by President Chester A. Arthur, August 1, 188^.
Nels Knudson Dalen homesteaded the east half of the southwest quarter
of section 14; it was filed at the land office at New Ulm and patented by
President Hayes, September 10, 1880.
Rasmus Hanson homesteaded the north half of the southeast quartef
of section 22 of this township; the filing was at the land office at Tracy, and
the patent was secured from President Chester A. Arthur, October 5. 1881.
John J. Alfson homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of
128 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
section 14; he filed at the land office at Tracy and secured his patent from
President James A. Garfield, June 20, 1881.
Kesta K. Helgerson, at the New Ulm land office filed on the west half
of the southwest quarter of section 14, and as a homestead it was patented
to him by President Hayes, September 10, 1880.
John J. Alfson homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter of
section 14, the same being filed at the land office at Tracy and his final papers
were signed by President Chester A. Arthur, October 1, 1883.
Johannes Petersen homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 8; it
was filed at the land office at New Ulm and patented by President Hayes,
February 6, 1881.
Ole O. Knudson homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 24, the
entry being made at the land office at Tracy and the patent was issued by
President Chester A. Arthur, July 5, 1885.
Ole Larson claimed a homestead from the land office at New Ulm, the
same being the west half of the northwest quarter of section 6; it was pat-
ented to him by President James A. Garfield, May 3, 1881.
Ole John Anderson homesteaded the east half of the northeast quarter
of section 12; it was filed on at the land office at New Ulm and patented by
President Chester A. Arthur. June 20, 1882.
Hans Ola Olsen, at the New Ulm land office, entered as a homestead
the southwest quarter of section 6, and had it patented to him by President
Hayes, February 10. 1881.
John T. Holly claimed, as a homestead right, the northeast quarter of
section 20, September 18, 1879, the patent issued by President Hayes, and
the entry effected at the land office at New Ulm.
Mervin Waight homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 4, at the
New Ulm office. December 7, 1878, the patent 1 icing signed by President
I laves.
Kittle Sanderson homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 14. the
date of his •patent being January 5, 1875. and is signed by President U. S.
Grant, the entry being made at the land office at New Ulm.
Thomas Halvorson homesteaded the west half of the southwest quarter
of section 12. the date of the patent being January 20, 1881, and was signed
by President I laves, the papers coming through the land office at New Ulm.
Rasmus Hanson homesteaded at the Tracy land office, the south half
of the southeast quarter of section 2, the patent being signed May 3, 1881,
by Presidenl James A. Garfield.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 120.
John M. Hanson homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 26, at
the New Ulm land office, the patent being signed by President Chester A.
Arthur, March 15. 1882.
Hogan Anderson homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter
of section 24. the patent being signed by President Hayes, March 20, 1878.
Andrew O. Anderson homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 24;
it was filed at the land office at New Ulm and patented by President Hayes,
February 10, 1881.
Hans A. Nelson homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 26; his
filing was made through the land office at New Ulm and he received his
patent from President Chester A. Arthur, signed on November 1, 1881.
Thomas Hansen claimed, as his homestead right, the south half of the
southeast quarter of section 2 ; his filing was made at the land office located
then at New Ulm. His patent was received from President Hayes, January
20. 1881.
Thomas Pool homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 24; it was
filed at the land office at New Ulm and patented by President Chester A.
Arthur. June 25, 1882.
Apollos S. Yale homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 30; it
was entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented by President Chester
A. Arthur, June 20, 1882.
Gilbert Oleson homesteaded the north half of the southwest quarter of
section 10, at the land office at Tracy and had the same patented to him by
President Chester A. Arthur, August 1, 1883.
T. B. Steen homesteaded the east half of the northeast quarter of sec-
tion 6, at the land office at New Ulm, and the same was patented to him by
President Hayes, December 30, 1879.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Gilbert A. Olson, at the New Ulm land office, had issued to him a pre-
emption claim for the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section
10, President U. S. Grant issuing the papers on May 20, 1874.
Ole John Anderson, at the land office at New Ulm, pre-empted the west
half of the northeast quarter of section 28, the same being certified by
President Hayes, June 24, 1878.
Ole Olson, at the Tracy land office, entered the south half of the south-
west quarter of section 18, this township, and his papers were signed by I 'resi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, April 20, 1883.
(9)
I30 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Ingebret I. Toker, at the land office at New Ulm, pre-empted land in
the west half of the northeast quarter of section 28, and the papers were
signed by President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
Iver Xielson Moen, at the land office at Xew Ulm, pre-empted land in
the west half of the southwest quarter of section 28, the papers being certi-
fied by President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
CARSON TOWNSHIP.
Carson is one of the southeastern townships in Cottonwood county, and
comprises all of congressional township 106, range 35, west, hence is six
miles square. The chapter on geology in this volume treats of the soil, lakes
and streams of this township. There were originally numerous ponds and
prairie lakes, but for the most part these have been drained and their former
beds are cultivated or used as pasture lands, the soil being very rich and
deep — almost inexhaustible. Delft is a small hamlet in this township, a sta-
tion point on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad, which
runs through the southwestern part of the township, en route from Jeffers
to Bingham lake.
The population of Carson township in 1895 was 655; in 1900 it was
623 and the United States census in 1910 gave it as having 672.
With the passing of years the land within this part of the county has
materially improved, and since tiling and ditching have been so successfully
carried out, the territory is almost all reclaimed from its former wet state to
one of cultivation. The hundreds of prosperous homes observed on every
hand are but an index as to what intelligent management and hard toil will
do for a country. Lands have risen in value, until today there are few parts
of Cottonwood county more sought after by home-seekers than Carson town-
ship.
ORGANIZATION.
This civil township was organized by the board of county commission-
ers at their meeting in July, 1S71, when township 106, range 35, west was
declared to be the civil township of Carson.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The records show the following persons to have entered lands, either
under the homestead or pre-emption acts in this township:
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I}I
William B. Walker claimed a homestead under the act of 1862, for the
northwest quarter of section 2, the land was entered at the New Ulm laud
office, and the date was January 18, 1875; signed by President U. S. Grant.
Joseph McMurtrey claimed land at the New Ulm land office, in the south
half of the northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of
section 30. The patent was signed on January 18, 1879, by President Hayes.
Michael O. Keefe homesteaded land in the northeast quarter of section
2; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and was patented by Presi-
dent Hayes; signed on February 10, 1881.
William G. Furman homesteaded land in the northwest quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 34 also in the southwest quarter of the north-
west quarter of the same section. It was patented by President Hayes on
March 13, 1S79; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
Frederick Carpenter homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 8;
it was patented by President Hayes on February 10, 1881 ; it was entered
at the land office at New Ulm.
Nathaniel P. Hoag homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of section
12, and the patent was signed by President Hayes, December 30, 1879; the
entry was effected at the land office at New Ulm.
Marshal Chase claimed a homestead in the east half of the northeast
quarter and in the west half of the northeast quarter of section 10. It was
patented by President Hayes and by him signed on January 20, 188 1. It
was entered in the land office located at New Ulm.
Charles A. Gardner homesteaded land in the west half of the south-
west quarter of section 1,2; it was patented by President Chester A. Arthur
on June 12, 1882. It was secured at the land office located at New Ulm.
Daniel Griffin homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 12, at the
land office at New Ulm; his patent was obtained at the hands of President
Hayes and signed by him on February 10, 1882.
Klaas Dick homesteaded the east half of the southwest quarter and the
northwest of the southwest of section 22. at the land office at Tracy, and
received his patent from President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, [883.
Edwin Maxon at the New Ulm land office entered the south half of the
southwest quarter of section 28 and received his patent on same from Presi-
dent Hayes, April 9, 1878.
Aaron Schofield homesteaded the north half of the southwesl quarter ol
section 28; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and was patented
by President Chester A. Arthur, June 20, 1882.
George S. Maxon homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 28 at
I32 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the Tracy land office and had the same patented to him by President Chester
A. Arthur, February 20, 1882.
Peter Wien homesteaded the east half of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 28, at the land office at Tracy, and had the same patented to him by
President Chester A. Arthur, February 10, 1883.
Cornelius Hubert claimed the homestead situated in the west half of
the northeast quarter of section 26, at the land office and had his patent finally
issued to him for the same.
Jacob S. Neal homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 2, at the
land office at Tracy, and had his patent granted him by President Chester A.
Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Henerich Quiring, at the Tracy land office entered a homestead in the
east half of the northwest quarter of section 10; it was patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, January 15, 1885.
Frank C. Mason homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 24, at
the land office at New Ulm, and his patent was issued by President U. S.'
Grant, October 1, 1875.
William H. Leighton homesteaded the south half of the southwest quarter
of section 34, at the land office at Tracy, and his patent was granted by
President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
George H. Smyth, at ihe New Ulm land office entered the southeast
quarter of section 32, and his patent was granted by President Hayes, March
20, 1878.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Elizabeth Smith entered at the New Ulm land office, lot No. 3 in section
26, and received her patent from President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Arthur Minnion selected south half of the northeast quarter of section
4, this township, and the same was patented to him by President Hayes,
January 10, 187a
William Minion pre-empted the north half of the southeast quarter of
section 4, this township; his entry was made at Xew Ulm and his final papers
were issued by President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
Edgar Hazen entered the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of
section 10, President U. S. Grant signing the final papers, April to. 1875.
Robert Minion, at the Xew Ulm land office, entered the southeast quar-
ter of section 4, and had the same patented to him by President Hayes, May
15, 1880.
Peter C. Hiebert, at the Marshall land office, entered land in the north-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I33
west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 34; the same was finally
patented to him by President Benjamin Harrison, February 24, 1893.
Henry E. Fast entered land in the southeast quarter of section 28; it was
entered at the land office at Marshall and his final papers were signed by
President William McKinley, March 20, 1897.
Thomas J. Warren entered land in the north half of the northeast
quarter of setcion 10; the entry was effected at the land office at Tracy and
the final papers were signed by President Benjamin Harrison, January 18,
1890.
Oella P. Mason, at the New Ulm land office entered land in the tract
known as lot Xo. 3, in section 24. President U. S. Grant signed the patent
on May 15, 1876.
VILLAGE OF DELFT.
Delft is situated in the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of
section 18, township 106, range 35, west, and was platted by the Inter-State
Land Company June 18, 1902.
Town plats of the village of Delft were filed in the office of the register
of deeds on June 25, 1902, by the Inter-State Land Company, of which O. O.
Whited was vice-president. The plat consisted of eleven blocks in the town-
ship of Delton. This was the place where the railroad and warehouse com-
mission ordered the railroad company to put in a sidetrack, in response to the
petition of the farmers, in order that they might put in an elevator. Not
so very long after the elevator had been built the village had its first fire,
which burned the farmers' elevator, the coal sheds and the railroad company's
stockyards. All were rebuilt immediately after. At present the business of
the village is chiefly in the hands of Jacob Rupp, who conducts a general store ;
John Rupp, who conducts a hardware store ; and the Farmers Elevator Com-
pany, who buy and sell grain, have charge of the coal sheds and do a gen-
eral implement business.
DALE TOWNSHIP.
Dale is one of the central townships in the county, and comprises all of
congressional township 106, range 36, west, hence has thirty-six sections of
land within its borders. It is south of Amboy township, west of Carson,
north of Great Bend and east of Amo township.
When first discovered there was a beautiful chain of lakes in the central
134 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
eastern portion of this township. These were filled in their season with wild
fowls and many fish abounded in their waters. "With the settlement of the
country, several of these lakes have been drained out and are now utilized
for pasture and field purposes by the farmers who own the property. Some
of the lakes are still intact and are highly prized by the citizens of the county.
The educational interests of the township, as well as the churches, are ail
treated in special chapters relating to such subjects.
The population of Dale in 1895 was 367; in 1900 it was 455 and the
census reports of the United States enumeration for 1910 showed a population
of 483.
ORGANIZATION.
Dale became a separate civil township by act of the county board in
March, 1872, from township 106, range 36, west and was to be bounded as
follows: "Commencing at the northeast comer of township 106, range 36.
thence south to the southeast corner of said township; thence west to the
southwest corner of said township; thence north to the northwest corner of
said township; thence east to the northeast corner of said township and place
of beginning." The first election was held at the house of George W. Purdy.
Saturday, March 30, 1872; the judges were: George W. Purdy, Charles
White and L. E. Mace, with John A. Harvey, clerk.
SETTLEMENT.
Perhaps no better way of showing who the pioneer settlers in this
township were, can be shown than to give a brief transcript of the original
land entries, which is as follows :
Henry C. Cornell homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 2,
March 12, 1878. at the New Ulm land office, the patent being signed by
President U. S. Grant.
James H. Sharp claimed as a homestead the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 14, in this township, March 21, 1878, the patent being signed by Presi-
dent Grant, and theentry was made at the New Ulm land office.
lames I'.. Mace claimed as a homestead land in the west half of the
southwest quarter and the northeast quarter 01 the southwest quarter of
section 12, at the Xew Ulm land office : the patent was signed by President
Hayes, April 27. 1878.
Ahram L. Miles homesteaded at the New Ulm land office, the north-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I35
west quarter of section 24. President R. B. Hayes signing the patent, July
12, 1S78.
James C. Brown homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 26, July
12, 1878, the same being signed by President Hayes; the entry was made
at the Xew Ulm land office.
S. Alexander homesteaded land located in the west half of the southeast
quarter of section 10; it was patented to him on February 20, 1880, and was
signed by President Hayes and secured through the land office at New Ulm.
James B. Rhoades homesteaded land in the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 32. It was patented on October 20, 1880, and signed by
President Hayes, being secured through the New Ulm land office.
Edwin S. Streator claimed land under the homestead act of 1862, in
the west half of the southwest quarter of section 34; it was patented to him
on November 3, 1876, and signed by President U. S. Grant; it was secured
through the land office at Worthington.
Alfred Mosher homesteaded land in the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 14; it was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur
and dated June 20, 1882 ; it was secured through the land office at New Ulm.
David Goss homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 12, at the
Xew Ulm land office, and received his patent from President Chester A.
Arthur, June 20, 1882.
John Schnotyen, at the land office at Tracy, entered a homestead in the
north half of the northeast quarter and the south half of the northeast
quarter of section 6 : it was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur,
February 10. 1883.
Peter Schmith homestead the southwest quarter of section 6, at the
Tracy land office and had the same patented to him by President Chester
A. Arthur. May 31, 1884.
William G. Douglass claimed, as his homestead, the north half of the
southwest quarter of section 28, the date of patent filing is April 7, 1874,
and it bears the signature of President U. S. Grant.
Joel R. Clark claimed, as a homestead, the northwest quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 34, the patent being signed by President U. S.
Grant, October 22, 1878.
Joseph O. Miles, claimed a homestead in section 24, and his patent
was filed on February 18, 1870, signed by President U. S. Grant.
Joseph R. Cornwell, homesteaded at the New Ulm land office, the north-
east quarter of section 8, the patent being issued on September 17, 1879,
and was signed by President Hayes.
136 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
College land was claimed at the land office at Washington by William
Prentiss, the same being the southeast quarter of section 20. The date of
filing was March 6, 1875, signed by President U. S. Grant.
Homer L. Jewitt homesteaded land in the south half of the southwest
quarter of section 28 ; it was patented by President Hayes and signed on
March 13, 1879; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
Daniel F. Rogers homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 34 at
the Tracy land office and had the patent to the same issued to him by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, May 10, 1883.
Valentine Pfremmer homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 6,
at the land office at Tracy and had his patent granted him by President
Chester A. Arthur, May 31, 1884.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
George A. Purdy, at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the odd lots
in section 28, at the land office at New Ulm, and had his papers signed by
President U. S. Grant, May 26, 1874.
Peter O. Arvold at the Worthington land office pre-empted the north-
west quarter of section 8, the papers being signed by President U. S. Grant,
January 6, 1876.
Jacob P. Epp. at the Marshall land office, claimed the northwest quarter
of the southwest quarter of section 24; the same was signed by President
William McKinley. March 20, 1897.
Aaron G. Laing. at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the south half
of the northwest quarter of section 2, the papers 1 icing signed by President
Hayes, January 20, 1881.
George P. Jeffers pre-empted the lot known as No. 6 in section 2^,
at the Tracy land office, the papers being signed by President Benjamin
Harrison, January 18, tSqo.
Frank C. Bell pre-empted the northwest quarter of section 20, at the
New Ulm office, the papers being finally issued by President Hayes.
James II. Wilson pre-empted the part of section 22. known as lot No.
3. at the land office at Marshall, under President Cleveland's administration,
and he signed the same June 9, 1894.
Wolph Graumann, at the Marshall land office, entered the west half of
the southwest quarter of section 30, the papers being signed finally by Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland. November 6, 1893.
Henry E. Wall, at the land office at Marshall, entered the southwest
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. [37
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 24, President Grover Cleveland
signing his papers on March 12, 1896.
William W. Barlow pre-empted land in the north half of the north-
west quarter of section ,^o, at the Marshall land office, the papers being certi-
fied to by President Benjamin Harrison on February 14, 1893.
Lars Anderson entered under the pre-emption act, at the land office at
Marshall, the north half of the southeast quarter of section 26. President
Grover Cleveland signed the papers on October 22, 1895.
Abram L. Miles entered the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter
of section 26, at the New Ulm land office, and had his final papers signed
by President Chester A. Arthur, lune 1, 1882.
DELTON TOWNSHIP.
Delton is composed of congressional township 107, range 35 west,
hence is six miles square and contains thirty-six sections of land. It is
bounded on the north by Brown county, on the east by Selma township,
on the south by Carson and on the west by Amboy township. Its principal
stream is the Little Cottonwood river and its many small branches, all of
which are merely prairie runs or creeks, which in dry times have but little
water in them, but in rainy reasons are full to overflowing.
What in an early day was but a wild prairie wilderness, without shrub
or tree, has now come to be one of the finest farming sections in all this
part of the state. The farmers have labored long and hard and have finally
reclaimed the low, waste places and kept cultivating, annually the higher,
better land until until the scene is now one of real rural beauty, and the
contented owners of these lands have come to enjoy a life little dreamed
of by the homesteaders of the early seventies. It is, of course, a pure farm-
ing section, with no other industry to enrich the resident, but here farming
and dairying certainly pay good returns for the labor expended.
The farmers of this part of Cottonwood county are well favored by
having market towns on every hand — Jeffers at the west, Delft at the south
and Comfrey to the northeast — all being railroad points, where the products
of the farm may be exchanged for the smaller necessities of the farm-
house.
The population of the township in 1895 was 350; in 1900 it had
reached 360, and by the census of [910 it was placed at 371.
I38 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
FIRST TRACTS OF LAND ENTERED.
The records show the following original land entries in Delton town-
ship:
At the New Ulm land office James Coy claimed land in the southwest
quarter of section 2, the patent being filed on May 13, 1878, by President
Hayes.
John C. Gent homesteaded at the New Ulm land office the southwest
quarter of section 20, and the filing was made on January 17, 1878, signed
by President U. S. Grant.
John W. Bangle homesteaded at the New Ulm land office the southeast
quarter of section 12, the date of filing being May 10, 1878, signed by
President U. S. Grant.
George M. Mayberry homesteaded land at the New Ulm land office
in section 26, of range 31, and also in the east half of the northeast quarter
of section 12, township 107, range 35 west. The filing was made on Jan-
uary 9, 1878, and bore the signature of President U. S. Grant.
Morgan C. Young claimed land in the west half of the southwest quar-
ter of section 14, the filing being dated at New Ulm land office, January 5.
1880, and signed by President Hayes.
Ayres Hall homesteaded land in the east half of the northeast quarter
of section 34 and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 4. in
this township. It was patented to him by President U. S. Grant and by
him signed on December 1, 1873; it was entered at the land office at New
Ulm. '
Andrew A. Nickerson homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of
section 18, the same being patented by President U. S. Grant and signed by
him on February 20, 1877. It was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
Nicholas Burger homesteaded the south half of the northeast quarter
of section 22, also the north half of the southeast quarter of that section.
It was entered at the land office at New Ulm and was patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur .and signed on June 20, 1882.
Smith Cottrel claimed, as his homestead, the south half of the north-
east quarter of section [8; it was filed on at the land office at New Ulm.
and patented by 1 'resident Hayes on March 13, 1S79.
John R. Baldwin homesteaded the north half of the southwest quarter
of section 30 and the west half of the northeast quarter of section [2, town-
ship 107. range 35, This was effected at the land- office at New Ulm, and
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. [39
the patent to same was issued by President Chester A. Arthur, December
1. 1882.
Charles S. Xaramore homesteaded the northwest quarter of section
12; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and finally patented to
him by President James A. Garfield, January 20, 1881.
George Lent homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 8; his filing
was made at the land office at Tracy, and his final papers were signed by
President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Abraham Triesen, at the Tracy land office, entered as a homestead the
northeast quarter of section 34; it was patented to him by President Chester
A. Arthur, May 31, 1884.
George L. Kendall homesteaded the southeast of the northwest; the
east half of the southwest and the southwest of the southeast quarter of
section 22. at the land office located at New Ulm, and had same patented to
him by President Chester A. Arthur, June 20, 1882.
John Calkin homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 6, at the
land office at Tracy, and on February 10, 1883, it was patented to him by
President Chester A. Arthur.
PRE-EMPTION OF CLAIMS.
Lyman Parsons, at the land office at Tracy, entered a pre-emption claim
to the northwest quarter of section 2, and had the same patented to him on
June 1, 1882, by President Chester A. Arthur.
Titus F. Mills, at the land office at New Ulm, entered land in the east
half of the northwest quarter of section 32; I 'resident U. S. Grant signed
the papers on May 12, 1874.
Albert Gowin entered, at the land office at Marshall, the southeast
quarter of section 6, the same being patented by President Harrison on
November 15, 1892.
Edson R. Fry, at the Marshall land office, entered the northwest quar-
ter of section 14, and the final papers were signed by President Grover
Cleveland. June 5, 1894.
Carl Schneider, at the Marshall land office, entered the northeast of the
southeast quarter of section 18, and President Grover Cleveland signed the
papers June 9, 1894.
Charles Schneider took land in the north half of the northeasl quarter
of the above section and had his papers signed by President Cleveland,
June 4, 1895.
I-+0 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
John O'Connor entered the northwest quarter of section 26, at the land
office at Marshall, President Benjamin Harrison signing the final papers on
February 21, 1893.
Ed H. Crumlett, the Tracy land office, entered the southeast quarter
of section 4. and his papers were finally signed by Presdient Chester A.
Arthur, October 10, 1882.
ORGANIZATION.
Delton township was organied by the county commissioners from con-
gressional township 107, range 35 west, on September 17, 1872. The first
township meeting was held at the house of J. J. Edwards, September 27,
1872. The judges of such election were appointed as follow : J. J. Ed-
wards, Lyman Parsons, George W. Bailey, and the clerk was P. \V. Oakley.
GREAT BEND TOWNSHIP.
Great Bend township, which derives its name from the big bend in the
Des Moines river within its borders, is situated centrally east and west, on
the southern line of Cottonwood county, with Jackson county at the south,
Springfield township on the west, Dale township at the north and Lakeside
township at the east. It is comprised of congressional township 105, range
36 west. Windom, the county seat of Cottonwood county, is located within
this township, of which later account is given.
This township had some of the very earliest settlers in the county,
owing to the fact that the river courses through this part of the county.
Streams and lakes are always sought out by the pioneer, and this settlement
was no exception to the rule.
The population of this township in 1805 was 320. exclusive of the city
of Windom, which then had a population of 1,523. In 1900 the township's
population was 435, and the United States census returns in 1910 gave it
444, with the city of Windom as having 1.749.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was formed by the county commissioners in 1870, and
was the original civil township organized in the county. It was described
thus : Commencing at the southwest corner of township 106, range 35, or
the northeast corner of township 105. range 35 to the southeast corner of
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I4I
township 105, range 36, thence west along the line of township 104, town-
ship 36, to the southwest corner of township 105, range 36, thence along
the east line of township 105, range 37. to the northwest corner of town-
ship 105, range 36; from thence east and along the south line of township
106. range 36 and on to the place of beginning.
It was resolved to have the first township meeting held at the house
of Charles Chamberlin, August 27, 1870. S. B. Stedman, Paul Hamilton
and Hosea Eastgate were appointed judges of election.
EARLY LAND ENTRIES AND SETTLERS.
The record shows the following to have been the land entries in Great
Bend township :
William Feehan, at the Jackson land office, filed in the east half of
the southwest quarter of section 10, December 30, 1873. the papers being
signed by President U. S. Grant.
Mary Feehan filed on the west half of the southwest quarter of section
10. December 30, 1873, and it bears the signature of President U. S. Grant.
Reuben X. Sackett filed on the south half of the northwest quarter of
section 6, September 13, 1878, the patent being signed by President U. S.
Grant.
George W. Russell filed on January 18, 1878, on the north half of the
northwest quarter of section 24, at the Worthington land office, the same
being signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes.
lohn F. Hamilton claimed a homestead in the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 10. February 10, 1879: this was also signed by President Hayes.
Addison G. Hall claimed as a homestead the southeast quarter of section
28; it was patented from the Worthington land office on December 12,
1879, and signed by President U. S. Grant.
John E. Teed homesteaded laud in the northeast quarter of section 18.
It was patented to him on August 15, 1070, and signed by President U. S.
Grant; it was secured at the land office at Worthington.
Elisha B. Owen homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of the
northeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of
section 10; it was patented by President Haves. November 5, 1878, and
was entered at the land office at Worthington.
Samuel S. Gillam claimed a homestead under the act of 1862, the same
being situated in the west half of the southeast quarter of section 24. This
land was patented to him by President Hayes and dated June 10, 1871. It
was secured at the land office at Worthington.
I-M COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
George L. Macomber homesteaded land described as being in the east half
of the southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 34. It was patented to him on June 10, 1879, by President Hayes and
entered at the land office in Worthington.
Arthur Johnston homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of the
northeast quarter of section 30; it was patented to him by President James
A. Garfield, and signed on April 9, 1881.
Amos Rank homesteaded land in the south half of the southeast quar-
ter of section 30; also in the east half of the northeast quarter of the same
section, in this township. It was patented by President James A. Garfield
and signed by him on April 9, 1881.
Oliver S. Bryant homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 8; also the northwest quarter of the southwest
quarter of the same section. It was patented to him by President Hayes
and dated June 5, 1880; it was entered at the land office at Worthington.
James Thompson homesteaded land in the north half of the northwest
quarter of section 6; it was patented to him on November 5, 1878, and was
signed by President Hayes and entered at the land office at Worthington.
Daniel Gallagher claimed land under the homestead act in the north-
west quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6, township 104. range 36,
and also in the same range, but in township 105, he entered land known as
lot six. This was patented by President Chester A. Arthur and dated De-
cember 20, 1881, and entered at the land office at Worthington.
Calvin Rank homesteaded land in the north half of the southwest quar-
ter and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 30. It was pat-
ented to him by President Hayes, and signed on December 30, 1880; it was
entered at the land office at Worthington.
\skel K. Trefol homesteaded land in the east half of the northeast
quarter of section 8; it was patented to him by President Hayes through
the land office at New Ulm, February 10, 1881.
Allen Gardner, Jr., homesteaded land in the east half of of the south-
east quarter and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter and in the
southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 8. It was patented by
President Hayes, and signed on December 30, 1880. It was entered at the
land office at Worthington.
Lucius A. Knight homesteaded land in the east half of of the north-
west quarter of section 4; it was patented to him by President Chester A.
Arthur, and signed on April it. 1882; it was entered at the Worthington
land office.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I43
Ethan Allen homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 6, and had
same patented to him by President James A. Garfield, April 9, 1881.
James E. Fitch homesteaded the northeast quarter of the northeasl
quarter of section 22. making the entry at the land office at Worthington,
and having the patent finally issued by President Hayes, June 15, 1880.
Charles F. Warren, at the Worthington land office, entered as his home-
stead the northeast quarter of section 14; the same was entered at the land
office at Worthington, and the final patent was signed by President Chester
A. Arthur, August 3, 883.
Arthur Johnston homesteaded the old lot in section 30, township 105,
range 36, and his filing was made at the land office at Worthington, and his
final patent was signed by President Chester A. Arthur, June 5, 1884.
Thomas Faucett homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter of
section 20, his filing being at the land office at Worthington, and his patent
was signed by President Chester A. Arthur, June 5, 1884.
William Tryon homesteaded in the west half of the northeast quarter
of section 34; his entry was made at the land office at Worthington, and his
patent was issued and signed by President Chester A. Arthur, March 15,
1882.
Silas D. Allen claimed a homestead right to the north half of the north-
east quarter of section 26, the same being entered at the land office at Worth-
ington, and the final papers signed by President Chester A. Arthur, April
5- 1883.
Augustus Halmer homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter
of section 26; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and was
patented by the signature of President Hayes, November 5, 1878.
Frank L. Jones homesteaded in the east half of the southeast quarter
of section 18; the entry was made at the land office at Worthington, and
his final patent was issued under signature of President Chester A. Arthur.
January IO. 1885.
Ellison D. Mooers claimed under the homestead act of 1862 the north-
west quarter of section 8; it was entered at Worthington land office and
finally patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur. March 10, [883.
Charles C. Purdy claimed his homestead right to the southwest quarter
of section 12, and his Tiling was at the land office at Jackson, while his final
patent was signed by President Hayes, April 5, 1877.
Peter Devlin homesteaded the south half of the southwest quarter of
section 2; it was filed at the land office at Worthington, and the patent was
issued by President Chester A. Arthur, October 1, 1883.
144 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Diantha Clark, at the Worthington land office, filed on the West half
of the northwest quarter of section 10; it was patented on August 25, 1882,
by President Chester A. Arthur.
Ed Savage homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter of
section 24, at the land office at Worthington, and it was patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, May 10, 1882.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Squire P. Stedman pre-empted the south half of the* southeast quarter
of section 26, at the land office at Jackson, his papers being signed by Presi-
dent U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
George H. Young pre-empted at the Worthington land office, in this
township and range, his papers being signed by President Hayes, September
4, 1879.
William Gray pre-empted land at the Jackson land office, the same being
the south half of the northeast quarter of section 26; President U. S. Grant
signed his papers on May 20, 1874.
David Evans. Jr., at the Jackson land office, pre-empted the north half
of the northwest quarter of section 18, and his papers were signed by Presi-
dent U. S. Grant, September 12, 1872.
Collins A. Ludden pre-empted the south half of the southwest quarter
of section 24 at the land office at Worthington. and his final papers were
signed by President Chester A. Arthur, March 30, 1882.
llosea Eastgate pre-empted land in section S, at the Worthington land
office, and his final papers were signed by President Hayes, November 10.
1877.
Arthur Miller, at the Marshall land office, pre-empted the northeast
quarter of the northwest quarter of section 20, and his final papers were
signed by President Benjamin Harrison, January 5, 1892.
[ohn T. Smith, at the Jackson land office, pre-empted the southeast
quarter of section 6. and his papers were signed by President U. S. Grant,
May 20, 1874.
|oseph Devlin, at the land office at Marshall, pre-empted the north half
of the southeast quarter of section 2, his papers being signed by President
Grover Cleveland. June 4, 1895.
Richard K. Johnson pre-empted land at the land office at Marshall, in
section 22, the same being signed by President Grover Cleveland.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I45
Robert Devlin entered the north half of the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 2. the same being patented by President Hayes, April 20, 1883.
Charles W. Hamilton, at the Worthington land office, entered the north-
east quarter of the northeast quarter of section 26, and it was patented to
him by President U. S. Grant, May 10, 1875.
John T. Smith came to Cottonwood county in 1870 or 1871 and built
a store at Big Bend, where it was supposed that the railroad would cross
the river and the county seat finally located. He had about five or six hun-
dred dollars and began business with a very small stock of goods. The rail-
road did not cross at the bend, where Charles Chamberlin had induced a
preliminary survey and located the capital of the county. Windom "was
born" in 187 1 and with it the bright prospects and fond hopes of Big Bend
were blighted. Mr. Smith's store was soon removed and no trace of Cham-
berlin's citv nor his papers remains. Mr. Smith built a modest little store
at Heron Lake about the time the railroad reached Worthington and began
business there. Possessing good business tact, he entered upon a very suc-
cessful era, gradually increasing his trade. Later, he opened stores in other
towns, where he was quite successful and gained considerable wealth.
HIGHWATER TOWNSHIP.
Congressional township 108. range 37 west, is styled Highwater town-
ship, and of which name further mention will be made. In this connection
it may be stated that when the government surveyors came here to do their
work, they found a white man named Charles Zierke, but known as "Dutch
Charlie," living with an Indian woman in this township, and he is supposed
to have been the first white man in the limits of the count}'.
Highwater township is bounded at the north by Redwood county, on
the east by Germantown township, on the south by Storden township, and
at its west is Ann township. Tts surface is a beautiful, undulating prairie
country, with frequent small prairie creeks, some of which, with the settle-
ment of the country, have dried up. This has come t<> be one of the wealthy
agricultural sections of Cottonwood county, and the land has long since all
been taken up and well improved. The present owners are a prosperous
people, who are enjoying life, as but few of the first settlers could do. on
account of the early-day drawbacks — prairie fires, drought, grasshoppers,
etc. There are no villages or railroads within the northern tier of town-
(10)
I46 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ships, including Highwater. General farming- and stock raising are the chief
pursuits of the landowners of this portion of the county.
In 1895 trie township had a population of 569; in 1900 it had 512 and,
according to the 19 10 United States census returns, there were 591 inhabi-
tants in the township.
ORGANIZATION.
Highwater was organized by the board of county commissioners at the
session of January, 1874, when township 108, range 37, was declared a
civil township of Cottonwood county. The county commissioners called the
first election to be held in the new township for January 24, 1874, the same
to be held at the school bouse in district Xo. 3. The name was fixed as
"Highwater," after the creek of the same name, which was thus called at an
early day on account of its quick rising after a rain storm. This territory
was detached from Amo township of former days.
PIONEER SETTLEMENT.
Some of the earliest land entries in the county were effected within
Highwater township. Without regard to who might have been first, second
or third, the following brief transcript from the public records show many
of the early land entries. Most all of the persons who thus homesteaded or
pre-empted land in this township in the seventies and eighties became per-
manent settlers and reared families, and much of the land originally entered
is still held by members of the family, while not a few of the settlers are
still residing in the places in which they located more than a third of a
century ago.
Andrew Larson claimed, as a homestead, land in the north half of the
southwest quarter and the south half of the northwest quarter of section
26, of this township, at the New Ulm land office, under President U. S.
Grant's administration and signed by him on January 10. 1878.
John Larson claimed land under the homestead act of 1862, in the
north half of the southwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the north-
west quarter of section 2, September 14, 1878, signed by 1 "resident U. S.
Grant, and the entry was effected at the Xew Ulm land office.
Jeremiah Lott homesteaded land in the east half of the southwest quar-
ter of section 14; it was patented to him by President U. S. Grant and dated
August 20, 1875; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
Francis M. Smith claimed, under his homestead rights, land situated
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN' COUNTIES, MINN. I47
in the southeast quarter of section 24. and it was patented to him by Presi-
dent U. S. Grant, dated September 15. 1874: it was entered at the land
office at Jackson.
Halvor Knudtson homesteaded land in the west half of the southeast
quarter of section iS; it was patented to him on January 20. 1881, and the
instrument was signed by President Hayes, the entry being made at the land
office at New Ulm.
Knud Olson homesteaded land in the west half of the northwest quar-
ter of section 28. and it was patented to him by President James A. Gar-
field, dated June 20, 1881. This land was entered at the land office at
Tracy.
Elias Warner homesteaded land in the south half of the southwest
quarter of section 18; it was patented to him on February 20, 1882. by
President Chester A. Arthur ; the land was entered at the land office at New
Ulm.
Frederick Jauck homesteaded land in the north half of the southwest
quarter of section 10; it was patented to him by President Hayes and dated
February 10, t88i ; it was entered through the land office at New Ulm.
Ole Esteson located a homestead in the west half of the southeast quar-
ter of section 18, and it was patented to him by President James A. Garfield
and signed on June 20, 1881 : it was entered at the land office at Tracy.
Frithjof Riis selected a homestead in the east half of the northeast
quarter of section 28. and it was patented to him by President Hayes and
dated January 20, 1881 ; it was entered at the land office at Xew Ulm.
John Olson lv>me>teaded land in the west half of the southwest quarter
and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 24. It was
patented by President James A. Garfield and signed by him on .May 3, 1881;
it was entered in the land office at New Ulm.
George 1!. Walker homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter
of section 30, and it was patented to him by President Hayes and was
signed by him on June 24, 1878.
Alse H. Ophime homesteaded land in the north half of the southeast
quarter of section 28; it was entered at the land office at Tracy and was
patented by President Chester A. Arthur, who signed it on November 1,
1 881.
Wilhelm Jeick homesteaded land in the south half of the northeast
quarter of section 10, and it was patented by President James A. Garfield,
who signed same June 20, 1881.
I4§ COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Hartman Loomis homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of section
6; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and was patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, signed by him on June 20, 1882.
Svend S. Loeny had patented to him a homestead, signed by President
U. S. Grant, March 1, 1876, the entry being made at the land office at Xew
Ulm. This land is situated in the north half of the northwest quarter of
section 32.
Lars Halvorson homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 14, the
patent was signed by President Hayes. February ip, 1881, and the land
entry was at the land office at Worthington.
Christian Oleson claimed, under the homestead act of 1862, the south
half of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest
quarter of section 24; it was signed by President James A. Garfield, June
20, 1 88 1. and was entered at the Tracy land office.
Andrew Overson homesteaded the north half of the southeast quarter
of section 30 ; it was patented by President James A. Garfield and signed
by him on June 20. 1881.
Ole Nelson Beck had patented to him the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 26, the land was entered at the land office at New Ulm
during President Hayes' administration and was signed by him on January
20, 1881.
Peter Pettersen, at the Tracy land office, secured land under the home-
stead act, the same was described as being the south half of the northeast
quarter of section 34. This homestead was signed by President James A.
Garfield on June 20. 188 1.
Aslask Torgerson, at the land office at Tracy, had patented to him by
President James \. Garfield, the west half of the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 18; the instrument was signed by President Garfield on June 20, 1881.
William < reik, at the New Ulm land office, claimed under the homestead
act, land in the south half of the southeast quarter and the south half of the
southwest quarter of section to; the patent was signed by the hand of Presi-
dent U. S. Grant, October 5, 1873.
John Roth homesteaded land in the northeast quarter of section 22.
and had it patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur and signed on
February 10. 1883.
Andreas 11. Rongstad, at the Xew Ulm land office, secured his right
to a homestead in the east half of tin' northeasl quarter of section 34; the
patent was signed by President James A. Garfield, May 3. [881.
Andrew Pederson homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I49
of section 34, at the Tracy land office and had his patent finally issued hy
President James A. Garfield on June 20, 1881.
Ole A. Thollongbakken. at the Tracy land office, entered as his home-
stead the north half of the northeast quarter of section 6, and he had the
same patented to him by President Grover Cleveland, who signed it April
25, 1885.
Ollare Hanson, at the Tracy land office, entered his homestead in the
north half of the southwest cjuarter of section 34, and had his patent issued
to him by President James A. Garfield, June 20, 1881.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Jens Jacobson pre-empted the land in section 2, of this township, the
entry being filed at the land office at New Ulm, and the papers were signed
by President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Lowitz Larson Tatdal, at the Xew Ulm land office, pre-empted the
south half of the southwest quarter of section 32, and his papers were signed
by President U. S. Grant, in May, 1874.
John A. Monson, at the land office at New Ulm. pre-empted the north-
east quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest of the northeast
of section 8, his final papers being signed by President U. S. Grant, X« mem-
ber 10, 1875.
Martin Erickson claimed land under the pre-emption act at the land
office at New Ulm, and his papers were signed by President U. S. Grant,
May 20. 1874.
A. Torgerson, at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the south half
of the southwest quarter of section 18, the same being issued to him by
President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Henry A. Piredli, at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the land in
this township and his papers were signed by President Hayes, January 20,
1881.
A. G. Quale pre-empted land in the west half of the southeast quarter
of section 8, the papers being signed by President Hayes on January 10,
1879.
Christian Olen, at the land office at New Ulm, pre-empted land in the
south half of the northwest quarter of section 22, the papers being signed
by President Hayes on May 24, 187a
Lars Larson Evanger, at the land office at New Ulm, pre-empted the
I50 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
east half of the southeast quarter of section 24, and had his papers verified
by President U. S. Grant, April 10, 1875.
Ingeborg Erickson pre-empted land at the land office at New Ulm, the
same being the west half of the southeast quarter of section 20; the papers
were signed by President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
LAKESIDE TOWNSHIP.
Lakeside township is the second township from the eastern line of
Cottonwood county, and is on the south line, comprising all of congressional
township 105, range 35 west. It is bounded on the north by Carson town-
ship, on the east by Mountain Lake, on the south by Jackson county and
on the west by Great Bend township. In this section some of the earliest
settlements in the county were effected. The village of Bingham Lake is
situated within Lakeside township, the history of which appears further on
in this chapter. The township is traversed by the Chicago, St. Paul, Min-
neapolis & Omaha railroad. The township once had a large number of
lakes, some of which have long since disappeared through drainage systems,
but there are others still in existence — Bingham lake, near the village; Fish
lake, in the south part of the township; Cottonwood lake. Clear lake. etc.
This is an ideal farming township — good soil, near to good market towns,
close to the county seat and a population of intelligent citizens, whose aim
in life is to thrive and do all they can for the advancement of churches and
public schools.
The population of Lakeside township in 1S95 was 547; in T9°° it was
592 and according to the census returns in 1910 it had 449 population.
ORGANIZATION.
This township became a separate civil township by an act of the board
of county commissioners at their meeting in the month of August. 1870,
as comprising all of congressional township 105. range 35 west.
FIRST SETTLERS AND LAND ENTRIES.
The best evidence of names and dates concerning the settlement of this
township is the record shown at the court house at Windom, which discloses
the following entries of homesteads and pre-emption claims :
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1 5 1
August L. Brown had patented to him a homestead in the southwest
quarter of section 22; the filing was dated at the Worthington land office
and bore the signature of President U. S. Grant.
Charles F. Sheldon claimed the east half of the southwest quarter of
section 32, of this township, as a homestead, the same being patented on
December 24, 1877, and signed by President U. S. Grant.
Charles Breech claimed the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter
of section 32 for a homestead on December 24, 1877, the papers bearing the
signature of President U. S. Grant.
Osgood H. Dinnell. on May 23, 1878, homesteaded the northwest quar-
ter of section 2, at the Jackson land office, with the signature of President
U. S. Grant attached thereto.
M. Mathews homesteaded the northeast quarter of the northeast quar-
ter of section 4, May 29, 1878; the patent was signed by President U. S.
Grant; the transaction was made at the Worthington land office.
Samuel C. Taggert homesteaded the northeast of section 22, June 5,
187; the patent was signed by President U. S. Grant, from the Worthington
land office.
Ebenezer A. Hatch homesteaded, at the Worthington land office, the
north half of the southeast quarter of section 10, the papers being signed
August 26, 1878, by President U. S. Grant.
Kirk W. Sheldon claimed the northwest quarter of section 28 and had
it patented to him by President U. S. Grant, who signed it July 1, T875.
The entry was made through the land office at Worthington.
Henrv W. Burbank homesteaded land in the west half of the northeast
quarter of section 34, the patent being issued by President Hayes on De-
cember 13, 1870. through the Worthington land office.
David P. Jaqua claimed a homestead under the act of E862, in the
southeast quarter of the nordieast quarter of section 4, the patent being
signed by President Hayes, through the Worthington land office, December
12, 1877.
Myron Parr homesteaded the south half of the southeast quarter of
section 10, President Hayes signing the patent on December 13, 1879.
Eber Morton claimed a homestead in the south half of the southeasl
quarter of section 18, the patent being signed by I 'resident Hayes, June 15,
1880, through the Worthington land office.
Jacob W. Grant homesteaded the east half of the southeasl quarter of
section 28, the patent being signed by President Hayes on December 13.
1880, the entry being made at the land office at Worthington.
I52 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Frank Parso homesteaded land in the northwest quarter of the south-
west quarter and the south half of the southeast quarter of section 32. His
patent was signed by President Hayes on June 10, 1879, and the entry was
made at the Worthington land office.
Henry C. Barr homesteaded land in the east half of the northeast quar-
ter of section 20, and had his patent signed by President Hayes on January
20, 1 88 1, the entry being effected through the land office at New Ulm.
Chester X. Lewis homesteaded land in the south half of the southwest
quarter of section 20. His patent was issued under the signature of Presi-
dent Hayes and was dated June 15, 1880; the entry was made at the land
office at Worthington.
William C. Banks homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of section
28, and it was patented to him by President Hayes, signed on August 5,
1877, the entry being made at the land office at Worthington.
William J. Leisure claimed a homestead under the act of 1862, in the
southeast quarter of section 14; it was patented to him by President U. S.
Grant and signed on February 1, 1873; tne entry was effected at the land
office at Jackson.
John W. Mathews homesteaded land in the west half of the northeast
quarter of section 10. It was patented to him by President Hayes, through
the land office at Worthington, December 30. 1879.
Judson F. Pearson homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 4, and his patent was signed by President
Hayes on December 30. 1880; the entry was made at the land office at
Worthington.
John Edwin Hemme homesteaded land in the north half of the south-
east quarter of section 20; it was patented to him by President Hayes,
signed by him on December 20, 1877; the entry was effected at the land
office at Worthington.
Simeon Greenfield claimed a homestead under the act of March 20,
1862, in the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter and lot No. 1. in
section 28.. It was patented to him by President Hayes and signed by him
Decemher 3c, [880, and entered at the land office at Worthington.
James C. Porter claimed a homestead in the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 30; also in the west half of the southeast quarter. His
patent was signed by President Chester A. Arthur, ami was dated Decem-
ber 20. 1 88' 1.
Charles Maxon homesteaded land in the west half of the northeast
quarter of section 20; it was patented to him by President Hayes and signed
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1 53
by him on November 5, 1N7S; it was secured at the land office at Worth-
ington.
Elizabeth P. Carpenter homesteaded the northwest quarter of the
northeast quarter and lot No. 2, in section 4. The patent was issued by
President Hayes, and signed by him on December 20, 1S77; the entry was
made at the land office at Worthington.
Polly R. Young homesteaded the west half of the southwest quarter
of section 2. and had the same patented to her by President Haves, June 15,
1881. This entry was at the Worthington land office.
Seth S. Johnson homesteaded, April 9. 1881, at the Worthington land
office, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 18, this township.
The patent was signed by President James A. Garfield, and the entry was
made at the land office at Worthington.
Albert C. Innes homesteaded, at the Worthington land office, the east
half of the southeast quarter of section 12, the patent being signed on
March 15, 1882, by President Chester A. Arthur.
John J. Young homesteaded the land in lot 4, in the southeast quarter
of the southwest quarter of section 4. It was patented by President Chester
A. Arthur, and signed on October 1, 1883, the entry being effected through
the land office at Worthington.
Elizabeth Moffatt homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of section
24, the same beiiiL;" filed at the land office at Worthington, and finally pat-
ented by President Chester A. Arthur on October 26, 1883.
Andrew Greenlee homesteaded land under the act of 1862 at the land
office located at Worthington, and had same patented to him on June 5,
1884. by President Chester A. Arthur. Tt was situated in the east half of
the southeast quarter of section 30.
Andrew L. Ely homesteaded land by entry at the land office at Worth-
ington. the same being the northwest quarter of section 22; it was patented
by President Hayes "ti December 13, 1879.
David Fast claimed a homestead in the north half of the northeast
quarter of section 2; it was entered at the land office at Worthington, and
patented by President Cleveland, January 9, [886.
Montgomery Milford homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 20,
at the land office at Worthington, and the patent was issued by President
Chester A. Arthur, June 5, 1884.
Israel Burbank homesteaded lot No. 3. in section 34, at the land office
at Jackson; the same was patented by President U. S. Grant. May 26, 1873.
154 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
John D. Cook, at the Worthington land office, pre-empted the west half
of the northeast quarter of section 14, and on September 10, 1880, it was
patented to him by President Hayes.
Joseph A. Hoople, at the Worthington land office, entered the west
half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the southwest quarter of
section 12, and his papers were signed by President Chester A. Arthur.
January 20, 1885.
John Button entered the west half of the northeast quarter of section
26, this township, and had his papers signed by President U. S. Grant,
April 1. 1875.
Phillip Linscheid, at the Marshall land office, entered the northeast
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 10. the final papers being signed
by President Grover Cleveland, June 4, 1895.
Marcellus H. Better, at the Jackson land office, entered the west half of
the northeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter and
the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 8. President U. S.
Grant signed his patent papers.
Henry Clark filed on the southwest quarter of section 10 at the Jackson
land office, and the same was patented to him by President U. S. Grant.
September 2, 1872.
Tames W. Thorn entered land in this township, in the north half of the
northwest quarter of section 34: it was entered at the land office at Jackson,
and finally patented by President U S. Grant, May 15. 1873.
VILLAGE OF BINGHAM LAKE.
This sprightly little village is situated in Lakeside township, in section
9, township 105, range 35 west, and was platted by the officers of the St.
Paul & Siimx City Railroad Company. July 28, 1S75.
The village of Bingham Lake was made a separate corporation from
Lakeside township in 1900, Its municipal improvements have not as yet
materialized to any great extent; it has no water or lighting system.
The postomce at Bingham Lake was established in 1872 and the first
postmaster was Daniel Davis, who held the office until 1886. Among the
postmasters who have served since that time are Samuel Taggert. John J.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 155
Goertzen and C. F. Hiebert. The present postmaster is John J. Gaertzen.
The postal receipts for the last fiscal year, exclusive of money orders,
amounted to one thousand two hundred and four dollars and twenty-nine
cents. The money order department yielded one thousand five hundred
dollars. Two rural routes serve the country communities.
TILE FACTORY.
The tile factory at Bingham Lake has in the past been operated with
various degrees of success. However, not until the business management
of the concern came under the direction of John Henderson, has the plant
attained a perfect success. At the present time the plant is running at its
full capacity, employing eleven men and making six to eight thousand tile a
day.
PIONEER BUSINESS MEN.
Daniel C. Davis was the first permanent settler in the village of Bing-
ham Lake and, in company with R. P. Mathews, established all the corners
of the townsites. Upon coming to the village, Mr. Davis opened a general
store and continued to operate it for three years. He was appointed post-
master in 1S72, and served until 1886/ It is rather of an interesting fact
that at the end of the first three months, after taking out his own salary
and office expenses, the government's share of the receipts was three cents.
Mr. Davis bought his first stock of goods, amounting to three thousand
•six hundred dollars, in Xew York, as goods could be bought much cheaper
in the East than at St. Paul or Minneapolis. However, he greatly over-
estimated the needs of the people and bad to dispose of a great amount of
his stock to Windom merchants. During the grasshopper days he supplied
many needy people with provisions, trusting that when they were able he
would receive payment, but in many cases his accommodations and sacrifices
were lost sight of and the money was never forthcoming.
In 1R72 the plat of ground set aside for a park was broken up by Mr.
Davis and planted with trees. They were not taken as good care of as they
should have been, with the result that the prairie fires destroyed most of
them. A few of the original trees are still standing, but the majority have
been planted within the last thirty years.
Among the early business-men, besides Mr. Davis, were, Mr. ("lines,
who came from Lake City. He sold bis business to Mr. Young, who was
burned out. A. J. Bueller was another one of the early merchant-. He
I56 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
remained in the village for a while and finally sold out and went to Mon-
tana. D. J. Hiehert was also one of the early business-men and did a large
and profitable business for many years.
One of the early landmarks of the village is still standing, and that is
the first house erected in the village by Mr. Davis and now occupied by
William Evans. It is in a good state of preservation and looks better than
many of the houses erected in the last few years.
By noticing the present business directory one can see that there has
been a great change since the early settlement of the village. Almost every
line of business is now represented, and although the village is destined to
never become a large town, yet it is growing because the merchants are
wideawake and prosperous and the village is located in the midst of a fine
farming community, which is the chief basis for all growth.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN I916.
The business interests of Bingham Lake were represented by the fol-
lowing people in 1916:
Bank — First State Bank.
Barber — Frank E. Hyde.
Blacksmith— W. J. Butler.
Brick Plant — John Henderson.
Creamery — Bingham Lake Creamery.
Elevator — St. John Grain Company, The Liem Elevator.
General Dealer — Holt & Wickland.
Harness Shop — Erickson & Anderson.
Implement Dealer — Charles A. Liem.
Meat Market— Henry Wessel.
Livery — Joseph Morton.
Lumber Dealer — S. L. Rogers Lumber Company.
Restaurant — J. J. Soltau.
Stock Buyer — C. S. Cain. X. P. Minion.
Telephone — Windom Mutual, Northwestern.
MIDWAY TOWNSHIP.
Midway township is the central sub-division of the county, on the
eastern border, and comprises all of congressional township 106, range 34
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 157
west. It is south of Selma township, west of the line between Cottonwood
and Watonwan counties, and north of Mountain Lake township. The village
of Mountain Lake is within this township and was named "Midway,'' but
latter changed on petition of the citizens. Originally, this township had
numerous swamps and lakelets, but with the flight of years they have nearly
all been reclaimed, and now growing crops wave over their surface. The
soil is of unexcelled fertility in these old lake and pond beds. Hundreds of
miles of private farm tiling have made this one of the best sections in the
county, and still the work is going on.
This township, as are others adjoining it, is largely settled by Russians,
who came in to this part of the county in great colonies about 1870 and
later. They still retain many of their foreign notions, but are thorough
farmers and good citizens. If they have any special hobby it is that of
supporting an almost endless number of different kinds of Mennonite
churches, which practically are the same, only for some special feature.
The population in 1895 was 52&: H1 '9°° it had reached 607, and ac-
cording to the United States census reports of 1910 it was placed at 658.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
This township was organized by the count}- commissioners board in
.March. 1895, from territory once included in Mountain Lake township, the
new town-hip taking in township 100, range 34, west. The first meeting and
township election were called by the board to meet at the house of Cor-
nelius Janzen, March 16. 1895.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The records show the following land entries in this township:
Joseph A. Belling homesteaded, March [8, [878, at the New Ulm land
office, the northeast quarter of section 4, the patent being signed by Presi-
dent U. S. Grant.
William Seeger homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 2, at the
Xew Ulm land office, the patent being signed by President Haves. March 1 }.
1879.
F. Tow- homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 28, at the land office located at Tracy and it was patented t<> him by
President ('buster A. Arthur. March 10, 1883.
Apollos S. Yale, on February to. [883, had patented to him by Presi-
I58 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
dent Chester A. Arthur, a homestead in the northeast quarter of section 30,
the same haying heen entered in the land office at Tracy.
* Thomas Curley, at the Tracy land office, had a homestead which was situ-
ated in the south half of the southeast quarter of section 2, the same was
patented by President Chester A. Arthur, May 10, 1883.
Asa L. Warren homesteaded the south half of the southwest quarter of
section 34, at the land office at New Ulm, and had the same patented to him by
President U. S. Grant, February 20, 1877.
Morris Dunn homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter of
section 10 and the south half of the northeast quarter of the same section, all
within township 106, range 34, west. It was patented to him by President
Chester A. Arthur, May 3, 1884.
Martin Carty homesteaded the northeast half of the southeast quarter
of section 2, the entry being made at the New Ulm land office; the patent
was issued to him by President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
Henry Goosen, at the Tracy land office, entered as his homestead the
west half of the southwest quarter of section 12; the same was patented by
President .Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Henry F. Billings homesteaded at the New Ulm land office the east half
of the northeast quarter of section 34; it was patented by President U. S.
Grant, December 1, 1873.
Paul Seeger homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 20; it was
entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented by President U. S. Grant,
May 20, 1873.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Alonzo R. Phillips, at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the south-
west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 8; President Haves signed
the papers on May 24, 1879.
I lenry M. Kroeker, at the land office at Marshall, entered the southeast
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 30, the final papers being certi-
fied to by I'resident Benjamin Harrison, March 9, 1893.
Ruth M. Chandler, at the land office at New Ulm. entered the north half
of the southwest quarter of section 34, President U. S. Grant signing the
final papers on May 15, 1876.
Caroline Quiring, at the New Ulm land office, entered the south half of
the southeast quarter of section 4. President Hayes signing the papers on
January 20, 1881.
Albert Wigton entered at the New Ulm land office, the west half of the
rONWOOD AND WATOXWAX COUNTIES, MINN. 159
southeast quarter of section 6, President Hayes issuing the papers on July
24. [879.
MOUNTAIN LAKE VILLAGE.
The village of Mountain Lake received its name from the lake of the
same name, located about two miles southeast of the village. In the center
of the lake was an island almost circular in form, flat on top and rising out
of the water about forty feet. The upper part of the island was covered
with trees which could be seen for many miles. This spot served as a land-
mark and a guide for many of the early settlers.
Xear this lake and island the railroad station was first located. In time
the station was moved to the present site and the name of the village was
changed to Midway, but the name proving unsatisfactory, was changed back
t< ' Mountain Lake.
The village was platted in 1870, but made little progress until after the
building of the railroad in 1873. In this year, three general stores were
doing business in the village and were owned by S. J. Soule, J. Lynch and
Paul Seeger. The store owned by Seeger was probably the first and was
located on the site of the State Bank. The store room was very small, but
was quite adequate to the needs of the times. Mr. Seeger came from Curnea,
Russia, in 1873. and settled on the first claim in the vicinity of .Mountain
Lake. He was also among the first postmasters. The first blacksmith was
Carl Penner, who later moved away and died in California. Among other
earlv business men in the village were Howard Soule, Jacob Reiner, John
Janzen and Abraham Penner.
With the coming of the railroad, immigration set in rapidly and the
village grew by leaps and bounds. In 1886 the village was incorporated
with a population of three hundred people, mostly Mennonites from south-
ern Russia.
Among other business factors in the village have been the following:
Jacob Heier. who began the furniture business in 1878 south of the
railroad track, settled in Mountain Lake in 1874 and began work as a car-
penter. David Ewert, who in 1880 opened a lumber yard and store in
partnership with H. P. Goertz, came to the village in 1878. P. II. Goosen,
the blacksmith, who came into the village in 1875. H. P. Goertz, one of
the very earliest settlers and among the very few living in the town, started
business with David Ewert and in 1882 started in the lumber business for
himself. He also settled in the village in 1875. Henry Hammer located
in the village in 1883 and opened up a harness shop in 1877. Mr. Hammer
ibO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
first settled on a tree claim, eight miles north of the village. Frank Balzer
entered into the lumber business in 1886 and still operates his place of busi-
ness. Balzer & Hiebert opened a general store in 1888. Mr. Balzer, the
druggist, began the drug business in 1889. John C. Hiebert became a dealer
in general merchandise in 1891. Abraham Nickel, the harness man, began
business in 1891. Edward Rupp, merchant, began business in 1892. A. E.
Woodruff opened a large merchandise store in- 1894. Thiessen Brothers
began their implement business in 1895 . In 1896 Julien Glasman opened a
new meat market. John Jungas began the operation of a shoe store in
1897. In 1898 P. P. Goertzen a jewelry store and was cptite successful.
One of the early physicians to locate in the village was Dr. John Wat-
son, a graduate of Bellone Medical College, New York City. He began the
practice of medicine in Mountain Lake in 1901.
Among other men who have contributed to the business welfare of the
town are, J. D. Schroeder, J. J. Unruh, Theo. Nickel and G. D. Schroeder.
Among other early settlers have been the following: Abraham Funk,
1875; H. Goosen and G. Gerdes in the early seventies; Abraham J. Fa-t,
[875; Henry J. Fast, 1875; Gerhard Neufeld, 1878; Jacob P. Harder. 1873:
John Janzen, 1873; Henry Dickman and Peter Dick (Krim).
MUNICIPAL.
The village of Mountain Lake became separated from the township in
1886. A Penner was the first president of the town council and John Jan-
zen, the first recorder. The present officers are inclusive of the following:
President, J. H. Dickman; treasurer, F. F. Schroeder; recorder. M. S. Han-
son; trustees, John Jungas, D. Heppner and A. Janzen; marshal, William
Burk; justices, Herman -Teichroew and John P. Rempel ; constables, J. J.
Brown and W. Burk ; assessor, Herman Teichroew.
Tlie town is very active in the way of improvements. Twenty thousand
dollars have been spent in installing a water-works system. The town is
furnished with water from a drilled well four hundred and fifty feet deep.
three hundred feet of which is drilled through solid rock.
POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice at Mountain Lake was one of the first government offices
established in the county and at the present time its receipts are the second
largest in the county, amounting to four thousand three hundred dollars.
BETHEL CHURCH, MOUNTAIN' LAKE.
FARM VIEW NEAR MOUNTAIN LAKE.
GERMAN SCHOOL, MOUNTAIN LAKE.
HICH SCHOOL, MOUNTAIN LAKE.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. l6l
exclusive of money orders, for the last fiscal year. Four rural routes serve
the country people from this office. Among the postmasters who have held
the office are the following: Howard Sonler, John Janzen, Abraham Siem-
ens, Joe Wigton, J. D. Schroeder and I. I. Rargen. Mr. Bargen, the present
postmaster, has served in the capacity continuously for the last fourteen
years and although a Republican, received his last appointment under a
Democratic administration.
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB.
The Mountain Lake Commercial Club began its existence on March i,
1915. In the beginning the membership numbered nearly one hundred, but
since the number has decreased until there are only about eighty members.
The club is composed of business and professional men in Mountain Lake
and neighboring communities. A great many public questions have been
brought up and discussed at the meetings with the result that a great deal
of good has been accomplished. Among the questions have been those of
sewerage, roads, a public rest room, etc. The officers who were first elected
still retain their offices. They include the following: President, Frank
Balzer; vice-president, Henry P. Goertz; secretary, D. G. Hiebert; treas-
urer, F. F. Schroeder; executive committee, Dr. W. A. Piper, D. C. Balzer
and A. A. Penner.
The purpose of the club is to bring into one organization, the business
and professional men of Mountain Lake and vicinity, so that by frequent
meetings and the full interchange of views, they may secure an intelligent
unity and harmony of action, that shall result to their own benefit, as well
as the future development of the community in which they live.
MENNONITE HOSPITAL.
The Mennonite hospital of Mountain Lake began its existence about
1905. The organization included only local men, among whom were, H. P.
Goertz, D. Ewert, J. D. Hiebert, F. Balzer, J. H. Dickman, J. G. Hiebert.
For a few years the institution was run without much success. Finally,
in 1912. the company was reorganized and the institution sold to the Bethel
Deaconess Home, of Newton, Kansas, and is now considered as a branch
of it. The hospital is managed by a local board consisting of one member
from each of the five Mennonite churches. H. P. Goertz is president of
the board ; D. P. Eitzen, secretary ; Aaron Peters, treasurer.
1 62 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The physicians in charge are Doctor Piper, of Mountain Lake, and
Doctor Sogge, of Windom, who are assisted by three sisters and two or three
helpers. In 19 15 the institution had sixty-four patients and thirty-two
operations were performed.
ELECTRIC LIGHT AND FIRE COMPANY.
Ill 1913 the Mountain Lake Milling Company installed an electric light
plant which furnishes the town with electricity. However, arrangements
have been made whereby connections are to be made with the Rapidan sys-
tem and hereafter light will be furnished by that concern.
The rire company is composed of fourteen men, well supplied with a
fire engine, hose, ladders, chemical tanks and other necessary fire equip-
ment. The present indebtedness of the town is about thirteen thousand
dollars.
INDUSTRIES.
David Hiebert, who came from Russia, started the Mountain Lake
flour-mill in 1875. He conducted the business for a period of ten years of
time. He sold to Neuheld & Friesen, who after two or three years sold to
Abraham Penner. Mr. Penner was not a miller and therefore was not very
successful. He soon sold out to Diedricks & Hiebert, the present owners, who
after running the business for four years, formed an incorporated company
known as the Mountain Lake Roller Milling Company. The officers at
present are : President, J. J. Diedricks ; vice-president, J. J. Hiebert ; sec-
retary-treasurer, D. G. Hiebert. The company is incorporated for forty
thousand dollars. The capacity of the mill is one hundred and twenty bar-
rels per day. Their special brands of flour are "White Rose," a first-grade
flour, and "Natural Patent," a second-grade flour. Besides they make rye,
graham, wheat graham, corn meal and rye flour. An elevator is run in con-
nection with the mill which has a capacity of ten thousand bushels.
At the time of incorporation, an electric plant was installed in connec-
tion with the mill and was very successful. Recently, however, an oppor-
tunity presented itself of securing better service by connecting with the Con-
sumers Power Company. The Milling' Company has just entered into a
ten-year contract with the above company, service to begin on October 1,
1916. The Milling Company continues to distribute light and power.
The Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Mountain Lake was organized
about June 1, 1908. The company owns their own building, which was
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 163
built especially for the purpose and is doubtless the best and most completely
equipped of any in the county. The plant has a capacity of about ten thou-
sand pounds of butter per week, but the amount turned out at the present time
amounts to about four thousand pounds per week, all of which has a ready
market in the local community and Chicago. During the month of July,
1916, the creamery had one hundred and ten patrons.
SMALL CONFLAGRATIONS.
Mountain Lake has been very fortunate in not having many destructive
fires. In 1897 tne elevators belonging to H. P. Goertz and E. G. Ter-
williger were burned, causing a loss of six thousand dollars. It was the
general belief at the time that the fire was of incendiary origin, but it was
never proven.
In 1900 the creamery owned by P. C. Hiebert burned, causing a loss of
four thousand dollars, covered by insurance to the extent of two thousand
dollars.
On April 13, 1898, the Hubbard & Palmer elevator burned, causing a
loss of six thousand dollars. Seven thousand bushels of wheat were
destroyed.
Hiebert Brothers' elevator was burned on January 30, 1899. At the
same time an attempt was made to burn the elevator belonging to Hubbard
& Palmer. All the losses were covered bv insurance.
MOUNTAIN LAKE TOWNSHIP.
The southeastern corner township in Cottonwood is Mountain Lake.
It comprises all of congressional township 105, range 34, west, and is a
full thirty-six section township. It is situated south of Midway township,
west of the Watonwan county line, north from Jackson county and east of
Lakewood township. It derives its name from the lake of that name within
its borders, of which further mention will be made. The lake, as known
to pioneers, is no more; it has long since been drained and grains and gras^ :s
grow in its old bed. There are a few small prairie creeks in the township,
but none of any considerable size. Except the southern suburbs of the
village of Mountain Lake, which is in Midway township, there are no
villages within Mountain Lake township, ft is excellent land and produces
immense crops of all grains and grasses common to this latitude. It is set-
164 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
tied very largely by Russians, who make first-class agriculturists, though
many have methods peculiar to themselves.
The population of the township in 1895 was 612; in 1900 it was 561
and the United States census for 1900 gave it as having only 512.
ORGANIZATION.
Mountain Lake township was organized at a board meeting in 187 1,
by a petition presented the board by Daniel D. Bates and many more, ask-
ing that township 105, range 34 be set off and called Mountain Lake town-
ship. The prayer was answered and the township organized by calling the
first election at the house of A. A. Soule, Saturday, May 6, 1871. Daniel
D. Bates, A. A. Soule and M. Jacobson were appointed judges of such elec-
tion, and S. H. Soule was appointed clerk. The legal description of the
new townships was: "Commencing at the northeast corner of township 105,
range 34, thence south to the southeast corner of said township and range;
thence west to the southwest corner of said township, thence east to the
northeast corner of said township and to the northeast corner of said town-
ship, thence to the place of beginning."
PIONEER AND LATER LAND ENTRIES.
The subjoined list of homesteads and pre-emption claims has been tran-
scribed from the books in the register of deeds in the court house at Win-
dom, and shows many entries, name of land office and by whom patented.
A homestead claim was filed on August 25, 1873, by William H. Drake
in the northwest quarter of section 4, township 105, range 34, west, at the
Jackson land office, and signed by President U. S. Grant.
Under the Soldiers Bounty Act of 1820, Abraham Mace, a private in
Captain Wooster's company, Vermont militia, at the invasion of Plattsburg,
during the War of 1812. was entitled to land, and his heirs laid claim to
the southwest quarter of section 30, township [05, range 34, at the Jackson
laud office: the same contains one hundred and fifty-six acres.
1 'resident U. S. Grant signed the patent for a homestead on November
4, 1874, for Julia T. Knowlton, from the Worthington land office, the same
being land in the southeast quarter of section 30, township 105. range 34.
Alfred ,\. Smile lmmcstcadcd, at the Jackson land office, the east half
of the northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter
of section 2, in 1872. the same being signed by President U. S. Grant.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 165
Ed. O. Zimmerman homesteaded at die Worthington land office die
southwest quarter of section 20, the patent being signed by President Hayes,
July 23, 1S78.
James Cooney claimed, as a homestead, July 23, 1878, the east half of
the northeast quarter of section 4, the patent was signed by President U. S.
Grant: the papers came through the land office at Worthington.
James B. Jones claimed a homestead in the southeast quarter of section
14. and had it patented to him by President Hayes and signed on February
10, 1881 ; it was secured at the Worthington land office.
Eliza C. Huntington homesteaded the east half of the northeast quarter
of section 30; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and was
patented by President Hayes and by him signed on December 13, 1880.
Simon Huntington homesteaded land in the west half of the northeast
quarter of section 30; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and
patented by President Hayes, who signed it on June 15, 1880.
Cornelius Quiring homesteaded land in the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 28; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and
patented by President Chester A. Arthur and signed by him on April 5, 1883.
Ole Christensen homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of
section 12. at the land office at Worthington and had same patented to him
by President U. S. Grant, who signed it on November 3, 1876.
Peder Christensen claimed, as his homestead, the east half of the north-
east quarter of section 12, and the same was patented to him by President
U. S. Grant, and signed on December 1, 1876; the entry was made at Worth-
ington land office.
John Oglesby at the land office located at Worthington, claimed as his
homestead the west half of the southeast quarter of' section 34 and his patent
was issued by President Hayes, June 15, 1880.
George Baumann. at the Worthington land office homesteaded the west
half of the southeast quarter of section 18, and had same patented to him
by President Hayes, who signed the papers on December 30, 1879.
Joseph Meixell claimed as a homestead at the land office at Worthing-
ton, the northwest quarter of section 28, and same was patented by President
Have-. November 5, 1878.
William Weibe homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter of
section 22, the entry being made at the land office at Worthington and pat-
ented by President Chester A. Arthur, April 5, 1883.
Christian Reinert homesteaded the northeast quarter of the southea 1
quarter of section 22; also the northeast of the southwest of same section,
1 66 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the entry being made at the land office at Worthington and the final patent
issued to him by President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Charles F. Barnes homesteaded the west half of the northwest quarter
of section 34, the entry being made at the land office at Worthington; the
patent was issued by President Chester A. Arthur, March 15, 1884.
Samuel E. Ford homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 18, and
it was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, April 5, 1883; the
land was entered at the land office at Worthington.
Heinrich Regehr, at the Worthington land office filed on the east half
of the southwest quarter of section 34, and the same was patented to him
by President Chester A. Arthur, June 5, 1884.
Henry H. Winter homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 26.
The entry was effected at the land office at Worthington and was finally pat-
ented to him by President U. S. Grant, November 5, 1874.
Thomas S. Potter homesteaded the north half of the northwest quarter
of section 18, and the same was patented to him by President Grover Cleve-
land, April 20, 1885.
Martin Pepper homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 14 and
his patent was signed by President Hayes, November 5, 1878; the entry was
made at the land office at Worthington.
Andreas Pleiler, at the land office, Worthington, filed on a homestead
in northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10, this township;
it was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, January 10, 1885.
Jacob Dickson homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of
section 28 and had the same patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur,
April 5, 1883. ft was filed on at the land office in Worthington.
Wilhelm Holzrichter had patented to him a homestead by President
Chester A. Arthur, October 26, 1883, the same being the south half of the
southwest quarter of section 18. It was filed on at the Worthington land
office.
David Wade homesteaded the south half of the northeast quarter of
section 22, the same being entered at the land office at Worthington and
finally patented by President Chester A. Arthur. March 10, 1883.
Jacob Neufeld entered as a homestead at the land office at Worthing-
ton, the northeast quarter of section 20, and had the same patented to him
by President Grover Cleveland, August 10, 1S86.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1 6/
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Paul Seeger, at the Jackson land office, pre-empted the northeast quarter
of section 4, President U. S. Grant signing his final papers.
Martin Henderson pre-empted two quarters in this township at the
land office at Jackson and the final papers were signed by President Chester
A. Arthur. May 20, 1884.
William H. Race, at the Worthington land office, pre-empted west half
of the southwest quarter of section 12, the papers finally being verified hy
President Hayes. March 20, 1877.
D. D. Olfert pre-empted at the land office at Marshall, the southwest
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 20, the papers being issued by
President Benjamin Harrison, November 15, 1893.
William Leder, at the land office at Marshall, pre-empted the south half
of the northwest quarter of section 6, the papers being signed by President
William McKinley, September 9, 1897.
Frederick Maker pre-empted the east half of the southeast quarter of
section 6, the papers being signed lay President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Keziah M. Tingley, at the Jackson land office, entered the north half
of the northeast quarter of section 34; President U. S. Grant signed his
papers on April 1, 1875.
Peter K. Voth entered land at the land office at Marshall, the same
being described as the north half of the southeast quarter, and the south-
east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 20; the final papers were
signed by President Benjamin Harrison, March 1, 1892.
The business interests and professions of Mountain Lake were repre-
sented by the following in 1916:
Auto garage — H. P. Goertz Auto Company, Peter Stoesz.
Banks — First National, First State.
Barber shop — Rempel & Harder.
Blacksmith shops — Peter Go<>sen, Herman Kremin.
Confectionery— J. J. Yogt, "The Pleasant Comer."
Clothing — Janzen Brothers, J. N. Fast.
Creamery — Farmers Co-operative Association.
Creamerv station — Fairmount Creamery Company, Worthington
Creamery Company, Hansford Creamery Company.
Drug store— S. Balzer.
Dray lines— J. P. F. Derksen, Dick & Heppner.
l68 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Dentist — E. A. Rieke.
Elevator — F. Schroeder, Hubbard & Palmer, Farmers Elevator Com-
pany, Schaefer Brothers.
Furniture dealer — Jacob Heir, J. J. Janzen.
Feed store — D. D. Enns.
General dealers — Balzer, Hiebert and Company, David Ewert, P. Geyer-
man & Sons, Ed. Rupp.
Hotel — The Commercial.
Harness shop — Mens S. Hanson.
Hardware dealers — J. J. Janzen, John Jungas.
Implement dealers — Schroeder & Becker, Thiessen Brothers, Mountain
Lake Implement Company.
Jeweler — W. A. Nickel.
Lumber dealers — H. P. Goertz, Frank Balzer and Company.
Livery — George Hutgler.
Mill — Mountain Lake Roller Milling Company.
Milliners — Hiebert Sisters.
Meat markets — George P. Derkson, T. J. Eickholt.
Merchant tailor — Phil Nerstheimer.
Newspaper — Mountain Lake Viczv and Unscr Beuucher.
Physicians— Dr. P. W. Pauls, Dr. W. A. Piper.
Photograph gallery — Cornelius J. Brown.
Produce dealers — Han ford Produce Company, Worthington Produce
Company.
Real estate dealers — Aug Buche Land Company, J. C. Koehn, D. A.
Lahart Land Company.
Shoemaker — Henry Fiel.
Tin shop — J. V. Dueck.
Telephone — North Star Telephone Company. Tri-State.
Veterinary — Sidney Meyers.
ROSE HILL TOWNSHIP.
Rose Plill township is situated on the western line of Cottonwood
county and is the second from the southern line. It comprises all of con-
gressional township 1 06, range 38 west. It is bounded on the north by
Westbrook township, on the east by Amu, on the south by Southbrook and
on the west is the county line between Cottonwood and Murray counties.
Originally, there were numerous lakes and prairie ponds within the limits
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 169
of this township, and there are still a few, but many of the lakes have been
drained and their beds are utilized for pasture and field purposes. Among
the lakes are Berry, Long and Carey lakes.
This is an excellent agricultural and dairy section and the farmers are
rapidly becoming forehanded and wealthy. They have the modern con-
veniences of life, and are reaping the reward for the long years of struggle
they had as homesteaders, against prairie fires and grasshoppers.
The population of the township in 1895 was 4^o; in 1900 it was 535
but by 1910, according to the United States census returns it had decreased
to 510.
ORGANIZATION.
By an act of the board of county commissioners in the month of March,
1S79, Rose Hill township was organized, and the board ordered the first
township meeting and election of officers to take place on April 5, 1879, at
the house of John Carey.
SOME EARLY LAND ENTRIES.
Maria Carey homesteaded land in the south half of the northwest
quarter of section 24. at the land office at New Ulm, and had her patent
issued to her from President Hayes, September 10, 1880.
Samuel Hoveland, at the Tracy land office, had a homestead entry on
the northeast quarter of section 2, and had the same patented to him by
President Chester A. Arthur, May 15, 1884.
William Johnson homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter
of section 22, and had the entry made at the land office at Tracy and his
patent was issued him by President Chester A. Arthur. January 15, 1885.
Henry Olsen homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 14, in the
land office at Tracy and the same was patented to him by President Grover
Cleveland, April 27, 1885.
Frank White, at the land office at Tracy, was- given his homestead
right in the southwest quarter of section 14, and the same was patented to
him by President Grover Cleveland, January 9, 1886.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Clark W. Seeley, at the land office at Xew Ulm, entered the southw
quarter of section 4, this township; his final papers were signed by Pn
dent Hayes, January 20, 188 1.
1JO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Martin Kauchbauns, entered land at the land office at Marshall, described
as lot No. 3, in section 26. President Benjamin Harrison signed the final
papers, granting the patent.
George F. Robison, at the Marshall land office, entered the land known
as lot No. 1, in section 12, the same having been signed by President Theo-
dore Roosevelt, September 2, 1902.
SELMA TOWNSHIP.
The extreme northeastern congressional township in Cottonwood
county is known as Selma; it comprises township 107, range 34 west, and is
situated directly south of Brown county, west of Watonwan county, north
of Midway township, Cottonwood county, and east of Delton township, this
county.
A branch of the Chicago & Northwestern railway crosses this town-
ship, entering in section 3, running directly southeast, leaving the township
and county from section 13. The Watonwan river and small tributaries
are found flowing through this township. The soil is excellent and all the
tillable land is now under a high state of cultivation. The village of Com-
frey, Brown county, extends over into this township to a certain extent.
Of the churches and schools of the township other separate chapters will
treat. The population of the township in 1895 was 405; in 1900 it was
placed at 427 and the United States census returns for 1910 gave it as hav-
ing 530. There are no towns or villages within Selma.
ORGANIZATION.
Selma township was organized by the board of county commissioners
at their regular meeting in March, 1874, and was then named Clinton town-
ship and why changed, or when, the records seem silent. Tt comprises town-
ship 107, range 34 west. The first election was called to be held at the
house of D. T. Woodward, April 4. 1874.
"Ripley" township was organized at the same time and comprised town-
ship 108, range 34 west, which civil township has no history in this county,
as it was immediately taken over by Brown county with another con-
gressional township.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 171
HOMESTEADS AND PRE-EMPTIONS.
Just who was the first white man to set stakes and make for himself
a permanent home in this township is not now well established, even by
tradition. But a careful search through the books of the register of deeds
of the county, shows that the following were the original land entry per-
sons, either as homesteaders or pre-emptors :
John W. Golden, homesteaded at the New Ulm land office, the south
half of the southeast quarter of section 18, January 18, 1878, and his patent
was signed by President U. S. Grant, and the entry was effected at New
Ulm land office.
Lewis Coville entered, as a homestead at the New Ulm land office, July
12, 1878, the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the
southwest quarter in section 32, his patent being signed by President U. S.
Grant.
David .Archibald claimed a homestead in the northeast quarter of sec-
tion 12, October 6, 1878, and the patent was signed by President U. S.
Grant.
Mathias Stoffel homesteaded on May 22, 1879, the south half of the
southeast quarter of section 26, the patent being signed by President Hayes.
The entry was made at the New Ulm land office.
Charles Anderson homesteaded land under the Homestead Act of 1862,
in the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10. It was entered at
the land office in Xew Ulm and was patented by President Hayes and signed
by him on January 20, 1881.
Thomas Cullen claimed his homestead rights in the west half of the
northeast quarter of section 6; it was entered through the land office at
New Ulm and was patented by President Hayes and signed on March 13,
1879.
Caroline Knudson homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter
of section 34; it was entered at the land office at Xew Ulm. and was pat-
ented by President James A. Garfield, June 20, 1881.
Thomas Coen homesteaded land in the ea>( half of the southeast quarter
of section 6, and had the same patented t<i him by President Hayes, who
signed it on March 13, 1879; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
Greta Jones Dater homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 14,
at the land office at Tracy; the patent lor this land was issued by President
Chester A. Arthur, February 20, 1882.
1/2 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
01 f Peterson homesteaded the north half of the southeast quarter of
section 26; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented by
President Hayes.
John Cullen homesteaded the east half of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 6; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented by Presi-
dent Hayes, March 13, 1879.
Christian Anaker homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 24 at
the land office at Tracy, and had the same patented to him by President
Grover Cleveland, January 9, 1886.
Theodore P. Eickholt homesteaded the south half of the southeast
quarter of section 26, at the land office at New Ulm, and received his patent
from President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
Howard M. Goss homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 34, at
the land office at New Ulm, and received a patent signed by President U. S.
Grant, September 15, 1874.
Ogden D. Warner homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 34,
at the land office at New Ulm, and received his patent from President U. S.
Grant, March 20, 1876.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Theodore J. Brandt, at the Marshall land office, entered under the Pre-
emption Act, the northeast quarter of section 20, and his final papers were
signed by President Grover Cleveland, January 3, 1894.
Lemuel Randall, at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the north half
of the southwest quarter of section 8, and April 10, 1875; President U. S.
Grant certified to his papers and signed the same.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Springfield township is the second from the western line of the county
and is on the south line, with Southbrook township at its west, Anio town-
ship at its north. Great Bend township at its east and Jackson county at the
south. It comprises all of congressional township 105, range 37 west. The
main stream and south branch of the Des Moines river flow from the south-
east to the northeast of this township, forming the great bend, after leaving
and entering Great I 'end township. This is an excellent township and the
farming interests are good. The people are of the thrifty type, who always
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1 73
succeed in accumulating wealth. Once a barren prairie domain, it has,
under the touch and labor of its settlers, come to be known as one of the
finest in the county. Its groves, which were planted out by the thoughtful
settlers, have come to be of great beauty and utility, both for the fuel and
shelter thev afford against the severe elements.
The population of Springfield township in 1895 was 35 r • >n 1900 it
was 361 and in the United States census reports for 1910 its population was
given as only 332.
ORGANIZATION.
Springfield became a separate civil township by an act of the board of
county commissioners in 1870, when Great Bend and a few more townships
were organized. By a petition of a majority of the legal voters within
township 105, range ^~, west, the county commissioners decided to form
this township, and fixed the day for the first township election for August
27. 1870, and appointed John Wilford, George W. McGaughey and R. A.
Nichols as judges of the election. This was done at the county commis-
sioners' meeting at Great Bend, before Windom had been made the seat of
justice, the exact date being August 15, 1870.
PIONEERS AND LAND ENTRIES.
The following is a transcript of the homestead and pre-emption entries
in this township :
Charles L. Hecox claimed the west half of the southeast quarter and
the east half of the southwest quarter of section 34, of this township, March
28, 1878; signed by President U. S. Grant, and entered at the Worthington
land office.
Cyrus N. Peterson homesteaded land in the south half of the north-
east quarter of section 12, this township. His patent bears the date of July
20, 1877, and is signed by President Hayes. The land office issuing the
papers was at Worthington.
Legrand B. Rolph homesteaded at the land office at Worthington, land
in the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4; it was patented on
November 5, 1878, and was signed by President Hayes.
Augustus McNeely claimed a homestead in the west half of the south-
east quarter of section 32, also in the east half of the southwest quarter of
the same section. His entry was effected at the land office at Jackson, and
174 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the patent was signed by President U. S. Grant, the date being February
i, 1873.
Marshall C. Cummings homesteaded land in the west half of the south-
west quarter of section 14; his patent bears the date of December 30, 1880,
and is signed by President Hayes. The land was secured through the Jack-
son land office.
Freeman Trowbridge claimed land in the northwest quarter of section
4; his patent was dated June 15, 1880, and is signed by President Hayes;
it was issued from the land office located at Worthington.
William W. Frost homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 22 ; the patent was signed by President Chester A. Arthur and dated
March 15, 1882; it was secured at the land office at Worthington.
Abigail J. Green located a homestead in the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 4. The patent was issued on November 5, 1878, and was
signed by President Hayes. This was secured through the land office at
Worthington.
William B. Williams homesteaded land in the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 2. It was patented on June 15, 1880, and was signed by President
Hayes; it was secured through the land office at Worthington.
Delia R. Norris homestead land in the southwest quarter of section 30.
It was patented on June 15, 1879, and signed by President Hayes; the land
was granted to the widow of William Norris and was secured at the land
office at Worthington.
John W. Cummings homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 8,
at the land office at Worthington, and his patent was signed by President
Chester A. Arthur, April 5, 1883.
William Kane claimed as his homestead the south half of the north-
east quarter of section 30, the entry being made at the Worthington land
office and the final patent papers were signed by President Hayes on Decem-
ber 15, 1880.
Thomas R. Brown homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 12;
it was entered at the land office at Worthington and the patent was furnished
and signed by President U. S. Grant. July 5, 1876.
Ploratio M. McGatighey homesteaded at the Jackson land office, the
north half of the northeast quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter
of section 24; it was patented to him by President U. S. Grant, April 15,
1874.
James E. Williams homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 20,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1 75
at the land office at New Ulm ; the patent was granted to him by President
U. S. Grant and signed on June 13, 1876.
John Surratt homesteaded the east half of the northeast quarter of
section 32; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and patented by
President Hayes, June 15, 1880.
John H. Reisdorph had patented to him on November 22, 1877, a home-
stead instrument signed by President U. S. Grant.
Charles F. Morley homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 30;
it was entered at the land office at Worthington and patented to him by
President Hayes, December 30, 1879.
Vinzing Fried homesteaded the southwest quarter of the southwest
quarter of section 7,2; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and
his patent was signed by President Chester A. Arthur. March 10, 1883.
Orrin Nasson, at the Worthington land office, entered as a homestead
the west half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the northeast
quarter of section 12; it was patented to him by President U. S. Grant,
January 12, 1875.
Zadock Day homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 8, at the
land office at Worthington, and had same patented to him by President
Grover Cleveland, April 10, 1886.
Josef Neufeld homesteaded the south half of the northeast quarter of
section 7,2. at the land office at Worthington and had the same patented to
him by President Chester A. Arthur. March 10, 1883.
George H. Aubrey, at the Worthington land office, entered a home-
stead in the north half of the southwest quarter of section 28, and had the
same patented to him by President Hayes December 30, 1879.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Charles I.. Hecox entered as a pre-emption claim at the land office at
Jackson, the south half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the
northeast quarter of section 34. His patent was granted him by President
{'. S. Grant, December 15, 1870.
Lewis L. Miner, at the Jackson land office, claimed under the Pre-
emption Act of 1820, the north half of the northeast quarter of section 31,
the same was patented to him by President U. S. Grant, September 17, 187J.
Jason Foss pre-empted the south half of tin- northeast quarter of sec-
tion 28, at the Worthington land office, tin- same being patented by President
U. S. Grant, November 3, 1876.
1/6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Polly Cone, at the Jackson land office, pre-empted the northeast quarter
of section 10, the same being signed by President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Mary L. Briggs pre-empted the southwest quarter of section 24, at the
Jackson land office, the instrument was signed by President U. S. Grant and
signed February 1, 1872.
Orrin Nason pre-empted the southwest quarter of section 4, the trans-
action was made at the land office at Marshall, and it was under President
Grover Cleveland's administration and by him signed April 12, 1893.
SOUTHBROOK TOWNSHIP.
Southbrook township is the southwestern civil sub-division of Cotton-
wood county and comprises congressional township 105, range 38 west. It
is bounded on the west by Murray county, on the north by Rose Hill town-
ship, on the east by Springfield township and on the south by the county
line between Cottonwood and Jackson counties.
Besides two good sized lakes in the southwestern part of this township,
the Des Moines river flows from the west out of Murray county, entering
this township in section 6 and flows through the southern portion, leaving
the township from section 31, entering Springfield township.
This township has neither village nor railroad station, but is settled by
a thrifty class of people, who are fast becoming independent. Many of the
early homestead and pre-emption claims of the county were selected from
parts of this township.
The population in 1895 was 318; in 1900 it was 350, but in 1910 it had
decreased, on account of removals, to 303.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was organized by the county commissioners at their meet-
ing in July, 1871, as comprising all of congressional township 105, range
38, west.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The records show the following persons to have been among the first
to claim lands within this township :
Francis II. Moon, homesteaded the east half of the southwest quarter
and the west h.di of the southeast quarter of section 32, of this township,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I "
December 7, 1877, ihe patent being signed by President U. S. Grant; the
transaction was at the Jackson land office.
Manley T. White claimed the south half of the southeast quarter of
section 26, on March 1. 187S. under President Grant's administration, the
papers being issued from the Worthington land office.
Joseph Kane claimed a homestead in the northeast quarter of section 6,
at the Jackson land office, the same being signed by President U. S. Grant,
September 9, 1878.
Peter Olson homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 20, at the
land office at Worthington. and his patent is signed by President Hayes,
June 10, 1879.
Ole Rued claimed, as his homestead, at the land office at Worthington,
the east half of the southwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 20, also land in the southwest quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 26, same township. The patent was signed
by President Hayes and dated November 5, 1878.
Lyman W. Oaks claimed as his homestead right land in lots 2 and 3
of section 8; he secured it at the land office at Worthington and the patent
was signed by President Hayes, December 13, 1880.
"William Mcl'heeters homesteaded land in the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 30, at the Xew Ulm land office; the patent was signed by President
U. S. Grant, October 5, 1875.
Thomas A. Jones secured a homestead in the east half of the northeast
quarter of section 22, the patent was signed by President Hayes, June 15,
1880; the entry was made at the Worthington land office.
John Crapsey homesteaded, at the Worthington land office, the south-
east quarter of the northeast quarter of section 30 and the lot known as
No. 2, of the same section, all being within section 30. The date of the
patent was November 20, 1880, and the papers were signed by President
Hayes.
Norman Freeman homesteaded land in section 32, the entry was made
at the land office in Worthington and the patent was signed by President
Chester A. Arthur, April 5, 1883.
Josef Lerk homesteaded land in the north half of the northeast quarter
and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 18, the date of the
patent being April 5, 1883, signed by Presidenl I Chester A. Arthur; the same
was secured through the Worthington land office.
Charles Robbins homesteaded land in the east half of the southeast
(12)
1/8 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
quarter of section 30, this township. It was entered at the land office at
Worthington and the patent is signed by President Hayes, December 30,
1880.
Roswell Dunsmore homesteaded land in the south half of the northeast
quarter of section 26; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and
was patented by President U. S. Grant, March 1, 1876.
John Erickson claimed the southwest quarter of section 34 this town-
ship and his patent for his homestead was issued June 5, 1884, and signed
by President Chester A. Arthur; the entry was effected at the Worthington
land office.
Watkin H. Jones homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 22,
his patent being signed by President Chester A. Arthur. June' 5, 1884; the
entry was made at the land office at Worthington.
Charles W. Aldrich homesteaded land in the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 32 ; it was patented to him by Persident Chester A. Arthur
and entered at the Worthington land office and signed on June 5, 1884.
Charles B. Handy. June 5, 1884, had patent issued to him for a home-
stead in the lots numbered 3, 4 and 5 of the section 30, the same being issued
by President Hayes.
Annie K. Jentjen, at the Worthington land office, had issued to her
as a homestead the land contained in the west half of the southwest quarter
of section 2. The papers were signed by President Hayes, February 10,
1 881.
Stephen Miranowski homesteaded land in the north half of the south-
east quarter of section 10, the same being patented by President Hayes and
signed on February 10, 1884; it was entered through the land office at
Worthington.
James M. King homesteaded the land in northwest quarter of section
12, this township and same was patented to him by President Hayes and
signed on June 10, 1879; the entry was made at the land office at Worth-
ington.
John Kane homesteaded the east half of the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 6, at the land office at Worthington, the same being patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, April 10, 1880.
Thomas A. Jones homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter
of section 22, at the land office at Worthington, and had his patent issued
by President Hayes, February 10, 1881.
Anton Reidl homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter of
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 179
section 10. at the land office at Worthington, and had the same patented to
him by President Chester A. Arthur. April 10, 1882.
Tohn Mathias entered as a homestead at the land office at Worthington
the east half of the southeast quarter of section 2, and the tract was pat-
ented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, August 1, 1883.
John Schneider, at the Worthington land office, entered as a homestead
the west half of the northeast quarter of section 10. and had the same pat-
ented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Florian Liepold entered, as a homestead at the land office at Worth-
ington, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 12. and it was
later patented to him by President Grover Cleveland, April 10, 1886.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Henry G. Conrad pre-empted land at the land office at Worthington,
described as the south half of the southeast quarter and the northwest quarter
of the southeast quarter of section 28, the papers being signed by President
Hayes, September 4. 1879. .
Bertha M. Johnson pre-empted the land known as lot No. 7 in section
30. The entry was effected at the land office at Worthington and the final
papers were executed by President U. S. Grant, May 10, 1875.
Peter Jentzen, at the Worthington land office, entered under the pre-
emption act, the northwest quarter of section 14; the final papers were
signed by President Hayes, November 1, 1880.
Adam Fahe, at the Marshall land office, entered lot No. 1 in section 8,
the papers being signed by President Benjamin Harrison, March 1, 1892.
Andrew J. Streeter, at the Jackson land office, pre-empted the cast half
of the northwest quarter of section 26, the papers being executed and signed
by President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
STORDEN TOWNSHIP.
Storden is situated in the northwestern part of Cottonwood county, it
being the second from the north and the second from the western line of
the county, with Highwater at the north, Amboy at the east, Amo at the
south and Westbrook township at the west. It comprises all of congressional
township 107, range ^7' west- The Scandinavian people are the largest
ISO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
landowners in this part of the county. The village of Storden is within
this township.
Like many parts of the county, Storden originally had many low tracts
of land, and small lakes abounded, but the}- were really little more than
prairie swamps or sloughs, which, with the advent of the settlers, soon van-
ished by draining, until today the waste land in this township is quite small.
The soil is of a rich quality and the grains and grasses grow in great luxuri-
ance.
The population of the township in 1895 was 439; in 1900 it was 548 but
by the taking of the Federal census in 1910 it was placed at. 659.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was set apart as a separate civil township at the meet-
ing of the county commissioners in March, 1875, and was first named Norsk,
but subsequently changed to Storden. It comprises township 107, range 37,
west, and was detached from Westbrook township. The first election was
held at the house of Martin Hallan, March 30, 1875.
ORIGINAL SETTLERS.
The county records show the following to have entered land either as
homesteaders or pre-emption claimants :
Jorgen Jensen homesteaded land in the lots known as Nos. 1 and 2,
of section 21, the same being entered at the land office at New Ulm and
patented by President Hayes, February 10, 1881.
Soren Sorenson claimed a homestead in the northwest quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 30; it was patented to him by President Hayes,
February 10, 1881.
Christian A. Kaihor homesteaded in the north half of the northeast
quarter of section 30, the same being entered at the land office at New Ulm;
it was patented to him by President Hayes, February 10, 1881.
Halver E. Lohre homesteaded land in the east half of the southeast
quarter of section 6; it was patented to him by 1 'resident James A. Garfield,
June 20, 1 88 1.
C. Swenson claimed a homestead in the southeast quarter of the north-
cast quarter and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section
4. It was patented by President Hayes, February 10, 1881 ; it was entered
at the land office at New Ulm.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. l8l
Eston Erikson, claimed his homestead rights under the act of 1S62, in
the west half of the northeast quarter of section 6. It was entered at the
land office at New Ulm and was patented by President Hayes, January
zo, 1881.
Xels Gunderson homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 2, at the
land office located at Tracy, and hail the same patented to him by President
Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Samuel S. Wheeler claimed as a homestead the southwest quarter of
section 24 at the land office at Tracy and had the same patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, February 10, 1883.
John Nelson homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 20, at the
land office at Tracy and the same was finally patented to him by President
Chester A. Arthur. May 31, 1884.
Ole Christopherson homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter
at the land office at Tracy, and the patent was issued to him by President
James A. Garfield, June 21, 1881.
Hans Anderson homesteaded the north half of the southeast quarter of
section 18, at the land office located at Tracy, and had his patent granted
him by President James A. Garfield, June 20, 1881.
Leopold Hansen homesteaded land in the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 2, and had the entry made in the land office at New Ulm,
while his patent was granted by President Hayes, Decemljer 30, 1879.
Julia A. Khurd homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 28, at
the land office located at Tracy and her patent was issued and signed by
President Chester A. Arthur, January 15, 1885.
Albert X. Jeffers, at the Tracy land office, entered a homestead in the
south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quar-
ter of section 12, and had the same patented to him by President Chester A.
Arthur, May 5, 18S4.
Christian O. Mikkelson claimed as his homestead the northwest quarter
of section 18, at the land office at New Ulm; President Hayes signed his
patent on February 10. 1881.
Charles H. Reipke homesteaded the northeast quarter of section
the entry being made at the land office at Tracy and the patent was signed
by President Grover Cleveland. May _'i>, (885.
George Downs homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 10. the
entry being effected at the land office at Tracy and his patent was issued by
President Chester A. Arthur and by him signed on January 15, [885.
l82 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Peter M. Paulson homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 34; the
patent was issued by President James A. Garfield, June 20, 1881.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Charles Dietz, at the New Ulm land office entered the west half of the
northwest quarter of section 24, the papers being signed by President Hayes,
January 20, 1881.
Rasmus Anderson, at the land office at New Ulm, entered the south-
west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 8, this township; his final
papers were signed by President U. S. Grant, April 10, 1875.
Andrew P. Fortstrom, at the land office at Marshall, entered the land
described as lot No. 9 in section 20, and had the same patented to him by
President Benjamin Harrison, August 24, 1891.
August Pufahl, at the land office at Tracy entered the southwest quar-
ter of section 12; the final papers were signed by President Grover Cleveland,
January 20, 1886.
VILLAGE OF STORDEN.
Storden was platted by the Inter-state Land Company, July 8, 1903,
and is situated in the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section
29, township 107, range ^J, west. It is on the Curry branch of the Chicago,
St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. Among the first historic events
of this village were the following:
The auction sale of lots in what is now the village of Storden took
place on July 9, 1903. The village is located in the southwest quarter of
the southwest quarter of section 29. The village, although quite young,
shows great signs of growth and prosperity, new and modern buildings
being erected as fast as workmen can put them up.
The first man on the ground to do business was Mr. C. H. Shaner, who
conducted a general store, where the confectionery store now stands. Nelson
& Redding came next and occupied the store room now used by Mr. A. 11.
Anderson.
The first school teacher to teach in the village was Laura Person, who
taught in the school building moved in from the Kahoi Anderson farm,
about three-fourths of a mile north of the town.
John Sorenson built the fust residence in the village, the one now occu-
pied by the postmaster, James Morris. The house now occupied by Andrew
Skobv was built about the same time.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 183
The first brick building was erected by the Farmers' State Bank in
the summer of 1916.
The first concrete building in the village was constructed in the spring
of 1916 and is now occupied by XcNmi & Christopherson as a garage, the
first of its kind.
Anions: the very first business men and mechanics of the village were:
C. H. Shaner, grocer; A. P. Frederickson, hotel; Roy Egger, blacksmith;
John Skovley & Son. livery; A. M. Clark & Son. hardware; Henry Peter-
son, drayman; L. Dolliff, lumber company; St. John, elevator.
The depot at Storden was erected in 1904. The first business was
that of C. H. Shaner; the first residence was erected by John N. Sorenson.
John Sorenson formerly owned the land now occupied by the village.
The town was platted by the Inter-state Land Company, of Minneapolis, to
whom Mr. Sorenson gave a one-half interest in the lots.
The plat of Storen is high, dry and sightly and not a finer and more
natural business site exists on the Curry branch. The village is surrounded
by hardy and industrious farmers, whose land is under a high state of
cultivation. The main products of the farms are corn and oats, although
an abundance of wheat, rye and barley are marketed each year. Five
years ago, land could be procured in the community at sixty dollars per
acre, while most of the land is now worth around one hundred and twenty-
five dollars per acre.
POSTOFFICE.
The Storden postoffice was established in 1903, with John Sorenson as
tlie first postmaster. He served until December 1, 1905, when James Morris.
the present postmaster, was appointed. The large postal receipts, which
are larger than towns several times its size, bespeak credit for the post-
master and the community. For the past year they amounted to four thou-
sand five hundred and eighty-seven dollars and twenty-six cents. One rural
route serves the rural community.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
Iii 19 16 the business interests of Storden were in the hands of the
following :
Auto garage — Nelson & Christopher
Bank — First State, Farmers' State.
Blacksmith — Andrew Jorgenson, Edward Smestad.
184 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Barber — Roy Smestad.
Creamery — Storden Creamery Association.
Confectionery — John Rongstad.
Dray line — Adolph Olson.
Elevator — Farmers' Elevator, Olaf Lande.
Grocer — Farmers' Coo-perative Store.
General dealers — A. H. Anderson, Storden Co-operative Company.
Hardware dealer — Storden Hardware Company.
Harness dealer — A. H. Nacarinus.
Hotel — Prime Hotel.
Implement dealer — Saleen & Jenson Company.
Lumber dealer — L. P. Dolliff & Company.
Livery — Adolph Olson.
Meat market — John Spiecker.
Newspaper — Storden Times.
Produce dealer — C. H. Shaner.
WESTBROOK TOWNSHIP.
Tbe second township from the county line on the north is Westbrook,
which comprises all of congressional township 107, range 38, west. It is
bounded on the north by Ann township, on the east by Storden, on the
south by Rose Hill township and on the west by Murray county. Westbrook
village is within this civil township and is mentioned at length in this
chapter. Originally, the township had many lakes and ponds, with several
creeks, most of which water-courses have disappeared from the surface of
the county as time has changed the conditions; ditches have been cut, til-
ing carried on for a number of years and, today, the waste land within the
territory is small. The soil is very fertile and produces all the grain and
grasses common to this latitude.
The school and churches have ever been prominent factors in the town-
ship and those are treated with others of the county in special chapters in
this volume.
The population of the township in 1895 was 509: in iQoo it was placed
at 688 and in the United States census returns for 1910 it is given as 579.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 1N5
ORGANIZATION.
Westbrook township was organized at the meeting of the county board,
September 6, 1870, upon the petition of thirty legal voters in township 107,
range 30, west, and township 108, ranges 37 and 38, west, they asking that
four congressional townships be organized into one civil township and that
it be named Westbrook, and the board of county commissioners ordered
it done and called the first election for the township to be held at the house
of Morton Engebriztson, Saturday, September 17. 1S70, with election judges
as follow : John Hanson, John Rotte and Hogan Anderson ; the clerk was
George \Y. Walker.
PIONEER SETTLEMENT.
The first comers to this township were very largely homesteaders and
pre-emption claim men and women, who selected at some one of the Minne-
sota land offices such lands as they wanted on which to locate and build
homes. Among such land entries the following is a complete list, as shown
in the records at the Cottonwood court house :
Xels Engebretson, homesteaded the east half of the northwest quarter
of section 12, July 9, 1878, and the patent for the same was signed by
President U. S. Grant.
Hernt Johnson homesteaded the north half of the southeast quarter of
section 20, at the Xew Ulm land office, November 7, 1879, and his patent
was signed by President R. B. Hayes.
Erick Anderson claimed a homestead in the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 18, this township, the same being secured at the land office at Tracy,
and the patent is signed by President James \. ( iarlield. June 20, 1881.
Ole Sorenson homesteaded land in the northeast quarter of section 24,
and the patent is dated February to, 1881, and signed by President R. B.
Hayes.
Olof Johnson homesteaded land in the east hall' of the northeast quar-
ter of section 12; also in the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 12. This was entered at the land office at Tracy, and hears date of
June 20, 1881, and is signed by President James \. (iarlield.
Ole Anderson homesteaded land in the west half of the southeast quar-
ter of section 10, and it was secured at the land office at Xew I'lm and
the patent is signed by President Hayes, February [O, [881,
Syver Xielson homesteaded land in the west half of the northwest
j85 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
quarter of section 12, the patent being signed by President James A. Gar-
field, June 20, 1 88 1 ; the entry was effected at the Tracy land office.
Jacob Hansen homesteaded land in the west half of the northwest quarter
of section 10; it was entered at the land office at Xew Ulm and was pat-
ented by President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
Forjus T. Einertson homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 2,
at the Tracy land office, and the same was patented by President Grover
Cleveland, August 5, 1884.
Bernt Johnson homesteaded the south half of the northeast quarter
of section 20, at the land office located at Tracy; his patent was granted by
President Chester A. Arthur, February 10, 1883.
Edward Erickson homesteaded the west half of the northwest quarter,
of section 8, at the land office at Tracy, the same being patented by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, January 15, 1885.
Peter G. Lundman homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 18, at
the land office at Tracy, the patent being granted by President Chester A.
Arthur, May 15, 1884.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Albert Olson pre-empted, at the St. Peter land office, the northwest
quarter of the northwest quarter of section 1, this township, President U. S.
Grant signing the papers, April 1, 1872.
Jacob A. Anderson, at the land office at New Ulm, pre-empted the
northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 2, President U. S.
Grant signing the papers, May 20, 1874.
Ole Andreas Pederson, at the land office at New Ulm, entered the east
half of the southeast quarter of section 8, the papers being signed by Presi-
dent Hayes, .May 24, 1S79.
Olf Jonsson, at the land office at New Ulm. entered land in the north-
west quarter of the northeast quarter of section 12. President U. S. Grant
signing the papers. May 20, 1874.
John Christenson entered the south half of the northeast quarter of
section 2, the papers being signed by President Haves. November io, [877.
Xels Engebretson entered land in the southwest quarter of section 12.
at the Xew Ulm land office and his papers were certified by President Hayes,
January 20, 1881.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 1 S7
THE VILLAGE OF WESTBROOK.
Westbrook was platted June 8, 1900, by the Inter-Slate Land Com-
pany, in section 29, township 107, range 38 west.
Westbrook township contained the first settlers of the county, one
authority stating that the first settler after the Indian massacre of 1862 was
Joseph F. Bean and next, George B. Walker, followed by other families
settling in Westbrook township. Thus it was that when the Currie branch
of Omaha railroad was built through here in iqoo, it tapped a magnificent
farming region, well settled, rich and productive, the trade of which for
many years was far from market. On nth of July, 1900, the sale of lots
was held for the now prosperous town of Westbrook, the buyers wading
around in an oats field, which yielded forty bushels per acre, looking for
corner stakes. This was the beginning of Westbrook. Previous to this
time there had been an effort made to have the town started on what is
now known as the west side, and for a while there was a restaurant, store
and several "blind pigs." The present site of the town was the result of a
disagreement between the townsite company and Adolph Peterson.
At the lot sale the highest price paid was six hundred dollars for the
corner lot, now occupied by the First National Bank. The first people on
the ground to do business was the L. P. Dolliff Lumber Company, with
G. F. Streates as manager, and the Laird-Norton yards, with H. E. Daffer
as manager. Sivert Norum had moved a shed from Storden in which he
started a boarding house for the workmen, until he got up the building
known as the Commercial Hotel, later occupied by the saloon of John
Stitz. This was the first building in town and in addition to keeping board-
ers, .Mr. Norum also sold the first groceries of the town in one room and
was also the first postmaster. At that time, before the railroad was built,
he carried the mail three times a week from Storden.
The next building was that of J. E. Nelson, the harness man, and about
this time the town got busy and was a veritable beehive of all kinds of
mechanics.
Schippel & Malschke started their large two-story brick block, twenty-
five by one hundred feet, and the State Bank, later the First National, rushed
to completion the finest two-story brick and stone building in the town, at
a cost of five thousand five hundred and eighty dollars. This hank \
organized. December 1, 1900, with an authorized capital of two hundred
thousand dollars, twenty-live thousand of which was paid up. The first
l8S COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN;
officers were: President, J. W. Benson, of Heron lake; vice-president, B.
N. Bodelson, of Dundee; cashier, J. O. Pearson, of Heron lake. Farmers
and business men took an active interest in the bank and very soon it was
among the strongest in the county.
St. John Brothers were the first in the field with a first-class store
building, forty-six by seventy-two feet, with a storage house thirty by forty
feet, all of which was opened for business on September 30. The post-
office was moved into this building, January 7, 1901, and M. A. Tohnson
was appointed postmaster, Mr. Norum having resigned.
Wild & Spaulding built a large two-story frame building, together with
a large warehouse for buggies and farm machinery. Other improvements
made during the fall of 1900 were the Erickson two-story building, the
Theo. Miller building, later occupied by J. E. Villa; the Dick Needhaus city
meat market building, John Holland's saloon, Dorster & Fritsche's two-
story implement house, later owned by Peterson & Norum; Silliman Brothers'
big store and hall building, J. J. Hubin's furniture store and residence, the
building occupied by O'Neill & McCormick's saloon and the building occu-
pied by Rehnelt's pool hall. The city drug store and building was moved
here from Dundee by E. F. Fricke.
The Kane-Slice Implement Company was the first to engage in the
implement business. They constructed a large two-story warehouse, twenty-
four by sixty feet, just west of the First National Bank.
Peter Anderson conducted the first livery in the bam to the rear of the
hotel. Very soon afterwards Frank G. Myres put in the Westbrook livery
and early on the ground with a well equipped blacksmith shop was John
Bendixen.
Brown & Roberts had the barber shop, Getty & Green conducted a real
estate office, W. G. Owens, attorney, and Dr. C. P. Nelson were the pro-
fessional men.
At this time Dolliff & Company and Laird-Norton Company erected
mammoth lumber sheds which were necessar) in order to keep a sufficient
supply nf lumber on hands for the numerous buildings that were being con-
structed. Four large and first-class elevators were put up to meet the
demands of the farmers, they being the ones of the St. John Brothers, Hub-
bard & Palmer, Renke Brothers and K. Krueger.
Evidently anticipating the rush <>!' business the railroad company put
in commodious yards and sidings connecting with the elevator and stock-
yards, dug a deep well and installed a large water tank and just west of
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. l8o
town opened a gravel pit from which they ballasted the line from Currie
to Bingham Lake.
Schueller & Welter, of Morgan, bought the Commercial Hotel, which
was conducted by Frank Scheffert until April, 1002, after which time the
town was several months without a hotel.
The west side continued to make show for business and J. D. Bevier
and family hail a restaurant and boarding house, a small general store and
blacksmith shop. There was also a full fledged "reading room" besides
several "restaurants." The county attorney closed the last named places
and business on the west side declined until nothing is left except some of
the buildings and the Krueger elevator. The west side is now one of the
fine resident districts of the town and no longer is there any feeling of
separation or distinction from the rest of the town.
Two large ice houses were built, one operated by Chris Hanson for
the Westbrook Ice Company and one by Peterson & Carlson.
Up to May. 1 901, some sixteen or eighteen residences had been built.
B. E. Low was the first to move to town to live as a retired farmer, he
coming from his farm near Lake Eliza. Johnson Brothers built and occu-
pied the first good residence, later the property of Walter Larson. The
homes of J. A. Pearson, Chris Hanson, George Spooner, S. Norum, P. D.
Peterson, J. J. Christy. I. C. Freeman, Frank Meyers, W. F. Wenholz, B. E.
Low. K. Krueger and Gustav Grams were among the principal residence
improvements of the fall and winter of 1900.
INCORPORATION, ETC.
Previous to March, 1001, the village had no officers, and every man
was a law unto himself, but at this time incorporation was made, an election
held and the first set of officers chosen. They were as follow: Mayor,
M. A. Johnson; councilmen, Augusl Wild, W. II. Wenholz, G. A. Schippel;
recorder, G. F. Streater; treasurer. J, A. Pearson; justices of peace, George
Spooner and D. Needham; constable, D. J. Green; assessor, S. B. Stockwell;
I. C. Freeman, marshal; attorney, W. D. Owen. The work of the first
council for the good of the town will ever stand as a monument to their
business sagacity and wise administration. At this time three saloons were
licensed, at one thousand dollars each.
About May 1, I'. II. Rupp built a shoe -tore. F. II. Fricke also put up
a small shoe store. Among other improvements was the completion of
IQO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
Doctor Nelson's corner drug store at a cost of two thousand dollars; Schip-
pel's two-story brick block, adjoining the First National Bank, in the fall,
at a cost of three thousand dollars; Sampson's restaurant, twenty by thirty-
six feet, at a cost of five hundred dollars. D. H. Flynn bought and finished
the two-story frame building started by John Kaeding. The Sentinel built
a home, twenty by forty-eight feet, at a cost of nine hundred dollars. Lin-
schied's two-story building, used as a photograph gallery, constituted the
business improvements of the year. The Standard Brewing Company put
up a large cold storage house the same year.
In 1902 the Commercial Club was formed and as a result of their hustle
the town secured a splendid one hundred barrel flour-mill, costing sixteen
thousand dollars. Land for the mill was secured between Hubbard &
Palmer's and Krueger's elevators and the first active work was begun on
May 8, by Bert Milligan, who started the mill. Mr. Gress. of the Sleepy
Eye Milling Company, was at the head of the new enterprise. The mill
was later destroyed by fire, and never rebuilt.
The following is a record of the tons of freight and car-load lots
received and forwarded from January 1, 1902, to May 1, 1902. When
these figures are compared with those of the same period of time today, it
may be seen how great has been the growth of trade.
Freight forwarded. Car loads.
Total tonnage, merchandise, 5,981,125 pounds 160
Live stock 45
Total 205
Freight received. Car loads.
Total tonnage, merchandise, 4,861,033 pounds 115
A glance at the village will show that it has been quite active in the
way of improvements. In 1902 the town installed a complete water-works
system, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The water is furnished by a
well sixty-three feet deep, resting in lake sand. At one time a test was
made tn ascertain the strength of the well. Water was pumped out at the
rate of Forty-five gallons per minute, with the result that the water in the
well was lowered only twelve feet, after which it was impossible to lower
the supply. Water is pumped into a tank holding thirty-five thousand gal-
lons and thereby the town is furnished with an abundance of water by
means of strong pressure.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Tn January. 1915. an electric plant was put in at a cost of eight thou-
sand dollars. The plant runs from about dusk in the evening until mid-
night. In the way of fire protection, they have an organized fire company
of twenty-six men and an ample supply of fire equipment, such as hose,
ladders, etc. The town has five miles of cement walks and each year more
are added. The order in the town must be pretty good, because no marshal
or policeman is on the pay roll and the "lock up" has a deserted appearance.
The president- that have served the village are herein given in their
order of service: M. A. "Johnson, C. A. Zieske, D. H. Flynn, T. D. Annis,
V. T. Miller, R. C. Soil, O. C. Anderson, J. E. Villa and W. F. Mead.
The present officers are inclusive of the following: President, \Y. E.
Mead; trustees. M. J. Breen, Reinhold Ewy and A. L. N. Christianson;
recorder, Jos Budish.
POSTOFFICE.
The Westbrook postoffice was established at about the same time the
town was incorporated, Mr. Si vert Norum being appointed the first post-
master. Other men who have served in the same capacity are Andrew Lorsi >n,
M. A. Johnson, Clark \Y. Seely and John L. Sammons. The receipts for
this office are the largest in the county, with the exception of Windom.
Three rural routes distribute mail through the rural districts from this office.
The receipts for the last fiscal year, exclusive of the money department,
amounted to three thousand three hundred and sixty dollars.
WESTBROOK STREET FAIR.
On October 1, igoi, a meeting was held in Ancient Order of United
Workmen hall for the purpose of organizing a street fair association. Will-
iam G. Owens was made the temporary chairman. The meeting proceeded
to elect officers and the following were chosen: President, William G.
Owens; vice-president, M. A. Johnson; secretary, \Y. B. Leo; treasurer,
J. A. Pearson; executive committee, J. E. Villa, Ed. Loomis and J. J.
Christy. Six hundred dollars were offered in premiums. The first fair
was a success, as were those which followed. It was estimated that live
thousand people attended and enjoyed the features usually found at a county
fair, such as the baby -how, wild west, merry-go-round, vaudeville, etc.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR IQl6.
The business interests of Westbrook in July. 1916, were in charge of
the following:
I92 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Auto garage — Pederson & Ludwickson, E. Paetznick, Grant Ross.
Attorney — John L. Sammons.
Banks — First National, Citizens State.
Barber — Edward Dietchman.
Blacksmith — E. A. Paetznick, James Sorenson.
Clothing — Cohrs & Ewy.
Dray line — John Simning.
Drugs — Walter E. Mead.
Dentist— F. M. Miller.
Elevator — John J. Christy, Farmers Elevator Company, C. Krueger,
F. Romke.
Furniture — Hans J. Christianson.
General dealer — George Woodward, Westbrook Co-operative Company.
Grocer — G. A. Scheppel.
Hotel — The Westbrook.
Harness — J. E. Nelson.
Hardware — Footh Brothers, Bengton & Sons.
Ice dealer — John Simning.
Implement dealer — Westbrook Implement Company, R. Ewy.
Jeweler — Theo. J. Arneson.
Lumber dealer — Botsford Lumber Company, L. P. Dolliff & Company.
Livery — John E. Anderson.
Milliner — Anastacia Travel.
Meat market — Falk Brothers.
Motion picture show — The Dixie.
Newspaper — The Sentinel.
Physician — H. A. Schmidt.
Produce dealer — Hansford Produce Company.
Photograph gallery — T. F. Leavitt.
Restaurant — T. P. Anderson.
Real estate — R. L. Eckert Land Company.
Stock dealer — Westbrook Stock Buyers Association, Charles Pasmore.
Veterinary — E. R. Tillisch.
Telephone — Windom Mutual and Northwestern.
Westbrook, although in its infancy, impresses a stranger as being the
most city-like village in the county. It has wide and well-improved streets,
which are clean and unusually well lighted with electric lights. It is one
of the very few towns of its size in southern .Minnesota that owns its own
HIGH SCHOOL. WESTBROOK.
. 1
MAIN STREET, WESTBROOK.
%N^i^
FARM SCENE NEAR WESTBROOK.
DOUBLE LAKES DRIVE NEAR WESTBROOK.
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. [93
power and water plant. It can boast of a newspaper that has a wide circu-
lation, a model of its kind and one which does credit to the town and the
community.
Westbrook is a town of beautiful homes and well-kept lawns; a place
especially well suited and inviting to the homeseeker, because there is found
almost any religious denomination one may seek and a school system that
would do credit to a town many times its size.
In the western part of town is a park that the town board bought of
Whited, the townsite man, a short time after the town was laid out, for the
nominal sum of one thousand dollars. The park is not merely a square
lot With a few trees scattered here and there, but, instead, one sees trees
of various species, symetrically placed and of a uniform size. The park-
is well supplied with inviting ^eats and chairs and is thoroughly lighted with
electric lights. Westbrook's first annual chautauqua, held July 9 to 14,
1916. was held in the park, which made an ideal location. Up to this time
there were many people in the village and vicinity who did not realize what
a fine place for such a gathering the town has. The chautauqua was a
success in every detail.
It has been stated upon good authority that Westbrook has as much
business as the other towns on the Currie branch combined, which, if true,
we predict that in the next decade she will be second to none in the county
as a business center. At the time the townsite was laid out, it was con-
sidered the best on the Currie branch, as it was surrounded by a magnificent
territory of rich farming lands, which had been settled for many years
by thrifty and progressive farmers, many of whom were homesteaders
twenty-five to thirty years ago. The location of Westbrook is an admir-
able one from a business standpoint, speaking geographically. It is on the
west side of Cottonwood county, a little over a mile from the Murray
county line and is about the center of the county on a north and south line.
twenty-eight miles from Windom and ha- a wide trade territory in every
direction.
As an index of the growth and improvements in the town from July
11, 1900, to May 1. 1901. one need notice only the assessed valuations.
The assessed value of building improvements was forty-four thousand dol-
lars. On May 1, the personal property valuation was seventy-four thousand
five hundred and twenty-two dollars. These values did not include real
estate.
(13) ■
CHAPTER VII.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
Agriculture in all ages of the world's history has been man's chief
industry and substantial support. There is only a comparatively small per-
centage of the earth's surface on which good crops can be produced. The
grains and grasses and fruits and vegetables can only be found growing
in limited portions of the globe, and the man who lives in a crop belt and
owns a farm, be it small or large, is the most independent being on earth.
When all other industries fail, he still is called upon to provide food for the
earth's population. There are certain localities where the great harvests of
wheat, corn and other bread-stuff products can be seen in their annual
beauty and wealth. This section of the United States is confined largely
to the great Mississippi and Missouri valleys. Hence, he who is fortunate
enough to have his farm located in any one of the central western states, in-
cluding Minnesota, is indeed fortunate. Among the counties where corn,
wheat, oats, grasses, fruits and vegetables grow in abundance, and a crop
failure is seldom recorded, we find Cottonwood classed among the foremost.
The manner of farming and the class of products have changed
materially in the last third of a century. Then it was wheat ami oats and
flax almost entirely; now the successful farmer is a believer in and grower
of corn and the feeding of stock and butter-making. Not alone have the
crops changed, but the machinery with which all farm work is now clone
is vastly different from that employed when Cottonwood county was organ-
ized forty-six years ago. True, they had harvesters and mowers, but not
such as we use today. We had to wait years for a successful self-binder;
first, the Walter A. Wood wire binder; then the real "binder." the Appleby,
invented by a Minnesota man, came into universal use. The harvesting
peril id has been shortened. The hay-making machinery is another innova-
tion of the farm. The old "bull" rakes with wooden teeth are no more
known. This generation never operated one.
The hav-rakes, the hav-forks and all stacking machinery are built on a
different plan than those our fathers used. We can put up twenty times as
much hay in a given time as they could. The corn-planter, cultivator, walk-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I95
ing and riding plows, and disks and a hundred and one machines, including
the thresher and the corn harvesters, have all come into use long since the
homesteader plodded over this county, content to use what machinery his
time afforded. He worked longer days and rode in nothing like an auto-
mobile, yet to him we owe the present prosperity of Cottonwood county.
He remained here through all sorts of adversities, until the sun of better
days began to light up the former gloom.
A day's drive through any one of the townships of this county will
present to the tourist a scene at once charming and one which is ever a feast
to the eye of one who has an eye for beauty and an appreciation of the great
agricultural interests of southern Minnesota. Here one sees the well-tilled
farms, the tame grasses, the fattening stock, the well-built, well-painted
farm houses, and the surrounding barns and shedding, with silos towering
up to show what modern agriculture really has accomplished. With the
farm, the stock, the dairy, the poultry, the fruit orchard and excellent
garden, no one can question the statement that these people are a favored
people.
POULTRY SHOW.
Windom' first annual poultry show took place in December, 1907, and
was one of the best and biggest this part of the state ever saw. Birds were
brought from many parts of Minnesota and Iowa, and a great interest was
manifested. It was organized with the intent inn of making it a permanent
institution and of doing lasting good to the county and community.
. EARLY AND PRESENT STOCK FARMS.
Among the first great horse-breeding farms of Cottonwood county
was that established in the spring of 1892 by Charles Thompson. It was
known as the "Riverside Stock Farm," and is situated just opposite Win-
dom, across the Des Moines river and comes down to the water's edge.
Here more than one hundred thousand dollars was expended for stock anil
building, including a twelve-thousand-dollar imported stallion. Both the
barns and residence were constructed on modern plans. The grounds were
laid out by landscape gardeners and the lawn was viewed by hundreds, who
pronounced it among the finest in Minnesota. Mr. Thompson buill a tine
race track, a half-mile in length, the whole being enclosed by a high tight
board fence, so that neither animals nor drivers could in any possible main
be injured. A large pasture was fenced in with boards, the enclosure hav-
Iq6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
ing about three hundred acres within it. This pasture has the Des Moines
river running through it for at least a distance of one mile, and it was
skirted with sufficient timber to insure shelter and shade from the sun's hot
rays. It was divided into large paddocks where the brood mares were safely
kept on the finest growth of blue grass. In his barns and pastures there
were kept some of the most valuable and handsome horses to be found in
the United States, some of which were closely related to "Nancy Hanks,"
which animal in 1892 broke all records for speed in trotting races in this
country. The superintendent in 1892-3 was W. D. Wright and the fore-
man was James Hanton, together with trained horsemen from the Kentucky
horse farms.
After the death of Mr. Thompson, the enterprise went down and
gradually the place was subdivided and allowed to go out of the horse
breeding business and is now used for general farming purposes, but not
particularly devoted to blooded horses. Mr. Thompson was a mute and the
son of a wealthy land-owner of St. Paul ; both father and son are now de-
ceased, and the vast landed estate includes the largest farm land acreage in
Minnesota by any one family. It is cared for now by Air. Kendall, for-
merly of Windom.
In the nineties, the following appeared in the local newspaper:
"One of the wide-awake progressive stock men of the county is John
Paulson, who is the owner and proprietor of the "Three Lake Stock Farm."
He makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hugs and Shrop-
shire sheep. He has quite a reputation as a breeder of thoroughbred stock
and his blooded animals are found throughout the state of Minnesota."
The present blooded-stock raisers include the following: Ole O. Knut-
son, Ann township; Helga Johnson, Ann township: Hanson & Nackerund,
Ann township: Peter Nelson (Shorthorn cattle). Westbrook township; O.
H. Smeby, Westbrook township, fancy hogs, etc.; J. A. Christiansen (Hol-
stein cattle), Westbrook township; .\T. J. Henkels, Southbrook township;
J. P.. Savage, Delton township; X. P. Minion. Delton township: Charles W.
Stark, Selma township; John J. Quiring, Midway township; Emil Paulson,
Dale township; 1''.. J. Gove, Lakeside township; D. W. Weld. Windoin;
Henrv D. Peters, Dale township; T. V. & Lula Fisk, Selma township. Be-
sides the foregoing there are many more smaller farms where line stock-
breeding is carried on to quite an extent. The county has prospered more
since the line stock and dairy business has been established than in all the
previous years in the history of Cottonwood county.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. l()J
THE CREAMERY INDUSTRY.
Men and women still living in Cottonwood county, remember, when
children and youths, the old dash churn and what a tedious task it was to
get butter "to come" by the constant plying of the old upright dasher. In
winter the cream was said to be too cold and hot water was turned into the
stoneware churn, and in summer it was said to be too hot, so the housewife
placed cold water in the churn. Sometimes it never did come as first-class
butter, but usually the patience of the good housekeeper was rewarded with
a crock of butter which had to be worked and packed in tubs or jars and
finally sold or exchanged for groceries, at from seven to twelve cents per
pound.
A little later the system was changed and what was known as the "sub-
merged can" was brought into use. Deep cans holding several gallons of
milk were placed in tanks filled with water and kept cool, till the cream was
fully raised to the top when it was skimmed out and sold to the butter
dealer, who sometimes collected and at other times demanded it be brought
to the butter factory.
Then, again, the dealer preferred to have the farmer bring him "un-
salted" butter, and the butter-maker would then take all grades of unsalted
butter and mix them together and usually add plenty of Wells-Richardson's
butter color, which was the staple article from ocean to ocean, for making
the otherwise white butter an even yellow color. Times have changed;
now the pure food laws will not admit of colored butter in many states of
the Union.
Then came the modern creamery with the improved Danish separator,
which in a few moments extracts every particle of the butter-fat from the
milk. This was a great change and the system has spread throughout the
entire dairy section of the country. Creameries have been established in
almost every township of the counties. Some are private, some corporation
and many are farmer's co-operative concerns, but of whatever character
they may be, they have proven of great financial l>enefit to the community
in which they are operated. Cottonwood, with many of her sister counties
i- by nature a good dairy section. The farmer who in the last two decades
has paid strict attention to keeping and caring for good milk cows, has come
to be the most successful of any of the agriculturists in the country. The
bank accounts have constantly increased and the farmer's family have been
able to indulge in many of the luxuries which the early wheat-growing
farmer knew nothing of.
198 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
It is to be regretted that the statistics of the dairy and creamery in-
dustry of this county have not been collected and made a matter of record,
save in a few instances. The raising of fine stock and the production of
butter are important factors in the wealth of the county. The creamery,
especially, is what has made Minnesota famous. The immense crops of
wheat for flour-making purposes, together with these creameries, have given
the state the name of the "bread and butter state." Cottonwood county, so
long ago as the World's Fair at Chicago, in 1893, was styled the "Blue Grass
county" of Minnesota.
During 1907 the Dovary Creamery Company, of this county, issued
the following statement: Total number of patrons, one hundred and
seventy-five; pounds of butter-fat, one hundred and sixty-two thousand;
total number of pounds of butter, one hundred and eighty-seven thousand;
per cent of over-run, fourteen and nine-tenths; average price per pound for
butter-fat, twenty-five and one-half cents; total amount paid patrons, forty-
one thousand four hundred and thirty dollars and sixty-one cents.
The present Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Storden began its
operations in the month of May, 1916, under the management of Anton
Madson. The old creamery burned and was replaced by the present one in
[915. This plant has a capacity of six thousand pounds of butter fat per
week, but the present output is averaging about three thousand five hundred
pounds per week. The entire products are marketed in New York City.
At Bingham Lake the creamery is a private concern and is now the
property of George O. Fisher, who recently purchased it of H. E. Hakes.
now of Windom. This is one of the few creameries that calls for and
delivers milk and cream. At this date the owner has two delivery routes.
Aboul cue hundred and fifty patrons are served by this plant, which is
turning out on an average of three thousand five hundred pounds of butter-
fat per week, all of which finds a ready sale at a fair price in the markets
of New York City.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The first fair association, or agricultural society, organized in this county
was the one formed al a meeting at the school house in Windom, July 15.
1882, at which date the following officers were elected: President, C. F.
Warner, and about twenty vice-presidents from the various townships and
villages in the county. On July 29, [882, a constitution and by-laws were
adopted and the membership Fee fixed at fifty cents per member. About one
hundred joined the society in the county and two hundred fair premium lists
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. I < j< )
were printed and distributed. At the first annual fair the marshal of the
day was Paul Seeger. In 18S6 the society purchased forty acres of land,
including the present line fair grounds at Windom. They paid one thousand
two hundred dollars for this tract of land and in 1889 sold sixteen acres of it
for the same sum
In autumn, 1916, Cottonwood county held its thirty-fifth annual county
fair on the grounds located in Windom, and which are provided with the
best improvements to. be found in any county in the state, outside the large
cities like St. Paul and Minneapolis. The county now draws from two to
four hundred dollars per year from the state fund, per legislative enactment
of several years ago.
Cottonwood has had several organizations for agricultural fair pur-
poses, but they all come within the period since 1874. The following is
gleaned from the Windom Reporter, connecting the first organization of a
county agricultural society :
"The first agricultural society in Cottonwood county was organized in
Windom, Fehruarv 1, 1874, with thirty or forty members. The first offi-
cers included the following: A. A. Soule, president; S. B. Stedman, vice-
president; William Prentiss, secretary; S. O. Taggart. treasurer; executive
committee, S. E. Ford, George Haigh and J. F. Bean. J. W. Benjamin
and D. C. Davis were elected delegates to attend the meeting of the State
Agricultural Society, Fehruarv 4, T874."
In July, 1882, a meeting was held at the school building for the pur-
pose of reviving the Agricultural Society. C. F. Warren called the meeting
to order. After stating the purpose of the meeting, the subject of a county
fair for the coming fall was discussed and it was unanimously decided to
hold one. A new election of officers took place, with the following result:
C. I'". Warren, president; Fred Carpenter, vice-president; I'". M. Dyer, secre-
tarv; executive committee. John (lark, J. F. French, A. E. Woodruff and J.
Cutler. Vice-presidents were chosen according to townships. S. H. Soule,
Mountain Pake; S. Blackman, Selma; J. S. Narmore, Delton; M. T. Dewolf,
Lakeside; S. M. Espey, Great Bend; A. A. Start. Dale; II. H. Potter,
Amboy; Chris Brand, Germantown; ' ieorge Quevli, Highwater; Rasmus
Anderson. Storden; D. < '. Ashley, \mo; (i. S. Redding, Springfield; W. J.
Jones, Southbrook; Henry Trautfether, Rose Hill; A. L. Larson, West-
brook; Chris Anderson, Amo. Tin- old constitution was adopted, subjed
to amendment. The management was to be almost entirely in the hands
of the farmers.
Officers: W I". Sanger, president; L. C. Churchill, secretary; T. A.
200 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES. MINX.
Perkins, treasurer ; C. E. Ware, C. C. Morey and W. W. Hunter, vice-presi-
dents; P. G. Neufeld, Gus Miller, Fred Moser and Dr. F. E. Judd, directors.
Superintendents: Horses — Dr. F. . Judd; cattle — D. A. Noble; sheep
and swine, C. E. Ware; grain, seeds, vegetables and fruits — \Y. \Y. Hunter;
floral, domestic, fancy work — P. G. Neufeld; machinery and automobiles —
F. Moser; rural and graded schools — Alf R. Person; races and privileges —
W. F. Sanger.
Cottonwood county has long been noted for its excellent county fairs.
This bespeaks much for the intelligence as well as enterprise of its farmers
and business men, all doing their full share to make these annual exhibits a
success. This year is its thirty-fifth fair.
PRIZES FOR FARM EXHIBITS.
The customary amount of $80 will be offered for farm exhibits again
this year. This feature has become so popular that other fairs have adopted
it, and we want to still retain the lead by having some splendid exhibits.
The prizes will be divided as follow: $30. $20, $15 and $5. This exhibit,
which must be grown during 1916, and the points upon which they will be
marked when judging is done, shall consist of threshed grain, 100 plants;
sheaf grain, 100 points; corn 200; native grass, 50; tame grass, 100; for-
age, 100; potatoes, 100; stock, vegetables, 50; miscellaneous, 100. Every
article exhibited must be raised by the exhibitor. A space will be allotted
to each exhibitor, if they will notify the secretary, L. C. Churchill, that they
intend to enter the contest. This space can be fixed up as tastily as the
exhibitor may desire, and the booth decorations will count in the awarding
of the prizes, 100 points.
FARM NAMES.
By a wise provision of the state of Minnesota law-makers, each register
of deeds is provided with a book in which may be recorded the name, loca-
tion and owner's name of farms within the county. A fee of fifty cents is
all that is charged for such recording, and all who value a name and are
landowners in a county should have pride enough to so record a name for
their farm. The following have so far taken advantage of this opportunity
in Cottonwood county since the law became effective:
The "New Leland Farm," by E. C. Morck, June 21, 1910, in section 9,
township 107, range 37 west.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 201
"Willow Glen," March n, 191 1. in the northeast quarter of section 28,
township 107, range 36 west, by John A. Kees, Jr.
"Valley Dale Stock Farm," March 12, 1912, by Alvin Rand, in the
northwest quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter of section 35,
township 106, range 36 west.
"Eureka Farm," in the north half of the northeast quarter of section 30,
and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 19, township 108, range
3~ west, by I. O. Iverson.
"Greenwood Farm," March 22, 1913, by H. J. Fast, in the east half of
the southeast quarter and the south half of the northeast quarter of section
12. township 105, range 34 west, and the west half of the southwest quarter
of section 6, township 105, range t,^ west.
"Highcroft," November 8, 1913, by C. W. Gove, in the south half of
the northwest quarter of section 24. township T05, range 36 west.
"Momingside." Xovmeber 8. 1913, by C. \\\ Gove, in the north half
of the southwest quarter of section 24. township 105, range 36 west.
"Sunnyside." by D. U. Weld, in section 35, township 105, range 36.
Date. January 20, 19 14.
"Springvale Stock Farm," February 18, [913, by Henrv D. Peters, in
the northeast quarter of section 36, township 106, range 36.
"Fairview Farm," February 24, 1914, l.ars M. Olson, in the northeast
quarter of section 5. township 106, range 37 west.
"Germantown Stock Farm," March 21, k; 14. by Emil Pankomis, in the
northeast quarter of section 1,2. township 108, range 36 west.
"Wild Wood harm." May 8, 1914, by 15. W. Gove, in the southeast
quarter of section 2, township 106, range 38 west, and the west half of the
southeast quarter of the same town and range.
"Clover Brook Farm," August 18, 1914, Mr. Mathisson, in the west
half of the southwest quarter of section 22, township 108, range 38 west.
"Fairhurst Farm," by A. G. Mareness, in the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 11, township 103, range 36 west, February n, 1915.
"Lakeside Stock Farm," by F. J. Gove, in the northeast quarter of the
northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 10, township 105, range
35 west. March 24, 1915.
"Bonanza Stock Farm," March 26, 1013, by IT. F. Hanson, in the
southwest quarter of section 17, township 108, range 38, and the northwi
quarter of section 20, same town and range.
"Grand View Farm," April 7. [915, by John Malady, in the northeast
quarter of section 26, township 105, range 35 west.
202 COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
"Lake Shore Farm." June 2$, 191 5, by August H. Steigelmeyer, in the
northwest quarter of section 10, township 105, range 35 west.
"Maplehurst Farm," February 14, 1916, by Christop A. Goring, in the
southwest quarter of section 24, township 107, range 34 west.
"Clover Leaf Farm." March 21, 1916. by H. P. McElroy, in the south-
west quarter of the northeast quarter of section 9, township 107, range 37
west.
"American Stock Farm," by T. A', and Lula Fisk, June 19, 1916, all
of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 107, range 34 west, and the
west half of the northeast quarter of the same town and range.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
The state reports show that in 191 3 Cottonwood county had in opera-
tion seven creameries, with an output of 671.317 pounds of butter. The
live stock of the county at that date was as follow: Horses, 11. 761; cattle,
29,510; sheep, 5.547; swine. 17.532. Land was sold at from eighty-five
dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
The crop average was as follows in 1913 : Corn, 62,069; oats, 57,498;
wheat. 13.937; barley, 26,854; rye, 5.662; flax, 2,000; potatoes, 950; hay,
63,830.
In 1895 the agricultural reports for the state by counties gave the fol-
lowing for Cottonwood county:
X umber of farms improved — 1,700; creameries, 6; forest trees planted
and growing, 3,920 acres; rods of trees along highways. 10,420; total of
bearing apple trees. 3.563; apple trees growing. 14.400; grape vines bearing,
3.595-
Live -lock: Cows, 5,880; sheep, 7,310; cattle under three years old,
4.(132: horse three years and over, 5,632: hogs, '',621; sheep (sheared),
7.310: sheep raised, 0,211.
Field crops: Acres of wheat, 57,000; oats. 36,000; corn. 19,167; bar-
ley, 10.701; rye. 288; buskv beat, 46; potatoes, 935; sugar cane, 60; tame
hay. 1.1 i.'o; flax, 9,000.
Going back to [890, it is found by the agricultural reports that there
were raised: Wheat. 409,000 bushels; oats, 70S. 000 bushels: corn, 149,000
bushels; barley. 31.000 bushels; potatoes, 32.000 bushels; flax seed. 133.000
I Lishels; tons of tame bay. 4,425; prairie bay, 43.000 tons.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 203
CORN ADVANCING YEARLY.
In 1880 the growth of Indian corn in this county was looked upon by
the farmer and landowner as among the doubtful problems, and not con-
sidered at all practical. That year there were planted 4,000 acres of corn
and 8.000 acres in oats and barley. But the reports of 18Q3 show that there
were raised 644,000 bushels of wheat: 587,000 bushels of oats and 349,000
bushels of corn; barley, 272,000 bushels. The same year the county pro-
duced 545,000 pounds of butter for shipment.
NUMBER OF FARMS, ETC.
In 18S0 there were 867 farms in Cottonwood county: in 1893 the num-
ber was 1,515, and on these there were 7,000 horses and mules; 10,200 head
of cattle ; 24,000 sheep, and 4,000 hogs.
COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION PREMIUM.
At the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 a Windom man took the prize for
the gold medal offered on butter from a dairy plant. In 1908 it was said:
"There are numerous creameries in this county and those adjoining it. These
are mostly on the co-operative plan, and their product sells in the Xew York
city markets at the top prices, having often brought more than the famous
Elgin, Illinois, butter. The Windom Creamery has just captured the second
prize at the International Butter Makers' Association contest at Minneapo-
lis. These two counties — Jackson and Cottonwood — arc capable, of easily
sustaining a hundred creameries."
The Windom Creamery Company, organized in 1894, had a capital of
four thousand dollars and was a co-operative concern, made up of the busi-
ness men and farmers of this county, in the vicinity of Windom. In 1900
its books show they sold twenty-five thousand d< .liars' worth of butter in
the markets of the Fast. It had the largest number of band separators of
any creamerv in Minnesota and its equipment was the best t'i be bad at that
date. I. A. Hanson, a native of Brown county, was the butter-maker — and
there was none better in Minesota then.
204 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN* COUNTIES, MINN.
STOCK MEN OF I908.
A local paper printed in 1908 speaks thus of the fine stock men of this
county: "Some of the finest stock in the state is raised in the vicinity of
Windom. Mr. Van Xest's Shorthorn drove, headed by a thousand-dollar
bull; Mr. Waters' famous herd of thoroughbred and grade Shorthorns; Mr.
Converse's splendid herd of the same breed; Grant Brothers' Polled Angus;
Mr. Weld's beautiful herd of Galloways; Lars Anderson's Galloways; Ole
Knudson's Shorthorns; Mr. Einertson's Holsteins; H. Sherman's Jerseys,
and Silliman Brothers' Polled Angus have proven the adaptability of this
county for the raising of fine stock. Cottonwood county ships many head
of blooded cattle to other states."
In 1910 there were in Cottonwood county twelve creameries, the output
of which was 566,405 pounds of butter. Live stock — Horses, 9.806; cattle,
23,543; sheep, 9,067; swine, 12,312. The assessment books at the auditor's
office show that the acreage in 1912 for this county was as follows: Corn,
50,891; oats, 62.175: wheat, 17,707; barley. 23,222; flax. 65,191; potatoes,
58,028.
CHAPTER VIII.
SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
In all civilized portions of the globe today there are found various civic
and secret orders — men banded together to work for each other's good.
There was a time when many of the religious sects would not tolerate con-
nection with such societies by members of their denominations. Especially
did the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities have a struggle to establish
themselves in many parts of this country and in Europe. The feeling was
hitter, no doubt, on account of their ignorance on the workings and aims of
these ancient orders. But with the passing of years and a better understand-
ing of such orders and the many good, benevolent deeds seeirin the com-
munity, as a result of such lodges, many of the broader churches favored
such organizations, and the pastors and rectors of the churches were num-
bered among the "brightest Masons," and the same was true, at a later date.
of the Odd Fellow order. There are still some religious sects who do not
believe it right to have secret societies, but they are in a small minority.
In the settlement of every new county there have been found a few
Free Masons and Odd Fellows who, as soon as a sufficient number had made
settlement near to one another, organized themselves into lodges. This was
true in Cottonwood county. tor the Masonic lodge at Windom was organ-
ized two years after the county was organized.
MASONIC LODGES.
Masonry is the oldest secrel order that is now known to have existed
in the world. It is well represented in America, as well as all other en-
lightened parts of the globe. With almost every hand of sturdy pioneers
there are found members of this order, and a- soon as any considerable
tlement has been effected a lodge is instituted.
Prudence Lodge Xo. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Win-
dom, was formed in April, 1872, when they worked undei di pensation,
which continued until February 1, [873, when a Iodg( a organized. The
first officers to serve under dispensation wen- a- follow: C. C. Purdy, wi 1
shipful master; C. L. Hubbs, senior warden; W. II. Wilson, junior warden;
206 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
S. M. Espy, secretary; C. H. Smith, treasurer; R. R. Jenness, senior dea-
con; S. S. Johnson, junior deacon; H. Klock, tyler. The charter of this
lodge is dated January 15, 1873. The total present membership is one hun-
dred and twenty-two.
The elective officers in 1916 were as follows: Jens Anderson, worshipful
master; Earl Marshall, senior warden; S. L. Rogers, junior warden; J. O.
Thompson, senior deacon; T. E. Dickey, junior deacon; E. A. Sims, treas-
urer; Andrew Elness, senior steward; F. J. Carpenter, junior steward; Nels
Anderson, chaplain; George E. LeTourneau, tyler, and John J. Rupp, secre-
tary.
The lodge owns the Masonic Temple, built in 1903, at an expense of
about fifteen thousand dollars. It is a brick and stone structure of strictly
modern style throughout. Before this was erected the lodge had a frame
hall for many years.
There is no other Masonic lodge within Cottonwood county, only the one
located at Westbrook.
Windom Chapter No. 48, of Royal Arch Masons, at Windotn, the only
one in Cottonwood county, was organized on December 3, 1886, by deputy
grand high priest, I. P. Durfee. The date of the charter granted this chap-
ter was October 12, 1886. The first officers were: R. R. Jenness, most
eminent high priest; W. B. Cook, king; Orrin Nason, scribe; T. C. Collins,
captain of host; C. A. Ludden, royal arch captain; J. S. Kibbey, master of
third veil; S. S. Johnson, master of second veil; T. J. Hunter, master of
first veil; A. D. Perkins, treasurer; R. M. Priest, secretary; George Miller,
sentinel; George E. LeTourneau, principal sojourner.
The chapter now enjoys a membership of fifty-five, a number of whom
do in a reside in Windom, as the chapter is made up of those from surround-
ing towns in Minnesota.
The officers in [916 were as follow: E. A. Sims, most eminent high
priest; G. E. LeTourneau, king; F. J. Carpenter, scribe; Nels Anderson,
captain of host; R, | ). Collins, principal sojourner; T. F. Dickey, royal
arch captain; John Anderson, master of third veil; Ani. Elness, master of
second veil; J. ( ). Thompson, master of first veil; A. F. Strunk, treasurer;
John J. Rupp, secretary; J. B. Benson, sentinel.
OKI IKK OF EASTERN STAR.
Arbutus Chapter Mo i6g, Order of Eastern Star, at Windom, was or-
ganized February t6, [904, by \V. D. Haycock, worthy grand patron of the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 20J
grand lodge of Minnesota, and received its charter on June 2j, the same
year, from Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, worthy grand matron of the Minnesota
grand lodge. The charter members were as follow :
Mrs. Georgia M. Carpenter, Mrs. Florence A. Perkins, Mrs. Jennie M.
Priest, Mrs. Ellen S. Anderson, Mrs. Ellen E. French, Airs. Violet P. Kibbey,
Mr. James S. Kibbey, Mrs. Jeannette S. Weiser, Mrs. Lucinda Clark, Mr.
John F. French, Mrs. Hattie G. Perry. Mrs. Julia H. Ouevli. Mr Edward
A. Sime, Mr. Reuben M. Priest, Mr. George E. LeTourneau, Mrs. Mary B.
LeTourneau. Mrs. Priscilla A. Cone, Mr. Frederick J. Carpenter, Mrs. La-
gertha \Y. Mann, Mr. Milo T. DeWolf, Mrs. Eouise E. DeWolfe, Mr. Will-
iam P.. Cook, Mrs. Mabelle Stuart, Mrs. Ada Bejle Collins, Mr. Thomas C.
Collins. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Nason, Mr. Orrin Nason, Mrs. Emma L. Van
Xest, Mrs. Mary E. Robison, Miss Marie Ouevli, Mrs. Alice S. Kellev.
The total number of members is now eighty-five. The first elective
officers were: Mrs. Georgia M. Carpenter, worthy matron; Mrs. J. S. Kib-
bey, worthy patron: Mrs. Florence A. Perkins, associate matron; Mrs. Ellen
E. French, secretary; Mrs. Louise E. DeWolf, treasurer; Mrs. Lagertha
W. Mann, chief conductress; Mrs. Jeannette S. Weiser, associate conduc-
tress.
The present elective officers are : Mrs. Mattie T. Sanger, worthy
matron; Mr. A. F. Strunk, worthy patron; Mrs. Agnes Marshall, associate
matron ; Mrs. Florence A. Perkins, secreary ; Mrs. Georgia A. Carpenter,
treasurer; Mrs. Geneva I. Brown, conductress; Mrs. May Jenness, associate
conductress.
A school of instruction was held in Windom, April 5, iqio, with fean-
nette S. Weiser as district deputy. Delegates were present from Jackson,
Lakefield. Worthington, Heron Lake and St. James.
The Onyx Lodge No. 266. of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,
was organized in Westbrook, 1005, with the following officers: Worship-
ful master, G. W. McFarland; senior warden, V. I. Miller; junior warden.
B. C. Offins; treasurer, I'. I!. Herman; senior deacon, ( ). 1'. Schmidt; junior
deacon. Frank Stewart; senior steward, J. A. Becker; junior steward, fohn
O. Bondhus; secretary, J. A. Purson; tyler, J. I). Bevier.
The present elective officers are as follow: Worshipful master, John
E. Villa ; senior warden, E. I!. Neilson; junior warden. A. ( ). fverson; sec-
retary, R. S. 1'eterson; senior deacon, Arndt E. Anderson; junior deacon,
J. J. Christy; tyler, L. P. Pederson; treasurer, John E. Villa. The member-
ship numbers thirty-five.
208 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
This fraternity is represented in Cottonwood county at Windom only.
Windom Lodge No. 108 was organized on January 15, 1886, by A. L.
Bolton, with charter members as follow : Samuel M. Espey, Charles H.
Reipke, Orrin P. Moore, Daniel C. Davis, Frank M. Tripp, J. H. Tilford,
Paul Seeger. DeWitt A. Day. The total number in this lodge in June,
1916, was two hundred and thirty-six.
The first elective officers were as follow: S. M. Espey, noble grand;
J. H. Tilford, vice-grand; A. F. Strunk, secretary.
The present elective officers are: O. G. Peterson, noble grand; O. J.
Einstad, vice-grand; M. C. Langley, recording secretary; Jacob Heijn, finan-
cial secretary; H. E. Hanson, treasurer; C. A. Liem, C. W. Gillam, O.
Hammerstad, trustees. This lodge owns a hall erected in 19 15, at a cost of
twenty thousand dollars.
Des Moines Valley Encampment No. 18, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, at Windom, was organized on March 30, 1904, by Brigadier-Gen-
eral August Hohenstein, of St. Paul. The charter members were as follow :
II E. Hanson, W. A. Peterson, C. W. Gillam. A. P.. Daywitt, W. B. Cook,
G. A. Petersen. O. E. Seines, P. G. Neufeld, A. W. Annes, H. G. Hawkins.
J. F. French. E. F. Hewitt, A. J. Rogers, Nels Simonson, F. T. Anton, A.
Bassette, J. T. Johnson, Thomas Hawkins. H. C. Beise, H. L. White, Edgar
Scott. S. A. Brown, S. L. Rogers, A. J. DeWolf, D. Rasmussen, W. S.
French, J. E. Dolan, C. H. Reipke, H. J. Unruh, Carl Reipke. W. M. Teed,
E. J. Severson, E. ( ). Morton, J. Hinklev, F. J. Carpenter, L. C. Churchell.
C. C. Minor. A. F. Strunk and E. E. Rank.
The encampment in [916 had a membership of sixty-three.
The first elective officers were as follow: C. W. Gillam, chief priest;
II. E. Hanson, high priest; \. W. Amies, senior warden: W. A. Peterson,
scribe; ( ',. A. Peterson, treasurer; O. E. Seines, junior warden.
The present elective officers are as follow: L. Sogge, chief priest; W.
L. Silliman, senior warden; P. G. Neufeld, high priest; Howard Yerkes,
scribe; II. E. Hanson, treasurer; E. O. Morton, junior warden.
Canton No. _'^. Independent Order of Odd fellows, at Windom. was
instituted on April 1 S, i<)i_\ by Brigadier-General August Hohenstein, as-
sisted by Majoi Henry Reimer. The charter members were as follow:
A. W. Annes. P. G. Neufeld, C. W. Gilliam, W. L. Silliman, Philip J. Parks,
Ole M. Peterson, H. C. Hamilton, L. L. Sogge, Carl Reipke, E. H. Klock,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 20Q
J. O. Thompson, S. A. Brown, H. E. Hanson, Gustav Mueller, F. E. Silli-
man, O. E. Seines, F. J. Carpenter, Ed Westgard, J. G. Hinkley, W. J.
Clark, Howard Yerkes, Thomas 1 [awkins, Edward Olson, Eben O. Morton,
Andrew Olson, Albert H. Hanson, Walter P. Cowan, K. S. Hocker, J. F.
French, J. F. Johns, Charles O. Hopstrom.
The first elective officers were as follow: C. W. Gilliam, commandant;
H. C. Hamilton, lieutenant; S. A. Brown, ensign; Gustav Mueller, clerk;
H. E. Hanson, accountant.
Present officers (1916) : H. C. Hamilton, commandant; Gustav Muel-
ler, lieutenant; Howard Yerkes, ensign; P. G Neufeld, clerk; H. E. Hanson,
accountant. There are now about thirty members in this canton.
REBEKAHS.
Fidelity Lodge No. 140, Rebekahs, was organized on March 13, 1896, by
Helen K. Fowler, with charter members as follow : Kittie M. Jeffries,
Elizabeth Xason, Almina Dolan, Phylinda Hudson, Bertha J. Banks, Jennie
Teed, Xora Jones, Sarah Swain, Martha Sherwood, Ida Rogers, Carrie C.
Williams. Lucy A. Williams, Mary Erwin, J. J. Kendall, F. A. Blanchard,
A. B. Daywitt, W". C. Banks, C. W. Click, E. O. Morton, Frank Peabody,
P. G. Fullerton, Arthur Gibson, John E. Morrison, William M. Teed, D. I.
Hudson, James F. Dolen, John J. Hupp.
The present total membership is one hundred and sixty-eight. The first
set of elective officers were as follow: Bertha Banks, noble grand; Kittie
Jeffers, vice-grand; Almina L. Dolan, secretary; Lucy A. Williams, finan-
cier; Xora Jones, treasurer.
The officers serving in 19 16 were: Margaret Neufeld, noble grand;
X<Ta Savage, vice-grand; Emma B. Hohenstein, recording secretary; Mat-
tie Scott, financial secretary; Anna Mueller, treasurer.
The ceremonies connected with the laying of the corner-stone of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows building, May 25, 1915, were inspiring
and impressive and conducted according to the customs and practices of the
order. Parts of the by-laws and records of the lodge, together with a gold
coin, were placed in the corner stone. Grand .Waster Palmer conducted the
ceremony, which ended with a prayer by Chaplain Gellis.
The dedication of the building was held on December 14, 1915. The
ceremonv in itself, with its solemn and sacred meaning, was well rendered
and the officers of the local order are to be congratulated upon the manner
(14)
2IO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
in which it was carried out. The ceremony connected with the building of
the altar, with the principles of the order founded on purity and finished
with faith, hope and crowned with the greatest of virtues, charity, was very
impressive. During the work a male quartette sang very appropriate verses
to further illustrate the work. After the forming of the altar, members of
the Rebekahs formed in a circle around it and sang the meaningful and re-
joicing song of Meriam, which she sang on the banks of the Red Sea at the
triumph of Jehovah over Pharaoh and his horsemen. Addresses were made
by Grand Master F. M. Payne, of Pipestone, and other state officials.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
Windom Lodge No. 83, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organ-
ized at Windom, June 23, 1883, by William Cheney and C. H. Roberts,
officers of the grand lodge of Minnesota. The charter members were as fol-
low: George M. Laing. past master workman; Samuel M. Espey, master
workman; Benjamin W. May, foreman; Milo DeWolf, overseer; E. C.
Huntington, secretary; John G. Redding, financier; Herman A. Cone, recor-
der; C. A. Van Duzee, guard; William W. Barlow, inside watch; B. L.
Sherwood, outside watch.
The present total membership is one hundred and fiftv-one. The lodge
meets at Clark's Hall every first and third Saturday of each month. There
are lodges of this order in this county at Mountain Lake and at Westbrook.
The present elective officers are as follow : Nels Sheets, past master
workman, Henry P. Goetz ; master workman, Arthur L. Cook; foreman,
\\ . A. Cook, overseer; O. G. Peterson, recorder; Homer Rogers, financier;
H. E. Hanson, receiver; Thomas Solem, guide; Fred Moser, inside watch;
A. E. Kilgore, outside watch; Daniel C. Davis, J. Severson, George Grant,
trustees.
Mountain Lake Lodge No. 129, of the Ancient Order of United Work-
men, was organized October 23, 1890. Ann mg the charter members were
the following: William Dirks, Henry P. Goertz, Arthur L. Cook, Henry
M. Goss, Henry Hammer, Frank Balzer, J. L. Hanson. M. Wigton, Peter
H. Dickman, Herman Teichrow. Of these, William Dirks is the only living
charter member. The first officers include the following: Past master
workman, Henry 1'. Goertz; master workman, Arthur L. Cook; foreman
Henry M. Coss; overseer, Henry Hammer; recorder, Solomon Balzer; finan-
cier, Herman Teichrow; receiver, Frank Balzer; guide, J. L. Hanson; inside
watch, M. Wigton; outside watch. Peter H. Dickman. The present officers
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. J II
are as follow: Master workman, G. Ulrick; foreman, Aug Schimnoeski;
overseer, John Kieli ; recorder, J. J. Adrian; financier, A. P. Ratzlaff; re-
ceiver. Frank Schimnoski; guide, Louie Glazer; inside watch, P. P. Teich-
row; outside watch, Aug Buche. The present membership is eighteen.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen, Lodge No. 267, was organized
at Westbrook, April 23, 1904. by Deputy Grand Master Gillespie. The
charter members were the following : W. F. Wenholz, H. R. Pritz, T. T.
Emertson, S. Rupp, J. P. Johnson, W. Spaulding and L. Anderson. The
first elective officers were inclusive of the following: W. F. Wenholz, past
master workman; H. R. Pritz, master workman; T. T. Emertson, foreman;
S. Rupp. overseer; J. P. Johnson, recorder; W. Spaulding, financier; Ole
Emertson, guide ; Henry Steinhoff, inside watch.
The present elective officers are as follow: Master workman, J. Lindly;
foreman, Edward Myers; overseer, O. J. Seely; recorder, C. W. Seely;
financier, J. Bauer. The present membership is thirty-two.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Cottonwood Camp No. 2,013, Modern Woodmen of America, at Win-
dom, was organized in 1893. It now has a total membership of three hun-
dred. They occupy a leased hall. The charter members of this lodge were
as follow: Richard Beeching, H. E. Hanson, L. R. Rolph, J. J. Bel?, O. A.
Heineman, J. W. Rice, C. E. Bosse, W. R. Jeffers, C. G. Schroeder, A. L.
Bradbury, A. K Moehn, J. A. Crane, O. G. Peterson, T. E. Sime, C. Glick,
J. M. Railsback, H. Teichrow.
First elective officers were: H. F. Hanson, venerable consul; E. J. Sev-
erson, worthy advisor; T. E. Sime, banker; H. Teichroew, clerk; C. E. Bosse,
escort; Frank Siliman, watchman; A. K. Moehn, sentry; W. R. Jeffers,
manager; J. W. Rice, manager; C. J. Schroeder, manager. Present elective
officers: Andrew Elness, E. H. Klock, F. A. Moser, managers; C. F. Love-
land, venerable consul; W. F. Walker, worthy advisor; E. J. Severson,
banker; E. A. Sime, clerk; L. G. Christianson, escort; J. A. Morris, watch-
man; L. W. Crane, sentry; Drs. J. H. Dudley and L. Sogge, physicians.
Camp Xo. 9396, of the Modern Woodmen of America, was among the
first lodges started in Westbrook. The order has always been quite active
and among its members are some of the most prominent business men of the
town and community. The present officers include the following: Venerable
consul, E. A. Paetznick; worthy advisor, Albert Bean; banker, John E.
212 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Villa; clerk, John L. Sammons; sentry, Earl Peterson; watchman. Adolph
Peterson ; manager, C. J. Seelv ; escort, Arndt E. Anderson.
Jeffers Camp No. 8302, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized
on the 25th of June, 1902, with the following charter members: Lewis
Ahlness, C. P. Baker. A. H. Cook, H. C. Busse, Jed Crawford, G. S. Gil-
more, Adolph Graff, W. J. Green. Lewis P. Graff, \Y. \Y. Harris, Thomas
Kelley, Paul Man, Adna C. Mullinex, David E. Noble, Thomas M. Pickett,
M. Polgene, H. P. Simmons, George Scheppy, W. H. Thrssem. Social mem-
bers, W. Warner and A. Heinomsty.
The present elective officers are as follows: Venerable consul, W. A. Sar-
gent; banker, John M. Johnson; advisor, John Knott; escort, William Witt:
clerk, A. A. Schimnoski ; outside watch, Henry Shaw ; inside watch, Tames
Downs. The present membership is thirty-three.
Cooks Camp No. 2014, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized
at Mountain Lake on June 15, 1893, with the following charter members:
John J. Bremen, Arthur L. Cook, Henry J. Dickman, D. D. Enns. Frank
D. Enns, James L. Greer, Nelson A. Jasperson, Magnus J. Kilde, Herman
Kremin, Charlie O. Lovejoy, Edward Linschied, Add. J. Myers, George H.
Regier, James M. Smith, Peter Siemund, Gustav F. Thun, A. L. Thompson,
Arthur D. Warner, Gust Minke and Peter Wieme.
The present elective officers are inclusive of the following: Consul,
George P. Goosen ; banker. W. C. Warner; clerk. Fred Steinhauser. The
present membership is thirty-five. This order is one among the few lodges
of the county that own their own building. When the old depot was of-
fered for sale it was bought by the lodge at a cost of about seven thousand
dollars and completely remodeled. It well serves the purpose of a town hall.
as it is supplied with a stage and curtains, a small balcony and electric lights.
Storden ('amp No. 6318, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized
in Storden on April 7, 1898, with the following charter members: II. \.
Andersen, A. G. Andersen. W. W. Bean, S. S. Redman. D. Hedman, P. J.
Halversen, Anton Madsen, H. J. Olsen, Henry Petersen, Knute Sivertsen
and 1'". M. Fripp.
The present elective officers include the following: Consul, Henry
Andersen; advisor. Petef Hansen: banker, C. F. Petersen: clerk, X. J.
Klarup; escort, I'. Jensen; watchman, O. Jensen: sentry. Soren Sorensen;
managers, W. Larsen, Soren Jensen and H. Ruhlierg. The present mem-
bership of the order is thirtv-five.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. _> 1 }
ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA.
White Oak Camp No. 482, Royal Neighbors of America, at Windom,
was organized on December 18. 1896. by Mrs. Mary Abbott, of Austin,
Minnesota. The charter members were as follow: H. Teichroew, A. Mac-
kay, Mrs. Jessie Mackay, Mrs. J. E. Johnson, Mrs. J. A. Hanson, J. A.
Hanson, Mrs. E. H. Klock, Mrs. E. J. Meilicke, Mrs. M. R. Billings, Mrs.
M. Sherwood, Mrs. Mary H. Fry, A. M. Baldwin, Frank Dickman, Mrs.
Lagertha W. Mann, Mrs. J. Brubacher, Mrs. E. Jane Schroeder, Mrs. Ma-
lissa Rolph, Mrs. Julia Peterson, Dr. F. R. Weiser, Carl Schroeder.
The first elective officers were: Minnie Klock, oracle; E. Jane
Schroeder, vice oracle; Etta Brubacher, past oracle; Mary Sherwood, re-
corder; Bertha Billings, receiver; Malissa Rolph, chancellor; Mrs. Meilicke,
marshal: Mrs. Julia Peterson, inside sentinel; Mary Fry, outside sentinel;
Mrs. Lagertha W. Mann, Louise Johnson, Alex Mackay, managers. Pres-
ent elective officers: Isabelle S. Reipke, oracle; Carrie Mitchell, vice oracle;
Maude Smestad, chancellor; Lagertha \V. Mann, recorder; Hannah Spen-
cer, receiver ; Bessie Severson, marshal ; Ora B. Reese, past oracle ; Anna
Freeby, inside sentinel ; Annie Ligsblad, outside sentinel ; E. A. Sime, Caro-
line Grotte, managers.
Dora Camp, No. 2101, Royal Neighbors of America, located at Bing-
ham Lake, was organized on April 6, 1900, by Mrs. Dora Abbey, of Pipe-
stone, Minnesota. The charter members were as follow: John Younbeck,
Emma Knospe, Martha Wernicke, Mrs. W. Williams, Minnie Stephenson,
Elizabeth Jackson, May E. Wilson, Mrs. P. Stephenson, Mrs. L. Sheldon,
Mrs. Emma Rittenhouse, Mrs. Lena Hart, Mrs. N. Groen, N. Groen, W. S.
Jackson, A. Wernicke, John J. Geortzen, Henry Hyde, Betty Brubacher,
Emma Bailey and Charles Cogley. The presenl total membership is forty.
The camp meets at the Holt & Wicklunds hall.
The first elective officers of this camp were: Mrs. Mary E. Wilson,
oracle; Mrs. W. Williams, vice-oracle; Miss Emma Knospe, recorder; Mrs.
Minnie Stephenson, receiver; Miss Betty Brubacher, chancellor. The 1916
officers are as follow: Mrs. W. Williams, oracle; Jesse McGladrey, vice-
oracle; Mrs. Minnie Stephenson, recorder; Emma Rittenhouse, receiver;
Carrie Deemer, chancellor.
Fern Camp No. 3440, Royal Neighbors, was organized in Westbrook
in 1907 by Mary Watt, the district deputy, with the following charter mem-
bers: Walter Larson, Mrs. Walter Larson, O. C. Anderson, Mrs. O. C.
214 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Anderson, Adulph Peterson, Hild Peterson, John Villa, Inga Villa, Meri-
man Peterson, Bert Milligan, Esther Milligan, Phil Johanson, Mrs. Phil
Johanson, Kate Busswitz, Alma Busswitz, Jessie Beach, Arndt Anderson,
Enga Anderson, Maud Lamkin, Gertie Seely and Lena Granman.
The first elective officers are inclusive of the following: Oracle, Inga
Villa; vice-oracle, Lena Granman; recorder, Anna Johanson; receiver,
Sophia Anderson; chancellor, Maud Lampkin; past oracle, Emma Larson;
marshals, Jessie Beach and Gertie Seely; inner sentinel, Esther Milligan;
outer sentinel, Kate Busswitz; managers, Bert Milligan, Meriman Peterson,
Alma Busswitz; physician, Dr. Miller. The present elective officers are:
Oracle, Belle Peterson; past oracle, Hild Peterson; vice-oracle, Anna Moel-
ler; chancellor, Levina Greenman; recorder, Esther Milligan; receiver, Inga
Villa; inner sentinel, Rosa Bauer; outer sentinel, Inga Anderson; marshals,
Edna Greenman. Mattie Pasmore; managers, Mattie Pasmore, Anna Peter-
son and Bert Milligan. The lodge at the present time numhers fifty. The
meetings are held in the Villa hall.
MODERN BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA.
The Jeffers order of the Modern Brotherhood of America had its birth
on July 6, 1906. The following were charter members: F. R. Gramman,
Lula Gramman, D. E. Ridenour, Fannie Ridenour, E. J. Viall, Ella Viall,
Lawrence Shaw, Jacob Shaw, Orrin Warner, Amel Sharper, Howard
Ridenour, Hester Lundgreen, Lizzie Swartz, Burt Hosmer, William Bigbee,
Nellie Jackson, Dena Querna, Anton Dehrnes, John Jackson, Bert A. Crist,
Bert Viall, C. A. Herring and A. J. Bushey. The first officers were inclu-
sive of the following: President, E. J. Viall; vice-president, Hester Lund-
green; treasurer, John Jackson; secretary, Bert A. Crist; chaplain, Ella
Viall : physician, Dr. II. E. Harmon; conductor, Burt Viall; watchman,
Amd Sharper; sentry, Lawrence Shaw; trustees, C. A. Herring, A. [.
Bushey and William Bigbee. At one time the membership reached the
high mark of one hundred and twenty-three, but at the present time it is
only forty-eight. The present officers include the following: President,
W. S. Swain; vice-president, William L. Long; secretary', Burt A. Crist:
conductor, Sarah Swain; chaplain, Minnie Potter; treasurer, W. S. Swain;
sentry, Roy Hosmer; watchman, Frank Hart; trustees, S. H. Crist, C. S.
Soule, C. \. Herring.
Westbrook Lodge No. 341, Modern Brotherhood of America, is one
of the prosperous and active orders of the village, as is indicated by the
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 215
membership, which at the present time numbers sixty. The present elective
officers include the following: President, Charles Passmore; vice-president,
Mrs. G. A. Schippel ;' treasurer. J. J. Christy; secretary, T. J. Arneson;
conductor, Mrs. J. J. Christy; watchman, R. Peterson; sentry, Mrs. W. E.
Mead.
SONS CF NORWAY.
Nea Lodge No. 60, Sons of Norway, began its existence on April 20,
1906. with fifty charter members, among whom were the following: John
Eiden, P. Pederson. Ole H. Solem, Oden S. Skillingstad, Thorsten Kring-
hang, Sam Salien, A. A. Ouevli. John Paulson, Selmar Solem, L. Sogge,
Ole A. FJness, Louis Smog)-, Ed. J. Severson, Calmer Elness, G. B. Olson,
J. K. Moen, H. E. Hanson, Bede Anderson, J. M. Slind, Anton Nelson,
Andrew Elness, Jens Anderson, J. J. Jasaas, E. A. Sime, J. A. Johnson, P.
H. Grotte, J. B. Severson, Martin Pederson, O. S. Thompson, Olaf Ron-
ning. Thomas Solem, Hans Smestad, S. J. Fering, S. B. Grotte, P. A. Peter-
son, Ole Hammerstad, O. Jasaas, J. T. Kulseth, Abbet Jacobson, C. Jasaas,
S. O. Haalstad, Bcndick Fredrickson. T. O. Haalstad, Pie Finstad, John
Hammer, Ole Magnusen, Ole Elvrum, Halver Solem. The first officers
were : Judge, Halver Solem ; president, H. E. Hanson ; vice-president, John
Paulson ; physicians, Dr. L. Sogge and Dr. J. K. Moens ; secretary, O. O.
Solem; financial secretary, E. A. Sime; cashier, Ole Elvrum; regent, P.
Peterson; marshal, Olaf Ronning; inside watch, Thorsten Kringhang; out-
side watch, Anton Nelson; trustees. Andrew Elness, J. J. Jasaas, Jens Ander-
son.
The present officers are as follow: Judge, Julius Severson; president,
John Paulson; vice-president, P. Solem; secretary, Sam Salien; cashier,
Torsten Kringhang; financial secretary, Sivert Fering; assistant secretarv,
Ole Elvrum; regent, Anton Nelson; marshal, John Hetarp; inside watch,
John Arntson : outside watch. E. Severson; physicians, Dr. L. Sogge and V
J. Moen; trustee-. Jens Anderson, Sivert Grotte, Sivert Haarstad. The
membership at one time reached the high mark of ninety-one, but the present
membership is about sixty. The society meets regularly on the first and
third Mondavs in each month in the Sons of Norway hall.
DAfGHTERS OF NORWAY.
The Meduatsolen Lodge No. 24, Daughters of Norway, was organized
in Windom, May 3, 1907. with the following charter members: Elsie
2l6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Anderson, Serena Kinghug, Carolina Grotte. Sophia Thompson, Jorgina
Nelson, Johanna Smestad, Kerste Moen, Hannah Jacobson. Hannah Elness,
Karen Borseth, Gina Hanson, Kristina Thompson, K. Elvrum, Pedrika
Solem, Betsy Elness, Anna Paulson, Paulina Paulson, Bergitha Magnuson,
Leni Miller, Moni Solem, Anna Anderson, Minnie Olson, Juditha Ronning,
Signe Swenson, Bryneld Paulson, Rena Paulson, Emma Paulson, Ida Pat-
terson, Hannah Saxhong, Dr. L. Sogge, A. Ouevli. Martha Skillingstad,
Gina Larson, Bessie Severson, Sarah Growe, Thea Westgard, Clara Chester.
The first elective officers included the following: President, Mrs. Elisa
Anderson: vice-president, Seine Kringhang; secretary, Sophie Thompson;
financial secretary, Jorgine Nelson; cashier, Mrs. Johanna Smestad; singer,
Kersti Moen; marshal, Marie Solem; inside watch, Hannah Elness; outside
watch, Mrs. Karen Borseth; assistant secretary, Gina Hanson; assistant mar-
shal, Christine Thompson; trustees, K. Elvrum, Pedrika Solem, Betsy El-
ness.
The present officers are as follow : President, Karoline Grotte ; vice-
president, Brynoheld Paulson: judge, Soinnare Smogv; singer, Bertha Ben-
son; cashier. Carrie Elness; financial secretary, Serene Kinghug; secretarv,
Anna Bell; assistant secretary, Mrs. Peter Solem; marshal, Betsy Severson;
captain, Sarah Growe; inside watch, Sophie Thompson; trustees, Johanna
Smestad, Lizzie Anderson. The present membership is about eighty-six,
although at one time the order numbered one hundred and one. The decrease
has been caused by many families moving away.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
An important incident in the history of the Catholic church occurred on
March 3, 1912, on which date Windom Council No. t(x)8, Knights of Q>
lumbus, was instituted, with a charter membership of fifty-six. The degree
work was in charge id' the grand officers. The officers elected at the time
include the following: Grand knight, M. L. Fisch ; deputy grand knight,
Michael McGlen: recorder, James J. Devlin; financial secretarv, Charles
Koob; treasurer, Henry Keffeler; chancellor, John Rampa; advocate, Frank
Pribyl; warden, Lawrence Shaw; inside watch, Louie Fanclicr; outside
watch, Jeremiah Harrington; chaplain. Rev. Anthony llennekes; trustees,
Charles Gallagher, Charles Hartman and Nicholaus Keffeler, Sr. The pur-
pose of the society is to develop a practical Catholicism among its members,
to promote Catholic education am! charity and, through its insurance depart-
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 2\J
merit, to furnish at least temporary financial aid to families of deceased
members.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
The organization of Patrons of Husbandry, commonly styled
"Granges," had a great run from 1870 on for many years and in Cotton-
wood county numerous lodges of this farmers' society were formed and
much interest taken in them. The first account we have here is of the Moun-
tain Take Grange Xo. 109, organized in [874. Its first officers were as
follow: Robert Brown, master; Louis Dunn, overseer; S. H. Soule, lec-
turer; S. E. Ford, chaplain; D. E. Vale, secretary; A. L. Yale, treasurer;
M. T. Fall, steward; W. A. Joy. assistant steward; Mattie E. Yale, lady
assistant steward; Miss M. Yale, Ceres; Mrs. Mason, Flora; Mrs. Fall,
Pomona: A. Wigton, gatekeeper. Yearly every township had these granges
and both men and women took an active part in the deliberations of the
order.
CHAPTER IX.
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS.
Among the honorable and useful professions is the medical doctor.
Ever since Galen, the founder of medical science lived, there have been
doctors and surgeons in all parts of the civilized globe, while every known
tribe of civilized people on the face of the earth have, as far back as tradi-
tion and history trace, always had their own peculiar medicine men or
doctors. In our full strength and complete health we sometimes spurn the
profession, but when the fevered brow and coated tongue of a patient are
found, he is anxious to see and consult the "family doctor," that he may
again be strong and well.
The science of both medicine and surgery has made very rapid strides
in the last half century; even in the last quarter of a century, many new
methods of treatment have come into practice. Especially in surgery the
advancement has been very striking, and operations once believed impossible,
are now easily performed.
The advent of the pioneer doctor in Cottonwood county is a story
of all the hardships and self-denial of the early settlers, together with the
hardships, fatigue and exposure at all hours of day and night, resulting
from riding over trackless prairies and fording unbridged streams. As a
rule, those doctors were men of ability and had a high sense of honor and
many a pioneer placed his life or some dear one of his family in the doctor's
hands, having faith that the best that could be done would be accomplished.
FIRST PHYSICIAN.
It is believed that the first physician to practice in Cottonwood county
was Dr. Allen Smith, who located here on October 10, 1871. After a few
years of successful practice here, he returned to Ohio, from which state he
had emigrated, and there died.
Dr. John II. Tilford was at one time one of the leading and most
successful physicians and surgeons in Windom. lie was born in [efferson
county, Indiana, November 28, iN|i. At eighteen he went to the North-
western Christian College, in Indianapolis, and attended there for some
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 219
years. He then engaged in the study of medicine in Indianapolis with
Doctors Jamison and Funkhouser, with whom he continued for three years.
In 1862 he was commissioned as assistant surgeon of the Seventy-ninth
Indiana Infantry. He served in that capacity for three years and was
mustered out in 1865. In 1865-66 he attended a course of lectures at Belle-
vue Medical College, in New York City, and in 1878 attended Butler Medical
College. He practiced in Indianapolis for one year and then moved to
another part of Indiana, where he remained for nine years. In 1879 he
came to Windom, where he was eminently successful. He died September
18, 1899.
PAST AND PRESENT PHYSICIANS.
The subjoined have registered in Minnesota and Cottonwood county
as medical doctors, under some one of the numerous state laws concerning
such matters :
J. H. Til ford, graduate of the Indianapolis Medical College, 1873,
registered in Cottonwood county in 1883. He died in Windom in 1899.
Joseph B. Noble, Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1886; came to this
county the same year. After practicing here two or three years he re-
moved to the Iron Range, Minnesota, and there resumed his practice.
LeRoy Brown. University of Michigan, 1885, came here a year later,
subsequently moved to St. Paul, Minnesota.
Noah Diomontenberg, St. Paul Medical College, 1886; located in Cot-
tonwood county the same year.
Charles Wilber Ray, Bennett Eclectic Medical College, Illinois, located
here in 1887 ancl 'ater died in California.
Thomas A. Beach registered in Minnesota in 1887 and here in 1893.
He was a homeopathic doctor.
J. K. Moen registered in Minnesota in 1887 and here in 1893. He was
here many years, but is now practicing in Minnesota.
F. R. Weiser registered under the act of 1887 and here in Windom in
1894; he still practices and is considered a leader in his profession. Ik-
graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Pennsylvania, in 1891.
J. F. Scott, under act of 1887, and in this county registered in [899;
he is now in Yakima, Washington. He was a graduate of McGill Univer-
sity.
Theodore Beck, registered in Minnesota under the act of 1887 and
here in 1896; later he moved to Ohio.
William T. DeCoster, under act of 1887, and here in 1897; he came to
220 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Minnesota about 1896. He has gained reputation as a surgeon and divides
his time between Windom and several nearby villages and cities.
C. P. Nelson, under act of 1887, came here in 1901, moved to West-
brook and is now practicing in Minneapolis.
William N. Theissen, under act of 1887, came here in 1901, moved to
Jeffers and now practices at Le Sueur, Minnesota.
William D. Beadie, under act of 1887, came here in 1902, but is now
practicing in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a graduate of McGill Univer-
sity, Canada.
M. J. Johnson, under act of 1895, came to this county in 1902, now
located in Minneapolis.
Victor I. Miller, under act of 1887, came here in 1906, finally removed
to Mankato, where he is still practicing medicine.
William D. Rea, under act of 1887, came to this county in 1907; prac-
ticed at Mountain Lake, this county, but is now deceased.
Joseph A. Dudley, Windom, under act of 1887, came here in 1909, a
graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago.
P. H. Bennion, registered in Minnesota in 1902, here in 1903, is now
practicing medicine in St. Paul, Minnesota.
William F. Coon, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, came to Minnesota in
1903 and to this county a year later.
Ludwig L. Sogge, registered in the state in 1905, here at Windom in
[906; still practicing here; he is a graduate of Minnesota University, medi-
cal department.
H. W. Coulter, under act of 1905, came to this county in 1910 and
moved to Mountain Lake, this county.
W. Edwin Patterson, under act of 1905, here in 1911; moved to Lake
Shetck, Minnesota.
Charles Daniel Richmond, of North Dakota, under act of 1905; that
year came to Minnesota and in 191 1 to Jeffers, this county, and is still here.
John W. ECurz, of Wright county, Minnesota, registered here in 1912.
I. inns Ira Aklrich, Sioux county, Iowa, under act of 1905, in Minne-
sota, came to Cottonwood county in 1913. He practiced at Jeffers.
William Albert Piper, under act of 1905, came from Milwaukee, 1914,
and now practices at Mountain Lake, this county.
George Ulrich Panzer, under act of 1905, came here in July, 1911, and
practiced at Storden and Jeffers.
Henry Albert Schmidt, under act of 1895, came here in 1915; admitted
to state in 1909; practiced at Westbrook.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 221
In 1905 the record shows that the county commissioners appointed the
following physicians as county doctors: Dr. C. P. Nelson, Doctor Miller.
Doctor Rea, Doctor Weiser and Doctor Harmon, at Jeffers, a number of
years located there and there died. Also, Doctor Noen and Doctor Meridith
of Windom. The last named was of the homeopathic school of medicine.
It is said that prior to 1887, and soon after the pioneer, Doctor Smith
located, came in Doctor Sacket, who homesteaded land in Great Bend town-
ship and practiced locally, but never was known as a regular practitioner of
this county, outside his own farm neighborhood.
The next to practice in the county were two doctors named Brown,
who, however, were in no way related by kinship.
Dr. Charles A. Greene, a physician of large experience and very well
read in the science of medicine, was bom in Rhode Island, but went to
Buffalo. Xew York, to obtain a knowledge of medicine, having taken a
thorough course at the Buffalo University. From Buffalo the doctor went
to his native state and practiced two years and then moved to eastern Minne-
sota, practiced three years, coming to Windom in 1878. He died in YYindom
about 191 1. a highly-respected citizen.
Doctors Breck and Graham located in the Cone block in 190 1, formed
a partnership in 1900 and carried on a large practice for some time. Doctor
Breck was from Ohio; graduated from Wooster and Cleveland .Medical
schools; he was of the osteopathy school. Doctor Graham was of Pennsyl-
vania, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. 1870; also
from Hahnemann Homeopathic School, Chicago; he was a member of sev-
eral medical societies.
Dr. J. F. Scott, of Montreal, Canada, graduated at McGill University,
1899: came direct to Windom and was a member of the American Medical
Association.
SILAS D. ALLEN.
Silas D. .Mien was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December
ir, 1826. He taught school and studied medicine at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Fie married Lucy A. .Allen, also of Bradford county. Deciding to go to
California and try his fortune as a gold miner, he left home May 29, 1854,
and took boat at Xew York, sailing by way of Panama and up the Pacific
coast to San Francisco. He remained in California until November 14,
1855, and was reasonably well paid for the hardships and experiences he
passed through.
In 1856 he settled in northeast Iowa, near Lansing, and farmed and
222 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
practiced medicine for a number of years, later moving to Carroll county,
Missouri, where he stayed with his family until 1874, when he moved to
Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and settled on a farm about a mile from
Windom, on the Valley road. There he farmed and practiced medicine for
a number of years, living in a log house until 1880, when he erected a good
frame house, which still stands.
He loved farming and especially stock raising. Calls for his profes-
sional services were numerous, and he never failed to respond day or night,
generally going horseback, which was the most practical and quickest way
in those days. He was a skillful physician and his services as counsel were
much sought for by other doceors in serious cases, they having full confi-
dence in his skill and advice. The Doctor was a very conscientious man, of
strong convictions, broad-minded and would not tolerate hypocrisy or graft
of any nature. He was a great reader, having a splendid library of the best
works, and in his later years devoted much of his time to his favorite
authors. In 1901 he sold his farm and retired from active life, moving to
Windom. The following year his wife died and he lived alone to a large
extent until January, 1907, when he was stricken with an illness which
lasted until his death, March 4, 1907.
The Doctor, by his generous and sympathetic disposition, made a great
number of friends, and is remembered by many as one who never seemed to
think of his professional services except as a means of helping suffering
humanity. His account books showed thousands of dollars for services,
which he never endeavored to collect.
CHAPTER X.
NEWSPAPERS OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
THE WINDOM REPORTER.
The Windom Reporter at the city of Windom was established in Sep-
tember, 1873, by E. C. Huntington, who continued its publication until
March, 1908, when he sold to Warren Brothers Company. In December,
1902. the old Windom Free-Press was consolidated with the Reporter. The
Reporter is a Republican paper; eight-page, six-column in form and size,
and has a yearly subscription rate of one dollar and fifty cents. In the
summer of 1916 the owners constructed a new brick building for a perma-
nent office home. The paper is all home-print and is run from a press pro-
pelled by electric motors. It circulates mostly in Cottonwood and fackson
counties. Its job department is complete in all appointments. The office
has among its appliances, a cylinder press, three jobbers, paper cutter, stapler,
type-setting machine, etc. The local columns are filled with local reading
matter each issue and its editorials are strong and comprehensive.
THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY CITIZEN.
The Cottonzvood County Citizen, published at Windom, was estab-
lished in 1882 by C. F. Warren, as a farmer'- paper, and subsequently sold
to a co-operative company, and at different times was owned by A. M.
.Morrison, of Mankato, W. C. Benbow, C. F. Warren & Sons, and later by
Churchill & DuniclifY, which firm was succeeded by L. C. Churchill. The
Citizen is a Republican organ of no uncertain sound. It circulates in Cot-
tonwood and Jackson counties mostly. Its subscription rate per year is one
dollar and fifty cents; in form and size it is a six-column, eight-page paper,
all home print. The owner of the paper owns a building, but owing to a
long-term lease the paper is published in a leased building. The office equip-
ment includes linotype, cylinder press, all sizes, of jobbers, perforators,
staplers, paper cutting machine, punches, and a large assortment of type.
These various machines are all propelled by electric motors. As a news-
224 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
paper and up-to-date job office, there are few, if any excelling it in towns
of much larger size than Windom. The County Citizen is welcome at the
firesides of many homes in the surrounding country, is clean and full of read-
able news of the community.
THE WESTBROOK SENTINEL.
The Westbrook Sentinel was established on May 8, igoi, by O. M.
Ouigley and was subsequently owned and conducted by Hoagland Brothers;
R. S. Peterson is the present owner. It is published weekly and has a sub-
scription rate of one dollar and fifty cents per year. In form and size it is
eight pages of seven columns each. It circulates in Cottonwood and sur-
rounding country. Politically, it is an independent journal, seeking the
best good for all the people at all times in all things. The equipment of
the office in which the Sentinel is printed is up-to-date and includes a Prouty
cylinder newspaper press — two pages of seven columns; a Standard jobber,
ten by fifteen inches; a Chandler & Price, eight-by-twelve jobber; paper
cutter; a good assortment and full supply of latest styles of type. A gaso-
line engine runs the machinery in the printing office. The paper is part
home and part patent print. It works for the interests of Westbrook and
Cottonwood county and is a believer in home enterprise and home trade.
THE JEFFERS REVIEW.
The Review, at the village of Jeffers, was established by Harry Max-
field in March, 1900. It was sold in 1901 to A. E. Karst and he in 1907
sold to M. B. Fish, who in October, 1913, sold to E. F. Schmotzer. It is
now run from a power press propelled by a gasoline engine, and is published
each week, at a subscription rate of one dollar and twenty-live cents per
year. It circulates in the county of Cottonwood and the village of Jeffers,
being a favorite in the homes of the surrounding farmers. It is a six-
column, quarto sheet and in politics is independent. The building in which
the office is now situated is the property of the Modern Brotherhood of
America lodge. Four pages are home print and Four arc "patent" print
of choice selection. The equipment of the office includes a Simplex Diamond
cylinder press, paper cutter, gas engine and a good assortment of both news
and job type.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 225
MOUNTAIN LAKE NEWSPAPERS.
At present there are two newspapers published at the village of Moun-
tain Lake — The View, in English and the Unscr Bcsucher, printed in the
German language. They are now both owned and edited by W. J. Toews.
The Mountain Lake View was established in 1894 by D. C. Benjamin, and
was owned and conducted in turn as follows: E. E. Lane, I. I. Bargen, W.
J. Toews. It is a six-column, eight-page publication; is printed on a Drum
cylinder press, and the office is well equipped with a standard linotype
machine, a folder and much type material. The plant is just at this time
(August, 1916) changing from gasoline to electric motor power. It is a
Republican organ. From twelve to fifteen columns of home print are run
each issue. The rate per year is one dollar and twenty-five cents. Two
men are employed in the publication of the paper. Excellent job work is
executed on a twelve-by-eighteen Chandler & Price jobber.
The Unser Besucher at Mountain Lake, was founded in 1901 by I. I.
Bargen, who conducted it until he sold to its present owner, W. J. Toews.
It is a six-column, four-page paper, printed in the German language. It
has the same rate as The View and is run from the same presses. In poli-
tics it is Republican.
For a number of years there was a monthly paper issued here, known
as the " Evangelisations-Bote ," also two weekly papers.
(15)
CHAPTER XL
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF THE COUNTY.
While the early settlers were largely made up of returned Civil War
soldiers and immigrants from lands beyond the seas, yet they did not forget
their religious vows and early training in their native state or country, for
it is found that in every community in the county, as soon as there were
a sufficient number of any one religious faith to organize a church, it was
done, though sometimes there were but a few charter members in such
societies. Private houses were used for many of the first religious services.
Later, school houses were used for meetings and usually all denominations
of the Protestant faith would hold union meetings. Eventually, each of
the regular denominations found ways to raise money and build neat churches,
in villages and rural districts, and since then have maintained regular
services. In fact, the minister was about as early as any of the settlers,
and in some instances he, too, was a "homesteader." While he tilled his
land, he also married people, christened the infants and buried the dead of
the pioneer community.
It was the sentiment and every-day exemplary life of the church-going
people of Cottonwood county that founded her institutions on a religious
basis, and this, coupled with the school system of the county, has made it a
community where law and order and a high degree of intelligence are found
today — nearly half a century after the first white settlers came here to
make homes for themselves.
Now nearly all of the evangelical Prole-taut and Catholic churches
common in this country, are found in Cottonwood county. There are but
few, if any, villages in Minnesota where there are more churches for the
number of inhabitants than there are in Windom, the seat of justice.
Possibly there may he a few small churches within the county which
have in it furnished the historian with proper data, but nearly all of the
churches in the county are represented in this chapter, by a brief but reliable
account of their organization, present strength, etc.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 227
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The first religious service in the village of Windom was conducted by
the Rev. J. E. Fitch in the summer of 1871, in the unfinished hardware
store which stood on the present site of the First National Bank. Rev.
Peter Baker, local preacher, living at Jackson, was the first on this circuit
and had a preaching appointment at Big Bend before the village of Windom
was started. In September, 1871, a union Sunday school was organized and
in December the first quarterly meeting of the church was held. A class
meeting had been organized and had met at the home of Mr. Laird. Rev-
erend Baker was in charge of the congregation until September, 1872, when
J. W. Lewis was sent here. He came to the village on a sled, as the rail-
road was snowbound, and preached his first sermon at Swan Lake in a
private house. On December 8 he preached at Big Bend.
The only place of w'orship at this time was a small private school house
pre-empted by the Presbyterian and Baptist congregations. In order to
avoid all conflicts, it was decided not to use the school house, so the min-
ister rented a hall over Hutton's store. A stove and some fuel were secured,
also lumber for seats, and the first quarterly meeting was held on December
15, 1872.
In 1873, twenty-seven members and five probationers composed the
congregation at Windom : twenty members and eleven probationers at Big
Bend and ten members at Swan Lake, a total of sixty-five members and
sixteen probationers in the county.
During the summer and fall of 1873, lots were secured and a few
subscriptions and donations received through Bishops Ames and Merrill
from parties in Baltimore, amounting to two hundred and fifty dollars.
Lumber was bought and stacked on the lots and all work suspended for the
winter. The frame work was put up in 1874 and in the fall of 1875 the
house was enclosed and plastered by the Rev. Lewis.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF Till', FIRST CHURCH.
The oldest class-book of the Methodist people in Cottonwood county
contains the following names, and dales from July. 1871 : D. W. Work-
ing, class-leader. A. J. Gessell, M. R. Gessell, Martha Gessell, P. NT. Sackett,
J. A. Sackett, L. I. Sackett, S. Chapman, Cyrus Finch, Martha Finch, Mrs.
Jones, Mrs. Thompson, E. L. Working, William Peterson, William Teed.
228 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Later that same year, the following names were added : G. A. Purdy, B. C.
Purdy, Alary Purdy, Lavern Purdy Clark, G. A. Chapman, Allen Gardner,
Lovina Estgste, D. E. Teed, D. B. Jones and wife. Other very early mem-
bers were: Mr. and Mrs. James Greenfield, Mr. and Mrs. A. Laird, Mr.
and Mrs. A. Holmes, Mrs. Belle Smith (now Mrs. George Le Tourneaux),
Eben Morton, Mrs. Lorinda Greenfield and Mrs. Abigail C. Gillam.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Windom was organized in
the autumn of 1871, by Rev. Peter Baker. The first quarterly conference
was held in December, 1871. The total membership in May, 1916, was
about five hundred. The first church building, a frame structure, costing
about two thousand and fifty dollars, was dedicated on January 30, 1876.
The present edifice and parsonage were erected in 1901, of brick veneer,
and cost about seventeen thousand dollars, but it would cost much more to
build the same today. It was dedicated on April 27, 1902, Bishop John W.
Hamilton delivering the dedicatory sermon. A large and flourishing Sun-
day school is connected with the other church and society work.
The following have served as faithful pastors of the church at Windom :
Revs. Peter Baker, 1871-72; J. W. Lewis, November, 1872, to March, 1874;
J. E. Fitch, March, 1874, to September, 1875; J. W. Lewis, September,
1875, to September, 1876; E. O. Stoddard, September, 1876, to 1877; T. H.
Kinsman, 1877-78; Nelson Sutton, 1878-79; E. J. Foster, 1879 to July,
1880; W. E. King, July, 1880, to September, 1882; Levi Gleason. Septem-
ber, 1882-83; William Copp, 1883-84; B. Y. Coffin, 1884-87; F. A. Arnold.
1887-88; A. J. Williams, 1888-91; G. S. Perry, 1891-92; E. Vaughn. 1892-
93; J. H. Buttleman, 1893-96; W. C. Sage, 1896-98; J. A. Sutton, 1898-
1900; Charles H. Stevenson, 1900, to January. 1902; supplied by President
Cooper and others from January, 1902, to June, 1902; S. Arthur Cook,
from June, 1902, to October, 1907; B. C. Gillis, from October, 1907, to the
present time.
AT BINGHAM LAKE.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Bingham Lake was organized
in 1000 by Rev. G. H. Way, a presiding elder, and the first pastor, Rev. 11.
11. Wallace. The charter members were J. W. Cogley and wife, G. J. John-
son, Bertha Johnson. N. J. Langley, Susann Cogley, Jessie L. McGladray.
The first church building — a brick and frame — cost at first fifteen hundred
dollars, and later a frame addition cost seven hundred dollars. The pastors
who have served here have been as follow: Rev. II. H. Wallace, 1900;
William Young, 1901 ; S. A. Smith, 1903; P. G. Wager, 1904; S. S. Smith,
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 229
1905; H. H. Hawley, 1906: S. J. Wallace, 1907; B. Campbell, 1908; A. V
Rowshausen, 1909; J. R. Stephen. 1910; L. G. Davis, 1911; Rev. McKibben,
1913; W. E. Thompson, 1914-15; \Y. \V. Smith, the present pastor. The
present membership of this church is sixty-three. There had been church
services held here before the organization of this church, by traveling min-
isters of both the Methodist and Presbyterian faith.
AT JEFFERS.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Jeffers was organized by Rev. J. J.
Lutz in 1900 and now has a membership of fifty-five. The pastors in
order have been as follow: Revs. J. J. Lutz, A. B. Blades, B. T. Russell,
J. P. Rawson, F. O. Krause. W. H. Stone, G. W. Root, Teho S. Mondale
and F. P. Hannaman, the present pastor. The corner-stone of the church
edifice was laid in August, 1900, and dedicated on February 10, 1901, by
Bishop Joyce. It is a frame building, costing twenty-two hundred dollars.
While this is not a large congregation, it well represents Methodism in
the section in which it is located. Those of this belief, though not affiliated
with the church as members, attend services here and the faith of this denom-
ination is kept alive in and surrounding the village. Methodists are pioneers
in all new countries and it was so in this county. The Sabbath school and
other societies of the church are here in active operation and doing much
good in the community.
AT MOUNTAIN LAKE.
The Methodist church- of Mountain Lake began its existence as an
organization in 1893. It was not until 1897, however, that the church
building was constructed. Mr. Goss, although not a member of the church,
seemed to think that there should be a Methodist church in the community
and it was largely his efforts and financial aid that made possible the exist-
ence of the church. At the present time there are very few memliers and
no regular pastor is employed. Sunday school is the only service conducted
in the church and this is under the direction of John P. Rempel, the superin-
tendent. Among the pastors who served the congregation was TI. H.
Wallace.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian church of Windom was organized, October i".
1871, by a committee of the Mankato presbytery, appointed for the purpose,
consisting of Rev. David C. Lyon, synodical missionary of the state, and
Rev>. Aaron II. Kerr and Edward Savage. The eight charter members
23O COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
were as follow: Isaac M. Moss, Mrs. Amanda C. Moss, Mrs. Deborah
Pierce, Mrs. Jenneth Smith, Mrs. D^Loss Smith; Mrs. Margaret A. Savage,
Abram Frisbie and Melinda Gray. The present membership of this church
is one hundred and thirty-two.
During the early years in the history of this church all services were
held in the school house. Later, the Methodist Episcopal church was used,
alternating services with the Methodist people, but on Sunday, July 12,
1885, the Presbyterians dedicated their new church home, a modest frame
structure, built at a cost of a little less than two thousand dollars. This
building still stands on the corner of Third avenue and Eleventh street, but
is altogether too small for the present congregation and Bible school. Plans
are now maturing for the erection of a new, modern building on the old
site. John A. Brown hauled the first stone for this church foundation and
many donated material and work.
The Windom church owes a very large debt to Rev. Edward Savage for
his untiring efforts during the early years of this organization. The first
communion set was donated by a young lady in the East. The individual
communion service now in use was given by Elder J. F. French just before
his death, two years ago. The beautiful offering plates now used were
donated by Mrs. John Hutton, and the sweet-toned piano, by the Orpheus
Club of the church in IQ15.
On dedication morning, Pastor La Grange announced that there remained
but one hundred and twelve dollars to raise in order to dedicate the church
free of debt and that sum was very quickly and easily raised. A large
amount of labor was donated, but the details have not been recorded.
The following is a list of the various pastors of this church : Revs.
Edward Savage, Samuel W. La Grange, Herbert McHenry, Arthur M.
Smith, II. P. Barnes, W. H. Sloane, J. C. Gourlev, Walter H. Reynolds. C.
M. Junkin, Philip A. Swartz, Jr., G. A. Ffolzinger. W. J. Bell, L. F. Badger,
II I Softly and Rev. Charles C. Brown, the present pastor.
I lie church organization at Bingham Lake having recently disbanded,
leaves the Windom church the only one of this denomination in Cottonwood
county.
BAPTIST CHURCH 1 -
The Firsl Baptist church of Windom was organized on July 6. 1890,
by Rev. J. M. Thurston, a retired minister living at Windom. The charter
members of this societ) were as follow: Rev. Jesse M. Thurston and wife.
Polly. Lucius M. Thurston. Irving J. Thurston (sons of Rev. J. M. Thurs-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 23 1
ton), Sarah J. Thurston (adopted daughter of Rev. Thurston), Etta L.
Dyer. Hattie X. Dyer, .Mrs. ( G. L.) Annie E. Macomber, Mrs. (C. F.)
Henrietta Warren. Peter A. Ruhberg and wife, Metta, Mrs. Sarah Rich-
mond, Mrs. (T. C.) Elmira Richmond, Mrs. Sarah J. Root, Mrs. Anna
Stark. The present membership of this Baptist church is one hundred and
fifty-four. There have been three hundred and seventy-six belonging to
this church, of which number two hundred and twenty-two are not now on
the church rolls.
A frame building, located on the comer of Fourth avenue and Eleventh
street, was erected in 1S91, costing five thousand dollars. This denomina-
tion has another strong church at Westbrook and a Danish Baptist church
at Storden, this county.
The pastors who have served at Windom are as follow: Revs. J. C.
Mower, July 1, 1890, to July, 1891 ; C. D. Belden, November 1, 1891, to
November, 1892; W. S. Black, July 1, 1893, to July 1, 1894; G. W. Stone,
November 1. 1894, to March, 1900; H. A. Erickson, May 13, 1900, to
August 1, 1902; J. M. Pegelly, June 1, 1903. to October 15, 1905; H. A.
Stoughton, November 1, 1905, to April 15, 1912; F. E. lams, May 15, 1912,
to August 31. 1914; William Phillips, March 31, 1915, to March 21, 1916.
Rev. F. D. Holden is the present pastor.
Prior to the formation of this church there had been an organization,
but, owing to removals at the time of the grasshopper scourge, it disbanded.
some of its members later uniting with the present church. The old "First"
church was organized in 1872. by its first and only pastor, M. C. Cummins,
in the village school house where services were afterward held.
Much of the early prosperity of the present church was due to the
efforts of the Rev. J. M. Thurston in assisting the pastors. The church
grew in nine years to one hundred and fifty-three members, but soon there
was a great migration of members westward, which so weakened the church
that it did not again reach it-- former numbers for about fifteen years, or
following the Smith-Gilmore evangelistic campaign in the winter of 1914-15.
The author is indebted to the church clerk. H. A. Stoughton, for the above
facts.
AT WESTBROOK.
[mmanuel Baptist church, at Westbrook, was organized in 1909 by
Revs. August Brohlm, C. Henningscn, I!. Jacobson and X. L. Christiansen.
The charter members were inclusive of the following: P. W. Ludnigsen,
Mrs. Annie Ludnigsen, Mrs. Ida Ludnigsen, William A. Ludnigsen, Mrs.
232 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Sine Ludnigsen, Mrs. Laura Nelson, Ole Christiansen. Mrs. Ole Christiansen,
Jens C. Christiansen, Mrs. Jens C. Christiansen, Carl Petersen, Mrs. Carl
Petersen, Hans C. Hansen. Mrs. Hans C. Hansen, Mr. and Mrs. Axel Carl-
sen, N. C. Christensen, Walter Larsen, Mrs. Walter Larsen, F. G. Davis.
Mrs. F, G. Davis. The present Sunday school superintendent is F. W.
Ludnigsen and the enrollment is one hundred and thirty scholars. In 1902
a twenty-five hundred-dollar church was erected. The first pastor was Rev.
C. A. Ehrhardt.
DANISH BAPTIST DENOMINATION.
In January, 1899, Rev. M. A. Summers, the district missionarv, in
company with the pastor of the Windom Baptist church, visited a few fam-
ilies in the Westbrook vicinity. Later on, the Rev. Byers. of the Danish
Baptist church, held meetings in the various homes. The first direct work
looking toward the formation of a Danish Baptist church was begun by Mis-
sionary Summers in the school house west of town in August, 1900, which,
after some interruption, was resumed on December 16, 1900.
On one occasion Mr. Summers went to the school house, only to find
it occupied by another minister, both having made appointments for the
same time and place without being aware of such circumstance. Rev. Sum-
mers and his people withdrew to the railroad depot, where, through the
kindness of agent Bell, the first service inside the town proper was held.
For some time sendees were held in the Silliman hall. The desire for a
church began to take root and found expression in the efforts put forth to
secure that end. During the summer months Rev. R. O. Farel, the pulpit
supply, gave much time to the securing of pledges for the building. Much
credit is due W. Hubbell for his timely and munificent gift which made pos-
sible the early construction of the church. In December the church extended
a call to Rev. C. A. Ehrhardt to become its first pastor and he accepted.
The Danish lluptists here purchased a good building from the Calvary
Baptists of Westbrook, who carried on this work for about one year, when
they sold the building, which was enlarged and a basement put beneath it.
These changes and improvements cost the society about $4,374. The build-
ing is a good frame structure, with cement basement under the entire build-
ing. It is the largest public audience room in Westbrook. The services
are all in the English language, except twice a month.
The fir-t prior was Rev. N. H. Byers, from May, iqio. to September,
1914, since which time Rev. Amandus L. N. Sornsen has been the pastor in
charge.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 233
"MISSION BAND."
The Mission Band church, located at Windom, the only one in the
county, was organized by Charles E. Croft. July 25, 19 13, but was the out-
growth of the prayers and labors of many persons in and near Windom for
many years before that date. Rev. G. L. Morgan was possibly the first one
to start a full gospel here ; others have been interested in the movement and
for several years there has been a "full gospel'' convention held annually in
Windom, and at last they have a place of worship of their own.
The charter members of this society, or band, were as follow : Rev.
G. L. Morgan. Mrs. Lura Morgan, Rev. Charles E. Croft, Mrs. Flora E.
Kettlewell. Arthur Mead, Mrs. Sarah Croft, Mrs. Anna Croft, William J.
Croft, Benjamin Molten, Mrs. O. Hammerstad, Alma Skewis, Mrs. Bertha
Kettlewell. Mrs. Edna Croft. Russell Moulton, Gail Morgan, Lewis Hanson
\rthur Johnson, Mrs. Ethel Freeman. The actual membership in June,
1916. was thirty.
A building was purchased of R. H. Kettlewell in 19 13. It is a frame
structure, which formerly was a Methodist Episcopal church and later was
used as a lodge room.
The pastors serving this society have been as follow: Revs. John W.
Croft, Charles E. Croft, A. W. Mead and the present pastor. Rev. G. A.
Wooden, who, in giving an account of the work here, said : "This is a full
gospel movement. We stand for the verbal inspiration of the whole Bible
and we preach it, live it and teach it as God gives us light upon it. We are
not trying to build up a denomination, but we are trying to build up the
Kingdom of Christ in the hearts of men and women."
NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The Westbrook Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church is ten miles
to the northeast of the village of Westbrook and was organized by Rev.
J. Chr. Jacobson in 1886. It has a present total membership of five hun-
dred and thirteen souls. There are five church organizations, all under one
pastor, as follows: Westbrook, already named; Higlnvater church, eight
miles southwest of Lamberton, organized by Rev. J. Chr. Jacobson, with a
membership of two hundred and four -mil,; Amo church, four miles south
of Storden, with two hundred and twenty souls, organized by the minister
just named; Trinity church, organized by the same minister, having a present
total membership of one hundred and ninety-three souls, and Bethany
234 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
church, an English Lutheran church in Westbrook town, organized by Rev.
J. Lewis, who has served as pastor almost five years. The total member-
ship of Bethany is eighty-five souls.
Each of these church organizations has a neat frame edifice of its own.
The pastors who have been faithful over these five flocks are as follow:
Rev. J. Chr. Jacobson, thirty years; Rev. L. Lund, three years; Rev. L. O.
Pederson, three years, and Rev. J. Lewis, about five years.
By these five churches scattered over the western portion of Cotton-
wood county the Lutheran faith is taught and practiced among a large num-
ber of people, mostly of the Norwegian nationality. Be it said to the credit
of these people, that schools and churches have ever been liberally supported
by them.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Evangelical Lutheran church at Jeffers began its existence on May
18, 1902. The ones who signed up for the first organization include the
following: Christian Schaper, Garrett Krupher, W. Krahn, Aug. YVolter,
Fred Palzin, Henry Schoper. The first meetings were held in the various
homes, in the lumber yard and, in fact, almost anywhere that a gathering
could be secured. The first pastor was Rev. W. L. Keller; the second, Rev.
Raul Cornils, who accepted the call of the church May 23, 1904. The third
ami present pastor, the Rev. E. Michaelis, has served the congregation since
March 1, 1 9 14.
On the 12th of February, 1911, a meeting was called and it was agreed
to build a church building. Those who signed up and shouldered the responsi-
bility of construction were II. Schoper, J. A. Gerke, Amel Folgel, Herman
Peltz, V Gruenwald, George Krupke, R. R. Ohls, Peter Hoick and Fred
l'olzin. Various materials and a great amount of labor were donated by
the different families and, by hard work and constant effort, the church
was dedicated on the 28th of August, 1011. with a total cash expenditure
of one thousand live hundred and eighty-two dollars and fifty-two cents.
At the present time there are about ten families in the congregation.
The following article was taken from the Windom Reporter of Decem-
ber [8, [884: "Dedication services will he held at the German Evangelical
church in Germantown, commencing Friday, December 10. and on Sunday
21, in the forenoon, the church will be dedicated. The following clergymen
will be present : Rev. II. Ihmce, of Mankato, presiding elder: Rev. J. Smith,
of St. Peter; Rev. I'-. Simon, of Redwood Falls; Rev. M. Gastetter, the
resident pastor. \ general invitation is given to the public to be present.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 235
The church building has just been completed at a cost of two thousand dol-
lars. The building is twenty-eight by forty-eight feet and is furnished in
good style."
NORWEGIAN UNITED EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This denomination at YVindom was organized in either 1881 or 1882
and now has a membership of sixty-five families or about five hundred
members. The church edifice was built in 1896 and the parsonage in 1897.
The pastors have included these : Revs. Andrew O. Hagen, O. C. Mhyre,
H. H. Holte and F. C. Norman, present pastor. Among the charter and
early members may be recalled these: A. Quevli, F. Reese, Tolef Stener-
son, Gabriel Olson, Hans O. Solem, Robertine Pederson, Ole P. Grotte,
Peder P. Grotte, Ole Komprud, Guilder Pederson, Olaf Selness, Andrew J.
Sandmell, Oluf Brixelien, Iver Olson and Halvor Solem.
A Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran church was formed in YVindom
in 1888. Rev. K. J. Wang was pastor in 1901, when there was a mem-
bership of thirty families. It is still doing its work in an humble manner
and has a small frame church building.
DOWIE ZIONISTS.
In 1901 local papers show that YVindom was the seat of a branch of
the Dowie Zionist society so famous near Chicago. They held services at
the hall in the Cone business house.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity congregation was organized
at Mountain Lake in 1898 by Rev. J. Porisch. Among the charter mem-
bers were the following: John Oeltjenbrnus, Herman Kremin, John Ehlere,
John DeWall. John Poppe, Ed. Radtke, William Nibbe, II. .Markwart. J.
Kunkel, F. Xeuman, II. Dietz, E. Kremin, David Meier, A. .Meier, fohn
Langeman, John Steinhauser, George Feil, Gottfried Feil, W. Dierks, C.
Roesner, George Heinitz, G. Heinitz, D. D. Heinitz, I). Heinitz, Carl Jase,
William Mueller. D. I). Steinle, G. Steinle, Gottfried Schmiers, H. .Ruddat,
R. Feil, George Schnivck. E. Bag, ami Gust. Ott. The pastors and their
order of servinj;' have been as follow: Rev. J. Porisch, [898 to 1900; Rev.
A. Ziehlsdorff, 1900 to 1904; Rev. J. Porisch, 1904 to 1910; Rev. W. C.
Rumsch. 1910 to the present time.
The church building was erected the same year the congregation v
organized, at a cosl of nine hundred and sixty-live dollars. The parochial
236 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
school was started, September 6, IQ14, in a school building owned by the
church. The teachers were Rev. W. C. Ruxnsch, student Lindenmeyer,
student Kohlhoff and Miss F. Winter. Between fifty and sixty scholars
attend. The present membership of the church is forty.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
Immanuel's Lutheran congregation, of Rose Hill township, was organ-
ized in 1880 by Rev. C. H. Schuttler and six charter members. It now has
a membership of forty. A church building was erected in 1880, costing
two thousand dollars, and it was rebuilt in 1907 at a cost of three thousand
dollars. Children of the congregation are taught in a parochial school three
days in each week alternate years, the pastor being the instructor. The
following have served as pastors of this congregation : Rev. William
Priggie, after the founder, Rev. Schuttler, had been in charge from 1880
to 1890; in 1893 came Rev. Ferd Selme, who served to 1896; next came
Rev. George Stamm, who served to 1902 ; then came Rev. Christian Heuer,
serving till 1905; Rev. Jacob Dachsteiner, from 1905 to 1908, when Rev.
O. J. Wolff, the present pastor, came.
Trinity Lutheran congregation, of Westbrook, was organized in 1901,
by Rev. Christian Heuer, with fourteen members. The congregation now
has a membership of thirty-five. A frame building was erected in 1901,
costing one thousand dollars, and in 1910 a parsonage was provided costing
twenty-five hundred dollars. A parochial school is conducted by the pastor
Saturdays and Mondays about five months each year. This denomination
has a hcarge and a church at a point in Rose Hill township above mentioned,
cared for by the pastor of the Westbrook church. The following have
served as pastors of the Westbrook congregation: Revs. Christian Heuer,
1901 to 1905; Rev. Jacob Dagchsteiner, 1905-08; Rev. F. Burgley, 1908-09;
Rev. ( ). J. Wolf, 1909-16.
MENNONITE CHURCH.
This denomination, with its various branches, is represented only among
the Russians in the eastern part of the county, in and near the village of
Mountain Lake.
The First Mennonite church at Mountain Lake was organized in 1878
by Henry Schultz and David Loewen. The first building was erected in
1882, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars and the present church was erected
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 237
in 191 1 at a cost of five thousand dollars. The following have served as
pastors of this church: Revs. David Loewen, John Schultz. Gerhard Neu-
feld, Peter Yoth, Gerhard Fast, Jacob Friesen, Jacob Stoesz, A. Friesen,
D. D. Harder, J. Niessen, I. J. Dick. At present the ministers are, Elder
Jacob Stoesz, D. D. Harder, Revs. Dick and John Niessen.
The Mennonite Bergfelder church, which dates its beginning to about
1886, is located north of Mountain Lake and not very far from town. The
church was rebuilt in 1913 under the pastorship of Rev. D. P. Eitzen, who
is now the present pastor. There is a branch church at Delft, of which
Rev. Eitzen is the pastor. The membership of the church near Mountain
Lake is one hundred and seventy-five.
The Mennonite Bruderthaler church began its existence in 1888 and
was organized by Aaron Wall. Among the charter members were the fol-
lowing: Henry Fast, Gerhard Fast, Henry Warkerten, Dieter Warkerten,
John J. Dick, Peter Nickel, John Regier, Gerhard Buhler. The leaders in
the church at the present time include some of the most prominent men in
the church and community. Among them are, Henry Fast, Heinrick Fast,
Jacob A. Wall, H. I. Dick and Aaron Wall.
The church owns about seven and one-half acres of land two and one-
half miles north of Mountain Lake, on which the church buildings are
located. The first building, constructed in 1888, was twenty-six feet wide
by forty-four feet long, but the church grew so rapidly that this building
soon became too small, thus necessitating a new one. In 1893 a new edifice
was constructed at a cost of five thousand dollars. The dimensions of
this building are twenty-eight feet wide and seventy feet long. The old
building was then used as a school building and a home for the pupils who
attend school. During the winter twenty-five to thirty pupils attend this
school under the guidance and leadership of Abraham J. P>ecker. The
present membership is about one hundred and fifty, not as large as at one
date. l>efore so many removed from the county.
Mennonite Bethel church, at Mountain Lake, was organized in the year
1889. by H. H. Reiger and about twenty-four others. The first secretary
was John Tanzen: the chairman, II. II. Reiger; trustees, N. F. Toews, II.
Goertz. H. H. Regier, H. Schroeder, Jacob J. Balzer and John Tanzen.
The present membership is two hundred and seventy-three. In 1890 a
frame church was erected and enlarged in 1895. The cost of the first
building was sixteen hundred dollars and, as enlarged, the total cost was
six thousand dollars. The following ministers have faithfully served this
238 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
congregation: Revs. H. H. Reiger, J. J. Balzer, N. F. Toews and Peter J.
Friesen.
This church, in conjunction with four others, has a parochial school — ■
a German school of the union type. Three instructors are engaged and the
pupils now number about one hundred. A two-year course is maintained.
The school building, a frame structure, cost about four thousand dollars
and the accompanying boarding hall cost about twenty-five hundred dollars.
The pupils are given a chance to board at six dollars a month.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY.
While this denomination is not strong in Cottonwood county, there are
good churches at a few points, including Windom, Jeffers and Westbrook.
It is doubtful if any church in southern Minnesota has ever been organized
under conditions similar to the Catholic church at Westbrook. It was the
agitation and assistance of the non-catholics that made the church possible.
After much solicitation and persuasion, M. J. Breen took up the task of
securing money to build the church and in only three instances was he
refused. Of all those who subscribed, only one man refused to pay. Lots
for the church building were donated by John Sammons.
In February, 1914, ground was broken for the foundation and in April
the masonry was completed. On the 7th of June. 191 5. the church was
dedicated, at a total cost of two thousand three hundred dollars. However,
much work and material were donated. Recently an improvement, costing
two hundred dollars, has been made. At the time the church was dedicated
there were onlv eleven families connected with the church and since that
time very few have been added. At present the congregation is served once
a month by Father Prokes, of Windom, but arrangements have been made
whereby the church is in a circuit with Dundee and now the congregation
will have services semi-monthly.
! ighteen virus ago the Catholic families in Windom could be counted
on the fingers of the two hands. As immigration continued to increase, a
few Catholic families moved into the town and community and the need
of a church where they could assemble and worship according to the tenets
of their faith was sorely felt The little church on the east side of the rail-
mad track, owned by the Lutheran congregation, was procured and moved
onto tin' two lots donated by the president of the Cottonwood County Bank.
This church was used about three years when it became quite inadequate
to the needs of the congregation. An agitation for a new building was
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 239
started, which resulted in the up-to-date and modern structure located in
the northeast part of town. This building was dedicated, November 24-27,
1902, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. Among the pastors who have
served the congregation have been the following: Father Sande. Father
Yandeniker, Father Schneider, Father Hennekes, Father Prokes. This
congregation now has about sixty families.
On January 17, 191 1, the Catholics in Jeffers and immediate vicinity
met at the call of the pastor. Rev. Anthony Hennekes, at the chapel for the
purpose of raising funds for a church building. One thousand six hun-
dred dollars were subscribed in actual money; one hundred and forty dol-
lars in subscriptions, and four village lots were donated by August Paufhal.
On February 7, 191 1, announcement was made to the people that Right
Rev. P. R. Heftron had given his permission for the erection of the church.
Permission was also given to the Reverend pastor to conduct the Sunday
services; to conduct high mass on the first Sunday of, each month; to hold
vespers on the fourth Sunday of each month and mass the following morn-
ing. Albert Schneider and Theophilus Tibbedeaux were presented to the
elective board as the first trustees and their names were ratified.
On June 20, 191 1, a meeting was called for the purpose of letting the
contract for the building of St. Augustine's church. The contract was
awarded to Louis Faucher, of Windom, at a cost of one thousand eight
hundred and twenty dollars.
On August 20, the church was ready fur divine service and the church
was dedicated. It was impossible for the Right Reverend Bishop to be
present, so the regular pastor conducted the ceremonies. The day was ideal
and man}- of the same faith came from neighboring towns and communities
for the occasion. The services began at ten o'clock in the morning, the
dedicatory services being followed by high mass. The choir from Sand-
born, assisted by local talent, furnished the mu<ic for the occasion. The
parish of Sandborn also donated the altar for the church.
The first child baptised in this parish was Helen McShea, the daughter
of John and Mary McShea. This church now has a membership of aboul
thirty families.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, at Windom, v, a organized, Tune
15, [880, by the Rev. I). Griffin Gunn. The original members of this parish
were as follow: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Collin-. Mrs. George I Mr.
and Mrs*. Paul Seeger, Mr. and Mrs. Dunnicliff, Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Jones
24O COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
and others. The membership in the spring of 1916 was thirty-eight. A
church building was erected in 1881, the first church services being held on
June 24.
The following pastors have faithfully served this church since its organ-
ization, thirty-six years ago: The Revs. D. Griffin Gunn, Charles S. Ware,
C. H. Beaulieu, F. W. White. S. Currie, Elmer E. Lof Strom, Robert C. Ten
Broeck, William A. Dennis and the present pastor, Rev. William M. Kearons.
the Church of the Good Shepherd: "In his address to the Council of 1872,
The subjoined is found in a written history of the parish register of
Bishop Whipple recommended that the clergy on the line of each railway
system organize informally and accept the trust of the vacant mission stations.
* * * In his annual report for 1874 the Rev. Edward Livermore names
Windom among the places where he has held services during the year. On
January 21, 1874, Bishop Whipple made a visit to Windom and preached."
CHAPTER XII.
BENCH AND BAR OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
■While Cottonwood county may not have had many illustrious legal
lights, there have been several lawyers of more than ordinary ability, who
have practiced at the Windom bar since the county was organized. It is
to be regretted that no bar association has been kept up, with data from
which to write a more creditable chapter on this profession, but from old
citizens and the few attorneys who are in practice today, of the older class,
the following facts have been gleaned.
The pioneer lawyer of the county was doubtless Emory Clark, who
came to Windom soon after the county was organized. It may be said of
him that he was an excellent man and a good attorney. He died at Worth-
ington, Minnesota, April 2, 1884.
Attorney A. D. Perkins was a native of Erie county, New York, where
he was born on March 24, 1847. He took a three-year course in the Griffith
Business College, at Springfield, New York. He studied law at home and
in law offices and finally opened an office in Alma, Buffalo county, Wiscon-
sin. His next location was at Madelia. He was not successful there and,
in March, 1872, came to Windom. The first office to which he was elected
was county attorney in 1872, at the same time being elected to the office
of probate judge. In 1897 he was elected a member of the upper house of
the state Legislature, serving in that capacity for four years. He was
appointed district judge of the thirteenth judicial district of Minnesota in
[885, and was elected to that office in 1886. After he retired from the
bench he entered church and Sunday school work, in which he was highly
successful.
\. W. Amies, attorncv, graduated from Michigan University in 1885.
He returned to Windom and became principal of the schools. Later he
became the law partner of J. S. Tngalls. He is now the present judge of
the probate court of Cottonwood county. Mr. Ingalls removed to other
parts a number of years ago. It may be added that Mr. Annes taught
(16)
242 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
school at Madelia, Watonwan county, three years; at Morristown, one year,
and Windom two years. He graduated in law at Michigan University ; he
was county attorney of Cottonwood county three terms; mayor of the city
and member of the school board. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a
Republican.
George N. Laing was born in Ontario, Canada, November 16, 1850.
He studied law in the office of Professor Carpenter at Madison, Wisconsin ;
graduated from the law school at that place in 18S1 and shortly afterward
came to Minnesota and located in Windom. He was elected judge of pro-
bate in 1S82, 1884, 1886 and 1888. In 1887 he was appointed as one of
three to revise the probate laws of Minnesota, the revision of which was
adopted by the Legislature at the session of 1889.
Judge J. G. Redding, who, until his death, was one of the leading law-
yers of Windom, was born at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in 1849. At seven-
teen years of age he became a student of Hamline University, where he pur-
sued his studies for three years. He then engaged in teaching school and later
studied law for two years, being admitted to the bar in 1871. He came
to tbe village of Windom in 1872. He was elected clerk of the court in
1882 and, on completion of that term, became judge of probate. He was
also county attorney and otherwise prominently assisted in the affairs of
local government. He died on May 10, 1916.
W. C. Benbow, attorney at law, Windom, was born in Indiana in 1S63.
He taught school six terms. Graduating at Ann Arbor Law School in 1890,
he at once identified himself with this people and was elected county attorney,
serving two years. He was editor of the Citizen for two years and engaged
in the brick and tile business here.
Wilson Borst, attorney at Windom, was born in New York. He was
admitted to the bar in New York in 1880 and in 1881 he located in law
practice at Fulda, Minnesota. He was soon afterward appointed attorney
for the Chicago, St. Paul & Milwaukee Railroad Company, establishing a
large practice. Pie came to Windom in 1894 and served as city attorney.
Politically, he has ever been influential. He has long been known as one
of the keenest, best posted lawyers in southern Minnesota and had for many
years one side of almost every case tried in the courts of the county. In
the supreme court he has also been signally successful. He has one of the
finest libraries found in a private home or law office in the state.
COTTONWOOD .VXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 243
MEMBERS OF THE BAR IN IQl6.
The following are the practicing attorneys of Cottonwood county :
O. J. Finstad, county attorney, Windom; Wilson Borst, Windoni; Paul S.
Redding, Windom; N. L. Glover, Windom; A. W. Annes, Windom; J. L.
Sammons, Westbrook.
COURT OFFICERS, 1916.
Hon. L. S. Nelson, presiding judge; P. G. Neufeld, clerk; O. J. Fin-
stad, comity attorney; O. G. Peterson, sheriff; J. J. Harper, reporter.
CHAPTER XIII.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.
The pioneer settlers of this county were of the sterling type of Amer-
ican and naturalized foreign citizens who believed in education and in the
free school system of this country. Hence we find that as soon as there
were the required number of scholars in any given part of the county, a
school district was organized, a school house erected and a competent teacher
employed to instruct the young. While, between the dry weather and the
grasshoppers of the seventies, the first settlers were having a hard struggle
to gain a livelihood, yet they managed to maintain a school, which their
children might attend at least a part of the time. The early school houses
were neat, though quite plain, small frame structures, which, in time, were
succeeded by more spacious, better planned and more comfortably furnished
buildings. Many of the officials of the county and the leading business
men and sturdy fanners of Cottonwood county received their early lessons
in these pioneer school buildings, away back in the seventies and early
eighties. They well recall, and frequently refer to, the dreary winter days,
when the thoughts of both teacher and pupil were centered more on the
clouds and the drifting, sifting snows of a genuine Minnesota blizzard than
on the lessons found in the text books. In many instances schools had to
be closed for part of the winter term on account of the deep snows and
fearful storms.
But with the advent of better times, and the increase in population and
wealth, the various townships in this counts' provided splendid country and
village school houses, in which modern conveniences were to be found, and
such a state of affairs has gradually developed until now the present build-
ings, their sites and furnishings are as good as the commonwealth affords.
LANDMARK GONE.
The Greal Bend school house, built in September, 1871, was destroyed
by lire in January, 1916. Although built primarily for a school house, it
was always used for religious purposes. It was one of the old landmarks
of the county and about the first school house built in the county.
C0TT0XW00D AND WATONWAN COUNTIES. MINN. 245
EARLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
The first public school district formed in this county was district No.
2. organized by the board at the first county seat, Great Bend, November
25, 1870. It was on petition of James Thompson and others, who organ-
ized, under direction of the county board, sections 4, 5. 6, 7, 8, 9, 17 and 18,
of township 105, range 36 west, into a school district in Great Bend civil
township.
School district No. 1 seems to have been the one organized under the
petition of Bernard Caughlin and others, the same being composed of sec-
tions 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, of township 105, range 36 west.
District No. 4 was organized by the county commissioners through a
well-signed petition presented by the citizens of Westbrook township, and
the territory included in the district was sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 20, 29, 30, 31
and 32, of township 108, range ^7 west, and sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24,
26, 35 and 36. in township 108, range 38, in Westbrook township.
At the same meeting of the board, school district No. 5 was formed
in Springfield township, from sections 26, 2J, 28, 33, 34 and 35, in town-
ship 105, range 37.
District No. 7 was organized at a special meeting of the county com-
missioners, February 4, 1871, the same being in Springfield township and
composed of sections 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 10, 11 and 15, in township 105,
range 37 west.
School district No. 8, in Lakeside township, was organized February
25, 1871, of sections from 1 to 18 inclusive.
Another very early district was that in Mountain Lake township, organ-
ized at a special meeting of the county commissioners, May 13, 1871, the
territory comprising all of the north half of the township of Mountain
Lake.
At a meeting of the commissioners in \pril, 1871, upon a petition of
Daniel D. Bates, a school district was formed from the south half of Moun-
tain Lake township.
The same day, on petition of Simeon Greenfield and others, a school
district was formed from sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, in
Lakeside township.
School district Xo. 11 was organized on March T2, 1872. and comprised
sections 7, 8, 17. 18, 19 and 20. in township 106, range 35 west, and sec-
tions 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20, in township 106, range 36.
246 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
EARLY SCHOOL IN DISTRICT NO. 35.
The following is a description of one of the old school houses of school
district No. 35, Midway township: The school house was perhaps the
only one of its kind in the county. It was a two-story building of eight
rooms, two of which were for school purposes, four for family use and
two for sleeping rooms. Scholars living at a distance came on Monday
morning and remained until Friday night. Patrons furnished the victuals,
which were prepared at the school house. At one time this was the largest
school in the county, having over forty pupils enrolled, fifteen of whom
stayed during the week. Thus a district school and a boarding school
were obtained, with none of the disadvantages of either. Mr. Raildbeck
served as the teacher for a number of years.
The German school at Mountain Lake began its existence in Septem-
ber, 1898, with Miss Mary Yanka as teacher. At first the school was held
in the H. P. Goertz building. There were many people who were unfavor-
able to this school because they thought the public schools well supplied
the needs of the town and community. However, the school progressed
with much success and as an educational factor has played an important
part in the community.
EARLY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
Among the teachers in the county in 1873 were the following: Alice
( '. Flint, Alice L. Fitch, Alice J. Brown, Nettie Mathews, Emma A. Young.
Mary C. Nourse, Nellie C. Imus, Edgar A. Holmes, Orrin P. Moore and
G. S. Redding.
Among the teachers in 1874, in addition to several of those mentioend
in [873, were the following: Pars O. Flage, Eva Cook, Orrill Wolcott,
Nettie Sacket, Mrs. Bell Sheldon, Kittie M. Tingley, Edith M. Taylor, Mary
Yale, Melissa Seeley, Maggie Morrison, William A. Peterson, Mary Bates,
Mrs. Oella P. Mason, Mary E. Chapel, Mrs. Rilla Redding and Alva B.
Swayne.
In [875 the needs of the schools were growing and several more teachers
entered the profession, among whom were: Delia Clark. Matiie Under-
wood, Lillie J. Smith. Alice R. Jones, Lucy E. Vanbuskirk, Flora L. Oakes,
Kittie Tingley, Katie Lamoreau, Belle Graham, Belle Smith, Mrs. Sophie
Hayden, Mrs. M. E, Jackson, Clara E. Greenfield, Fannie Herrick, Lann Pat-
rick, Maggie McGaughey, Emma B. Chapel, George Libby, Edith C. Allen,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. J47
Minnie Fitch, Naomi Haycraft, Laura Merrill, Abbie Greenfield, Ida I.
! [oople and Jessie Underwood.
In these early days of education the school terms were very short, not
more than four months and more often two or three. It was no uncommon
thing for a teacher to instruct twenty or thirty days and then resign, some-
times voluntarily and other times upon request. A rather unique feature
in connection with the educational system, if it can be said that one really
existed, was the custom of bonding teachers, especially young lady teachers.
It has been hinted to the author that this was on account of the many young
ladies who were picked out as being suitable to grace the household of some
industrious farmer or business man in need of a helpmate.
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE IN THE COUNTY.
The first school house in Cottonwood county was erected in 1871 in
district Xo. 1, Great Bend township, and its first term of school was taught
by Miss Xettie Sackett.
BINGHAM LAKE SCHOOLS.
The school and village history of Bingham Lake began about the same
time. The village now owns a four-room school building and, although not
modern in every sense, it is perfectly adequate and sanitary. It is provided
with excellent fire escapes, so that the building can easily be emptied in thirty
seconds. Ten grades are taught by four teachers, with Jesse Hustob as
principal. During the past year one hundred and thirty pupils were enrolled.
STORDEN SCHOOLS.
The school history of Storden is nol very old. for it was only twelve
years ago when the school building on the Kahoi Anderson farm was moved
into town in order that a central location might be secured. Since then an
addition has become necessary to accommodate the need's of the school. Dur-
ing the school year of 1915-1916 ninety-six pupils were enrolled. There is
much agitation for a consolidated school, which is certainly commendable
and which, if secured, will mean a new building, a high school and a better
community interest. The school board i> composed of the following: Chair-
man, J. C. Hanson; treasurer, A. II. Anderson; clerk, S. Anderson.
24S COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
SCHOOL AT JEFFERS.
A school for the village of Jeffers became a reality on March 31, 1902,
when, at a special school meeting, eight thousand dollars worth of bonds were
voted for the purpose of buying a school site and the erection of a building.
This amount was seen to be insufficient, therefore, on the 12th of May,
1902, two thousand dollars more was voted.
The school is enjoying a very steady growth, the enrollment having
increased until at the present time the number is one hundred and sixty-seven.
Five teachers are employed and two years of high school work are given.
The principal for the school year of 1916 and 191 7 is Prof. O. E. Olson.
WESTBROOK SCHOOLS.
No records are at hand on- the first organization of common school
township No. 57, but the early settlers of this vicinity promptly provided for
the educational welfare of their children. The little frame school house
that stood at the intersection of the cross-roads on the northwest edge of town
will be remembered by many as the seat of learning and social betterment
of the earlv years. In 1899 the building was moved to the location where
the imposing brick structure now stands. The teachers at this period were
Clara M. Jaeger and Anna M. Amundson, both of whom held second-grade
certificates and received the munificent sum of thirty dollars per month.
On the 4th of August, 1900, a meeting was held for the purpose of voting
on an application for a state loan of two thousand dollars for the purpose
of erecting a new building. The meeting was presided over by Adolph
Peterson, and Henry Peterson acted as clerk. Judging from the number of
votes cast, fourteen, all in favor of the resolution, the number of legal
voters in Westbrook at that time was not large. A two-story frame building
was erected, but in less than two years it was found inadequate and it was
proposed to build an addition. The more conservative citizens thought it
would he heller and cheaper in the end to build a modern school building
for tin- future a^ well as the present, so arrangements were made for renting
additional room and plans made for the present commodious structure.
The teachers of the early Westbrook history were Carrie Seely. Mrs.
Cone, of Windom, Winnie [sham, Myrtle Stillings, Alice Seely, Mrs. Roberts
and Sadie Wheeler. Tin- last to instruct in the old frame building were G.
A. foster. Bertha Byington, Eleanor Reese, and Alice Seely, who taught the
first and second grades in the rented cottages.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 249
The village grew apace and the needs of the school required that it
be organized as an independent school district. For that purpose a meeting
was held on January 19, 1903, at which C. A. Zieska was chairman and M. A.
Johnson, clerk. When the vote was counted, the result showed fifty-two
for the resolution and three against.
On February 2 a board of six members was chosen, which included the
following men: J. N. Rivers, J. B. Langum, H. W. Footh, J. J. Christy,
J. A. Pearson and M. A. Johnson. Upon these men devolved the burden
of erecting the new building and directing the destiny of the school.
Early in 1903 steps were taken toward the actual construction of the
new building. The one that was first proposed consisted of an eight-roi mi
building and a full basement. These plans were accepted and seventeen thou-
sand dollars worth of bonds voted, the vote standing sixty-three to one in
favor of the bond issue. As evidence of the district's sound credit, it may
be mentioned that the five per cent, bonds were disposed of at a lively scram-
ble by Eastern investors to Winona capitalists at a premium of seventy-five
dollars for the issue. Tbe building was constructed the same year and now
stands as a monument to those who contended so earnestly for higher edu-
cation.
At present eight teachers are employed and they have charge of an
enrollment of about two hundred and twenty-five. Prof. J. B. Wright is
the superintendent, he having served in the capacity for several years, a fact
which bespeaks high credit for him, as he has labored honestly and faithfully
for the betterment and growth of the school and surely he has been rewarded.
However, his success is due in a great measure to the strong support and
hearty co-operation of the school board, which at the present time is composed
of the following citizens: President, II. \\ . Footh; treasurer. J. !•'.. Villa;
secretary, W. E. Mead; J. E. Nelson, Rev. ( ). J. Wolff and .Mrs. E. P.
Pederson.
The school is one of the few in the state to own a school farm. It
was acquired under the old Putnam system, bin failed l>ecause of the usual
reasons. In fact, there is only one in the state that can be said to be a sui
cess and this one is at ( 'okato. The farm at Westbrook is at present leased
to renters and consists of six and three-fourths acres on the northwesl side
of the town.
The pupils have many of the advantages of the city school, in that agri-
culture, domestic science and manual training are offered to those who may
desire special courses.
25O COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
WINDOM CITY SCHOOLS.
By Hon. C. W. Gillam.
The history of Windom's public school is so closely connected with the
progress of Windom itself that it is almost impossible to give one without
giving the other.
Windom was located on the present site in the summer of 1871, and the
first school was held in the early fall in the upper room of Loop & Wood's
lumber office, with Miss Lawton as teacher. This was sort of a select school,
but in October and November of that same year Harvey Klock erected a
building where the Redding building (formerly occupied by the Odd Fellows
hall) now stands, the upper floor being used for the Masonic hall. The
lower floor was rented by the school officers for a public school, and on
Monday, December 18, 1871, the first public school in Windom was opened,
with O. Phelps as teacher. Mr. Phelps, I believe, taught through the winter
term of 1872 and the summer term was taught by Miss Clark, who after-
wards became Mrs. Loop, daughter of Lyman Clark.
In October, 1872, an eight-mill tax was levied for teacher's wages and
an eight-mill tax for rent and fuel. School opened this year on November
11, with Miss Imus as teacher, followed a little later in the season by Miss
Alice Flint (now Mrs. C. A. Ludden, of Pomono, California), who taught
during the spring and summer of 1873 with an enrollment of forty pupils.
Windom had grown so rapidly that our people saw that it would be
necessary to provide more room to accommodate our school and, to that end,
a meeting was called for March, 1873, to vote on the proposition of bonding
our school district for four thousand dollars to build a new school house.
The proposition carried, and in May, 1873. the contract was let to Samuel
Wilson, father of Scott Wilson, to erect a two-story school building on the
ground occupied by the present building (two lots having been donated for
that purpose by the townsite company). The contract was let for the sum
of two thousand nine hundred and ninety-five dollars, and thus was started,
forty years ago, Windom's first school building, which was practically com-
pleted in December of the same year.
On October 9, [873, our school officers voted to have eight months
school and William Prentiss, who was then county superintendent (now a
prominent lawyer in Chicago), was elected to have charge of the school.
School opened in the new building on December 3, 1873, aUl' '"'"'Mil that time
on Windom began to be in the front rank as a school town. With as fine
a school building as any town of its size in the state and with a people who
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 25 1
were determined to make this school the best possible, people began to settle
in and around our village to avail themselves of our school privileges as early
as the seventies.
Mr. Prentiss was again elected for the year 1875-76 and another depart-
ment was added, with Miss Chapel as teacher. Probably no teacher that has
ever occupied our school room had a greater influence over the eighty to
one hundred pupils then enrolled than did Mr. Prentiss. He was a friend
to everyone, a social, lovable man, and under his administration, during
those hard, trying grasshopper times, our school prospered. The social
life of our town centered around our school. We had a literary society,
debating society, spelling school and so forth, participated in by people of
the town as well as pupils of the school. Mr. Prentiss left us when the
winter term closed in the spring of 1876 and returned to Macomb, Illinois,
to study law. Mrs. Jackson, of Bingham Lake, and Miss Redding were
elected to teach for the year of 1876-77 and in the fall of 1877 the board,
deciding to have three departments for the winter and two for the summer,
voted the sum of one thousand dollars for the school expenses, so you see
our teachers did not get rich in those days.
In the fall and winter of 1877-78 L. C. Jones, of Bingham Lake, was
elected principal, with two assistant teachers. Miss Taylor and Miss Francis
Cooke, and the same line of work was adhered to as the previous year. In
the fall of 1878 Mr. Ingalls. Miss Delia Clark and Miss Bell Smith (now
Mrs. T. C. Collins) were elected to teach fur the fall and winter term. It
seemed that the people had not been taking the interest in the school that
they should and Mr. Ingalls opened his school with an appeal to tin- people
to visit the school more often and co-operate with the teachers to improve it
and to help make it a success.
In the fall of 1879 L. J. Robinson, of New York, was elected principal
and Mr. Moore and Miss Underwood, assistants. Under Mr. Robinson's
supervision our school took on new life and did good work. After completing
his school year .Mr. Robinson joined the ranks M Windom's business men
and thereafter took a prominent part in the upbuilding and improvement of
our school. In the fall of 1880. at tin- school meeting held in September,
the ladies of the town decided to take a hand in the election of school offi-
cers. In speaking of the meeting the Wmdom Reporter said: "This is tin-
first time the ladies have taken a part in our school meetings and we ju
from the interest taken by them that they will hoop 'er up to the ugl)
hereafter." They did a great deal of talking hack, showing that the fellow-,
who think the ladies don't know how to vote were very badly in error. They
252 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
behaved well, did not smoke, nor buttonhole, nor treat, nor do anything to
corrupt the meeting (but they elected, if I am not mistaken, Mrs. E. C. Hunt-
ington a member of the school board). This, I believe, was the first time
the ladies of our town had taken an active part in the business part of our
school management.
In the fall and winter of 1880 and 1881 school opened with Mr. Graves
as principal and Misses Delia Clark and Florence Holmes as teachers in the
two departments. There was a total enrollment during the winter term of
one hundred and twenty-one and, in connection with the other work, the
social literary department of our school was especially active. Debating
societies were organized in which the people of our town took an active part
with the pupils of our school. Spelling schools were held, dramatic enter-
tainments were given and a general co-operation of students, parents and
teachers along these lines added much to the success of the school during
the term. At the school meeting held in September, 188 1, a nine-months
school was voted ami one thousand one hundred and fifty dollars was levied
for school purposes and one hundred and fifty dollars to build a wood shed.
School opened on September 19 with A. W. Amies, of Madelia (later a
judge of probate), who had just finished a three-year term at Madelia, as
principal, and Miss Delia Clark and Miss Florence Holmes as teachers of
the primary and intermediate departments. Mr. Amies had a very success-
ful term and was re-engaged for the year 1882-83 with the same assistants
in the other departments.
After completing his term, Air. Amies returned to finish his law course
at Michigan University, and 11. J. Keith was elected as principal for the
year [883-84, with .Miss Delia Clark and Miss Nettie Goss for the primary
and intermediate departments. Our school had increased in number and
when Mr. Keith took charge he found a total enrollment of one hundred
and forty. Under .Mr. Keith's administration our school began to plan some
improvements. Cp to this time it had been sailing along under the old
common school law. with no apparent end in view except to give our young
people tlie same advantages they might gel in any district school of the
county, but Mr. Keith, will) the assistance of Mr. Robinson, who bad now
become our county superintendent, planned an eight-year course of stud} :
high school studies to be introduced as rapidly as the needs of the school
demanded, and a definite plan of action for future progress was mapped
out and a regular course of study was planned for each grade. Cp to this
time one thousand three hundred dollars bad been the most that was levied
in any oik- year for school purposes, but at the school meeting held Sep-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 253
tember 5, 1884, our people began to show signs of breaking ties that up
to this time had held them to the old common school system and began to
agitate the question of organizing an independent school district. The seeds
of progress had been sown and had begun to grow, a public sentiment had
been created by the progressive men of our town who were determined to
make our school the best possible, and so a tax of one thousand six hundred
dollars was levied and a nine-months school in all departments decided upon.
T. J. Hunter was elected principal, with Miss Johnson and Miss Delia
Clark as teachers for the year 1884-85. School opened September 15 and
had an enrollment of about one hundred and seventy before the term ended.
At the annual school meeting held in July, 1885, the report showed that two
thousand dollars had been expended for the year and a nine-months school
was voted. A. W. Amies, who had finished his law course at the University
of Michigan and returned to Windom, was again selected as principal of our
school, with Miss Delia Clark and Miss Johnson as teachers in the primary
and intermediate departments. School was opened in September and before
the term closed had an enrollment of one hundred and seventy-five. Up
to this time Mr. Annes was the only man to be given a second term as
principal, with the possible exception of Mr. Prentiss in the seventies. Is it
any wonder we made slow progress? Under Mr. Amies' second administra-
tion the seed of progress had been '-own nearly two years before it began
to mature and the result was that in May, 1886, independent school district
Xo. 6 was organized and the first board of education was elected, consisting
of I-'.. C. Huntington, J. H. Tilford, J. S. Kibbey, A. W. Amies. J. S. Ingalls
anil L. J. Robinson. Our school started on the road with living colors that
was eventually to lead to a high school. < )ur district had already been bonded
for four thousand dollars, a portion of which was already due and still unpaid,
and a special meeting was called for June 7, [886, to vote on the proposition
to rebond the said district and also to secure additional grounds for school
purposes. This meeting was adjourned to the regular meeting to be held
July 17. It was given out by the board that was elected in May that their
policy would be to establish a system of grading of study as nearly as pos-
sible to the one laid down by the state high school board, intending to start a
class at the opening of the fall term on the high school course. Their policy
also included the rebonding of the district, taking up the old bonds, that
were drawing eight per cent, interest, and, with the con enl -1 the people,
rebonding at a lower rate of interest. But, alas for the plans of mire and
men. When the regular meeting was over it was found that nearly all of
this board bad been defeated and practically a new board elected. Windom
254 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
up to this time, with a population of one thousand people and two hundred
scholars, had nothing much better to offer in the way of school privileges
than the poorest district in the county : but progress was in the air, and in
the minds of many of our people it was believed that we must provide better
school advantages, or our young people would soon leave home to attend
school elsewhere. So, in the spring of 1887, our board purchased two lots
north of the old school building for additional grounds.
In July, 1887, our school board elected James Ruane, later editor of
the Slayton Gazette, as principal, and Miss Silver and Miss Delia Clark as
teachers for the intermediate and primary departments, and voted nine
months school. At the annual school meeting held in July, 18S7, the report
showed an enrollment of two hundred and eighteen for the year, with three
departments. Think of three teachers doing justice to two hundred and
eighteen pupils! A tax levy of two thousand one hundred dollars was voted
for school purposes for the coming year. At this meeting John Clark, who
built and owned the Park Hotel, and who was a progressive man from the
East and very public spirited, made a strong speech in favor of building
a new school building and urged the establishing of the high school, but
nothing farther was done at this time. Our school board decided to employ
four teachers for the coming year. James Ruane, who had been taken sick
soon after school opened, was obliged to resign, and M. H. Manuel was
secured to take his place, after a three weeks' adjournment of the depart-
ment. Our school made good progress under Professor Manuel's adminis-
tration and the board re-elected him for the year 1888-89 and also decided
to add another department and build an addition to the school house.
HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ADDED.
In June. jX88, a special meeting was held, at which it was voted to build
a two-story addition on the north side of the old school building on the lot
purchased the previous year, and the board was voted permission to borrow
three thousand five hundred dollars for the purpose. School opened Septem-
ber 10 that fall with four departments. Professor Manuel as principal. Miss
Helen Hunt for the grammar department. Miss Silver for the intermediate,
and Miss Delia (lark for the primary. During this term all of our teachers
put forth every effort in their power to prepare a class for the high school
work and to carry out the graded plan. They also prepared classes for the
first state examination and the result was that the following year the upper
room of the new addition was finished and a high school department added.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 255
In December, 1890, the state high school board placed the Windom high
school on the map as a full-fledged state high school.
THE PASSING OF AN EXCELLENT TEACHER.
There is one event in connection with our school that happened about
this time that I feel I ought to call your attention to just now and that
was the passing of Miss Delia Clark from the teaching force of our school.
For nearly fifteen years she had devoted her entire time, her talents, and
practically her life, to the primary department of our school, with always a
very large enrollment in her department, running as high as seventy-five
to eighty some years. You teachers who have handled small children can
realize something of the responsibility that was upon her shoulders. She was
not only a teacher to these children, but practically a mother, as well, always
looking after their welfare in school and out, visiting them in sickness, and
encouraging them in every way she could. No mother has ever watched over
her children closer than did this little woman over her flock of children
that was placed in her charge. It was no uncommon sight to see her com-
ing down the street from school house with a dozen or more of her little
folks as close to her as they could get. Her services to our sch ■< il and to
the mothers of Windom cannot be estimated, and no amount of money could
ever repay her for the sacrifice she ha- made for the children of our com-
munity during those fifteen years.
P. G. Fullerton had now been elected principal, with four other teachers
to assist in the other departments, and our school continued to grow. We
graduated our first class in the summer of 1892 as follows: Miss Jennie
Warren, Miss Nellie Scott. Miss Ada Ellis, Miss Edna Jefferson and Miss
Cora Smith.
Mr. Fullerton was re-elected for the year [892-93, and more improve-
ments and new apparatus were constantly 1 icing a' Med to increase the effi-
ciency of our school.
In the fall of 1893 A. X. Farmer was elected superintendent for the
school year of 1893-94 with a good cor])- of teachers and that year a class
of three was graduated. Our school was now growing by leaps ami bounds,
more teachers were being added, and it was very evident that more room
would have to he provided. In July of this year our board voted to have
free text books and also to secure another room for school pur|X)ses. Such
a room was fitted up in the temple for a temporary school room, and torn-
thousand dollars was voted tor the support of the school for the ensuing
256 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
year. Our board, as well as the people of the town, now saw that the time
had come when we must build a larger building and as a step in that direction
a meeting was called for July 11, 1894, for the purpose of voting upon the
proposition of building a new school building upon the present site, and
bonding the district for twenty thousand dollars to cover the cost. The
result was that the proposition carried, the bonds were sold, and the contract
for the new school was let to Donehue & Hoffman, of St. Paul, for sixteen
thousand six hundred dollars. Another lot was bought of J. C. Christy and
added to the school ground and six thousand dollars was voted for school
purposes the coming year.
Professor Farmer was re-elected as superintendent for the year 1894-95
with practically the same corps of teachers, and later the school moved into
the new building. Our school continued to increase in the number of pupils
enrolled, a large number of them coming from the country to attend. Pro-
fessor Farmer was again elected for the year 1895-96. For the year 1896-
97 Mr. Blanche, who had been filling the place as assistant superintendent,
was elected superintendent.
For the year 1897-98 A. F. Armstrong was elected superintendent and
at the annual meeting, held in July, the report showed a total expenditure of
twelve thousand nine hundred and twenty-five dollars for the year and a
cash balance on hand of three thousand three hundred and seven dollars.
In 1898 and 1899 Mr. Armstrong was re-elected with an able corps of
teachers to assist him, and this year a class of three graduated.
( )n April 7, 1899, J- M. Rhodes was elected superintendent for the
year 1899-1900. He was a man equipped in every way for the position and
under his directions our school progressed very rapidly. In the spring a
class of nine was graduated and from this time on to the present I believe
our school continued to graduate a class each year. Mr. Rhodes was re-elected
for the year 1900-01. and at the meeting he showed our school to he in a
very prosperous condition, with a large enrollment and a cash balance in the
treasury of seven thousand one hundred and ninety-six dollars and twenty-
seven cents.
MORE IMPROVEMENTS MADE.
It was beginning to become a problem to provide room to accommodate
the pupils that wanted to attend our school and our hoard saw that it would
onl) he a short time when something would have t<> he done. So they called
a special meeting of the district for October _-'. looo. for the purpose of
voting on the proposition of buying the Stedman property, adjoining the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 257
school grounds, and also purchasing a site for a school building on the east
side of town. The result was the purchase of the Stedman property for
one thousand six hundred dollars, and of block 3 on the east side, for one
thousand dollars, and it was voted by the board to elect fifteen teachers for
the ensuing year.
In July, 1901, Mr. Rhodes tendered his resignation and Mr. Conger, of
Minneapolis, was elected for the year 1901-02.
In the summer of 1902, A. M. Locker was elected superintendent for
the year 1902-03 and music was added to our school in connection with the
library.
Our board now saw that we would have to have more room the comine
year to care properly for the increased attendance and they called a special
meeting on June 20, 1903, for the purpose of voting on the question of build-
ing a school house and raising funds for the same and deciding on a site.
The result was our board was instructed to build a four-room building on
block 3, on the east side of the town, and on July 8, 1903, the contract was
let to J. B. Nelson, of Mankato, for six thousand seven hundred and twenty-
two dollars, all of which was afterwards paid for from funds on hand with-
out an additional bond issue, and at the annual school meeting held in July,
1904, the report showed that the school house had been completed and paid
for and a balance on hand of two thousand four hundred and nineteen dol-
lars and fifty-nine cents.
In 191 1 the construction of a new school building was begun, at a cost
of forty thousand dollars, for high school and grade purposes, commodious
and well arranged. The aim of the school board was to make it as near per-
fect as possible in respect to its light, heat and ventilation. This building
was dedicated in January, 1912, with the usual dedicatory ceremonies. Among
the notable visitors present were President Vincent, of the State University,
and Hon. George B. Aiton, state high school inspector. In the hitter's
remarks he said that as a preparatory school Windom's was second to none
in the state of Minnesota.
The basement of the building contains a gymnasium, sixty-five by thirty-
five feet, a domestic science room, and lavatories furnished with lockers and
shower baths. The first floor contains quarters for four grade rooms, a
normal department and an ungraded room. The second floor provide
high school assembly room, sixty by forty-eight feet, a library, double office,
a teachers' room, two class rooms and a place for supplies. The old assem-
bly hall is divided into class rooms for the sciences and languages.
(17)
258 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
On March 19, 1914, the board had a meeting and selected E. T. Ches-
nut as superintendent for the year 1914-15 and his work has been so satis-
factory that he is still serving in that capacity.
The school year of 1915-16 was perhaps the most successful and pros-
perous in the history of the school, due in greater part to the untiring efforts
of Superintendent Chesnut, assisted by an accommodating and appreciative
school board. The board of education at the time this is written consists
of the following: President, D. U. Weld; secretary, Dr. F. R. Weiser; treas-
urer, A. D. Nelson; Jene Anderson, T. A. Perkins and Dr. H. C. Beise.
The exact amount paid out by the board for the school maintenance for the
school year of 1915-16 was twenty-four thousand three hundred and thirty
dollars and eighty-six cents.
The high school offers everything in its course of study that is found
in our city schools, including domestic science, manual training, a complete
commercial course, agriculture, mechanical drawing and three different lan-
guages.
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
There is nothing of a public nature for which the people of Mountain
Lake have more reason to feel grateful than their public school. In order
to give a brief history of the school it is necessary to begin with the organ-
ization of the school district in 1871. At that time there was erected a little
"box house," fourteen feet by twenty feet, and which, in the modern sense,
would be called a cheap shanty. The weather boarding was of boards
placed edge to edge, perpendicular to the foundation. It was through these
cracks that the cold winter winds whistled and shrieked and, with other
things, caused the big boys to snigger out loud and finally to stand on the
floor with their noses in a ring. The school benches were of sawed boards
and were placed around the wall, and the teacher's desk, if it may be called
such, was near the center of the room. About sixteen or eighteen pupils
was the total enrollment.
In 1872 the school district comprised nearly all of what is now Midway
and Mountain Lake townships, but, considering this broad area, only thirty-
six pupils were in attendance. After 1874, the boundaries of the district
contracted from year to year and in 1S87 the district comprised only six
and three-quarter sections. In 1888, the village formed an independent
school district.
Tn 1875 the one-room school house was situated on the present site of
the Mennonite hospital. This building was used for about live years, hut
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 259
as immigrants were coming in fast, it was necessary to erect a more com-
modious building. A two-story, two-room building was erected and used
for about -ten years. Additions were made, until the building consisted of
four rooms. The need for a more improved and modern building became
imminent, which led to the sale of the building to a hospital corporation
and the final construction of the present modern structure in about 1908,
at a cost of thirty-two thousand dollars. Already the building has become
too small to accommodate the needs of the school and a fifteen-thousand-
dollar addition is to be built within the next two years.
Among the early teachers who will be recalled by many of the old
settlers are : O. P. Moore, who will always be remembered on account of
his spelling reforms; Mr. Sharp, Mrs. Kennedy, J. J. Balzer, I. I. Bargen,
Mr. Miller, Miss Rice, Miss Dredge, Miss Yanke and others.
The present school system has at its head Superintendent H. A. Falk,
who has been weighed in the balance and found equal to every occasion and
emergency. He is assisted by an able corps of sixteen teachers and an
appreciative and helping school board consisting of the following men:
President. H. P. Goertz; clerk, J. H. Dickman; treasurer, Frank Balzer;
A. A. Penner, J. I. Bargen and D. Ewert. In the person of H. P. Goertz,
Mountain Lake has a public spirited citizen of whom it may well be proud.
When a lad of fifteen years he came to Mountain Lake in 1875 and ever
since has been a man of public and business affairs, working tirelessly for
the growth and betterment of his community. He has served for twenty-
seven years continuously as president of the school board, a fact which
alone speaks of the high esteem of his fellow citizens.
The total enrollment for the past school year was three hundred and
eighty-five, of which number the high school contributed about one hundred.
In several respects Mountain Lake may not excel other villages of its
class in the state, but when educational interests are considered it would be
a difficult matter to find another village of the same size that can offer such
educational advantages. Besides a German academy, the village has a public
school building that might do honor to a town of a much greater population
and superior business advantages. The brick edifice is situated on a hillock
in the north central part of town, surrounded by a gently sloping lawn inter-
spersed with flowers, trees and shrubbery. The village owns a two-acre
tract devoted entirely to agricultural purposes. Individual plats arc given
to students for the growing of crops and garden products, which, when ready
to market, are sold and the proceeds placed in the agricultural fund.
26o COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
In the way of athletics the high school has always been among the lead-
ers, especially in basket ball. Several times they have been champions of
their district and on one or two occasions have been the final contenders for
the state championship.
RURAL SCHOOL COMMENCEMENTS.
The third annual rural school graduating exercises occurred in the
Wonderland theater July I, 191 6. The theater was packed with an inter-
esting audience which enjoyed the splendid program prepared by Superin-
tendent Iverson.
The rural school graduation has come to be an important event in the
county. It means as much to the pupils of rural schools to receive a diploma
of work well done as it does to the city pupil. The first event of this kind
did not attract much attention. The one held in 191 5 was not very well
attended, while the one in 1916 was a success in every detail. Future events
of this character will doubtless grow in magnitude. State Superintendent
Shultz gave the principal address to the forty-five graduates. His address
carried with it the idea of preparedness, not for war, but for life.
In the afternoon the school officers held a meeting for the promulgation
of ideas pertaining to the betterment of school affairs. Superintendent
Shultz sp<>ke, as also did Senator Gillam. Before adjournment an organ-
ization was formed known as "Rural School Officers Association," which is
intended to be a permanent affair and to take up matters of general benefit
in school affairs. The first officers include the following: C. W. Stark,
Selma, president ; R. C. Asquith, secretary ; John Gustafson, Dale, treasurer.
SALARIES PAID COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.
Many changes in the salary and plan of remunerating the county school
superintendents of Cottonwood county have obtained. The following
changes arc noted in the commissioners records: In 1872 the salary was
fixed at $20 per year: in 1879 it was increased to $350 per year; in 1880 it
was changed to $450 per year: in 1882 it was increased to $520; in 1887 it
was fixed al $600 per year: in 1889 it was changed to $650; in 1802 the
plan was changed and the superintendent received eleven dollars per school
district in the county. In 1912 it is shown that the salary was $1,500 and
the officer paid all of his own expenses. In 1014 the wages were changed
to $1,200. The record reads: "On motion, the salary of the county school
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
26l
superintendent, A. R. Iverson, is fixed at $1,200 a year, with $500 addi-
tional for clerk hire and expenses, the same to be paid monthly. In 1915
another change was made by the commissioners and the salary of the county
superintendent was placed at $1,450, he to pay his own expenses; also $250
for clerk hire was allowed him.
LAST SCHOOL LANDS SOLD IN 1891.
Of the vast acreage of school lands sold in this county, the last sales
were made in the month of May, 1891, when three thousand acres were dis-
posed of — all there was left at that date.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT FOR I915.
School
Male
Female
Average Salary,
Auiak'e Salary
Total
Months
District
Teachers
Teachers
Female
Male
Enrollment
Selioo.
I
I
$55
16
8
2
I
55
15
8
3
I
60
43
8
4
I
50
18
7
5
I
55
15
8
7 (S. E.)
--
I
50
3
8
7 (N. W.)
I
52
16
8
10
I
18
18
9
11 (semi-gr.)
__
2
108
47
8
12
I
_-
$65
20
7
13
I
40
21
7
14
I
50
22
8
15 pupils trans
ferred to
Mountain Lake.
16 (south)
1
—
—
68
23
7
16 (south)
1
60
20
7
16 (north)
1
—
65
22
7
16 (north)
1
60
34
8
16 (central)
1
68
24
7
17
1
55
9
8
18
1
40
23
8
19
T
55
22
8
20
__
I
53
13
9
21
__
I
50
37
8
262
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
School
Male
Female Average Salary,
Average Salary,
Total
Months
District
Teachers
Teachers Female
Male
Enrollment
School
22
I 60
25
8
23
I 50
II
8
24
I 50
15
7
25
I DO
25
9
26
I 50
28
7
2/
I 50
42
8
28
1 55
42
8
29
1 55
51
8
30
1 56
19
7
31
1 60
31
8
32
I
—
75
17
6
33
I
—
70
20
6
34
1 60
41
8
35
--
1 55
34
8
36
1 50
2S
8
37
I
—
75
33
7
38
1 . 55
36
8
39
1 55
27
7
40
1 50
24
8
4i
1 55
23
7
42
1 60
28
7
43
1 50
29
7
44
1 60
42
8
45
1 50
3i
7
46
(south)
--
1 55
15
7
46
(north)
--
1 55
28
8
47
1 50
16
8
48
1 60
48
8
49
1 50
36
8
5o
(semi-gr.)
2 120
92
9
5i
1 50
3i
7
52
--
1 55
29
7
53
1 55
19
8
54
1 50
12
8
55
--
1 55
24
8
56
--
1 45
24
8
58
--
1 60
30
8
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
263
School
Male
IVliiiilr
Average Salary
Average Salary,
Total
Months
District
Teachers
Teachers
Female
Male
Enrollment
School
59
--
55
23
8
60
--
50
27
7
61
60
35
8
62
—
67
35
6
63
—
50
23
7
64
—
60
27
8
65
--
67.50
32
6
66
48
20
8
67
—
52
4
6
68
--
55
38
7
69
I
—
55
33
6
/o
—
70
3i
7
72
--
50
23
8
73
--
53
36
8
75
--
50
21
8
76
—
55
23
8
77
I
--
55
29
7
78
--
50
26
8
79
—
50
21
7
80 (east)
I
--
—
52.50
7
6
80 (central)
I
--
65
22
7
80 (west)
I
--
--
67.50
3i
7
Total
12
71
2,152
Average
--
$54-3o
$64.40
150
Days
HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADED
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
School
Hale
Female
Average Salary,
Average Salary,
Total
Months
District
T<-.'!< l"T-
Teachers
1 ' male
Male
Dnrollmenl
S.'l 1
6
3
19
$67
$143
651
9
8
1
3
55
95
147
9
57
3
12
64
95
348
9
74
2
6
62.50
106
221
9
7i
1
10
4
44
52.50
100
167
9
Total
S60
$108
1.534
9
Grand total
22
US
57-15
86.20
3.686
264 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
A grand state spelling contest is held each year at the state fair in the
Institute building. Each county in the state is allowed to send two repre-
sentatives to this contest, the same to be winners of county spelling contests.
In Cottonwood county, township contests were held during the past
school year and the winners selected from the various townships. The town-
ship winners met at Windom, June 30, 1916, to compete for the county
championship. Rosie Peterson of Westbrook township, and Almira Riffle,
of Mountain Lake, won in die contest, Miss Peterson winning in the oral
test and Miss Riffle, the written. Separate contests are held at the state
fair, and premiums amounting to forty-five dollars are given in each division.
In 1910 the enrollment in the semi-graded and rural schools of the
county was 2,243; number of male teachers, 12; number of female teachers,
J2; average wage of male teachers, $48.33; average wage of female teach-
ers, $40.36; total number of libraries, 68; volumes in libraries, 5,646; value
of libraries, $3,388.88; number of school districts, 79.
In the high school and graded school districts the enrollment was 878;
number of male teachers, 8; number of female teachers, 36; average wage
for males, $105; average wage for females, $58. Officers at that time were
Mr. Hale, president; Mr. Hubbell, vice-president; Mr. Nelson, secretary-
treasurer.
AN EARLY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
William Prentiss, now an attorney praticing in Chicago, served as countv
school superintendent of this county from his appointment in the spring of
1873 to 1877. He left the old farm home in McDonough county, Illinois,
in April, 1869, going to Minnesota in search of health, as he had symptoms
of pulmonary trouble, which compelled him to quit his college course at Knox
College, Illinois. He succeeded in regaining his health. In the spring of
1871 he drove a pair of horses, with covered wagon, from his old home in
Illinois, over the stales of Illinois and Iowa and landed at Mankato, Minne-
sota, from which point he went direct to Three Lakes, Cottonwo.nl countv.
He had pre-empted land and taken a homestead and on a portion of this he
put in oats; broke prairie during the early part of the season; worked dur-
ing harvest time in P>lue Earth county, where he remained during the follow-
ing winter. In 1872 he again broke prairie on his Cottonwood claims;
harvested near Madelia, Watonwan county, binding the half of one hundred
and sixty acres of wheat and oats on a Marsh harvester. Late in that autumn
he returned to Illinois and on Christmas day married Elizabeth Helen
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 265
McCaughey and brought her to Cottonwood county the following spring,
[873-
He became an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry and was
lecturer, secretary and master of a grange.
In 1873, the first year of the grasshoppers in this county, he lost all save
his wheat and oats crop. He was appointed county school superintendent
of schools in this county in the spring of 1873, as above mentioned. He
went through the entire grasshopper scourge in this county, losing everything
he had except the pre-empted quarter section, and left Cottonwood county
heavily in debt in the spring of 1876. He had taught school in Windom
in the winter of 1873-4 and 1875-6. He left this county simply because
the grasshoppers would not let him stay. He re-settled in Macomb county,
Illinois, and began the study of law, being admitted to the bar in June. 1878.
The following November he was elected state's attorney of McDonough
county and was re-elected in 1880. In August, 1891, he moved to Evanston
and in 1897 to Chicago, where he is still practicing law successfully. He also
kept up an interest in agriculture and owned, a few years since, a farm in
Illinois and a fruit farm in Allegan county, Michigan. He served as one
of the three civil service commissioners for Chicago at one time.
BURNING OF THE BIG BEND SCHOOL HOUSE.
When the Big Bend school house, the second in the county, was burned
a few years since, William A. Peterson wrote an article on its passing. As
the historic facts therein are too good to be lost, excerpts from the article
are here incorporated in the annals of Cottonwood county:
"When the old 'Bend' school house was destroyed by fire an old land-
mark in the history of this county was destroyed. The building was the
second built in the county and was erected in the fall of 1872 — forty-three
years ago. The first term of school held in this county was taught by Miss
Xettie Sackett, a girl of fifteen years of age, during the summer of 1871,
in a sod claim shanty erected by Isaac Vansky alx>ut three-quarters of a mile
to the northwest of the site on which this school house was later built.
•'During the winter of 1871-72, a term of school was taught in the sod
shanty by Cyrus M. Finch and in the winter of 1X72-73 John E. Teed,
brother of William M. Teed and Mrs. I). B. Jones, taught the first school
in the new school building above referred to. 'fhc building was not then
as large as it was later.
"The old school house has been the social center of a large neighborh 1
266 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
since it was first built and many notable gatherings have been held there
and many quite famous speakers have addressed audiences in it. The Bend
neighborhood has always been a religious community, since its first settle-
ment. The first sermon I heard preached in the county, and it was doubtless
the first ever heard here, was preached by Rev. Edward Savage, then a young
unmarried man, just out of college. It was preached in a claim shanty on
the Dave Evans farm of eighty acres, in the summer of 1870. Somewhere
about the same time, Rev. Peter Baker, an itinerant Methodist Episcopal
preacher, began preaching in the neighborhood occasionally. During the same
year, 1871, preaching services were held in the sod school house above
referred to, and a Sunday school was organized. After the Bend school
house was erected, in the fall of 1872, divine services and Sunday school
were held there and were continued regularly for the last forty-three years.
"The first Methodist church in this county, I think, was organized there;
Rev. J. W. Lewis was the first pastor.
"The Des Moines Valley Patrons of Husbandry (Grange) was organized
and held its meetings and social gatherings in this building for a number of
years. Hon. William Prentiss, now of Chicago, a former county school
superintendent, was one of the officers and lecturers for this society.
"Political meetings, farmers' clubs and, in fact, gatherings of all kinds
have been held there. It has been a central place of meeting for a large com-
munity for all these long years.
"Many of the younger generation of the valley and old settlers have
a very warm spot in their hearts, and many a fond recollection of this old
school house has been the pleasure of these people. But it is gone. The
fiery elements have licked it up and we fondly hope to see a modern and more
pretentious edifice erected on the very spot where it stood for so many years.
Nothing can ever take its place in our hearts and memories, nor quench our
love for dear old 'Bend school house.' "
CHAPTER XIV.
BANKS AND BANKING.
Prior to the spring of 1881 Cottonwood county had no bank within its
borders — in fact, there had not been much demand for such a business insti-
tution up to within a few years of that date. The men who first came to
locate in this county had been for the most part soldiers of the Civil War and
immigrants from beyond the big seas, and neither class had much money
to deposit, even had there been such an institution here. Much of the money
borrowed by the people of Cottonwood county, in order to get established
here, was obtained from some of the Eastern loan companies who usually
exacted two per cent commission for securing a loan and then the borrower
had to pay ten per cent, and even higher interest for the use of the money.
But as the farmers and business men in various sections of the county
commenced to thrive and "get a few dollars ahead," the demand for a bank
was keenly felt, as the people had to go to Mankato or New Ulm to do their
banking business. Every city and village within the county now has one
or more banks and all do a good, safe business. The amount of their
deposits, as shown in their detailed history in this chapter, shows that the
poverty of thirty and forty years ago has all been changed into good bank
accounts.
THE BANK OF WINDOM.
The Bank of Windom, the pioneer banking house of Cottonwood county,
was established in 1881. Among the presidents were John Hutton and J. N.
McGregor. \V. J. Clark was its assistant cashier. It was reorganized into a
state bank in 1885, with a paid-up capital of forty thousand dollars. In May,
1892, the capital was increased to one hundred thousand dollars (authorized
amount), of which sixty-five thousand dollars was paid up. Its directors
were, in 1893, John Hutton, A. Queveli, W. J. Clark, C. A. Ludden, J. N.
McGregor, E. C. Huntington and J. II. (lark.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WINDOM.
The First National Bank of Windom was organized as the successor of
the oldest banking house in the county — the Bank of Windom, organized
268 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
in March, 1881. The First National was organized on April 26, 1897, on
a capital of fifty thousand dollars, same as it carries today. It was estab-
lished by John Hutton, A. D. Perkins, J. N. McGregor, W. J. Clark, E. C.
Huntington, T. A. Perkins and others. The first officers were: A. D. Per-
kins, president; John Hutton, vice-president; W. J. Clark, cashier; T. A.
Perkins, assistant cashier. The officers in June, 1916, are: \Y. J. Clark,
president; E. C. Huntington, vice-president; Carl Nelson, vice-president;
T. A. Perkins, cashier; N. M. Nelson, assistant cashier. The present board
of directors are, Jens Anderson, W. J. Clark, E. C. Huntington, Carl Nelson
and T. A. Perkins.
The recent statements show deposits amounting to one million dollars.
The resources and liabilities are one million, two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars; surplus one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The magnificent
bank building is constructed of buff Bedford sandstone, erected in 191 1 at
a cost of thirty-two thousand dollars. The citizens of Cottonwood county
and the county seat town may well feel a pride in having so splendid a bank-
ing house as that of the First National Bank. Its management has always
given satisfaction to the hundreds of patrons who have trusted their funds
to it.
Of its predecessor, the old Bank of Windom, it may be stated that it was
founded by P. C. Kniss, of Lu Verne, who conducted it less than one year,
when lie sold to Erick Sevatson and A. D. Perkins, who conducted it as a
private bank for sometime thereafter. Finally, A. D. Perkins and others
established what was known as the "People's Bank." which was the most
successful bank in the place. Seeing that this was true, the owners of the
old Windom Bank desired to merge with the People's Bank, which was con-
sumated, Mr. Perkins was elected president of the new bank and the officers
m|' tin- Firsl National included the officers of the old bank in part, as will
be observed above. Hence the First National is the direct successor to the
first bank in Cottonwood county, which was established in March, 1881.
THE WINDOM NATIONAL BANK.
The Windom National Bank was established August 6, [902, by D. U.
Weld, C. \V. Gillam, Dr. 11. C. Beise, H. M. Goss, C. B. Pierce, M. L.
Fisch, M. T. DeWolf, F. Z. Weld, F. J. Carpenter, Jens Anderson, John
J. Rupp and others. Its first and presenl capital is thirty-five thousand dol-
lars. This banking institution opened its doors for business, December 10,
1902. In January, 1903, it bad resources of more than seventy thousand
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 269
dollars; in 1905 it reached seventy-eight thousand aad more; in [909 it was
almost three hundred and fourteen thousand; in 191 1 it had reached almost
five hundred thousand dollars and, March 7, 1916, its statements show about
seven hundred thousand dollars in total resources. On the date last named
the following is a copy of their statement of resources and liabilities:
Resources — Loans and discounts, $458,976.66; overdrafts, $519.39; United
States bonds, $35,000; banking house, $17,800; cash and due from banks,
Si 13,435.29; total resources, $623,731.34. Liabilities — Capital stock,
$35,000; surplus fund (earned), $35,000; undivided profits, $11,736.59;
circulation, $35,000; deposits, $506,994.75; total liabilities, $623,731.34.
A general commercial banking business is transacted by this concern,
and in the fourteen years of its history it has built up a splendid business
and earned a surplus equal to its capital after paying dividends every year
since its organization to its stockholders. The resources and liabilities at
the last call amounted to $627,493.14; deposits, $510,476.99.
The banking corporation own their own hank building, a solid pressed
brick structure, trimmed with blue Bedford stone, erected in 1902, at a cost
of seventeen thousand five hundred dollars.
The officers of the bank from its organization have been: D. U. Weld.
president ; C. W. Gillam, vice-president : John J. Rupp, cashier. J. B. Bens. >n
is at present the assistant cashier and M. C. Langley, teller. The present
directors are, D. U. Weld, C. W. Gillam, M. T. De Wolf, C. B. Pierce. M.
L. Fish, H. S. Kellom and John J. Rupp. But few banks in Minnesota can
show a better record during the years of its history than this one at Windom.
FARMERS STATE BANK, WINDOM.
The Farmers State Bank, at Windom, was organized on August i,
1907, by T. C. Collins, B. Klassen, E. D. Mooers, II. E. Hanson, Andrew
C. Olson, J. F. French. John Paulson, C. A. Baxter and I). A. Noble. The
original capital stock was thirty-live thousand dollar-, same as today. 1
first officers were, T. C. Collins, president; ( '. A. Baxter, vice-president; H.
E. Hanson, cashier; E. A. Sime, assistant cashier. The officers in 1916
are, H. E. Hanson, president; Dr. L. Sogge. vice-president; \1 T. Anderson,
cashier; E. A. Sime, assistant cashier.
A good brick bank building was erected in 1895, which cost the builder-
eight thousand dollars. It should be understood that this bank succeeded
to the business of the old Cottonwood County Bank, with which T. C.
Collins and others were connected.
2/0 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The directors of the Farmers Savings Bank are now (1916), Dr. L.
Sogge, H. E. Hanson, R. D. Collins, E. D. Mooers, John Paulson, D. A.
Noble, Andrew C. Olson, W. I. Silliman and E. H. Klock. At the close of
business, June 30, 1916, their statement shows that the institution had
resources and liabilities amounting to $412,925.72. The resources were
divided as follows: Loans and discounts, $379,141.04; overdrafts,
$1,667.27; banking house, $10,500; cash and due from banks, $21,685.41.
Their deposits are as follows : Time deposits, $283,920.22 ; demand deposits,
$78,327.61, making a total of $362,247.83.
people's bank of windom.
This bank was established on December 18, 1892. Its popular president
was Senator E. Sevatson. J. E. Foss was the active manager and cashier.
This bank was finally succeeded by the Farmers State Bank of Windom.
THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BANK.
This bank was established on July 1, 1889, and its early officers were
as follows: T. C. Collins, president; A. E. Woodruff, vice-president, and
William A. Smith, cashier. It had a capital of one hundred thousand dol-
lars, of which fifty thousand dollars was paid up. The board of directors
consisted of T. C. Collins, A. E. Woodruff, William A. Smith, H. Traut-
fether, L. J. Robinson, S. Huntington, M. T. De Wolf, A. S. Collins and
C. W. Gillam.
THE STATE BANK OF JEFFERS.
The State Bank of Jeffers was established at the village of Jeffers in
1909 by J. J. Duroe and sons, on a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars.
The first, as well as the present, officers of this banking house are, F. E.
Duroe, president; E. M. Duroe and L. A. Duroe. vice-presidents; C. R. Duroe,
cashier, and C. O. Castledine, assistant cashier.
The statement put out June 30, 1916, shows resources and liabilities
amounting to $245,948.32. Of this, there was a surplus fund of $5,000 dol-
lars and undivided profits of $5, 135.59- The 'I*-''";'"1' deposits amounted at
that dale to $03,324.02 and the time certificates of deposit were $117,478.71.
The latest figures given show that this bank's deposits amount to about
$210,000.
A tine brick and cement banking building was constructed in 191 1, the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 2"J1
cost of which was seven thousand five hundred dollars. It was during that
year that the old hank building was burned, at a loss of over two thousand
dollars over and above the insurance received. This bank is doing a splendid
business and certainly merits the full confidence of the wealthy community
in which it is located.
THE FARMERS STATE BANK OF JEFFERS.
The Farmers State Bank of Jeffers commenced business, May 3, 191 5,
on a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars and with the following officers,
which are also the present ones: President, J. H. Dickman; vice-presidents,
D. A. Lahart and A. W. Mertens; cashier, C. E. Perkins; assistant cashier,
F. J. ^Yerner.
In the beginning of the bank's history a modern brick building was
erected at a cost of five thousand dollars. A person need only notice the
weekly statement issued June 30, 1916, to prove how prosperous the bank
has been. Their own expression, "We are young, but we are growing," is
certainly true. The resources and liabilities show a sum amounting to
SS5.345.83. Of this there was a surplus fund of $3,000, and undivided
profits amounting to $1,731.25. The deposits amounted to $58,614.58.
THE FIRST STATE BANK OF STORDEN.
The First State Bank of Storden was established, January 8, 1904, by
W. J. Clark, T. A. Perkins and C. H. Huhberg and on a capital of fifteen
thousand dollars. The first officers were the following: President, \Y. J.
Clark; vice-president, Dan Hedman ; cashier, C. H. Ruhberg. The present
officers are, president, W. J. Clark; vice-president, H. H. Peterson ; cashier,
C. H. Ruhberg; assistant cashier, Sophus Anderson; teller, George Ruhberg.
The bank started business in its own building, which is a frame struc-
ture, costing over four thousand dollars. The bank, although only a little
over twelve years "Id, has enjoyed a period -1' great prosperity. The bank
statement issued at the close of the month's business for June, [916, -liowed
resources and liabilities amounting to $246,179. < >i tin-, there was a surplus
fund of $15,000.00 and undivided profits to the amount of $7 .07 i.y-,.
The increased deposits from year to year is one of tin- strongest recom-
mendations a bank can have. For instance on June t, 1914, the depi
amounted to $156,433.08; June 1, 1915. % 6.80; June 1. [916, $198,321.
This bank is absolutely controlled by home people and home capital and
merits the full confidence of business people.
272 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
THE FARMERS STATE BANK OF STORDEN.
One of the infant banks of the county in so far as age is concerned
is the Farmers State Bank of Storden. This bank was organized December
10, 1915, by P. G. Hiebert and commenced business January 10, 1916, on a
capital of ten thousand dollars. The first as well as the present officers of
this banking institution are : D. G. Hiebert, president ; A. H. Anderson,
vice-president ; P. G. Hiebert, cashier. The directors are, D. G. Hiebert.
A. H. Anderson, H, P. Goertz, J. E. Youngck, J. E. Nelson, A. O. Stark
and P. G. Hiebert.
The bank has under construction a modern brick building that is to
cost five thousand dollars and which, when completed, will be a pride and
ornament to the town.
The monthly statement issued June 30, 1916, shows resources and lia-
bilities amounting to $47,659.11. Of this amount, was a surplus of $^,000
and deposits amounting to $35,659.11. These facts show that the people of
the community have great confidence in the well-known business ability of
the men at the head of the institution.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MOUNTAIN LAKE.
The First National Bank of Mountain Lake was organized in 1908 on
a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, with John J. Rupp as president and
C. C. Mertens as cashier. The present officers include the following: John
J. Rupp, president; John Jungas, vice-president; Abraham Janzen, cashier,
and F. F. Sehroeder, assistant cashier. In 191 1 the bank moved into its
new and modern brick building, which cost in the neighborhood of seven
thousand dollars.
At the end of the month's business, June 30, 1916, the resources and
liabilities were $225,000, ami the deposits Si 05.000. Concerning the fact
that the present capital is only twenty-five thousand dollars, these figure-
indicate an excellent showing and unlimited confidence in the business abil-
ity and integrity of the bank's officer-.
1111. FIRST STATE BANK OF MOUNTAIN LAKE.
The First State Bank of .Mountain Lake was established in I089, on
a capital stock of SjN.ooo.oo, with the following officers: David Ewert,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 273
president; John Janzen, vice-president; H. P. Gortz, cashier. In 1907
this hank was consolidated with the State Bank of Mountain Lake.
According to the monthly statement issued June 30, 1916, the hank's
resources and liabilities amounted to $460,634.00. Of this, was a surplus
fund of $10,000.00, and undivided profits of $1,881.94. The individual
deposits amounted to $140,853.68, and the time deposits $257,898.38, mak-
ing a total of $398,752.06.
In 1902 the directors decided upon a bank and office building, which
was erected at a cost of $12,000.
The capital stock has been raised to $50,000 and there have been several
changes in the personnel of the officers since the beginning. The present
officers include the following: David Ewert, president; H. P. Goertz and
Frank Balzer, vice-presidents; J. H. Dickman, cashier; D. G. Hiebert, assist-
ant cashier; D. J. Schroeder, teller. The present board of directors are as
follows : David Ewert, C. Penner, J. H. Dickman, W. J. Janssen, H. P.
Goertz, Frank Balzer, J. G. Hiebert. D. G. Hiebert and A. C. Dick.
The bank's motto, "Stability and Service," is not an idle expression and
carries with it everything the name implies. The officers are accommo-
dating and obliging to strangers as well as home folks and certainly merit the
large amount of business that they receive.
CITIZENS STATE BANK OF WESTBROOK.
The Citizens State Bank of Westbrook was organized in 1902 by Dr.
C. P. Nelson, John E. Villa, W. B. Leo, T. Torjuson, W. C. Brown and
others. The first officers of the bank were: President, T. Torjuson; vice-
president, C. P. Xelson ; cashier, C. A. Zieske. The officers have all changed
since the beginning and now they are as follows: John E. Villa, president;
H. W. Footh, vice-president; A. O. Person, cashier; L. L. Footh, assistant
cashier.
The statement put out on June 30, 1916, shows resources and liabilities
amounting to $188,393.11. Of this, there was a capital stock and surplus
fund of $32,000.00 and undivided profits amounting to $1,716.83. The
deposits reached the high mark of $154,676.28.
In 1902 the directors saw fit to construct a brick building for their own
use, costing $4,500.00. The name of John E. Villa, one of the earliest set-
tlers in the village of Westbrook, connected with an institution of this kind.
is alone enough to inspire confidence and warrants the growing business of
the concern.
(18)
2/4 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WESTBROOK.
This banking concern was organized in 1900 as a state bank, but changed
its name to the First National Bank in 1902. It was established by J. W.
Benson, president, of Heron Lake. 'The first capital stock was $25,000, but
in July, 1916, this was increased to $30,000, at which time the total deposits
were $270,000. The total amount of resources and corresponding liabilities
of this bank is $350,000. A good two-story, brick bank building was built
in 1900, at a cost of $6,500.
The original officers of the bank were : J. W. Benson, president ; John
E. Nelson, vice-president, Westbrook; J. A. Pearson, cashier, Westbrook.
The 1916 officers are as follows: J. W. Benson, president; John E. Nelson,
and John J. Christy, vice-presidents; A. F. Meyer, cashier; Joseph Budish,
assistant cashier.
FIRST STATE BANK OF BINGHAM LAKE.
The First State Bank of Bingham Lake was organized on August 5,
1904, by John Henderson, P. K. McMurtry, John J. Rupp, S. L. Rogers, A.
L. Holt, D. U. Weld, C. W. Gillam, A. j. Wicklund, E. J. Gove, John J.
Goertzen, C. K. Hakes, F. L. Langley, C. A. Liem, F. H. Bland, A. J.
Goertzen, Henry Goertzen and N. P. Minion.
The first capital was ten thousand dollars, the same as today. The first
officers were as follow: Board of directors, John Henderson, P. K. McMur-
try, John J. Rupp, E. J. Gove, D. U. Weld, Henry Goertzen and N. P. Min-
ion; E. J. Gove, president; John J. Rupp, vice-president, and P. K. McMur-
try, cashier. The present (1916) officers are: J. A. Redding, president;
N. P. Minion, vice-president; D. J. Voth, cashier. The 1916 board of direct-
ors are as follow: N. P. Minion, A. J. Wicklund. V. E. Rogers, J. A. Red-
ding, A. J. Goertzen, J. J. Rupp and Earl Marshall.
The motto of this bank is "Active, Alert, Alive." This concern owns
its own bank building. It was robbed on June 15, 1907, by Chester and
White, who were tried and sentenced to Stillwater prison for nine and ten
years respectively.
The deposits have grown as follow: 1905, $10,280.30; 1906. $15.-
506.82; 1907, $19,504.39; 1908, $20,966.31; 1909, $27,531.11; 1910, $29,-
045.61; [911, $36,965.51; 1912, $36,634.50; 1913, $40,562.57; 1914, $46,-
743.82; 1915, $65,875.88; January 1, 1916, $74,609.93; August I, 1916,
$88,261.34. On June 30, 1916, the resources and liabilities amounted to
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 275
$99,363.77. On that date the surplus was $1,650; notes rediscounted and
bills payable, $8,000; deposits, $79,686.77; banking house and fixtures,
$2,792.90, overdrafts, $271.43. The policy of this bank is conservative
management, ample resources, courteous treatment and superior facilities.
STATE BANK OF DELFT.
This bank — the last established in Cottonwood county — was given a
corporate existence on July 1, 1916, and was chartered to continue for thir-
teen years. The first board of directors are T. A. Perkins, W. J. Clark,
H. D. Peters, Cornelius Goetzen, Jacob Rupp, Henry Hokanson, C. Blier.
The capital is ten thousand dollars, fully paid up. The president is T. A.
Perkins; vice-president, H. D. Peters; cashier, Henry Hokanson.
RECAPITULATION OF BANKS.
The following shows the number of banks, the date of establishment,
capital and present deposits of each one in Cottonwood county:
Bank of W'indom — Organized in 1881 ; authorized capital, $100,000;
out of business.
First National Bank of Windom — Organized in 1897; capital, $150,000;
deposits, $1,000,000.
W'indom National Bank— Organized in 1902; capital, $35,000; deposits,
$507,000.
Farmers State Bank of Windom— Organized in 1907; capital, $35,000;
deposits, $362,247.83.
Peoples Bank of W'indom — Organized in 1892; out of business now.
Cottonwood County Bank — Organized in 1889; capital, $100,000; suc-
ceeded by the Farmers State Bank of W'indom.
State Bank of Jeffers— Organized in 1900; capital, $25,000; deposits,
$210,000.
Farmers Bank of Jeffers— Organized in 191 5 ; capital, $15,000; deposits,
$58,614.58.
First State Bank of Storden— Organized in 1904; capital, $15,000; de-
posits, $198,321.
Farmers State Bank of Storden — Organized in 1916; capital, $10,000;
deposits, $35,659.11.
First National Bank of Mountain Lake — Organized in 1908; capital,
$25,000; deposits, $165,000.
276 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
First State Bank of Mountain Lake — Organized in 1889; capital, $28,-
000; deposits, $398,752.06.
Citizens State Bank of Westbrook — Organized in 1902; capital, $32,000;
deposits, $154,676.28.
First National Bank of Westbrook — Organized in 1900; capital, $30,-
000; deposits, $270,000.
First National Bank of Bingham Lake — Organized in 1904; capital,
$10,000; deposits, $88,261.34.
The State Bank of Delft — Organized July 1, 1916; capital and surplus,
$12,000.
Total amount of present capital in all banks, $422,000; total amount of
present (1916) deposits, $3,448,532.20; total number of banks in county,
August, 19 1 6, thirteen.
CHAPTER XV.
RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION.
Cottonwood county was fortunate in one particular in its settlement in
that it did not have to wait long for railroad facilities after the first settlers
made their advent. In many localities the pioneer band went into the wilder-
ness ten and twenty years before the sound of the locomotive's shrill whistle
was heard there. Hence they had to haul supplies from fifty to one hundred
and more miles and also had no market where they could dispose of the stock
and crops which they raised, except at faraway cities on some stream or rail-
road line.
About 1870 the railway now known as the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne-
apolis & Omaha (then the Sioux City & St. Paul) was constructed through
this county en route from Sioux City at the southwest to St. Paul at the
northeast. This was Cottonwood's first steam rail thoroughfare. It soon
established stations at the villages of Mountain Lake, now in Midway town-
ship; Bingham Lake, in Lakeside township, and Windom, the county seat, in
Great Bend township. Thus the first railway facilities were in the extreme
southeastern portion of the county. There was but little settlement made in
this county until late in the sixties, so that even the earliest band of pioneers
had to wait but a very few years for the arrival of a railroad. In the re-
mainder of the county — the real homestead and pre-emption section — many
years longer elapsed before they had a railroad near at hand.
"the currie branch.'"
What is styled the Currie branch of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis
& Omaha road extends from Bingham Lake, Cottonwood county, north and
west to Currie, in central Murray county, Minnesota. It was constructed in
1900 and during that and the succeeding three years the company established
town plats and built stations at the now sprightly villages of Delft, situated
in Carson township; Jeffers, in Amboy township; Storden, in Storden town-
ship, and Westbrook in Westbrook township, near the western line of this
county. This railroad line has greatly enhanced the value of the central and
western part of the territory, and has caused these four villages to spring up
2/8 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
as if by magic, while the junction with the main line at Bingham Lake has
added greatly to the importance of that village.
THE CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN LINE.
The extreme northeastern corner of this county — sections 3, 11 and
13, of Selma township, is traversed by a branch of the great Northwestern
system extending from a point in northern Redwood county to central Iowa.
In Brown county, just to the north of Cottonwood county, is a station on this
road, on the county line, known as Comfrey, the major part of which is
situated in Brown county, while some of the residences, etc., are in Cotton-
wood county. This affords the people of this county who reside in the north-'
eastern portion an opportunity to trade and do marketing there. So, strictly
speaking, there are only eight out of the eighteen civil townships of Cotton-
wood county which have a railroad station. But there are small villages in
the several adjoining counties to Cottonwood which accommodate its citizens.
By reason of these railroads having been constructed through the coun-
ty at about the time the heaviest settlement was effected, a majority of the
lumber for residence building, the wire for fencing and other heavy freight
did not have to be drawn by teams scores of miles, as was the case in many
another western county.
While the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha road is but a part
of the Chicago & Northwestern system and the Currie branch also belongs to
this road, it may be said that every mile of railroad within the borders of
Cottonwood county is under the control of the Chicago & Northwestern
system, one of the best railway properties in all the great northwestern
country.
HOW CONSTRUCTED.
Iii many counties of the West the people have been obliged to put up
large subsidies in way of taxes and subscriptions in order to obtain a road,
but the first road here was built under the old land grant system, granted
by ( ■ mil; res-; in 1857 and later. By the terms of this grant, every other secti< m
of land within certain limits of the road was given to the construction com-
panies. While, as a matter of fact, it was an expensive proposition in the
end and placed a large amount of the eminent domain in the hands of rail-
road corporations, yet the actual settler was not obliged to be taxed directly
for such internal improvement of the country.
Of more recent years the railroads of the West have had to build their
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 279
feeders and branches without public aid and were glad to do so, for it was
and ever will be a paying investment, as the vast harvest field products of the
territory through which they run are annually shipped over each line to the
markets of the East.
By these various lines of steam railroad in Cottonwood county the lum-
ber of the northern country, the coal from the southeast and the general
merchandise of manufactured goods, farm implements, furniture and hard
coal from the faraway mines of Pennsylvania, are brought hither to the very
door of the farmer and townsmen of this county, making it a prosperous
country. The "homesteader" and the "steam horse" have made the prairie
wilderness of forty-five years ago to blossom like the rose.
CHAPTER XVI.
MILITARY MATTERS.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The great military organization, the Grand Army of the Republic, is
represented in Cottonwood county at only one place, Windom, where the
only post the county has ever had exists. The first post here was known as
Stephen Miller Post No. 38, organized December 3, 1874, and which existed
a few years and then disbanded. It had a membership of fifty soldiers.
The present post is LaGrange Post No. 79, organized March 15, 1884,
with a charter membership of forty-nine comrades of the Civil War, as
follow: S. M. Espey, deceased; Charles Winzer, deceased; W. W. Barlow,
C. F. Warren, deceased; Freeman Trowbridge, deceased; James W. Hayes,
deceasd; Thomas S. Potter, deceased; John Malmstein, deceased; David P.
Langley, W. B. Williams, W. W. Frost, deceased; A. J. Hall, deceased; D.
C. Ashley, deceased ; T. S. Brown, deceased ; Zed. Day. deceased ; M. Chase,
deceased; Jerome Cutler, deceased; J. A. Brown, C. A. Chandler, deceased;
William Copp, H. A. Cone, deceased ; Z. B. Chatfield, W. B. Fry, deceased ;
Allen Gardner, deceased; J. F. French, deceased; J. F. Force, H. S. Ellis, A.
J. Frost, deceased; S. S. Gillam, A. Ingalls. deceased; E. Leonard. A. W.
Johnson, deceased; John Tilford, deceased; E. M. Peterson. Orrin Nason,
deceased; J. E. Mace, deceased; W. A. Potter. A. A. Miles, deceased; R. R.
Janness, S. O. Taggart, deceased, A. A. Start, deceased; J. M. Root, de-
ceased; C. W. Seely. Paul Seegar, deceased; W. W. Zuel, deceased; Ezra
Winslow, E. W. Vanhorn, deceased; C. A. Wood, S. J. Woodward, de-
ceased; J. W. Cogley, deceased.
The total present membership of the post is seventeen. About a year
ago it was as low a- six members, but the plucky commander. W. H. Jones,
kept it alive, got members re-instated and new members until the present
seventeen were secured. Mr. Jones has been commander for sixteen years in
succession. The post meets twice each month at the post moms in the court
house (the jury room being allotted to the Grand Army 1.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 28l
The first commander was S. M. Espey and the first adjutant was J. J.
Kendall. The 1916 officers are: W. H. Jones, commander; C. W. Seely,
senior vice-commander; W. A. Potter, junior vice-commander; William S.
Skellie, chaplain ; J. A. Brown, adjutant and quartermaster. The post has
had enrolled on its books one hundred and twenty-two names.
woman's relief corps.
As a very helpful auxiliary to the Grand Army post at Windom is the
Woman's Relief Corps No. 36, organized August 2j, 1887, with eighteen
charter members. It now has a meml)ership of only thirteen. Its president
is Mrs. H. M. Goss; secretary, Mary Robison ; treasurer, Mrs. A. P. Jones,
wife of the present commander of the post.
soldiers' monument.
In the city cemetery stands a very imposing granite shaft about eighteen
feet high, surmounted by a bronze American eagle with outstretched wings.
This was erected about 1910 and the cost was twelve hundred dollars, seven
hundred dollars being donated by the post; three hundred dollars by the
Woman's Relief Corps; one hundred dollars by the First National Bank and
one hundred dollars by the Cemetery Association of the city of Windom.
It is situated in what is known as "Soldier's Square" at the cemetery.
HELPED CAPTURE JEFF DAVIS.
In a recent issue of the Westbrook Sentinel the following article was
contributed by C. W. Seely, a Civil War veteran, who aided in the capture
of the Confederate president, Jefferson C. Davis:
On Sunday, April 2, 1865, at ten o'clock in the morning, General Lee,
commander of the Rebel army around Petersberg and Richmond, Virginia,
sent Davis a dispatch containing very nearly these words: "My lines are
broken in three places: Richmond must he evacuted this evening." That
message found Mr. Davis in church at eleven o'clock in the morning where it
was handed to him amid an awful hush, and he immediately went quietly,
soberly out, never to return as president of the ( bnfederacy. No word was
-p. ken. hut the whole assemblage felt that the message he had so hastily
perused bore word- of doom. Though the handwriting was nol blazoned on
the wall, it needed no Daniel to declare its import, hut no one. at this 'late.
can understand what that message meant to those in the doomed city. Men,
282 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
women and children rushed from the church, word passing from lip to lip the
news of the impending fall of Richmond and it was difficult to believe it. It
was late in the afternoon when signs of evacuation became apparent to the
incredulous. Wagons on the streets were being hastily loaded at the rebel
capital with boxes and trunks and driven to the Danville depot. Vehicles sud-
denly rose to a value that was astonishing; as high as one hundred dollars in
gold was offered for a conveyance and all over the city it was the same. Night
came and all was confusion. There was no sleep in Richmond that night.
Morning broke upon a scene such as those who saw it can never forget.
Jefferson Davis left Richmond, Virginia, at ten o'clock at night for Danville,
Virginia, where he halted and where he hoped Lee to follow with the remnant
of his army and form a junction with General Johnson. Mr. Davis, with his
staff, halted at Danville and set up government, issuing orders and so forth.
Here he waited several days in hopes of Lee's approach, but, instead, re-
ceived word of the surrender of Lee's army.
The Confederacy thereupon took to wheels again and retreated by rail
to Greensborough, North Carolina, where another considerable halt was
made, the days and nights being spent mostly in the cars by the president and
his cabinet and followers. Since very few of the citizens saw fit to throw
open the doors to him, when Johnson talked of surrendering, he was com-
pelled to make another flight, this time in wagons and on horseback (the rail-
roads having been torn up) by way of Salisbury to Charlotte, North Carolina.
where his ark again rested for a few days and where he was received with
great hospitality. Reports of Stoneman's cavalry coming that way caused
another flight, via Vorkville and Abbeyville, South Carolina.
Being now compelled to take entirely to horse and escorted by two
thousand cavalry, who, as well as the presidential cortege, gradually dwindled
away, they reached Washington, Georgia, where the formal dissolution of a
government was dispensed with, most of the cabinet itself having by this
time abandoned the sinking craft, leaving Davis, attended by Regan, his late
postmaster-general, and his military staff and the remaining fugitives, with
a small but selected escort of mounted men who took their way southward,
hoping to make some small port on the coast and thence out of the country.
Mr. Davis had separated from his family for greater safety, but on an
alarm of peril to which they were said to be exposed from a conspiracy to
rob them of the gold they were supposed to be carrying, had rejoined them
over night at Doublin, Georgia, this being the place where the First Wiscon-
sin Cavalry struck his trail some twenty-four hours later. From here Davis
went to Hawkinsville, Georgia, and on the same side of the river, thence
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 283
south about twenty-five miles to Evansville, Georgia. There he was cap-
tured on May 10, 1865, and was taken back to Macon, whence he was taken,
via Savannah and the ocean, to Fortress Monroe, where he was long closely
and rigorously imprisoned, while his family was returned by water to Savan-
nah and there set at liberty.
Davis was finally released on bail, Horace Greeley and others going on
his bond. He then went to England, finally returning to the United States
for trial and was let go as a disfranchised citizen. He then went to Missis-
sippi and there spent the remainder of his life.
WE ARE GROWING OLD, JOHN.
The following poem was written in 1908 by J. S. McDaniel, late first
lieutenant of Company B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and dedicated to the
author of this history, John A. Brown, his comrade during the days of the
Civil War. The names used are well-known in Windom ; for example, the
name "Dave" refers to D. A. Noble, who enlisted the same day Mr. Brown
did and fought on the same fields, and is among the few survivors of that
great conflict :
We're growing old and gray, John,
We're growing old and gray;
I've passed the three score and ten,
And you're far on the way.
Some are in advance, John,
And some are close behind ;
Many have fallen by the way —
Life's battles they've resigned.
But still I see you all, John,
As in the long ago —
As in the days of "sixty-one,"
Ere we had met the foe.
I see you young and strong, John,,
"With heart for any fate,"
Resolved, our fathers' Starry flag
Shall wave o'er every state.
I see you on the march, John,
Through swamp and through bayou;
I see you in the Vicksburg siege,
And near the dread Yazoo.
284 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
I see your men at Big Black,
Holding Johnson there at bay;
Now I see you crossing over,
And see Johnson run away.
Then you follow him to Jackson,
"Here," he says, "I'll make a stay."
But he did not like the Yankees,
So, he ■•rights and runs away."
I called the roll today, John,
As I called it long ago,
But the names forever silent
It would pain your heart to know.
Called Bishop, Whytock and La Flesh,
Called Reppy, Stone and Scott,
Called Tom and Sam and Brad and Lon-
Called, but they answered not.
Of all the four or five score men
Who once stood up in line;
Save you and Dave and me, John,
The roll call shows but nine.
Nor is it strange; you know, John
Long years have passed away —
It is not strange so few are left,
Left till this later day.
A few more months or years, John,
A roll call then will tell
That those who answered "Here" today,
Have said their last "farewell."
Then why, why shed a tear, John
O'er comrades now no more,
When we soon will meet them,
On Canaan's happy shore.
Sixty-One.
SOLDIERS WHO PLEDGED THEIR VOTE TO GRANT AND WILSON.
When LT. S. Grant ran for J 'resident the second time (1872) the follow-
ing veterans of the Civil War pledged themselves, by a notice in the Window
Reporter, to support him for President at the election that fall, and as it will
serve the double purpose of recording the names of many of the returned
veterans who had settled in Cottonwood county, as well as what regiment
they were in, besides showing how they voted at that day, it is here inserted
in list form:
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 285
D. \Y. Working, Fourth Minnesota Infantry.
Samuel M. Espey, First Ohio Light Artillery.
George P. Johnston, United States Reserve Marines.
C. L. Hubbs, First Minnesota Infantry.
N. H. Manning, Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.
Paul Seeger, Ninth Minnesota Infantry.
W. J. Leisure, Twenty-eighth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, Illinois.
L. M. Wilson, Second Vermont Volunteer Infantry.
T. C. Richmond. Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
L. L. Ordwell, Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
W. C. Banks, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery.
J. W. Benjamin, Eleventh Volunteer Minnesota Infantry.
Addison Hall, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.
W. W. Frost, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
D. M. Sheldon, Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry.
K. W. Sheldon, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
Asa A. Start, Tenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry.
J. Cutler, Second Vermont Volunteer Infantry.
J. K. McLain, Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
Frank Parso, Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry.
Lamont Gilbert, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery.
Joel A. Clark, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
A. Anderson, First Iowa Volunteer ( avalry.
George A. Greenfield, First Minnesota Battery.
Jacob Isaacson, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.
Karl Oleson, Thirty-first Volunteer Iowa Infantry.
J. H. Ewing, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Veteran Infantry.
George L. Loope, Ninth New York Volunteer Cavalry.
A. J. Frost, Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
C. Nixon, First M. M. Brigade.
Leonard Aldrich, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.
F. M. Byran, One Tundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry.
0. C. Ant' in, Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
1. H. Reisdorf. Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
J. E. Mace, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
Thomas S. Brown, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
W. B. Williams, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
286 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
M. DeWolf, Tenth New York Volunteer Cavalry.
James C. Brown, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
George Hubbs, First Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry.
Ezra Winslow, Second Maine Cavalry.
Peter W. Oakley, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR SOLDIERS.
At the time of the Spanish- American War in 1898 there was no regular
militia company organized in Cottonwood county, and it was from such that
the troops were largely made up for that short but truly decisive conflict,
hence those who went from this country enlisted in other Minnesota com-
mands.
The list of soldiers serving in this war from here was as follows: P. G.
Redding, G. Redding, the former in Company H, Twelfth Minnesota Regi-
ment, at New Ulm, and the latter in Company B; Ernest Dow, Company PI,
two Quiring brothers, John Savage, son of the late Reverend Savage. All
but Dow were discharged from camps in the South and never saw service
out of the United States, while he re-enlisted and was sent to the Phillipine
islands. All served in the Twelfth Minnesota save Mr. Savage, who was in
the Fifteenth Minnesota. He enlisted at Worthington.
CHAPTER XVII.
CITY OF WINDOM.
Windom, named in honor of United States Senator William VVindom, a
native of Ohio, but long an honored resident of Minnesota, is situated on the
banks of the Des Moines river, one hundred and fifty miles southwest of St.
Paul and one hundred and twenty-two miles northeast from Sioux City,
Iowa. Windom was declared the county seat of Cottonwood county in the
autumn of 1872, the county officers having maintained their offices at a point
a few miles up the river at what was known as Great Bend, for a short
period after the county was organized.
The population of Windom, according to the United States reports
for 1890, 1900 and 1910 was as follow: In 1890 it was 835; in 1900 it had
reached 1,944, but in 1910 had fallen to 1,749. It is now supposed to have
about two thousand — possibly twenty-one hundred.
The first building really worth mentioning on the plat was the one
erected on lot 8, block 18, about the middle of June, 1871, by S. M. Espey,
which was used by Espey & Lukens as a hardware store. Among the early
buildings, one of importance was the Windom hotel, erected on the corner of
Third avenue and Ninth street by (lark & Bell. E. C. Huntington estab-
lished the Reporter as the first newspaper of Windom and Cottonwood
county, issuing volume 1, number 1, on September 7, 1871.
Perhaps the description of Windom given by Editor Huntington in his
paper will give a clearer understanding of the surroundings and first events
than any other account that can be now reproduced.
WINDOM AS VIEWED IN 1893.
Editor Huntington, of the Window. Reporter, in his paper in April, 1893,
speaks of Windom and its prospects after the following fashion:
"The history of Windom is not one of the precious relics of the ancient
world, which the capricious centuries have let drift to us, nor is it one of
the precious treasures which lies buried beyond recovery under the 'tide whose
waves are years.' There is no spirit of Attica breathing through the recoi
telling of the valor of barbarian founders; no pre-historic ruin> or relics of
288 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
dead ages encumber the site of the growing city. The city and surrounding
country are but a chapter of American life, with its push and energy. The
pioneers, many of whom are still living happily in the retrospect of labor
well done, were not the 'sons of holy gods, culling the fruits of illustrious
wisdom from unharried land,' but were the sons of the unconquerable Anglo-
Saxon, who gave to the world the Magna Charta, political and religious
liberty, and whose onward march has planted civilization and the Cross
wherever its sturdy sons have gone. There is but little romance connected
with the early days of this prosperous town and county. Its lowly history
deals more largely in the modest yet manly experiences of the ones who
toiled and laid the foundations of a prosperity that has continued and
widened, and will continue to grow until the brightest dreams of the most
hopeful have been realized.
"Its shipping embraces grain, stock and flour and a large local trade
has built up an aggregate of many large, thriving establishments creditable
to the little city. Her school building is a model structure of modern con-
venience and architecture. Her schools are on a par with any of the country,
being taught by competent and skilled instructors. She has six churches;
three solid banking institutions; a flour-milling capacity of one hundred and
twenty-five barrels daily; four large elevators, a tow mill and a splendid
stock market. Windom now has a population of nearly fifteen hundred as
cultured and refined people as can be found in our great state of Minnesota.
The streets are wide and well kept, and the business portion of the place com-
pletely surrounds a beautiful park which is nicely grown up to large shade
trees and is laid out in beautiful driveways; some of the beautiful dwellings
are nestled beneath the side of a towering hill, while others are on the banks
of the historic Des Moines river, which carves its way to the great Missis-
sippi, thence to the ocean. Then, in closing, we may be pardoned for men-
tioning the two weekly newspapers."
It was in the early spring of 1871 that S. M. Espey first came to Win-
dom, after having traveled over the territories from the Pacific slope in
search of a home. He came to Windom before the railroad came through,
hauled lumber from St. James to erect his store and, in company with A. P.
Lukens, set up an establishment on the southeast corner of block iS. They
engaged in the hardware business for a year or two and then the firm sold
to Stark & Williams. .Mr. Kspey, soon after the opening of his store, was
appointed postmaster and served in that capacity for ten war-.
In 1N71 John Hutton and W. II. Wilson began business together. In a
short time Wilson sold bis interests and, moving to LuVerne, engaged in
BRIDGE ACROSS DES MOINES RIVER, WIXDOM.
THE DAM AT W1NDOM.
BUILDING OF POSS MERCANTILE CO., WINDOM.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. WINDOM.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 289
business there. During the several years of grasshopper devastation, Mr.
Hutton gave immense credit to the farmers, with little prospect of payment,
but, strong in the faith that the country must in the future outgrow its then
bad record, he did much toward holding settlers on their claims, for without
indulgence on the part of the- business men depopulation would have become
complete. The country rallied from the distress, the farmers began to pros-
per, and Mr. Hutton, with the rest of the business men, were finally rewarded
with the payment of old claims.
FIRST EVENTS.
The village of Windom was platted June 20, 1871, by A. L. Beach, of
the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad Company. One week before its platting,
A. P. Lukens, S. C. Highly and others arrived with lumber and commenced
the erection of buildings. Early in June of that year S. Hunddleston &
Sons erected a bakery on lot No. 8, of block No. 8, and dug the first well
in the village plat. They built an oven with blue clay obtained in the digging
of the well. In this oven was baked Windom's first loaf of bread.
Among the first events in the young village may be mentioned the fol-
lowing : The first sermon in Windom was by Rev. J. E. Fitch in Espey &
Lukens' hardware building. The first dance in town was in the same
building. The first attempt at organizing a lodge in Windom was in Octol>er,
1871, when the Masonic fraternity commenced its work here. The first at-
torney in the place was Emory Clark. The first physician was Dr. Allen
Smith, who commenced his practice in October, 1871. He returned to Ohio,
from which state he had emigrated, and there died. The first death was that
of P. A. Ruhberg, on March 13, 1873. The first school was taught as a
"select" school by Miss Hellen F. Lawton, in the winter of 1871-2. The fir>t
train of cars to enter the village was early in July, 1871. The first post-
master was S. M. Espey. The Presbyterian church was organized on
October 15, 1871, with eight member- and Rev. E. Savage as it- pastor.
The first Methodist Episcopal church quarterly conference was held at Win-
dom in December, 1871. In September and October, 1871, ten thousand
dollars were paid out in the village for wheat. In 1N74 Windom had three
churches — Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodisl Episcopal. Prudence
Masonic Lodge was also then in operation. In 1S73 a large two-story school
house was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. The first term ol
school was taught there in the winter of 1873-4. In the spring of 1873
(19)
29O COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
large quantities of lumber were rafted to Jackson and to points in Iowa, on
the Des Moines river. That year the wagon bridge was constructed by
N. H. Manning.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS, lSj2 AND 1882.
Upon the first anniversary of the village of Windom, the following
business interests were represented :
Attorneys — E. Clark, J. G. Redding and A. D. Perkins.
Furniture dealer — McMurtrey & Freeman.
Flour dealer — L. Clark.
General dealers — D. Patten & Co., M. E. Donohue, Hutton & Wilson.
Harness shop — J. Hoople.
Hardware and implements — Espey & Lukens.
Hotel — The Windom, the Hyatt House.
Implement dealer — Graves & Co.
Jeweler — C. A. Ludden.
Lumber dealer — G. L. Loope, St. Paul Lumber Co., T. W. Gilleland,
agent. j
Meat market — H. M. Clark.
Newspaper — The Windom Reporter, S. and E. C. Huntington, editors.
Xursery — E. B. Jordan, agent.
Physician — Dr. A. Smith.
Wagonmaker — E. Morton.
In a period of ten years the village grew considerably, as is evidenced
by the business directory of 1882:
Attorneys — A. D. Perkins, Redding & Laing.
Agricultural implements — B. W. May, S. S. & A. W. Johnson.
Blacksmith shops — P. A. Ruhberg, John Svenson, Sherwood & Hubbel,
J. McCurtrey.
Bank I 'auk of Windom.
Druggists— D. Patten & Co., Tilford & Klock, A. Quevli.
Flour and feed dealers — S. S. & A. W. Johnson, LeTourneau & Gillam.
Furniture dealers — Mrs. L. D. Smith, Jenness Bros.
I ,< mini dr.ilers — John Hutton, R. R. Jenness, P. Seeger, A. Quevli, E.
& S. Sevaton.
Harness shop — J. A. Hoople.
Hotels— The Clark House, owned by J. Clark; Windom Hotel, M.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 291
Grimes, proprietor ; The Hyatt House, W. W. Barlow, proprietor ; City Hotel,
John Nolan, proprietor.
Hardware dealers — R. E. McGregor, William Besser.
Hay pressers — J. H. Clark, Paul Seeger, J. G. Redding, Clark & May.
Jeweler — C. A. Ludden.
Lime and fuel dealer — George Besser.
Livery — James Hanton, Gabriel Oleson.
Lumber dealer — J. H. Clark.
Meat Markets— H. M. Clark, Nason & Halter.
Millinery shops — Mrs. H. S. Ellis, Mrs. LeTourneau.
Mills — Windom Mill, owners Collins & Drake; Seeker's Custom Mill.
Machine shop — Novelty works, owned by L. Clark.
Physicians — C. A. Greene, J. H. Til ford, S. D. Allen.
Repair shop — H. C. Gillam.
Restaurant — Mrs. A. H. Bosworth.
Real estate dealers — Huntington & Perkins, Redding & Laing.
Sorghum refinery — B. W. May.
Wagon shop — YV. B. Cook.
In 1882 the village had seven hundred inhabitants, two neat little
churches, Methodist and Episcopal, and a Presbyterian church under con-
struction.
WINDOM POSTOFFICE.
Windom postoffice was established in 1871 and up to this date there
have been no irregularities or robberies in the postoffice here. The receipts of
the office, not including money order transactions, during the last fiscal year
ending July 1, 19 16, were $10,282.27.
Live rural free delivery routes extend out from Windom into the sur-
rounding country. The following is a list of the postmasters who have
served since the establishment of the Windom postoffice: S. M. Espey, H. A.
Cone, S. B. Stedman, Joseph McMurtrey, George E. LeTourneau, M. T.
DeWolf, A. J. DeWolf, H. E. Hanson, G. E. LeTourneau, present postmaster.
These names are given in the order in which the postmasters have served,
nine in all, making the average term held by the several postmasters, five
years. These men have been fairly representative citizens of the place and
have sought to serve the patrons faithfully and well.
292 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Windom was separated from Great Bend township and incorporated as
a village in the spring of 1875. Emory Clark, attorney, was elected the first
president and C. H. Smith, recorder; the trustees were, M. Grimes, L. D.
Smith, J. N. McGregor. The first ordinance was passed by the council on
April 15, 1875, and related to the selling and bartering of intoxicating
liquors within the village.
Among the presidents who have served the village have been : Emory
Clark, John Clark. S. M. Espey, A. W. Annes, John Hutton, M. T. DeYYolf,
C. W. Gillam, W. A. Smith, E. H. Klock, Jens Anderson, L. Sogge and
Gustav Miller.
RE-INCORPORATION.
On September 9, 1884, an election was held to determine whether the
village should remain under the original charter or reorganize under the
provisions of the law of 1883. The reasons for this action on the part of
the council were the doubts in regard to the construction of the charter,
which had been amended and so mutilated by the insertion of an amendment
in the wrong place as to make it almost impossible to construe it at all, thus
leaving the city with a form of a charter which might have been good, but
under which it was unsafe to proceed further. The trouble was discovered
at the time of the YVoolstencroft prosecution in 1882, but it was not until
1884 that the charter began to show lack of value in the prosecution then
pending. It was thought by able counsel that the village had no right to
prosecute for an offense against the ordinances and the opinion involved so
much doubt that the council thought it wise to incorporate under the general
laws rathei than take a chance of testing the old charter in the courts, with
little hope of success. The result of the election uphold the opinion of the
council, the proposition carrying by a vote of sixty-six to thirty-nine. The
first officers under the new incorporation were: A. D. Perkins, president:
C. I;. Warren, recorder; trustees. C. A. Ludden, A. W. Johnson and John
Hutton.
In mil) the town was again re-incorporated and this time with the fol-
lowing officers: Gustav Mullcr, president; O. E. Elness, J. O. Thompson
and T. A. Perkins, trustees; P. S. Redding, clerk.
The present indebtedness of the town is forty-live thousand dollars.
An electric light system was installed in 1915 and 1916 at a cost of twenty-
s
o
>-
a
a
HI
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. J.)}
six thousand dollars and a great amount of money has been expended on
street improvement, for which the town has every reason to be proud. In the
way of fire protection, the city depends upon direct pressure ami is equipped
with two hose carts, one hook and ladder wagon, one thousand feet of fire
hose and a volunteer fire company of twenty-five men.
In the way of parks, the town has two, well provided with shade trees
and nicely kept.
THE WATERWORKS.
The water suply for the town of Windom up to early in the year 1913
was from a well, generally supposed to be two hundred and eighty feet deep.
In addition to this deep well, were a couple of small points feeding into the
bottom of a large pumping reservoir from a sixty-five-foot vein.
The deep well pumping outfit had become stopped up in some manner
and all efforts to dislodge the obstruction or get hold of it failed. It was
decided to procure a deep well drilling outfit and put down a twelve-inch
pipe and point in the reservoir where the small points were feeding into the
bottom. A contract was entered into with the J. F. McCarthy Company, of
Minneapolis, to do the work. A twelve-inch pipe and a point or strainer was
put down to the sixty-five foot vein, with the result that an additional supply
"i water was secured, but not enough to supply the demands.
While the well outfit was still on the grounds, it was decided to try and
remove the obstruction in the deep well. When the obstruction was en-
countered the drillers could not drill through it faster than six to eight inches
in two days and they could not pull the old pipe and get to the strainer. The
deep well was abandoned.
The supposition prevailed that another twelve-inch pipe to the sixty-five
foot water vein might supply enough water to make another storage reser-
voir and thus get a sufficient supply without going to the expense of another
deep well. The drilling machine was moved to the west side of the power
house and a twelve-inch pipe put down. The water vein was very shallow
and so full of fine sand that its use was almost out of the question. A test
was made and, at the very best, the flow was only eighty-five to ninety gal-
lons per minute. The old deep well pump was set up over this well and
pumped occasionally to help out the reservoir supply on the easl side.
On the 8th of June, 1914, the council decided to put down another deep
well and advertised for bids. The J. F. McCarthy Company were the suc-
cessful bidders, the price being six dollars per foot, tin- town to furnish the
fuel for the engine and they to pay all other expenses. Work was com-
294 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
menced on July 13, 1914. The well when completed consisted of a twelve-
inch hole to the depth of two hundred and ninety-one feet from the surface
of the ground.
The pipe used was standard well pipe, forty-nine pounds to the foot.
The well is equipped with twenty feet of No. 12 Johnson strainer in two
pieces, six and fourteen feet long respectively. This screen sets in about a
foot of clay on the bottom of the well; a course of gravel strata of nearly
nine feet above that and another strata of gravel about six feet above that.
This gives the well about fifteen feet of gravel on the strainer. As a test,
the well was pumped twenty-three hours continuously, from ten o'clock in the
morning, September 4, to nine o'clock in the morning, September 5. This
test developed over two hundred and twenty gallons per minute and seemed
to improve as the pumping continued.
WINDOM LIBRARY.
The Windom Library Association was organized in November, 1883.
At the first meeting, which was held in the school house, G. M. Laing was
chosen temporary chairman and H. J. Keith, secretary. The meeting pro-
ceeded to perfect an organization which resulted as follow: Doctor Tilford,
president; Mrs. LeTourneau. vice-president; Mrs. Huntington, secretary;
Mr. Perkins, treasurer; Mr. Espey. librarian. The object of the organization
was t<> advance the mental and moral, interests of Windom and the surround-
ing community. Any person could become a member of the organization
upon the payment of two dollars or the contributing of five dollars worth of
books. A ticket of membership could be used by any member of the family.
For non-subscribers a nominal fee of ten cents was charged for the use of a
book.
The state of Minnesota has made it possible for all towns and communi-
ties that cannot support a library to make use of the traveling state library.
It was really by this means that the present library was started.
The Tourist Club first made it possible to secure the traveling library of
fifty volumes and had their headquarters in the directors' room of what is
now the Farmers State Bank. After two or three years of successful opera-
tion, it was requested of the club that they should take over the subscription
library of the town, consisting of three hundred and fifty volumes. This
was accomplished and a room was given them in the basement of the court
house.
At present the library consists of one thousand one hundred volumes and
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 295
two traveling state libraries, one of which is the juvenile. Seventy-five books
of general literature belonging to the state are in the library all the time.
Three thousand five hundred books are loaned annually. In the way of maga-
zines and papers nothing is taken but the Book Review.
The means of support is the one big question in connection with an
institution of this kind. As the books are loaned free of charge to anyone
in the county, little is derived from this source except in the way of fines,
which amounts to about fifteen dollars per year. In order that expenses may
be kept at a minimum, members of the Tourist Club act as librarian, serving
in alphabetical order. The city council appropriates the small sum of fifty
dollars annually and the club a sum equal to about half the amount. The
library is kept open only on Saturday afternoons.
True, it can readily be seen that the library is being kept alive with the
fond hope that in the near future it may receive the support from the town
and county to which it is rightfully entitled.
FERRY.
In April. 1881, rain and melting snow occasioned a rapid rise in all the
rivers with the result that the railroad and wagon bridges in Windom were
washed out. The loss of the wagon bridge made immediate action necessary
for a means of crossing the river until a new bridge could be built. Private
boats were put into use for a day or two and twenty-five cents charged for
the carrying of passengers across. The village council deeming that suitable
means and safety should be provided for the convenience of the public, at
once decided to operate a rope ferry, together with a small boat, first as a
matter of convenience to the public and, second, to protect them from im-
position. Failing to find private parties ready to engage in the enterprise,
council began work upon the boats. In a day or two a skiff was put on for
immediate use, which served well for the removal of freight and passengers
until a larger boat could be built. But the large boat could not be used until
eight hundred feet of one and one-half inch rope was secured. About t\\<>
hundred dollars were expended, besides paying a man two dollars per day
for operating the ferry.
To meet the outlay, the council established the following schedule of
rates: Footmen, ten cents for round trip: man and horse, ten cents each way,
fifteen cents a round trip; cattle, five cents each; teams, one way, twenty
cent>; both ways, twenty-five cents; single horse and carriage, fifteen and
twenty cents; school children, free; tickets for foot passengers, in pa
of twenty-five and upwards, half price.
296 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
THE FIRST ELEVATOR.
In August, 1873, D. Patten & Co. began the erection of a grain elevator,
the first one to be built on the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad, with a capacity
of fifteen thousand bushels. The firm commenced buying grain in 1871 in a
little warehouse on the side track between Eighth and Ninth streets. Soon
the capacity of this structure became too small and in 1872 the firm con-
structed another warehouse between Ninth and Tenth streets, and finally the
increased amount of business led to the construction of the elevator.
THE RUSE HOSPITAL.
The Ruse hospital was started by Mrs. A. Ruse in 1906 and has earned
quite a reputation as a place of exact medical science and courteous treat-
ment. All kinds of surgical operations and medical treatments are con-
ducted by the physicians in charge, namely, Doctors Sogge, Dudley and
Weiser. Most of the time three nurses are employed who have in their care
about two hundred patients annually.
CIGAR FACTORY.
The cigar factory No. 194, owned and operated by O. S. Skillingstad,
was started in 1905 by the present owner and since that time has enjoyed a
most profitable business. Mr. Skillingstad manufactures several different
brands. The high quality and satisfaction of his goods is evidenced by the
fact that the smokers of the town of Windom consume nearly his entire out-
put, which averages about one hundred thousand annually.
WINDOM ICE CREAM FACTORY.
Probably but few Windom people realize that they have a most flourish-
ing little manufacturing plant in their midst in the Windom Tee Cream Fac-
tory. 11. I-'.. Makes, the owner and proprietor of the ice cream factory and
the creamery in connection, removed here from Bingham Lake in the fall of
1915, and his coming brought with it the removal of the ice cream plant from
that place. Mr. Hakes has a most enviable reputation as a producer of pure
ice cream, and the high quality of goods he puts out keeps spreading the
sale of his products. He has the most improved machinery for the manu-
facturing of ice cream and he is able to turn out several hundred gallons of
NINTH STREET. WINDOM.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, WINDOM.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 297
the cooling cream a day. Every train out of Windom carries it in large
quantities. Besides Windom, he supplies every town on the Currie branch,
as well as supplying dealers at Mountain Lake, St. James. Heron Lake,
Sibley, Iowa; Slayton. Lake Nelson, Brewster, Adrian and other places. At
the present time Mr. Hakes employs four people in the ice cream factory
and on the milk and cream routes which he also owns.
THE FLOURING MILLS.
The flouring mill is one of Windom's prides. The mill was built by
E. F. Drake and Samuel Collins in 1878. The first mill dam was con-
structed in 1878 just opposite the mill. For some reason or other this dam
proved very inadequate and was constantly washing out and in need of re-
pair. The present dam was constructed in the summer and fall of 1885. The
dam is one hundred and twenty-five feet long and forty feet wide at the tup,
giving a fall of ten feet. It was constructed of brush, hay and gravel and is
known as Bell's patent. The system was successfully used by Captain Eads
in his jetty work at the mouth of the Mississippi river. This dam is located
about eighty rods below the wagon bridge and about twenty rods below the
bridge is the mill race which leads to the Hume, which is seventy feet long ami
fourteen feet square.
Water power alone was employed until 1882, when steam power was
added, to be used when the water in the Des Moines river was too low to
furnish the power required. In 1882 Drake became the sole owner and con-
tinued to operate the mill until 1902, when T. C. Collins acquired the plant
and continued to run it until his death, in October, 1914. In 1906 the firm
became known as T. C. Collins & Son and since the father's death the son
has had control and management of the concern. Thus three generations of
Collins have had to do with the flour-making industry of Windom.
The daily capacity of the mill is <>ne hundred and fifty barrels and their
well-known brands of flour have ready sale within a radius of one hundred
miles. Another article of merit that is here manufactured is a breakfast
food.
The Windom Wagon Factory was organized January 10, 1899, with a
capital stock of live thousand dollars. The officers in 1901 were, W. \.
Smith, president; C. W. Cillam, secretary and treasurer; ( ). S. Thompson,
general manager. During the tir^t two year- <>f operation this company
built and placed on the market fifty splendid wagons.
298 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
TILE FACTORY.
The tile factory owned by Walter Cowan lias been in existence for
many years, but the exact date of its beginning cannot be obtained. Air.
Cowan has owned the factory for several years and has manufactured many
thousands of tile. Since the farmers are beginning to realize the necessity of
tiling, Mr. Cowan can hardly supply the demand. During the summer
months he gives employment to several men and it may be said that through
the influence of the factory much business is brought to Windom that other-
wise would go elsewhere.
THE WINDOM MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Windom Manufacturing Company was one of the early industries
of Windom. It served well its day of usefulness, when flax was raised on
the broad prairies of southwestern Minnesota. About 1892-3 W. A. Turner
established a large tow-mill at Windom. He had a large building and dry
rooms in which the raw material was dried before entering further into the
mill. He had a fifty-eight-horse-power engine to propel his machinery. He
had to run the flax straw through his mill twice after it was taken from the
dry room, which was kept at a temperature of two hundred and twenty
degrees, with a drying capacity of one ton per hour. His mill had a capacity
of six tons a day.
This concern also started in to manufacture a new kind of self-feeders
for threshing machines, flax breaks and rice machines. After the growth of
flax was discontinued in this section of the country, this factory had to
abandon its enterprise, but, while running, paid out eight thousand dollars a
year lor tlax straw to the surrounding farmers.
LANDMARK REMOVED.
The folowing item is taken from the Window, Reporter of October 28,
[884: "One by one the old landmarks are being replaced by better and
more substantial buildings. The old house on the corner of Third and Tenth
streets, erected in 1871 by A. Huddleson and sou, and occupied as a bakery
and residence, was one of the first buildings in Windom and the one in which
the first child was born in the village and named William Wind, mi Huddle-
son. The building soon after completion was vacated by Mr. Huddleson,
who removed to Wisconsin, and was occupied through the winter of 1871-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 299
1872 by E. Clark. In the spring of 1872 the house and lot was bought by
S. S. Johnson, who resided there for several years using the lower tloor for
flour, feed and pumps."
THE OLD "LOCK-UP."
In 1885 the village of Windom had a "lock-up," twelve by fourteen feet,
built of two-by-four dimension stuff and painted on the outside. It contained
two cells, seven by twelve feet, and two iron-barred windows, twelve by
thirty inches, six feet from the floor. At that date it was very poorly kept,
inhabited by many rats and mice and naturally very unsanitary. For a time
it was used by both county and village, but subsequently it was condemned
by the authorities.
windom's commercial interests in 1916.
In the summer of 1916 the business and professional interests of the city
of Windom were as follow :
Auto-garage— John Moore, Silliman Brothers, Frank Pope.
Attorneys — Wilson Borst, Newton L. Glover, P. S. Redding.
Banks — Farmers State, First National and Windom National banks.
Barber shops — Newell P. Freeman, Ff. C. Hamilton and Richard S.
Reese.
Blacksmith shops — John Loken & Son, Smestad & Grotte and Ole S.
Thompson.
Bakeries — J. M. Eibright and the Wind.. m Bakery.
Clothing stores— Gustav Mueller and < i. A. Peterson.
Cigar manufacturer — O. S. Skillingstad.
Creamery — Windom Creamery Company.
Creamery stations — J. E. Jenness and E. E. Berry & Son.
Confectioneries — John F. Hinkley, Nick llules, Thomas Hules, Charles
J. Koob.
Draftsman — William A. Peterson.
Druggists — Andrew A. Quevli, Frank Stedman.
Ditch contractors — Samogge & Redding.
Dray lines— William Belton, W. E. Bates.
Dentists— John A. Adamson, Henry Beise and C. II. Vroman.
Elevators — Co-operative Elevator < ompany, St. John'-, Elevator Com-
pany and G. W. Gillam.
Furniture dealers — James A. Crane, E. E. Berry & Son.
300 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Feed store — John Loken.
Feed Barns — Thomas Chatham, Miller Brothers.
Fuel dealers — Walter J. Johnson, Ole Grotte and the lumber companies
Grocers— J. M. Ebright & Son, Headley & Miller.
General contractors — Christopherson & Westgard, Carl Peterson.
General dealers — Michael L. Fisch, Foss Mercantile Company, A. Quevli
&Co.
Hotels — The Park, Commercial.
Harness shops — James Devlin and A. D. Nelson.
Hardware dealers — Earl Marshall & Son, C. Nelson & Co., Albert
Wynne.
Implement dealers — Jens Anderson, Ole Elvrum.
Ice dealer — Yerkee Brothers.
Jewelers — Arthur B. Cone, Charles W. Lowery.
Lumber dealers — Grosjean & Lampert Lumber Company, Struck-Sher-
win Lumber Company, and the Tuthill Lumber Company.
Liveries (horse) — L. T. Chatham, J. C. Church.
Mill— Richard Collins.
Music store — Edward E. Gillam.
Moving picture show — "The Wonderland."
Milliners — T. Kittleson, Mrs. Josephine Lowery.
Meat markets— M. S. Potter, Wieks & Burrill.
Merchant tailors — Xels Anderson, John Hoffman.
Newspapers — The Cottonwood County Citizen, The Windom Reporter.
Notions — Orris M. Garrett, Windom Variety Store, S. L. Rogers.
Physicians — Dr. William T. DeCnater. Dr. Joseph H. Dudley, Dr.
Ludwig Sogge, Dr. Frank R. Weiser, Dr. F. C. Griffith, Doctor Tegland.
Photographer — Jesse O. Thompson.
Produce dealers — John F. Jenness, Windom Produce Company, T- F.
Reide.
Restaurants — Minute Cafe, Frank R. Shaub, J. G. Hinkley.
Real estate dealers — Kettlewell & Jeffers, Silliman Brothers Land Com-
pany, Ringkob-Peterson, Sanger Land Company. Marshall Land Company,
Benjamin A. lone, Andrew Cowan, George F. Robison, Robinson & Potter,
J. T. Johnson Land Company.
Shoe store — Ed. Larson.
Stock buyers— (bis Swanholm, Miller Brothers, M. T. DeWolf.
Tile works — W. P. Cowan.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 3OI
Telephones — Windom .Mutual, X< >rthwestern.
Veterinaries — F. E. Judd. John Tyas.
COMMERCIAL CLUBS.
In February, 1908, there was formed in Windom a Commercial Club,
with officers as follow: President, W. F. Savage; vice-president, C. W.
Gillam; secretary, F. G. Dunnicliff; treasurer, John T. Johnson; directors,
W. J. Clark, T. C. Collins, M. L. Fisch. Rooms were kept open over the
First National Bank until that structure was burned. The membership fee
was thirty dollars.
The present Commercial Club was organized on March 4, 1914. All
phases of business were represented at the meeting, which was held at the
o >urt house. It started out w:ith seventy members. The first officers were :
President, C. W. Gillam; vice-president, J. O. Thompson; secretary. L. S.
Churchill; treasurer, M. L. Fisch. The club has already secured main- ad-
vantages for the city of Windom. The present month — August, 1916 — it
has secured a great band tournament, representing bands from St. James,
Currie, Heron Lake and other neighboring towns, six in all.
THE TOURIST CLUB.
The Tourist Club was organized in October, 1896. with Mrs. T. C.
Collins as president; Mrs. Wellington, vice-president; Mrs. C. A. Greene,
secretary; Mrs. Force, treasurer. The club derived its name from the fact
that the club members took up the study of things beyond their own imme-
diate realm for the purpose of self -improvement. The membership is limited
to twenty-five. The club carries an associate membership, members of
which are taken from the active list. To become an honorary member one
must have been an active member fur a period of five years. At present there
there are eleven associate members and four honorary members. The club
meets every Monday evening. For the coming year the club begins the study
of the "Romance Cities of America" and "Problems of the May."
The officers for the coming year are as follows, among whom are .Mi
Collins and Mrs. Greene, who are holding the same offices as at the time
of organization: President, Mrs. T. C. Collins; first vice-president, Mi
George Robison; second vice-president, Mr-, (iilli.-; corresponding secretary.
Mrs. Harriet Hunter; recording secretary. Mis. Greene; treasurer, Mi
Strunk; critic, Mrs. Chestnut; assistant critic. Mrs. Emor Smestad.
3<d2 cottonwood and watonwan counties, minn.
woman's literary club.
The Woman's Literary Club of Windom was organized on June 27,
1903, with Mrs. C. W. Gillam as president. The club has studied the works
and literature of many of the best writers, including Shakespeare, Marlowe
and many others. But the efforts of the club are not confined wholly to
the study of classic art and literature, but also home problems and home
economics.
The officers elected for the year 1916 are as follow: Mrs. Carpenter,
president; Mrs. J. T. Johnson, vice-president; Mrs. Scurr, recording secre-
tary; Mrs. A. D. Perkins, corresponding secretary; Marie Quevli, treasurer;
Mrs. A. D. Perkins, chairman of program committee. The Mayview course
of study has been selected for the coming year's work.
WINDOM PIONEERS.
The following is a list of the pioneers who helped to lay well the founda-
tion stones of the sprightly little city of Windom: W. A. Smith, George
F. Robison, William Besser, George Miller, O. Elvrum, D. C. Davis. C. A.
Lowe, C. H. Rupke, H. A. Cone, John Hutton, E. Gillam, James Dolan,
Frank Stedman, W. B. Williams, George E. LeTourman, C. W. Gillam,
L. J. Robinson, J. F. French, Charles B. Pierce, R. H. Reese. W. A. Cook,
E. L. Leonard. M. T. De Wolf, E. C. Huntington, T. C. Collins, H. M.
Clark, E. Sevatson, R. R. Jenness, Will Gillam, S. S. Gillam, J. N. McGregor,
H. Bosworth.
windom's greatest fire.
A fifty-thousand-dollar lire visited Windom in July, 1900. It com-
menced about noon, with a high northwest wind. There was but little water
in the tank and the hose owned by the town was rotten and soon found to
be useless. Not an ax nor any implement for lire-lighting was to be found
for the use of the firemen. It was believed the lire bad its origin in the
old .Mason barn hay-loft, back of the Quevli store. When it was known
that the tire laddies could do nothing, St. James and 1 leron Lake were appealed
to for aid. The railroad gave special trains to bring the tire companies
from these places. In a short time men and hose came from St. James and
in less than thirty minutes from the time of call, the Heron Lake fire com-
pany was landed in Windom. Dick Gage, the engineer that hurled the com-
pany up from Heron Lake, made the run in an incredibly short time. On
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 3O3
authority, never disputed, he made the twelve-mile run in twelve minutes
and unloaded his freight at the Windom depot. The St. James company
made their run in thirty-one minutes, including a stop at Bingham Lake.
After the water supply was found giving out, the Heron Lake engine run
to the Des Moines river, but it was found they could not force the water
up that far, so when the Luverne company arrived a line of hose was estab-
lished between the wagon bridge and town, but again it was found that the
engines were not making steam sufficient. Then a steam threshing engine
belonging to Matt Miller was fired and run to the scene and greatly aided
the other engines in pumping water sufficient to check the flames somewhat.
Coal ran out and a special was sent to Heron Lake for a supply from the
railroad vards. A passenger train brought a hundred laboring railroaders
from Bingham Lake, and more were tendered if needed. These were sta-
tioned all over the southeast part of Windom with pails of water ready to
quench any fire that might be set from flying cinders, etc. As a matter of
fact, had the home fire company been encouraged and the supply of water,
so near at hand, been looked after before the day of fire, nearly all this
heavy loss might have been saved Windom. The thanks of the people of
the place to the kindness of the railroad company, the fire companies at St.
James, Heron Lake and Luverne, are even to this late day being expressed
by the citizens of the place.
A. Ouevli was the heaviest loser, $17,000; he had $2,000 insurance.
Thurston Bros, had $8,000 insurance and estimated their stock at $16,000.
M. D. Gates had on stock about $1,500 insurance and, all told, lost about
S5,ooo. Johnson & Foss had $800 insurance and lost about as much more.
Fish Brothers had an insurance of $2,500. and saved most of their stock.
A. Opperud lost the building in which Arthur Cone was doing business;
this was worth about $2,000. O. Nason had $1,500 insurance and lost
$2,000. Olf Erickson had some loss in hi- restaurant. Dr. Moen lost his
library and many valuable surgical instruments, at a loss of $2,000. George
F. Robison, L. J. Robinson and Dr. De Coater, all occupants of the Robi-
son & Robinson building, Inst about $2,000. The above named losses only
include the business places and there was, besides these losses, several small
buildings and barns, easily totalling a thousand dollars more.
OTHER CONFLAGRATIONS.
On March 1. 1885, a fire destroyed the store of R. R. Jenness, occupied
by X. Freeman as a general store. Loss, $8,000; insured for part of the
amount.
304 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
On February 1, 1910, the First National Bank building, with most of
its contents, was destroyed by fire, which originated in the basement. The
first floor was occupied by the bank and the large store of M. L. Fisch.
Mr. Fisch was the heaviest loser, with a loss of $25,000; insured for $15,000.
The bank lost $16,000 on building and $3,500 on fixtures; insured for
$10,000.
In November, 1910, another fire burned the Farmers' Elevator, built
in 1S85, at a cost of $5,000, and owned by E. Sevatson. It was insured
for $4,000. Four thousand bushels of wheat was lost.
CHAPTER XVIII.
REMINISCENCES.
PIONEER DAYS IN GREAT BEND BLIZZARD OF 1873.
By W. A. Peterson.
During the summer of 1872 the officers of school district of Great
Bend township, erected a school house at the southeast corner of section 6,
the second school house built in the county. It was a wooden building con-
structed of pine lumber, quite a pretentious one for those early days; the
frame, boards or "sheeting" had been nailed; over this was a covering of
building paper and over that the half inch siding; the roof had been sheeted,
papered and shingled, and there they had stopped for want of funds to pur-
chase more material and the building was not finished on the inside at all.
Shutters had been constructed of pine flooring, but had not yet been hung
nil the windows, but were artistically piled in one corner of the room. The
school house was calculated to be located in the geographical center of the
"district" and was. consequently, as is often the case, just a mile from
everybody.
During the long and memorable winter of 1872-3, the school was being
taught by John E. Teed, one of the young homesteaders and pioneers of
the "far west." The school consisted of about twenty scholars of all ages,
from the five-year-old — -just mastering the intricacies of A, B, C, — to young-
men and women of sixteen to eighteen years of age. They had no patent
individual desks and seats fastened to the floor, no elegant blackboard, smooth
as glass, all around the four walls of the room; no steam or furnace heal :
no elegant and comfortable lavatories, nor in fact any of the modern improve-
ment- and conveniences of even the country school houses of nowadays.
The young seekers after knowledge .if that generation of a half century
ago had to be, and were, content with the plain pine benches and desks; a
very small wood-burning stove in the ('enter of the room, around which they
huddled on a cold day, burning one side and freezing the other at the same
time. They had to walk at least a mile in the keen, biting cold and through
(20)
306 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the deep snow to attend school, yet there were very few cases of tardiness
or absence that winter when the weather was so that the youngsters could
get out at all, and there was no ironclad rule compelling pupils to return
home and lose a half day in case they were a few minutes late, to act as an
incentive to make them prompt.
They were away out upon the wild prairies of the frontier and some of
them were well aware that they were getting to an age where if they did
not improve the opportunity their, education would most likely stop short.
They were very glad of an opportunity to attend a school that, primitive as
the accommodations were, was as far ahead of the opportunities enjoyed
by most parents in their youth, as their school house was behind the modern
school building, with all its paraphernalia, and many of the middle aged
men and women of today "graduated" from just such a school as is above
described, that were among the boy and girl pioneers of the great West.
The morning of January 7, 1873, was a wild, warm, damp, foggy morn-
ing; such a mist hung over the prairie that it was almost a rain. They
started for school that morning without any cold weather wraps; there was
but one overcoat in the house that day; and that belonged to the teacher,
who had brought it from necessity rather than choice, because he was "board-
ing around" and intended going to a new place that night.
The pupils assembled at the school house as merry and thoughtless as
any children, who, if they only knew it, are then spending the happiest hours
of their lives, and went through the usual routine of the morning lessons
and recitations. The lunch pails were emptied at noon and they were play-
ing some games in the west end of the room, when a commotion was noted
about the door, and that three or four children were apparently hastily pre-
paring to go away. On inquiry it was found that Mr. I). \Y. Working had
come with his team and was hurriedly urging his children to get ready to
go home.
"What is the matter, Mr. Working?" someone asked.
"We are going to have a bad storm and 1 am going to got my children
home as soon as possible," was his reply, as he hustled them into the sled
and drove rapidly away.
Air. VV. had hardly got away from the school house door when there
came from the northwest such a gale of wind as none had ever beheld before,
and I'll take my oath they never want to see it again.
Il struck the building with a rush and roar, with such violence that it
rocked, shook and trembled like a distressed ship in a hurricane, and seemed
as though determined to wrench it from its foundation, rend the slender frame
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 307
asunder and hurl the building with its living human freight into eternity.
The air was completely filled with fine, drifting, whirling particles of snow, as
fine as the minutest particles of sand in a Sahara desert sand storm, render-
ing it impossible to see a foot toward the storm, and only a few feet in any
direction. Those who have ever witnessed a northwestern blizzard can form
no idea of it, and it is not to be wondered that they regard the description
given by the westerners of such storms as exaggerations, as "fish stories,"
but any old plainsman will sustain the statement that they cannot be exag-
gerated; that the half of the truth has not. and never will, he told regarding
them.
The storm began about half past twelve o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and
lasted without cessation until Thursday night at midnight. Oh. how that
terrible wind did shriek and howl, whistle, and roar, all day and night Wed-
nesday and all day and half the night Thursday, like the unchained demons
of the bottomless pit turned loose, howling in insane demonical rage upon
the bleak prairie, and at last moaning itself to sleep — its fury spent — as
though singing a sad requiem for the victims of the elements whose bodies
lay stark and stiff at intervals over the plain, frozen to death.
The scholars huddled together, seemingly stupified by the giant power
of the fearful element raging without; gazing speechless with terror into
the blanched faces of their companions, whose bloodless lips and wild eyes
told of the thoughts of the older ones, inspired by the perilous predicament
they were in. The wind was screeching and screaming around the building,
which creaked and groaned like a living thing, searching out every little crack,
nail or knot hole, and sifting the fine particles of snow into the room; on one
pane of glass, in the northwest window, near the center of the pane, a hunch
of snow formed in a fantastic wreath, forced through a hole made by some
flaw in the glass, so tiny that it could not be detected with the naked eye.
The diminutive stove had never been large enough to furnish sufficient
heat for that great shell of a room even in fair and comparatively warm
weather, and as night approached the room began to grow cold and green
willow wood, the largest of the sticks being as small as a man's forearm,
and now it was discovered that there was hut a quarter of a cord left; not
near enough to last through the night, even of that miserable fuel. There
was nothing within a mile of the school house, and the situation was indeed
perilous; it was fully realized by the teacher and the older scholars. As
night approached and it became colder it also l>ecame more lonesome and
dreary. They took the shutters and placed them on a couple of benches as
near the stove as possible, without setting fire to them; placed all the coats,
308 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
shawls and wraps that were available on them, and made a bed in which
were placed the ten or dozen little children, who, childlike, soon forgot their
homesickness and fright in the blessed balm of the sweet sleep of childhood.
The older ones employed every means that fertile minds could suggest
to keep sluggish blood in motion and bodies warm, and also to keep their
minds diverted from the gloomy contemplation of the peril. They were
huddled together around that wretched little stove and sung songs and told
stories by the twilight of the fire shining through the open front door of
the stove. This was all the light, but by its uncertain flicker I thought I
discovered some of the boys and girls sitting so close together that I sus-
picioned that the boys were gallantly trying to keep the girls warm, and
cheer and support them by putting their arms around them.
The long, dismal night passed away at last, and with the coming of
daylight came renewed action; the youngsters yawned, stretched and awoke,
gazing stupidly around the room at first, trying to recall where they were.
Ellison D. Moers, who was the oldest and largest boy in school, announced
his intention of trying to go to the house of Dr. R. N. Sackett, which stood
just about a mile to the northwest of the school house, and right in the teeth
of the gale, to get some relief for the now half famished little ones. It was
a hazardous undertaking; one requiring a clear head, a steady nerve, and
physical endurance, but as Ellison possessed these requisites and was deter-
mined to go, he was bundled up in all the wraps they had, accompanied him
to the door and bid him good-bye and God-speed, doubting if he would ever
l>e seen alive again.
They whiled away the long, lonesome, tedious hours until some time
about noon, when they heard a pounding at the door, and upon opening.
two "tosled" snow images tumbled into the room. They were so bundled
up and covered with snow that it was not known who they were at first, hut
soon found that they were the schoolmate returned, accompanied by the
doctor.
They had brought a plentiful supply of fond, a buttle of strong tea and
a sharp ax. They fell ravenously upon that grub and slaked their thirst with
the strong tea. After resting and warming the doctor decided to go back
home and try to get his team to the school house and take the stormbound
scholar^ over t<> his house; and so he set out. facing the terrific wind, accom-
panied by the teacher, and about four o'clock p. m., they returned with the
team and packed the little ones in the bottom of the sleigh box and covered
them up "head and ears" with the blankets and robes. Ellison 1). Mooers
and the teacher did not go, but went to Ellison's home, which was something
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 309
over a mile southeast of the school house, and as they went with the gale
they did not have serious trouble in reaching the house.
I then lived about a mile and a quarter to the southwest of the school
house and thought I could go home all right, but the teacher and the doctor
refused to let me try it, and so I went with the other scholars to the doctor's
house. Harvey Thompson and myself, being the two eldest boys in the
party, had curled down in the rear end of the sled box to keep out of the
drifting snow and cutting sleet as much as possible, as we were both very
lightly clothed for braving such a blizzard.
\\ e had gone but a few rods when the team was stopped and the doctor,
turning to us, said in a frightful tone: "My God, boys, I've lost the track."
Imagine, if you can, the feeling that came over us at this information. Drop-
ping ice down your back on a warm day is luxury compared to it. We
made the doctor promise to keep just where he was and we got out and went
down on our knees on either side of the sled, calling to each other inces-
santly, so as not to lose each other or the sled, for we could not see two
feet from our faces, and by so doing one of us found the track and got the
team into it. From that time on Harvey and myself kept our faces out over
the side of the sled and within eighteen inches of the ground, watching that
faint track as intensely as a cat would watch a mouse. The team left it
several times before we finally reached the house, but one of us would imme-
diately call in the wind.
We got to the house and as soon as Mrs. Sacket could get a warm meal
— the first we had since Tuesday morning — we all went to bed, "three in
the bed and two in the middle," and made up for the sleeplessness of the
night before. On Thursday morning the wind was blowing a severe gale, but
it had stopped snowing and as the doctor had t<< make a professional visit,
we started out at about ten o'clock a. m. and I got home all right. Just as
we left the school house I went back to the blackboard and scribbled a message
on it, telling anyone who might come to the school house what had become
of the pupils.
Such an emergency always called out heroes and shows the stuff men
are made of. This was no exception to the rule. In addition to. tin- peril-
ous and heroic journeys of Ellison D. Mooers', I >r. R. X. Sackett and John !•'.
Teed, one more that was entirely disintei I d \\;i the -poutancous act
of a true man with a heart as big as an ox, who could nol rest while he
knew that human beings and especially children, were in peril, deserves more
than passing mention.
Orrin Xason, familiarly known to many as "Tip," lived ju i about a
3IO COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
mile directly west of the school house. My brother and Tip had been caught
in Windom on Tuesday afternoon when the storm began, and as my brother's
wife lay almost at the point of death they knew that they must go home if
possible. They succeeded after a perilous journey that nearly cost them
their lives, and Tip had been up to my house and found that I had not got
home. He, of course, at once surmised that the school children were storm-
bound in the school house and had nothing to eat. This troubled his big
heart so much that he had his good wife pack a pail of provisions and he
started out and brought it to the school house, arriving there just about
half an hour after we had gone. He had not a chick nor a child in the world;
no one in school nearer than his nephew, yet he risked his life and braved
that awful storm to get relief to us, when a dozen fathers, having children
in the school, did not dare to try to get them.
CHAPTER XIX.
MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS AND INCIDENTS.
IMMIGRATION ASSOCIATION.
The Cottonwood County Immigration Society was formed in Windom
in May, 1882, with John Clark as president and the following men as vice-
presidents, chosen according to townships : Lakeside, S. O. Taggart ; Moun-
tain Lake, John Janzen; Selma, H. M. Goss; Delton, C. S. Narmoer; Carson,
Fred Carpenter; Great Bend, C. Warren; Dale, J. Cutler; Amboy, Wilbur
Potter ; Germantown, Chris Brand ; Highwater, Geo. Quale ; Sorden, Chas.
Reipka; Amo, Corlis Mead; Springfield, T. S. Brown; Southbrook, W. H.
Jones; Rose Hill, Henry Trantfether; Ann, C. H. Anderson; secretary, E. C.
Huntington; treasurer, J. N. McGregor; executive committee: A. D. Perkins,
J. S. Redding, John Hutton, E. C. Huntington, Paul Seeger, S. M. Espy
and A. Ouevli. The object of the association was the dissemination and
accumulation of information concerning Cottonwood county, its climate,
its resources, its prospects, and the promotion of its settlement.
It was the duty of the vice-presidents to collect information and facts
relating to the character and resources of townships represented by them;
also to furnish the same to the executive committee and to co-operate with
the officers of the association in securing a judicious distribution of such
publications as may be issued by the organization and to perform such
duties as may be assigned them by the president. The membership fee
was one dollar.
POPULATION STATISTICS.
The various census reports of this county show the following facts:
In i860 the county contained only twelve people — six men and six women;
in 1870 it had increased to 534; in 1875 to 2,870; in 1880 it had reached
5,553; in 1885 it was 5,894; in 1890 it was 7,412; in 1900 it was 12,00./:
in 1910 it was [2,651.
31 =
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
POPULATION IN 1895 BY PRECINCTS.
Amboy 343
Amo 296
Ann 402
Carson 655
Dale 367
Delton 350
Germantown 488
Great Bend 320
Highwater 569
Lakeside 547
Midway 528
Mountain Lake 612
Mountain Lake Village 595
Rose Hill 480
Selma 405
Southbrook 318
Springfield 351
Storden 439
Westbrook 599
Windom Village T-523
Total io.it
CENSUS OF I9OO AND I9IO.
1910
Amboy 437
Amo 395
Ann 433
Bingham Lake Vil-
lage 285
Carson 672
Dale 483
Delton 371
Germantown 522
Great Bend 444
Highwater 591
Jeffers Village 227
Lakeside 449
1900 1910 1900
489 Midway 658 607
358 Mountain Lake 512 561
500 Mountain Lake Mi-
lage 1,081 959
311 Rose Hill 510 535
623 Selma 530 427
455 Southbrook 303 350
360 Springfield 332 361
512 Storden 659 548
435 Westbrook 571) nNS
627 Westbrook Village- 429
Windom Village 1-749 r.944
392
Total 12.651 12,069
NATIONALITY OF rOrl'LATTON.
According to the United States census in tqio the following national-
ities were lure represented: 0.7S7 were native-born Americans: Germans.
624; Swedes. 185; Norwegians. JJ_V. English and Irish, 61; Danish, 207;
Austrians, 112: Russians, 821; other countries. 131.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 313
VILLAGE PLATS.
The following are the village plats of Cottonwood county :
Bingham Lake, situated in section 9, township 105, range 35, west,
was platted by the officers of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad Com-
pany, July 28, 1S75.
Delft, in the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the south-
west quarter of section 18, township 106, range 35, was platted by the
Inter-State Land Company, June 18, 1902.
Jeffers was platted by the Inter-State Land Company, September 19,
1899, in section 20, township 107, range 36, west.
Mountain Lake was platted by the officers of the St. Paul & Sioux City
Railroad Company, May 25, 1872, in section t,^,, township 106, range 34,
west.
Westbrook was platted by the Inter-State Land Company, June 8,
1900, in section 29, township 107, range 38.
Windom was platted by the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad Company,
May 25, 1872, in the southwest quarter of section 25, and parts of sec-
tions 26 and 36, township 105, range 36 west. The president of the com-
pany was then Elias Drake.
Storden was platted by the Inter-State Land Company, July 8, 1903,
comprising all of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section
29, township 107, range 37 west.
PLATTED CEMETERIES.
Besides several private or family burying grounds in this county, there
are the following public cemeteries :
Amo cemetery, platted March 2, 1899, in the northeast corner of
section 21, town-hip 106, range t,~, west. This was platted by the trus-
tees of the Methodist Episcopal church of the township.
Delton cemetery, in the north half of the southeast quarter of section
22, township 107, range 35, west; filed on November 11, 1 886.
Windom cemetery, platted by the Win-!. in Cemetery Association, by
\Y. B. Cook, president. F.. L. Leonard, treasurer, July 20, [890. This is
situated on a part of the south half of tin- southeast quarter of the south-
east quarter of section 25, town-hip 105. range 36, we I
St. Francis cemetery, platted. February 4. [901, in the southeast quar-
ter of the northeast quarter of section 36, town-hip 105, range 36.
Carson church and cemetery grounds, platted on December 8, 1900, by
314 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the trustees of the Mennonite church, in section 15, township 106, range
35, west.
Mountain Lake cemetery was platted by the . Mountain Lake Cemetery
Association, David Ewert, president ; John Janzen, secretary, and Henry
P. Goertz, treasurer, March 18, 1893, m section 33, township 106, range
34, west.
Westbrook cemetery was platted in the northeast quarter of the north-
east quarter of section 29, township 107, range 38, west, by the village
authorities of Westbrook, February 19, 1913.
ALTITUDES.
According to the government surveys made several years since, the
altitude above the sea at Windom was thirteen hundred and thirty- four
feet and at Heron Lake it is fourteen hundred and six feet.
MARKET QUOTATIONS.
In 1872 these prices obtained in Cottonwood county: Wheat. 90 cents;
flour, per hundred weight, $3.10; eggs, 12 cents per dozen; butter, per pound,
10 cents; corn, per bushel, 40 cents; oats, 20 cents; hay (wild), $5.00
per ton.
In 1880 the prices ranged as follows: Wheat, 90 cents; flour, $3.00;
oats, 20 cents; corn, 20 cents; barley, 25 cents; potatoes, 25 cents; butter, 12
cents; eggs, 16 cents: fresh pork, per hundred, $3.50.
In 1890 these prices are found in the Windom Reporter: Wheat,
75 cents; oats, 29 cents; butter, 10 cents; eggs, 14 cents.
In the month of August, 1916, the following prices obtained in this
locality and at Mankato : Wheat, $1.50; corn. 86 cents; oats. 43 cents;
hugs, $9.63; cattle, top prices, $10.95; eggs, 21 cents; heavy hens, 14 cents
a pound; potatoes, $1.00; dairy butter. 30 cents a pound; hand separated
butter, 33 cents per pound; creamery butter, 35 cents per pound.
GRASSHOPPEP. PLAGUE.
hi 1873 all of southwestern Minnesota came under the devastating
influences of the grasshoppers, which continued until 1878. In the way
of relief to the destitute settlers may be mentioned the following:
Gen. |. \Y. Bishop, general manager of the Sioux City Railroad, issued
an order donating all the timber owned by the road situated more than a
mile from the track to destitute settlers. Besides, the eastern stockholders
donated the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars each to those whose only
dependence was in the hands of charity.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 315
The state Legislature passed a seed wheat bill, to aid destitute settlers
on the frontier, the substance of which is given as follows: "Section i.
That the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars or so much thereof as may
be necessary is hereby appropriated out of any money in the state treasury,
belonging to the general revenue funds, not otherwise appropriated, for the
relief of destitute settlers on the frontier counties of the state, for the pur-
chase of grain.
"Section 2. Provided, that no more than thirty dollars shall be paid
to one family."
As a result of the above bill, Cottonwood county received about four
thousand five hundred bushels of grain, which cost one dollar and eight
cents a bushel.
In February, 1874, many of the settlers held a meeting for the purpose
of asking an extension of time for the payment of personal taxes. The
state came to their aid and passed a bill extending the time until the follow-
ing November, provided no taxes were in arrears.
GRASSHOPPER CONVENTION.
In May, 1874, a grasshopper convention was held in Windom, about
two hundred attending. A general opinion prevailed that the destruction
of crops for the year was inevitable and that aid was necessary. The con-
vention passed a resolution requesting Governor Davis to appoint ex-Gover-
nor Miller as a commissioner to go to Washington and lay facts before
Congress and ask relief. A motion also prevailed to grant settlers the right
to leave their claims until the grasshopper raid was over and they were
able to procure the necessary seed for another year. A committee of one
from each county afflicted was appointed to canvass their respective coun-
ties and ascertain the amount of relief necessary and report to the gov-
ernor at once.
In July, 1874, the county auditor received returns from the townships
showing the per cent of grain destroyed.
Wheat. Oats. Corn. Flax.
Amboy 75 ''5 25 100
Southbrook 95 60 70 [00
Springfield i°° "» 75 95
Germantown 9° IO° 55
Carson 80 7? 55 60
Amo 85 8o r,o
Ann 6° 55 65 100
Clinton 90 70 43
316 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
STORM OF 1873.
On January 7, 1873, in that terrible storm mentioned elsewhere in this
volume, William Norris lost his life in Springfield township within eighty rods
of his own house. The farm is now owned by George Morley, in section 30.
About half of the men were in Windom that day trading and of course stayed
all night there. This was the same storm Mr. Peterson writes about when
the scholars all had to remain in the Big Bend school house for nearly two
days.
THE CYCLONE OF I9O3.
The first severe cyclone to visit these parts after the county's settlement
was the one which devastated things in general early in June, 1903. Eight
persons were killed, as follow : Daniel Galligher and two daughters, Mrs.
Joe Fritcher and baby, a daughter of Mrs. Joe Fritcher, the father of Mr.
Fritcher and Joseph Mathias. Aside from two sons this wiped out the Gal-
ligher family of this county.
The local papers said (Windom, July 1, 1903) : "Leaving death and
destruction in its pathway, a cyclone passed over this county four miles
south of this city last evening. It was about seven o'clock when the storm
was at its worst. Many houses, barns and outbuildings were torn asunder
and in one of the houses three people were killed. The house of Daniel
Galligher stood on the edge of an embankment overlooking String lake. The
storm swept the building into the lake, killing Mr. Galligher and his two
grown-up daughters. At a late hour this morning but one of the bodies — that
of one of the two daughters — has been found. Her clothing was entirely
torn away, the bones of the body were broken and she presented an awful
appearance. Mr. Galligher's granary was blown away; his horses and cat-
tle all killed and a vast amount of other damage done on the premises. The
daughters of Mr. Galligher, Nettie and Ella, were well known in Windom.
"In Windom a fearful gale blew, but no damage resulted further than
trees being torn up by the roots and signs dislocated."
On the Crowell farm a piece of a fork was found driven through the
trunk of ;i tree. Spears of straw and hay were literally driven through the
bark of growing trees. On E. H. Klock's farm a most wonderful thing
occurred and which no one can account for. Within a grove and near his
holier stood a farm wagon with a heavy box hay rack on it. There was a
grove of willows and other artificial trees, many of which were thirty feet
high. These at the point named stood on the highway and after the storm
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 317
had passed (Mr. Klock and family being in Windom at the time of the storm)
the wagon was found headed as before, only it had been picked up and carried
over these thirty-foot trees and set down in a direct line where it had stood
in the yard the hour of the storm. The wagon and rack were not in the
least broken and the tongue was pointed in the same direction as before, only
out in the highway several rods from its former position and beyond these
trees.
Just before the storm struck, all the cattle on D. U. Weld's farm seemed
to divine what was coming and made a stampede for the stock barn.
It was flying timbers of the destroyed Hager school house that killed
Joseph Mathias.
D. A. Xoble was returning from his farm near Windom and saw the
storm. Xot knowing which way it was going, he halted a moment, watched
its course and acted accordingly. He was near its edge and easily saw the
storm cross the Des Moines river and on up a slope to where Dr. Silas Allen's
old landmark, the red granary, stood. The latter was picked up and carried
high in the air. when, all of a sudden it seemed to explode and disappeared
in splinters; no piece was ever found of this building except a door to it.
CYCLONE OF 1908.
The presence of cellars probably saved many lives of Cottonwood county
citizens on Monday evening, June _>_>, 190N, when a terrible cyclone swept
through to the north and east of Windom. The loss of property amounted
to hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the growing crops were practically
uninjured.
The cyclone formed somewhere in the lies Moines river valley three or
four miles from Windom, and first struck the home of Frank Shottle, on
section 15, in Great Bend township, destroying his barn, killing several
horses and other stock; then went marly east t<> Paul I b» ike's, where some
small buildings were destroyed, but no serious damage dune. From there the
storm -wept over section 14, striking the home of Ross Nichols, the Mrs.
Warren farm, where the barn was completely destroyed and the prairie for
half a mile or more strewn with the debris. The house was partially un-
shingled, and within about fifteen feel some large silver maples, nearly thirty
years old, were uprooted, while south of the house other tree- were destroyed,
but the house, otherwise than as mentioned, was uninjured. The family saw
the storm coming and -tarted for the cellar, but the storm bad passed. Jusl
east of this place about ten yard-, the storm encountered the telephone v
318 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MIXX.
of the Northwestern and the Tri-State and Windom Mutual, tearing up poles
and entangling the wires badly. The telephone lines for forty or fifty rods
wer entirely destroyed.
The storm continued over section 15, striking the barn of John Carlson,
moving: it several feet from its foundation, and unroofed the house. Five
horses in the barn were unhurt. Also in the Nichols barn were three horses
and a few cattle and all escaped injury. Mr. Carlson was standing near the
house when he first saw the storm approaching. He said that there were two
funnel-shaped clouds that came together, one from the southeast and one
from the northeast and that they united just west of Shottle's grove, sweep-
ing down upon it with utter destruction. From here it proceeded to the east
side of section 12, where it demolished the barn belonging to a lady in Iowa
and badly damaged the house. Proceeding to the east, it struck the wind-
mill of M. F. Frickie, doing slight injury, but on the northeast quarter of
section 6, in Lakeside township, just north of the Frickie home, it struck
the home of Jacob Fast, tearing off chimneys, blowing in windows of the
house and destroying several buildings. This was the third cyclone to hit
Mr. Fast in recent years, causing him great losses.
George Potter's barn, on the southwest quarter of section 5 in Lakeside
township, was next hit and was completely destroyed. Isaac Foth's home
was next in the path on the southwest quarter of section 32. Here peculiar
freaks of the cyclone were noticed. It is customary for the Mennonif.es
generally to build houses and barns in conjunction with each other and in
this case Mr. Foth's house and barn cornered. The house was practically
untouched while the barn was ruined. The beautiful grove was torn and
twisted beyond recognition, great trees being uprooted, while others were
peeled and twisted off at different distances from the ground. Isaac Foth
said that when the storm struck him, there were two funnel shaped clouds
in sight, one of which struck his house and the other he thought struck the
Fast and Peter places, from which it would seem that the two cyclones which
united at the Shottle place, separated between Carlson's and Foth's.
The next place in the path of destruction was that of A. L. Thompson,
in Carson township, where the barn was moved. The barn contained five
horses, none of which were injured. The machine shed and several out-
buildings were destroyed and the grove twisted, uprooted and denuded of
all foliage.
Continuing northward from the home of Mr. Thompson, the dwelling
of Henry Loewen was completely wiped off the earth and nothing but a hole
remained, together with some debris, to mark the spot. This was on the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. Jig
northeast half of section 33, Carson township. On the section south and
eighty rods distant was the home of A. J. Wiebe, one of the most prosperous
and wealth}- of the Mennonite farmers, and the scene of the most terrible
solation. His grove was planted in [868 by George Robinson and was one
of the first planted on the prairies of Cottonwood county. The place was one
of the most delightful in this part of Minnesota, embracing a splendid
orchard and excellent buildings, all of which except a small part of the house
were completely destroyed. One horse was killed and two buried in the
debris of the barn, but taken out alive. On the prairie east of the house
several cattle were killed. Here trees forty years old were uprooted, broken
off and twisted into all shapes and the grove practically ruined. The farm
was hedged with long rows of willows and these were twisted into an almost
solid mass and interwoven with wire fencing. No one was at home except
the children, who sought safety in the cellar, but they were so frightened
that they were unable to give any definite account of what happened. When
asked how long the storm lasted one replied, "long time." but in reality it was
not longer than one minute. Mr. Wiebe's buildings were all new ami modern.
But after the storm had passed nothing remained except a few jars of fruit
in the cellar and a yard covered with boards and building material. ft was
here that they were trying to get into the cellar. All but John Eitzen, a man
of about seventy years, succeeded. He, together witli a horse, was carried
a quarter of a mile and dropped in a slough, where lie was afterwards found,
the old gentleman being somewhat dazed but otherwise uninjured. The
slough was covered with debris from the ruins, while the prairie all the way
to the pond was covered with kindling wood. On the northeast quarter of
the same section were the homes of Henry and Peter Wiems. Henry's barn
was completely destroyed, with a number of cattle, while the house escaped
injury. Peter's home was a few rods east of the barn and outbuildings,
which were completely destroyed, while the house was somewhat damaged.
Two steel water tanks were carried away and no trace of them ever found.
A team of horses was carried one half a mile and dropped and when found
were grazing as if nothing of importance had happened.
The storm then jumped about two miles northea 1 and struck the home
of Klaas Boltd, killing a horse and destroying all the buildings. On the
northeast quarter of section 23 in Carson township. George Klaasin lost all ol
his buildings except the house, those destroyed including barns, granary and
a number of -mall structures, such as machine sheds, etc. II: toel
scattered over the prairie east of the buildings, three cow- and one hoi
being among the dead.
.; '•' CO m\. i AND WATONWAN < <m \ riKS, MINN
r G Ki.i.is,'ii lived m section i - ol the same township He lost .ill of
his building from fivi en ih.Mi-.uul dollars He was not at
home at the tune, but his \\ - tried to save hei children bj going into the
cellar Hie) were caught in the wreck and .ill ban \ i iped with r
e child, who w.is killed,
David Hamm, on section t8, Midwaj township, lost .ill of bis buildings,
J.iv ' I - ei lost lii< home as well .is .1 large amount ol
I'll,- i.inuK sought safety in the cellar, in which there was about
.1 foot ol watei \\ hen the house left the foundation the suction was so great
as to drench the people in the celUu bj drawing watei up and over them,
rhts seems to have been the end ol the storm, which was followed bj .1 heavj
b Epps was ii-imii:;!:; from Mountain Lake and was caught in
the path ol tht cycl ■ .'■> neighborhood of Quirings, being KulK injured
and hen coop being blown against him
tni 1 Q and Hamm pastures the stock n ented a mauled appeal
ance \ v> • ■ was pulled from one ol Dick's horses, as was
ek which had ■ 1 ed the neck hi ei three inches Chickens
wi 1 d ■ clean as though pn ed for the ■ 1 pot
Dan ■ « »a\ ed the Kill rolling foi aid to ilu- destitute, incli
. Henrv 1 avan family, \\li>> lost all the} had bj the fearful windstorm.
ri\e\ were n n an towa nun's farm Immei wagon
. ,m,l clothes were collected and Mi Davis took
; and othi
. ■■ bad handy, rhis was an act of kindness not soon to
SNOW
r\ t, iSSi. snow began flying from the southeast and 1
u was
. . elov ero Hiis storm \> e in the 1
e experience!
1
h \ crew ' men were put to w
ween M .. V 1 until the 1
■
cotton woon ' II ,i
III I'll i I in' n Cl'l ' 'i I ii" in I 111 'Ml IM .11 I'.iir'li.iin
I a! i cli 'nr' i in (ii- 1 ol hi ii 1 1 1 1 ... n •. I I.M I .in cngim and no
ii' ii .ii hand to aid in tin vorl wl in 1 1 thai tin
■ ii M Ii.mI ' ii 'I' i i" 1 1 .. 1 1 ■ i m mi iiltcmpl to ■•'! through ih' 'h 1 1 1
ii" working in ll I eri wholly urn iou of an) dun
until thi ' n ■ i uIiuohI upon them and il i vo too lati I \n
I I M. n ■ -.I . .iM-hi I, \ il •■ | . t ■ . • and thrown quit* u distance, brcal
ing in H' 'i and I Ming hi lanll) itgu i Bin mi i»tei va throv n undi i
Mm i. ml .mi. I go ■ 'I'" 'I mi il that it tool il .ii i o houi to dig him
..Mi I :. hi. i '.iii in' i i> i , i in ■ ■ othci workmen wcr< injured
ill ■
i h. .m .mi. I. ■ .I i. .ii . .i |.i ,i n i> iii i ' ■ I .hi mi . I .m hum ii ■, i . , prairii
in < i.i ,i i ii ii ni,' i ' . i . .! i ,i 1 1< i ih. ■ n 1 1 mi mi ■ .i i in count) in 1871 A. A.
..mI. 1 ! ton of 1 ph tidid hay and Mi I'etci on lout all hi had stacked,
also in grain and stabling Thi lin va een -< j -j < • Imm;. thi • "I
untain 1 al 1 , hul timi I) woi 1 prevented i I from getting into thi placi
a t»B MRU in 1// I'' 1
1 1. ml 1 ■■ i' 1 on, I > 1 < , ... 11 1 ih. .mi in '.limn ota in 1 hun h
ted in thi neighborhod ol Worthington in tin early icvcntie*, and
In m 1 in ... . ..i.ni .,1 thi gn ..1 [j 73 blizzard, 10 fr< qui 1 fcrrcd to by
[inm ota piom • 1 'J hii »ton on lanuai / 7, 1873 fori ,■ threi
Doctoi 1 '• 1. 1 on a)
"'lin afternoon ol that day was mild and clcai Many had taken ad
vantagi ol thi and had gon< to 1 hljoi 01 to town to do >!
trading, '.1 po iblj to thi ncai by laki to fi h fn thi early afternoon,
I di n ' hani ■ notii • d in thi atmoi phi re and in thi
All who In 1 1 1 ii .I to g< I homi , and ' i aughl
I,, the ■ torm th luding [ai '■ on and < otton vood
counl
,. ghtening roai wai heard in the northwc»l and, loo ould
, , a .... ... 1 the < loudi to the 1 g at th<
..I i.ii. mill an houi il blizzard, filling the ail with fn
< )
322 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
snow and driving it forward with the fierceness of a gigantic sandblast. No
man or beast can face it. One turns instinctively from it, and once turned and
started there is no such thing as stopping. One is driven onward, while un-
mercifully whipped by the frozen snow until, in sheer exhaustion, the ill-
fated traveler sinks into the drift. Tired out, he becomes drowsy, then a
numbness sets in, and then a sleep fom which there is no waking this side of
the resurrection morn. About seventy people perished who were in the path
of this never-to-be-forgotten storm.
"A friend of mine, Mr. Blixt, had gone out on the lake to fish. He
had built a small shanty on the ice for protection. The storm coming on,
he did not start for home, but very prudently remained within his shelter.
His wife, however, had for some reason felt constrained to venture out. No
sooner had she gotten out of the door before she was snatched by the grip
of the storm and forced onward and onward until she had gone seven miles
away from home, when her strength failed her and she sank down into her
last sleep. She was not found until spring, when the drifts of snow began
to drift away. Her hand was seen sticking out of the snow and her gold
ring glittered in the bright moonlight. It was discovered later, by tracing
her tracks, that she had passed the box where her husband sat a prisoner in
the grip of the cruel storm.
"When her husband returned, two days afterward, he found the door of
his home blown open and his little boy, three years old, standing in the bed,
where he had been alone two days and nights. The little fellow had cried
so that he could now scarcely sob. That boy is now a man, a prosperous
farmer, but the traces of that terrible experience of two seeminglv endless
days and nights of loneliness, of fear, of cold and of suffering are left with
him. His long crying brought on stuttering.
"In the same storm a mail carrier, going from Worthington to Indian
Lake, was driven out of his course to Okaboji, Iowa, twenty-five miles away,
where later his body was found.
"The lessons learned from such storms were many: Better protection
for man and beast, a goodly supply of fuel and fodder near at hand, and
guide ropes from the house to the stable so that one could pass safely be-
tween the two without losing their way.
"The winter bad passed, though never to be forgotten. The smiling
Spring, with its green verdure and lnvely wild (lowers, bad again come to
give cheer and hope for a better future."
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 323
A FIVE-YEAR GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE.
The same minister who wrote the above on the 1873 blizzard also wrote
graphically, as an eye witness, of the grasshopper days between 1873 and
1878, which years devastated all southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa.
Dr. Peterson said :
"I had frequently read from Exodus, tenth chapter, the following:
'When it was morning the east wind brought the locusts, and the locusts
went up over all the land of Egypt and rested in all the coasts of Egypt
Very grievous were they; for they covered the face of the earth so that the
land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the
fruit of the trees which the hail had left; and there remained not any green
thing in the trees or in the herbs of the field.' But I never expected to see
anything like it myself. Those who were in southwestern Minnesota during
the grasshopper years find no difficulty in believing the story of Moses. Their
invasion of Egypt was but for a season, but with us they remained five
years.
"I remember quite distinctly the morning in June, 1873, when the ad-
vance troop arrived. I had just started to go to Worthington and, crossing
the cornfield, I was surprised at seeing what at first seemed snow fall. I
looked up and saw millions of hoppers, with their outstretched wings, sailing
down upon the field. As I stood and looked the air grew thicker. I re-
turned to the house and asked my mother and sister, who were home, to
come out and see what I jokingly called the 'snow-fall.' They were too
astonished to speak. We could guess what this would mean. We went out
to the cornfield, which only a few minutes ago looked so fine and gave
promise of a good crop. It was now all bare. The succulent plants were
eaten down to the ground. The garden had fared the same way. For a
moment we stood dumb. The cloud of hoppers increased in density. They
were now lighting down on the wheat field. We saw that the prospects of
the year's crop had been snatched nut of our hands in almost an hour. I
looked at poor mother. She wiped away a tear with her apron, while she
quoted the words of Job. 'The Lord gave; the Lord hath taken away.'
"This was but the beginning of a scourge which was to last live yeai
It was a blessing that we did not know what was ahead. Our hopes soon
rose, and our courage was braced a- we cheered ourselves with the thought
that this was but for one year. We still had our stock and the hoppers had
left the grass untouched. We soon di ■ ed, however, that after they
324 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
had finished the destruction of the crops they were busy depositing their
eggs. This boded no good for the coming year.
"The following summer proved that our suspicions were correct. When
the ground became sufficiently warm, millions of little hoppers made their
appearance, until the ground was literally alive with them. This army of
home-bred hoppers received tremendous accessions from the mountain re-
gions of the west until they not only covered the ground, but lay in places
several inches deep, and as you walked along they would fly up and you
would find yourself moving along in a deafening buzz of a continuous
swarm. Trains were even stopped by them. They would lie upon the track
so thick that, when crushed, the wheels could not grip the surface of the
rails.
"Their voracity was quite remarkable. Garden stuff and the growing
grain were their choicest diet, but they would not spurn such things as
clothes, tool-handles, tobacco, etc. We soon learned to know that it was
not safe to lay aside a garment in the field exposed to their attack, for in an
incredibly short time it would be perforated with holes.
"A Mr. Attick had, incautiously, left his tobacco and pipe in the field,
while at work, and on his return for a smoke found to his surprise that the
hoppers had devoured his tobacco, but had been gracious enough to leave the
paper pouch for him. In his disgust he said, 'We have now reached the
limit; it is high time we leave; if the hoppers will not stop at tobacco there
is no telling what they will devour next.'
"This state of things continued for five years. The settlers were
driven to the last ditch. The governor of the state was concerned about the
situation. He issued a proclamation setting aside April 26, 1877, as a day of
prayer and fasting. Some scoffed, but many observed the day. The deliv-
erance came the first week in June, when the grasshoppers arose in a body.
The scourge was gone, let us hope never to return again."
BURNING HAY FOR FUEL.
The fuel question in those early grasshopper, poverty-stricken years in
this section of the country was no small problem to solve. The use of wood
ami coal was out of the question. These were entirely beyond the reach of
those living back from the small groves along the Des Moines river. \t
first, stalks of tall weeds that grew along the edges of the sloughs were
gathered and used, but these did not last long. When the keen blasts of the
prairie winter came out of the northwest, something more was needed.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 325
"Necessity being the mother of invention," it was soon discovered that
prairie hay could be burned in stoves, by taking- a swab of it and twisting
up in a stove-wood length and fastening its ends to securely hold the wad
together until it was needed in the stove. Of course it was mussy and the
housewife did not like it, as white ashes would puff out every time the stove
lid was lifted to replenish the fire with more hay. This fuel also clogged up
the stove-pipe and chimney, so that it would not "draw" and hence every
few days the pipe had to be cleaned out, which in a cold winter day was
anvthing but a pleasing task. But this was better than going cold, so many
were forced to depend upon prairie hay for fuel in the heating of their claim
shack or sod shanty.
DREADFUL RAILROAD WRECK AT WINDOM.
About the 20th of September, 1899, occurred a terrible wreck on the
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad, at the bridge crossing die
Des Moines river, at the edge of the town, coming from the southwest. To-
wards midnight a rear-end collision took place on the railroad bridge. A
train of thirty-five heavily loaded cars, drawn by two powerful engines,
crashed into the rear of another freight train standing on the bridge. Four
men were killed: Engineer Carl Rasmussen; fireman T. M. Roberts; fire-
man Hugh Stratton; John Roberts, merchant, St. James. Many more
were seriously injured in the wreck.
It was the same old story of wrong and not plainly understood orders.
One engine was standing on the bridge and could not get out, after seeing
the heavy train coming from the west. A red light was put out over the
track by the engineer on the bridge, but too late — the speed of the train was
too great and the awful crash very soon came. The double-header collided
with the engine on the steel bridge, which could not withstand such a shock
and went down, the three engines and thirty cars going to the bottom and
into the Des Moines river. The cars were loaded mostly with grain and the
whole made a huge, unsightly pile, reaching nearly to the top of the bridge.
The space was almost, if not quite, one hundred and fifty feet between the
two north piers, this being the length of the span that went down; the other
span of the railroad bridge remained in position.
To add to the horror of the midnight scene, the derailed, overturned
locomotives set fire to the wreckage and it burned fiercely for a long time.
Somewhere between eighteen and twenty-live thousand bushels of grain were
wrecked, causing a loss to the company of sixty-five thousand dollars. The
326 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
damaged grain was sold by the company to a St. Paul man for four hundred
and fifty dollars. The cars were smashed to fine kindling wood — the worst
wreck ever seen by the superintendent, as he stated. It took days to clear
away the wreckage. A huge derrick was sent from the Northwestern road
at Baraboo, Wisconsin, its lifting power being fifty tons.
Who was guilty? Superintendent Spencer said "The accident was
caused by the gross carelessness of Williams, who in backing onto the main
line, disobeyed the first rule a conductor learns." At first Williams disap-
peared, but finally returned and went to his home in St. James. He was
there arrested Friday following the wreck. He was placed on trial, at which
County Attorney Annes and Wilson Borst appeared for the state and W. S.
Hammond, of St. James, for Williams, who was acquitted.
MOUNTAIN LAKE WRECK.
On March 3, 1916, occurred a disastrous wreck at Mountain Lake, in
which three were instantly killed and many injured. A special train, in
which were a number of movables, was on the track. The engine was switch-
ing out a couple of cars for men who were to move on farms near Moun-
tain Lake. The engine had just spotted the cars at the loading chute and
was backing out to couple up the train, when the through train came on at a
high rate of speed.
THE OLD OX TEAM.
A. B. Irving wrote the following song and it was recited or sung at one
of the Old Settlers' Association meetings in Windom :
We're living today in a very fast age;
We go rushing along, to gain is the rage;
We hustle and hurry and draw things by steam,
All forgetting the days when we drove an ox team.
We live at high pressure and cut a great dash,
Swell up like bubble and burst with a crash.
Never thinking of turning and pulling up stream,
As we did in the days we had an ox team.
We labored together in the days of "Lang Syne";
We stood by each other, we cleared up the land;
We fallowed the ground, 'twas as new as cream.
We dragged in the bright seed with the ox team.
How often we heard il, "Buck," "Haw Buck" and "Bright,"
The ox team lias vanished; it's auto and bike;
It's a forty-mile gait, by trolley or steam,
The day has passed by for tin- old ox train.
wen- Hearing the border land, o'ei the way;
But nu ui(ii> will linger 'round tile days passed away,
w heii sleep drops Hie curtain, in manj s di 1
We're hallowing once more to the old ox team.
WATONWAN COUNTS COURT HOUSE, ST. JAMES.
WATONWAN COUNTY
MINNESOTA
CHAPTER I.
GEOLOGY OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
Situation and 'Area. Watonwan county lies in the southern part of
Minnesota, bordering on Iowa. It is a little west of the central meridian
of the state. St. James, the county seat, is situated southwest from St.
Paul and Minneapolis, about one hundred and twenty miles. From the
west line of this county to the line between Minnesota and Dakota is eighty
miles. The county is a rectangle, extending twenty-four miles from east
to west, and eighteen miles from north to south. The area of the county is
435.45 square miles, or 278,689.92 acres, of which about sixteen hundred
acres are covered by water.
SURFACE FEATURES.
Natural Drainage. Watonwan county is wholly drained by the river
of the same name, which empties into the Blue Earth river about three miles
below Garden City in Pine Earth county. The north and south forks of
the Watonwan river, having their sources in Cottonwood county, traverse
respectively the northern and southwestern parts of Watonwan county, each
receiving several tributary creeks, and are united in one stream two miles
west of Madelia, and about twenty miles, following the course of the river.
above its mouth. Antrim, the most southeast township of tin's county, is
drained by Perch creek, which has its source a few miles farther south in
Martin county, and flows northeast to the Watonwan river.
Among the original lakes of Watonwan county the following are worthy
of mention: Emerson Lake, at the north side of Madelia. two miles long
from ea-t to west, and one and a half miles wide, with about half its area in
Linden township, Brown county; this lake ha been drained and used for
farm purposes. Five or six smaller lakes in Madelia township within a fi
miles to the southeast from Emerson Lake; a dozen smaller lakes, probably
328 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
some of them dry in the summer season, lying in Fieldon and Antrim town-
ships; three lakes in St. James, the largest a mile or more in length, close
southwest of the town; Long Lake two and a half miles long from east to
west and half a mile wide and Kansas Lake one and one-half east and west
by one mile in width, in Long Lake township; four unnamed lakes in Odin
township, the largest in sections 5 and 6 being about a mile long and a half
mile wide, nearly gone now except in wet seasons, and Wood Lake in
Antrim township, three and a half miles long and from a quarter to a half
mile wide.
Topography. Watonwan county descends toward the east and north-
east, but in a broad view its slightly undulating expanse seems nearly level.
Generally its surface is in very gentle slopes, which soon conduct the sur-
plus waters of rains and snow-melting into depressions, which merge
into ravines and lead to small water-courses, and by them to the larger
permanent streams. Here and there, however, are depressions which have
no such free drainage, and contain sloughs or lakes.
In Watonwan county the south fork of the Watonwan river lies in
a valley which it has cut forty feet below the general level along all its
course from Mountain Lake to Madelia ; and the north fork and its tribu-
taries have similarly channeled their part of the drift-sheet. Below the
junction of these branches the Watonwan valley increases to fifty or sixty
feet in depth before leaving the county at the southeast corner of Madelia
township.
Adrian, the most northwesterly township of Watonwan county, has the
only outcrop of the bed-rock in the county, this being the eastern extremity
of a prominent ridge of the red Potsdam quartzyte. It is seen at the sur-
face in the northwest quarter of section 29, and gives to this and the con-
tiguous sections 30 and 19 an elevation of fifty to one hundred feet above
the rest of the township; but this ridge here, and through its whole extent
of nearly twenty-live miles westward, where it rises much higher, is mainly
covered by a smooth sheet of till.
Elevations, taken from profiles in the office of T. P. Gere, superin-
tendent of St. Paul & Sioux City division, Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis
& Omaha Railway, are:
Madelia 1.021
Watonwan river, water 979
St. James 1.073
Butterfield 1,184
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 329
The highest land of Watonwan county is either the east part of the
quartzyte ridge in sections ig and 30, A.Irian township, or the southwest
corner of the county, both of which are nearly thirteen hundred feet above
the sea. Its lowest land is where the Watonwan river passes out from this
into Blue Earth count}-, at a height of about nine hundred and sixty feet
above the sea. The mean heights of the townships of this county are
approximately as follow : Madelia, ten hundred and twenty-five feet above
the sea; Fieldon, ten hundred and fifty; Antrim, eleven hundred feet; River
Dale, ten hundred and forty; Rosendale, ten hundred and si\tv; South
Branch, eleven hundred and twenty; Nelson, ten hundred and seventy-five;
St. James, eleven hundred and twenty: Long Lake, eleven hundred and fifty;
Adrian, eleven hundred and fifty; Butterlield, twelve hundred; and Odin,
twelve hundred and forty. From these estimates the mean elevation of
Watonwan county is found to be eleven hundred and ten feet.
Soil and Timber. The soil of Watonwan county, like that of a vast
region extending from them on all sides, is very fertile, easily worked, and
well adapted for the cultivation of all the staple agricultural products of
this latitude. A black, clayey, and slightly sandy and gravelly loam, from
one to three feet thick, forms the surface, which is nearly every where
sufficiently undulating to carry away the waters of heavy rains and snow-
melting. Boulders are scattered very sparingly over the entire area of this
county, but scarcely anywhere are objectionably numerous. This soil and
the subsoil of yellowish gravelly clay are the till, or unmodified drift of the
glacial period. They are somewhat porous on account of the considerable
proportion of sand intermixed, causing them to absorb much moisture from
rains and give it up readily to vegetation. The principal crop of Watonwan
county, at first, generally northward through this state, was wheat, but corn,
live stock, and dairying now predominate.
The county is principally prairie, being naturally grassland, without
tree or shrub excepting narrow skirt-- of timber, which generally surround
the lakes and extend along the principal streams, sometimes widening to
form groves. Probably the aggregate area of these belts of timber is less
than one hundredth part of the county. The following species of trees,
arranged in their estimated order of abundance, were noted as occurring
along the South Fork of the Watonwan river: American or white elm,
white ash, box-elder, ironwood, cottonwood, bur-oak. slippery or red elm,
hackberry, bass, soft maple, black walnut, willows, the American aspen, or
poplar, and the wild plum.
330 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.
The only exposure of bed-rock in Watonwan county is found, as already
stated, in the northwest quarter of section 29, Adrian township. A smooth
and flat surface of the very compact and hard, red Potsdam quartzyte is
seen here along an extent of five rods from northwest to southeast, with a
width varying from five to twenty feet. This is on an eastward slope, in
a slight depression of drainage. The quartzyte does not project out of the
drift, and cannot be seen at a distance. It is undoubtedly the bed-rock
beneath all the southwest quarter of Adrian township, but is elsewhere cov-
ered within the limits of this township and county by the smoother sheet
of glacial drift, which rises in a broadly rounded ridge because of the prom-
inence of this underlying rock. Through the north half of section 30,
Adrian township, it lies at no great depth, and has been encountered in
ploughing and digging at several places. This ridge, having here and there
outdrops of the same red quartzyte, continues more than twenty miles to the
west, in northern Cottonwood county.
The strike of the limestone and sandstone formations of the Lower
Magnesian series, in their exposures along the valley of the Minnesota river
and in Blue Earth county, indicates that their continuation underlies the
greater part of Watonwan county, but here they are doubtless covered in
part and perhaps mainly, by Cretaceous strata.
DRIFT AND CONTOUR.
Glacial striae are very distinct on the quartzye ledge exposed in section
29. Adrian township, mostly bearing south 300 east, referred to the
true meridian, but in one place, on its southeast portion, bearing south 200
east.
The contour of Watonwan county is like that which prevails generally
in the basin of the Minnesota river, and is formed by a slightly undulating,
or in some portions a moderately rolling, sheet of till, with massive swells
rising in long, smooth slopes ten to twenty to thirty feet above the depres-
sions. The gently undulating, smoothed surface of most of this region
appears to mark areas over which the ice-sheet moved in a continuous cur-
rent, ami from which it disappeared by melting that was extended at the
same time over a wide field. Compared with the thickness ,.f the drift, its
inequalities of contour in this county are small, and in an extensive view
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 35 1
it seems approximately flat. It is a part on the inclined plain which rises
by an imperceptible slope from the Minnesota river to the Coteau des
Prairies. Its rate of ascent toward the southwest, or increase in average
height, varies from five to fifteen or twenty feet per mile. This gradual
change in altitude is doubtless produced by increase in height of the bed-
rocks upon which the drift lies as a sheet of somewhat uniform depth, prob-
ably varying in this county from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet; but
the numerous small elevations and depressions of the surface appear to be
due to the accumulation of different amounts of till by adjoining portions of
the moving ice-sheet, without any corresponding unevenness of the under-
lying rocks.
For one or two miles southeast and south of Madelia, and for one mile
southeast of St. James, the surface has frequent swells twenty to thirty
feet above the depressions, being more rolling than most other parts of
Watonwan county, which is generally very gently undulating in smooth
prolonged slopes, with occasional lakes and here and there sloughs ten to
twenty feet below the highest portions of the adjoining country.
LAKE AREA.
Chains of Lakes. It has been frequently noted that the lakes which
abound upon areas overspread by the glacial drift, have their prevailing
trend, or average direction of their longer axes, parallel with the course
that was taken by the ice-sheet. The swells and undulations of the till have
their greatest extent in this direction, and the lakes fill the hollows that are
formed by its unequal accumulation. Among the hills of the terminal
moraines, however, the longer axes of the lakes are apt to be transverses to
the course in which the ice came, but parallel with its border. In each
case, such lakes are due to variable glacial erosion and deposition; and the
basins in which they lie are not mure remarkable features of the contour
than are its swells, hills and areas of highland. The deepest lakes contained
in depressions of the till in this state arc from fifty to one hundred and fifty
feet in depth, reaching as far below the average level of the drifl sheet as
its most elevated portions rise higher; but a great majority of the e la
especially upon regions of only slightly undulating surface withoul promi-
nent elevations, are shallow, ranging from five to twenty five feel in depth.
They mainly have very gently ascending shores, bul sometime 01 or
11 ire sides are partially bounded bj five, twenty and thirty feet
high, formed by the wear of waves which have eaten away projecting por-
332 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
tions of their margin of till, leaving its boulders, but strewing its finer
detritus over the lake-bed.
In regions of modified drift, consisting of stratified gravel and sand
that were supplied from the dissolving ice-sheet, the lakes, from ten to fifty
feet or more in depth, and often bordered by level or undulating tracts of
modified drift, from twenty-five to one hundred feet or more above them,
lie in depressions which at the time of the fluvial deposition of this drift,
were probably still occupied by unmelted masses of ice, preventing sedi-
mentation where they lay and consequently leaving hollows enclosed by
steep and high banks, whose top is the margin of plateaus or plains of gravel
and sand. No examples of lake basins thus surrounded by modified drift
were found in Watonwan county, neither of which have any noteworthy
deposits of this class, nor any such rough morainic areas as to influence
the distribution and trend of their lakes.
Most of the lakes- of Minnesota, and of all glacial regions, present only
such forms and arrangements as are readily explained thus by the modes of
excavation and accumulation, and the diverse deposits of the ice-sheets.
The first described and most common type of lakes found upon the surface
of the drift, trending in parallelism with the course in which the ice moved,
finds illustration in Watonwan county by the lakes of Madelia. Fieldon,
Long Lake and Adrian. Here the glacial current passed southeastward,
this region being near the axis of the great lobe of the continental glacier
which stretched from the Leaf hills and the head of the Coteau des Prairies,
southeast and then south to the center of Iowa.
It seems difficult to explain the origin of these remarkable lake-basins
in the drift, for, so far as they extend, they have the aspect of eroded valleys,
such as have been commonly formed by the rivers of this region, but they
sometimes are separated by divides of till as high as the country around.
Thus they no longer form continuous channels, which must have been their
original condition, if they are parts, as thus indicated, of ancient water-
courses.
Boulders and Gravel, though always present, are nowhere abundant
in the till of Watonwan county, and boulders larger than five feet in diameter
are very rare. The frequency of limestone fragments is nearly the same as
is usual through all western Minnesota. This rock often makes one-third
or one-half of the gravel in the till and on the beaches of the lakes; but it
supplies a much less proportion, perhaps not exceeding one-twentieth, of the
boulders larger than a foot in diameter. The other large boulders are
C0TTOXWO0D AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MI XX. 333
granite, syenite, and crystalline schists. The red Potsdam quartzyte is
scantily represented in the drift along the west border of the county. It
is almost entirely wanting farther east; but west of the Des Moines river,
in Jackson county, and through Dickinson county and southward in Iowa,
this quartzyte is a principal ingredient of the drift, making from one-tenth
to one half of its rock-fragments. At Clear Lake in Lake Belt township.
thirty-five miles south-southeast from the east end of the ridge of Potsdam
quartzyte in Adrian township, scarcely one pebble in a thousand is from
this source; while a quarter of the stones over three inches in diameter
and two-thirds of the smaller gravel are limestone.
The fitness of Watonwan county for farming and herding is their
chief source of wealth; and by this they are capable of supporting a large
and prosperous population, mainly agricultural, with towns and villages as
required for manufacturing and centers of trade. As late as 1885 some
water-power mills in Watonwan county, chief among which is that of the
Madelia mill, on the Watonwan river about a mile west of the town; head,
eleven feet. Other water powers could be utilized on the main stream and
on both its north and south branches.
Building Stone. No stone-working has been done in these counties,
except the use of boulders, chiefly granite, syenite, and gneiss, with occa-
sionally slabs of limestone, and in one instance a large mass of probably
Cretaceous sandstone. These erratics of the drift, though dissimilar, make
substantial, rough foundations, cellar walls, and curbing in wells.
Peat occurred in numerous places in this county at an early date and in
a few instances was utilized for fuel purposes by the Russians.
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN HISTORY AND TREATIES.
When Spain ceded the territory now including Minnesota to the United
States, it was subject, of course, to all the former rights of the Indian tribes
found herein. It was left to the United States to subdue, or drive away
the Indians, or better still to make treaties and purchase the lands from
them, as they might from time to time be needed. This latter was carried
out in a large degree, along legitimate lines and in a business way which,
at least, was satisfactory to the tribes at the date of making such treaties.
The treaty that mostly interests the citizens of Cottonwood and Waton-
wan counties, was that made at Traverse des Sioux in July, 185 1, with the
Sioux tribes. This ceded to the white man all the Sioux Indians' holdings
except a strip of ten miles in width along either side of the Minnesota river.
This tract of now very valuable land, running from New Ulm to Lake Tra-
verse, would have been held by the Indians had they not made war against
the whites in 1862; by doing this they lost all title to such lands and were
driven from the state of Minnesota, as a tribe. Hence, this was the first
and last treaty with the Indians in this state that has had to do with the
people of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties. The treaty is described
more fully in Chapter I, on Related State History.
INDIAN CHARACTERS.
The Dakota or Sioux Indians were divided into four great tribes:
Medawakonton, Wahpekuta, Wahpeton and Sisseton, who held a large ter-
ritor) west of the Mississippi; from the borders of Iowa along the Missis-
sippi, up to the Minnesota, and stretching far into Dakota. They had great
bodil) strength, a slim and pleasing stature, and were remarkable for their
shrewdness and deceit. Their features are rather long, and they have a
dark, though not repulsive complexion. The subjoined account was written
of them long years before they bad caused the pioneers of the Northwesl
so much trouble in their warfare:
"They arc continually wandering about and consequently use for means
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 335
of subsistence whatever Nature affords them. Fishing and hunting are
their principal sources of support, hi the spring of the year they often
make sugar and syrup from the juice of the maple, and during the summer
they gather wild rice and berries. This work is done by the squaws. The
Indian regards his wife as a slave, and he thinks it below his dignity to do
hard work. When they travel, the women not only carry the papooses and
baggage, but also lead the beasts of burden, which in the absence of a
wagon or sled, carry the tepee upon their backs. He often compels her,
although weighed down under a heavy burden, to carry even his gun so
that he can trot along with greater ease. When they find a place where
fuel and water are convenient, or where hunting and fishing are good, the
women will have to go to work and set up the tepees and bring in what-
ever is necessary, except the game, which he provides. A few so-called
civilized Indians till the soil, but they seldom raise anything except corn and
potatoes. These dress like the whites, and they were formerly supplied by
the government with farming implements, horses, cattle, etc. They are
very proud of their dress, which consists merely of a high hat and a shirt.
These Indians are usually despised by the real Indians who treat every kind
of a head dress with a contempt, except their own peculiar one, and whose
only covering consists of a woolen blanket or a buffalo robe; and they live
in tents or, tepees. These prefer to dress gaily, cover themselves with all
manner of trumpery, and fold the skin of an animal around their body so
as to look as much as possible like the animal itself.
"In summer months they appear mostly in the garb of tbe old original
Adam, witlt tbe addition of a gun and a smoking pipe. Their arms are
bows and arrow-, guns, knives, and a sort of hatchet called a tomahawk.
Their necessaries of life are few and very simple. They never wash their
meat, and seem to have a dislike fur water except 'lire-water' (whisky).
Still they very much like a clean white shirt. A kettle, a few pots and the
skins of animals compose all their furniture, and they eat their food, e
ciallv their meats half raw. and devour even the entrails raw. Their
appetite i- prodigious. Whenever they obtain anything palatable they
and cat without regard to their real needs or tin- coming day. Hence ii nol
unfrequently happens that they are compelled I" fasl for day- at a time.
Thev are noi much troubled with any disease, excepl the small-pox, and
their medicine-men have in vain tried by all manner of sorceries and strai
appliances to banish that dreaded complaint. A cripple, lame or deaf and
dumb, is seldom found. They love their ponies, and keep as mar a
33*5 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
possible. But during the winter they lose a great many, because they are
too lazy to provide hay for them. With no barns and little food they die
off before spring comes. They believe in a Great Spirit Manitou, think
much of ceremonies over their dead, but hang them up on posts to be ex-
posed to the elements until they are dried up. Their romantic life, their
fidelity, their friendship and strength of character, which some writers tell
us about, is pleasant sentimental reading — that's all.
"The Indian is always serious, seldom laughs or jokes, and is an
uncomfortable and mistrusted companion. He understands begging above
all things. He never forgets an offense, but is quite apt to forget acts of
kindness. With the Indian revenge is a virtue and they practice polyganiv.
Their hospitality, however, is worthy of all praise. The stranger receives
the best pelts for his bed, and the host keeps up a warm fire with his own
hands if the pale-face happens to remain in his tent over night during the
winter. They are skilful in the use of arms, keen in the chase and relent-
less in pursuing an enemy; they love noisy musical instruments and dance
after their own peculiar fashion. Their natural senses are sharp and more
fully developed than those of the whites. They are very cruel in war, and
prefer deceit and stratagem to an open battle. After a fight they scalp their
dead enemies before they think of carrying off the booty; for they take
great pride in possessing a large number of scalps, because this indicates the
number of enemies slain by them. They ornament their heads with feath-
ers, which they consider "wakan" (holy). They can endure more hard-
ships than the white race and are wonderful runners, many of them being
able to overtake a swift horse. In biding their feelings and in self-control
they can do wonders. They suffer pain with stolid indifference, and their
wounds heal quickly. To leave one of their dead in the hands of the enemy
is looked upon as a foreboding evil and the greatest ignominy that could
possibly happen to them."
SEVEN WEEKS' CAPTIVITY OF BENEDICT JUNE
Benedict Juni, who is now a resident of New Ulm, tells the story of
bis capture by the Indians when only eleven years of age. It shows that
there were some kind Indians and that the milk of human kindness was
exhibited For nearly two months to a mere lad, and that during the awful
outbreak in .Minnesota in the summer of 1862. At that date his father was
on a farm between Beaver Falls and Morton, five miles north of the Lower
Agency. The story is as follows:
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 337
On August 18, 1862, while seated at the breakfast table, a noise so
unusual that it caused comment, was at intervals heard by us in the direction
of the Lower Agency. My father said it was the beating of drums an-
nouncing the arrival of soldiers. In reality it was the first volleys fired by
the Indians at the defenseless whites. The previous day having been a Sun-
day, our working oxen had been left out at large. I mounted our only
horse and brought them in. My father was just hitching up to the wagon
when our nearest neighbors, John and Mike Hayden, and the latter's wife,
approached our place in great haste and told us that the Indians were on
the warpath. My father was disinclined to take it seriously, but yielding
to the pleadings of the women, took the hayrack off and replaced the box,
hurriedly threw in some clothing, bedding and provisions, and put the
women and children in also. A Mr. Zimmerman and his eldest son took
charge of the wagon. They had two guns and an old sword with which
Mr. Zimmerman declared he would defend the occupants. On the way
down the valley he picked up the rest of the family, consisting of his wife
and two sons and two daughters.
ATTACKED RV REDSKINS.
His progress was unobstructed until he reached Faribault's place, where
he and two of his sons were killed before they had a chance to make any
use of their weapons. The women and children were imprisoned in the
house, and the Indians had a hot debate about what to do with them. Some
wanted to set the house on lire, but finally milder counsel prevailed and the
women and children were allowed to pursue their way to Ft. Ridgely on
foot.
My father, about the time the women and children started off from
our place in the wagon with the Zimmermans, ordered me to run up our
milch cows and young stock and take them t<> a place now occupied by the
village of Morton. 1 was then t<> proceed down the valley to alarm the
.settlers, while he and my younger brother guarded the herd. But T was
not fated to call on many settlers that morning. The Indians interfered
with our program. First they came upon my father, who was guarding the
cattle, and drove him off into the open prairie. Their guns were significant
and he took their advice to decamp, reaching Ft. Ridj ely l"-fore any of the
rest of the family.
I 22)
33§ COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
WARNS NEIGHBORS.
Meanwhile I had taken the path laid out for me. I called at two places,
Mr. Bureau's and Mr. Kumrows. Both families had already been told of
the danger and were making ready to escape. They asked me to go with
them but I declined, as that would have interfered with carrying out my
instructions. My road led me through a gap in the high rocks. I had
gotten within a hundred yards of this spot when I saw three Indians com-
ing out of the pass. I obligingly turned my horse, intending to go around
the bluff and avoid meeting them. But almost immediately three guns were
leveled on me, and just as obligingly I came to a halt, having a high regard
for the redmen's marksmanship.
DEPRIVED OF HIS HORSE.
One of the Indians now took the horse by the bit and asked me if I
intended to resist. I answered only with a smile at the thought of an
unarmed boy only eleven years old resisting three armed men. At that he
turned the horse around and started in the direction I had come. The
thought struck me that perhaps he thought more of the horse than he did
of me, so I slipped off. He swung himself on and trotted away without
deigning to notice me further. His companions, seemingly well pleased with
the performance, followed their leader. I was free again. Thus far I had
know no fear at all. But I thought it prudent to give the road a wide
berth by going around the bluff rather than through it. Before again
reaching the road I saw the first dead lying in the grass. It was the body
of a Frenchman, one of two brothers who were operating the ferry at
which Captain Marsh and his command were annihilated a few hours later.
DOG GUARDS DEAD MASTER.
I can never forget the appealing look the murdered man's little dog
gave me as he sat beside his master licking the clotted blood from his face.
Thenceforth my movements were guided by more caution. Indians, wagons
and oxen, among them our own, passed me while I lav in the grass a few
rods away. Whenever the Indians had disappeared I would run until I
saw new signs of danger, when I would hide again. In this manner I
reached Faribault's place about noon.
I saw a group of Indians outside the house, the same group as I
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MI XX. 339
afterwards learned, which was deciding the fate of my people. One look
was enough. I dashed into the cornfield on the opposite side of the road
and made a detour around the usual fording place and thus missed seeing
what happened at Faribault's place.
On the east side of the stream the road left the valley and wound up
the hill toward Manger's place. The underbrush now impeded my progress
and I again ventured into the road. When half way up the hill I was sud-
denly confronted with two young warriors who came round a sharp turn.
One carried a double barreled shotgun and the other a bow. The one with
the bow got ready instantly to send an arrow through me. but his compan-
ion quickly thrust the Ixiw aside with the butt of his gun.
CAPTURED BY FOEMEN.
"Where go?" he asked me. I answered that I was bound for "Tepee
tauke,'' or "Big House," as the Indians called the fort. He shook his head
to indicate that I was mistaken, and ordered me to face about and precede
them down the hill. This was the beginning of my seven weeks' captivity.
The trip down the hill to the ford occupied but a few minutes. Here
we came suddenly on evidence of the brutal work of the Indians that day.
The body of John Zimmerman lay by the stream. Tt was stretched as
naturally as though it was taking a noonday nap. This was what I thought
until I tried to rouse him. Then I discovered that John would wake no
more. The body of his brother, Gotfried, lay in the water, he having been
shot while trying to escape on a log. The father of the boys lay on the
west side of the stream. My captors must have suspected that he was still
living, for they rolled him over and crushed his skull with blows from the
butt of the gun. Scattered about were a few household goods that had
been thrown on the wagon at home. I picked up some article of clothing,
but was ordered to drop it. A couple of books were there. We had only
two at our house. Webster's speller and tin- Bible. I tucked the latter under
my arm, but was compelled to drop that, too.
WHIPPED BY CAPTORS.
It appeared that my captors had been on a reconnoitering expedition
toward the fori and were in a hurry to get back and report. The party in
the house, including my mother, one brother and two sisters, must have
gone before this, for all was quiet in and about the place. The Indians all
34-0 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES. MINN.
had vanished. My captors and I started on again. I had my trousers rolled
up and one of the Indians having a blacksnake whip, gave me an occasional
cut across the bare calves. The object was two-fold. It afforded him great
amusement to see me jump and it considerably accelerated my speed.
On arriving at the ferry I noticed a great congestion of traffic. Four
or five wagons drawn by oxen were awaiting transfer. There was great
confusion. The Indians had managed pretty well so far, but coaxing the
oxen onto the ferry was another matter. I stepped up the foremost team
and soon it followed me onto the boat. This act brought hand-clappings
and calls of "Hocksheta washtav" (good boy).
It was not long till all had passed to the south or agency side of the
river. Here I was allowed to rest a quarter of an hour or more. Seated
on the high bank, I watched the gun practice of the Indians, who had
many new guns taken from the stores, and some taken from their victims
but a few hours before, and with which they wanted to get acquainted
before Captain Marsh and his men should arrive on the scene. You would
never guess the target. They were moving targets. Stacks of milk pans
had been taken from the stores. Each marksman took one and hurled it
with a spinning motion out into the stream, allowed it to right itself and
float some distance with the current, and taking good aim, fired. There was
no need of a scorer. The bright pan would tell the story. The conditions
in the battle fought some hours later were quite similar. It was an easy
change from floating pans to the heads of swimming soldiers.
MENACED BY DRUNKEN RED.
One of my captors remained at the ferry to be on hand when the
enemy appeared. The others took me up the hill to the agency. Here
some of the buildings were burned, others were just plundered. I saw the
Indians carry a man out of one. Whether he was dead or alive I could
not tell. Some of tbe Indians had taken too much lire-water and were
turned into demons. One brandished a butcher knife, made a lunge at me,
but a thrust from the butt of the gun of my captor and protector sent him
reeling. It was my third escape from death in the day and perhaps tin-
closest. When Hearing the edge of the agency, an Indian drove by with
my father's wagon and oxen. Delighted at seeing something from home. I
exclaimed, "< Hi. there is our team."
My captor replied, "Well, if it is yours, let's take a ride." He hailed
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 34 1
the driver, who took us on. I immediately assumed control of the team of
oxen.
UNWILLING AID OF INDIANS.
On arriving- at an Indian village my captor left me at the hut of his
future mother-in-law. a widow with two grown daughters. Here several
squaws were squatted around an open fire on the ground. They had bags
of shot which they poured into a ladle and then melted over the fire and
poured into bullet molds. There was a heap of bullets on the ground, with
the nipple made by the hole in the mold still on them. One of the squaws
ordered me to get busy with a knife cutting off these projecting nipples.
The bullets were then placed in the empty shot bags and sent to the ferry
by Indians lads. Thus I became unwillingly an instrument in killing some
of Captain Marsh's men.
Like most boys, I had great faith in the prowess of soldiers and be-
lieved them invincible if pitted against Indians. Repeatedly I told the
squaws that they would "get their pay," meaning their punishment, for
what they had done, but conveyed no meaning thus, so that if they showed
displeasure I could explain that I meant their annual payment from the
government.
WHEN HOPE ALMOST DIED.
About four o'clock in the afternoon a flag came in view in the direc-
tion of the agency. Soon after was seen the glitter of bayonets and swords.
What I had firmly believed all day was now to come true. The soldiers
were coming to mete out punishment and release the captives. I could
contain myself no longer, and having no hat T picked up an old rag. clam-
bered on the roof of an old hut. waved it and shouted several lusty hur-
rahs. Then I jumped down and ran toward the procession. Alas, the ap-
proaching parade was a mob of wild Indians arrayed in the garb of soldiers
they had slain at the ferry. This disillusionment was the worsl shock of
the day for me. \ then and there gave up all hope of seeing white people
again. Had not the invincible soldiers been annihilated?
DRESSED \S I XI il AN.
On the second or third day of my captivity several squaws assisted my
mistress in making a regular Indian outfit for me. It consisted of a pair
of leggings, a calico shirt, a breechcloth and a belt. In dress I was now
342 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
like an Indian, but my complexion was fair and my hair silvery white. This
naturally made me conspicuous in a group of Indian boys and I was soon
known all over the camp as "Paw Skaw" (whitehead). At first I did not
mind it. but it finally affected my temper to a point where the squaw de-
manded to know what was the matter. I told her. She found a remedy.
Thereafter when she had mopped my face with a wet rag as she did every
morning, she scattered dried powder over my head, smeared my face with
paint, made a few streaks and dots in it with her finger nails. This worked
like a charm and I was no longer annoyed.
CHANGES EMPLOYERS.
The Indian who had captured our teams and wagons remembered how
well the oxen had obeyed me. He soon found me again and asked me to
help* him haul some forage. Having accompanied him two or three times,
the squaw, on my last return, said to me that if I worked for others I must
board and lodge there too. The next time my Indian friend came I told
him what the squaw had said. "So much the better," he replied, "come
right along. Hereafter you are a member of my family."
In my new home I found a trunk that had belonged to an uncle of
mine who was a soldier in the federal army in the South. In it I found a
few copies of Harper's Weekly with pictures, mostly war scenes, and these
interested me much. My master had two sons and one daughter. The
eldest boy was of my age and proved to be a good companion and true
friend to me. Nor was I entirely forgotten by the family that had first
sheltered me.
WELL LIKED BY CAPTORS.
The two daughters called one afternoon and got permission to take me
back with them for a day. Every attention was paid me. I was feasted
and entertained with pleasant chat by the two girls.
For fear I may be considered a pampered drone in the hive I ought to
make mention of the duties I was expected to perform. I had to provide
all the wood and water for the cooking, whether the supply was far or
near. I had to see to the feeding of the oxen and horses. I had to assist
in pitching cam]), loading and unloading and when on the move had charge
of the ox-team.
The food of the Indians was good. Our rations were liberal. Green
corn, potatoes and beans, fresh mutton or beef were the staple articles.
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUXTIES, MINX. 343
Vegetables and meats were served without salt and the coffee was black
and very sweet. I protested a little and to please me a little bag of sugar
and salt was put to my place and T was told to use both to suit my taste.
Sometimes when strolling through the camp after a meal I would be invited
to partake and never refused. One time it was the white porcelain dishes
and at another the regular plantation molasses that attracted me.
REGARDED AS A PRODIGY.
Sometimes when visitors came I was the subject of conversation. I
had learned to read but not to use a pen, but my master would point to me
as a prodigy who could read and write. T was able to understand and
answer questions about ordinary affairs. But at times I was asked ques-
tions by my Indian captors and their friends touching astronomy and relig-
ion, which were, of course, beyond my depth.
At the time the battle of Birch Coulee was raging there was great
excitement in the camp. My mistress feared for my safety. Toward even-
ing she took me into the woods skirting the bluffs south of the Minnesota
river, placed me in a hollow basswood tree and told me to remain until she
came the next morning. The position was cramped and uncomfortable and
when it was dark I crept out and ran home to camp where I went to sleep
in my usual place. On seeing me the next morning she was greatly sur-
prised, but did not seem displeased. There were disturbances at other times
wdien my master was at home. On these occasions he was accustomed to
roll me in a buffalo robe and sit on me, calmly smoking until the danger,
whatever it was. was over.
On the night that the Indians lay around General Sibley's camp at
Wood lake. 1 slept in the powder tent on a heap of powder, which made a
better mattress than one would suppose. I slept soundly.
SURRENDERED To S0UDIERS.
On his return from the Wood lake battle, my master told me to get
ready to return to my parents, as arrangements had been made for a sur-
render. On the next morning I put on my white man'- garb, such as could
be found. It consisted of a pair of man's trousers with the legs cut off at
the knee, a long linen duster and a stove-pipe hat.
In this garb I was surrendered to the soldiers, and confined in a sort
of enclosure with other surrendered prisoners whose names were taken and
344 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
sent to the Pioneer at St. Paul. In this way my father came to learn that
his boy was still in the land of the living. But the end of my adventures
had not yet come. Two other boys and myself — Louis Kitzmann and
August Gluth — being tired of this confinement, escaped from the white
soldiers, and I was captured again by the Indians and again surrendered
when some of the Indians decided to quit the warpath and come in. My
companions got away entirely and reached Ft. Ridgely before I did. In
the camp of the Indians I waited upon women and messed with three little
girls. One tin dish and one tin spoon constituted our outfit and rice and
sugar the only food except some wormy crackers. My two companions,
Kitzmann and Gluth, left Camp Release on the first opportunity and reached
Ft. Ridgely on the same day that my father and Mr. Gluth had come to
look for us. Kitzmann's father was not there. He had been killed at the
outbreak of the massacre. My experiences at the fort were not of the most
pleasing character. I now realized fully that to be a captive among the
Sioux was not the worst lot that could have befallen me. Within a few
days of my arrival at the fort my father took me to LeSueur, where I had
a home until the autumn of 1865.
CAUSES LEADING TO THE INDIAN MASSACRE, 1862.
The chief cause for the Indian outbreak of 1862 was the dishonesty of
the "Indian Agents" sent out by the government to look after the disburse-
ments of funds due the Indians, who, in many cases, worked in connection
with the traders at the posts or agencies, to greatly defraud the Indian.
While the general government usually sought to live up to its treaties, it
was thwarted in its attempt to fulfill its treaty promises by its agents.
In 1858 the government purchased that portion of the reservation lying
north of the Minnesota river, so that the Indians retained only a strip of
land ten miles wide and one hundred and fifty miles long. For the portion
thus ceded, costing the government about one cent an acre, two hundred and
seventy-five thousand dollars were to be paid annually to the chiefs of the
Sissetons and Waphetons, and also thirty thousand dollars for the education
of their tribes. The Medawakontons and Wahpekutas were also to receive
two hundred thousand dollars annually, payable to their chiefs, and thirty
thousand dollars for their education, the government promising the Indians
at that time to do all in its power for their education, elevation and civiliza-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 345
tion. The whole sum was to be paid annually for fifty years; about live
hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars.
This honest debt contracted by the government, was, with the excep-
tion of an insignificant portion of it, never paid: and this was the principal
cause of the dissatisfaction and revolt of the Indians. The government did,
indeed, pay the stipulated sum regularly, but the superintendents, agents,
etc., to whom the money was entrusted for distribution and payment, man-
aged to keep the greater portion of it for themselves.
The following extracts, which, alas, contain neither slander nor exag-
geration, nor misrepresentation of the real facts, will give the reader an
idea of how the Indians were treated. A prominent officer. Major Kitzing
Pritchette, being sent from Washington to investigate the numerous com-
plaints of gigantic swindles raised by the Indians, in his official report says:
"The complaints which are made at all their meetings refer to the im-
perfect fulfillment or non-compliance with the conditions of the treaty."
Tag-ma-na, a chief of the assembled Indians, said in his presence:
"'The Indians sold their land in Traverse des Sioux. I say what they
tell us. For fifty years we were to receive fifty thousand dollars annually,
and we were promised three hundred thousand dollars. We have seen
nothing of it."
At the same meeting, Mahpya Wicasta ( Man-of-the-Ooud ), the sec-
ond chief of the assembled Indians, said:
"In the treaty of Traverse des Sioux we were to receive two hundred
and seventy-five thousand dollars as soon as we had entered upon the land
pointed out by the government. Tell us what was done with it? Every
paleface knows that we are for the past live year-, on the territory named
in the treat}', and as yet we have received none of the money."
A principal cause of these swindles was the acts of the so called trad-
ers, who were consequently also the cause of tin- dissatisfaction of the
Indians. These trader- were merchants licensed to sell goods to the In-
dians, or to trade with them. Since, a- a rule, the Indians had 110 money
to pay for goods they bought, the trader would bring his bills to the pay-
master at the time payment was to be made to the Indians, if such a time
ever came, and the Indians, being neither able to read or write, these hills
were shamefully and unmercifully changed and increased. The sums thus
deducted from the amounts due the Indians was a transaction as cruel as
it was unjust, but the poor red man was helpless. His complainl could be
lodged only through the powerful influence of the traders t.i conceal the
346 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
truth as much as possible. Others, though commanding both languages,
were not listened to by the agents. The Indians were often so much
cheated that they had as little pay after a payment which would amount to
hundreds of thousands of dollars as they had before.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE AGENTS.
Judge Young, sent from Washington to investigate the complaints
against Alexander Ramsey, at that time superintendent of Indian affairs,
and later governor of Minnesota, says in his report :
"Alexander Ramsey was principally accused of having, in spite of the
protests of the Indians, in violation of the laws of the treaties, and in utter
disregard of the solemn promises upon the part of the government, paid the
greater portion of the money to a man named Hugh Tyler for payment or
distribution among the Indians or half-breeds. According to the treaties the
money was to be paid to the chiefs."
And thus of the two hundred and seventy-rive thousand dollars which
should have been paid to the Indians, according to article IV of the treaty
of Traverse des Sioux, Ramsey gave two hundred and fifty thousand to
Hugh Tyler under the pretext that the money belonged to traders and half-
breeds. Mr. Tyler also received seventy thousand of the one hundred and
ten thousand dollars, which, according to the treaty of August 5, 185 1,
should have been paid to the Medawakontons. Altogether, of the three
hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars belonging to the Indians, Tyler
received three hundred and twenty thousand as a recompense for his labors
in the Senate in behalf of the treaties, and also to reimburse him for his
expenses in securing the consent of the chiefs. Such were his claims.
During the year 1857 a number of Indians were induced by a trader
to sign a paper, the object of which, he said, was to cause a portion of the
money they owed to the traders to be returned to them. But it was in
reality a simple order in his favor, and the Indians were again cheated out
of twelve thousand dollars. Wherever there was stealing the Indians had
to pay for it, the amount being simply deducted from money due them.
'I 1ms a trader received four thousand five hundred dollars for goods which
he claimed had been stolen from him, and a man in Sioux City, Iowa, re-
ceived live thousand dollars for horses, also claimed to have been stolen by
the Indians, although it was known that the Indian seldom steals anything
of which he is not in need. When at peace with the whites it was ever
their rule, if they found any property belonging to the whites to at once
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 347
return the same to its owner. Such actions on the part of the white men had
a tendency to fill the minds of the sons of the wilderness with a loathing
and disregard for "civilization." The government had also promised the
Indians to confer upon them the true blessings of civilized life, for which
purpose there were at the agencies crowds of employees who were to teach
them the principles of agriculture, mechanics, architecture, etc. As a rule.
the United States government intended to do well ami lie honorable with
the Indians, and provided them with horses and cattle, farming tools, seed,
etc.. and sent teachers and missionaries among them to educate them.
But the officers appointed by the government to deal with the Indians
managed to secure the benefits of the treaties for themselves. From the
first to the last they were united for the one purpose of deceiving the In-
dians. How the Indians received their stipulated provisions, clothing, etc.,
may be illustrated by one example. It was in the year 1865. A large
number of barrels of flour and meat were to be sent from 1 lenderson,
Sibley county, Minnesota, to Ft. Abercrombie. The contractors, in order
to obtain the necessary conveyances at the lowest possible figure, deferred
the delivery of these provisions so long that the whole train was snowed
in over a hundred miles from the fort. The barrels were simply put "ii
the open prairie and the teamsters came back. When the poor, half-starved
Sioux were informed of this some time after, they started out to get the
provisions, but, instead of good flour they found bran and shorts, and flour
made from spoiled wheat, which could not hr used for bread; and yet the
contractors received nearly fifteen dollars a barrel for the lot.
SCHEMES OF THE TRADERS.
The principal agent divided the money allotted to the Indian- among
sub-officers and traders, who. at the time of payment, received enormous
sums of money for pretended services rendered and good old to the In-
dians. Contractors whose business it was to procure whatever was needed
at the agency, such as provisions, horses, rattle farming implements, etc. all
charged enormously for their services. The Indian- were to be supplied
with good horses and cattle, but they received the worst and poorest, for
which they had to pay five times the ordinary value. Not knowing the real
value of such articles the Indian was constantly swindled. \ valuabli
buffalo hide was frequently given for a pound of sugar. Many paid from
three to live dollars for a single drink of whisky. A certain quantity of
fuel was to be delivered to them annually. This was. despite their protests,
34-8 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
cut from their own lands, after which they had to pay half price for it. A
large mill was built of funds belonging to the Indians, and still they had to
pay a high price for what milling products they bought there. House after
house was erected for the Indians solely to give some contractor a chance
to do the work. Many Indians had fine large brick residences erected but
lived in tepees, and the agents knew they preferred the wild way of living,
but built the structures to give men work who spent the money received
at the traders' stores — a real graft game. One very interesting feature was
how they were taught the different arts and sciences. Some employees were
continually building fences only to be used for fuel by the Indians. They
would plow and sow at all seasons of the year simply to show the Indian
how it was done. One Randall, employed as a teacher, used to drive his
pupils away from the school with a whip, but drew his salary amounting
to several thousand dollars regularly."
THE INDIAN PROTEST.
Every question, it is said, has two sides, and before passing on to a
description of the massacre of 1862, let the reader hear what was contended
by old chief Red Iron, as early as 1S52 — ten years before this outbreak.
It was in December, 1852, that the chief of the Sisseton, Ma-zas-ha (Red
Iron), was, on account of his bad behavior, to be deprived of his dignity
as chief by Ramsey, the superintendent of Indian affairs.
Red Iron was the real type of an Indian chief, some six feet high,
strongly built, had a finely shaped head, a prominent nose and piercing eyes.
He was clad in the costume of a Dakota chief; about forty years old, shrewd,
proud and determined, and answered boldly and promptly the questions and
objections raised by Ramsey. As an orator he had much talent. When
Ramsey insisted upon getting his signature for the purpose of retaining a
considerable sum of money from funds belonging to the Indians in order
to pay some old debts due the traders, Red [ron, raising himself to his full
height, pressing his hand firmly upon his scalping knife, with a firm deter-
mined look at the agent, said :
"We want our pay, and we will sign no paper except a receipt for the
money. The snow covers the ground, and we are still waiting for our
money. We are very poor; you have plenty. Your fires burn well; your
tents are well closed against the cold. We have nothing to eat. We wait
a long time for our money. Many of our people are sick from hunger.
\\ e will have to die, because you do not pay us. We may die, and if so we
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 349
will leave onr bones unburied, so that our Great Father may see how his
Dakota children died. We have sold our hunting grounds and no less the
graves of our lathers. We also sold our own graves. We do not know
where we shall bury our dead, and you will not pay the money for that
land."
After this well-delivered speech was made he was taken a prisoner.
The air began to tremble before the hideous yells of the Dakota warriors,
and armed Indians hurried from all sides to a place upon which the bones
of dead warriors were strewn about. Lean Bear, a favorite among the
warriors of Red Iron's hand, a determined and powerful Indian, dropped
his blanket and grasped the scalping knife with his right band and re-
counted all the great deeds of their imprisoned chief, whereupon they cried
"Ho! ho!" After that he said to them:
"Dakotas! the great men are among us; they hold Ma-zas-ha impris-
oned like a wolf; they want to kill him because he prevents the white men
to cheat us of our land and the money which the Great Father has sent us."
He was interrupted by a thundering "Ho! ho!" but continued:
"Dakotas! shall we starve in the snow like buffaloes? Shall we permit
our blood to freeze like the waters of a brook, or shall we paint the snow
with the blood of white warriors?"
"Ho! ho!" answered the savages, and the war cry resounded in the
whole assembly.
"Dakotas !" he continued, "the blood of your fathers cries to you from
their graves; their spirits embrace us and make us strong. I am glad of it.
Even this very night shall the blood of the pale-faces flow like water in a
shower, and Ma-zas-ha shall fight with his people. Dakotas! as soon as the
moon hides behind the hills prepare yourselves, and I will lead you against
the long knives (bayonets and swords 1 of the white men who have come to
swindle us, to rob us of our land, and to imprison us. because we do not
assist them to rob our wives and children. Dakotas! be without fear; we
have more warrior- than the whites. Bi n idy! When the moon sinks I
will lead you to their tents."
ORGANIZATION OF YOUNG WARRIO
Time went on and December. [861, the Indians, some fifteen hun-
dred of them, had to he cared for in order to keep them from starvation.
Crops had been poor several years, bugs had ruined the crops only the
summer before. A fearful snow storm came during the month of Febru-
350 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ary. 1862, and this frustrated their hopes of soon being able to supply them-
selves with game. Under these circumstances they anxiously waited for
the payday of 1862. They knew all about the great Civil War which was
then in progress, and this increased their fears that the government might
not be able to pay them. They also desired to see the North whipped, so
that they might be enabled to complete the work. There are those who
think that some who were in sympathy with the South did all they could to
induce the Indians into mischief. Misled by unfavorable reports the In-
dians imagined that they had to fight only with old men, women and chil-
dren, and that they had reason to fear that they never would receive any
more money.
The different tribes went to the agency early to demand their pay.
The agents told them they would receive their money, but did not know
when, which caused great dissatisfaction among the Indians. In the course
of time from five to six thousand were gathered there. All were full of
fear and mistrust lest they might not receive their money. Their want was
so great that many died of hunger, others lived on roots and raw corn.
Reports were circulated by some of the whites that the government was
becoming weaker day by day, and messengers began to go from one tribe
to another planning the possibility and success of a revolt. The older and
nn ire intelligent among them were opposed to it ; but the hot-headed, and
especially the younger warriors, formed themselves into a secret society
called "Soldiers' Lodge."
This secret society, established early in July, had for its object to
oppose the traders and to prevent them from getting their money, and in
case of necessity to defend their rights by force. The chiefs, although
informed of this organization, did not dare oppose it. They well under-
stood the dangers connected with it, since these young warriors numbered
from live to six thousand; and the chiefs were even suspected of being in
league with the officers of the government for suppressing and swindling
their people. The traders soon learned about the Soldiers' Lodge and its
object, and when the Indians wanted to buy something from them on credit,
they were told to go to the Soldiers' Lodge. The Indians, compelled to ask
for credit on account of their extreme need, would answer the traders: "If
we could, like our women, give ourselves up to you, we could get all the
credit we ask fur; but since we are men we cannot."
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 351
FIRST ACT OF VIOLENCE.
And thus did bitterness increase during 1862; Those who were sus-
pected of informing the traders and others of the doings of the society were
severely persecuted, and some of them killed. Their first act of violence
was committed on August 4, 1862. The time for payment was up in July.
The want among the assembled tribes was alarmingly on the increase. Some
of them had already devoured their own ponies and dogs. Six children
had died of starvation within three days. Agent Galbraith traveled from
one agency to another in order to pacify them; and sometimes distributed
provisions, tobacco, powder and lead. But that was not sufficient to quiet
the uneasiness caused by the delay of their pay. Early in the morning of the
4th of August, some five hundred and fifty young warriors, mostly mem-
bers of Soldiers' Lodge, forced an entrance into the warehouse, tore down
the American flag and took over one hundred and fifty sacks of flour before
any resistance was offered, which could have been done, since there were
one hundred well-armed soldiers with two heavy cannons near by. The
soldiers entered the warehouse and took possession of it whilst the Indians
stood around with loaded rifles. But when the agent promised to furnish
them with pork, rice and flour the following day. they did not attempt any
further disturbance.
The fact that not one of the warriors was punished for this serious
breach of the peace made them bold and daring; and the more so when
they saw the able men among the whiles leave fur the South at their coun-
try's call on the 13th. 14th and 15th of August. On the 18th of August,
at eight "'clock a. m.. they left New Ulm under Lieutenant Culver and Ser-
geant McGrew, as "Keyville Rangers." and on the same day the Indians
broke out.
The time was now at hand which was to give the two German- who
had been murdered some time before numerous companions. A man named
Brand had been put to death on the banks of the Little Cottonw 1. six
miles south of Xew Ulm, in the spring of 1857, and his body was found
in the brush near seme Indian tepees. John I'.. Schmitz wanted to settle on
the reservation ten miles west of New Ulm, but on the 27th of April. 1860,
while digging a cellar, he was treacherously shot and killed.
The murderer, a Sioux, was imprisoned at Xew Ulm. During the trial
in the curt room a heavy chain was attached to his feet, and he was well
guarded. At a necessary call he desired to leave the room. Constable
352 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Charles Seeler obtained the assistance of his deputy. Doctor Blecken, a re-
nowned physician, who was at one time a Lutheran minister, but later a
preacher at a free church ; he was also one of the founders of New Ulm.
To guard against any possible accident, a third deputy was called into serv-
ice. But man proposed, and, in this instance, the Indian disposed. So soon
as he was in the open air he managed to shake off his fetters, and with the
swiftness of a deer the stalwart form of the Indian disappeared from before
their astonished gaze. The three officers of the law, on account of the
sudden and unexpected disappearance of their prisoner, were so stunned
that they did not as much as remember their revolvers, which were left
untouched in the official pockets. It was just at dusk and the Indian did. not
return. The trial was over. Such murders and the escape of the guilty
ones caused much alarm in the country.
About the middle of August, 1862, Mail-carrier Miles was met by the
Indians some two miles south of the Lower Agency and led out of his way
across the prairie, because they were holding a secret meeting in a ravine on
the bank of the river, where he would have observed them. A few days
previous to this Miles noticed some newly-cut signs on the trees, apparently
of great importance. About the same time friendly Indians warned the
settlers of the approaching dangers, saying: "Pakat-shif" (go away) and
"Nippo" (to kill). They also made signs with their hands which the whites
did not want to understand or believe. A week or so before the outbreak, a
number of gaudily dressed and decorated Indians held in the town of New
Ulm those wild dances, which are always forebodings of evil. Their toma-
hawks and scalping knives were sharpened. The cause of the outbreak was
c\ idently the neglect of a prompt fulfillment of duty on the part of the gov-
ernment officials, the extreme need of the Indians and delay of their annual
pay. They were to receive their money in gold coin. The government sent
the money promptly to St. Paul, where it remained for a long time; but the
officials in whose hands it had been placed, exchanged it for paper money
at a great premium, in opposition to the loud protests of the chiefs of the
Sioux tribe. The Indians, not being accustomed to handle paper money,
became greatly enraged so that the agents finally concluded to re-exchange
it for gold. This, of course, caused a great loss, the premium being then
very high, lint they were little concerned about this, for they intended to
make tlie Indians pay the discount. They soon found out. however, that
fliev had been calculating without consulting the party most deeply interested
in the transaction.
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN" COUNTIES, MINN. 353
REMINISCENCES OF Till'. LITTLE CROW UPRISING.
[By Dr. Asa W. Daniels, in a paper read before the .executive council.
Novmeber 14. 1910, and now forming a part of the records of the Minne-
sota Historical Society Collections, volume XV, 1915.]
Considering the two thousand lives involved, largely women and chil-
dren, the successful defense of New Ulm was the most momentous event
in the Indian War of 1862-63. From that defeat the Indians turned west-
ward and abandoned further combined raids upon the settlements. The
active part taken by the people of St. Peter will ever be an impressive chap-
ter in the eventful history of that city. Her immediate and generous re-
sponse with volunteers, and their long and hurried march, enabled them to
join in defending New Ulm in the afternoon, and later to participate in the
uncertain issue of battle that held the besieged in its grasp for a whole day.
The command of General Sibley would have reached the city too late to
save it from savage fury, and had not the response been immediate from
St. Peter LeSueur and Mankato, its fate must have been horrible to con-
template.
Some of the events of that battle have never been fully stated in the
official reports, and others not mentioned came under the observation of the
writer. Therefore it will be of interest to learn, from one who had superior
opportunities, the particulars of the battle as seen by him.
The news of the Indian outbreak reached St. Peter during the night
of Monday, the [8th of August, 1862, it having commenced at the lower
Sioux agency at seven o'clock that morning. Major Galbraith, who had
reached St. Peter in the evening before, on his way to Ft. Snclling with a
company of recruits, learning of the situation, at daylight started on his
return to Ft. Ridgely, which he reached in time to participate in its defense.
At four o'clock in the morning of Tuesday the writer was notified of
the outbreak and was asked by Captain Dodd to go to Rounsevillc and
Briggs neighborhood, six miles to the northwest, and notify the settlers,
and he informed me at that time thai < > - had already been dis-
patched in other directions. I was soon on the way, going from house to
house, spreading the alarm, and sending others to more di-tant locations.
On my return the refugees were already pouring in, and by noon the villi
became crowded with men, women and children. Some had I
the way, and bore their wounded with them. All were in a most pitiable
'(23)
354 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
condition, having in their fright and haste taken little clothing and no pro-
visions, reaching their destination completely destitute. Every house was
sympathetically thrown open to the refugees, and was soon filled from cellar
to garret. The vacant Ewing House, a hotel of fifty rooms or more, and
an unoccupied store building, were soon filled, and being of stone afforded
safety and comparative comfort; but man}- were compelled to resort to
sheds and barns, or to remain unsheltered for some nights, until better pro-
vided.
A YEAR BEFORE THE OUTBREAK.
A little more than a year before the outbreak I had located in St.
Peter, having left the government service at the Lower Agencv, as phvsician
and surgeon to the Sioux Indians, after a service of more than seven years.
I had visited them a month before and heard from them many complaints,
principally against their physician, Doctor Humphrey. My long service
among them had been satisfactory to myself and the Indians, and I had
many warm friends in every band, among them being Little Crow, and I
may say most of the chiefs. Therefore, when the news of the outbreak
came, I was in great doubt in regard to its being general, but I thought it
confined to a single band, and that the outrages had occurred when they
were under the influence of whisky sold them by the whites. But within
twenty-four hours my confidence in my old friends was rudely shattered,
and I came to realize, on seeing the dead and wounded, that the outbreak
was general and of the most barbarous character.
As a government officer, I had observed for more than two years the
close intimacy that was growing up between the Sioux and Winnehagoes.
This was apparent from frequent visits of large parties of Winnehagoes to
the agency, intermarriages that took place, uniting in games, and tribal
pledges of friendship. No doubt some of the Winnebagoes participated in
the battle that took place, but were too discreet to have it known. Had
success attended the Sioux at Ft. Ridgely and New Ulm, there is little doubt
there would have been a union of the tribes against the whites.
At St. Peter, to which we return after a slight digression. Captain
Dodd and Major Flandrau had enlisted about one hundred and forty men
to march at once in defense of New Ulm. Many of these volunteers fled
from their country homes in the morning, hurriedly disposed of their famil-
ies, and bravely responded to the call for a thirty-mile march before the
close of their eventful day.
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MTXX. 355
I joined them as a surgeon of the command, and we were on our way
about midday. The men were armed with double-barreled .shotguns, a few
rifles, and some other arms of uncertain efficiency. Some were on horse-
back and a few in buggies; having to carry my surgical and medical cases,
1 availed myself of the latter conveyance. On reaching Courtland, twenty
miles, a heavy shower drenched the command, but the march was continued,
all being enthusiastic to reach New [Jim, where refugees informed me,
there was a little battle going on and much of the town burned. We
reached Redstone, two miles from the village, just as it was getting dark, and
from that distance it did look as if the whole town was on fire; but crossing
the ferry, we rushed on and reached the vicinity of the Dakota House about
ten o'clock at night.
As we were leaving St. Peter we were joined by the command under
Captain Tousley, of LeSueur, of nearly one hundred men, who continued
with us on the march to Xew Ulm. With them, as surgeons, were Dr. Otis
Avers and Dr. William W. Mayo, father of the two distinguished surgeons
of Rochester. It was midnight before we found quarters for the night, and
then I shared my bed with Doctor Avers, passing a comfortable night after
a long and strenuous day.
SITUATION' AT NEW ULM.
Early in the morning of Wednesday we were looking over the situa-
tion as left from the engagement the aftern<»>n before. On a vacant lot
near the center of the town lay six dead, brought in from the -cine of the
engagement, and others had been cared fur by their families. The physi-
cians then visited the wounded and cared for them, and for some of the
refugees who were ill from fright and anxiety.
During the forenoon of Wednesday, Captain Bierbauer came in with
nearly one hundred men from Mankato, and a few men came from Nicollet,
under the command of Capt. Samuel Coffin. \n organization was formed
on that day by the military, who selected Major Flandrau as commander,
Captain Dodd as lieutenant, and S. A. Buell as provost marshal. Pickets
were established on the outskirts of the town, and guard duty for the night.
During the day quarters and the commissary department- were established
for the different commands.
A company of sixteen mounted men from Si Peter, among them Henry
A. Swift and Horace Austin, afterward governor of the state, had started
356 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
to the front some hours hefore the command of Flandrau was ready to
leave, and had reached New Ulm in time to participate in the hattle of
Tuesday afternoon.
Thursday morning, after guard mount and after a company had heen
selected to dig rifle pits, a company of a hundred men, under the command
of Captain Dodd, was ordered to go to Little Cottonwood settlement, six
miles south, to bury the dead and rescue any that might be hiding or
wounded. Doctor Avers and myself were detailed to accompany the com-
mand. The doctor invited me to have a seat with him in his buckboard.
which I thankfully accepted. The command had hardly made half the dis-
tance to the settlement before they were fired upon from ambush, but none
was wounded, and, after returning the volley, we continued our march.
Three mounted Indians soon showed themselves, but at a safe distance,
observing our course, and in derision waving their blankets, keeping in sight
most of the time during the march.
On reaching the settlement, the saddest scene presented itself that
humanity is ever called upon to witness. The massacre had probably taken
place on Monday before, and the dead were lying in all directions about the
farm houses — in bed, in different rooms of the house, in the yard, near the
grain stacks, and on the lawn. During the three days that the remains
had been exposed the flies had done their work, and as a result the faces of
the dead presented a revolting spectacle. Trenches were dug. and the bodies
were gathered together and laid within, blankets were spread over them, and
a prayer was offered: then earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and the command
turned sadly away, having witnessed a burial scene that could never be
forgotten.
Bv the military the day had been passed in strengthening the defenses
of the town, providing themselves with ammunition, and fixing upon posi-
tions of advantage in case of an attack. News came in during the day of
righting at Ft. Ridgely, and of Captain Marsh's defeat at the agency, and
many other alarming accounts from refugees
A LONG AND USELESS MARCH.
The principal event of Friday was the detailing of one hundred and
forty men, under command of Captain Tousley, to go to Leavenworth, west
and south of Ft. Ridgely, expecting to find persons there unable to escape
and that might be rescued, but nothing definite was known in regard to the
situation there. Doctors Avers. Mayo and myself joined the command —
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 357
I again having a scat with Doctor Avers. The route was across an open
prairie, and we had not proceeded far before we discovered three mounted
Indian scouts to the north keeping in line with us and watching our course.
Late in the afternoon we reached the vicinity of Ft. Ridgely and for the
first time heard cannonading going on there, the sounds reaching us at
short intervals. After its .significance had fully impressed me. I said to
Doctor Ayers that the Indians had attacked the fort in great force, and that
as scouts had been watching onr course, in cast- we continued onr march to
Leavenworth they would certainly withdraw from the fort during the after-
noon or in the morning and cut us off. We had expected to remain at
Leavenworth over night, returning the next day. Doctor Avers agreed
with me fully, and rode forward and consulted with Captain Tousley, who
called a halt and gave his reasons for so doing, asking of the command to
express their wishes by a showing of hands. It was carried by those in
favor of going forward by two or three votes.
We continued our march for another hour, the warning notes of cannon
coming to us regularly; the sun was nearly down, night was coming on. and
fatigue was telling upon the command, when a second halt was called and
another vote was taken, which resulted in an order to return to New Uhn.
We reached our return destination after midnight, thoroughly worn out and
disgusted from this long and useless march, which might have resulted not
only in the destruction of the command, hut perhaps in the capture of Xew
I'lni.
The morning of Saturday was warm and fair, and at first we hopefully
looked forward to an uneventful day. Much time had been taken in pre-
paring for an attack, by burning outer buildings, digging rifle-pits, and loop-
holing such walls as might lie made serviceable. On that morning Colonel
Flandrau gave me a dozen men and I barricaded the avenue a little wesl of
the Gross hotel. From the roof of the Erd building, a central business
block, with a glass an extensive view was had of the surrounding country,
and at tin- point of observation a watchman was on duty during the day.
THE ATTACK BEGINS.
The first surprise and alarm of the morning came when at guard mount,
west of the town, Lieutenant Edwards was instantly killed bj an Indian so
concealed in the grass that danger was unsuspected. About eighl o'clock
a. m., the watchman from the roof saw Indian- collecting -our- two miles
west of town, and signal smokes from the northwest. II rvations
35§ COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
were confirmed by officers and others. The certainty of a deadly conflict
with a barbarous foe, when no quarter is expected is a most trying test of
courage, but, with few exceptions, the situation was heroically accepted.
The women and children were hurried to places of safety, the command was
got under arms, and the physicians selected rooms for receiving the wounded,
Doctors Mayo and McMahon in the Dakota House, and Doctor Avers and
myself in a store room on the opposite side of the avenue.
Within one hour the large body of Indians who had been forming on
the west, were seen to be rapidly moving upon the town. The signals indi-
cated a like approach from the north. When aware of this approach,
Colonel Flandrau posted his men upon the slope of one of the terraces on
the west with a line of skirmishes in front. Little Crow was mounted and
led his warriors, who were on foot. In a long line with flanks curved for-
ward, they approached in silence within a quarter of a mile of the defend-
ers, when they gave a terrific war-cry and rushed forward upon a run,
holding their fire until they had received that of our men, and then deliver-
ing an effective volley at close range. The defenders fell back in a panic
and the whole line retreated to the barricades. The assault was well exe-
cuted, and had it been pushed to its limit might have resulted in the capture
oi the town by the Indians. But our men soon rallied behind the barricades
and buildings, which arrested the onward rush of the Indians and compelled
them to seek protection of the outer buildings.
I .ieutenant ! Kiev, with seventy-five men. was ordered to the ferry to
prevent the Indians from crossing from the north side. Either from a
misunderstanding or over-confidence, he crossed his command to the north
side of the river, there meeting a large body of the enemy, retreated to
Nicollet, and was not seen again until the next day. This unfortunate event
was a serious loss to the defense. The firing from both sides became rapid.
harp and general, the Indians gradually pushing their way in surrounding
the town, which they accomplished before midday. They fought with the
utmost boldness and ferocity, and with the utmost skill and caution from
even hollow and grass patch, and from behind every house and hillock or
log. The crisis came a1 two p. m., when the Indians fired buildings on both
sides of the avenue in the lower part of town. A strong wind was blowing
from the east, and the conflagration threatened the destruction of our only
defense. Colonel Flandrau rallied a sufficient force, and charging down
the street, drove the enemy from the avenue. Bui just at this critical time
the wind changed to the opposite direction, and clouds, which had been gath-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 359
ering for hours, shed upon our threatened locality a sufficient shower of rain
to prevent the further extending of the flames.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN DODD.
The unfortunate incident of the day's battle that led to the death of
Captain Dodd has never been correctly reported. In justice to the brave
men that participated in that critical movement, a correct understanding
should be had of the reasons that, at the time, seemed to make the under-
taking imperative.
It will be remembered that Lieutenant Huey had retreated toward
Nicollet in the morning, and all through the day we looked for his return
with reinforcements, which really took place the following day.
About five o'clock there appeared beyond the Indian outer line, at the
east, some forty or fifty men, marching in single file, under the command
of an officer, carrying the American Hag. They were dressed in citizens'
clothes, and all had the appearance of the reinforcements so anxiously
expected.
The Indians had again gained possession of the buildings on the avenue
east, perhaps five blocks from the Dakota House, and from that position
were delivering a galling fire upon our line.
Immediately, on discovering what all thought to be our reinforcements,
Captain Dodd, in a short speech, volunteered to lead any that would follow
to the clearing of the avenue of the Indians and joining our reinforcements
beyond. Rev. Father Sunrisen and Doctor Mayo both made speeches urging
all to unite in support of Dodd. Some twenty men responded, Dodd and
Shoemaker being mounted, and proceeded down the avenue. It was a move-
ment of only a few moments consideration, and seemed to promise an
important result. Dodd rushed forward with a cheer, hardly coming within
the Indian lines before receiving a deadly volley, which hurriedly sent them
back to positions of safety. Captain Dodd wheeled his horse and reached a
log blacksmith's shop, when the horse plunged forward and fell. Partially
supporting himself and being assisted by others, the fatally-wounded leader
was taken to the building, a cot prepared and there within an hour he died.
lie had received three mortal wound-, two other slight wounds, and the
horses ridden by Dodd and Shoemaker were both killed. The writer had
witnessed from our hospital the whole movement, saw Dodd fall and hur-
ried to bis assistance. There was little that could be done, as he was in a
dying condition. He appreciated his condition and met it courageously,
360 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
giving a message to his wife and to Bishop Whipple, with the utmost cool-
in-- and consideration.
AN INDIAN STRATAGEM.
The party we had supposed to be reinforcements, upon the volley from
the Indian- and our men falling hack, suddenly disappeared, and it proved
to be a stratagem to draw out some of our men and cut them off. Had the
Indians in the buildings held their lire until they had advanced a half block
farther, it would have been successful. Jn explanation of how the Indians
became possessed of so many suits of citizens' clothes, it may be said that
twenty-two months before one hundred and fifty suits were issued to them
by the government, under the pledge of becoming farmers, much of this
clothing having never been worn more than a few days.
The assault commencing in the morning at 9:30, was kept up without
interruption until dark, when the Indians withdrew in the direction of Ft.
Ridgely. During the evening all buildings outside of our barricades were
burned. By ourselves and the Indians one hundred and ninety buildings
were destroyed. We lost ten killed and forty wounded, the small loss being
accounted for by the fact that we were righting from the loop-holes of build-
ings and barricades. The Indians loss has never been known. Both hos-
pitals received and dressed the wounded, providing temporary cots for them.
Some that were only slightly wounded returned and continued in the fight
during the day.
Saturday night was anxious and disturbed with desultory firing by our
guards, and perhaps by the Indians. Sunday morning it seemed from heavy
firing that the assault was to be renewed; but it gradually lessened and by
noon ceased entirely. About noon ("apt. I'".. St. Julien Cox arrived with
about liti\ men, accompanied by Lieutenant Iluey with part of his detach-
ment which had been cut off the day before. During Sunday afternoon
search was made for the recovery of the dead. Three or four were found
that had fallen so far out as to be exposed to any indignity that the Indians
might offer, but none was scalped or otherwise mutilated. Jerry Quane, a
St. Petei volunteer, had the totem of Little Crow attached to the clothing
1 hi- breast. The totem was the skin of a crow, preserved in its natural
form, symbolic of the family name. The parting with such a treasured
emblem was to boastfully inform us from whom the brave defender had
met his death.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 361
RETREAT TO MANKATO.
Early on Monday morning the order was issued for the evacuation of
the village. Colonel Flandrau must have been wholly responsible for this
move, as I am sure the medical officers were not consulted and were entirely
ignorant of it until a short time before the movement was commenced. We
had received reinforcements the day before, our position was stronger than
ever, the sanitary conditions did not necessitate great urgency in moving,
and the volunteers would have loyally remained. General Sibley was at
St. Peter, and would have arrived within a few days, therefore it was a mis-
take to retreat from Xew Ulm until relieved by him. The route was part
of the way through a dense forest, and had a few Indians attacked a panic
and massacre would have ensued. It is an ungracious and unwelcome task
to criticise the Colonel, but a truthful statement seems to demand that it
should be done, in this respect at least. Nearly two thousand men, women
and children took up the march for Mankato, thirty miles distant, bearing
the wounded in conveyances. Fortunately the long march was uneventful,
and we reached our destination late in the evening, where we received a
generous reception.
On Tuesday the volunteers from St. Peter reached home and disbanded.
The writer brought with him the Rev. Air. Saunders, severely wounded, who
had volunteered with the LeSueur company. Some of the wounded were
left at Mankato, but most of them came to St. Peter, and their care became
most urgent. My brother, assistant surgeon with General Sibley's com-
mand, assisting, we established a hospital in the court room at the court
house. The room was large, well ventilated and afforded space for twenty
beds, sufficient for the most serious cases. The care of the hospital devolved
upon me, as my brother left with his command two or three days later.
Of the cases that came under my care, the most serious were as follows :
Mr. Summers, of Nicollet, shot through the spinal column, died; Rufus
Huggins was shot through the mouth, severing his tongue, recovered; a
Sibley county volunteer, with a compound fracture of the arm bone near
the shoulder joint, had amputation and recovered; Rev. Mr. Saunders, with
an abdominal wound, recovered; Mr. Bean, a St. Peter volunteer, with a
shot through the face, fracturing his lower jaw, recovered ; a St. Paul volun-
teer, with a penetrating gunshot wound (if the brain, lived two or three days
and died insane at St. Peter.
From the time the news of the outbreak was received, the citizens of
.■''-' COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
St. Peter were active in providing for the refugees and the protection of
the city. They organized committees for the various duties, as care for the
sick, supplying food and clothing and fortifying. Xight and day guard
duty was kept up, earth-works were thrown up, rifle-pits dug and barri-
cades erected.
THE GOVERNMENT NOT GUILTLESS.
In closing this paper the writer, who was so long and intimately asso-
ciated with the Indians as a government official, desires to say that he found
this people possessed of many of the virtues common to the human family,
and that socially and morally their lives were of a standard quite as high as
among civilized races. The outbreak was induced by long-continued viola-
tion of treaty obligations on the part of the government, inflicting upon
these unfortunate wards untold want and suffering. Like violent acts of
mobs among civilized communities, the massacre was a barbarous and unrea-
soning protest against injustice. Had the government faithfully carried
out the treaty obligations and dealt with the Sioux justly and humanely,
the outbreak would not have occurred.
PUNISHMENT OF THE SIOUX.
The Indians were defeated — they lost all the twenty-mile-wide and one-
hundred-mile long strip of land reserved for them along the Minnesota river
above New Ulm to the headquarters, having it abrogated by the United
States government on accounl of this war. which was contrary to the treaty
term- made at Traverse des Sioux in [851. They also had thirty-eight of
their leaders in the bloody massacre hanged at Mankato, December jo.
[862. And they were as a people driven from the state forever.
This execution was brought about in the following manner: After
the campaign of [862, and the guilty parties were confined at Camp Lincoln,
near Mendota, the idea of executing capitally three hundred Indians aroused
the sympathj of those far removed from these scenes of butchery. Presi-
dent Abraham Lincoln was importuned, principally by the people of the
1 and the Quakers in Pennsylvania. The voice of the blood of inno-
cence crying from tl ground, the wailing of mothers bereft of their chil-
dren were hushed in the tender cry of sympath) for the condemned. Even
the Christian ministers, stern in the belief that "Whosoever sheddeth man's
blood by man shall his blood he shed," seemed now the most zealous for the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 363
pardon of these merciless outlaws who had shed the blood of innocent
women and children in the time of peace.
Senators Wilkinson and William Windom made eloquent, urging
appeals to the President for the proper execution of sentence in the case of
these Indians. One quotation from one of these distinguished statesmen's
address is sufficient to show the trend of sentiment in Minnesota at that time :
"The people of Minnesota, Mr. President, have stood firmly by you
and your administration. They have given both you and it their cordial
support. They have not violated any law. They have borne their suffer-
ings with patience, such as few people have ever exhibited under extreme
trials. These Indians are now at their mercy; but our people have not risen
to slaughter because they believed the President would deal with them justly.
We protest against the pardon because if they are not executed the people
of Minnesota will dispose of these wretches without law. These two peoples
cannot live together. We do not wish to see mob law inaugurated in Minne-
sota, as it certainly will be if you force the people to it. We tremble at
the approach of such a condition of things in our state.
"You can give us peace or you can give us lawless violence. We pray
vou, sir. as in view of all we have suffered, and the danger that still awaits
us. let the law be executed. Let justice be done to our people."
Earlv in December, iS6j, while the final decision of the President was
delayed, the valley towns of Minnesota, led off by the city of St. Paul, held
meetings addressed by the most intelligent speakers of various locations.
Among other speakers was United States District Attorney George A.
Nouse, of Minnesota, who framed a petition as follows:
"To the President of the United States — We, the citizens of St. Paul,
in the state of Minnesota, respectfully represent that we have heard with
regret the reports of an intention on the part of the United States govern-
ment to dismiss without punishment the Sioux warriors captured by our
soldiers; and further allow the several tribes of Indians lately located upon
reservations within the state to remain upon the reservations.
"Against any such policy we respectfully protest in all firmness. The
history of this continent presents no event that can compare with the late
Sioux massacre outbreak in wanton, unprovoked and fiendish cruelty. All
that we have heard of the Indian warfare in tin- early history of this country
is tame in contrast with the atrocities of this late massacre. Without warn-
ing, in cold blood, beginning with the murder of their best friends, the whole
body <>f the annuity Sioux Indians commenced a deliberate ;cheme to
364 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
exterminate every white person upon the land once occupied by them ami
by them long ago sold to the United States. In carrying out this bloody
scheme they have spared neither age nor sex, only reserving, for the gratifica-
tion of their brutal lust, the few white women whom the rifle, tomahawk
and the scalping knife spared. Nor did their fiendish barbarities cease with
death, as the mutilated corpses of their victims, disemboweled, cut limb from
limb, or chopped into fragments, will testify. These cruelties, too, were in
many cases preceded by a pretense of friendship; and in many instances the
victim- 1.1 mure than murderers were shot down in cold blood as soon as
their hacks were turned, after a cordial shaking of the hand and loud pro-
fess), ms 1 if friend-hip on the part of the murderers.
"We ask that the same judgment should be passed and executed upon
these deliberate murderers, these ravishers, these mutilators of their mur-
dered victims, that would be passed upon white men guilty of the same
offense. We ask this not alone for vengeance, but much more as a matter
of future safety for our border settlers.
"We further ask that these savages be removed from close proximity
to our settlements, to such a distance and such isolation as shall make the
people 'if this state safe from their future atacks."
The final decision of the President, on the 17th of December, 1862,
ordering the execution of thirty-nine of the three hundred condemned mur-
derers, disappointed the people of Minnesota. The thirty-nine were to be
hung at Mankato on the 26th of December — on Friday.
In pursuance to an act of Congress on the 2.2nd of April, 1863, and
for the purpose of carrying it into execution, the remaining Indians were
first taken from the state, on board the steamer "Favorite," carried down
the Mississippi, and confined at Davenport, towa, where they remained, with
only such privileges as are allowed to emu ids in the penitentiary. In May,
tlie same year, about two thousand Indians were sent to their reservations
in the- "land of the Dakotas." Then the [863 military expedition removed
the scattering hands from the borders of Minnesota.
FACTS CONCERNING THE FINAL EXECUTION.
Pictures of the execution of the- thirty-eight Indians at Mankato in
December, 1862, adorn the shops, public halls and residences of manv hun-
dred towns and cities in the great Northwest -almost as well known and
often seen as "( luster's Last Fight.
Perhaps no better account of the execution and the crimes for which
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 365
the Indians executed were charged with can now be obtained than the
account narrated by the editor of the St. Peter Tribune, he being present.
He writes as follows :
Having been ordered to Mankato on business, we were included among
witnesses of an execution, the most extensive which has ever been known
in the United States, and in punishment of crimes the most atrocious and
revolting. Our account must necessarily be brief, and we shall therefore
only give such particulars as will prove of interest to our readers and for
many of these we are indebted to the Mankato Record.
The day was remarkably pleasant for this season of the year, and at
early dawn people began to arrive at Mankato on a new and — so far as
Minnesota is concerned — unprecedented errand. The streets were already
resounding to the tread of the soldiery and citizens, and both were evidently
preparing for an event which will always be an important chapter in our
history. The great square gallows, standing on the river bluff, showed
readiness for the work it was to execute at a later hour of the day. At nine
o'clock the militarv formed a girdle of bayonets around the gallows, and
no citizen was permitted inside the enclosure. Captain Burt's company of
the Seventh regiment conducted the execution of the following Indians
found guilt of crimes charged by the military commission :
The-he-hdo-ne-cha (One who Forbids his House). — Engaged in the
massacre; took a white woman prisoner and ravished her.
To-zoo, alias Plan-doo-ta (Red Otter). — Convicted of participating in
the murder of Mr. Patwell, and of ravishing a young girl.
Wy-a-tah-ta-wa (His People). — Confessed to have participated in the
murder of Mr. Patwell. and to have taken part in three battles.
Hin-han-shoon-ko-yag-ma-ne (One who walks clothed with an Owl's
Tail). --Convicted of murder of Alexander Hunter, and having taken and
had Mrs. Hunter as a prisoner until she was rescued from him by another
Indian.
Ma-za-boon-doo (Iron Blowker). — Convicted of the murder of an old
man and two children.
Wan-pa-doo-ta (Red Leaf). — Confessed that he was engaged in the
massacre, and that he shot a white man.
Wa-he-kna (meaning unknown). — Convicted of murder.
Rwa-ma-ne (Tinkling Water). — Convicted of two murders.
Rda-in-yan-ka (Rattling Rounder). — Took a prominent part in all the
battles, including the attack at New Ulm. leading and urging the Indians
forward.
.;<><> COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Do-wan-za (The Singer). — Convicted of the murder of a white woman,
and of the design to ravish her daughter, who was wounded by him and
killed by another Indian, before he carried his design into execution.
I la-pan (Second Child). — Confessed that he was in all the battles and
at the murder of Air. Patwell, and that he aided in taking a white woman
(Miss Williams) prisoner.
Shoon-ka-ska (White Dog). — Was the leader of the party that attacked
Captain Marsh's company and was the man who detained Captain Marsh in
conversation until the Indians crossed the river and surrounded the com-
mand and then gave them the signal to fire.
Toon-kan-e-chah-tah-ma-ne (One who walks by his Grandfather). — ■
Said in presence of witnesses that he shot a man in an ox wagon, and was
in several battles.
E-tay-doo-ta (Red Face). — Told witness that he killed Divoll and
seven white persons across the river; that the second day after crossing the
river he killed a man and a woman.
Am-da-cha (Broken to Pieces). — Took witness David Faribault prisoner.
who says Am-da-cha shot two persons at his house.
Hay-pe-dan (The Third Child). — Cut Mrs. Thieler with a hatchet after
she had been shot by another Indian, and fired many shots at the fort.
Mah-pe-o-ke-ne-jin (Who Stands on the Cloud). — Convicted of the
murder of Antoine Young, and of participating in the murder of a white
man and woman.
Henry Milord (A half-breed). — Convicted of participating in the mur-
der of a white man and woman.
Chas-ka-dan (The First Born if a Son). — Convicted of shooting and
cutting a woman who was with child.
Baptiste Campbell (A half-breed). — Confessed thai he was one of the
party who murdered a man and woman, and that he shot first.
Ta-tay-ka-gay (Wind Maker). — Convicted of murdering or of partici-
pating in the murder of Amos W. Eiuggins.
Ha-pin-kpa (The Tip of the Horn). — Convicted of the murder of
Garvie.
I I 1 olite ^nge I A half breed I. Confesses that be was one of the party
tli.u murdered a white man, and that he fired at him.
No-Pay-Skin (One who does not Flee).- Convicted of participating
in the massacre and bosted that be had killed nineteen persons.
Wa-kan-tan-ka (Great Spirit). — Convicted of the murder of a white
man not named.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 367
Toon-kan-ko-yag-ena-gin (One who stands clothed with his Grand-
father).— Convicted of participating in the murder of a white man at the
Big Woods.
Ma-ka-ta-e-ne-jin (One who Stands on the Earth). — Convicted of par-
ticipating in the massacre near Xew Ulm, and encouraging the red men to
do so.
Paza-koo-tay-wa-ne (One who walks prepared to Shoot). — Convicted
of participating in the murder of eight white men.
To-tay-hde-dan (Wind comes Home). — Convicted of participating in
the massacre at Beaver Creek, and of taking captive a white woman.
Wa-she-choon (Frenchman). — Convicted of the murder of Le Butt's
son.
Aeche-ga (To Grow Upon). — Convicted of the murder of an old man
and two girls.
Ho-tan-in-koo (Voice that Appears Coming). — Convicted of the mur-
der of a man at Green Lake, admits that he struck him with an ax after
he had been shot by others of the party.
Chav-tan-hoon-ka (The Parent Hawk). — Proved to have been one of
the party that committed the massacre at Beaver Creek.
Chan-ka-hda ( Xear the Woods). — Is proven to have been one of the
partv and was present when Patwell was killed, and to have saved Mary
Anderson, who had been wounded, from being killed and to have taken her
prisi >ner.
O-ya-tay-a-koo (The Coming People). — Convicted of the murder of
Cat well.
Ma-hoo-way-wa (He comes for Me). — Convicted of participating in
the massacres at Travelers Home and of murdering a man on the road near
there.
Wa-kin-yan-ne (Little Thunder). — Convicted of participating in the
murder, near the Travelers Home, of an old man and two young girls and
two boys.
Shas-ka.
THE EXECUTION.
At ten o'clock the prisoners ascended the steps of the gallows, as uncon-
cerned as if they were going to a feast, and after reaching the platform
commenced chanting one of their peculiar "he-ahs". Several were smoking,
and continued to do so until the rope was cut and they were launched into
eternity. One (Shas-ka) manifested his indifference or contempt by expos-
368 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ing his person to the soldiers, and another by throwing his cigar at them and
uttering some words which were not understood by those standing near
him. The singing was kept up until the platform dropped, and the singular
"thug" of the ropes furnished another style of music, and stilled their voices
which seemed bold even in the very face of death.
A few showed signs of emotion after the rope had been adjusted, but
a majority hardly noticed this part of the execution. Some even fixed the
ropes around their own necks and persistently raised their caps from their
faces, until their arms were paralyzed by the fatal plunge.
It was a strange, pitiful sight, but the conduct of the prisoners was
enough to remove all feelings of pity in their behalf, and not one of the
multitude of spectators expressed regret at the terrible death of these men
win) had been savages in life and remained apparently defiant or careless to
the end.
THE FINAL SCENE.
When all was ready, Major Brown, signal officer, beat three distinct
taps upon the drum. At the third stroke, William J. Duly, of the mounted
scouts (who lost three children during the massacre) cut the rope, the drop
fell and thirty-eight savage murderers were launched into eternity.
Some fears had been entertained as to the working of the drop, but it
was successful. In a second all but one were suspended by the neck. The
rope broke with >>ne, and he fell to the ground, but his neck had been broken
in the jerk and fall, lie was instantly strung up again. The majority died
easily, with scarcely a struggle. A few kicked savagely. We noticed two
with clasped hands, remaining in the same position until cut down. Another
old man nervously clutched fur the hand of the one adjoining, just before
the drop fell. As the drop fell a loud huzza went up from the soldiers
and spectators.
Doctor- Seignorette and Finch were detailed to examine the bodies, and
.ii'tc-r all signs of lite had disappeared, communicated the death of the
prisoner- to the officer id' the day. The bodies were then taken down.
Four teams were driven to the scaffold. The bodies were deposited in
the wagons and an escort conveyed them to the place of burial. Companv
K. under Captain Burk, without arms, acting as a burial party. The place
of burial was the low Hat between Front street and the river, which was
overgrown by swamp willows. The burial escort ami guard were under
command of l.ieutenant-Colonel Marshall.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 369
It was generally understood that the prisoners had made a confession
to the Rev. Air. Riggs (the old Presbyterian missionary among the Indians).
That gentleman has furnished reports of the conversation with them, but
they are simply denials of the charges made at the trial before the military
commission. Most of them acknowledged either to have been at the battles
or present at some massacre, but said they only used tomahawks on those
who had been killed by others, or they shot wide of the mark when com-
pelled to shoot. They all seemed to indorse this sentiment : "Do not think
that I killed anyone." But few Indians were present at the execution and
not many half-breeds either. Among the number was one Winnebago chief
(Baptiste), dressed in white men's clothes. He appeared deeply interested
in all the proceedings, and hardly one movement escaped his notice.
PENSIONERS OF THE SIOUX UPRISING.
About 1902 the state of Minnesota passed an act by which all defend-
ers at the time of the Indian massacre who were in any way injured or
became afflicted by bodily ailment as a result of that war, subsequently,
should receive a pension, which was fixed at twelve dollars per month. In
many instances this small pension from the state has materially aided those
who fought for their homes and families in 1862.
DR. B. H. HAYNES' CONTRIBUTION.
The files of the Plaindealer, published at St. James, has the following
from the pen of Dr. Haynes, touching on the New Ulm massacre:
John Kasberger tells of seeing his father shot by a skulking band of
Indians on the afternoon of August 16, 1862, near New Ulm. A neighbor
named Hanley had ridden by shortly before and gave the warning that the
Indians were coming. The elder Air. Kasberger with a hired man and a
yoke of oxen were engaged in stacking wheat. The warning was thought
to be an idle rumor. A party of Indian'- approached the woods and fired
a volley, killing Mr. Kasberger. They then fled. As they went they killed
two hogs in a pen near the ambush. Mrs. Kasberger took her son of twelve
years and a daughter of five, and securing some valuables hurried to New
Ulm, two miles away. On their way to town they passed the still warm
bodies of two people who had just been killed by the same band of Indians
that had killed Mr. Kasberger. The Indians began their attack that even-
(24)
370 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MI. XX.
ing on New Ulm. At the end of three days, soldiers arrived from Ft.
Snelling and the Indians withdrew.
The relator of this story, it is said, was the first white child born in
the present limits of Brown county. His sister, now Airs. Edman Rice,
resides at St. Paul. An Indian named White Pigeon, warned Airs. Kas-
berger several days before the massacre; she supposed the warning was false
and only the result of too much "firewater." The same warning was given
to another white woman by the Indians and with the same results. White
Pigeon fought with the Indians against the whites and was finally killed in
battle.
INDIANS' LAST RAID HERE.
In the spring of 1864 the Indians made another raid into this section
and it was during this raid that Ole Boxrud was killed. There were some
troops stationed at Ole Jorgenson's house, and Boxrud undertook to go there
one evening to notify them that there were signs of the presence of Indians
in the neighborhood. On the way he was attacked by Indians and shot in
the back with an arrow which lodged between the joints of the vertebrae,
causing his death. This was the last visit of the Indians in Watonwan
county. The settlers who had fled before the tomahawk and the torch
returned to their homes, and others soon came in to join them in the work
of building up the country by peaceful industry, undisturbed by the war-
whoop of the red man.
[NDIANS AXD THEIR PECULIAR CUSTOMS.
before the whites took possession of this part of Minnesota, it was the
home of the Indian. More especially will the reader of this volume lie
interested in knowing something concerning the tribes which lived here and
took part in the great uprising of 1862. Those Indians all belonged to the
Sioux or Dakota tribe. Those were divided into four great sub-divisions —
Medawakonton, Wahpekuta, Wnhpeton and Sisseton, and occupied a large
territory wesl of the Mississippi; from the borders of Iowa along the Missis-
sippi, up to the Minnesota, and stretching into the "Land of the Dakotas."
One well posted ill the customs and habits of these particular Indians
wrote of them before Watonwan county was ever visited by its first settlers
in this fashion:
They are. like most of the Indian tribes, of great bodily strength, a
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 37I
slim and pleasing stature, and remarkable for their shrewdness and deceit.
Their features are rather long, and the)- have dark, but not repulsive, com-
plexions. They are continually wandering about, and consequently use for
means of subsistence whatever Nature affords them. Fishing and hunting
are their principal means of support. In the spring of the year they often
make sugar and syrup from the juice of the maple and other trees, and dur-
ing the summer they gather wild rice and berries. This work is done by
the squaws. The Indian regards his wife as a slave, and he thinks it beneath
his dignity to do hard work. When they travel, the women not only carry
the papooses and baggage, but also lead the beasts of burden, which in the
absence of a wagon or sled, carry the tepee, etc., upon their backs. He often
compels her, though weighed down under a heavy burden, to carry even his
gun, so that he can trot along with greater ease. When they find a place
where fuel and water are convenient, or where hunting is good, the women
will have to go to work and set up the tepee and bring in whatever is neces-
sarv except the game which he provides. A few so-called civilized Indians
till the soil, but they seldom raise anything except corn and potatoes. These
dress like the whites and they were formerly supplied by the government
with farming implements, horses and cattle, etc. They are very proud of
the dress of the whites, which in their case often consists of merely a high
hat and a shirt. They are generally despised, however, by the real Indians,
who treat every kind of head-dress with contempt except their own peculiar
one, and whose only covering consists of a woolen blanket or a buffalo robe;
and thev live in tents or tepees. These prefer to dress gaylv, cover them-
selves with all manner of trumpery and fold the skin of an animal around
their body so as to look as much as possible like the animal itself. In sum-
mer thev appear mostly in Adam's costume, with the additional gun and
a pipe
THE VERSATILE INDIAN.
Their arms are bows and arrows, guns, knives and a sort of hatchet
called a tomahawk. Their necessaries of life are very few and simple.
They never wash their meat and seem to have a dislike for all water except
fire-water (whisky). Still, they admire a clean white shirt very much. A
kettle, a few pots and the skins of animals compose all their furniture, and
thev eat their food, especially meat, half raw and devour even the entrails
raw. Their appetite is prodigious. Whenever they obtain anything palat-
3J2 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
able they eat, and eat without regard to their real needs or the coming day.
Hence, it not un frequently happens that they are compelled to fast for days
at a time. They are not much troubled with any disease except small-pox
and their medicine men have in vain tried by all manner of sorceries and
star-gazing exorcisms to banish the dreadful visitor. A cripple, lame, or
deaf and dumb is seldom found. They love their ponies and keep a large
number, if at all possible. But during the winter they lose a good many
because in their improvidence they do not save any hay and having no barns
or shelter for them the ]K>or creatures perish from cold and starvation.
They believe in a Great Spirit, Manitou, and hold a great deal of ceremony
over their dead, but hang them up on a post exposed to the sun until they
are dried up. Their romantic life, their fidelity, their friendship and strength
of character, which some writers tell us about, make very pleasant senti-
mental reading — that is all. The Indian is always serious, seldom laughs
or jokes and is an uncomfortable and mistrustful companion. He under-
stands begging above all things. He never forgets an offense, but is very
apt to forget acts of kindness, for which the year 1862 furnished ample
proof. With the Indians revenge is a virtue. They practice polygamy.
Their hospitality, however, is worthy of all praise. The stranger receives
the best pelt for his bed and the host keeps up a warm fire with his own
hands if the paleface happens to remain in his tent over night, during winter.
If you have never had an opportunity to see an Indian you may look
at a gipsy; there is a great similarity between them; many of them show
real .artistic taste in the making of trinkets. They are skillful in the use of
arms, keen in the chase and relentless in pursuing an enemy; love noisy
musical instruments and they dance after their own fashion. Their natural
senses are sharp and more fully developed than those of the whites. They
are cruel in war and prefer deceit and strategem to an open battle. After
.1 fight they scalp their dead enemies before they think of carrying off their
booty; for they take great pride in taking a large number of scalps, because
tin \ indicate the number id enemies they have killed; they ornament their
heads with feathers which they consider "wakan" (holy). They can endure
more hardships than the whites and are wonderful runners, many of them
being able to overtake a swift horse. In hiding their feelings and in self-
control they can do wonders. 'They suffer pain with stolid indifference and
their wounds heal quickly. To leave one of their dead in the hands of the
enemy is looked upon as foreboding evil and the greatest ignominy that could
happen to them,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 373
INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THE INDIAN WAR.
In September or October, 1862, a war party of Sioux Indians attacked
the white settlements north of Grogan, near Ft. Wilkin. Here they killed a
woman named Peterson and captured two of her children, a small boy and
a girl of eighteen years. They also killed a man named Person and cap-
tured his little boy. The three children were afterward traded to friendly
Indians for ammunition. They were later returned to their friends by
soldiers who had captured the Indians. News of the presence of Indians
was soon brought to the Rosendale settlement. A messenger went from the
Jorgenson farm to Madelia, to give the alarm. The Rosendale settlement
lay along the river east of St. James, and comprised the following families:
.Mrs. Mariah Torsen, Herman Madson, Knute Larson, Halvar Knudson,
Mads Boxrude, Hans Peterson, Otto Jenson and Ole Jorgenson.
After sending the warning to Madelia, Mr. Jorgenson mounted a horse
and went to warn the settlers. At the William Knaak farm, then occupied
by the Torson family, he completed his round, and in company with Knute
Knudson, then fourteen years of age, recrossed the river on foot, going
northeast about forty rods to catch three loose horses belonging to Mr.
Larson. He had seen the horses at this point when he came to warn the
family. On his return the horses were gone. He and Knute were walking
in a cow-path down the east side of the river when they heard two shots in
the direction of the Torson house. Knute looked about and saw an Indian
running toward them from down the river. He warned Mr. Jorgenson
and ran eastward into the tall grass and lay down. The Indian quickly
fired, striking Mr. Jorgenson in the head. He fell unconscious. Another
Indian came up and shot a bullet through the muscles of the left shoulder.
This brought back consciousness. Mr. Jorgenson saw two Indians near,
loading their guns. He got to his feet and walked away as rapidly as he
could. The Indians slowly followed, stopping to look for the boy, Knute.
They walked on either side of him. The face of one was painted red, and
could be plainly seen as they passed. Knute heard them talking as they
searched for him. Mr. Jorgenson walked up the river bluff, which is quite
steep and about thirty feet high. When at the top and perhaps fifty yards
from the Indians and Knute. he ran for a slough that was forty rods north.
reached it and hid before the Indians knew that he was gone. They spent
the remainder of the day trying to find him. He lay in the water with his
374 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
head exposed. Toward midnight he left the water because of the cold and
cut grass to cover himself.
At the house the Indians made an attack, and the inmates, Mrs. Tor-
son, her brother, Mr. Haroldson and George Knudson, ran to corn fields,
George receiving a slight bullet wound in the flesh of one arm. While hid-
ing from the Indians, Mrs. Torson had a good view of one of them. He
was mounted on Mr. Jorgenson's horse and was riding about looking for
their hiding place. He was an old acquaintance of the people of the settle-
ment, who called him the "Beggar."' The Indians took what they wished
from the house, including a double-barreled gun. They also captured four
horses, but left a team of oxen attached to a rack wagon, untouched. This
was the last seen of them. They, with their prisoners and an ox team,
made a rapid march to the neighborhood of Granite Falls.
At daybreak next morning Mr. Jorgenson started to go to Madelia. On
the way he met soldiers. They surrounded him and prevented an attempt
on his part to run away. They took him to a deserted house and found
him food, then took him to Madelia. There his neighbor's daughter, Mary
Larson, dressed his wounds and in a few weeks he was well, though both
of his wounds were severe.
While the Indians were wading about in an attempt to find Mr. Jor-
genson in the slough, Knute crawled half a mile and there lay in the grass.
Alter dark he traveled a mile farther, but then stopped for fear of becom-
ing lost. At daybreak he again started for Madelia, where he soon arrived
and was surprised to see Mr. Jorgenson still alive, brought in by the sol-
diers. The others from the Torson farm arrived before he did. All the
Rosendale settlers got safely to Madelia.
Some time after this raid, at the request of Mr. Jorgenson, a squad
ol from five to seven soldiers were quartered at his farm during the remain-
der of the Indian trouble. This gave the Rosendale settlers a place of
refuge near at hand. They lived most of the time at the Jorgenson farm
for the next two or three years. There were frequent alarms, but the
settlers stayed and held, this extreme frontier settlement to the end of the
Indian trouble. Those now living in this county, who then lived in the
Rosendale settlement are: Mice and ECnute Knudson and sister. Mrs. K.
Heling; George Jorgenson and sisters; Mrs. A. O. Strommen, Mrs. Lewis
Christopherson, Mrs. Tver Olson, Mrs. Hans Thompson, also John and
Henry Madson, with their mother now over eighty years of age.
Many of the old settlers will remember the Indian outbreak that took
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 375
place in the Rosendale settlement in the spring of 1863. As has been men-
tioned, the settlers had all moved into a house on the farm of Ole Jorgen-
son, father of Mrs. A. O. Strommen, for mutual protection. The soldiers
slept in a house not far from that of the settlers. The settlers were awak-
ened about twelve o'clock at night by the barking of the dogs and upon
rising and looking out the windows saw that the Indians had surrounded
the house. A young man by the name of Ole Burkerude volunteered to go
to die camp to wake the soldiers. He was advised not to attempt such a
risk, but considering it best he started. The next morning his body was
found horribly mutilated. Two rifle and two arrow wounds were found on
the bodv. The remains were placed in a rude wooden box and buried on the
Ole Jorgenson farm. It is thought that the soldiers were scared and did
not come out to help the young man and that he was killed on his way back
to the settlement. After ten or twelve years of almost constant searching
the body was finally unearthed and was taken up by Knute Jorgenson,
Henrv Motson and A. O. Strommen and placed in the Riverdale cemetery.
Two arrow tips of steel were found lodged in his bones, one in the breast
and one in the backbone. The young man was eighteen years of age at the
time of his death and must be given credit for having great courage to go
out alone and face such danger.
CHAPTER III.
THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlement by white men in this county was in 1855, when
H. B. Sherman, T. Fitch and J. N. Barker settled in the territory now
known as Watonwan county. They each staked oft" a claim and made the
first permanent settlement in the county.
In 1856 the above pioneer band was added to by the arrival of C. M.
Pomeroy, Elizabeth Olds, Ed. Taylor, Stephen P. Benjamin, John C.
Sprague, James M. Hudson and Thomas Rutledge. (See township histories,
EARLY DEEDS AND LAND TRANSFERS.
The records of the register of deeds show the following early land
transfers in Watonwan county :
William Griffith to Thomas P. Thomas, June 12, 1S63, consideration,
seven hundred dollars, for the southwest of the southeast quarter of section
21, township 107, range 30, Madelia civil township.
Theodore Leich to David Eeddor, for consideration of forty dollars,
lot No. 5 in the southwest quarter of section 13, Madelia township, between
the lakes and consisted of three acres.
Henry Scholoman and wife to Luther E. Gove, July 1, 1864, land in
section 9, Madelia township.
Daniel Ruck and wife to Stephen G. Benjamin. June 6, 1864. south-
east quarter of section 21, .Madelia township.
D. Muck and wife, ('. W. Taylor, June 2, [864, in Madelia township.
the northeasl quarter of section 21, 107, range 30, Madelia township.
July H), [859, R. I. Sibley, executor of the will of the late Pan. Ion
\\ . Sheppard, of Madelia, to John Travis, block Xo. 71, in the village of
Madelia; consideration, six dollars.
TIMBER CLAIMS.
Under a wise provision of a Congressional act passed many years ago,
there has come to stand in all of their beauty and value, many fine artificial
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MI XX. 377
groves of timber within this county. "Tree claims," for a time, were more
sought after out of the public domain here than were homesteads. The
government gave the land, providing a certain number of trees were planted
and found to be living at the end of five and eight years. Here the vari-
eties were mostly confined to the rapid growing trees, such as willow, Cot-
tonwood, soft maple, box elder ami walnut. The records of such timber
culture tracts in this county, as shown in the register of deeds office, give
the following list of such claims :
United States to John McCarthy, claim Xo. 156, at the Worthington
land office, granted for the northeast quarter of section 12. Antrim town-
ship, March 12. 1886, signed by President Grover Cleveland.
United States to John Weager, fn >m the Worthington land office, claim
Xo. 236, for land in lots 9, 10 and 15. in section 6, Long Lake township —
one hundred and sixty acres — granted by President Benjamin Harrison;
signed April 17, 1890.
The United States to Sylvester S. Sulem, tree claim Xo. 63, from the
Worthington land office, was granted by President Benjamin Harrison,
July 30. 1880, and was laid on the northwest of the northwest quarter of
section 6. in Odin township.
The United States to Paul Schneller. claim Xo. 176, at the land office
at Marshall, the same being on the southwest quarter of section 2, South
Branch township. It was signed by President Benjamin Harrison, Xovem-
ber 24. 1890.
The United States to Merrell M. Clark, claim Xo. 306, at the Marshall
land office, for land in the northwest of section 30, township 106, range 32
west. It was signed by Benjamin Harrison, December 30, 1890.
United States to E. R. West, claim Xo. 263, at the Worthington land
office, for land in the southwest quarter >.\ section 12, township 105, range
31. It wa- -igned by President Benjamin Harrison, July 15, [890.
The United State- to William Koenig, claim No. }^J. al the Marshall
land office, and called for land in the north half of the northeast quarter of
section 6, town-hip 105. range 32. It was signed by President Benjamin
Harrison, December t 5, 1890.
The United States to heir- George W. Cory, deceased, at the Marshall
land office, to a claim on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of
section 34. township 105. range 31. the same being issued and signed by
President Benjamin Harrison. December 13, 1890.
The United State- to George H. Herrick. a claim to the southeast
378 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 20, township 10G, range 31
west, from the land office at .Marshall, and issued by President Grover
Cleveland, August 8, 1893. This claim is No. 0,03.
The United States to Albert D. King, at the Marshall land office,
claim to the west half of the southwest quarter of section 32, township
10O, range 32 west, issued and signed by President Grover Cleveland, De-
cember 15, [894, and bearing No. 1,147.
The United States to Gerhard Penner, a claim to the southwest quar-
ter of section 4. township 106, range 433 west, issued from the land office
at Marshall, and signed by President Benjamin Harrison; No. 608, and
date of issue. April 17. 1892.
The United States to John Johnson, claim No. 739, at the Marshall
land office, issued by President Benjamin Harrison, and signed on Septem-
ber 2, (892, the timber claim being situated in lot 5, township 107. range
33 west
The United Slates to Frank Fowler, from the Tracy land office, claim
No. 143, to the south half of the northwest quarter of section 8, township
106, range 31 west, was signed by President Benjamin Harrison, and dated
March 25, 1890.
The United States to Jens Olson 1 lereid for claim No. 89, to lands in
the south half of the southeast quarter of section 8, township 105, range
32 west, issued by President Chester A. Arthur, and signed November 13,
1884, the same being entered at the Worthington land office.
The United States to Daniel I. Hudson, a claim numbered 1,264. for
the southeast quarter of section 26, township 105, range 31 west, at the
Marshall land office. It was issued and signed by President William Mc-
Kinley, May 3, iS<)7-
The United States to Mark II. McDonough, for claim No. 1,319, at
the Marshall land office, for the south halt of the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 32. township 107, range 33 west. This was issued and signed by
President William McKinley, April 6, [893,
The United States to John P.isbee, claim No. 784. for the north half
of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 106, range 30 west. This
was issued b\ President Benjamin Harrison, December 20. 1892.
The lulled Slate- to John ('. West, claim No. 1,368, at the Marshall
land office, for the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section
10. township 105, range 31 west, issued by President William McKinlev,
and signed by him June 22, 1899.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 379
SCHOOL LANDS PURCHASED.
Many of the later settlers in Watonwan county took advantage of the
state school lands, which had been set apart by the government when Min-
nesota was yet a territory, for school purposes, and held to be parceled out
by the territory and state of Minnesota, at will. These lands usually sold
for about five to seven dollars an acre and the purchaser was given as long
as twenty years in which to pay for the same. Hundreds of such tracts
were taken up in this county, the money when paid in going to the school
fund. These lands, according to the provision of Congress, included every
sixteenth and thirty-sixth section in the townships of the state. The books
of the register of deeds in this county disclose the fact that one hundred
and sixty-three tracts of school lands, of greater or less acreage, were sold,
the record of such transactions being found in the record book in which
such transactions are usually kept. These patents are all signed by the gov-
ernor of the state.
EARLY MISCELLANEOUS DEEDS.
Among the earlier deeds made in this county may be found recorded
these: John Kirk to Bernard O. Hempffer, June 4, 1861, sections 18 and
19, of township 105, range 31 west.
Anion K. Dohl and wife to S. N. Oleson, November 1, 1861, the north-
west half of the northwest quarter of section 29, township 107, range 30
west, for seventy dollars consideration.
Archibald Armstrong to John Armstrong, December 28, 1861, for four
hundred and fifty dollars, the south half of the southeast quarter of section
1, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 12, township 107,
range 31 west.
G. W. Lamberton to C. M. Pomeroy, April 10, 1861, section 26, town-
ship 107, range 30 west.
John C. Sprague and wife to It. I'. Gilbert, April 23, 1862, the south-
east quarter of section 28, township 107, range 30 west.
SETTLEMENT NOTES.
The early settlement of this county was effected, as has been observed
by the foregoing statements, first in and around the village of Madelia, the
first seat of justice in the county, where there was a good stream and water
3S0 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
power, timber, etc., to begin development with. First, lands were entered
at government prices ; next came the chance to secure homesteads and tree
claims of the government; then the state school lands came into market, as
did the thousands of acres of railroad land. Not until the advent of the
railroad did the county settle up thickly in all townships, but it was confined
to lands near the eastern part, around streams and lakes.
The Scandinavian people were the first foreigners to come in great
numbers for the purpose of settlement.
FIRST SETTLERS IN WATONWAN COUNTY.
The northern part of Watonwan county was first settled by Germans,
Norwegians and Swedes; the central part by Americans, coming from In-
diana and Wisconsin, and the Irish. The Scandinavians at this time were
newcomer- to this country. There were no schools or churches, but as soon
as the new settlers got started, especially the Scandinavians, they estab-
lished schools and churches of their own. The first settlers in St. James
were the Norwegians and Catholics. The township of Adrian was first
settled by the Germans. When a school was established in these townships
the building was usually a sod shanty and the school term ran three months.
The first teachers were all men, as the hardships and the responsibilities were
too much tor women. Air. H. H. Higgins was one of the first school teach-
ers in the count}-. Me taught in Adrian for two years, after which he was
elected sheriff of Watonwan county. George Knutzen was one of the first
teachers at Madelia. Afterwards he was elected county auditor and served
in this capacity for twent} years. Thomas Thurston had charge of the
schools in Riverdale and Olsendale townships for several years, after which
he was elected to the office of county recorder and served for twenty years.
After serving their times in the county offices, both Knutzen and Thurston
wire elected to the state Legislature. The reason these men could not stay
in the teaching profession was because of the low wages. The salary was
onl) about twenty-live dollars per month. Hoard and room cost them one
di illar per wei k,
The lir-i store in St. James was owned by E. K. McLean. lie hauled
his first load of g 1- from Madelia with an ox team. The first hotel was
the St. fames. The building stood where the Boston Motel stands today.
and was owned b) the railroad and run by Captain Meyer. About ten years
aftei the building was sold to Air. Gibbs, who added to and remodeled the
structure into its present form.
CHAPTER IV
ORGANIZATION AXD COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Watonwan county was organized in April, 1S61, but it had really
been created by act of the Minnesota Legislature, dated February 25, i860,
which act also fixed the county seat at Madelia. It is situated in the center
of the second tier of counties north of the Iowa line. The first county
commissioners were: J. F. Ferber, C. M. Pomeroy and Ole Jargenson;
these were by appointment, and at the election held in the fall of 1861, the
following officers were duly elected, the election being held at Madelia :
John Travis, probate judge; John Chase, sheriff; Charles G. Mullen, audi-
tor; C. M. Pomeroy, treasurer; Joseph Flanders, recorder of deeds; Daniel
Bush, county attorney; Notts Jenson, coroner; Salvor Torgenson, Lewis
Varwick and Thomas Rutledge, county commissioners.
The county derived its name from a civil township by that name, in
Blue Earth county, when that county and Watonwan were all in one, thus,
"'Watonwan township, Blue Earth county, Minnesota," became Watonwan
county, Minnesota. This whole territory at one time belonged to Brown
county, and extended as far south as the mouth of the Big Sioux river, at
Sioux City, Iowa, and west bounds without limit, almost. But with the
settling of southern Minnesota, count}- after county was cut off and made
separate sub-divisions of the state. The name Watonwan is Indian dialect.
The Watonwan river was perhaps the first natural object within this county
that was known by the word.
The area of the county is four hundred and thirty-five and forty-five
one hundredths square miles, or two hundred and seventy-eight thousand
six hundred and eighty-nine acres, of which two hundred and seventy-seven
thousand are land and sixteen hundred and thirty-eight acres are water.
The land surface is divided into twelve hundred and sixty-nine farms.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' PROCEEDINGS.
On February 13, 1861, appears the first entry in Book "A" of commis-
sioner's records for Watonwan county: "The commissioners met at the
house of J. F. Furber at ten o'clock in the forenoon the thirteenth day of
382 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
February, 186 1, for the purpose of electing county officers for Watonwan
county, whereupon J. F. Furber was elected chairman and N. Jensen, clerk,
pro tem; after being duly qualified they proceeded to ballot for county
auditor. H. P. Gilbert received a majority and was declared elected auditor.
"For recorder of deeds J. L. Taylor received a majority and was de-
clared elected. For county treasurer, B. O. Rampfer received a rhajority
and was declared elected treasurer. For judge of probate, J. Flanders,
•having received a majority of the votes, was duly declared elected. For
sheriff, C. G. Mullen, receiving the largest number of votes, was declared
elected. For coroner, Caleb Leavitt received a majority of the votes cast
and was declared elected. For county surveyor, J. Leavitt having received
a majority of the votes cast, was declared elected.
"( )n motion of C. M. Pomeroy the board adjourned to meet at the
house of H. P. Gilbert, on Saturday, the 16th day of February, 1861.
"(Signed) Notto Jensen, Clerk, pro tem.
"I hereby certify that this is an exact copy of the original minutes.
"C. G. Mult. f.n. County Auditor."
The commissioners failed to meet on the 16th of February, but did
assemble on March 26th at the house of H. P. Gilbert. The first act in a
business sense was t< > fix the salary of the county auditor, the same being
placed at thirty-five dollars per year.
il. P. Gilbert was called in pursuance of his appointment and qualified
as county auditor. At the afternoon session Joseph Flanders and B. O.
Rempfer failing to appear and qualify, the hoard proceeded to fill the va-
cancies for the offices of probate judge and county treasurer, respectively.
The first ballot for county treasurer resulted unanimously in the choice of
C. G. Mullen, and Ins appointment for the office of sheriff was then changed
for that of treasurer of the county and he duly qualified according to law.
Notto Jensen was then balloted for as judge of probate and received
1 > vote of the commissioners, and was declared elected that office. He
then came in and was qualified according to law.
Jonathan Leavitt was ballotted for as sheriff and received a unanimous
vote "i tin- commissioners present and was declared elected and immediately
qualified acci irding to law.
These minutes were taken down on loose slips of paper, but were cer-
tified I- later in book form and signed as follows:
"1 hereb) certify that this is an exact copy of the original as recorded
by Auditor ( lilberl of that date.
"(Signed) C. G. Mullen, County Auditor."
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 7,8^
Session of September 3, 1861 : On motion of J. T. Furber, C. M.
Pomeroy was chosen chairman of the commissioner's board. The follow-
ing oaths were then administered by the clerk of the hoard, H. P. Gilbert:
"To J. T. Furber. C". M. Pomeroy and Ole Jorgensen, you solemnly swear
that you will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the hoard
of equalization of taxes in and for the county of Watonwan county, accord-
ing to the best of your ability — so help you, God."
The above oath was then administered to the clerk (H. P. Gilbert) by
C. M. Pomeroy (justice of the peace), whereupon the hoard then pro-
ceeded to regular business.
FIRST BUSINESS OF COUNTY COMMISIONERs.
The first business of the county commissioners, after having fully per-
fected the organization of the board, was to look into the merits of an
application of C. Leavitt & Company, who wanted the assessment on their
mill property cut from nineteen hundred to twelve hundred dollars, and
this was finally allowed. It was at this meeting that David Wilcox was
appointed county attorney. Also in the matter of tax levy the board, on
motion of C. M. Pomeroy, voted to raise three mills on the dollar to defray
county expenses. On motion of Ole Jorgensen, a mill and three-fourths on
the dollar was levied for township purposes.
In January, 1862, the chairman of the commissioners' board was
Thomas Rutledge. who was nominated by Louis Yorweek. The county
auditor was ordered to send for all the books belonging to Watonwan
county. It will be observed that the county had a small business to trans-
act at that early date, for at the January meeting that year the commis-
sioners issued an order to pay the county's expenses, which only amounted
to thirty-five dollars and twenty-four cent-. The auditor's salary was then
to pay for the needed books in which to record the business transactions, the
fixed for the ensuing year at thirty-five dollars. It was resolved to appro-
priate the first twenty-five dollars that came into the treasury of the county
register of deeds needing the most of the books required. This became nec-
essary, as the records of this county had to be transcribed from the books
in Brown county, of which this county had formerly l>een a part. It ap-
pears from the record that in January, 1862. the board authorized the
county auditor to purchase two hundred dollars worth of record books for
use of the auditor and treasurer. At the meeting held on January 15. [862,
the auditor was ordered to purchase a seal for the county. Up to this time
384 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the proceedings of the county commissioner had been kept on loose sheets
of paper for want of record books, but when the new books arrived these
commissioners' records were carefully recorded as sworn to, being trans-
cripts from such loose sheets.
May, 1863. — The members of the board present were, H. P. Gilbert,
H. Schwarble, Jens Torsen, with C. M. Mullen, clerk. Mr. Gilbert was
chosen chairman. They proceeded to appoint a school superintendent for
Madelia township in the person of C. G. Mullen. John Flanders was ap-
pointed probate judge in place of J. Travis, who failed to qualify after he
had been elected. The county auditor was authorized to write to the county
auditor of Brown count}- to come and settle, as there was money belonging
to Brown county here.
MILITIA OFFICERS APPOINTED.
On May 19, 1863, the county commissioners met for the purpose of
appointing officers for the state militia. In balloting for captain, P. D.
Rutledge received a majority of the votes. For first lieutenant, W. C.
Farnesworth received the entire vote and was declared elected. For second
lieutenant, Jens Torson was elected. Jens Torson and H. P. Gilbert were
authorized to go after the guns, ammunition and accouterments for the
military company. The day fixed for the meeting of the company was
Thursday, June 4, 1863.
October 5, [863. — At the meeting of the county commissioners on this
date, there was a large amount of business relating to school and road
districts; much of these items were in a tangled and unsatisfactory condi-
tion and had to be adjusted as best they could be by the board. The pay-
menl for county record books was brought Up but laid over for the reason
that no taxes had been levied for that special purpose and the record says
it wa deferred until "a more convenient season."
At the same meeting claims against the county were audited as fol-
lows: May 5, [863, Jens Torson, services as county commissioner, $2;
Ma) 29, iN<'.^. one-half day organizing Watonwan county, $1; May 30,
63, going after anus for state militia. $4; May 31, 1863, team for carry-
ing arms. $2; June [9, one-half day presiding at election. Si; total. $10.
Similar bills were presented and allowed to Henry Schwrables, C. G.
Mullen and II. I'. Gilbert. At this session the county auditor handed in his
resignation, but it was not accepted by the county commissioners.
February 25, [864 This seem- to have been the next board meeting
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 385'
after the one noted above. This time they met at the house of John
Travis. J. L. Stark was appointed to till the vacancy occasioned by the
resignation of the county auditor, and II. P. Gilbert was elected chairman
of the commissioners. .
A motion was made to allow a bounty of fifty dollars be paid to vol-
unteers who had enlisted in the services of the United States since the 15th
of December, 1863, in Watonwan county. Another motion was made to
give a bounty of seventy-five dollars to volunteers who may enlist in the
services of the United States and be credited to Watonwan county, Minne-
sota, on or before March 5, 1864.
Josiah L. Stark was appointed school examiner for that year at this
session of the board of commissioners. The resignation of County Com-
missioner Joseph Flanders was accepted and it was ordered that he be ap-
pointed as county auditor until the next annual election.
On August 13, 1864, a motion was made and passed as follows: "That
provided enough would enlist to the credit of Watonwan county to free
the county from the draft to be made on September 5, 1864, that a bounty
of one hundred and fifty dollars be given."
August 25. 1864 — Present, H. P. Gilbert and William Busser, and they
passed an act striking out the conditions in an act passed August 13th and
amending the act so as to read as follows : "That a bounty of one hundred
and fifty dollars be paid anyone entering the service credited to Watonwan
county."
September, 1864 — Commissioners met at office of county auditor.
Members present, H. P. Gilbert, J. T. Furber. At this session it was or-
dered that the salary of the county auditor be fixed at fifty dollars per year.
Ordered that a mill and a half tax be levied to pay for books purchased for
the use of the county. Ordered to raise $650 to pay the county orders
issued to the United States volunteers.
February, 1865 — Members of the board present, H. P. Gilbert, J. T.
Furber and Chandler Farnsworth. Not having the funds with which to pay
for the county record books purchased in 1862, the bill had run until 1865
at ten per cent, interest, making the bill when paid $99.19 instead of $77. 25,
as originally invoiced at. The county auditor's salary was raised at this
meeting to Si 75 per year, he to furnish his own stationery and postage.
May 6, 1865 — Hoard of commissioners met and consisted of the fol-
lowing members: Gilbert, Furber and Farnsworth. At this session Hart
Montgomery was elected judge of probate.
(25)
3&6 COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
September, 1865 — At this session E. M. Sprague was appointed school
examiner. A two-mill tax was levied at this meeting for county school pur-
puses. Also a tax sufficient to raise $200 was levied with which to pur-
chase bloodhounds for the county's use.
January, 1866 — Members present: Bernard O. Kempfer (chairman),
John C. Sprague and Torson C. Levey. Bonds were furnished by P. D.
Rutledge, county surveyor. Hart Montgomery furnished his bonds as judge
of probate and one from E. M. Sprague, as sheriff. Ordered that the
bloodhounds belonging to the county be sold for whatever they will bring
and the proceeds applied to the special dog tax. Ordered that the auditor's
salary be raised to $200 per year, he to find all postage and stationery.
June 26, 1866 — The countv commissioners were still meeting; at Ma-
delia. Members present : Bernard O. Kempfer and John C. Sprague. They
appointed Chancelor Farnsworth and A. J. Nicholson as appraisers of the
school lands for and on behalf of the people of the county of Watonwan.
January, 1S67 — The commissioners resolved to look into the poor ques-
tion of the county, and finally appointed the county auditor as a committee
to handle the relief for this class of citizens.
At another meeting that month the members present were : Commis-
sioners Kempfer, Levey and J. K. Webster. A petition was presented the
board for the organization of a new civil township; also a remonstrance
against such new organization. It was asked that such proposed town-
ship be named Bloomington. The board agreed to leave this to Joseph
Flanders and B. O. Kempfer. The township was ordered organized and
the name was fixed as "York." This subsequently became Antrim town-
ship.
January, [868 — The commissioners who met were A. ]. Nicholson,
Ole Howe and John K. Webster. Bonds of the various county officials
were presented and accepted by the commissioners at this session.
March, [868 — The board met and gave out the following financial
Statement of Watonwan county as follows: Total amount of county fund,
$214,12; special comity fund, $88.69; county poor fund, $131.63; total,
$434.44. Liabilities, $232.25. Balance in favor of county, $202.19.
In March, [868, township 105, ranges 32 and 33, was created into
Long Lake civil township; also township 106, range 30, was created into
\\ akefuld township.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 387
TROUBLES OF A TREASURER.
March, 1868 — In session the commissioners passed this resolution:
"Resolved that the interests of the county require that the office of county
treasurer shall be removed to the Yates building. Therefore, be it resolved
that the county treasurer be instructed to remove his said office to the above
mentioned place, and that the auditor serve a copy of the above resolution
on the said county treasurer." At this meeting of the board it was ordered
that eight copies of the Minnesota code be purchased for the use of Waton-
wan county.
April 15, 1868 — The proceedings show that County Treasurer G. W.
Yates, who had been elected, failed to qualify in the legal time limit pro-
vided, so the old county treasurer, Thomas Rutledge, refused to give up the
office. The minutes show the following concerning this affair : "Resolved,
that the interests of the county require that Thomas Rutledge, county
treasurer, should give additional bonds and that the auditor be instructed
to serve a copy of these resolutions on said county treasurer." On motion
this resolution was adopted at a special session on April 15, 186S: "Be it
resolved that we recognize George W. Yates as the rightful and legally
qualified treasurer of Watonwan county. And furthermore, that we de-
nounce and disapprove of the willful attempt of Thomas Rutledge, late
treasurer, to retain possession of the books and papers and moneys pertain-
ing to said office, against the express will of the people of Watonwan
county, and the manifest injury of said George W. Yates and in opposition
to law and justice. And furthermore, to save time and expenses convening
another special session of the hoard to appoint to fill vacancy, be it resolved,
that if, by any technical construction of law, the said G. W. Yates be not
entitled to such office of county treasurer — then the office is vacant and to
fill such vacancy we do hereby by the power vested in us by the statutes in
such cases provided, as board of county commissioners of Watonwan
county, appoint G. W. Yates to fill such vacancy and that Thomas Rutledge
be requested to immediately transfer to him all books, papers and moneys,
etc., belonging to this county of Watonwan as pertaining to the office of
county treasurer."
September, 1868 — At the session of the board of county commission-
ers, the name of "Wakefield" township be changed to "Fieldon." At this
meeting, under a new state law, the county commissioners organized three
commissioners' districts in this county. Madelia township was to be dis-
388 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
trict No. 1 : Antrim and Fieldon in district No. 2; and Long Lake township
in district No. 3.
January, [869 — A new civil township, known as "Drewsville," was
created out of congressional township 105, range 31. This was later changed
to South Branch. At this session of the board the commissioners ordered
the construction of a home-wood ferry-boat for the Watonwan river at the
village of Madelia. The same was not to exceed in cost two hundred dol-
lars. A seven-mill tax was levied at this time, to be payable in 1870, for
the purpose of building county offices.
November, 1869 — The board organized a new civil township out of
congressional township 107, range 33, and on petition of George A. Brad-
ford it was called "Riverdale." Bonds of the various county officers were
approved at this session.
January. 1870 — The commissioners fixed the ferry-boat fees at Ma-
delia at: Passengers on foot, five cents each way; teams, ten cents each
way, if living in the county; teams outside the county to be charged twenty-
five cents.
.March, 1870 — The board of commissioners created the civil township
of "St. James." It constituted congressional township 106, ranges 32 and
33. At the same session of the board of commissioners, the register of
deeds was authorized to procure of the St. Paul Pioneer Press Company, a
deed record hook at a cost not exceeding twenty dollars. The county
auditor was also given authority by the commissioners to procure a fire-
proo! safe for the county, providing the expense did not exceed four hun-
dred and fifty dollars. At this session the board made the following public
statemenl of the county's linnace- :
RESOURCES.
Cadi on hand March S, 1869 $ 223.73
Amount collected for year 920.09
Total $1,143.82
DISBTRSKMENTS.
Abatements of tax collections $ 1.60
Redeemed county orders 791-/2
1 ount) treasurer's fees 41.88
Tax receipts : 2.50
Total $ 837.70
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 389
ASSETS.
Cash on hand $ 306.12
Amount due on duplicates of 1869 631.68
Amount due on duplicates of 1868 I29-57
Amount due on duplicates of 1867 i5-°2
Amount due on duplicates of 1866 2.60
Total $ 984-99
Liabilities in outstanding orders 794-92
Assets over liabilities $ 190.07
At the August term in 1870, the bill of Doctor Stoddard for medical
fees for the month of July was twenty dollars and it was ordered paid from
the poor fund.
Septeml>er, 1870 — The commissioners created the civil township of
North Branch, out of congressional township 107, ranges 32 and 5^, from
the west portion of Riverdale township. Later in the same month the name
was changed by the commissioners to "Dexter." It was at this meeting
that the official bonds of the various newly elected county officers were ap-
proved by the board.
March, 1871 — The board present consisted of the following mem-
bers: H. Morrill, William S. Addsmond and Morris Bradford. At this
session the commissioners made a new civil township, "Springfield," out of
congressional township 106, range 31, and in April, that year, it was changed
to "Rosendale."
June, 1871 — The commissioners made Adrian township out of con-
gressional township 107, range 33, and the first election was to be held on
Julv 13, 1871, at the house of Volney DeWitt. County officers' bonds that
had not already been approved by the county board, were attended to at this
session.
Tanuarv, 1872 — Other county officers' bonds were approved by the
board at this meeting and a new township created out of congressional
township 106, range t,t„ the same being named Butterfield. Also another
made out of town-hip 105, range 33, and styled Odin.
The commissioners that year were Messrs. Morrill, Bradford and Pick-
ler. The records disclose hut little of general interest in the business trans-
acted that year, outside the usual routine of school and road affairs. The
same was true of the year 1873.
39° COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
January, 1874 — With the meeting of the county board in 1874 we find
Commissioners Morrill, Lambert, Toothaker, Marvin and Pona present.
They proceeded to approve of the bonds furnished by the various newly
elected county officers. A resolution regarding mixing in the "county seat
fight" reads as follows: "Resolved, We will not defend the county seat
contest at the expense of the county." They also ordered a supply of wood
for county use, not to exceed twenty-five dollars in value. The exhibit
made at that date of the county's financial condition showed cash on hand,
February 28. 1S73, $55.51; county orders redeemed during the year ending
March 1, 1874, $2,662.01; cash on hand, February 28, 1874, $14.76; assets
for that date, $5,174.61; liabilities, at that date, over assets, $3,065.74.
In 1874 the valuation of assessed property was given out by the board
td amount to $582,518. The total number of persons assessed in the county
was eight hundred and forty-five. Six mills on the dollar on all property
was levied for general county purposes. In the autumn of 1874 the board
of county commissioners appropriated money with which to purchase two
hundred bushels of corn, or its equivalent in corn meal, for the unfortunate
poor of Watonwan county.
January, 1875 — At the commissioners' meeting in the first week of
this year, the commissioners were Messrs. Morrill, Lambert, Toothaker,
( orbin, Mellgren. The county treasurer gave bonds amounting to twelve
thousand dollars. Another resolution of this month's session was as fol-
lows: "Whereas, we have reason to believe that there will be a small
amount of business liable to come before the district court at the term to
be held in Watonwan county next February; therefore, in view of the
destitution of the people by reason of the grasshopper raid, be it resolved
that the judge of the said court adjourn the term for one year.
"(Signed) Joseph Flanders, County Auditor."
March, 1875 — The minute book of the commissioners and county audi-.
tor has tin- entry about the date just given: "The annual session of the
board of county commissioners, which should have been held this day, went
by default in consequence of a fearful snow storm, so much so that there
was no one of the commissioners present."
Jul\. [875- The commissioners sitting as a board of equalization in
tins session gave out the following as the assessed valuations to obtain dur-
ing that year: Class NT0. 1 — Horses under three years of age. twenty dol-
lars; horse- ovet three years of age, fifty dollars. Class No. 2— Cattle
under two years of age, five dollars; cow- over two years of age. twelve
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 39I
dollars: other cattle, eighteen dollars. Class No. 3 — Mules, fifty dollars.
Class No. 4 — Sheep, per head, one dollar. Class No. 5 — Hogs, per head,
two dollars and sixty cents. Class No. 6 — Wagons and carriages, twenty
dollars. Class No. 7 — Sewing or knitting machines, twenty-five dollars.
Class No. 8 — Watches and clocks, three and a halt dollars. Class No. 9 —
Organs and melodians, fifty dollars. Class No. 10 — Pianos, one hundred
dollars. Class No. 30 — "Homestead property." in Long Lake, South Branch,
St. James. Riverdale, Rosendale, Antrim and Fieldon, at $1.75 per acre; in
Odin, Butterfield, Adrian and Nelson, at $1.50 per acre.
At a further meeting, July, 1875, the board of county commissioners
offered a reward of fifty dollars for the detection and final conviction of
any person who should set a prairie fire between July, 1875, an^ July, 1876.
January, 1876 — At a meeting of the board at this date the members
were as follow : Messrs. Corbin, Toothaker, Mellgren, John Burns and
Theodore Lambert. They approved the bonds of newly-elected county
officials and selected a "county paper," in which contest the Record was
successful. But it is found that in June this act was rescinded and the
Madelia Times was made the official newspaper of Watonwan county. That
vear the delinquent tax list was published in the Madelia Times at five
cents a description, and this made the amount of fifty-three dollars for the
year.
The general county fund called for four thousand dollars in 1876;
also one mill per dollar for general school fund purposes. The proceedings
show that there was a balance on hand December 25, 1876, of $1,303.07,
and assets and liabilities amounting to $8,320.97.
March. 1877 — This was the period in which state and county aid had
to be rendered those who lost everything by reason of the grasshopper
scourge. The minutes of the commissioners show that seventy-odd persons
received seed grain under a special act of the .Minnesota Legislature.
COUNTY EXPENSES.
The published list of county expenses in this county in 1877 was as
follows: Salaries, $2,400; fees. $'.0; grand jury, $88; petit jury, $250;
justice of peace expense, $50; report of births and deaths, $48; blank
books and blanks, $200; miscellaneous items, $364. The total was $4,000.
The general school fund was covered by a one-mill tax on the dollar, levied
that year.
That year this county received from the state, under the act of Febru-
392
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ary, 1877, cash for the purchase of seed grain for the grasshopper sufferers
to the amount of $798. The bill reads: "Bought five hundred and fifty-
five bushels of wheat at $1.35 per bushel, equal to $749.25; freight on same
to St. James, $16.65; loading car, $1.50; cash on hand not used, $3.00. The
fees collected by the clerk of the district court in 1877 was $719; by the
register of deeds, $424; by the sheriff, $426.
MORE AID TO FARMERS.
Jn February, 1878, the Minnesota Legislature passed an act for the
immediate relief of farmers who were unable to secure seed grain in con-
sequence of the grasshopper raid of 1877 through this section of the state.
On March 5 the county commissioners of Watonwan county met to appor-
tion out the seed grain purchased by the state for the farmers in this county.
They each had to personally make a formal application and show their
absolute needs before they could receive the coveted seed grain. This list
of persons receiving seed is here inserted in the annals of the county, showing,
as it does, to what straits the early settlers were put in the seventies.
Many of the men and their descendants still live within the county and large
numbers became well circumstanced after the county had settled up, after
railroads had made their advent and after drought and grasshopper raids
were things of the past. It should be understood that both wheat and oats
were provided in amounts agreed upon by the destitute and the county
board :
Applicants.
J. B. Backes - 25
Martha Halvorson 30
Ole Hanson 50
John Carlson 25
T. A. Johnson 15
Nels Halvorson 30
Cal. Halvorson 30
Paul Halvorson 25
John Olson 25
John Paulson 20
Martin Jargenson 15
John Cole 22
S. Johnson 10
John Sjoi|uest 15
John Swanson 15
Jonas Lindquiat 30
Hans Oleson 60
Bushels
Wheat. Oats.
25
5
15
1(1
10
5
15
20
Applicants.
John Johnson
Peter Peterson, Sr. . 40
Lewis Nelson 25
Thorston Thorston 30
Andrew Anderson 20
August Carlson 16
A. P. Anderson 10
Erick Calson 30
Andrew Erickson 30
Martin Halvorson
Peter Freeman 15
Casper Anderson 20
Swan Martin 20
Swan Anderson 20
Siver Oleson 30
Andrew Knudson 10
Christ Hanson 10
Bushels
Wheat. Oats.
.. 20
50
5
50
16
50
10
2
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
393
Bushels
Applicants. Wheat. Oats.
Chaney Beal 25
Andrew Larson 30 6
D. H. Forsyth 45 37
Nels Anderson 10
Andrew Johnson 15
J. M. Swanson - 30 15
Joel Parker 24 14
W. H. Jenkins 18
Conrad Shafer 15
William Arnd 30
P. A. Gustavson 15 15
E. Lofgren 15
P. A. Kinney 30 20
Swan Englin 30 15
John Herneman 120 40
Charles Warner 10
J. A. Peterson 20
Jonas Nelson 15
M. B. Foster 40 15
Hans Anderson 20
Pat Currey 45
Fred Shumas 25 30
Swan Nelson 20
Lewis Nelson 18 5
Martin Peterson 20
Andrew Currey 28
Andrew Swanson 15
Rasmus Johnson 20
A. E. Loper 37
J. A. Lee 15
James Hammil 50
Tim Tirney 45
P. D. Rutledge 45 45
Elif Ebror 15
N. A. Melick 30 35
Andrew Anderson 40 20
Nels Nelson 75 30
Andrew Ordson 30
Daniel Pedoin 20 25
Martin Cain 25
H. J. Juveland 25
•John Skarpohl 30 10
O. F. Birchard 40
William Birchard 60
Thomas McNamara 40
C. C. Fisher 40 12
Stephen Carney 25
William Hackney 20
Bushels
Applicants. Wheat. Oats.
J. D. Johnston 25 25
L. S. Lewis 20
Allen Rice 6 30
J. Davison 25 15
Joseph Rice 15
C. C. Waste 25
F. Peits 30
James Gelaspie 75
J. M. Travis 50
William McMullen 20
E. D. Miller 20 20
Tim Larkins 30
John Sullivan 20
William S. James 20
Henry Struss 40 40
Robert Duvar 10 25
William Sloan 20
J. B. Rhoades 22 22
B. A. Town 15 15
Herman Halvorson 13
Mike Gall 15
John Folley 15
Peter Rock 15
H. H. Thompson 10
Thor Thorson 20 zu
Ed Hewitt 20 40
John Colman 25 10
Myron Curtis — 30
William Barge 35
Abner Denman 37 30
Arthur Hart 20 25
Hans Johnson 40
Andrew Peterson 18
A. A. Hovde 15 15
H. J. Halvorson 15 10
J. P. Anderson 15 10
Swan Anderson 25
J. F. Oleson 20
N. T. Wethal 25
H. L. Rud 10 is
Peter Carlson 20 12
A. A. Nass 13
Fred Peterson 30 10
O. S. Stenburg 20
M. M. Munson 12
C. O. Wagner 15 10
Haivor Halvorson 18
J. G. Butterfield 225 90
394 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The amount appropriated by the state of Minnesota for this county
was $2,453.50, and this purchased 2,067 bushels of wheat and 860 bushels
of oats. The average paid for wheat was $1.05, and for oats, 35' cents.
The seed grain was all delivered at either St. James or Madelia stations.
This donation on the part of the commonwealth enabled the farmers
to sow and reap an abundant harvest in most cases.
In 1895 this county donated grain, goods and cash to the sufferers in
the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas, thus reciprocating for favors as above
mentioned — they were only too glad to thus donate.
RELOCATING THE COUNTY SEAT.
Alter enjoying the county seat for thirteen years, Madelia commenced
to fear that the seat of justice was to be taken from them to St. James.
The following is a copy of the legislative bill enacted in 1874:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Minnesota:
Section 1. That the county seat of the county of Watonwan, in the
state of Minnesota, lie and the same is hereby removed from the village and
town of Madelia, where it is now located in said county, to the village of
St. James, in said county.
Section 2. At the time of giving notice of the next general election it
shall he the duty of the officers of said county of Watonwan required by
law to give notice of said election, to give notice in like manner that at
said election a vote will be taken on the question of adopting this act re-
moving the county seat from the village and town of .Madelia to the said
village of St. James, as provided in section 1 of this act; hut no failure or
irregularity in such notice or in giving of such notice shall in any way
vitiate the vote on such question.
Section 3. At said election the electors of said county in favor of the
removal of said county seat, as provided in the act shall have distinctly
written or printed, <>r partly written and partly printed, on their ballots,
"for removal of county seal," and those opposed to such removal, "Against
removal oi county seal." and such ballots shall be received by the judges of
election and canvassed at the same time ami in the same manner and re-
turned i" the same office as votes for county officers.
Section 4. The county canvassing hoard of said county to whom said
election returns are made, shall canvass the votes on said question at the
same time and in the same manner as returns of votes for count v officers,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 395
and if upon such canvass being made it shall appear that a majority of the
electors of said county of Watonwan voted in favor of the adoption of this
act and the removal of said county seat, an abstract of the canvass of said
votes shall be made on one sheet signed and certified in the same manner
as in case of abstracts of votes for the county officers and shall be deposited
in the office of the county auditor of said county and said county auditor
shall immediately thereafter transmit to the secretary of state a copy of said
abstracts duly certified by said auditor.
Section 5. If the act shall he adopted by a majority of the electors of
said county of Watonwan, the governor shall forthwith make proclamation
as provided by law in such cases and it is hereby made the duty of all
officers who are required by law to hold their offices at the county seat to
remove their offices, books and records to the new county seat at St. James
within thirty days after the removal of said county seat as in this act pro-
vided, without further notice, and any failure to remove said office shall
operate as a forfeiture of their said offices.
Section 6. Chapter 193 of special laws of 1873 and all acts or parts
of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed.
Section 7. It shall lie lawful for the village authorities of said Madelia
and St. James, and they are respectively hereby authorized, to appoint by
certificate under their hand a proper person to attend such of the township
and village boards and judges of election thereof in said county as they may
deem necessary, who shall have authority and whose duty it shall be to
witness the action of >ai<l township ami village hoards or judges of election
in receiving and preparing the register of legal voters in either of the elec-
tion districts of said county for the next general election and in concluding
the next general election in either of said election districts, said person or
persons appointed shall he sworn, and it shall he their duty to see that none
but legal voters of said county are registered and allowed to vote at any of
the several election districts of said county, and to use all lawful means in
their power to prevent fraud or deceit thereat and cause to be prosecuted
any and all persons found guilty of any fraud or deceit at any of the elec-
tion districts; and it is hereby made the duty of the officers or judges of
election of said election district to allow such persons so appointed to be
present at the making of such registration lists or holding of such elections
and to afford to them proper facilities to freely witness the same, and the
canvass of the votes cast thereat ami the preparation and sealing of the
official returns thereof and to make an abstract of the same it so desired,
and the fact that any said persons so appointed shall he refused the rights
396 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
and privileges herein granted by any board or judges of election shall be
deemed prima facia evidence that the votes cast thereat upon the removal of
said county seat are fraudulent and void.
Section 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after
it-- pa-sage, except as to section 1, which is to take effect from and after
adoption of the same as provided herein.
The following is a record of the votes cast by townships at the general
election held in 1873 for the removal of the county seat:
For. Against. For. Against.
Adrian 42 Riverdale 19 39
I'.ntterlield ^^ Rosendale $7 2
Fieldon 2 153 St. James 312 1
Long Lake 86 South Branch 5
Madelia 795
( Mm 7_' Total 603 995
VOTE ON THE SAME QUESTION, 1 878.
For. Against. For. Against.
Adrian 56 Odin 78
Antrim 4 65 Riverdale II 22
Butterfield 23 Rosendale 27 1
Fieldon 3 57 St. James 172
Long Lake 78 South Branch 48 1
Madelia 11 214
6/
Nelson 83 11 Total 594
At the board meeting of the county commissioners in October, 1878,
the following proceedings were dealt with:
"Whereas, the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad Company has given a
warranty tkt'<] in fee simple to the county commissioners of Watonwan
county. Minnesota, of lots Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7. 8 and 9, in block 25, in the village
"i St. James, for the use and purpose of said county, whenever the county
seal is removed to St. James. Therefore, be it resolved that said deed be
and is hereb) accepted and the sum of one dollar hereby appropriated out
of the county fund t<> pay said railroad company as a consideration of said
deed :
"And. whereas, the trustees of the village <>f St James have executed
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 3Q7
and delivered to the county commissioners of Watonwan county, Minne-
sota, a lease of a certain building, situate on lots 5 and 6, in block 2^,, in the
village of St. James, known as the "court house," for the use of the county
for county purposes for the term of ninety-nine years, or as long as used
by the county for the amount of one dollar, as rent for the same;
''Therefore, be it resolved, that said lease be accepted and ratified, and
the sum of one dollar is hereby appropriated out of the general fund, to be
paid to the trustees of the village of St. James, as a consideration for said
lease."
THE COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER.
January session of 1879 — At this session of the board of county com-
missioners they selected the Madelia Times as the official paper of Waton-
wan county for the ensuing year. At the same meeting the commissioners
appointed William R. Marvin as a committeeman to prepare plans and make
estimates for a vault at the court house and report same at the next meeting
of the board. The forty-first school district was set off at this meeting.
The county auditor was instructed to insure the court house in the sum of
one thousand dollars for one year.
Parties at Madelia were granted a saloon license for twenty-five dollars
at the same meeting. The school superintendent's salary was fixed at four
hundred dollars a year. The St. James Journal and Madelia Times put in
their bids for the county printing for the ensuing year. Sheriff James
Glispin was allowed his bill for extra expense incurred in the capture of the
famous bandits, the Younger brothers, of the Northfield bank robbery epi-
sode. The bill was $54.55, and was vouched for by the county attorney.
The official fees collected in this county in 1879 were: Clerk of the district
court, $763; register of deeds, $613; sheriff, $722.
March, 1881, session — The county commissioners appointed a commit-
tee to superintend the construction of a tire-proof vault for the county's
use. It was also ordered at that session that the block containing the court
house in St. James be fenced; that the contract be awarded to James
Faren at sixty dollars, he to furnish all material.
County Treasurer M. K. Armstrong was on hand and gave bond in the
sum of fifteen thousand dollars. lie was appointed to fill the vacancy
created by the death of former Treasurer James Torson.
Nothing of much note transpired during the year 1882. In 1883 the
county board was composed of these gentlemen: Shillitto, Gove, Olson,
Stenburg and Uhlhom. in July, 1883, County Treasurer M. E. Dunn was
39§ COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
suspended by the order of the governor of Minnesota, after which the
county commissioners appointed Andrew S. Mellgren as county treasurer.
Treasurer Dunn was a defaulter and was exposed by the public examination
of his records. The story of the record is about as follows: The bondsmen
of M. E. Dunn, by their attorney, J. \Y. Seager, appeared before the board
and offered to pay fifty per cent, of the actual defalcation of the said Dunn
as county treasurer.
The following resolution was offered : "Whereas, it appears that
M. I*'.. Dunn, late treasurer of Watonwan county, is a defaulter on the
general bond as treasurer to the amount of $5,889.37. and, whereas, the
sureties on such bond have made a proposition to pay fifty per cent, of the
actual defalcation, in consideration of being released from further liability
on said bond;
"Therefore, be it resolved, that such proposition be accepted and said
bondsmen released from said bond on the payment of such fifty per cent.
into the treasury of said county within thirty days from date, but such re-
lease is not to prevent in any manner, the collection of the balance of such
defalcation from said M. E. Dunn as such principal."
The following resolution was then passed by the board:
"Whereas, it appears that Martin E. Dunn, late treasurer of Waton-
wan county, is charged with the sum of $5,889.37 in funds collected by him,
as taxes as such treasurer, and that he has failed to make return and settle
therefor as provided by law, and that he has absconded with said money
so collected ;
"Therefore, it is hereby ordered that the county auditor shall cause
action to be instituted against said Martin E. Dunn, on the bond as such
treasurer, to recover any sum that may be due thereon to said county."
This resolution was unanimously adopted by the members of the board of
c< mntj a >mmissi< mers.
SALARIES AND BONDS.
\t the meeting of the county commissioners, January 2, 1884, the
members were: Messrs. Sbillitto, Olson, Stenburg, Uhlhorn and Fanning.
At this meeting the following record appears concerning salaries and bonds
For the several count) officers of Watonwan county: The county treasurer
was to give binid^ in the sum of fifteen thousand dollars; the auditor of the
county in the sum of five thousand dollars; the register of deeds in the sum
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 399
of five thousand dollars ; the county attorney in the sum of one thousand
dollars; clerk of the district court bonds in the sum of one thousand dollars;
the coroner in the sum of one thousand dollars.
The county attorney was to have a salary of three hundred dollars a
year and the county superintendent of schools was to have four hundred
and ten dollars, but this was changed in 1885 to ten dollars per school dis-
trict in the county.
In 1 88') the commissioners raised the liquor license in this county to
seventy-five dollars.
\t the board meeting. March, 1887, the county commissioners ap-
pointed a committee to re-shingle the court house and to make needed re-
pairs about the buildings. Thad. Kirk was appointed coroner by the board,
July, 1887, and at his death, in July, the same year, they appointed Dr.
James M. Smith to till the vacancy caused by his death.
Nothing of general public interest transpired on the board of county
commissioners during the years intervening between 1887 and 1891.
HISTORY OF THE COURT HOUSES.
The first court house in Watonwan county was located in the village of
Madelia, on the lot just east of the Mutual Insurance building. The build-
ing was a frame structure and rather pretentious for that time. The local
attorneys had their offices in this building. Fire destroyed this building.
Xo sooner had the building burned than the citizens of Madelia were plan-
ning for another, because already they had fears lest in the near future the
question of removal might come up. Joseph Flanders came to the rescue
and built the brick building, now occupied by C. J. Fide, Lodes' Ideal Res-
taurant. McGovern's electrical shop and the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, t" he used fur court house purposes. The text of the lease given
by Mr. Flanders to the county commissioners is here produced in part: "I
do hereby certify that on the 14th day of October, 1873, J. Flanders and
Mary, his wife, made and executed and delivered to the commissioners of
Watonwan county, Minnesota, a lease, in due and proper form wherein and
whereby the said Flanders and wife conveyed to said commissioners and to
their successors in office for the use of said county, the following described
premises: One room on the lower floor of the brick building, now owned
by said lessors and situated on lot 5, in block 3, in Flanders' Addition, town
of Madelia, together with fireproof vault adjacent to and connected with
400 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
said room; also the main hall in second story of said building, together with
approaches, fixtures and privileges thereunto belonging, or in any wise ap-
pertaining; to have and to hold the same unto the said commissioners and
their successors in office for and during the full term of ten (10) years from
and after the first day of November, 1873, or so long as the same may be
needed for county purposes, not exceeding said term of ten year-."
An editorial that appeared in the Madelia Times, 1875, says: "One
of the evidences of the dictatorial spirit with which J. Flanders attempts to
run this county, subservient to his arbitrary will, is evidenced by the manner
in which he put the county offices out of possession of the rooms, whose use
belongs to the count}-, and to no one else, for county purposes under a lease
of ten years, or so long as it may be needed for said purposes, by the county
seat remaining at this place. It is a shame and a disgrace that our county
officers should lie even asked to vacate the apartments provided for them
by the said lease, which was accepted by the county board and put on
record, and be moved into another room, which is not well lighted, to suit
the caprice of one dictating official, simply that he may use the room which
rightfully belongs to the county, to accomplish selfish ends. Still worse
than this, however, a part of the officers were not even requested to move,
but without being consulted and in their absence, their desks, books and
papers were removed."
THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE.
• On February 2, 1891, the first mention in the records of the county,
concerning a new court house was made when the following resolution was
passed by the county board :
"Whereas, the building now used as a court house is inadequate and
unsuitable for the transaction of the county's business and the safe keeping
oi the county records; Therefore, Resolved, by the board of county commis-
sioners of Watonwan county, Minnesota, that by virtue of the power con-
ferred upon us by sections 86 and 1 10, chapter 8, of the General Assembly
-1 [878, we proceed to build a new court house for said Watonwan count v.
"Resolved, that our members in the Legislature are hereby requested to
secure the passage of a law authorizing the issue of bonds of said county in
the snni of thirty thousand dollars for the purpose of building a new court
bouse. The question of such bonds t,, be submitted to a vote of the quali-
fied iiect,,i. oi aid county at the annual election of the towns and villages
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 401
to be held March 10th, 1891. The first of said bonds to become due five
years after its issue aud to be paid at the rate of three thousand dollars per
annum until all said bonds are paid off."
The county commissioners in 1895 were as follow: Messrs. Crowley,
Busser, Lindley, Swanson and Melheim. On March 4, 1895, this board of
commissioners advertised for bids for the sale of thirty thousand dollars
worth of county bonds for the erection of the new court house and ordered
bonds, the same inserted in the newspapers, said bids to be opened on April
15. that year.
At the April session of the board in 1895, the following resolution was
passed: Resolved, that we issue bonds as commissioners of Watonwan
county in the sum of thirty thousand dollars, bearing five per cent, interest,
payable as follows: Ten thousand dollars, five years from date of issue;
ten thousand, ten years from date of issue; and ten thousand, fifteen
years from date of issue. Bonds to be issued in denominations of one thou-
sand dollars each and for the purpose of erecting and finishing a court
house for the said county of Watonwan, Minnesota, under authority of
chapter 476, of the special laws of the state of Minnesota, for the year
1891.
The board then proceeded to open and consider bids, as secured for the
purchase of thirty thousand dollars in court house bonds, to be issued July
I, 1895. Bids came in from all quarters of the country, as will be seen by
the list of bidders given: Marion Lewis & Company, Chicago, $30,463;
\\ . J. Hayes & Son, Cleveland, Ohio, $29,705 ; Campbell, Wild & Com-
pany, Anderson, Indiana, $30,000: E. W. Peet & Company, St. Paul,
$30,000: Z. T. Lewis, Dayton, Ohio, $30,325; Seymour Barto & Company,
New York City, $30,431.51; George H. Marsh, Mankato, Minnesota, $10,-
210, for the fifteen-year bonds, $10,150 for the ten-year bonds; Farson
Leach & Company, Chicago, $30,150; Farmers' and Merchants' Savings
Bank, Minneapolis, $31,261: J. 1 >. (leghorn & Company, Minneapolis,
$30,947: X. \V. Harris & Company, Chicago, $30,790; First National Bank,
St. Paul. $30,000; First National Bank, Chicago, $30,790; Trobridge &
Company, < Chicago, $30,456. The board accepted the bid of the Farmers'
and Merchants' Bank of Minneapolis, at $31,261. They then began the erec-
tion of the new court house, as presented by fifteen or more architects and
building firms.
April r6, r 895 — The hoard met again to go over the plans and hear
(26)
402 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
from various architects their explanation of specifications. They continued
meeting and adjourning until April 19, when it was moved and carried
unanimously that the plans and specifications of H. C. Gerlock, of Mankato,
be accepted, and that he he engaged to draw complete plans and specifica-
tions for the new court house. About this date the commissioners selected
five banks in the county as depositories for the county's funds.
May 22, 1895 — Bids for building the court house opened. There were
five firms from Mankato, one at St. James, seven from St. Paul and Min-
nesota, one from Blue Earth City, one from Stillwater. These fifteen bids
ranged from $30,700 to $43,700.
May 23, 1805. — Resolved, That we, as the board of county commis-
sioners of Watonwan county, do and hereby accept the bid of Klemschmidt
Brothers, of Mankato. Minnesota, in the sum of $30,700, for the erection
and construction of the new court house to be erected in the village of St.
James, according to plans and specifications prepared by H. C. Gerlock,
architect. The same day the county commissioners viewed the nineteen
bids for furnishing the steam-heating plant, and finally selected the bid of
the Pond and Hasey Company, of Minneapolis, which firm agreed to execute
the work for the sum of $2,390. At the same session the board instructed
the county auditor to notify different manufacturers that contracts would
be let for the vault and steel work of the court house to be built, and that
the bids would he viewed at the July session of the board, at St. James.
July 11. 1805. — The board of commissioners let the contract for vaults
to the new court house. They had four bidders and accepted the one made
by the Specialty Manufacturing Company, of Rochester, Xew York, in the
sum of $1,218.65, and this was to include all metal and steel fixtures, as
per plans and specifications submitted. The bids for all office furniture and
fixtures were opened from many companies. The board of commissioners
took the bid at $2,029 of a Minneapolis firm, known as the Office and School
Furniture Company. Thus far the contracts let for the building and fix-
tures amounted to ^^C<.},,i,J, and early in 1896 the commissioners provided
electric lights for the court house at an expense of S500.
Von ON ' 01 i;i 1101 si: BOND [SSUE IX l8()_\
When the people of this county voted for the issuing of bonds with
which to erect a new court house in i8o_, the sentiment was against such
measure, as is -ecu by the following vote in the several townships:
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
403
Township. For.
Rosendale —
Antrim —
Fieldon
Madelia
Riverdale 2
Nelson 6
Odin 6
Against.
4i
85
5i
56
43
58
58
Township. For.
Adrian 5
Long Lake 25
South Branch 44
St. James 35
Butterfield 10
St. James village 236
Against.
32
35
9
L5
49
02
Totals 396
5i6
COURT HOUSE BOND ISSUE, 1895.
By townships the vote on the bond issue which resulted in the erection
of the present magnificent temple of justice, was as follows, the same being
voted on at the March election, 1895:
For.
St. James village 414
St. James township 60
Madelia village 56
Madelia township __ 3
1 Mm t' iwnship 8
South Branch town-
ship 51
Riverdale township— 72
Against.
For. A
Lgai-nst.
Adrian township 34
17
12
Butterfield village n
16
241
Butterfield township 18
32
63
Rosendale township 44
14
43
Nelson township 43
19
Long Lake township- 39
20
3
Antrim township
54
12
Majority for bonds_222
THE JAIL AND CARING FOR THE POOR.
Formerly this county used the city jail for keeping its few prisoners
in, but when the present court house was built a few cells or steel cages
were constructed in the basement of the building, for county jail purposes,
but long ago this arrangement was declared unsanitary and by the author-
ities condemned, since which time this has not been used, but prisoners have
been taken to Mankato for safe keeping, until tried. It is thought now that
the county commissioners made a mistake when building the present court
house that they did not seek to purchase some of the adjoining property
on which a suitable jail and sheriff's house could have been erected at some
later date. Now the property is materially advanced in value.
Watonwan county has never had a "poor farm" or poor house, as so
404 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
many of the sister counties have. It being a smaller county, the authorities
have believed it less expensive to care for the few unfortunate poor in other
ways, each township, in a way paying for this item. A few of the poor
are kept at the St. James hospital, as they are ailing bodily and can be better
cared for there than in private homes.
FINANCES IN JULY, 1897.
The following appears of record in the minutes of the proceedings of
the count}- commissioners in July, 1897:
County Treasurer Dr.
To balance shown by auditor's books, July 10, 1897 $18,399.43
To taxes collected since July, 1897 6.81
Total $18,406.24
County Treasurer Cr.
By deposits in First National Bank, St. James $ 3,774.61
By deposits in Old Rank, St. James 3,810.64
By deposits in Citizens Bank, St. James 2,575.28
By deposits in State Watonwan County Bank, Madelia 4,165.62
By school warrants paid 96.98
B) school warrants on hand 63.50
By town warrants on hand 75-5°
By cash on hand 6.82
Total $18,406.24
In July. 1902. the commissioners caused cement sidewalks to be laid
around tin- court house, at sixteen and one-third cents per square foot. This
com rart was awarded to Joseph Schmidt.
In 1903 the county school superintendent's salary was raised to twelve
dollar- for each school district within, the county; prior to that date the
salary had been only ten dollars per school district.
June, [907. -Al a meeting of the county commissioners they voted to
borrow thirty-five thousand dollars of the state of Minnesota by giving five
bonds of seven thousand dollars each, drawing three per cent. This loan
was tor the purpose of constructing "Ditch No. )." of Watonwan county.
The salary of the county superintendent of schools was raised again in
1013 to fifteen dollars per school district, payable monthly.
COTTOXWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 405
At the January meeting in 1913 the board passed the following resolu-
tion: "Moved and seconded, that the board of county commissioners of
Watonwan county extend to George Busser a vote of thanks for his faithful
services as county commissioner for the last twenty years.
LAST FINAXCIAL STATEMENT.
The county auditor's financial statement for July, 191 5, is as follows:
Cash in treasury, $26,352.98, and in bridge and road fund, $5,669.12.
Total resources, $32,022.10, is divided in following funds:
Tax collection fund $ 2,179.12
County revenue fund 3-775-25
County poor fund 1,695.25
County ditch fund 18,383.34
School district fund 1,088.11
Town and village fund 3. 241. 13
State lands fund 40.80
State loan fund 1,068.93
Contingent fund 298.84
State revenue and school fund U3-48
Sundries i37-85
Total $32,022.10
CASH DEPOSITS.
The county had cash deposited in July, 191 5, in banks as follows:
In the First National Bank of St. James $2,902.31
In the Security Bank of St. James 1,469.10
In Citizens National Bank, St. James 1,563.44
In Citizens National Bank (time deposits) 4,000.00
In First National Bank, Madelia 1,761.71
In State Bank of Butterfield 1,367.15
In State Bank of Butterfield (time deposits) 3,000.00
In Peoples State Bank, Butterfield 837.97
In State Bank of Darfur 764-3°
In Merchants State Bank, Lewisville 1.303.79
In State Bank, Madelia 1,778.23
In Odin State Bank 1,031.38
In Odin State Bank (time deposits) 3,000.00
In State Bank of La Salle MH-74
406 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ASSESSED VALUATIONS IN l88o AND 189O.
The assessed valuation of real estate in Watonwan county in 1880 was
$756,000; in 1890 it was $1,715,000.
The personal property valuation was in 1880, $362,000 and in 1890 it
was $449,000.
NUMBER OF BUILDINGS ASSESSED IN 1894.
The number of buildings assessed in 1894 in the various precincts of
this county were as follows: In Madelia township ninety-nine; Fieldon
township, ninety-eight; Antrim township, one hundred and six; South Branch,
township, ninety-nine; Rosendale township, ninety-seven; Riverdale town-
ship, one hundred and twenty-five; Nelson, one hundred and twenty-four; St.
James, eighty-seven; Long Lake township, ninety-nine; Odin township,
ninety-four; Butterfield township, sixty-eight; Adrian township, ninety;
Madelia village, two hundred and twenty-five; St. James village, three hun-
dred and twenty-seven. This was a total of seventeen hundred and sixty-
nine buildings assessed in this county at the date named above.
ASSESSED VALUATIONS IN I915-16.
The records in the county auditor's office show the assessed valuations
in Watonwan county in 1915-16 to have been as follows by townships and
corporations :
Madelia township $ 592,863 Adrian township 600,767
Fieldon township 584,207 Madelia village 461,494
Antrim township 607,726 Lewisville village 7J.I/6
South Branch township 655,516 Ormsby village 25,803
Rosendale township 672,131 Buterfield village 88,141
Riverdale township 704,297 Odin village ^4.203
Nelson township 628,181 Darfus village 28,579
St. James township 581,068 St. lames City 73>5-l&9
Long Lake township 597-797
Odin township 544,660 Total $8,863,968
Butterfield township 630,170
Out "i the above total valuation, a- per assessment, $1,282,845 was for
personal property. Land is usually assessed at about one-third of its actual
value in this county. Cash is taxed at three dollars on a thousand dollars.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 407
In comparison the following is appended: In 1881 the total valuation
of the county was Si, 134.000; in 1885 it was $1,406,000; in 1890 it was
$2,349,000; in 1804 it had reached $-'.979,000; and in 1900 it was placed
at $3,719,000.
TREASURY BURGLARIZED.
The countv treasury was broken into in November, 1893, when the safe
was kept in the old frame court house, and the sum of five dollars in small
change was all that was obtained by the thief. This was under County
Treasurer Mellgren's administration.
BONDS PAID OFF.
The last of the county's bonds were paid off in July, 1910, the amount
being ten thousand dollars.
DRAINAGE.
Watonwan county, for the most part, is quite flat and has much wet,
swampy land within its borders. This land is composed of the richest, most
fertile soil of almost any in the world, when once properly drained of its
surplus surface water. The soil is deep, black loam which has no superior
fur production of crops of any grain or grass plant that is known to this
country. It is only since 1905 that much attention has been paid to the
proper drainage of these lands. Owing to the thousands of lakes and hun-
dreds of thousands of marshes found in the state of Minnesota, a system
of state-wide systematic drainage was set on foot a few years ago by both
state and county authorities. As it now stands, boards of county commis-
sioners and district courts have the power to construct ditches for the pur-
pose of draining swamps, or for the changing the course of any natural or
other water course. In certain cases they may also drain meandered lakes
and in all cases may drain the overflow water from any meandered lake.
Petition is made to the board of county commissioners and district court,
which together with a bond is bled with auditor of clerk of the district
court, whereupon the board through the auditor of the county and the dis-
trict court through the clerk thereof gives notice of the filing of a petition
and of a time and a place where a bearing may lie had thereon. The board
or district court also appoints an engineer who gives a bond and who makes
a survey of the proposed ditch and reports the same to the board. Such
engineer makes an estimate of the cost of such ditch ; the board or district
408 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX.
court appoints three disinterested freeholders who view the same and deter-
mine benefits and damages to each person whose land is affected thereby.
Notice of the same is given to all parties interested and on the hearing of
the board of county commissioners or district court, determine whether such
ditch shall be established. An appeal lies only by an order of the board
determining the amount of benefits to any tract of land, or the amount of
damages or refusing to establish such ditch. On appeal, the question of
damages or benefits is tried in the district court of the county wherein the
ditch lies, as actions for the recovery of money. Upon the filing of the
order to establish the ditch the county auditor is required to let a contract
for the construction thereof. Such contractor is required to give a bond
and the cost of such ditch and expenses is assessed against the lands bene-
fited thereby. In order to defray the cost of constructing the same in
counties not financially able to pay for the same, each county in the state is
authorized to issue bonds therefor at a rate of interest not exceeding six
per cent, and which become due and payable not later than twenty years
from the date of their issue. A statement of benefits assessed made by
the auditor is filed in the office of the register of deeds and thereby a lien
is filed against each tract of land mentioned therein. Payments may be
made in ten equal annual installments with six per cent, added on those
deferred.
The lands of the state may be drained, and an appropriation has been
made by the Legislature for paying the benefits assessed against the state
thereunder,
Where a ditch will affect lauds in more than one county a judicial
ditch may be established. The same may be done on order of the district
court after procedure similar to that provided fur the establishment of county
ditches. The law also provides for the establishment of town ditches in cer-
tain cases.
Municipal incorporations may be assessed for drainage, but not railroad
corporations, Tin- state of Minnesota is authorized to purchase the bonds
to counties issued For the construction of ditches and when sold to the state
Mich bonds bear four per cent, interest. A board composed of the governor,
secretar) of state and the auditor constitute a state drainage board. This
has charge of state lands. Under the law of [915 the county commissioners
are authorized t<> construct bridges across state ditches where thev cross
town wards.
There are now many large ditches in operation within this county, all
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 409
having been constructed on some one or other of the plans above described.
When all parts of the county are drained by this system of ditches and
properly tiled by the land-owners, this county will certainly present a beau-
tiful appearance as one views the rural landscape. Large amounts of county
and township drainage are being done at this time and miles of heavy
cement tiles are taking the place of the old-fashioned wooden culverts and
plank bridges.
CHAPTER V.
COUNTY AND STATE REPRESENTATION.
PRESIDENTIAL VOTE FOR WATONWAN COUNTY.
When President Lincoln ran the first time, i860, this county had no
votes, but in 1864 the county took part in the campaign, and with that elec-
tion the results have been to the present time as follows, as shown by the
state records :
1864 — Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 38 ballots; Gen. George B. Mc-
Clellan, Democrat, 5 ballots.
1868 — U. S. Grant, Republican, 199; Horatio Seymour, Democrat. $y.
1 872 — U. S. Grant, Republican, 573 ; Horace Greeley, Liberal Demo-
crat. 233.
1876 — Rutherford B. Hayes, Republican, 549; Samuel J. Tilden. Demo-
crat, 195.
[880 — (No record).
1884 — James G. Blaine, Republican, 626; Grover Cleveland, Democrat.
192 : St. John, Prohibition, 8.
[888 — Benjamin Harrison. Republican, 928; Grover Cleveland, Demo-
crat, 326.
[892 Benjamin Harrison, Republican. 934; Grover Cleveland, Demo-
crat. 388; James B. Weaver, Populist, 410.
1896— William McKinley, Republican, 1,622; W. J. Bryan. Democrat.
586; Joshua Levering, Prohibition, 33.
[900 — William McKinley, Republican, 1.509; W. J. Bryan. Democrat.
51 i'i; John ( r. Woollev, 1 Yohibiti. .11. (.0,
10.4 -Theodore Roosevelt, Progressive, 1.115; Alton R. Parker,
1 )cmocrat, 31 >(..
[908 — William II. Taft. Republican, 1,411; W. J. Bryan, Democrat.
^^j ; I . ( harm, I 'n ihibitii >n, 45.
Kiu William 11. Taft, Republican, 524; Woodrow Wilson. Demo-
crat, 618; Theodore Roosevelt, Progressive, 1,139.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 4II
GOVERNOR W. S. HAMMOND.
Watonwan county lias furnished a governor for Minnesota, in the person
of Winfield Scott Hammond, who was elected on the Democratic ticket and
assumed office on January 5, 1915, and died in office the next year. His
home was St. James. A biographical sketch of him appears in this work.
STATE SENATORS.
Under the apportionment of 1866 — (Seventeenth district) — Lewis Por-
ter, 1867; E. P. Freeman. 1868; E. P. Freeman, 1869; B. F. Smith, 1870;
B. F. Smith, 187 1.
Under apportionment of 1871 — (Twenty-eighth district) — Jonas Lin-
dall, 1872; J. Lindall. 1873: B. K. Burrows, 1874: W. H. C. Folsom, 1875;
W. H. C. Folsom. 1876; F. C. Folsom. 1877; John Shaken, 1878: John
Shaleen, 1879; John Shaleen, 1881.
Under the apportionment of 1881 — (Eighth district) — George Knud-
son, 1883; George Knudson, 1885; John Clark, 1887; John Clark, 1889.
Under the apportionment of 1889 — (Sixth district) — Frank A. Day,
1891; Frank A. Day, 1893: Frank A. Day. 1895; H. H. Duncan, 1897.
Under apportionment of 1897 — (Thirteenth district) — William Vissel-
man, 1899: William Visselman, 1901 ; Thomas Thorson, 1903; Thomas
Thorson, 1905; W. A. Hinton, 1907; W. A. Hinton, 1909; Julius F. Hay-
craft. 191 1 ; Julius Haycraft, 1913.
Under apportionment of 1913 — (Ninth district) — Albert L. Ward,
IN-
STATES REPRESENTATIVES.
J. A. Reed. Brown Yates, 1867; John A. Reed, O. O. Pitcher, 1868;
O. O. Pitcher. W. ( '. Rhodes, 1869; R. Crandall, John F. Meagher, 1870;
J. F. Meagher, fames B. Hubbell, 1872; Adolph Munch. Joel (i. Ryder,
1873: F. H. Pratt, 1874; L. J. Stark. 1873; M. A. Brawley, 1876; \\'. A.
Bentley, 1877; F. S. Christensen, [878; John Dean. 1879; John Dean. [881;
S. Blackman, 1883; Silas Blackmail. [885; W. R. Estes, [887; William R.
Estes, 1889; Frederick Church. 1891 ; Daniel C. Hopkins, 1893; Thomas
Thorsen, 1895: Thomas Thorsen, [897; Thomas Thorsen and Peter Olson,
1899; Thomas Torson, 190 1 ; W. A. Hinton and A. D. Palmer, 1903; W.
A. Hinton and A. D. Palmer, 1905; C. J. Swendsen and John Schrooten,
412 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
1907; C. J. Swendsen and Joseph Davies, 1909; Joseph Davies, H. A.
Saggau, 1 9 1 1 ; H. A. Saggau and W. W. Brown, 1913; John Schrooten,
H. W. Haislet, 1915.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
As nearly as can now be determined by the records, the following is a
list of those who have held the office of county commissioner in and for
Watonwan county from its organization to the present date, 1916:
By appointment by the governor — J. F. Furber, C. M. Pomeroy and
Ole Jorgensun. These were appointed in April, 1861, and held their first
meeting that month.
1861 — Salvor Torgenson, Lewis Varwick and Thomas Rutledge.
[863 — H. P. Gilbert, H. Schwarble and Jens Torsen.
1864— H. P. Gilbert, William Busser, J. T. Furber.
1865 — H. P. Gilbert, J. F. Furber, Chandler Farnsworth.
1866 — B. O. Kempfer (chairman), John C. Sprague, T. C. Levey.
1867— B. O. Kempfer, C. T. Levey, J. K. Webster.
1868— A. J. Xickerson, Ole Howe, J. K. Webster.
1869 — A. J. Nickerson, Samuel V. Haycroft, W. S. Addsmond.
1870 — Samuel V. Haycroft, W. S. Addmond, Morris Bradford.
1871 — H. Morrill, William S. Addsmond, Morris Bradford.
[872 — H. Morrill, Morris Bradford, Frank Pickler.
1873 — J. N. Cheney, O. H. Howe, H. Morrill.
1874 — Morrill, Lambert, Toothaker, Marvin and Pona.
1875— H. Morrill, Theo. Lambert, William Toothaker, A. S. Mellgren.
1876— S. W. Corbin, W. M. Toothaker, A. S. Mellgren, John Burns,
Theo. Lambert.
1877 — S. W. Corbin, George Busser, A. S. Mellgren, M. Yrooman.
1878— John Burns. M. E. Dun, A. S. Mellgren, M. Yrooman.
1879 — A. S. Mellgren, M. Vrooman, H. Halvorson, John Shilletto,
William R. Marvin.
1880 — William C. Gleason, John Shilletto, H. Halvorson, L. O.
Clvestad, A. S. Mellgren.
[881 — John Shilletto, H. H. Higgins, Xewcomb, Charles Gove,
Ulvestad.
[883— John Shilletto. Charles Cove, Hans Olson, Stenberg,
Ulvestad.
1 NX) John Shilletto, Hans Olson, Steinberg, 1*'. W. Uhlhorn.
G. W. Fanning.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 413
1885 — Daniel Bohan, ■ Stenberg, G. W. Fanning, Hans Olson.
1886-- Hans Olson, F. W. Uhlhorn. - - Stenberg, G. W. Fanning,
Daniel Bohan.
1887— Daniel Bohan, S. W. Corbin. J. \Y. Somers, J. H. Cheney, A. A.
Xass.
1888— J. H. Cheney, Daniel Bohan, S. W. Corbin, J..YY. Somers, A. A.
Xass.
1889— Daniel Bohan, J. H. Cheney, S. \Y. Corbin, J. W. Somers, A. A.
Nass.
1890 — J. W. Somers, Daniel Bohan, A. A. Nass, Theodore P. Podvin.
1 89 1 — J. W. Somers, John Hammond, J. H. Cheney, Swan Beck, A. A.
Nass.
1892 — J. W. Somers, Charles Gove, John Hammond, A. A. Nass, Swan
Beck.
I&93 — W. S. Crowley, Swan Beck, George Busser, Claus Melheim.
1894 — W. S. Crowley, Swan Beck, John Hammond, George Busser,
Claus Melheim.
1895 — W. S. Crowley, George Busser. I. C. Lindley, Alex. Swanson,
Charles Milheim.
1876— W. S. Crowley, T. N. Marsden, Alex. Swanson, Charles Mil-
heim.
1897— \Y. S. Crowley, George Busser, T. N. Marsden. Helge Boen.
1898 — George Busser. T. N. Marsden, W. S. Crowley, Alex. Swanson,
Helge Boen.
1899 — George Busser, J. G. Bachellor, \V. S. Crowley, E. O. Haug,
Helge Boen.
1900 — George Busser. J. G. Bachellor. W. S. Crowley, E. O. Haug,
Helge Boen.
190 1 — W. S. Crowley, George Busser, E. O. Haug, T. N. Marsden,
John Heppner.
1902— George Busser. W. S. Crowley, E. O. Haug, John Heppner,
T. X. Marsden.
IQ04 — George Busser, T. X. Marsden, W. S. Crowley, John Heppner,
Ole Kolstad.
1905 — W. S. Crowley, George Busser, Ole Kolstad. T. X. Marsden,
F. O. Anderson.
1906 — W. S. Crowley, George Busser, T. X'. Marsden, Ole Kolstad.
F. O. Anderson.
414 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
1907 — T. N. Marsden, George Busser, W. S. Crowley, Charles G. Rask,
F. O. Anderson.
1908 — George Busser, T. N. Marsden, W. S. Crowley, Charles Rask,
F. O. Anderson.
1909 — George Busser, T. N. Marsden, W. S. Crowley, Charles Rask,
John B. Erickson.
1910 — George Busser, J. B. Erickson. W. S. Crowley", Charles G. Rask,
T. N. Marsden.
191 1 — George Busser, T. N. Marsden, W. S. Crowley, Fred E. Wiborg,
J. E. Erickson.
1 gu — W. S. Crowley, George Busser, T. N. Marsden, J. O. Erickson,
F. E. Wiborg.
1913— W. S. Crowley, T. N. Marsden, F. E. Wiborg, C. D. Brackels-
berg, H. F. Horselbring.
1014— F. E. Wiborg, T. N. Marsden, C. D. Brackelsberg, W. Somers,
Jacob Bragger.
IQI5 — J- W. Somers, C. D. Brackelsberg, Frank Dewar, A. D. Peter-
son.
\<n6 — C. D. Brackelsberg, Fraud Dewar, J. W. Somers, A. D. Peter-
son, J. Brogger.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
This is one of the most important offices in the county, and has usually
been filled by men of good ability as accountants and who have kept in
close tmich with the action of the board of county commissioners, of which
they are the ex-officio clerks. The first auditor in Watonwan county was
appointed by the county commissioners in the person of H. F. Gilbert. This
was in the Spring of [861, and since then the list of auditors is: C. G.
.Mullen, [862-3; J. E. Stark, Joseph Flanders, 1864 to 1876: George Knud-
son, 1X70 to [893; T. Sonsteby, (89310 1901; M. ( 1. Fossum, io<m to [911;
John ( '. Jensen, toil and still serving as auditor in 1916.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
B. O. Rempffer, who bad been appointed as treasurer of the newlv-
organized county, failing to appear and legally qualify, the county com-
missioners proceeded to elect one in his place. This resulted in the choice
of C. G. Mullen, win, had just been appointed sheriff, but he vacated this
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 415
office and took that of county treasurer. In the fall Thomas Rutledge was
elected, and since then the list has been: 1861, Thomas Rutledge; G. \Y.
Yates, from 1868 to 1875; Jens Torsen, 1875 to 1881 ; M. K. Armstrong,
1881 to 1882; M. E. Dunn. 1882 to 1883: A. S. Mellgren, appointed after
the governor had suspended Dunn, served from 1883 to 1905; A. M. Han-
son, 1905 to 19 1 5. when the present treasurer, Samuel Jackson, took his seat.
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
With the passage of years it is seen that none but competent men should
be allowed to handle the records of a county, wherein are recorded the deeds
and mortgages of immense quantities of property. The first register of
deeds in this county was L. C. Taylor. From 1868 on this office has been
presided over by the following men: Charles G. Muller, 1868; Charles M.
Pomeroy. 1869; C. Teigum. 1872 to 1876; Thomas Torsen. 1876 to 1896;
S. M. Seekland, 1896 to 1905: Edward Bolin. 1905 to 1909; Albert Run-
ning, 1909 to 1 9 1 3 ; Frederick Church, 1913 to 1916.
SHERIFFS OF THE COUNTY.
The first sheriff selected by the county authorities in 1861 was C. G.
.Mullen, who was immediately chosen as treasurer, hence never held the
office of sheriff. The first active sheriff of this county was Jonathan
Leavitt. who had been first selected as surveyor, but the failing of other
county officers as above noted to qualify, he was chosen as sheriff. Then
followed these: Oscar F. Winnerstrand, 1864-5; E, M. Sprague, 1866;
Jens Torsen, 1868 to 1870; A. B. Stone, 1870 to 1874; James Glispen,
1S74 to 1880; H. H. Higgins. 1880 to 1882: J. P. Stemper, 1882 to 1891;
George W. Forsyth. 1891 to 1909; August E. Lindquist, [909 to [916.
CLERKS OF TIIK DISTRICT COURT.
The record is not found for the election of the first clerks of the dis-
trict court, but possibly .Martin E. Mullen was the lir^t. Martin F. Mullen,
[868 to 1870; Thomas Mullen, a part of 1870; I). R. Bill, by appointment
{aw mouth-, of 1870 and by election till 1875: \Y. Frizzell, J875 to 1876;
George P. Johnston, 1876 to 1894; George A. Bradford, [894 to [913;
K. S. Thompson, 1913 to present date. [916,
416 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
COUNTY ATTORNEYS.
In 1861-2 Daniel Bush was the first county attorney. Since 1871 the
countv attorneys have been: H. S. Wilson, appointed by the county com-
missioners and paid a salary of one hundred dollars per year; Thomas Rut-
ledge. 1874 to 1876; J. J. Johnston, 1876 to 1882; Frank L. James, 1882
to 1884; J. \Y. Seager, 1884 to 1891 ; J. J. Thornton, 1891 to 1893; William
E. Allen, 1893 to 1896; Ashley Cofrman. 1896 to 1903; W. I. Hammond,
1903 to 1905; F. F. Ellsworth, 1905 to 1909; Ed. C. Farmer, 1909 to 1915 ;
Albert Running, 1915 and still holding the office.
COURT COMMISSIONERS.
Not until about 1874 did this office have much importance attached to
it. Since then those holding the position in this county have been: Charles
M. Pomeroy, 1874 to 1879; G. R. McLean, 1S79 to 1889; J. H. Roberts,
[889 to 1901 ; M. W. Sandquist, 1901 to 191 1; Fred H. Schweppe, 191 1 to
[916
CORONERS.
Caleb Leavitt was the county's first coroner, he being appointed by the
board of county commissioners. The record of those who followed him, if,
indeed, there were any others, does nut appear until 1874, when George H.
Overholt was elected; in 1878 came C. R. Bacon, who served until 1887;
nexl was Thad. Kirk, who died and the commissioners appointed James M.
Smith in succeed him; from 1891 to 1005 the office was held by Dr. W. II.
Rowe; from [905 to [909 the coroner was W. J. McCarthy, and from 1909
tn 1916, Dr. Albert Thompson has tilled the office.
PROBATE .1 ODGES.
The first tn serve as judge was Notto Jansen 1>\ appointment. John
Travis was the first probate judge elected in this county, and served while
the county seat was yet at Madelia. lie was elected in [861. The next
was John Flanders, who held until 1865, when Hart Montgomery was
■ iicd and served until 1N70, and was followed by Thomas Rutledge, who
ill .1 In Ht time under an appointment ami was succceeded by II. S.
Wilson, wlm served from 1870 to [873; from [873 to [875 S. C. Clark was
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 417
probate judge; from 1877 to 1S91 came M. E. Mullen, who served until
succeeded by F. W. Uhlhorn and he served as probate judge until 1903; the
next came Fred H. Schweppe, who is still in office.
SCHOOL EXAMINERS AND COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.
In the early history of this county and state an official existed known
as a "school examiner."' whose duties were similar to those of the present
county school superintendent. It was in 1862 that this office was first filled
by C. G. Mullen, and in 1864 by J. L. Stark. The first county school super-
intendent was inducted into office in 1869, in the person of George W.
Yates, whose salary was only one hundred dollars a year. The next super-
intendent was C. A. Barton, who left the office and the board appointed
Thomas Rutledge in his place at one hundred and fifty dollars a year. In
1876 came Superintendent G. H. Overholt, ami he was preceded by Miss
Sargent (now Mrs. E. Z. Rasey), who was the first woman in Minnesota
to hold such an office, serving two years; from 1879 to 1881 served F. D.
Joy; then came George M. Johnson, from 1881 to 1887; W. E. Allen, from
1887 to 1891 ; C. A. Boston, 1891 to 1901 ; Joseph Davies, 1901 to 1909;
YY. \Y. Brown, 1909 to 1913; Mabel S. Madson, 1913 to 1916.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
P. D. Rutledge was county surveyor from 1866 to 1868 and was suc-
ceeded by the following: M. E. Mullen. 1868 to 1878; S. C. Clark, 1878
to 1879; M. E. Mullen, 1879 to 1891 ; C. C. Milloid, 1891 to 1893; °tt0
Klose, 1893 to 1899; S. B. Lynch, 1899 to 1900; Otto Klose, 1900 to 1903;
E. E. Nichols, 1903 to 1916.
ANOTHER WHO REPRESENTED THIS COUNTY.
Among the men who have represented this county in honorable and
important positions may be recalled the name of Hon. William Estes, of
Madelia, who in the spring of [890, was appointed to represent this govern-
ment at Jamaica. He filled the office of consul to that country with credit
to himself and his country.
(27)
4l8 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
PROHIBITION CANDIDATES.
In the campaign of 1890, the first year that the Prohibition party had
a full ticket in the field, the following were the candidates on the ticket in
Watonwan county: C. N. Webb, auditor; L. A. Ulvestad, treasurer; S. W.
Corbin, sheriff; H. D. Mathews, register of deeds; F. E. Sylvester, clerk of
the district court; C. A. Boston, judge of probate; J. W. Seager, county
attorney; W. D. Fanning, school superintendent; C. R. Pew, surveyor; M.
Bradford, coroner. All were defeated, but they have this record, that they
bravely stood for what they deemed right.
CHAPTER VI.
TOWNSHIPS OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
ADRIAN TOWNSHIP.
Adrian township is the extreme northwestern sub-division in Waton-
wan county, and comprises congressional township No. 107, range 33 west.
It is bounded on the north by Brown county, on the east by Nelson town-
ship, Watonwan county, on the south by Butterfield township and on the
west by Cottonwood county. A branch of the Chicago & Northwestern sys-
tem of railway enters the township in section 18 and leaves it. going south-
ward from section 33. On this is situated the village and station point of
Darfur, in section 20. Adrian has several good-sized lakes, including
Wood Lake, in the northeastern corner of the territory, and Cottonwood
Lake, along the eastern line in section 25. The north fork of the Watonwan
river courses through the township from west to east, entering from the
west in section 7 and leaving it from section 12 on the east line. Another
branch of the same stream flows almost parallel with the one just named,
but through the lower tier of sections of the township.
ORGANIZATION.
In June. 1871, the county commissioners created the civil township
known as Adrian, the same being designated as the whole of the territory
embraced in congressional township 107, range 33 west, and the first elec-
tion was ordered to be held at the house of Yolney DeWitt. The township
has always been well governed by its local officers, and is today one of the
well-improved sections of the county. With railroad, market town, schools
and churches the people are a happy and contented lot of good citizens. The
United States census for 1910 gave the population as four hundred and
eighty-one. which was a decrease from the census of 1900, which gave it as
having five hundred and fifty-nine.
420 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
SETTLEMENT.
The settlement in this township was effected in about the following
order: In section 2, Jonas Samuelson, Jonas Gustafson, John Wanerstrom,
J'. O. Swanson. In section 4, John P. Prahl, William Prahl, John Rathman
and F. W. Uhlhorn. In section 6, William Arndt, Conrad Schaper, Mar-
tius Rathman and John Bratchner. In section 8, Frank Rathman, Charles
Krueger, August Selzman, John Krieser and Rudolph Steinke. In section
10, Swan Englin, Charles Warner, John Johnson, D. Heppner and A. Eng-
Iin. In section 12, Alex. Swanson. Swan Nelson, C. G. Samuelson. In
section 14, P. Heppner, John Stoez and E. Lofgaren. In section 18, S. W.
Burns, Gust Hagglund and Christian Hanson. In section 20. Fred Kline,
Fred Schuman and John Rask. In section 22, J. L. Parker, W. Jenkins. In
section 24, M. B. Foster, Jonas Nelson, P. Malm, John Hernaman. In sec-
tion 26, E. Davis, Swen Swensen, V. Lebarre and Adrian Davis. In sec-
tion 28, H. Jenzen, William Stalk, D. C. Atwell, D. Simmons. In section
30, George Irving, R. Haulse, Jerry Barrett and P. Fleming. In section 32,
James McDonough, D. Anns and Ed. Sweeney. In section 34, David Ennis
and M. Tarball.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES IX ADRIAN TOWNSHIP.
Under the Homestead act, approved by Congress on May 20, 1862, the
following homesteads were taken up in what is now Adrian township:
P. A. Gustafson, on certificate No. 4,237, at the land office at Tracy,
lot No. 4. in section 2, township 107, range 33 west; issued by President
Chester .\. Arthur. November 1, 1881..
\1 Heppner, certificate No. 5,081, at Tracy land office, on the south-
east quarter of section 22. township 107, range 33 west: issued by President
Chester V Arthur, May 15, 1884,
Ellen Bohman, certificate No. 2.(>(>j. at the New Ulm land office, the
northeast half of the southeast quarter of section 12, township 107, range
33 west; \ 1 'resident U. S. Grant.
Certificate Xo. 5.568, to Gustaf Ilaglund, at the Tracy land office, the
southeast quarter of section iS. township 107, range 33 west, by President
Grover < leveland, April 10, iKN<>.
Margarita Swanson, at the Tracy land nff\cc. the north half of the
northwesl quarter of section to, township 107, range 33 west, by Grover
Cleveland, President of the United States, signed January 9, 1886.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 421
S. J. Wannerstram, on certificate Xo. 3,756, at the New Ulm land
office, the north half of the northeast quarter of section 2, township 107,
range 33 west, was homesteaded by President Rutherford B. Hayes, and by
him signed on January 20, 1881.
Charles Hull, certificate No. 2,428, at the New Ulm land office, the
southeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range 33 west, by President
Chester A. Arthur, signed on June 20, 1882.
Gotleib Schade, certificate No. 4,469. at the Tracy land office, the south-
west quarter of section 8, township 107, range 33 west, by President Chester
A. Arthur, signed on February 10, 1883.
Jacob Jacobson, by certificate No. 2,405, at the New Ulm land office,
the southwest half of. the northwest quarter of section 34, township 107,
range 33 west; issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed by him on
February 20, 1880.
Hans Alarquirson, certificate No. 2,404. on the north half of the
northwest quarter of section 34, range 33 west; issued by President Ruther-
ford B. Haves, signed on February 12, 1880.
Peter Newfeldt, No. 348, Tracy land office, the east half of the south-
west quarter of section 20, township 107, range 33 west: issued by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur, November 1, 1881.
Joel Parker, certificate No. 3,929, at the New Ulm land office; issued
by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on February 10, 1881 ; land in
section 26, township 107, range 33 west.
Peter Falk. certificate No. 5,133, at the Tracy land office; issued by
President Chester A. Arthur, signed on January 15, 1885; land in section 6,
township 107, range 33 west.
l-'.ugen Salzman, certificate No. 3,776, at the New Ulm land office;
issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on January 20, 1881;
land — the south half of the northwest quarter of section 8, township 107,
range 33 west.
P. F. Malm, certificate Xo. 2,501, at the New Ulm land office, the
south half of the southeast quarter of section 24, township 107, range 33
west; issued by President U. S. Grant, signed November 23. 1S75.
Wesley D. Pond, south half of the southeast quarter, section 26. town-
ship 107, range 33 west; issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on October
15. 1873.
ferry Barrett, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 30,
township 107, range 33 west; issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes,
signed September 10, 1880.
422 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Ephraim Lofgren, New Ulm land office, east half of the northeast
quarter of section 14, township 107, range 33 west; issued by President
James A. Garfield, signed on May 3, 1881.
August Schade, New Ulm land office, the north half of the northwest
quatre of section 14, township 107, range 33 west; issued by President
Arthur, signed February 10, 1883.
THE VILLAGE OF DARFUR.
This village was platted in section 20, township 107, range 33 west,
by the officers of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, April 20,
1899. The platting was signed by Marvin Huhgett, president of the rail-
road company.
INCORPORATION.
Darfur was incorporated as a village in 1904. Its first village officers
were: E. J. Wilson, president; C. F. Klein, treasurer; W. H. Hochert,
recorder. The officers now serving are as follow : Thomas Englin, presi-
dent; John A. Gustafson, Ed. A. Goring and A. J. Samuelson, trustees; W.
Schulte, clerk.
The village now has a half mile of cement sidewalks; a fire engine and
a volunteer tire company of eighteen men. So far it has needed no jail or
police. The corporation has debts only to the amount of three hundred
dollars. The following have served as presidents of die village: E. J.
Wilson, 1904 to 1907; Theo. Kintzi, 1907 to 1910; A. Jaeger, 1910 to 1914:
O. F. Langhoff, 1014-15; Theo. Englin, 1915. and present president of
Darfur village.
PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS.
\ ery little can be said of the postoffice history of the village. The
amount "i business is about the average of all fourth-class offices. To date
there have been only two postmasters, Jacob Heppner and A. A. Jaeger, the
present incumbent.
The following business interests were represented in 1916:
Auto garage Mm Gustafson.
Bank State Bank.
Barber 1.. Stoutenberg.
Blacksmith— W. Buche.
1 reamery — Darfur Co-operative Creamery Company,
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 423
Dray — S. Weast.
Elevator — Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company.
General Dealer — Edward Goring. A. Jaeger.
Hardware and Implements — Englin & Samnelson.
Hotel Darfur — S. Weast, proprietor.
Lumber — C. M. Youngman Lumber Company.
Livery — S. Weast.
Stock Buyer — Darfur Stock Buyers' Association.
ANTRIM TOWNSHIP.
Antrim township is the southeastern civil township of Watonwan county.
At its north is Fieldon township, at the east is Blue Earth county, at its
south is Martin county and at the west is South Branch township. It is a
full congressional township and hence is six miles square with thirty-six full
sections. There are a few small streams, or prairie "runs" and very few
lakes or ponds as compared to other sub-divisions of this county. The Min-
neapolis & St. Louis railroad runs on the half-section line from section 33
to section 4, and has for a station point in the township the little hamlet of
Lewisville. located in section 4.
The population of the township in 1890 was 573; in 1900 it was 591,
and in 19 10 it was 582.
Ti IWXSIIIP'S ORGANIZATION.
Antrim township was formed by the county commissioners in January,
1867. when the commissioners were Messrs. Kempfer, Levey and Webster.
There was a petition and also a remonstrance presented the board — one
asking that a new township be formed and the other in opposition thereto.
It was asked in the petition for the new township that it be named "Bloom-
ington." It was finally agreed to form the new township and the matter of
naming it was left to Joseph Flanders and B. O. Kempfer, who called it
"York," but the records show that in the spring of 1868 it was being called
Antrim.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
There were several settlers in this part of the county before the days
of "homesteaders." Some remained, and many more left at the date of the
4-4 CQTTQNWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Indian troubles in August, 1862, never to return. The following is a true
transcript of many of the early land entries:
William S. Jones, certificate No. 4.985. at the Worthington land office,
was laid on the northwest quarter of section 6, township 195, range 30
west: issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on June 15. 1880.
Aha Curtis, certificate No. 2,992, at the Jackson land office, was for a
homestead in the smith half of the northeast quarter of section 14, town-
ship 105, range 30 west; issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on April
15, 1S74.
David Davies, certificate No. 7,272, at the Worthington land office, on
the northeast quarter of section 14, township 105, range 30 west; issued by
President U. S. Grant, signed on September 20. 1870.
Abbie Paine, certificate No. 6,187, at tne Worthington land office, on
the north half of the southwest quarter and the north half of the southeast
quarter of section 4, township 105, range 30 west; issued by President
Chester A. Arthur, signed on March 10, 1883.
A. 1). ('.-unwell, certificate No. 7.427, at the Jackson land office, on the
south half of the northwest quarter of section 20, township 105, range 30
west; issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on February 1, 1872.
G. A. Manston, certificate No. 4,867, at the Worthington land office, on
the north half of the southeast quarter of section 6, township 105, range 30
west; issued by I 'resident Rutherford P. Haves, signed on November 5,
1878.
W. Zinke, certificate No. 5,611, at the Worthingon land office, on the
west half of the northwest quarter of section 34, township 105, range 30
west; issued by President Chester \. Arthur, signed on December 20. [881.
W. Davis, certificate No. 2.205, at the Jackson land office, on the north-
west quarter of section 14. township 105. range 30 west; issued by Presi-
dent II. S. Grant, signed on February 1, 1X73.
Karl Sexaner, certificate Xo. 5,616, at the Worthington land office, on
the north half of the northeast quarter of section j, township [05, range 30
west: issued b) President Chester A. Arthur, signed on December 12, 1881.
K. Comstock, certificate Xo. 3,008. at the Worthington land office, on
the wesl half of the northwest quarter of section 22. township 105, range 30
issued by President U, S. Grant, signed on March 12, [876.
Stephen I. Comstock. certificate Xo. 7.781. at the Worthington land
office, on the southwest quarter of section 22, township 105. range 50 west;
ted by President Chester V Arthur, signed on January 12. [885.
Charles ( \ Waste, certificate No. 1.33°. at the Worthington land office,
■■ If ■
SEjy^lgii .fit,
C, ST. P., M. & O. DEPOT, LEWIS VI LLE.
ITIil.ir SCHOOL, LEWISVILLE.
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 425
on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 6. township 105, range
30 west; issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on March 1, 1877.
Carl Brasinske, certificate No. 4,620, at the Worthington land office,
on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 28, township 105,
range 30 west; issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on Decem-
ber 12, 1877.
Eli H. Richwood, No. 6,109, at the Worthington land office, the south
half of the northeast quarter of section 6, township 105, range 30 west;
issued by President Chester A. Arthur, signed on March 15. 1882.
Marshall Donley, certificate No. 6.202, at the Worthington land office,
the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest of the
northeast quarter of section 18, township 105, range 30 west; issued by
President Chester A. Arthur, signed on June 5, 1884.
Tobert Dewars. certificate No. 6,965, on the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 10. township 105, range 30 west; issued by President Grover Cleveland,
signed on June 31, 1885.
VILLAGE OF LEWISVILLE.
Lewisville was platted by the Interstate Land Company, May 3, 1899,
in section 4, township 105, range 30 west, through the company's president,
P. H. Peavey. It is situated on the north and south branch of the Omaha
railroad, and is among the later villages within the county. Lewisville be-
came an incorporated village in 1902. The presidents of the village, in order
of serving, are as follow: C. O. Nicholson, Adolph Sucker, John Mutsch,
John E. Moore and C. E. Anderson.
The first officers were as follow: President. C. Q. Nicholson; trustees,
R. Lewis, Charles Johns, A. J. McLain; recorder, S. Taylor; treasurer,
Adolph Sucker. The present officers are: President, C. Anderson; trustees,
Gustav Bethke, E. G. Bethke, A. R. Griegcr; recorder. A. W. Alb; treas-
ure r. Adolph Sucker.
The town has about twenty-three blocks of cement sidewalks, a small
fire engine and hose, a small jail, which is seldom used. In laying out the
town an eight-acre park was arranged for, but little use has ever been
made of it.
The receipts of this postoffice are double and even treble those of some
other postoffices of the county, wbere the population of the village is ap-
proximately the same. The past year's business amounted to one thousand
one hundred fifty-five dollars and eighty-two cents, exclusive of money
426 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
orders. The postmasters to date are as follow : Richard Lewis, Ethel H.
Moore and John E. Moore. There is one rural free delivery route.
In the summer of 1916 the business interests were represented by the
following :
Auto Garage — Henry Ikier.
Bank — Merchants' State Bank.
Blacksmith — A. Albaugh, Robert Schoneck.
Barber — Elmer Olson.
Clothing — Hodapp-Nelson.
Drugs and Jewelry — John E. Moore, Lewisville Drug & Jewelry Com-
pany.
Elevator — Farmers' Elevator Company.
Furniture — Gust Bethke.
Grocer — E. E. Anderson.
General Dealer — Hillesheim & Company.
Hardware and Implements — H. C. Flitter, Greiger & Reiter.
Harness — Lewis Nagel.
Hotel— Airs. B. Mueller.
Livery — August Sonnabend.
Lumber — Weyerhaeuser & Company.
Meat Market — Henry Keehn.
Millinery — May E. Ross Dewar.
Restaurant — Mrs. R. Albaugh.
Stock Dealers — Lewis & Dewar.
Telephone — Tri-State.
Variety Store — F. B. Mellen.
Lewisville has a population of only three hundred and fifty and is one
of (he real progressive towns of the county. Every citizen is in the true
sense of the word a "booster." There is complete harmony among its busi-
ness men and all work to make Lewisville a real commercial center. The
town is perhaps the only one in the entire county that is free from debt, a
fact which does credit to the town officers.
BUTTERFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Butterfield township is on the west line of Watonwan county and is the
second from the northern line of the county, with Adrian at the north, St.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 427
James at the east and Odin township at the south. It comprises congres-
sional township 106, range 33 west. It is a well-settled township and in it is
the sprightly village of Butterfield, a station on the main line of the Omaha
line and the crossing of that road and the branch of the Chicago & North-
western line. The township is an even congressional township of thirty-six
sections of land, of most excellent quality. The central branch of the
Watonwan river flows to the eastward through this township, and there are
a few pretty little lakes within the township, notably the ones in section 1,
the one in section 28, and one in section 7. There are many beautiful farms
in Butterfield township and stockraising and other branches of farming are
carried on extensively.
The population of the township, exclusive of the village of Butterfield,
in 1890 was 366; in 1000 it was 489 and in 1910 it was 602, according to
the United States census returns.
ORGANIZATION.
Butterfield township was formed by the county commissioners at their
regular meeting held in January, 1872, out of congressional township 106,
range 33, and another on the same date called Odin, formed to the south of
Butterfield township.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Many of the early settlers of the central-west part of Watonwan county
located on government and railroad lands in what is now Butterfield town-
ship. No memorandum has been left of the first few who claimed land in
this township, but the following will give the reader a partial account of the
homesteaders there :
Abraham Friesen, on the north half of the northeast quarter of section
2. township 106, range 33 west; the certificate was signed by President
Chester A. Arthur. January 15, 1885.
George Bland homesteaded by certificate No. 2.310 at the New Ulm
land office, the northwest of section 6, township 106, range 33 west, the
same being signed by President U. S. Grant, September 15, 1874.
From the land office at Tracy the easl hall" of the northeast quarter of
section 10. township inf., range 33 west, was homesteaded on March [o,
[883, signed by President Chester A. Arthur.
Certificate No, 4,558, to Henry Bartel, was homesteaded for the south-
428 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
east quarter of section 8, township 106, range 33 west, was signed by Presi-
dent Chester A. Arthur. February 10, 1883.
Peter Rempel, on his certificate No. 5,392. homesteaded at the Tracy
land office, the southeast half of the northeast quarter of section 2, township
106, range 33 west. It was issued by President Grover Cleveland, April 27,
1885.
VILLAGE OF BUTTERFIELD.
Butterfield was platted in section 27, township 106. range 33 west, on
September 13, 1880. by E. F. Drake, president of the railroad company, then
styled the St. Paul & Sioux City, now the Omaha system.
The postoffi.ee at Butterfield is the third largest in the county. The
postal receipts for the last fiscal year amounted to two thousand dollars.
Four rural routes serve the community from this office. The following
is a list of all postmasters to date: John Remple, Ed. Woenike, John F.
Enns, Alice M. Anderson and J. P. Anderson.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN IO,l6.
The business interests of Butterfield at June, 1916, were in the hands
of the following:
Auto Garage — Butterfield Auto Company.
Banks Peoples State Bank, State Bank.
Barber — John O. Ness.
Blacksmith— Ole A. Ulvestad.
Creamery— Butterfield Creamery Company, N. C. Norensen, manager.
I >rugs — J. W. Hollenitsch.
Dentist— V. V. Rele.'
Elevator— Hubbard & Palmer Company, Farmers Elevator Company.
Furniture — ECintzi & Ewy.
General Dealers— Gust Miller, S. J. Sulen, 1'. W. Rempel.
Hotel Butterfield.
I l.ii ness frank Loews.
Hardware— Kintzi & Ewy, Friesen & Holte, W. W. Rempel.
Implements Clans Melheim, Farmers Elevator Company.
Jeweler J. \\ . I [ollenitsch.
I umber J. II. Queal and Company.
I iver) I Lin-- E. Staaling, Carl Kramer.
MilR -St. James Milling Company. Halherson & Skjie.
STATE BANK. BUTTERFIELD.
SCENES IN BITTERFIELD.
PUBLIC ! :
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 429
.Millinery— Mrs. P. W. Rempel.
Meat Market — Otto F. Langhoff.
Newspaper — The Butterfield Advocate, John W. Hubin, proprietor.
Opera House — The Butterfield.
Physician — Dr. Ole E. Hagen.
Produce Dealer — Butterfield Mercantile Company.
Restaurants — S. C. Johnston. Mrs. \Y. Abel.
Wagonmaker — Aug. B. Schwietert.
Although Butterfield has a population of only four hundred and twenty-
five, vet her progress and volume of husiness are equal to that of towns
several times her size. Credit for these things belong almost entirely to the
Commercial Club, organized in 1907 for civic and industrial purposes. Per-
haps one of the most important things accomplished by the club is the secur-
ing of electric lights for the town. The present officers of the Commercial
Club are as follow: President. D. E. Raney; vice-president, J. Brogger;
secretarv. J. O. Ness; treasurer, S. J. Sulem.
In November. 1903. Butterfield had a fire which destroyed over twenty
thousand dollars worth of village property.
In 1004 there was a fire in the village which destroyed a hardware and
furniture store belonging to Kintzi Brothers, and a confectionery belonging
to Edw. Bergthold.
In 1916 the house of E. Brogger was partly burned and the loss was
assessed at seven hundred dollars.
INCORPORATION HISTORY.
Butterfield was incorporated as a village on April 5. 1895. The follow-
ing have served as presidents of the board: I'.. Rempel, G. A. Kintzi, J. J.
Harder, A. Syverson, R. M. Kintzi, ( >. A. Ulvestad. S. J. Sulem.
The first village officers were as follow: B. Rempel, president; G. A.
Kintzi. recorder. Those of 1916 are: S. J. Sulem. president; J. W. Hubin,
recorder; E. Brogger, Frank Toews and 1'. W. Rempel, trustees; John
Kintzi. treasurer.
The village has four miles of cement walk-, two lire engines, two hose
cars, a volunteer lire company of nineteen men. two cells for jail purposes
in village hall, which building was erected in 1005. In [916 there was
in-tailed by the Northern States Power Company, under a twenty-five year
franchise, a complete electric lighting system for both light and power.
430 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
FIELDON TOWNSHIP.
Fieldon civil township is comprised of congressional township 106,
range 30 west, and is on, the eastern line of the county with Madelia town-
ship at the north, Blue Earth county at the east, Antrim township at the
south and Rosendale township at the west. There are no towns or hamlets
within its borders. The Fairmont and Madelia branch of the Chicago, St.
Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad runs through sections 4, 9, 15, 21, 28
and 33, the same running directly on the half section line from north to
south. The surface is mostly a level prairie plane, with a few small streams,
but void of any lakes of any considerable size.
This township had a population in 1890 of 487; in 1900 it had 547 and
according to the census in 1910 it had a population of 535.
ORGANIZATION HISTORY.
In September, 1868, at the meeting of the board of county commission-
ers that body changed the name of Wakefield township to that of Fieldon.
Wakefield had been organized by the commissioners at the March, 1868,
meeting from township 106, range 30 west, but for some reason was in
September of that year changed to Fieldon, by which it is still known.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Among the very earliest settlers in this township were these: Nick
McNamara, Dan Griffen, Charles McLaughlin, Martin Burk, Herman Mad-
son, John Madson, Thomas Yeagen, who was burned to death in a prairie
fire.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES IN FIELDON TOWNSHIP.
Charles (lawman, by certificate held by him and presented at the land
office in New (Jim, homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 28, town-
ship Kid. range 30 west, the same being signed by President U. S. Grant
July to, [871.
[oseph Lehner, at the New Ulm land office, homesteaded the east half
of the southwest quarter of section 8, township 106, range 30 west, the
same being issued by I". S. Grant. President of the United States, March 1,
1N76.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 431
Peter Hoft'elt, by certificate No. 1,932, at the New Ulm land office,
secured a homestead right to the west half of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 4, township 106, range 30 west, the same being signed by President
Grover Cleveland, April 27, 1885.
Under the same act of Congress, warrant Xo. 94,881, for a quarter of
section 14. township 106, range 30, was received at St. Peter land office and
signed by President Abraham Lincoln. It was issued to Josephus Weter,
private in Captain Davis's company. New York militiamen, in the War of
[812. This land is in Fieldon township.
LONG LAKE TOWNSHIP.
Long Lake township is comprised of congressional township 105, range
32 west. It is on the southern border line of the county, with Odin town-
ship at the west, St. James at the north and South Branch township at the
east. It is six miles square and contains thirty-six full sections. It is a
prairie township, but has three good-sized lakes and several smaller water
sheets, or prairie ponds, which, with the cultivation and improvement of the
country, are fast disappearing from view. The lakes referred to are Kansas
Lake, Long Lake. Alary Lake. These are all in the northern half of the
township, the former being situated in the northwest part, while the other
two are in the northeastern portion. These prairie lakes abound in fish and
have considerable improvement around their shores and afford a nice sum-
mer resort for the citizens of St. James and surrounding country. In the
exact center of the township is found a good town hall. The villages of the
township are Echols and Ormsby, the former in the northern part and the
latter on the county line south and extends over into Martin county.
The population of the township in 1890 was 538; in 1900 it was 650
and in the United States census reports for [910 it was given as 583.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad traverses the township from north
to south, through sections 3, 9, 10, 16, 21, 28 and 33, with stations at Ormsby
and Echols.
ORGANIZATION.
Long Lake township was organized in March, t868, from township 105,
ranges 32 and ^^ west. At the same meeting old "Wakefield" township was
created at the same meeting, but is now known as Fieldon.
432 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement here was effected by Hans Johnson, who was born
in 1821 in Norway, and settled in this township in 1858. Another very early
settler was George Johnson.
In 1S57 Gabriel Ellingson and Iver Sole settled in Long Lake. Hans
Olson Hegg also took a claim, but left soon after, selling to Hans Thompson.
Air. Hegg returned after the close of the Indian troubles.
In 1857 arrived Jacob Tharal and wife, Jens and Thor Torsen, with
their mother, Marie Torsen Overig; Hans Pedersen and wife, Rand; Sivert
Nicolai and Nils Fjelstad. Salra Torgenson and wife; Lars Havlorson
Longmeyer came in 1861 ; John and Simon Poland came in 1862.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES IN LONG LAKE TOWNSHIP.
Under the act of congress approved on May 20, 1862, the following
homesteads were taken up and proved up on at the end of the five years
required by that act :
I'eter P. Moe, certificate No. 6,974, at the Worthington land office,
was laid on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 12, township
105, range 32 west, issued by President Grover Cleveland, and signed on
July 2-, 1S85.
Xels Gunderson, certificate No. 2,600 at the Jackson land office, was
laid on the northeasl quarter of section 20. township 105, range 32, west,
issued by President Chester A. Arthur, signed mi June 5, T8S4.
I'eter Lee, certificate No. 6,718. at the Worthington land office, on the
east half of the southeast quarter of section 2, township 105, range 7,2 west,
issued by President Chester A. Arthur, signed on June 5, 1884.
John Turton, certificate No. 4,832, at the Worthington land office was
land "ii tlie west half of the northeast quarter of section 12, township 105,
range 32 west, issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on Novem-
ber 5. 1S7S.
[NDIAN ATROCITIES.
Sinn hi Poland was wounded and his step-son, Christian, killed by the
Indians in [863. His wife and son Tosten were also severely wounded and
left for dead. Imt recovered and fled with other settlers to Butternut Valley.
Others who settled here in the early sixties were Mad- Olson Boxrud, Her-
man Madson, John and Haakon Martin and Ole l'alune. To give an idea
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 433
of the hardships which the settlers of that time had to endure, it is only
necessary to say that there was not a foot of railroad in Minnesota in the
early fifties. The nearest flouring-mills were at Kasota. Mankato and
South Bend were the nearest trading points. When it was necessary to
make a long journey, several would go together so that when any bad place
had to be crossed, three or four ox teams could be hitched to one wagon and
thus pull it through. There were no bridges over the Blue Earth or Waton-
wan rivers, and scarcely a ford ; and as for roads, the people chose the lines
of least resistance. There was a mail route between Mankato and Sioux
City, and a postoffice was established in the Rosendale settlement, Nils Tor-
sen being the first postmaster. Jens Torsen was the first mail carrier; after-
wards Hans Johnson Berdell and Jacob Thorvaldson acted in the same
capacity. In the summer time the mail carrier rode a pony. When the
water was too deep to wade, he fastened the mail sack over his head, drove
the horse into the water, clinging to his neck with one hand and paddling
with the other, and thus swimming across. In winter the carriers generally
used snow shoes or skis, for the weather was too uncertain to permit the use
of horses, and there were long stretches of country where no shelter was to
be found. When the mail carrier was overtaken by a snowstorm he bur-
rowed in a snow bank and stayed there until the storm was over. There
was a settlement at Jackson and another at Spirit Lake. At these two
stations the carriers stopped to leave and to receive mail. Between stations
they stopped at Indian encampments for food and rest.
In the spring of 1857 news came from Spirit Lake and Jackson that
the Indians bad risen and killed many people. A great many people living
in the vicinity of Long Lake lied to Isaac Slocum's place and took refuge
in his log house. However, no Indians appeared at this time. This was
called the Impadutahs war, as that chief led the Indians. In the fall of
1862 came the time of trial for the settlers, as the Indians under the leader-
ship of Little Crow began to attack the frontier settlements in .Minnesota and
Lowa, murdering and plundering and committing frightful outrages. News
of the attack on Xew I'lm reached the settlers and their thoughts were turned
to defense or flight. The [ndians were sulking in the woods and in the tall
prairie grass, ready t<> -hoot down any defen eless settlers whom they might
see. At Xils Tor-en's place there were gathered Jacob Thorvaldsen, George
Knudson and Maria Torsen Overig. Two Indians emerged from the woods
nearby and opened lire, wounding Knudson in the arm. While the Indians
were reloading, Knudson and Mrs. Overig ran for a cornfield and hid tC
(28) '
434 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
until it became dark. Under cover of the night they made their way to
Madelia and took refuge with Ole Jorgenson. Thorvaldsen ran for the
timber and followed the river to Madelia expecting to be shot by the Indians
at any moment. Ole Jorgenson and Knud Knudson went to Knud Larson's
after horses and on the way were shot at by two Indians, Jorgenson receiv-
ing a bullet in his left shoulder and a slight wound in the left cheek.
While the Indians were reloading Ole and Knud ran behind a knoll and
succeeded in concealing themselves so that the savages passed by without
seeing them. Jorgenson ran to a slough where there was tall grass and lay
on his back in the water with only bis head sticking out. Knudson hid in
another patch of grass and reached Madelia the next day. Jorgenson
remained longer in hiding and was picked up by some soldiers on their way
to Madelia to aid the settlers in defense against the Indians. When he hrst
saw the soldiers he took them for Indians and fled, but, perceiving his mistake,
returned and went with them to Madelia. The Indians stole four horses
from Knud Larsen and one from Ole Jorgenson.
STOCKADES ERECTED.
Afterwards more soldiers were sent and more stockades were built at
Madelia, Lake Hanska, North Branch; Ole Jorgenson's house was used as
a fort by the soldiers and another stockade was built in Long Lake, on the
south side of the river. The troops having established posts and patrols
through the country, the settlers took courage and returned to their homes,
believing that the Indians would not venture to renew their attack in the face
of so formidable a force. This was, however, a mistaken notion; for quite
unexpectedly the redskins made a raid on Long Lake in 1863, killing five
men and wounding several others and taking whatever property was of value
to them. Ole Palme and Gabriel Ellingson bad ventured to Mink Lake to
trap and fish and on their return were attacked by the Indians, near Kansas
Lake and slain. Ole Palme's head was severed from his body and set on a
pole. Troops afterwards found the head and buried it with the mangled
body, (luldorand T'almeson was killed near Long Lake. He bad a fish
spear with him at the time and the savages took it and ran it through his
body. Mis wife took their three children and lied to the stockades. In
order to reach it she was obliged to cross the river on a fallen log. carrying
a child under each arm and one clinging about her neck and shoulders. The
Indians saw her, but forbore to pursue. They laughed at the sight and let
the Fugitives go unharmed.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 435!
Ole Palme's children, Petera, Taar and four-year-old Inga came crying
to Lars Halvorson Langemyers earl}- one morning and reported that the
Indians were coming. Lars ran to the stable for a horse, but found that all
his horses had been taken. He with his wife and the Palme children then
started on foot for the fort. The Indians met them on the way, but did not
harm them, although they plundered the house and destroyed all the prop-
erty.
Salve Torgenson had gone, away from home, but left two soldiers, one
of whom was named Monson, to protect his family. Some Indians came
to the place early on the morning of April 19, before anyone was out of bed
and fired through the windows, severely wounding Mrs. Torgenson. The
soldiers sprang from their beds to get their weapons, but before they could
make any resistance Monson was shot dead and the other man wounded.
The wounded soldier, however, got his musket and succeeded in frightening
the skulking redskins away. Mrs. Torgerson's wound was dangerous and
she came near bleeding to death before she could reach the fort, a quarter of
a mile away. With the aid of the soldier, himself wounded, she succeeded
in reaching the fort, and it was not long before she was strong and well
again.
EARLY CONDITIONS DESCRIBED.
By George M. Johnson.
Away back in the years of 1857 and 1858, while the territory now
included in Watonwan county was still a part of Brown county, these beau-
tiful prairies lay waving with green grass and wild flowers, without a human
habitation, save an occasional Indian tepee. There was nothing to indicate
the advent of the white man except the stakes and mounds erected by the
government surveyors to mark the divisions of the land, which was then
being divided into sections and quarter sections by a party of men among
whom was M. K. Armstrong.
The state had just been admitted to the union and there was at that
time a prevailing spirit of adventure and speculation. Early in 1858 there
came to these parts a colony of young Englishmen who claimed all the tim-
bered lands and proposed to found a great city at the end of Long Lake
and call it Xew London, or New Glory, or some other high-sounding name,
to attract more settlers. They proposed to build a canal from the lake to
the river and provide it with locks to conserve the water and use the lake
as a huge dam to run a saw-mill, a grist-mill and other machinery.
There were at this time a few settlers around the present site of Madelia
436 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
and also along the river in Rosendale and Riverdale townships. The rest of
the territory was practically a wilderness. And as the Indians only made
periodic visits each spring and fall for the purpose of hunting and fishing,
the colonists were for the most part "monarchs of all they surveyed." One
of these colonists, whose name was John Kensie, was a scholarly gentleman
and of a well-to-do family in England. He had a wife and three or four
children and built a log hut on the south side of the grove, by the lake, which
still bears his name, though in a distorted form, "Kansas Lake." The orig-
inal and historic name is Kensie's Lake.
The other English colonists, who were nearly all unmarried men, with-
out property and quite unwilling to work, were soon reduced to the necessity
of subsisting on corn bread and gopher soup, and as these substances became
luxuries, the colonists were soon compelled to seek "other fields and pastures
green" and the contemplated city — which was never built — with its high
sounding name, fell flat.
John Kensie, who remained at Kensie's Lake long enough to make many
friends among the sturdy Norwegian settlers, who soon occupied the lands
vacated by his English comrades, was the last to vacate his claim — about
i860. During the winter of 1850 and i860 this venerable gentleman was
employed as teacher among the settlers, and was the first teacher in this
part of the county.
NORWEGIAN SETTLERS.
The Norwegian settlers did not come, in a colony, but in families, one
at a time. Mans Johnson's family being the first, in 1858. was permitted
by the colonists to settle on section 21, where there was timber enough for
one family. Other settlers soon moved in and took up the vacated claims
ni the colonists along the river. They brought with them a yoke of oxen,
a cow or two, a wagon and some household goods. They built log huts and
log stables and proceeded to till the soil on a small scale, as best they could.
They raised sod corn and potatoes, and in later years wheat and garden
truck, including the famous "homestead tobacco." whose flavor was only to
be experienced to be remembered. The settlers had no knowledge of the
method of curing the tobacco leaves and although they grew both long and
broad and looked very fine, they had a raw, pungenl flavor that was abomin-
able.
Fish and wild game such as gee e, ducks and prairie chickens were more
abundant than now, and formed a considerable pan of the food supply for
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 437
the settlers. The rabbit which is now so common, was entirely unknown.
Lack of ammunition was a great drawback. The settlers had nothing to sell
except a few raw furs. Mankato was the nearest place where supplies could
be bought, and it took from five to seven days with an ox team to make the
round trip. These trips had to be limited to about two in a year and the
strictest economy had to be practiced in everything. Tea was substituted by
native herbs and coffee by roasted wheat, rye, corn, etc. Twenty-five cents
worth of sugar was often a year's supply for a family.
Tallow dips for candles and a cotton wick with a little lard in a shallow
dish for a lamp, were the only means of lighting. The men wore home-
made shoes, shirts and pantaloons, while calico dresses were "all in style"
among the women. Yet. the settlers, under these conditions, were quite
happv, for they were all equal and free. They visited and loved one another,
as good neighbors should. They had no rent to pay, no burdensome taxes
and no mortgages to worry over. They were not held up by the coal trust
and had no high tariff to pay on anything. They certainly had good reasons
for being happy, which the present generation does not possess.
In i860 the settlers caught the spirit of the national campaign and
songs of "Old Abe-' and Stephen A. Douglas were heard in every hut.
"Old Abe" was the hero and Stephen A. Douglas was the butt of all the
jokes.
Lincoln was elected President, the Southern states seceded and the Civil
War broke out. At the first call for troops John Peterson, a young bachelor,
who had settled on section 28. enlisted and went south never to return. But
the great disaster of the little settlement came in 1862. when the Indian
massacre broke out at Xew LTlm. One August morning, at six o'clock, a
messenger brought the news of the Indian outbreak. As there was no means
of defense against a possible attack of the Indians, the settlers moved in a
bodv to the settlement in Rosendale township. Here they scattered; some
families moved eastward to get settled for the winter, while others remained
to await developments.
After a few weeks there was a lull in the Indian trouble. A company
of soldiers was stationed in this town-hip and proceeded to build a fort and
a stockade on section 23. Relying on the protection of the fort and its sol-
diers, some of the settlers moved back to their homes in the fall of r862.
But in the spring of 1863, early in April, they were surprised by a band of
Indians who raided the settlement from east to west, killing five persons,
including one of the soldiers, and wounding six persons. \fter this tragedy
the settlement was wholly abandoned until [866, when peace and safety were
438 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
completely restored. Only two families of the original settlers ever returned
to make their homes in this township after the restoration of peace — Hans
Johnson with his family in August, 1866, and R. Danielson, in the spring
of 1868.
DR. HAYNES' RECOLLECTIONS.
A few years since. Dr. Haynes, of St. James, wrote as follows: Ras-
mus Danielson, one of the early settlers of Long Lake, had some interesting
experiences in the Indian outbreak in 1862. He lived on a farm near the
river and says that one evening in August, 1862, two men came to his house
and told him to leave as soon as he could, as the Indians were on the war-
path. His wagon was standing in the yard with some hay on it. He got
his team out and started off in a northerly direction, toward Ole Jorgenson's
place. When the}' got there, everyone was gone. There was nothing to
stop for, so Mr. Danielson drove cross country to Shelbyville. They stayed
there about two weeks, along with other refugees, who had fled from the
wrath of the red men. They afterwards went to Iowa, remained about a
year.
In the spring a stockade was constructed by the soldiers on the spot
where Cereal postofnce afterward stood, and the house and buildings in the
surrounding country were taken by the troops for material for the "fort."
When Mr. Danielson returned from the army in which he entered in 1863,
he brought in a claim against the state of Minnesota for the loss of bis prop-
erty, but it was not paid until the last session of the Legislature, when
attorney J. L. Lobben presented it and got six hundred dollars by a special
act for Mr. I )anielson.
THE VILLAGE OF 0RMSBY.
This village is partly in .Martin and partly in Watonwan counties. It
is an incorporated village of about one hundred and fifty people. It was
platted in section 32, township 105, range 32 west, by Harry L. and Anna
L Jenkins, t Ictober 14, [899. It is a station on the Minneapolis & St. Louis
railroad and was probably named after Colonel Ormsby, of Emmetsburg,
Iowa.
In [916 the following business interest- were represented:
Hank Farmers State.
Barber \\ . V Urhback.
Elevator -Stockdale and Dietz Elevator Company.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 439
General Dealer — Christian Jensen.
Hardware — A. G. Dushinske.
Implements — Hans M. Vagstad.
Telephone — Tri-state.
The above includes only those doing business in Watonwan county.
One of the commendable organizations of this village and community
is the Farmers Club, of which Mr. S. P. Staffer is president. The club
meets every two weeks in the village, usually at the school building. A
definite program is usually given by members of the club, followed by a lunch
and social hour.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Ormsbv became an incorporated town in 1902. The first elective
officers were as follow: President, Sam. Farver; trustees, H. M. Vagstad,
1. 1". Northdurft, A. Ingold; recorder, F. H. Clark.
The present elective officers are as follow: President, R. H. Mueller;
trustees. T. A. Parsons. C. Jensen, W. F. Leniberg; recorder, H. M. Vag-
ctad.
A pressing need of fire protection caused the town to seek an unlimited
supply of water. Consequently in 1902 a well was driven just north of
town to a depth of three hundred feet at which point an unlimited flow of
water was found. The cost was about four hundred dollars. Reservoirs,
five in number, were placed beneath the surface of the ground at various
places in the town and connected by pipes. Each reservoir contains one
hundred gallons. A hand engine and five hundred feet of fire hose were
bought at a cost of five hundred dollars. The fire company is composed of
men who volunteer their services. The town has about six blocks of well
improved cement sidewalks.
M XDF.I.IA TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the original civil townships of Watonwan county, and
now comprises congressional township No. 107. range 30 west. It is the
northeast township in the county and is -ix miles s(|iinrc in extent, ft is
the seat of the old county seat, the village by the same name having been
chosen such by the state authorities in organizing this comity in i860. At
first it embraced all the territory in Watonwan county, but year after year,
as the county was settled up, other sub-divisions were cut out of its territory,
440 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
until at last it came to embrace only its present thirty-six sections, same as
all others of the county. From section 30, to section 13. runs the main line
of the old St. Paul & Sioux City railroad, now the property of the Chicago,
St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. The station point on this road,
within this township, as now described, is the village of Madelia, in sections
22 and 27. Among the numerous lakes and lakelets in Madelia township
are School Lake, in sections 9, 16 and 17: Hopkins Lake, in sections 13 and
14; Lau Lake, in sections 13 and 25, and Bedje Lake, in sections 12, 13
and 14.
The principal stream of the township is Watonwan river, flowing from
west to east, entering section 19 and leaving the township and county from
section 36. This has smaller streams as its tributaries, and this causes the
topography of the township to he somewhat more broken than other parts
of Watonwan county.
Of ••ecent years the township has a small mileage of a branch of the
railroad system above mentioned, which is a feeder running from the village
of Madelia to Fairmont, which line is almost an air line running north and
south. It leaves the main line at the west of Madelia and runs directly
south and out of the township from section 33 over into Fieldon township.
Between two and three miles of this railroad are in Madelia township.
In 1890 this township had a population of 541 ; in [900 it had 651, and
in 1910 the last United States census gave it as having a population of 574,
exclusive of the village of Madelia.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The following list of the very earliest settlers at Madelia and in
Madelia township is as follows, as recalled by Mr. Estes: S. B. Estes.
William Estes, J. Flanders, Janus Glispen, C. N. Pomeroy, section 2, Ma-
delia: Messrs. Hartshorn, Sheppard and Haire, Jonathan and Caleb Leavitt,
William Gilbert, II. Hoge, M. <)ls.m. John C. Sprague, C. I. Ash, D. R.
Bill, J. S. Benear, J. X. Cheney, J. A. Clark. James II. Cornwell, J. T.
Furber, II. I. Gilbert, J. A. Gicriet, \Y. Colden. William II. Witham, James
Hopkins, II. 1). Joy, II. C. King, B. O, Kempfer, section 28; A. Kinzzell,
M. E. Mullen, Charles Mullen, I lelge I'olmeson, section 19; John M. Robb,
Thomas Rutledge, B, C. Sanborn, T. ('. Serving, section 2; T. L. Vought
(Flanders Hotel), II. I'. Wadsworth, A. J. Xickolson, O. F. Winnestrand,
John Chase 1 an army veteran I. J. T. Mitchell, Samuel Driggers, J. Travis.
James I'. Haycrafl ami Siver N. Fjelsta.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 44 1
LANDS ENTERED RY WARRANTS.
\mong the interesting land entries found in the books of the register
of deeds in the court house at St. James are the following:
Patent Xo. i is issued on a soldier's script warrant to Lvdia Russell,
widow of Stephen Russell, seaman gunboat No. i_'8, flotilla service, War of
1812. and is warrant Xo. 70,036, and was laid on the northwest quarter of
section 28, township 107, range 30 west, at the St. Peter land office. It
was by her assigned to Bernard O. Kempffer, and the document is signed
by President James Buchanan, who caused the seal of the general land office
to be attached to the same, and states that it was given at the City of Wash-
ington, D. C, November 10, 1859. This appears as the first warrant for
lands taken up in Watonwan county.
Land warrant No. 80,708 — Bounty lands to soldiers of the United
States military service, for one hundred and sixty acres in the west half of
the northwest quarter of section 26, township 107, range 30, on account of
services had in the Seminole Indian War. It was issued to H. P. Gilbert
by Abraham Lincoln, President. June 1st, 1861, and signed by him, as well
as by secretary. W. F. Stoddard. Mr. Gilbert secured it from the guardian
of an Indian girl, whose father was a loyal warrior in war in Florida. This
is in Madelia township.
Land warrant No. 93.147. for a quarter of section 22, township 107,
range 30, in favor of Joseph B. Brown, a private in Captain Candee's com-
pany. Xew York militia, in the War of 1812, was patented by President
Abraham Lincoln, June 1, 1861. This is within Madelia township.
Patent Xo. 49,011. for a quarter of sections 20 and 21, township 107,
range 30, was granted to Richard Russel, a private in Captain Jeffry's com-
pany, Ohio militia, in the War of 1812, ami i< signed by President A. Lin-
coln, June 1, 1 86 1.
A pre-emption claim was filed as Xo. 6,175, by James II. I layer, at the
St. Peter land office, and is described as being the southwesl quarter of the
southwest quarter of section 14, township 107. range 30, ami is signed by
President Andrew Johnson. This i- situated in Madelia township.
Land patent Xo. 55,455, for a hundred and sixty acres, was in favor of
Elizabeth F. Cummings, widow of Stephen Murphet, private in Captain
Holt's company. Massachusetts militia, in the War of iNij. It was laid on
the northwest quarter of section 32, township 107. range 30 west, and issue, 1
from the St. I'eter land office and signed by President James Buchanan.
44- COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Military warrant, under the act of Congress approved in 1855, giving
land warrant to soldiers and sailors in the various wars of this country, and
bearing the number of 69,664. is on a quarter section, granted to John Eng-
land, teamster in the quartermaster's department, War of 1812. and is
described as lots one, two and seven in section 11, township 107, range 30,
in Madelia township, the same being signed by President Abraham Lincoln
in 1862.
Another warrant, under the above act, was laid on a hundred acres in
the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 25, township 107,
range 30 west, and is numbered 49,216, and signed by President James
Buchanan, March 15. i860. It was in favor of Thomas Piatt, ensign in
Captain McComb's company of Pennsylvania militiamen, in the War of 18 12.
Mexican War scrip was held by Sarah McKenzie. mother of George
McKenzie, private in Captain Duff's company. Third regiment. United
States dragoons, and was in shape of a warrant No. 80,168, and bears date
of ( >ctober, 1847, an(l me land was secured in this county.
Another warrant for a quarter section of land was laid on the north-
west quarter of section 27, township 107. range 30, Madelia township, in
favor of Henry G. Hammond, private in Captain Vaughn's company, Mas-
sachusetts militia, in the War of 181 2. It is signed by President Tames
Buchanan and is numbered 36,573.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
By an act of Congress in May, [862, any citizen of this country upon
the payment of a filing fee of fourteen dollars, might obtain free of charge
a quarter section of land outside railroad limits and eight)' acres inside, by
residing on it five years and making the common farm improvements on
same. In this township the following, with possibly a few such homestead
entries were made, and today the tracts id' land thus secured are among the
i valuable in the county.
No. 1 was made by llalvor Erickson, at the land office at St. Peter,
March 1, 1X70, and was signed by President V. S. (Irani, and it was for the
southeasl half of the northeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range
30 West.
One granted to Wilson Winters, a certificate No. 1,614, for the west
half of the southeasl quarter of section ro, township 107, range ^o west.
This was signed t>) President U. S. Grant, August 10, 1872.
The easl half of the southeast quarter of section 6, township 107, range
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 443
30 west, was homesteaded to Flse Nilsson by President U. S. Grant, May
20, 1874.
Certificate No. 7,369, at the New Ulm land office, was granted to Jacob
B. K. McCurdy, on the northwest quarter of section 30, township 107,
range 30. This was signed by President U. S. Grant. November 1, 1875.
Certificate No. 5.387. at the Tracy land office, was issued to J. Saw-
artzky, on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 30, township
107, range 30 west, and was signed by Grover Cleveland, President of the
United States, April 27, 1885.
On February 22, 1865, application No. 1,957, for a homestead in this
county, was filed by William H. Pickett, after paying the filing fee of four-
teen dollars, for the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the north-
east quarter of the southwest quarter of section 18, township 107, range 30
west. This was effected at the St. Peter land office.
On February 1. 1865, a homestead claim was filed by Thomas Clark in
the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 14, township 107,
range 30 west, and its number was 1,918. This was in Madelia township.
On February 22, 1865, at St. Peter land office, a homestead was laid
on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range
30 west, by Robert M. Gist.
Wilson Winters homesteaded at the St. Peter land office, August 13,
1866. the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10. township 107,
range 30 west.
Daniel Winters took, on May 20, [862, pre-emption claim No. 3,198,
in the northwest of the northeast of section t8, township 107, range 30, in
Madelia township.
United States to Ole W. Martin, from the Xew Ulm land office, patent
filed on September 23, 1885, on the northwest quarter of the southwest
quarter, section 2, township 107, range 30 west, including eighty acres. This
homestead entry was made and signed by President U. S. Grant, January
2J. 1873.
VILLAGE OF M XDKI.IA.
Madelia was platted in 1857 in the northeast portion of the county. It
is one hundred and ten miles from St. Paul and one hundred and fifty-nine
miles from Sioux City. Iowa. It is on the Watonwan river, in sections 22
and 27, township 107, range 30 west. Its proprietors were Messrs. Harts-
horn, Shepard and Ilaire, and it derived its name from thai of the daughter
"Madelia" of General Hartshorn and wife. Here, three log and one small
444 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
frame house were erected ; also a steam saw-mill by Jonathan and Caleb
Leavitt.
In 1862, during the Sioux uprising, all of the settlers fled to Mankato
for refuge and some never returned to be permanent settlers again. But
after the massacre was ended and quiet was again restored in southern Min-
nesota, many returned and went to work. These families who returned
were for a time protected by a company of cavalry under Captain E. St.
Julian Cox, whose men built an improvised fort for the settlement's protec-
tion.
POSTOFFICE.
This office is one among the first to be established in this section of the
state. At the present time it is a second-class office, with five rural routes.
Among the postmasters that have served are the following: G. Yates, C.
VV. Kendall. Carl Scot, C. W. Mullen. T. F. Goor, J. E. Haycraft, Julia
Holly and E. L. Goor.
EARLY BUSINESS FACTORS.
There were two or three efforts to establish stores in Madelia previous
to the one opened by Yates Brothers. Of one of these Mr. Louis Roberts,
of St. Paul, was the proprietor. These were temporary efforts, however,
and did not last even by succession.
In the fall of 1867 Mr. C. L. Richardson erected a store building and
put in a stock of goods. This he continued to occupy until the summer of
1870, when Boy ton & Cheney, who were in business at Garden City, pur-
chased his stock and established a branch store. This firm continued in
business until the spring of 187J. when it was dissolved, Mr. Cheney tak-
ing the -tore and moved his family to Madelia. At the same time he
enlarged his building ami put in an excellent assortment of general mer-
chandise.
Mr. Ransom, who was engaged in blacksmithing, remodeled his shop
into a store m the summer of [868 and put in a small stock of hardware
and other goods. In March, [869, he sold to Kstes & Hopkins, who con-
tinued in the business until the next September, when Hopkins sold his
interesl to Christian Heigum. The firm continued under this name until
the spring of 1872, when Christian disposed of his interests to H. C. King
and John M. Robb, forming the firm of Kstes, King & Company. This firm
VIEWS ON MAIN STREET, MAD] I i'
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 445
removed their stock to Mr. Estes' building in the fall ami in the following
spring Estes retired, leaving the firm as King & Robb.
With the approach of the railroad the prospects of the town began to
improve fast and when the iron horse reached there in the summer of 1870
the town was all astir putting up places for business. One of those who
came at this time was M. E. Dunn, from Lake Crystal. He opened a store,
consisting of general merchandise, in the block just erected by H. S. Willson,
where he soon built up a good trade, part of the time having two clerks
besides himself. In connection with his store he received the appointment
of local agent for the express company, a position that he held for a long
time. He was also a grain buyer, but this business did not keep him very
busy because there was very little grain grown at that date. He identified
himself fully with the town by purchasing the store building and stock of
Howes & Lamper, corner of Alain and St. Paul streets. This was about
the same time that Eckstorm Brothers & Brown removed their business
from South Bend to Madelia. They erected a building on Main street and
kept it well filled with a stock of merchandise. At the same time came
O. H. Davis, who had formerly been in business at Mankato, and built his
store for hardware on the corner of Main and Willson streets.
The first regular drug store in Madelia was opened by Bill & Barton,
who came from Garden City and purchased a building on Main street, near
St. Paul street, which place they fitted up for tin- purpose. Later, the firm
became known as Bill & Moore.
Dr. G. H. Overholt had a good stock of drills and medicines next door
to the "Pioneer" store. His store was established by the firm of Adams &
Langdon about 1856.
[n 1870 Jerome Patterson came from Mankato to open a jewelry store.
T I i — store was on the corner of Main and St. Paul streets. Xext door to
him was the first harness shop, started by William Seeger, who came from
Lake Crystal, lie -old his interests in a few years to (',. A. Gieriet.
Mrs. Frizzell opened a millinery store, first occupying rooms in the
building of Mr. Wickersham used as a drug store. In a few years she
became so prosperous that she purchased tin- building and continued in the
same business on a more extensive scale.
In 1873 Mr-. 1).' Brayton opened a -hop of the same kind, adding dress-
making as a side line. Almost at the same time. Mrs. Scoville opened a
dressmaking shop, but was soon succeeded by the Missc- Williams and
Hamill.
The first restaurant was opened by J. (i. lefts in 1870. It was not
446 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
many months until he sold out to A. S. Davis, he in turn selling to S. P.
Driggers.
Among the larger mercantile firms of the early period was that of
Bisbee & Olson. Because of the fact that both men were so well and favor-
ably known they built up a trade that extended far and wide, thus becoming
one of the most stable and prosperous firms in this section of the state. The
firm remained intact for several years, until Air. Bisbee retired from busi-
ness.
With the increase in population and in the number of homes came a
demand for house furnishings, which led to the establishment of a furniture
-ion- 1>_\ James Smith, who sold to W. R. Marvin.
At an early date Joseph Flanders erected a hotel and in 1870 improved
and enlarged it. In 1873 he sold the building to T. L. Yought, who con-
tinued the business. In 1870 a company built the Northern Hotel, which
was purchased in 1872 by H. Delling, who changed the name to the Delling
House.
The early implement dealers were George Yates, A. Frizzell and H. T.
Odegaid. The first shoe shop was conducted by A. Knudson. The first
tailor was A. M. Anderson.
The first lumber yard was that of J. Dean & Company, established about
1S74. About the same time a grain elevator was built with a capacity of
thirty thousand bushels. T. C. Peart was the manager.
In [888 Warren Golden erected a Hour-mill on the river and for many
years this mill supplied not only Watonwan county, but many surrounding
counties with Hour and corn meal.
In the early days there was great need of a blacksmith shop, and in the
fall of [865 J. Flanders gave a lot to S. 1'. Driggers, who at once erected a
shop sixteen feet square and rented it to I''.. I). Miller for one year. The
time expiring, .Mr. Driggers sold the property to G. R. Ransom, who built
a small addition for a wagon shop and continued in that business about a
year, when he decided to start a hardware store. He enlarged the building
to sixteen by thirty and added a story above, lie started business under the
name of < ;. R. Ransom & Company, and continued until 1869, when the
ds and premises were sold to William Estes and J. Hopkins. This firm
continued until the following September, when Mr. Hopkins retired and C.
Tergum boughl his interest, finally, Tergum sold bis interest to H. C.
King and John Ri ibb.
Vmong the early physicians were Dr. Overholt, Dr. W. II. Woods and
Dr. < hrist< ipherson.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 447
The early lawyers were T. Rutledge. E. S. W'illson, F. D. Jay and \V.
H. H. Johnson.
The first resident clergy were Rev. N. A. Trobridge, of the Meth-
odist church. Rev. I. VV. Van Eman, of the Presbyterian church, and Father
Cunningham, of the Catholic church.
In 1871 the amount of improvements for the year amounted to ten
thousand dollars; in 1872 to twenty-one thousand seven hundred and five
dollars, thus showing how rapidly the town improved in its infancy.
The first Indian fort was down in the "flat," but this was soon dis-
carded and another built on the lot just north of where the Methodist church
now stands, so that the occupants might have a better view of the prairie
and thereby ward off attacks from the Indians. These forts, built of logs,
were small and acted merely as a refuge for the settlers. The main fort
was known as Fort Hill, and was located near Hanska, on the farm now
owned by Ole Sonsteby. Government troops were stationed in and around
the forts for nearly two years, but fortunately very little trouble took place
with the Indians.
VILLAGE OF MADELIA IN 1885-6.
From an old directory it is learned that the following were in trade
and professional life at Madelia in 1885-6:
Ash, George H. — Capitalist.
Bank of Madelia — Joseph Flanke. banker; transacted a general banking
and exchange business.
Benton. A. H. — Dealer in general merchandise and farm machinery of
all kinds.
Bill, Brothers — Dealers in drugs, medicine-, bonks and fancy goods.
Bisbee, Olson & Boynton — Dealers in general merchandise and farm
implements, and buyers of all kinds of grain.
Brenneis, I'. A. — Proprietor of Madelia Brewery.
Cheney, J. X. — Dealer in general merchandise, groceries, crockery, dry
goods, clothing, etc, and breeder of short-horn cattle. Norman horses and
Berkshire hogs.
Cook & Holmes — Contractors and builders.
Cooley, Dr. C. O. — Physician and surgeon.
Cooley, Charles — Attorney-at-law ; loans, insurance and real estate.
Delling, George W. — Photographer.
Estes Brothers — Dealers in farm machinery, wagons, etc.; also Short-
horn cattle and Berkshire swine.
448 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Evenson, C. — Dealer in wines, liquors and cigars.
Flanders Hotel — A. E. Fisher, proprietor.
Gieriet, J. A. — Manufacturer of and dealer in harness, collars, whips,
trunks and buffalo robes.
Gilbert, H. P. — Proprietor to Gilbert's Addition to Madelia.
Gleason, F. C. — Assistant railroad agent and operator.
Gove & Kendrick — Lumber, sash, doors, etc. ; also wood, coal, lime and
farm implements.
Hage, Siver — Dealer in lumber, sash, doors, coal and wood.
Ilavcraft, S. P. — Dray line.
Hopkins, D. C. — Attorney-at-law ; real estate.
Mitchell Prothers — Proprietors of the Madelia flouring-mills.
Mullen, C. G. — Dealer in stationery, confectionery, etc.
Rohe. Adolph — Dealer in wines, liquors, beer, etc.
Sidler, H. C. — Dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry and plated ware.
Times, Madelia — D. C. Sanborn, proprietor and publisher.
Wadsworth, H. B.— Capitalist.
Witham, \V. H. — Dealer in furniture and undertakers' goods.
LARGE FLOURING-MILL.
Madelia can easily boast of having the largest flour-mill in the county.
The mill was founded by its present owner, Mr. C. S. Christensen, and under
bis management "Madelia's Best"' has become known far and wide. The
products are marketed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and
the central stales. The daily capacity of the mill is seven hundred barrels
<>f flour. Seven grain elevators, scattered throughout the country, belong to
the same firm. In all, thirty-five people are given employment.
MUNCIPAL HISTORY.
Madelia was incorporated early in the seventies, and in 1873 the officers
were as follow: William R. Marvin, president of the board of trustees;
Joseph Flanders, Henry ('. King, trustees; Jens Thorson, treasurer; F. D.
Jay, clerk.
The toil) municipal officers were: William Schaloben, president; J. P.
G; ',;i. Nils Fjelsta, Theodore A. Tollerson, trustees; M. S. Dossett, treas-
urer: F. 11. Ilillesheim. clerk.
Tlie village has an indebtedness of sixteen thousand dollars and has
-1T1!!- j£f T TTT
m ill
HI 111
TFTT
CATHOLIC SCHOOL, MADELIA.
IMI1LIC SCHOOL. MADELIA.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MADELIA.
FARM HOME NEAR MADELIA.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 449
made many substantial improvements in the last few years to show for this
indebtedness. They have a line water-works system, costing nine thousand
dollars ; two deep wells : water is pumped by electricity to a ninety-thousand-
gallon steel tank. The electric lighting is had by a private corporation,
known as the Madelia Electric Company. The volunteer fire department
consists of thirt) volunteers. The public park is a full block of ground cov-
ered with line artificial trees. The village jail is twenty foot square and has
two cells.
BIG CONFLAGRATION.
Probably one of the worst fires that Madelia ever experienced occurred
on the night of October 31, 1877. The fire had its origin in the rear of
Eskstorm Brothers & Brown's store, and was thought by some to be of
incendiarv origin. The fire destroyed the building occupied by the milliner,
Mrs. Frizzell, the building west of Eckstrom's owned by Mr. Brayton, the
H. S. Willson block and with it the valuable library of Attorney Willson;
the building occupied by George P. Johnson and the store of M. E. Mullen.
The loss was estimated at five to six thousand dollars, with no insurance.
All those who were burned out were fortunate enough to secure places in
which to continue their business.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN I916.
Auto Garage — Forster Brothers, Madelia Motor Company, W. W.
Cole & Son.
Attorney — C. J. Eide.
Banks — State Bank, First National Bank.
Barber Shops — Howard L. Driggers, ['"rank Kitchen.
Blacksmith Shops — Axel Hanson, R. H. Thomas, Toffef Paterson.
Bakery— Hale & Son-.
Brick and Tile Plant — Madelia Cement and Tile Company.
Clothing — Hodapp-Nelson Company.
Creamery — Madelia Creamery Company,
Druggist — Madelia Drug and Jewelry Company.
Dray— L. L. Hall, V. E. Tate.
Dentist — L. T. Austin, Edwin A. Ilagaman, W. II. Shaver.
Elevator — C. S. Christenscn Company, Hubbard & Palmer.
Electric Light Plant — T. J. McGovern.
(29)
450 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Furniture Dealers — McDowell & Company, Schuletz Brothers.
Feed Store — C. S. Christensen Company.
Grocers— J. P. Hale & Sons, W. A. Mullen.
General Dealers — Sever Larson. Mathias Olson, Frank Mullen.
Hotels — The Noonan, The Madelia.
Hardware — Charles B. Cooley, Charles R. Klatt, Parr & Bork Hard-
ware Company.
Harness — J. A. Gierist, H. Joerg & Son.
Ice Dealers — Rockwood & Austin.
Implements — Parr & Bork Hardware Company. Charles R. Klatt,
Charles H. Cooley.
Lumber Dealers — S. Hage Lumber Company, Henry Simmons Lumber
Company.
Livery — William U. Montgomery.
Mill — C. S. Christensen Company.
Millinery — Marie A. Hillesheim.
Meat Markets — C. J. Hammond, Hodapp & Lamm.
Marble Works — James J. Tighe.
Merchant Tailor — Cornelius Blomenkamper.
Newspapers — Madelia Times-Messenger, Madelia News.
Notions — George A. Kline.
Physicians — William J. McCarthy, Henry B. Grimes.
Picture Show — The Wonderland.
Photographic Gallery — Wilson Sisters.
Produce Dealers — E. England, George Rohe.
Restaurants — A. F. Lodes, Hale & Sons.
Real Estate Dealers — M. C. Solensten, C. E. Brown Laud Company.
William Schaleben & Companv.
Shoe Store — August Simonett.
Stuck Buyers — F. Moses, Madelia Farmers' Shipping Association, C.
J. I [ammond.
Telephones — Tri-Statc. Madelia Telephone Company, North Western
Telephone ( Company.
Veterinary — Francis P. Burke, Clayton Butler, Homer C. Butler.
Madelia is one of the few towns in the county that is really on a boom.
\'"t a dwelling or store building in the town is vacant and new buildings of
all kinds are being constructed as fasl a- carpenters can get them up. The
best 1 ster of the town i> the Commercial Club, composed of all the enter-
prising and wide awake business men. The officers are as follow: Presi-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 45 1
dent, Henry Hillesheim; vice-president, L. T. Austin: secretary, F. Morris;
treasurer, C. T. Dahl. There is also a Business Men's Association, the pur-
pose of which is the safeguarding and protecting of the merchants' inter-
est-. Madelia is the only town in the county that has an annual chautauqua
for its citizens and the surrounding community.
BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
The Business Men's Association of Madelia was organized on Novem-
ber 2. IQ15. with the following officers: C. S. Christensen. president;
Frank Hodapp, vice-president: George Hage, treasurer; C. J. Eide, secre-
tary. The motive that led to the organization was the desire to meet in a
satisfactory way the destructful competition of mail order houses, to make
fairer prices for the consumer, to overcome ruinous competition, to welcome
all newcomers, to investigate the financial standing of people, for the purpose
of extending credit when necessary.
MADELIA FARMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
This insurance company was organized on June 14, 1887, and its pres-
ent officers are as follows : George Busser, president ; Charles Tiegren, vice-
president : James T. Reynolds, secretary ; O. M. Howe, treasurer. The com-
pany now carries risks to the total amount of five million dollars. There
are at present two thousand policy-holders. The territory covered by the
company is all of Watonwan county and twenty-seven townships in the sur-
rounding counties. The rate per thousand dollars of insured property is two
dollars. This company is operated purely on the mutual plan. Only farm
risk- are taken, and the farmers in five counties take great interest in it.
NELSON TOWNS I II P.
On the north line of the county and second from the western border
is Xelson township, which comprises all of congressional township 107,
range 32 west. It is situated south of Brown county, west of Riverdale
town-hip, north of St. James township and east of Adrian township. It is
six miles square and contains thirty-six full sections of beautiful prairie
land, well watered and drained by numerous small prairie streams. These
watercourses include tributaries to the main stream known as the Waton-
452 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
wan river, which courses from west to east through this part of the county.
There are no villages or railroads within this township, but public school
buildings are found in sections 8, 12, 20 and 26.
The population of this township in 1900 was eight hundred and six,
but the census of 1910 gives it at six hundred and eighty-four, owing to
great migration to other parts during that decade.
ORGANIZATION.
Nelson township was organized by the board of county commissioners
in September, 1870, out of the territory embraced in congressional township
107, ranges 32 and 33. thus including present Adrian township, which was
organized the next spring. This whole part of the county had previously
been included in Riverdale civil township. Later in the same month in
which this new township was created, the commissioners gave it at
first the name of North Branch, subsequently changing its name to "Dexter."
Some time later it was changed to Nelson. The county commissioners in
1902 caused a re-survey of the lands within this township, at the expense of
owners.
SETTLEMENT.
Swan Beck and Ole Blackstad were among the first pioneers in this
township.
Jacob Harder, certificate No. 5,381, at the land office at Tracy, the
south half of the northeast quarter of section 30, township 107. range 32
west, issued by President Grover Cleveland, signed on April 2j, 1885.
John Earlson, No. 2,888, at the New Ulm land office, the east half of
the southwest quarter of section 26, township 107, range 32 west, issued by
President Chester A. Arthur, signed on June 20, [882.
Charles Verner, certificate No. 2.104, at the New Ulm land office, the
north half of the northwest quarter of section 30, township 107. range t,2
west, issued by President U. S, Grant, signed on January 5, 1875.
Robert Rowland, certificate No. 2,507, at the New Ulm land office.
This was issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on January 15, 1875.
Anders A. Hestlekrantz, the west half of the northwest quarter of
section 6, township 107, range 32 west, signed by President Chester A.
Arthur, 1883.
Anders Swenson, at the New I'lm land office, the east half of the
COTTONWOOD AND \\ VTONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 453
northwest quarter of section 8, township 107. range 32 west, signed by
President U. S. Grant, August 15, 1876.
Gustaf Sjoquest, the north half of the southwest quarter of section 20,
township 107, range 32 west, issued by President U. S. Grant, signed March
1, 1876.
Syver O. Tonde, certificate No. 5,330, at the Tracy land office, the east
half of the southeast quarter of section 10. township 107. range 7,2 west,
issued by President Grover Cleveland. January 9, 1886.
ODIN TOWNSHIP.
Odin is the extreme southwestern sub-division of Watonwan county
and comprises all of congressional township 105, range 33, hence is six
miles square, having thirty-six full sections of land. Odin is bounded on
the west by Cottonwood county, on the north by Butterfiekl township, on
the east by Long Lake township and on the south by Martin county.
This portion of Watonwan county has numerous lakes and large ponds,
some of which are fed by springs and others are largely surface water,
which, with the settling of the county and scientific drainage and tiling
enterprises, are fast becoming extinct and are used for pasture and other
agricultural purposes. Among the larger of these natural water sheets may
be named in this connection : School Lake. Irish Lake and Sulem Lake!
A few small prairie creeks or "runs" are found in various parts of the town-
ship. The soil i- about the same quality for richness and fertility as the
>-i~ter townships of Watonwan county. When thoroughly drained and prop-
erlv tiled it will make one of the most valuable sections in southern Minne-
sota for both farming and dairying. The only village within this township
is Odin, in section 29, a station on the branch line of the Chicago & North-
western railroad, running between Sanborn and Welcome. Minnesota, anil
which extends down into central Iowa. The railroad already mentioned
runs through sections Xos. 2, 11, 14, [3, 24. 25 and 35.
The population of Odin township for the last three United States cen-
sus enumeration periods has been: In 1890, 543; in 1900, 594, and in 1910,
604.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was organized by the board of county commissioners at
their session in January, 1872, and was described as congressional township
454 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
105, range 35 west. Butterfield township was also made at the same meet-
ing of the board of commissioners.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
E. Z. Rasey, a veteran of the Civil 'War, a member of the Thirty-
second Wisconsin Regiment, who participated in twenty-one battles and
skirmishes, but was fortunate in never being wounded, took a homestead in
the east half of the northwest quarter and the east half of the southwest
quarter of section 4, this township, in 1871. He has served as vice-com-
mander of the Minnesota department of the Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1896 he sold his farm in Odin township and later moved to St. James,
where he still resides. He was one of three to establish the present Farm-
ers' Grain Company of St. James.
When interviewed concerning the early pioneers of Odin township, Mr.
E. Z. Rasey gave the following as about the first to locate in the township:
Two brothers, Engbert and Sylvester Sulem, from Sweden, located here
in 1868 in lots about the lake, and on lands in section 6. Sylvester was a
well-educated man and was never married. He soon returned to his native
country, while his brother remained.
John Arneson, a Norwegian, settled in 1869-70 in this township, and
died many years ago in the township. Halvor Halvorson located in section
<S, taking as a homestead the southwest quarter of that section. Later he
moved from the county.
Ole Ormbeck settled on a homestead in the east half of the northeast
quarter of section 8. Later he sold and removed to the state of Washing-
Ion. Hans Munson settled in the north half of the northwest quarter of
section jo in 1868. He was from Norway and later retired at Butterfield.
John A. Johnson, a Swede, located in the west half of the southwest
quarter of section 2. John Swanson located in the northwest quarter of
section 2. John Olson, a Swede, settled in section 2.
Mired Eckstrom located in the east half of the southwest quarter of
section 2. John Lantz settled in the west half of the southeast quarter of
section _• ; he was from Sweden.
hi [870 came Khcn Newell, located in the west half of the northwest
quarter of section I. and hail land also in the west half of the southwest
quarter of that section, lie came from York state and moved to the state
■ ■I Washington, where he subsequently died.
Another son of Norwaj located in Odin township in 1S71 — Andrew
COTTONWOOD VND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 455
Gilbertson, in die southwest quarter of section 18. Ira W. Bowen claimed a
homestead in 1870, in the northwest quarter of section 18. He came from
Wisconsin, remained until about 1885, then moved to the state of Washing-
ton, locating near Spokane. Samuel Rasey claimed the south half of
the northeast quarter of section 4. He came from Wisconsin and later re-
moved to Washington.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES IN ODIN TOWNSHIP.
August Erickson, certificate No. 8,571, at the Worthington land office,
the north half of the northwest quarter of section 22, township 105, range
33 west, issued by President Chester A. Arthur, signed on May 20, 1884.
Hans Ameson, certificate No. 6,531, at the Worthington land office,
on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 14, township 105, range
t,^ west, issued by President Chester A. Arthur, signed on August 1, 1883.
.Martin Siverson, certificate No. 5,373, at the Worthington land office,
on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 34, township 105, range
^7, west, issued by President Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on June 15, 1878.
Kasen Bentsen, certificate Xo. 8,656, on the south half of the north-
east quarter of section 30, township 105, range 33, issued by President
Rutherford B. Hayes, signed on November 5, 1878.
H. Olson, certificate No. 6,678, at the Worthington land office, the
north half of the northeast quarter of section 30, township 105, range 33
west, issued by President Rutherford B. Haves, signed on November 5,
1878.
Torkel Torkelson. at the Worthington land office, the south half of the
northeast quarter of section 22. township 105. range ^t, wot, issued by
President U. S. Grant, signed on March 1, 1877.
A. A. Nass, certificate Xo. 5,802, at the Worthington land office, the
\\( ~t half of the northeast quarter of section 8. township 105, range ^^, west,
issued by President James A. Garfield, signed on April 9, 1881.
I I RMS OF [NTEREST.
The first school house in Odin township was erected in 1873 in the
center of section 8, and the first teacher was a Miss Josephine Doolittle,
who later became the wife of Arthur Higgins, who lived on land purchased
in the southeast quarter of section 4.
So great was the number of wild geese and cranes near the lakes of this
456 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
and adjoining townships at an early day that at times it was safely esti-
mated that tens of thousands of these birds of passage, made their way
from the south in springtime to the northern lakes and in the autumn time
wended their wav southward, stopping in fields of grain in the stack and in
fields of ripening corn, both of which in many instances they totally de-
stroyed. At early dawn it was an easy matter for the farmer to stand in
his door yard and shoot several geese as they passed over the claim shanty.
In the season of geese the farmers had all the game thev could make use
of, and that at little trouble or expense.
The sand-hill cranes were so thick that at times in their flight over a
farm house, the noise they made with their wings reminded one of rolling
thunders in the far distance. These birds were also eaten when geese could
not be easily shot. The meat is good but has a stronger wild game taste
than the goose or duck. Mr. Rasey relates of an incident where he prided
himself on having the finest five acres of corn in the township. He was
absent threshing in the neighborhood for almost a week, and upon his re-
turn, he found the cranes devouring his corn crop. He repeatedly tried to
drive and frighten them away, but did not succeed and as a result his entire
choice field was devoured, save a part of a wagon-box full of nubbins and
half-eaten corn. He would frighten them in one part of the field and they
would alight at a distant spot and commence eating again. In some in-
stances they showed fight and would not yield to him.
Geese, cranes and ducks were in immense flocks in this part of the
country for many years after the first settlers came in. One seldom sees
any of these birds or prairie chickens. The burning of the prairies and
plowing of the land resulted in their extinction.
THE VILLAGE of ODIN,
This village was platted by the Western Town Lot Company, March
29, \X<)<). in section 25, township 105, range 33 west.- It now has a popu-
lation of about niie hundred and fifty, and was incorporated in 1902. The
records tail to show the first officers, so only the present ones are given.
They are as follow: President, C, I-. Olson; trustees, John II. Berdell,
Lars Larson, I'. M. Olson; recorder, G. Krogen; treasurer. I'. T, Laingen.
In [909 a town ball was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars.
This hall is used not only for town meetings, but lodge purposes and all
public gatherings. In the way of tire protection the town has a public cis-
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 457
tern, a hand pump and two hundred feet of fire hose. The present indebted-
ness is approximately one thousand dollars.
POSTOFFICE AND BUSINESS HISTORY TODAY.
The postoffice history of Odin is rather brief. The office was started
about 1900, since which time the following postmasters have served: Will-
iam Oleson, J. O. Ouerna, O. A. Call and O. A. Kabrick. The receipts of
the office for the last fiscal year were approximately four hundred dollars.
The business interests of the village in [916 were in the hands of the
following:
Auto Garage — P. M. Olson.
Bank — Odin State Bank.
Barber— Otto Rohn.
Blacksmith — Edward H. Bott.
Creamery — Odin Co-operative Creamery Association.
Druggist — Dr. O. A. Kabrick.
Elevator — Bingham Brothers, Great Western Grain Company.
General Dealers — P. C. Hanson, Peak & Company.
Harness and Furniture — O. A. Call.
Hardware — Edward YV. Thompson.
Jeweler — O. A. Kabrick.
Lumber — J. H. Queal and Company, John H. Bardell, manager.
Livery — N. S. Nixon.
Meat Market — Nixon & Son.
era House — Odin Opera House.
Restaurant — Ole Hanson.
Real Estate — Odin Real Estate Company.
Stock Buyers — S. H. Nixon, Farmers' Stock Buyers' Association.
Telephone — Odin Farmers' Telephone Company.
Woodmaker — Lars Larson.
Every town or village has some distinctive feature, and Odin is no
exception. The village is beautifully laid out and everyone seems i" take
pride in keeping the streets and business houses spotlessly clean. It is
doubtful if any village in the county of its size can proudly boast of as
man\- up-to-date and modern homes. The Odin Farmers' Creamery Asso-
ciation has just moved into their new brick building, constructed at a COSI
of about three thousand five hundred dollars. This is one of the most
458 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
thriving institutions of its kind in the county, having over one hundred
patrons and a capacity of over fifteen thousand pounds of hutter per month.
RIVERDALE TOWNSHIP.
Riverdale township is on the north line of Watonwan county and the
second sub-division from the eastern line of the county. It is south of
Brown county, west of Madelia township, north of Rosendale township and
to the east of Nelson township. It comprises all of congressional township
No. 107, range 31 west, hence is six miles square and contains thirty-two
full sections and four over-size sections — these being to the west. The
.Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad line runs from northeast to southwest dia-
gonally through the township, entering the township and county in section
3, and leaving the township from section 31. It has for a station in this
township the little hamlet of LaSalle, situated in sections 16 and 17. The
main line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railway runs
through the southeastern corner of Riverdale township, entering it in sec-
tion 36 and leaving it from section 35, en route between St. Paul and Sioux
( 'ity and ( )maha.
The population of Riverdale township in 1890 was 509; in 1900 it was
placed at 710. and in 1910, it is given by the United States census books as
being 727.
ORGANIZATION.
Originally, this civil township belonged to a much larger territory than
it now embraces. It included what is now- Riverdale. Nelson and Adrian
townships. In November, (869, the county commissioners made it into a
civil township on the petition of George A. Bradford and others. This, like
all ot the townships in Watonwan county, is purely a prairie country, and is
now well settled and has many handsome farms with artificial groves scat-
tered here and there over its surface.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES IX RIVERDALE TOWNSHIP.
1 nder the congressional act approved on May 20, [862, the following
home teads were granted in tin- township:
Thomas George, No 2,347, New (Jim land office, the south half of the
northwest quarter of section 26, township 107. range 31 west, issued In-
tl. S. Grant, Pre idenl of the United State-, signed on September 15. 1874.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 459
Jens Johannesen, certificate No. 3,083, at the New Ulm land office, the
west half of the southwest quarter of section 4, township 107, range 31,
issued by President U. S. Grant, February 12, 1877.
Nils B. Johansan, certificate No. 2,831, at the Xew Ulm land office, the
west half of the northwest quarter of section 2, township 107, range 31
west, issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on March 1, 1876.
John Doolittle, Tracy land office, the northwest quarter of section 20,
township 107, range 31, issued by President Chester A. Arthur, signed on
December 10, 1883.
Military warrant Xo. 10,835, issued to Private Willis Baker, in Captain
Clark's company of Xew York militiamen in the War of 1812. This land
is situated in the southeast quarter of section 2T,, township 107, range 31, is
signed by President Abraham Lincoln, and was laid in the St. Peter land
office. This is in Riverdale township.
THE VILLAGE OF LASALLE.
LaSalle was platted on October 12, 1899, by Harry I., and Anna L.
Jenkins as a part of section 17, township 107, range 31. It is a station on
the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad and had the following business inter-
ests in 1916:
Bank — State Bank.
Blacksmith — L. C. Carlson.
Creamery — LaSalle Co-operative Creamery Association.
Elevator — Eagle Roller Milling Company, Great Western Grain Com-
pany.
General Dealers — Alfred Sletta. Watonwan County Co-operative As-
sociation.
Hardware and Implements — LaSalle Hardware and Implement Com-
pany.
Hotel — The LaSalle, J. Benson, proprietor.
Lumber — S. Hage Lumber Company.
Although the village is not incorporated, yet there seems to In- the same
public spirit among it- citizens that is f"itnd in most incorporated towns.
Xo greater evidence of this fact is necessary than to mention the construc-
tion of tin- town hall, which was built entirely by donation, but under the
auspice- of the LaSalle Band. The hall i- used lor all public gatherings
and ha- thus become the center of community life.
460 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The postoffice at the village of LaSalle has had postmasters as follow :
J. E. Sundt, Anon Halvorson and Alfred Slotta. The office transacted busi-
ness during the last fiscal year to the sum of four hundred and thirty-eight
dollars and fifty- four cents. This postoffice has been twice robbed — once
on April 3, 1004, when there was a loss of postal funds of one hundred and
thirty-six dollars, and in money order funds, forty dollars and three cents,
and again on November 13, 1909, with a loss of thirty dollars and five cents
postal stain])-, etc., and one hundred and nineteen dollars and forty-seven
cents, money order funds.
The hank at LaSalle was blown open Sunday, January 12, 1908; the
loss was not heavy, however.
ROSENDALE TOWNSHIP.
Rosendale township, comprising congressional township 106, range 31
west, is one of the central subdivisions in Watonwan county, and is south
of Riverdale, west of Fieldon, north of South Branch and east of St. James
township. The western sections overrun, hence the township is a little over
regular size. The City of St. James, the county seat, comes up to the western
line of this township. The only hamlet within Rosendale is Grogan, a station
on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railway line, in section 3.
The township was named from a town in Wisconsin, by Airs. S. W. Sar-
geant, that being her old home.
The railroad just named enters this township in section 18, and crosses
parts of 8, 9, 4, 3 and leaves the township from section 2 over into River-
dale town-hip. The Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad touches the north-
west corner of the township.
There are a number of pretty lakes and lakelets in the township, includ-
ing these: One in section 3, section 5. sections 19 and 20 and in sections
28 and 20. There are a few small streams running to the north and east.
Bullhead i- the largest lake in this township.
The population of Rosendale township in [890 was 369; in 1900 it was
placed at 516, and in the lasl census it was placed at 571. It is within a rich
agricultural district and land -ells as high as one hundred and fifty dollars
per acre.
I 1 1 oANIZATION.
In March. [871, tlie county commissioners' board then consisting of
Morrill, ^ddsmond and Bradford, made a new civil township out of con-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 461
gressional township 106. range 31, west, and gave it the name oi Springfield,
but at their meeting in April of the same year, changed it to Rosendale, as
it is km iwn today.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
Among' the earliest to locate here was Michael Gall, a native of Austria,
born in 1822, came to America and settled in this township in [868; was
township treasurer for eight years and died in 1906.
A STORY OF PIONEER DAYS.
The following is from the pen of George A. Bradford, who wrote in
the St. James Plaindealer a few years since, after the following fashion:
The following account of the settlement of Rosendale township is trans-
lated from the archives of the Rosendale Norwegian Lutheran church, which
were compiled by George Herbitz, secretary of the congregation. Mr.
Herbitz is himself one of the oldest settlers of this township, and his infor-
mation is undoubtedly accurate. Of course these notes refer entirely to the
earlv Norwegian settlers and members of the Rosendale congregation, and
comprise the period from 1856 to 1864, inclusive.
In 1854 Xotto Jensen, then a boy of eighteen years, came from the
parish of Evje Tordilen, in the bishopric of Christiansand, Norway, to
America. He lived for a time in Manitowoc. Wisconsin, and afterward
worked for two winters in the lumber camp along the Wisconsin river. In
the spring of 1856, he started for .Minnesota, riding by stage coach to
La Crosse. When they reached the highlands of Dividing Ridge, both he and
the driver were forced to make the rest of the journey on foot, as the horses
were not able to pull more than the empty wagon over the long grades, lie
made the journey from La Crosse to St. Paul on a Mississippi steamboat,
There was not sufficient water in the Minnesota river for steamboat navi-
gation, so he took passage in a freight boat, which was propelled up stream
by means of long poles by which the crew of six men punted the craft, one
steering. In this manner they reached Mankato. From there Mr. Jensen
traveled in a southwesterly direction to look for land, which had timber,
water and prairie, and finally settler! on the south branch of the Watonwan
river, in the region now known as Rosendale township, where he was the
first white settler. His first dwelling was a sod house. Provisions had to
be brought from Mankato. Wishing to get some butter, he went around
among the neighbor- to buy some. There was very little to be had. but he
-K'2 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
succeeded in obtaining four and a half pounds, paying therefor forty cents
a pound.
In 1856 there arrived in Rosendale township Palme Olsen and his wife;
Running and his wife and three children, Helge, Cecil and Gari. Mr. Olsen
took a homestead on the north branch. This family emigrated' in 1852
from Yiker Annex in Odalen, Norway, and settled in Rock county, Wis-
consin, coming from there to Minnesota. Upon a trip to Mankato for the
purpose of making various purchases Mr. Jensen fell in with a partv of
homeseekers from Tierce county, Wisconsin. They were intent upon getting
homesteads along the South Branch river. The party consisted of Knud
Larson Overing, his wife, Tnger, and grown up daughter, Maren; Ole Tor-
genson and wife Maren, and four children, Knud, Joegen. Maria and Lise;
Halvor Knudson Barland and wife, Tarau, and five children, Maria, Gun-
hild, Knud, Jorgen and Asper; Eli Aadne and wife and their son and Mils
Torson Overig, and Ole Jostesen. All of these took lands along South
Branch, with the exception of Ole Jostesen, who returned to Wisconsin, and
enlisted in the army. Upon his return to this county he bought land.
In 1857 Hans Johnson Berdal, with his wife. Synneve, and five children,
Sivert, Ole, A.. Jorgen and Ingeborg, arrived here. Mr. Berdal built a sod
house on some land which he intended to file on but the government had
already granted the right thereto to Bedo and Tip Nelson as payment for
carrying the mails, so he took a claim further to the southwest, in the settle-
ment later known as Long Lake.
VILLAGE OF GROGAN.
Grogan was platted by I'.. R. Grogan and M<>ses K. Armstrong, in -cction
3, township ro6, range 31 west. September 6, 1 8< 1 1 . It is five miles east of
St. James on the line of the Chicago, St. Paul. Minneapolis & Omaha rail-
road, in the center of a flourishing farming section, A number of years
had stores, elevators, lumber yards, creamery, hotel and many pleasant
hi 'i nes.
Si 'I'll BRANCH TOW NSH1 I'.
Si mtb Branch township was formed out of congressional township 105,
range ,\\ west. It is bounded on the north by Rosendale township, on the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 463
ea<t by Antrim township, on the south by Martin county and on the west by
Long Lake township. It contains thirty-four full and four overrun sec-
tions of prairie land. It has no towns or villages, nor any railroad through
its borders. There are a few small lakes, the larger of which is the one
situated in section 20. The South Branch of the Watonwan river courses
through this township flowing toward the northeast. The land here is the
equal of other Watonwan townships, rich, black soil of the most productive
quality.
The population of the township at the last three census periods of the
United States have been as follows: In 1890 it was 380; in 1900 it was
only 552 and in 1910 it was placed at 617.
ORGANIZATION.
South Branch was formed by the board of county commissioners at
their meeting in March, 1869, when the members of the county board were
.Messrs. Xickerson, Haycroft and Addsmond. It was to constitute con-
gressional township 105, range 31 west. It was named Drewsville, but soon
changed to South Branch.
PIONEER SETTLERS.
It is uncertain who the first actual settlers in this township were. It
is known that Charles H. Locke was among the pioneers here.
Under the Homestead act approved on May 20. 1862, the following
homesteads were taken up in this township and proved up on in the required
time — five years :
Robert Sexaner. certificate No. 8,192. at the Worthington land office,
the northeast quarter of section 2. township 105. range 31 west, issued by
President U. S. Grant, and signed on November 3. 1876.
David Clark, certificate No. 8,414, at the Worthington land office, the
west half of the northeast quarter of section 34, township 105, range 31
west, issued by President Rutherford B. I laves signed on November 5.
1878.
Edwin Fuller, certificate Xo. 2,511, at the Jackson land office, the
half of the southeast quarter of section 4. township [05, range 31 west,
issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on April 10, 1873.
464 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ST. JAMES TOWNSHIP.
St. James township comprises all of congressional township 106, range
32 west. It is bounded on the north by Nelson township, on the east by
Rosendale, on the south by Long Lake and on the west by Butterfield town-
ship. Its only municipality, town or village is the county seat of Watonwan
county — St. James. The railroads that cross the township are the Chicago,
St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha and the Minneapolis & St. Louis, the one
crossing the other at the city of St. James. The former bears to the south-
west and the latter to the south of the city.
The lakes and ponds of this township are numerous, but of recent years
many of these lakelets are being drained and utilized for agricultural pur-
poses. The larger of these lakes is St. James Lake, to the southwest of the
city of St. James. The others are mere ponds, where water stands in wet
seasons of the year and are gradually lowering and being drained.
The population of the township according to the United States census
returns of 1890 was 473: in 1900 it was 614 and in 1910, it was placed at
575-
For the most part this six-mile square tract of land is flat prairie, with
a few prairie creeks to break the otherwise flat appearance. The soil is a
rich, black loam of the real drift deposit type and very productive of all the
grains and grasses common to this latitude.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
St. James township was organized by the board of county commission-
er'- at their meeting in March, [870, when congressional township 106,
ranges ,>-' ami 33, was set off as a separate civil township of the county.
This so remained until the hoard session in January, 1872, when the com-
missioners through a well-signed petition, formed a new township known as
Butterfield, out of the western half of St. James, of that portion within
congressional township [06, range 33 west.
PIONEERS of THE n n\ NSHIP.
The first actual settler in this township was I fans ( Mson. in section 14.
at the north side of the lake, lie pre-empted a quarter section in October,
186S. and i- -till living in St. James, engaged in the farm implement busi-
ness.
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 465
Hans Olson was the first man to settle in the vicinity of St. James.
He came to this county in the spring of 1869. About a month or two later
John W. Somers. at present one of the county commissioners, settled in the
same vicinity. Among the other early settlers were, George Spetzler, Joseph
Parsh, Henry Baranson, Abraham Strommen, M. Strommen, John and
Andrew Swanson. The latter two men settled in section four. At present
all the above mentioned live in St. James. Most of them took homesteads
or pre-emptions, or both. The land cost them on an average of two and one-
half dollars per acre, but at these figures the land was very high priced, not
in terms of money but in hard times. Every fall their crops were in danger
of the deadly prairie fires, which continued annually until the land became
broken up. Then the grasshoppers remained with them for nearly five
years, hardly leaving enough grain each year to winter what little stock they
had. It is rather interesting to know that the grasshoppers had an unusual
liking for onions, but cared little for potatoes.
For two years the settlers did all their farming with oxen. Tn fact
they used oxen for everything. A good pair of oxen cost from one hun-
dred to one hundred and thirty dollars. The average one-year-old, whan
sold for beef, usually brought about eight dollars; a two-year-old, thirteen
dollars; a three-year-old. eighteen dollars and a four-year-old, thirty dollars.
On one occasion a farmer killed a four-hundred-pound sow and was glad to
dispose of the meat at two and one-half cents a pound.
Most of the first settlers built a small shanty of about fourteen by six-
teen, which was enlarged as they could afford it. Rut at first they had to
economize in every way possible. The average family used not more than
one hundred pounds of meat during a winter. Coffee was so scarce and so
high priced that carrots were baked and ground and used as a substitute.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
11. I). Hall homesteaded at the New Ulm land office the northwest
quarter of section 20, township [06, range 32 west, and it was signed by
President U. S. Grant, April i, [872.
James Curry homesteaded by certificate No. ^,^47- the west half of
the southwest quarter of section 8, township 106, range 32. This was signed
by President Rutherford B. Hayes, February io, 1881.
Andrew Curry homesteaded with certificate No. 3,846, at tin- New Ulm
land office, the southwest quarter of section X. township 106, range 32, which
was signed bv President Rutherford B. Hayes, February 10, 1881.
(30) '
466 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Peter Zender, on certificate No. 3,981, homesteadecl the west half of
the northeast quarter of section 30, township 106, range 32 west. It was
issued and signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, February 10, 1881.
Joseph Pasch, at the Tracy land office, was granted a homestead on the
east half of the northeast quarter of section 32, township 106, range 32 west,
October, 1883, signed by President Chester A. Arthur.
CHAPTER VII.
CITY OF ST. JAMES.
St. James, the county seat of Watonwan county, was at first named by
old General Sibley, one of the directors of the St. Paul & Sioux City Rail-
road Company, after some Indian, but the name was so long and odd that
the general could not tell the president of the railroad company what it was,
and that officer became angry and said to the general: "If you can't pro-
nounce the name of the town you were allowed to name, I have a name that
can be remembered and pronounced and we will have it printed on the maps
of this road at once as St. James."
The village of St. James, as seen by records at the court bouse, was
laid out July 13, T870, in section 13, township 106. and range 32. It was
recorded in October, 1870.
It was then in the midst of wild prairie grass and weeds and had no
siens of beine: a human habitation for white men, but the railroad had decided
to make this point a division on the line between St. Paul and Sioux City,
and from this fact the prairie wilderness soon took on a transformed aspect
and buildings went up here and there. The railroad was constructed from
Lake Crystal to St. James — twenty-two miles, in 1870. The plat that was
executed in July of that year, had for its fust lot purchaser, S. C. Clark,
and on it he erected the first building of the place. The first traders of the
new village on the prairie, and which borders on the lake, were as follow:
In September, 1870: J. Dean and Company eta Mi -bed their lumber yard and
soon after E. Zeina arrived and at once set about erecting bis business house.
Dean and Company carried Yankee notions and groceries in an old board
shanty used by the graders. Zeina might have been seen at that time
behind a pile of boards dealing out "that which is good for the stomach sake"
(possiblv), to railroad men, at least they seemed in these days, forty-six
years ago, to think it gave them "spiritual comfort," as they termed it. But
St. James, after having many years of history blighted and cursed by strong
drink, with the county in which it is situated, was finally in [915 placed on
the "dry" list of Minnesota's sprightly cities and prosperous agricultural
sections.
468 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The pioneer resident of St. James was, doubtless, J. R. McLean ; at least
he lias always been accredited with having been the first "permanent" settler
in the town.
The first passenger train entered the place on November 22, 1870,
over the old St. Paul & Sioux City line, now the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne-
apolis & Omaha railway. It was an excursion from St. Paul and had the
"brass collar," or officials and their immediate friends along with them.
They were all well fed at the St. James Hotel and welcomed to the embrvo
city by Senator W. D. Rice, who was responded to by General Sibley, who
was a director of the road, and President Drake of the Companv.
WINTER OF 1S7O-7I.
St. James had business interests in the winter after it was platted, as
follow : Thompson & Bishop, J. Peterson & Company, G. H. Texley, J. R.
McLean and Company, and George Carr, general merchandise and dry goods ;
Herrick & Bacon, dry goods and drugs; Parker Brothers, drugs and hard-
ware; Shannon & Skelton, groceries and provisions; Folsom & Martin, hard-
ware; the St. James and the Union Hotel, and two saloons. In less than
sixty days a sprightly new railroad county seat town sprang into existence
(m the wild prairies of Watonwan county, in southern Minnesota.
The railroad company was liberal in that it donated a lot to any religious
denomination that would build a church thereon in St. James. In 1871 the
Baptists built; the Methodists in 1872, and the Presbyterian church wor-
shipped in the Baptist church in 1S71 until they could do better. The Cath-
olic people were then being served by the priest stationed at Mankato. The
railroad company also save the town the small but handsome park, which
all so much appreciate today.
The place was chartered as a village in February. 1871.
The first physician in the town was Dr. E. Cottrell. an eclectic physician.
The first limb of the law here was J. J. Thornton.
The first brick school house was erected at a cost of fourteen hundred
dollars; it was heated with three furnaces.
st. james in 1885-6.
The following were the business factors in the city of St. James thirty
years a^o :
Aldritt, J. S, Wagon and carriage maker; general blacksmith and
repair shop.
J
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 469
Bank of St. James — Hon. M. K. Armstrong, banker; transacted a gen-
eral banking business and real estate.
Bacon. Dr. C. R. — Physician and surgeon; also dealer in drugs and
medicines.
Bergman Brothers — Meat market and dealer in cattle.
Byrne, D. C, — Dealer in dry goods and groceries.
Bvrne & Eklund — Dealers in lumber and doors.
Case, D. R. — Agent for F. H. Peavey & Company, dealers in grain.
Chapman. W. A. — Editor and proprietor of St. James Journal.
City Hotel — J. P. Schurtz, proprietor.
Clark, S. C. — Surveyor and civil engineer and attorney-at-law.
Gibbs, W. W. — Proprietor of St. James Hotel. Owner of Rosendale
stock farm and breeder of Holstein cattle.
Hage, H. H. — Dealer in wines, liquors, cigars, etc.
Herrick, G. H. — Dealer in groceries and dry goods.
Higgins, H. H. — Sheriff of Watonwan county; collection agency.
Holen, Soren — Agent for James S. Anderson, dealer in lumber.
Hoscheid, Phillip — Shoe repair simp.
Johnston, George P. — Clerk of district court for Watonwan county.
Kirk, Dr. T. — Physician and surgeon.
Knudson, Hon. George — State senator and auditor of Watonwan county.
Larson, Jacob — Dealer in reapers, mowers, threshers, and all kinds of
agricultural implements.
Magner & Herrick — Dealers in dry goods and groceries.
Meidenbauer, George — Manufacturer and dealer in harness, blankets,
whips, etc.
Mellgren, A. S. — County treasurer.
Melville, Charles C. — Farmer, stock raiser and landowner.
Miller, John X. — Dealer in liquors and cigars.
Mullen. M. P.. — Judge of probate court for Watonwan county and
surveyor.
Olson, Hans — Dealer in flour, feed, coal and farm implements.
Palmer. J. W. — Photographic gallery.
Peterson, Alfred — Dealer in wines, liquors and cigars.
Reichlinger, F. — Dealer in wines liquors and cigars.
Rempel, W. P. & Brothers — Grain dealers.
Robertson, Dr. J. — Veterinary surgeon.
Seager, J. W. — Attorney-at-law.
Shutz, John — Proprietor of Union House.
4/0 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Schutz, J. P. — Proprietor City Hotel.
Stemper, J. P. — Proprietor meat market and dealer in cattle.
St. James Hotel — W. W. Gibbs, proprietor.
Swenson & Larson — Dealers in groceries and dry goods.
Thornton, J. J. — Attorney-at-law ; real estate.
Brick Office — Fire proof vault; Fire and Home Insurance Company of
New York.
Torson, Thomas — Register of deeds of Watonwan county.
Union House — John Schutz, proprietor.
Valtum, Thomas — Dealer in general hardware, farm machinery and
dealer in real estate.
Voss, A. R. — Real estate agent and landowner.
The grain shipments in the months from September to January, 1890-91,
were as follow: Flax, 105,000 bushels; wheat, 95,000 bushels; oats, 72,000;
barley, 75,000; timothy seed, 2,600 bushels.
The big flouring-mill was completed in 1889 at a cost of $15,000. the
same being built by private capital, aided by a $2,000 bonus given by a vote
of the city people, who had that amount of cash on hand.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The city of St. James at first was incorporated as a village in 1871,
with officers as follow : Trustees, J. Bartlett, G. S. Thompson, and William
Martin; clerk, J. W. Parker; treasurer, G. H. Texley; justice of peace,
S. C. Clark; marshal, John Neeley. It was April 27, 1899, that it became
a city incorporation. The next day an election was held for the purpose
of choosing city officers. The following were chosen: W. P. Rempel,
mayor; hied G. Hyatt, recorder; aldermen, Charles Wenstrum. Charles
Crouch, William Getting and Andrew Olson. The present officers are as
follow: A. K. Peck, mayor; Christ I. arson, clerk; C. T. Crowley, O. Wen-
strom, F. I). Meyer, Dr. Joe Rolf, aldermen; J. L. Lobben, city attorney.
Besides the ones mentioned the following men have served as mayors: E.
A. Gibbs, W. H. Rowe, I'. N. Sterne, and E. L. Lobben. An example
of unbroken service to the city is that of the present city clerk, Christ Lar-
son, who has served in the same capacity for fourteen years.
The city has spent a great amount of money for improvement hut, never-
theless, the bonded indebtedness amounts to only thirty thousand dollars.
They have invested ten thousand dollars in an electric light system, which
includes a one hundred watt dynamo ami a one hundred and twenty-five
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 47I
horse-power engine: also a fire pump. The above system and the water
works can all be operated by their own power in case of emergency, bnt
under normal conditions the electric power is received from Mankato.
Two drilled wells each five hundred feet deep, furnish the city with an
abundance of pure water. The water is pumped into a sand pipe one hun-
dred and ten feet high and holding approximately seven thousand two hun-
dred barrels.
The city hall is a brick structure and contains the office of the city
clerk, the fire department, jail, and store rooms.
In the way of parks, the city owns three, all of which are being improved
and beautified for the benefit of its citizens.
•ST. JAMES FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Property saved to the extent of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars;
eighteen years of work, practically without pay. This is the record of the
St. James volunteer fire department.
The department was organized in 1895, tne vear after the water system
was put in. Hose Company No. 1 was organized on February 1, 1905, the
meeting being held in the old Peck building on Fifth street. Charles T.
Crowley was chosen captain, Bert Bertramsen, lieutenant, and W. T. Bor-
dene, secretary. The company consisted of thirteen members.
Hose Company No. 2 was organized in the register of deeds office in
the old court house, February 3, 1895. The officers were captain, J. J.
Schutz; lieutenant. Andrew Odson, and secretary, Swen Swenson. There
were thirteen members in all.
On February 23, following, the members of the hose companies met in
the old court house and elected Charles Crouch, chief of the department.
[n June, 1896, a hook and ladder outfit was purchased and on June 13,
a hook and ladder company was organized, with F. B. Lynch, captain; Albert
Kopp. lieutenant, and \Y. T. Bordene, secretary.
Some time in June, 1896, Chief Crouch handed in his resignation which
was not accepted until February 6, 1897, when C. E. Fuller was unanimously
chosen chief. In June, 1904, the department organized what is known as
Division No. 4, consisting of the band of twenty-two pieces, the officers of
which were C. T. Crowley, captain; Louis Meyer, lieutenant, and Fred Meyer,
secretary. Members of the band who are twenty-one years or over, servi
firemen. The cost of the movement was four hundred and forty-four dol-
lars and seventy-nine cents, of which two hundred ten dollars and ninety-
47- COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
four cents was expended for uniforms and two hundred thirty-five dollars
and ninety-five cents for music and instruction.
The officers of the department at the present time are as follow : C. T.
Crowley, chief; J. J. Shutz, assistant chief; Nick Stemper, secretary; Otto
Bergman, treasurer; Matt Klaras, William Manning, Otto Wenstrom,
trustees. Hose Company No. I : Charles Engelhrecht, captain ; Sever Han-
son, lieutenant ; Herman Miller, secretary. Company No. 2 : George Har-
tung, captain; Felix Richlinger; George Schmeller. secretary. Company No.
3: Al Kopp, captain, Swan Nelson, lieutenant; Herman Schweppe, secre-
tary. Company No. 4: P. C. Larson, captain; Louie Meyer, lieutenant;
Roy Steel, secretary; M. Clark, treasurer.
SOCIETIES.
The principal secret societies in St. James a decade and more ago were
listed as follow: Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order
of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors,
Catholic Order of Foresters, Modern Brotherhood of America, and the
Scandinavian Benevolent Association.
COMMERCIAL CLUB.
The St. James Commercial Club was organized on February 8, 1909,
with a membership of two hundred and eighteen. The present membership
is one hundred and nineteen. The object of the club is the betterment of
the city in general, along the lines of civic improvement, as well as a center
for social gatherings. The first president was R. H. Burns, the position
in 1916 being held by P. N. Sterrje. H. M. Hammond is treasurer and
A. Al. Card, secretary. During the existence of this club it has been a means
of looking after the best interests of the city, its work being seen on several
occasions. It is united effort in a (own or city that makes a place a live
and truly up-to-date place. The old and trite saying that "what is every-
body's business is nobody's," is. indeed, true in the workings of any com-
munity, but where there is a head center and men and women of responsi-
bility united in the work- at baud, things move along as they should, and in
the proportion that each unit or member of a commercial club contributes
in work, just in that proportion dors the municipality it represents prosper.
Upon the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the organization of
this club a splendid program was planned and carried out. The members
05
O
a
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 473
of the Butterfield and Madelia Commercial Clubs were invited to be present.
The services of the Wermerskirchen Orchestra were secured, and many
interesting speeches were made. Ii was made plain to those present that to
two men must be given most of the credit for the successful starting of this
club — R. H. Burns and X. A. Peck, the latter having secured one hundred
and eighty-four out of the two hundred and eighteen charter members.
Among other things accomplished so far by the club may be mentioned
these: The buying of the Park Hotel and converting- it into a sanitarium;
the getting of the St. James roller mills opened; putting on a county exhibit
at the state fair; co-operating with the Southern Minnesota League for the
boosting of this part of the state; entertaining a Second District Editorial
Association; raising money to aid in graveling some of the state roads in
this county: entertaining the farmers to dinners; helping the Watonwan
county fair, and general boosting for St. James. It was this commercial
club that really saved the County Fair Association at a critical period in its
history, in 191 1.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The St. James public library was organized and started on August 29,
191 1. To give credit to whom credit is due, one must be guided by facts
that led to a library being started. To no other one can this honor be
accorded than Miss Beatrice Shordiche, and although she was not connected
with the early organization, it was her constanl agitation and solicitation
that finally led to a public library. It is located on the second floor of the
Glass block, with Miss Susie Fickes in charge as librarian. The institution
is supported wholly by subscription, but arrangements have been made
whereby it shall be supported by taxation. At present the library has one
thousand seven hundred and fourteen volumes and is supplied with nine
weekly and three daily papers, four magazines and numerous other papers
and magazines that .are personally contributed.
The present library board is as follow: President, A. R. Voss; vice-
president, Mr. Manworing; secretary, .Mrs. George Seager; treasurer, L.
Chapman; Mrs. Will Curtis, Mr-. George Shorp and Mr. \\ . W. Brown.
BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
The Business Men'- Association was organized on October i_\ 1015,
with the following officers: W. G. Manning, pre id. nt I ' Ran 1 1 n, vice-
president; George W. Seager, secretary; Severl Hanson, treasurer; David
474 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
R. Schroeder, Charles H. Rnglebrecht and Dr. Albert Thompson, directors.
The purpose of the organization is to co-operate with the Commercial Club
for civic and industrial betterment, ratings, better roads, mutual protection
and matters of publicity.
SANITARIUM.
The St. James hospital and sanitarium was organized in 1909 by a cor-
poration of St. James business and professional men. The building known
as the Park Hotel, built by M. K. Armstrong in 1898, was secured at a cost
of forty thousand dollars. Dr. W. H. Rowe is in charge of the institution
and under his direction special attention is given to nervous and mental
diseases. The sanitarium has gained quite a reputation and is known as one
of the best in the northwest. It is estimated that two hundred and fifty
patients are treated annually, coming mostly from Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Fourteen nurses are emploved.
LONG LAKE PARK.
Some St. James business men of keen insight and broad vision, saw
some possibilities in the formation of a lake resort and park at Long Lake.
Others became interested until six well-known business men, including
Thomas Tennesson, P. N. Sterrie, William F. Schoffman, C. T. Crowley,
E. C. Veltum, Crouch Brothers and William Manning formed a company
for the purchase and improvement of the lake and surrounding land includ-
ing twelve acres.
No pains or expense have been spared by these men in making this an
up-to-date park. Practically three thousand dollars have been spent in the
improvement of the lake, the erection of a bath house and refreshment stands
and also a dance pavilion, forty by seventy feet, which is an ideal dancing-
place.
The lake is an ideal place for a summer resort and. doubtless, in a
few years numerous cottages will dot its borders. The lake is two miles
long and four and one-half miles wide, containing fish of all sizes and descrip-
tions. This lake is only seven miles from St. James and close to several
neighboring towns, with fine roads leading thereto, thus making a pleasant
drive for people in search of recreation and rest.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 475
ST. JAMES STEAM LAUNDRY.
If cleanliness is next to godliness, then the St. James steam laundry
exemplifies this verity. This laundry turns out the best class of work;
their rough dry and polished work is of the highest quality.
Mr. P. C. Larson, who established the St. James quality laundry in iqoi
did so with the idea of conducting it permanently. He installed the latest
and costliest machinery to be obtained.
CIGAR FACTORIES.
The Wermerskirchen cigar factory was established in 1904 by the three
brothers, Edward. Frank and Philip Wermerskirchen. who are the present
owners. This worthy enterprise hardly knows the meaning of the common
expression "hard times." because the nature and quality of their cigars are
such that they are always in demand. The business has increased from
year to year until at the present time the output has reached the three hun-
dred thousand mark. The cigars are sold far and wide, but the most exten-
sive trade is in St. James and towns within a radius of one hundred miles.
The firm employs from seven to ten men the year around. Some of the
special brands that they manufacture are the "La Palma," "Safety First,"
"Golden Dream." "Frisky Widow," "Advertised" and "Real Thing."
CROWLEY CIGARS.
The Crowley cigar factory was established in 1899 by C. T. Crowley
and L. Halverson, but since Mr. Crowley has become sole owner. lie has
in his employ six men and two boys, who make yearly three hundred thou-
sand cigars, all of which find ready sale in near-by districts.
During the summer of [916 there appeared in the windows of the vari-
ous business houses placards bearing such signs a- "Spend your money at
home;" "patronize home merchant-." etc. If all cigar smokers in St.
James would carry out the above principles. Mr. Crowley would have need
of more cigar makers in St. James, and the home merchants and people
generally would be perceptibh b m fited.
Mr. Crowley manufactures many of the best cigars on the market.
Nothing but the best grades of tobacco and full long fillers enter into the
composition of the cigars he places upon the market. They are made un
light and clean conditions, facts that should act as a recommendation in all
4/6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
communities. Mr. Crowley makes a specialty of "Our Governor," "Invin-
cible" and "La Imperial," ten-cent cigars, and the "Governor Five," "Havana
Conqueror," and "Little Havana" five-cent cigars, all of which enjoy a vast
sale throughout southern Minnesota and neighboring states.
ST. JAMES TILE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This the largest and most important manufacturing industry of its kind
in St. James. The company is provided with the very latest machinery for
the manufacture of all kinds of tile and cement products.
This company does a large contracting business, building re-inforced
concrete bridges, cement brick buildings, and in fact anything that cement
is capable of being used for. There is nothing that smacks of makeshift in
the construction of this plant, which represents a large outlay of money.
The standing in this community of the St. James Tile Manufacturing Com-
pany is such as to indicate that business ability of a high order directs its
movements.
In the works they employ a large number of men and their fair treat-
ment of their employees is worthy of note. They pay good wages and they
guard against accidents by installing safety devices. The president of this
company is Joseph Schmidt.
BOTTLING WORKS.
The St. James bottling works was organized about 1887 by Joseph J.
Sperl; the present owner is F. II. Klaras. Three to fwc men are emploved.
Soda water of all flavors is manufactured and sold in southwestern Minne-
sota. A jobbing trade is also carried on in soda water fountain supplies.
ST. JAMES MILLING COMPANY.
The St. James Milling Company was organized in January. 1910, in the
form of a corporation. They have been running at their full capacitv from
the \er\ lie-inning, which speaks well for the management and the com-
pany's producl The) have in connection a grain elevator holding twenty
thousand bushels. Their daily capacity is two hundred and fifty barrels of
flour and seventy-five barrels of specialty products. Their special brand
of flour is the "St. James' Best," which receives a ready sale through south-
ern .Minnesota and Iowa.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK AND OPERA HOUSE, ST. JAMES.
MILLER-GLASS BLOCK, ST. JAMES.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 477
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS 1916.
The business interests and professions of St. James in 1916 were in the
hands of the following :
Auto garage — Appel & Wettestad, Gottlieb Dettwiler, Pioneer Auto
Company, Schoffman, Crowley & Vellum.
Attorneys — E. C. Farmer, Jens L. Lobben, Albert Running, Seager &
Seager.
Banks — Citizens National, First National. Security State.
Barber shops — Lawrence & Crain, Louis W. Meyer, V. W. Riley.
Blacksmith shops — Nels Bjorklund, Herman Elting, H. A. Remper.
Bakery — City Bakery.
Clothing — Haugen & Warlike, J. P. Heirtz & Son.
Creamery — St. James Creamery Company.
Confectionery — G. W. Giles, Olympia Candy Kitchen.
Druggists — Hintgen Drug Company. John W. Shanks.
Dray line — Klaras & Mausling.
Dentists — Fred W. Hinds, Johan Rolf, A. C. Thulien.
Elevator — Great Western Grain Company, Farmers Grain Company.
Furniture dealers — A. K. Peck & Sftn, St. James Furniture Company.
Feed store — F. M. Priest.
Florist— J. J. Hill.
Grocers — Clinton Ellsworth. Amel Running.
General dealers — Schoffman Brothers, John K. Sorinesyn & Company.
P. N. Sterrie & Company, Swendsen & Ranseen.
Hotel— The Boston.
Harness shops— John L. Beck, George J. Hartung, John 1). Meyer.
Hardware dealers — Charles II. Engelbrecht, Rollie C. Gibson, City
Mercantile Company, J. T. Beatrundi.
Implements — Charles H. Duryea, City Mercantile Company, Hans Olson.
Ice dealer— Manning Fuel Company.
Jewelers — Severt I Ian-en, Fmil F. Minder.
Laundry — St. James Steam Laundry.
Lumber dealers — S. Hage Lumber Company, Thomas-Halvei on Cum-
ber Company.
Livery — Forsyth Livery.
Mill —St. fames Milling Company.
Millinerv— Cook & Rodgers, Agnes P.. Cooney, Charlotte Schaefer
478 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Meat Market — Otto Bergman, David Schroeder & Son.
Moving Picture Show — Star, Princess.
Merchant Tailors — Chris. G. Kittelson, Paul Rudie.
Newspapers — Plcdndealer, Journal-Gazette, St. James Independent.
Nations — G. A. Beck, P. A. Beeker.
Nursery — John Hill.
Opera House — Grand Opera House.
Physicians — Benjamin H. Haynes, William H. Rowe, Albert Thompson.
Photographic Gallery — Steel Studio.
Produce dealer — Fred M. Priest, Peterson & O'Connell.
Restaurants — Diamond, Gish & Henkle, John Johnson, J. J. \\ 'illiams.
Real Estate dealers — Sonnesyn Land Company, Curtis-Sawyer Land
Company, Gibbs & Sweppe, Home Seekers Land Company, Ed. C. Fuller.
Stock Buyer — St. James Shipping Association, J. D. Nolan.
Tile works — St. James Tile Company.
Telephone — St. James Telephone Company, Tri-State, North Western.
Veterinary — Charles C. Anderson, William C. Cullen.
Wagonmaker — Erickson &• Johnson.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
In July, [908, there was a three days home-coming gathering at St.
James. The president on that occasion was J. J. Thornton, Sr. ; the secre-
tary, E. '/.. Rasey and the treasurer, Mrs. J. J. Thornton. An Old Settler's
Association was formed at that time for Watonwan county. The first day
of the celebration was interesting; a speech was delivered by Hon. W. S.
Hammond j a baseball game was played; the Old Settlers Association per-
fected, etc. On the second day the real home-coming occasion took place
and many old friends of early times renewed their acquaintance and reviewed
the long-ago years. The third day was devoted to games, horse races and
wound up by a display of fire-works in the evening.
The Omaha coal sheds at St. James were burned at a loss of fifteen
thousand dollars. May, 1912.
Tin- St. James water-works contract was let to E. F. Sykes, of Minne-
apolis at $21,116 and was to he completed by November 5, 1894.
In 1N0 1 there was a contract let for the construction of three thousand
two hundred and forty feet of sewer. This was awarded to Abbott &
Ybungren, Minneapolis, at eighteen hundred and fifteen dollars and sixty
cents. It called for a twelve-inch vitrified pipe.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 479
The vote to bond the city for water and lights in May, 1894, stood,
240 for, as against 105 opposing the measure.
In the summer of 1889 a contract was let to build the city fiouring-mill,
at a cost of ten thousand dollars.
In 1907 the city hall bonds were sold to a Minneapolis firm for the
sum of $6,525. This was for the erection of the present city building.
Quite an innovation in the printing business occurred in St. James in
the autumn of 1915, when H. L. Troop, established a "printery" in which
by linotype machines he is doing the typesetting of the news departments
for all three of the newspapers of the city, as well as setting advertising
matter when the offices require it of him, in busy seasons.
THE ST. JAMES GRAIN COMPANY.
In 1890, what was styled the Farmers Elevator Company was organ-
ized by E. Z. Rasey. John Erickson, Patrick Grogan and Frank Goodwin.
It was re-organized in 191 1 and named the St. James Grain Company.
This organization soon revolutionized the grain trade of the county. Notr
withstanding that there are other large grain warehouses and dealers in St.
James, still this company made up of farmers co-o])erating on a mutual
plan, have taken the lead and every day the smaller towns in the county <_^ct
their market figures from this company. They usually declare a ten per
cent dividend, annually. This is one instance wherein the farmers have
shown their ability as able business men in the handling of large amounts
of grain and money.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CHURCHES OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
The religious element has always predominated in the various town-
ships of Watonwan county, from the earliest date of settlement. The Amer-
icans who first braved the dangers coincident with effecting a permanent
settlement in this part of the state, were from one or more of the older settled
portions of the Union, and did not leave their church letters back beyond
the Mississippi or Alleghany mountains, but as soon as conditions would
permit, after building themselves rude houses and raising a few crops, com-
menced to organize classes and religious societies of different kinds, accord-
in;; to their own religious views.
The first denomination to lift up the Cross in this county was the Meth-
odist Episcopal, a class being formed at Madelia in 1857. As other sects
arrived they worshipped in union congregations, until enough had settled to
support churches of their own when such societies were formed. There are
now in this county churches of the following denominations: Methodist
Episcopal, Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic. Mennonite, Swedish,
Norwegian, German and Danish Lutherans. Christian or Church of Christ,
with possibly some others.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The Methodist denomination is only represented at this time by two
churches, one at St. James and the other at the village of Madelia. The
First Methodist Episcopal church at St. James was organized in 1871, by
Rev. J. R. Andrews, with a charter membership as follows: Hamilton
I OSter and wife, Marv Keing, Mrs. J. \Y. Scaler, Frank Smith and wife,
S. \\ . Thayer and family. A. S. Trowbridge and wife, J. B. Bemies, C. J.
Smith and wife, E. /.. Rasey and wife, E. P. Newell ami wife. James Butler.
I1.1 W. Bovven and wife, Amasa Smith and wife, Mary Lyons, Alice Hol-
land, \. I). Lewis and wife, Lyman Matthew- and wife and Clarence Row-
land.
The present total membership of this church is one hundred and eighty.
\ church building was erected in 1871 at a cost of one thousand dollars.
The present edifice was built in 1895 ;|1 a cos* "'" fourteen thousand dol-
l;ri:.\i. <m imhks OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 481
lars. A parsonage was erected in 1883 and remodeled in 1900. and is now
valued at twenty-five hundred dollars.
The first sermon preached in St. James by a minister of this faith was
delivered by Rev. W. I. \V. Cunningham. His widow still resides in St.
James, ami now lives with her daughter, Mrs. E. Rowland. The following
have served as pastors here: Revs. J. R. Andrews, N. A. Trowbridge, M.
D. Terwilliger. F. L. Turtle, W. L. Demorest, J. W. Cornish, W. A. Miles,
AY. 11. Barkoloo, John Gunson, \Y. F. Stockdill, Tl. F. Chase, Lincoln Jones,
X. B. Foote, G. A. Cooke, L. A. Wilsey, William Burns. F. R. Houck, F. F.
Fitch, C. IT. Miller, A. C. Petrie and the present pastor. Rev. W. H. Irwin.
This church has all of the usual departments of church work, and is in
a nourishing condition.
AT MADELIA.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Madelia was organized in 1857 by
Theopholis Drew, hut the names of the charter members cannot now he
learned. The present membership of this church is one hundred and eighty-
five. The present church building was erected in 1896 at a cost of fifteen
thousand dollars.
Among the pastors who have been assigned to this place are recalled
the following: Revs. Theopholis Drew, John \Y. Powell, Stines, Miliur.
McCleary, S. T. Richardson, Churchbuck, B. Y. Coffin, A. G. Perkins.
Joshua Barnard. J. \Y. Powell, W. I. W. Cunningham, J. R. Andrews, N. A.
Trowbridge, M. D. Terwilliger. F. L. Turtle, W. L. Demorist, J. W. Cornish,
C. A. Ressy, W. A. Miles, W. II. Barkaloo, John Gimson, W. P. Stockdill.
H. E. Chase, E. H. Goodell, A. D. Seckner, W. C. Sage. C. W. Morse, J. R.
Hitchcock. John Lowe, 1. X- Goodell and ( '. \. Anderson. The last named
came before Rev. Seckner. and the present pastor is Rev. I. X. Goodell.
It appears that this work began in 1 S 5 7 and meetings were held at
private homes until 1862, and then after the Indian uprising troubles bad
ended, services were held in the old fort or block-house, which was on the
site of St. Paul street, just to the north of tin- presenl church. After they
left the fort they held meetings in the school hotl e for aboul eighl wars.
Xext. they held services in the Presbyterian church which was built in 1N71.
Next, Flander's Hal! v u d by the Methodists. The first Methodisl
church here was erected in 1876 and cost two thousand dollars. It appi
from the records that a parsonage was built in 1871, during the pastorate
of Rev. J. R. Andrews.
(3D
482 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's congregation held its first services
on April 4, 1886. The services were conducted in German, by Rev. C. J.
Albrecht. On October 6, 1886, the congregation was formally organized,
the organization of which included the following: President, E. Yehling;
secretary, F. W. Uhlhorn; treasurer. Christ Harms; H. Feigs, Otto Close,
H. Keller, John Petrich, L. Englebrecht, A. Franghucsk, A. Mueller, A. W.
Schweppe.
Until May 7, 1S87, the congregation was furnished with student pastors
from the Martin Luther College of New Ulm, but on the date indicated the
Rev. R. Poethke was called as the first regular pastor. On June 4 the con-
gregation decided to become a member of the Minnesota Association. On
August 15, 1887, the congregation resolved to build a church and on Sep-
tember 9, the corner-stone was laid. On July 29, 1888, the edifice was dedi-
cated by the Rev. C. H. Sprengler, assisted by Rev. R. Poethke. In size the
building was twenty-four by forty-four feet and a tower of sixty feet high.
Rev. R. Poethke accepted the call of another congregation on November
1, 1888, and to fill the vacancy, Reverend Nietscke was secured and he served
until Palm Sunday, 1890. The church was without the services of a regular
pastor until March 2, but during this time Rev. C. H. Sprengler conducted
the services. On the date mentioned the Reverend Porisch, of Hurlev, Wis-
consin, was secured as the regular pastor.
In 1897 the congregation decided to build a school building and in 1898
Mr. II. Schmal was chosen teacher. He held this position until November,
1903, when he received a call to Manestine, Michigan. In September, 1904,
Miss Ida Sperind was called as teacher.
In- the spring of [904 Rev. Porisch was called to Butterfield, Minne-
sota, and the congregation was without the services of an active pastor until
October 2, 1904, when the Rev. A. Dasler, of Rapid River, Michigan,
accepted the call. In the forepart of the year 11)05 the congregation bought
property for the residence of the pa-tor, and in the summer of the same year,
anew two-stor) school building, thirty by forty-four feet, cement block con-
struction, wa It- meet the growing needs of the church and school.
Rev, D erved as pastor until the spring of 1911, when he accepted
a 1 ill to Scranton, Pennsylvania. lie was succeeded by Rev. E. A. Pankow,
who is the pre-, in pastor. I lie teacher in charge of the school is Mr. E.
Gruber, who has served since the fall of [906
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 483
Services are conducted in both English and German, hut with German
predominating'. The congregation has a Young People's Society and a
Ladies' Aid Society that meets monthly in the school building.
AT BUTTERFIELD.
German Evangelical Lutheran, St. Matthew's congregation, in the vil-
lage of Butterrield, was organized February 13. 1^04, by Rev. A. 1''. Zrehls-
dorf, with the following charter members: A. B. Schwretest, H. Obevdick,
C. Schellin, Louis Seavert, John Ott, George Wolff, Adam Wolff, John
Wolff, R. Krause. John Oeltjenbruns. H. Oeltjenbruns, H. Reinitz, William
Abel, W. Williams. H. Janssen, G. Blankenburg, William Kuecker and D.
Goltz.
The congregation now numbers eighteen. The pastors who have served
this congregation are Revs. A. F. Zrehlsdorf. J. Porisch and present pastor,
Rev. W. C. Rumsch, who has been in charge since August, 1910.
The church building cost the society thirteen hundred and sixty-four
dollars. There is a parochial school attached to this church ami school is
kept up seven months each year; it is held at the parsonage; ten to fifteen
pupils attend. Instruction is given by the pastor.
AT MADELIA.
The Madelia Evangelical Lutheran, or East Lutheran, as sometimes
called, is located at the village of Madelia and it was organized November
29, 1870, by Rev. X. Olson, of the Norwegian Lutheran conference. The
first board of trustees were as Follows: Jerome" Patterson, Martin Gjertson
and Torger Olson. Its first deacons were: Gunder Sasson, Ole Berntson
and Anders Anderson.
The present membership is one hundred and twenty-eight. The first
church building was erected in 1873, and the present one in [901, at a o
of about four thousand dollars. The parsonage was built in [894, valued
at three thousand dollars. The following is a list of the various pastors
who have charge of this work at Madelia: Revs. X. Olson, [870-74; X S.
Hoggenes, [874-81; T. R. Solensten, 1882-87; S. Romsdahl, 1881-91 ; J. II
Brono. [892-93; II. Houkom, 1893-97; John Mastson, [898-04; II. C. Cas-
person, 1904-05: Johan Mattson. [905-07: ' >. M. I!akl- 1907-08; C. M.
Tollefson, [9 "1 and still pa-tor.
Trinity I < Heal Lutheran church at Madelia was organized Oct
484 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
28, 1870, by Rev. T. H. Hattrem and the following charter members: Will-
iam Wilness, Hans Ju viand, Tolley Pederson, Charles Tiegum, Syver Tielsta,
Rasmus Johnson, David Anderson, Helge Palme, Jens Thorson, Ole Wiborg.
Nils Thorson.
In 1916 there were three hundred and eighty-one members of this
church. They own a six-thousand-dollar house of worship and a parsonage
valued at about fifty-five hundred dollars. This denomination has churches
at LaSalle, Rosendale township, St. James and other points within Waton-
wan county. This church maintains parochial schools in four districts — ■
Martin Nelson district, Homre district. Olaf Olson district and Madelia dis-
trict. The total number of pupils enrolled is fifty-six.
AT DARFUR.
The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Johns church at Darfur was
founded on August 5, 1907, by Aug. Goring and A. A. Uhlhorn. The
charter members were as follow : Aug. Goring, Aug. Schaper, A. A. Uhl-
horn, Earnest E. Uhlhorn, John Koenig, Henry King, William Koenig, Otto
Langhoff, George Feller. The first trustees were the following: Aug. Gor-
ing, A. A. Uhlhorn, and Aug. Schaper. The pastors in order of serving
are: Rev. Adolph Dasler, Rev. Edmund R. Bliefernicht, Rev. Arnold Eick-
man and Rev. E. A. Birkholz. The membership is about fifteen. The
house of worship is a frame building, formerly a school house. However
the building has been remodeled and very well serves the needs of the con-
gregation.
The first teacher of the parochial school was Henry Geiger, but since
that time the ministers have served in this capacity. The number of pupils
averages about thirty.
AT SOUTH BRANCH.
St. |ohn's Evangelical Lutheran church in South Branch township, was
organized on June 13, 1SS7, by Rev. C. Ross, of Willow Creek. Minnesota.
A- far a- now known the charter members were as follow: Paul Sieg,
['rank Rathke, Henry Heckmann, trustee-: < '. Knovck, Charles Zarn, Albert
Spoleder, F. Lange, GustaA Boehm, 11. Schroeder, W. Mibuhr, F. Stradt-
mann, II. Jablinski, Carl Roesing, W. Niemeir, C. B. Engle, Fred Schultz.
The first church was erected in 1899, and remodeled in 1900. A par-
sonage was erected in [895 and remodeled in [906 and in 1914. The first
parochial school building was erected in [899. A school is maintained and
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 485
has been ever since the organization of the church; the pastors at first were
the teachers. At first the church was used for school house purposes on
week days, as well as tor church services of the congregation on Sundays.
A teacher's house was built in [902. The first to teach here was C. F.
Isbeener, of Portage, Wisconsin, called in 1901, and served until September,
191 1. From February, 1912, F. W. Rochlitz has had charge of the school
and is the present teacher.
The voting membership of this congregation is forty-seven, while the
entire congregation is numbered at three hundred and seventy-live. The
present school enrollment is fifty-five children. The pastors have been
Rev. IX Koennemann, 1888-89; 'N-t>v- Hermann Xitsche, [889-94; Rev. S.
Sell, 1894 to the present date.
PRESBVTERIAX CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian church of Madelia, was organized on May J,v
1869, by Christian Wisner and a charter membership as follows: Mrs.
Morris Bradford, .Mrs. .Mary Rutherford, Mrs. John Travis, Mrs. Mary A.
Travis, Mrs. Elizabeth Winnerstrand, Mr-. E. Sprague, Mrs. Harriet Tib-
bies, Edgar Sprague. Miss Emil) Sprague, George ^ ates, Mrs. Jennie Yates.
The total membership of the church in [916 was one hundred and
twenty-five. The first church building was dedicated on June 18. 1871.
It was remodeled and enlarged during the pastorate of Rev. A. A. Palmer,
at an expense of seven thousand dollars.
The pastors who have served this church since its organization are as
follow: Revs. Christian Wisner. M. W. Adams. I). I'.. Jackson. J. W. Van
Eman, James Cochran. C. A. Hampton, J. I.. Gage, \\ '. T. Hall, William
Lattimore. E. 1'.. Johnson. A. \. Palmer, W. S. < irimes. J. I ). Gibb, present
pastor. For almost a half century this church has been doing excellent work
in the community about Madelia in holding aloft the banner of Protestant
religion.
AT ST. JAMES.
At St. James about 1X70. or possibly a year or two later, the Presbyter-
ians organized a church society — the second denomination in town. For a
time the congregation prospered and were served by some worthy and com-
petent pastor^. Although thi co tion has no active pastor at the pre—
mii time, yet services are held a 0 po ible in the church that was
first erected. In the beginning the first were held in a box car and
486 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
continued to be held there until the congregation could find more suitable
and convenient quarters. Among the pastors that have served the congre-
gation are the following : Reverend LaGrange, Slack, Pinney, White. Land-
man, Rankin, Preston, A. Marlow, Fisher. Among the first and oldest mem-
bers are : M. G. Price, J. R. McLean, G. A. Boston and G. Morris. The
present membership consists of about thirty families.
Another church of this denomination is located at the village of Butter-
field, but no data was sent the editor of this work for insertion.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
At the village of Lewisville there is a church of this denomination. It
was organized in the nearby country in 1877, by Archibald Law, with a
charter membership as follows : Robert Dewar, Mrs. Robert Dewar, Robert
Alexander. Mrs. Margaret Alexander, John D. Johnston, Mrs. Xott. There
are now one hundred members, who worship in a church building which
cost two thousand dollars. At first this building was erected in 1892, two
miles from the village of Lewisville, but in 1900 the building was moved to
the village. The society owns no parsonage.
The pastors here have included these: Revs. E. Rogers, E. C. Bennett,
F. M. Stewart, R. W. Stevenson, W. O. King. David Hubsand, J. K. Shel-
lenberger, Leslie Wolfe, C. Yewell, C. Ainsworth, George Brown. A. L.
Martin. Bruce Black, Edmund Sarchette, Burton L. Hoffman and John Mc-
Kee. The society is in a flourishing condition and doing a good work in the
vicinity of Lewisville.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
The Church of Christ, at the village of Madelia, was organized in April,
1896, by J. K. Shellenberger, with forty charter members. The church
building was erected in 1896. at a cost of four thousand dollars. The mem-
bership of this church in [916 was one hundred and seven. The influence
for good in tlie community in which this church exists is indeed great. The
past'irs who haw served here are as follows: Revs. |. K. Shellenberger, J.
1 rook, J. C Radford, John Harris, George Brown, F. A Straingam, Burton
Hoffman, and the present pastor is Rev. John McKee.
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 487
EPISl OPA] CHURCHES.
Calvary Episcopal church, at St. James, was organized ahout 1887-8,
and now has a membership of forty-six. The records were not to he had
for a complete account of this congregation, owing to unavoidable causes.
It is known that Revs. C. H. Beaulieu and \Y. H. Knowlton have served as
rectors of this parish, and that ahout 1888 a frame church building was
erected, and that the same was rebuilt about 1894.
\T MADELIA.
The Episcopal church at Madelia, known as Christ's church, was organ-
ized in either 1872 or 1873. by Rev. Dene Livermore. Tn 1883 a church
edifice was erected and immediately occupied by the little o mgregation of
faithful worshippers. The cost of the building was fifteen hundred dollars.
This church has never grown to lie one of a large membership, but an
organization has been kept up. It now has nine communicant members.
Among the pastors who have had charge of this work may be recalled the
names and g 1 works of the Reverends T.ivermore, Gunn, F. A. Johnson,
T. C. Huedson, E. E. Lofstrom, W. II Knowlton and Fillmore.
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The church of this denomination located in Butterfield township, this
county, was organized by Rev. J. 1'. Thorkveen, April 14. 1896, and now
has a membership of twenty-five and a church building costing tw<> thousand
dollar-. The older membership includes tin- following persons: <i. S. Lang-
land, J. I'. Anderson, Claus Melheim, John II. Berdett, C. N. Sonnesyn, A.
Syverson, H. Bertison, Isaac Olson, O. A. Ulverstad. Later membersship
has included these: Mans Stalvorson, J. ' >. Ness, !;i< Ai Brigger, Dr. O. E.
Hagen. Dora Johnson, B. Nordby, ^nton Stotte, John Olson, T. T. Tonner-
I.. A. Jacobson, J. Sigvaldeson and Emma Fossum.
tterfield congregation of this denomination was organized July 1.
[896, by Rev. I.. I'. Thorkveen with forty members. Thi ere:
Clans .Melheim, J. I'. Anderson and Gilbert Langeland, tru Christ.
Sonnesyn, treasurer; John Berdell, secretary; Amund Syversen, superinten-
dent of the Sunday school; ('. Melheim, sexton. This congregation now has
a total membership of seventy-one. The church edifice was erected in 1X98,
at an expense of twenty-three hundred and fifty-one 'loll
488 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The oldest of these churches in the county is Rosendale, organized July
2, 1850, by Reverend Fredericksen with forty members. The first trustees
were Ole Jorgensen, Halvor Knudtson and Xotto Jensen, the last one acting
also as secretary of the church. The old Rosendale school house was used
for meetings up to 1000, when a handsome church was erected, costing
twenty-four hundred and fifty dollars. This church now has a membership
of ninety.
Long Lake Norwegian Lutheran church was organized in 18C9 by Rev.
T. H. Dahl with forty-one members. The first officers were: Hans John-
son Berdahl and Ole P. Ohnstad, trustees ; Ole Jorgenson. sexton and paro-
chial school teacher. The first meeting house was built in 1869 and the
church building proper was erected in 1887, costing thirty-five hundred dol-
lars. The congregation now has a total membership of two hundred and
ninety- four.
Albion Norwegian Lutheran congregation was organized in 1871 by
Rev. Thor Hatrem with one hundred and forty-eight members. The first
trustees were Ole Lee, Torkel Sunde and Lief Grotta ; the first sexton was
Abraham Olsen Listul; secretary, Nils Kjelson; treasurer, Hans Blackstad ;
parochial school teacher, Erick Svene. The first church was built in 1885.
It was struck by lightning and burned down in [908 and was rebuilt the
same year, costing twelve thousand eight hundred and eighty-five dollars.
The membership of this congregation in 1916 was five hundred and sixty-
two.
St. Olaf congregation was organized in 1891, combining two former
congregations, Odin and Vaage. Odin congregation was organized in 1873
and Vaage in 1N74. The original officers in the newly-organized congregation
were as follow: Syver Olsen, .Martin Egge, Syver Syversen, trustees: Ole
Haatvedt, sexton; Peder Hunstad, Thor Thorsen and Ole Reinert, deacons;
G. Krogen, secretary: Andrew Gilbertson, treasurer. A church edifice was
built in 1 ns 1. and added to in [891, costing twenty-seven hundred and twenty
dollars. In [891 this congregation numbered two hundred and forty-three,
but it now has four hundred and seventy-eight.
The congregations of St. Olaf, Butterfield, Rosendale, Long Lake and
Ubion an- all combined in one. having tin- same pastor and same parsonage.
The parish has been served by the following pastors: Revs. Thor Hatrem,
[871-72; I.. I-'.. Green, 1873-4; V ( ). Hagen, [874-79; V L. Lobben, 1879-
85; X. Arvesen, [886-87: and Rev. L. 1'. Thorkveen, 1888. to the present
time
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 489
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
In the season of 1916 the teachers in these parochial schools were listed
as follow: At Albion — Thora Tande, Pearl Flogstad, .Mathilda Olsen, E.
Frydenlund, E. Dahl. At Long Lake — Elenora Romsdal, Constance Roms-
dal. At St. Olaf— Emma Kolden. Martha Olsen, Delia Madson. At Rosen-
dale — Bertha Teigum. At Butterfield — John Sigaldsen. At Odin village —
Rev. J. A. Nygard.
AT ST. JAMES.
The Norwegian Lutheran church at St. James was organized December
28, 1873, by Rev. L. Green, with these as charter members: Henry Bernt-
sen, Hans Olsen and Tver Olsen. This church now has a membership of
five hundred. The present church building was erected in 1900. at a cost of
nineteen thousand dollars, and the modern parsonage was built in 1905, at
an expense of forty-five hundred dollars.
The following is a list of pastors who have served this church since its
organization: Revs. A. O. Hogen, X. Hegernoes, K. Solensten, S. Roms-
dol, J. Browno, Rev. Lawrence. J. Mathison, M. Sondohl, M. K. Hartmann,
present pastor.
In connection with this church there is maintained during the summer
months a parochial school for at least sjx weeks. Instruction is given in
both Norwegian and English. The Sunday school has aboul one hundred
and seventy-five in attendance and the lessons are largely taught in the Eng-
lish language.
DISH LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran East-Sveadahl church was organ-
ized August 5. 1870. and located live miles and a half northwest of St.
lames. Rev. P. Carlson was chairman, and A. I'. Lund, secretary. The fol-
lowing were the charter members : Martin Peterson, Sven Nelson, \nders
Ericson, Svante Wallin, Gustaf Sjoquist, John < >. Beck. Anders Ryberg,
John Carlson, Anders Chalin, John Svenson, Anders Svenson, Svante An-
derson, Nels Anderson, Ole Johnson. Pehr Anderson. Sven Nelson, Lars P.
Lund. A. Bergman, Nels Hagstrom, Vnders Skatt, Anders Eri< on, C. G.
Nelson, Johannes Sjoquist, Jonas Sjoquist, Gustaf Forsblad, August Beck,
Svante Johanson, Nels Anderson, Casper Vnderson, Vnders Svenson, A. I'.
Wessberg, I'. F. Malm. J. Bergstrand, A. Hawkinson, J. P. Anderson, to-
gether with their wives.
490 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The congregation lias been served by many of the old pioneer pastors,
such as Rev. A. Jackson, J. O. Cavallin. Michael Sandell and others, but the
first regular pastor was Rev. H. P. Quist, who served from 1876 to 1879.
He was succeeded by Rev. P. J. Eckman, who served from 1880 to 1891.
After him came Rev. L. J. Film, from 1891 to 1905. The present pastor is
Rev. A. T. Lundholm, who has had charge since 1905.
The total membership in 1916 was four hundred and three. Four
churches have been built since the organization of this congregation. The
last and present one was erected in 1904, at a cost of eight thousand dollars.
In 1910 the present parsonage was erected at a cost of five thousand five
hundred dollars. The congregation owns forty acres of land upon which the
buildings are erected. A parochial school is held every summer, with two
teachers and about sixty scholars are enrolled.
AT KANSAS LAKE.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church at Kansas Lake, Long
Lake township, this count}-, was organized in 1S71. For a number of
years it was a part of the East-Sveadahl pastorate, but later joined with
Dunnell. At the present time it has combined with Triumph to form a pas-
torate. It has been served by Revs. P. J. Eckman, L. J. Film, J. \Y. Eckman
and J. II. Ford, as pastors. The present membership is one hundred and
5( uity. The church property is valued at eight thousand dollars.
AT ST. JAMES.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church at St. James was organized
\pril 30, 1884. Rev. P. J. Eckman was chairman, and J. P. Lundquist, sec-
retary of the- inciting. The following are the charter members: Mr. and
Mr-. J. P. Lundquist, Mr, and Mrs John Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. John
Sunberg, Mr. and Mrs. Anders Kulin. Mr. and Mrs. John l7.. Beck, Emil
Sundberg and Anders Johan Peterson. The total membership is now four
hundred and seventy-five. The first church building was erected in [892. It
was burned down in [896, when the present building was erected at a cost of
three thousand, two hundred forty dollars and six cents. The value of the
church propert) is at present time ten thousand dollars. A parochial school
is laid each summer with one teacher and an enrollment of about <i \i \
pupils.
The first pastor was Rev. P. J. Eckman, from [884 to [890. Me was
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 491
succeeded by Rev. L. J. Film, who served from 1891 to 1905, when the
present pastor, Rev. A. T. Lundholm, took charge.
AT DARFUR.
A church of this denomination was organized at the village of Darfur
in 1914 by many of the membership of the present church, about sixty in all
at that date, hut now has grown to seventy-one. The pastor who has al-
ways had charge here is Rev. C. W. Samuelson. A frame building was
erected in 1914, at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars. A paro-
chial school is connected with this church; one instructor is now employed
and there is an attendance of about twenty-hve pupils. This school starts
immediately after the closing of the public school and is held in the public
school building. Heretofore it has always been customary for some one in
the local community, or the pastor, to take charge of the school, but the
church authorities saw lit to deviate from this custom and this year employed
Miss Ruth Nelson, of Worthington, Minnesota. The enrollment for 1916
was about twenty.
NONITE CHURCHES.
The First Mennonite church, of Butterfield, situated on the northwest-
ern corner of section _\ Butterfield township, was organized in 1882 by John
F. Sawatzky and Jacob Harder, David Falk and one other. This church is
a branch of the Firsl Mennonite church at Mountain Lake, 1 ottonwood
county, and it is directed by their trustees, while the ministers are the same
for both churches. The present membership of this branch is sixty.
The church building, a frame structure, was erected in [882 and cost
seven hundred dollars. In [901 it was rebuilt and enlarged at an additional
cost of two thousand dollars, in material alone.
The parochial school is a part of the church, and was erected in 1899,
at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars for materials used in its construction,
the work all being donated by the membership. < me instructor only is em-
ployed and the pupils averaging about thirty, hoard in the school,
The pastors who have served faithfully and well in tin, church are
Revs. Jacob Stoesz, D. D. Harder. John Niessen and 1. J. !>••
The Mennonite church in the village of Butterfield, known as the Salem
church, was organized on Inly 17. [896. The following is a list of charter
members: Heinrick C. Janzen. Wilhelm Rempel, Bernhard Rempel, John
Rempel. John F. Enns, Frank Schn i melius Funk. The pastors who
492 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
have served the congregation are: Rev. H. H. Regier, Peter J. Friesen and
Daniel Hubin. The membership contains about thirty families.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The First Baptist church of Madelia was organized at that village
-March 27, 1875, by Rev- B- F. Kelley. The list of charter members is not
now believed to be in existence. The pastors who have served here are as
follow: Rev. B. F. Kelley, March 2J, 1875. to July, 1878; A. J. Davis,
August, 1N78, to September, 1881 ; B. F. Kelley. December, 1881, to April,
1890; C. E. McCalley, April. 1890, to April, 1891 ; B. F. Kelley. January,
189.2. to September. 1894; C. E. McCalley, November, 1894. to August,
[896; D. D. Mitchell, November, 1896, to November. 1898; Rev. B. F.
Kelley supplied this church during several vacancies; R. J. Straw. March,
1900, to March, 1902; J. M. Young, December 7, 1902, to October, 1905;
G. L. White, June, 1906, to September, 1907; Alan P. Boynton, April, 1908,
to March, 1909; A. A. Sparks. June, 1909, to April, 1910; O. B. Dally,
November, [910, to December, 191 1; B. E. Rifenberg. September, 1912, to
November, [914; A. M. Whitney, March 14, 1915, to the present date.
This church has a total membership of sixty-five communicants, and
worships in a building erected originally in the autumn of 1886: remodeled
in October, [903, at a cost of one thousand dollars, making the property now
worth twenty-five hundred dollars, besides they own a neat parsonage pur-
chased by the church in June. 1906, valued at twenty-five hundred dollars.
This society was organized as a Free Baptist church and continued as such
until 1912, when, in common with other Free Baptist churches, they became
affiliated with the Minnesota Baptisl state convention (regular Baptist), and
final union became effective in October, 1915.
THE OLDEST DENOMINATION IN ST. JAMES.
The first church organization in the village of St. James was repre-
sented by the Baptists in 1S71 . The first service was held in a railway car.
placed on the side track by the railroad company for that purpose, and was
conducted by W. I. Cunningham, the father of Mrs. Ed. Rowland. He
Hod ixteen miles from the village and made the drive purposely for the
occasion, The congregation used the car until they were able to secure
belter quarters. In [889 they built their first and present building. The
church has lab >red along with various degrees of prosperity and has been
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 493
served with some able pastors, among whom are the following: Reverends
R. A. Clapp, Jones, Kelley, Smith. B. II. Brested, C. D. Blaker, L E. Viets,
C. E. LaReau and McFarland. For the last few years the congregation has
been served by student pastors and at present there is no regular pastor in
charge.
CATHOLIC CHURl HES 01 W \l'i\\\.\\ COUNTY.
The first Catholic church in the county, as written of in 1905, by the
venerable priest. Rev. James Durward, retired, now residing in what In- is
pleased to call the "Hermitage." which is a block of ground in St. James,
on which stands a small improvised dwelling, is as follows:
Madelia had the first church building in Watonwan county, and Father
Pribel was the first pastor, attending St. James from Madelia. This con-
tinued for a short time. Father Pribel was succeeded by Father Elshorst,
and the latter built a house at St. James and resided there, although still
attending Madelia. The striking event in Father Eslhorst's time was the
transfer of the residence from Madelia to St. James. I don't say this was so
very important; I simply call it striking. And I assure you it caused more
than one strike. When Father Durward came to St. James, ten years later.
Madelia went on a strike to reverse the residence, and mi with all the other
priests who came between Father Elshort and Father Durward. Now there
is nothing more to strike about. Madelia has a resident priest and a school
to herself. Hut we have the court house and car shops, as well as two priests
and a school to ourselves. At the time of which we are speaking, however,
and long after. Madelia and St. James had hut one priest between them.
Even as late as Father Durward's first year, he attended .Madelia from St.
James.
Father Elshorst held services in the 'Fl church, on what is now Third
avenue. It was a rickety old frame building, .and it used to creak in the
wind and swing back and forth. However, high mass was celebrated there.
Mi- Manning acting as organist and leader. In. Iced. MisS Manning
continued to play in church up to the arrival of the sisters. She was a
graduate of the Franciscan 1 onvenl School of Rochester, and for some
irs taught a private Catholic school in St. James. Father Elshorsl rai
two hundred and twenty-live dollars to build a priest's house, anil he a
plastered the church, which caused il t< ng less in windy weather. Tl
were hard years, not only for Catholics, but for everyone From [873 to
1876, or [877, everything was devoured by grasshoppers. Farmers had to
work on the railroad to get a sack of Hour, and even then had to 1
494 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Mankato to get it. They had only ox teams, so that the journey there and
back took nearly a week. Those who were waiting at home were eating
boiled pumpkins mixed with bran. This siege of the grasshoppers was a
great set-back to the congregation. Many families moved away, and the
resources of those who were still here were greatly impaired.
Father Elshorst gave his first services in St. James on the 6th of
November, 1881, and preached his farewell sermon on July 27, 1894. Dur-
ing his stay in St. James he attended Madelia, Mountain Lake, Windom
and Heron Lake. In the month of June, 1882, he bought the present church
property from Xels Olson, a lumber merchant, and in the month of October
built the parish house, now occupied by the Sisters. When he left, he left
no debts.
The first church music was the "Luxemburger choral," without organ.
The human voice is more pleasing to God than any instrumental music. God
made the voice, man made the instrument. The first choir was composed
of Leonard Hoscheid, Xicholaus Miller and Peter Zender, all men. I think
the Lord is better pleased with the singing of men in church than with
screeching of women and girls. Most of those men have departed this life,
and gone, we trust, to sing the praises of God in a better land. They were
followed by a choir of ladies, still without an organ. Miss Anna Ditterd,
later Mrs. P. Donahoo, of North Yakima, and Miss Susanna Roell sang in
this choir.
On June 29, 1884, feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Archbishop Ireland
confirmed a large class. It was a very hot day, and the services were long.
On July 5, 1882, Father Elshorst went to Germany to regain his strength,
which was sadly exhausted by his hard missionary labors. At that time
th( re were only eighty families in the parish — sixty-five German and twentv-
fivi Irish. They showed great zeal in attendance at mass and frequentation
of the sacraments.
FATHER VTUNG.
I ather Durward continues: The parish of St. James is now growing
old. It h lied the year [884, July [9, .if that year, a newly ordained
priest became its pastor — a priest who will always remain "Yung." At that
there were hut thirty-five families in the parish. \ church building
■' 1 needed and Father Yung's first step was to call a meeting t<> discus^ the
advisal ecting one. Only fourteen families were represented at the
meeting and of these only six were in favor of building. The church was
built nevertheless, and when completed there was but live hundred dollars
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 495
debt. The building was begun in October, 1885, and finished in July, 1886.
The first mass was offered in it on the feast of St. James. July 15, 1886 —
another nail clinched on the providential name of the town. This is the same
church that we are using today and the congregation has grown to one hun-
dred and fifty families. The building is too small now and so Father Zach-
man will soon have to build a larger one.
Father Yung is a very genial man and a must exemplary priest. He
has a very nice, quiet way with the people and always manages to get his
hands into their pockets. But he did not stand with his bands in his pockets
while the church was being built, but after saying mass in the old church he
rolled up his sleeves and helped to handle brick. I have also been told that
he once applied the Mosaic rule regarding the ass out of the pit on the Sab-
bath day. It seems that a carload of brick for the church had to be hauled
from the depot on Sunday, or some additional expense would be incurred.
So Father Yung told the people to hear mass in the forenoon and handle the
bricks in the afternoon. Father Yung was too good and too able a man to
remain long in so small a place as St. James was at that time. He was
transferred to Xorthfield. Minnesota, leaving St. James on October 5. 1887,
amidst the tears and lamentations of his people, whose hearts he evidently
carried away with him. He has since been again transferred and promoted
from Xorthfield to LeSueur and again to a still larger parish of St. Mathew
at St. Paul. He loves to revisit St. James. It was hi- lir-t love, so to speak,
and though the church, his spouse, has grown to be the joyful mother of
several children, these children and grandchildren are always pleased to see
hi- kindly i^^ on the streets of St. James and his more -« de-mn and sancti-
fied countenance at the altar, which he himself built.
THE Dl I PASTORS.
St. [oseph 1- the patron of a happy death. Rev. Joseph Georgan,
e dead, succeeded Father Yung a- pastor of St. James, bring the econd
of our priests who have passed to a better world. M to St. James in
the fall of [887 and was transferred to Rose l ireek aboul the firsl of Oi t< ber,
; 1. Father Yung had completed the church and Father Georgan fur-
nished and decorated it insii
Father Georgan's three years passed very quietly. We Americans are
all too apt to attach importance only to what make- a noise and to an exter-
nal show. There may have been a gradual growth of faith in the parish
during those seemingly inactivi I perhaps, being
496 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
slowly prepared to receive the seed. Like his patron, St. Joseph, Father
Georgan was doing the inside work. These slow works and slow workers
require study. Age after age the genius of St. Joseph grows upon the gen-
erations of the earth and slowly but surely brings forth its large waxen
blossoms and mammoth leaves like plants in the windless tropics. We will
conclude, therefore, that during Georgan's pastorate the St. James parish
was taking deep root, even if results were not very visible on the surface.
THE GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED.
At this point in our narrative a very important change takes place in
the province. It is divided into three dioceses — that is Minnesota — St. Paul
remaining the arch-diocese, and Right Rev. J. B. Cotter, D. D., is appointed
bishop of Winona, his diocese comprising two tiers of counties reaching clear
across the southern part of the state of Minnesota from east to west; Waton-
wan being one of these counties, therefore falls under his jurisdiction.
This was in the year 1889, and there was a young priest serving in
Dakota, hut had been ordained by Bishop Seidenbusch for the entire province
Slib titulo missions. This priest is Rev. James Durward. at whose request I
am writing this history. He had been acquainted with Father Cotter before
his ordination and no sooner than had Father Cotter become Bishop Cotter
than lie obtained permission from Bishop Martz, of happy memory, to retire
from the diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and join the diocese of
Winona. Thus, bather Durward, if not the oldest priest of Winona, is at
least the first one accepted * from another diocese. Father Durward re-
mained in Winona for about eight months. He was then sent pro Inn. for
two month- to Chatfield, Minnesota, as its pastor. Father O'Connell had
gone to Europe. From Chatfield, Father Durward was transferred to St.
lames, arriving here on the evening of October 30, [890. The First mass
celebrated by him in St. James was suni; on November 1, [890, and taking
possession oi the parish be sowed the little grain of mustard seed which was
to take root and grow to a large (vee under the more able pastorate of Father
Zachman.
Mustard seed, il covered too deep, sometimes docs not sprout for years,
but it never rot-. It will come up some time, either to choke your crop, or
t,, become a large tree— results depending upon whether it be the yellow
mustard with which we are familiar, or that mustard seed of which the Lord
speaks in the Gospel. American mustard is a vile weed, while that of
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 497
Europe, or at least of the Holy Land, does grow into a large tree. It is of
this that our Lord speaks in the parable, as being the smallest of all seeds
Father Durward came to St. James to stay. He rooted himself deep
in the soil of Watonwan county, lie even bought a small wedge of it,
whose point touches the earth's center — the center of gravitation. A small
piece of land gives a man a control of a very large piece of sky, for the
wedge has the wide end up, and gets wider the farther up you go. Tt is this
that gives rise to the rather inelegant expression, "there is always room at
the top."
George Meidenbauer was the first man whom Father Durward met in
St. James. He was a saddler or harness-maker. His old shop was at that
time on rollers, in the middle of Main street, as it was being moved near the
present church. It is now fitted up as a residence. Mr. Meidenbauer owned
an entire block at that place. He was the representative of the entire con-
gregation— trustee, sacristan, etc.. and envelopes were even found among
the church papers addressed to "Rev. Father Meidenbauer." He was a very
kind-hearted man. He is long since dead, and Father Durward has fitted
up his old harness shop as a winter chapel, after holding school in it for one
year.
From October 30th. 1890. to May i^t. 1807, Father Durward was the
niil\- priest in St. James. The times were very dull. Only an occasional
theft or funeral. The chalice was stolen from the church, Father Durward
shooting the thief and recovering the sacred vessel. This happened on the
feast of St. Anthony, the saint who restores lost or stolen articles. Saint
Nicholas may have protected the thief from bodily injury. There were no
funerals in the'parish in [890, but in 1 S< > 1 there was one, and in 1892 there
were t\v • ; in [893, three; in 1894, four; in 1 S< ; 5 , five; in [896, there were
. and in the year 1807 there were just seven, neither more nor less, Father
Durward preaching the funeral sermon over the last of these deaths, that of
William Schwingler. On May 1. of the last year mentioned, Father Zach-
man took possession ol the parish of St. James, and bather Durward retired,
with the intention of becoming a Trappist. lie built a little school in his own
garden, where school was held for one year, with a Catholic lay teacher,
Miss Bertha Eckholt, and the Franciscan Sisters were engaged to teach it the
following year. The little building serves now a- a summer chapel. Some
of the pupils who started with bather Durward are now in tin- ninth grade
ol the ' ol opened by lather Zachman, shortly after hi- arrival hi
This was placed under the charge of the Sisters from Rochester, Minnesota.
(32)
498 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Father Durward did not remain with the Trappists. but returned and
became the first hermit of .Minnesota, and the people of St. James will have
to lay him in his last resting place, sprinkle him with holy water and say a
little prayer that the day "f judgment may find the little grain of mustard
seed grown into a large tree.
FIRST MASS AT ST. JAMES.
This first mass was offered by Rev. Father Wertz. O. S. B., who at
that time lived in Mankato, where he started a parish and all the places west
of Mankato were at that time attended occasionally from that city. All these
places now have resident priests and most of them have schools. Priests
from Mankato said mass for the scattered inhabitants when the prairies
were thickly inhabited with wolves and buffalo; at Adrian, Heron Lake.
Windom, St. James, Madelia and Lake Crystal.
In those early days it was impossible to get a priest. I know of an
excellent Catholic at Windom who got married by a justice of the peace, and
remarried by Father Richard, seven or eight months later. He claims he
had an episcopal permission. Some things cannot be postponed, and young
people think matrimony one of these things. This brings me to the pastorate
of Father Richard, who was the second priest to attend St. James. Father
Wertz had gone to his reward and has long ago heard the words, "Well
done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of thy Lord.'"
Father Richard did not attend St. James very long, but he is well re-
membered by all of the older settlers, ami he always enquired after these
pioneers whenever we met.
Editor's Note: From the above account of this church it will be ob-
served that the following have served as priests at St. James: Rev. Father
Wert/; Rev. Father Richard (both deceased prior to 1905); Rev. Father
Elshorst, who was paster in the old frame building; Rev. Father Yung, who
built the present church; Rev. Father Joseph Georgan (now deceased), who
remained three years; Rev. Father James Durward, now retired and occupy-
ing bis "Hermitage" at St. James; Rev. Zachman, who served until the com-
ing 1 if the present pastor. Reverend Meyers, who took charge of this parish
in [908. I
At the "Hermitage" retired, bather Durward lives in seclusion, of late
having no housekeeper, he does his own housework. He placed a miniature
steeple mi the front "f the little old harness-shop residence referred to and
in it erected a tiny bell which die venerable old gentleman — for indeed he is
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 499
one — rings at five o'clock every morning, and in the same house he
has an improvised altar where he says mass. He also has a small residence,
or really the old school huilding. he built on his grounds, and in this building
he has a chapel and more elaborate altar in a neat chapel, lie worships in
both of these places, at his will. He is a lover of flowers and plants and
usually has a tine display of these, as well as an excellent garden.
st. james's catholic school.
On May i st, [897, Father Zachman arrived at St. James. He was
newly ordained, and had been stationed in Xew Richmond, .Minnesota, but a
few months, so that St. James might be called his first charge. The little
school started by Father Durward bad been called "School of the Assump-
tion." because it was opened August 15. But the large parish school opened
by Father Zachman is dedicated to St. James, another proof that the town
was providentially named.
Father Zachman did not come to this parish for several months after
he had been appointed, but services went on as usual. Finally, he did conn.',
and his first important step was the building of a large parish school — the
Parish Catholic School of St. James. As the parish house required repairing
and furnishing, Father Zachman lived about a month with Father Durward
before moving in. He proceeded at once to make improvements. Besides
building a school house and a parsonage, he made a number of minor im-
provements, such a- a furnace, a new organ, a baptismal font, a marble foun-
tain for holy water, a church bell, etc. Later on be instructed a brass band,
organized the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Christian Mothers and Young
Ladies' Society. Holy Scripture sa <o plantavi, .//'/'"//" rigavit sed
Dens incrementum <i lit '; I plant, Apollo waters, but God gives the increase.
The increase during Father Zachman'- pastorate has been wonderful. He is
a builder, a worker; a thorough, business-like perseverance is his chief char-
acteristic. He is not a showy worker while lit work-, but hi- works -bow
the workman when he gets through. Nor has he neglected the invisible
world of purgatory, nor yet that invisible city of tin dead, called the church-
yard. Year after year he ha- bad it cleaned up and dec rated, and enclosed
it with an iron fence.
The parish school ha- tin- ninth gi l< every war. teaches all kind- of
vocal and instrumental music, and also shorthand and typewriting. Later on
it will have the tenth grade, or high schi
In the fall of 1895 Father Zachman bad the church richly decorated
500 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
inside, and a beautiful portrait of St. James painted above the altar. A still
further proof that the town was providentially named.
On October 5, 1905, Rev. Bishop Cotter, of Winona, Minnesota, as-
sisted by a Greek monsignor from Rome, Italy, confirmed a class of sixtv-
nine, most of whom were young persons who had been baptized by Father
Dunvard during his first years in St. James.
On October 30, 1905, the fifteenth anniversary of Father Durward's
arrival in St. James, Father Zachman erected side altars and spread a beau-
tiful new carpet on the sanctuary.
The remainder of this article has been compiled by the publishers from
data secured by the present priest, Father Meyers.
The church now has a membership of about five hundred and thirty-
five. It is the only church of this denomination in Watonwan county aside
from the one at Madelia. Of the buildings it may be said that the first
church was erected about 1870 — a small frame; the present church, a solid
brick building, was built in 1885, costing about fifteen thousand dollars. The
present frame school building was erected in 1898, costing seven hundred dol-
lars; the present parsonage was built in 1902, costing forty-five hundred
dollars.
MATER DOLOROSA PARISH, MADELIA.
The historical records of this church and parish at Madelia date back
to 1855-6, when the country, now the village of Madelia. began to be settled.
Among the earliest settlers were counted a number of Catholic people: Theo-
dore Leech, Patrick Rutledge, L. Simon, and Mrs. M. Anderson, who is still
living in the parish. These Catholic people were soon followed by others in
the succeeding years and in 1862, the year of the Indian massacre, Father
Sommerseisen gathered together the little band, about thirty in number, at
the house of Francis Russel, in Ceresco. There the holy sacrifice of the
mass was offered up to God for the first time in the territory now embraced
by the parish of Mater Dolorosa.
In 1872 the first church was built in the town of Madelia, on the site
now occupied by II. Joerg's home, and October 24. 1872, Father Wirth
celebrated mass for the first lime in the new church.
On January 7. [873, a date never to lie forgotten in Minnesota by its
survivors, Father Wirth again celebrated mass in Madelia. The forenoon
was clear and inviting and for miles around Catholics docked to the church.
In the afternoon a terrible blizzard overtook the country and lasted three
days, making at least three hundred victims in Minnesota alone. Many of
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 5OI
the Catholic people who went to church that day, experienced hitter struggles
for life in attempting to regain their homes. Mr. Decker and Mrs. Cash per-
ishing in the attempt.
After Father W'irth, the Jesuit Fathers, of Mankato, attended to the
spiritual wants of the people of Madelia until the appointment of its first
pastor, Father Prybel, who arrived in 1880. Fie was also entrusted to the
mission at St. James. During the term of his successor. Father Elshorst,
the residence was transferred to St. James and he attended the needs of the
Catholics at Madelia from that place and so also did his successors, who
were Father Yung. Father Georgan and Father Durward.
In 1891 Mater Dolorosa parish was raised to the rank of an indepen-
dent parish, with Father Smith as its first pastor. He remained at Madelia
hut a short time and was succeeded by Father O'Connell, who assumed
charge on March 26. 18Q2. Bv this time the congregation had outgrown
the little church and Father O'Connell urged the people to build a new and
more worthy place of worship. On Christmas day, 1802, a beautiful and
spacious building was ready to receive the people for divine worship. Its
cost was six thousand dollars. Sad to record, even at this late date, that
beautiful church was completely destroyed by fire on January 1, 1893. The
church was rebuilt on its same foundation and was dedicated by Rt. Rev.
Bishop Cotter, October 10. 1893.
SCI 1 001. 1 RECTED.
In 1899 Father O'Connell was transferred to Caledonia and was suc-
ceeded by bather Holper, who also attended to the mission of Fake Crystal,
until it was attached to the parish of St. Clair. During his stay. [898-1904,
ground was bought and a beautiful parochial school, the pride and saving
feature of the parish, was built. 'I In chool was placed in charge of the
Ursuline Sisters of Philadelphia, who came in 1800 and were succeeded by
the present school Sisters of the Notre Dame, Milwaukee, in 1900. At pres-
ent there are three Sisters teaching ami the average attendance is one hun-
dred children per year. The building cost nine thousand dollars and is a
strong veneered brick building.
The building and its upkeeping upon the congregation, rather small and
poor for the burden, and the sole and worthy aim of his predeo or, as
already stated, being of paying off the debts, lather Van Hoenackere found
the material properties of the parish in a lamentable condition. Without
speaking of the rectory, which was devoid ,<i all furniture and which itself
502 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
was an unworthy shack unfit for anyone to live in, the church and school
were in the greatest need of attention and repairs. But like a hero the good
Father went about reconstructing things, and many valuable improvements
were made. Two lots were also added to the school grounds, which were
secured from Walter Dahm for the school as a gift from the owner.
In April, 1912, a residence was purchased one block east of the church.
This was remodeled and is the present rectory. Today the parish is com-
posed of some seventy families and twenty-five single people, a total number
of about five hundred souls, almost equally divided between the Germans
and Irish. Sad to relate (says Father Van Hoenackere, pastor today), "the
'ought t>> be's' and the 'fallen away' would easily reach the one hundred
mark. Scarcely twenty per cent, of the mixed marriages have kept the faith
or at least the practices thereof, a number of the children never even having
been baptized in the Catholic church."
The total debt of the parisb is about twenty-eight hundred dollars.
CHAPTER IX.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF THE COUNTY.
The pride and glory of our republic during the last four score years,
at least, has been its free public schools The organizers of the great North-
west Territory inserted a clause in the articles of that part of its Consti-
tution, demanding that certain lands be set apart for school purposes. Every
part of what was originally the Northwest Territory, including Indiana,
Illinois. Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, utilized these provisions in the
formation of their separate governments, as one by one these states and
territories were cut off from the original territory. It was provided that
schools should be provided for all classes, without money or price — the lands
being taxed for the maintenance of such free schools.
PRESENT SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THE STATE.
The following scheme shows the elements of the public school system
in Minnesota :
District schools are divided into common, independent and special
schools, graded and ungraded. Then we have the state rural schools, the
state semi-graded schools, the consolidated rural schools, the state graded
schools, the state high schools, normal schools and, finally, the university.
A common school district is controlled by a board of three members;
independent and special districts have their own superintendents, and in the
main are not subject to the count) superintendents.
The >tate graded schools and state high schools are subject to a board
of five members: The president of the State University, the superintendent
of education and president of tin- normal school board are e officio mem-
bers; a city superintendent or high school principal and a fifth membei
appointed by the governor.
The normal schools are controlled by a board of nine members; five of
these are resident directors; three are appointed for the state at large, and
one. the superintendent of educal erves ex-officio.
The university is controlled by a board of twelve regents; the governor.
504 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the president of the University and the superintendent of education are all
ex-officio members, and nine are appointed by the governor.
The public schools are supported by a direct tax upon the property
of the school district, by a county one-mill tax, by a state mill tax, and by
the income from the permanent school fund, together with small fines that
are credited to this fund.
In addition to these funds, the state of Minnesota distributes annually
(provided they attain a prescribed standard of excellence), $150, $100 or $75
to each rural school ; $300 to each semi-graded school of two or three
departments; $1,500 or S750 to consolidated rural schools; also, $750 to
each graded school of four or more departments, and $2,200 to each high
school that admits all qualified students free of tuition.
LIBRARIES.
To encourage the establishment and maintenance of school libraries the
Legislature has appropriated $21,500 annually. The state will aid any school
district towards the purchase of a library to the amount of twenty dollars
on the first order for each school building, and ten dollars annually there-
after, provided the district raises a like amount and selects the books from
the list prepared by the state library board, which is composed of the state
superintendent of education and the high school board.
CERTIFICATES.
Teachers' certificates are issued by the superintendent of education upon
examination or upon the indorsement of a university or college diploma, or
a diploma from a state normal school.
Examinations for common school certificates are given at one or more
places in the county in February and in August, under the direction of the
county superintendent. All manuscript for teachers' certificates is exam-
ined and marked under the direction of the superintendent of education.
AIDED BY SCHOOL 1. WHS.
Whereas, by an act of Congress of the United States, approved on Feb-
ruary 26, [857, entitled "An act to enable the people of Minnesota Terri-
tory to form a constitution and state government and for the admission of
such state into the Union," sections numbered 16 and 36 in every township
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 505
of the public lands of the state were "ranted to the said state of .Minnesota
for the use of schi iols.
From time to time these school lands were sold to actual settlers on long
time at good rate of interest and the proceed- placed in the state treasury
to be paid out for public school purposes, nothing only the interest being
allowed to be used, hence the state has a perpetual school fund which will
ever give its educational facilities an advantage over many other states,
where onlv the sixteenth section was set apart for school purposes. In
Watonwon county there are now more than three hundred farms, which
were originally school lands.
SCHOOLS OF [875.
In 1875 there were thirty-five organized school districts in Watonwan
county, of which twenty-six were in session and located as follows: Long
Lake, three: South Branch, three: Antrim, three: Fieldon, three: Odin, two;
Rosendale. three: Madelia, two; Riverdale, two; St. James, three: Adrian.
one. The number of scholars enrolled in the summer schools were six hun-
dred and seventy-six.
FIRST SCHOOLS IN THIS COUNTY.
The earliest schools in the county were at Madelia settlement. Credit
for the high standard of efficiency of the Madelia schools belongs to no
one more than to the present superintendent. J. C. Straely. Although hav-
ing served in this capacity only two years, yet during this time the standard
of the schools has been raised at least twenty-five per cent. Naturally he has
not accomplished this mark alone, as he has been ably assisted by an efficient
corps of teachers and an appreciative school board.
The old building, which was constructed of brick, was built in 1892, at
a co^t of thirty thousand dollars. In time, this building became to,, small
to accommodate the increased attendance and the growing needs of the times.
I nsequently, these fact- led to the construction of a new brick structure in
[914, at a cost of forty-three thousand dollars. The building i- thoroughly
modern in every respect and is used e clusi ely by the high school. The
enrollment of the entire school in the spring of [916 was four hundred and
thirty. That of the high school was one hundred and seventy-two. Nine-
teen teachers were employed.
506 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ST. JAMES PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
When a stranger appears in St. James and inquires about the most
important institution in the city he immediately receives the answer, "the
public school- " The city has one of the best school systems in the state and
doubtless the best in this section. No one deserves more credit for this
than the present, but retiring, superintendent, Prof. J. C. Davies. How-
ever, he gladly shares the credit for this high standard of efficiency with
his able corps of teachers, and especially with Professor Young, the present,
but retiring, principal of the high school and to whom the state high school
inspector gave credit as being one of three best high school principals in the
state of Minnesota. With the leadership of such men as these at the head
of a school system and aided by a helpful and appreciative school board, it
is no wonder that the schools have risen to such a high point of efficiency.
The city school was organized in 1871, the first building being out by
the lake. As time advanced this building was outgrown. A new site was
selected nearer the center of the town, it being the one on which the high
school building now stands. A brick building was constructed, which was
thought to be ample for all time. But the folly of this idea has long since
been seen, as already two large additions have been made. The first addi-
tion was in 1901 and the last one just recently completed, at a cost of forty
thousand dollars. With the last addition the school has a complete and
modem building and an assembly room that has few equals.
The high school was organized in [892 and the first graduating class
was in 1 Sod. a class many times smaller than that of 1916, which was com-
posed of forty-six members. There arc four different courses and perhaps
more. Thev consist of science, language, commercial and industrial arts.
The latter course includes complete instruction in domestic science, manual
training and agriculture. In the language course, four different languages
are offered as follows; Norwegian, Swedish. German and Latin.
The old Northside school building stood near where the Minneapolis &
St. Louis depot now stands. With the coming of the railroad a new site
was necessary. Mr. M. EC. . Armstrong, a wealth) landowner and public
Spirited man. arose to the occasion and donated the site of the present
Northside building which hears his name. This building was constructed in
1902. costing twenty-two thousand dollars, fully equipped. In the sixth,
seventh and eighth grades the departmental system is used with decided
success.
COTTONWoon AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 507
The corps t>i teachers numbers twenty-six, with a total school enroll-
ment of nearly six hundred and seventy-five. The members of the school
board are as follow: President, J. K. Sonnesyn; secretary. 1.. li. Cham-
bard; treasurer. Fred Church; W. S. Manning, Marie in Clark and A. M.
Hanson. The board has succeeded in filling rdl the vacancies for the com-
ing vear. Prof. J. J. Skinner becomes the new superintendent and Mr.
Keen Young, the principal.
A MARKED CONTRAST.
In iSS_> the school of the village of St. James employed two teachers,
with a total enrollment of one hundred and eighty-two; in [885 there were
three teachers and two hundred and two pupils enrolled; in 1890 there
were fifteen teachers and five hundred and twenty-five pupils enrolled.
[890 REPORT.
In 1890 the superintendent of the schools in this county gave the fol-
lowing: Pupils entitled ti> apportionment, eight hundred ami eighty-six;
not so entitled, four hundred and thirty-nine; total enrolled, thirteen hun-
dred and nine. Average length of school year, five and eight-tenths months
per year; teachers employed fifty-eight; average wage.- paid. $32.07 fur men
and $27.94 for women; number of districts of common schools, forty-eight;
total school houses, forty-five; cash en hand, $6,021 : salary of school super-
intendent, S4S0. The superintendent made sixty-two school visits that vear.
Rate of taxation for schools, one and fifteen-hundredths mills on the dollar.
ROSENDALE Tow XS HIP SC ll> ■
The first schools in Rosendale township were taught in [869-70.
Henry C. Sergent taught in the winter in [869, at the house of George
Knudtson. Hi- sister, Hellen Adell Sergent (now wife of !•'.. X. Rasey of
St. Jame-). taught the following summer in a "spare room" 0f her father's
house. She had an attendance of about twenty pupils, ami received for
her wages either eighteen or twenty dollar- per month. Later, -he attended
the State Normal school al Mankato and received the appointment of county
school superintendent, soon after the office was created in Minnesota. She
was examined for her qualifications by State Superintendent II. I: Wilson,
at St. Paul. At the hands of the county commissioners -he was made
508 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Watonwan county's first woman superintendent, and also has the distinc-
tion of being the first woman in Minnesota to hold such an office. She was
a teacher at St. James for two years after the first two-story school house
was completed. She had sixty pupils and taught an interesting and most
highly appreciated school in what is now the city of St. James.
ODIN SCHOOL.
The present building is a two story frame structure constructed in 1902
at a cost of two thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. The school has
two teachers and an enrollment of about sixty-eight.
DARFUR SCHOOL.
The school building is located in the southwestern part of town and is
surrounded by a beautiful playground. No high school work is offered,
but thorough instruction is given in all the grades by two competent teach-
ers. The building consists of a two-room brick structure, erected in 1906
at a cost of three thousand dollars. The enrollment averages about one
hundred.
LEWISVILLE SCHOOL.
Under the able leadership of Principal William T. Weld, the school
has made great strides toward educational efficiency. The school exhibit of
1916 attracted the attention not only of patrons and friends, but of out-
siders as well. Special mention should be made of the sewing and agri-
cultural exhibits, which were excellent.
The school and site are estimated at seven thousand dollars. The
building, which was constructed in [912, is being remodeled to meet the
growing needs hi the school and community. Three teachers are employed.
The enrollment for the past year was ninety-six.
OR.MSI'.V SCHOOL.
In [901 a two-Story frame building was erected at a cost of two thou-
sand dollars. The school board employs two teachers who serve the needs
<>i aboul fifty school children. The school building was constructed with
a two fold idea. First, as a place of instruction; second, as a social center.
The latter idea has been carried out conclusively, as is evidenced by the
man} gatherings of all kinds held at this building.
COTTON' WOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
509
BUTTERFIELD SCHOOLS.
The village of Butterfield supports a fine modern school house, costing
fourteen thousand dollars. It was erected in [898 and is a handsome brick
structure. Five teachers are employed in these schools and the enrollment
is over one hundred and fifty.
PRESENT SCHOOL STATISTICS.
The following facts have been extracted from the county school super-
intendent's report of July, 191 5. which is the last completed report to the
state :
There were on that date sixty-one districts in Watonwan county, of
the rural and semi-graded class. Nine months were then being taught each
year in graded ami semi-graded schools of this county and the, strictly
speaking, country districts bad only seven months, as a rule. The follow-
ing shows the districts and the number i>i pupils in each, as per enrollment:
District. N'o.
Pupils.
District. N'o.
Pupils.
District. No.
District No.
1..
4(1
District No.
22..
38
District No.
District No.
*>
15
District No.
2::..
32
District No.
District N'o.
4. .
26
District N'o.
"4
46
District N'o.
District No.
4
District No.
25...
21
District N'o.
6
.,.,
District No.
District N'o.
26.
27. ..
7
23
District N'o.
7..
18
District N'o.
District No.
8
21
District No.
28..
43
District No.
District No.
9...
12
District N'o.
29
22
Dislrirt N'o.
District N'o.
10...
18
District No.
3(1
30
District N'o.
District No.
11. ..
28
District No.
31
29
District No.
District N'o.
12...
21
District No.
32. ..
57
District No.
13
. 29
District No.
District No.
34..,
27
12
District No.
District No.
14
24
District No.
District No.
15...
55
District No.
:::,
17
District No.
District No.
Ifi
21
District No.
36
18
District No.
District No.
17...
18
District No.
::7
33
District No.
District N'o.
18
33
District No.
12
District \..
District N'o.
19
1 1] tricl No.
39.
in
District No.
District No.
District N'o.
10. . .
1
District No.
Pupils.
41
14
42
20
i::...
47
II
19
45
in
17
14
IS
23
I'.i
. 22
50
24
51 , .
39
52
34
:»:;
:
54
3(1
:,:.
95
ifi
CO
:,7
41
58
24
18
HIGH AND GRADED S( HO
Madcfia independent district had ten departments ami seventeen tea
Madelia independent district had 193 males and 226 femal ,
Butterfield (district N'o. 46) had two departments and five teachers.
151O COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Butterfielcl (district No. 46) had So males and 67 females.
St. Tames (district No. 20) had twelve departments and twenty-five
teachers.
St. James (district No. 20) had 311 males and 337 females.
RURAL, INCLUDING SEMI-GRADED SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Total number children of school age in county 1,670
Average number to each district 29
Total number teachers — males, one ; females, sixty-one 62
Average wages paid for males per month $65.00
Average wages paid for females per month 49.00
The high and grade schools of this county have the following: Inde-
pendent district No. 1, five male and twelve female teachers, each paid
$112.00 and $60.00 per month, respectively.
Independent district No. 20, has five male teachers, each at $129 per
month and twenty female teachers at an average of $59 per month.
SCHOOL-HOUSE LOCATIONS BY TOWNSHIPS AND SECTIONS.
With the exception of any recent changes, the following table shows
the geographical location of the school houses within Watonwan county,
the same having been taken from a map of the county prepared a year or
two agi 1 :
Madelia township — at the village,
Riverdale township — sections 23-25-21-7.
Nelson township — sections 7-11-18-24.
Adrian township — sections S- 12-20-26.
Butterfield township — sections 2-17-26-29 — and at village.
St. (anies township — sections 2-8-29-35 :uu' at city.
Rosendale township — sections 8-11-26-28.
Fieldon township- -sections I-7-IO-16-23-30.
Antrim township — sections 4-22.
South Branch township— sections 11-17-22-31.
Long Lake township — sections 2-8-18-26-29.
Odin township — sections 8-1 1-26-29.
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 5 1 I
EARLY SCHOO) SCANDAL.
On March 23, 1874, then' appeared an advertisement in the Madelia
Times of a select sch<> '1 to he taught hv Prof. A. C. Harrison, as principal,
ami Miss C. I. Mead, as assistant and teacher of music. According to the
advertisement the first term of this school was to begin in Madelia on Mon-
day. April 20, and to continue three months: that the aim of the teacher-
was to make it a first-class school in ever)' respect and that no pains would
be spared to make the school pleasant and profitable to scholars. The
tuition rates were as follows: Primary studies, two dollars and twenty-
five cents; intermediate, three dollars; higher branches, four dollars and
fifty cents; instrumental music, twenty-four lessons, including the use of
the organ, ten dollars. Tuition was to be paid half in advance and the
remainder at the end of the half term. The advertisement stated that as
he had a family he would accept produce in payment of tuition from those
not having the ready cash; also that there would be no personal call for
soliciting pupils and all desiring to attend to please be present on the morn-
ing of commencement.
In the same advertisement appeared a recommendation signed by Prof.
E. C. Payne, superintendent of the schools of Blue Earth county. Parents
having children of school age, thought that tin- chance to give their poster-
ity an education was a great opportunity and a- a result, on the morning
of April 20, there was enrolled a goodly number
On May i<> there appeared the following headline in the Madelia
Times, "A rascal and a dead beat." which read as follow-: The < |uiet of
our village was somewhat ruffled the latter part of last week by a disgrace-
ful matter coming to light. A little over a month ago a young man calling
himself A. C. Harrison came to town and advertised that he and a lady
acquaintance would begin a private school on \pril 20. lie had a family
of a wife and two children and in due time they came and took room- at
the Flanders House. In two weeks Harrison -end- hi- wife and kids to
Ohio, -topping on the way at Winona. Harrison, who had been very gal-
lant toward his assistant, was noticed to be more so. betters were obtained
ti -how that he wa- tampering with the affections of the young lady under
the pretense of love. He declared to the girl that since meeting her his lo 1
for hi- wife had grown cold; that he was going under an assumed name,
hi- right name being Arthur Morri-.
Colonel Voughl did not admire these proceedings and promised to
512 COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
expose Harrison. At first all of the charges were denied, but when letters
were produced that he had written to Miss Mead, he considered it time to
leave and made his exit by the rear door of the hotel, taking with him the
tuition money which many of the patrons had already paid. This was the
last ever seen of him. In a few days the young lady school teacher was
called home bv her mother's illness, which the scandal had caused.
CHAPTER X.
THE BAR OF THIS COl'NTY.
The legal profession is no longer looked upon as one in which trickery
and deception are practiced in order to sain a large retainer fee. It has
for more than a century been looked upon as among the highest of the
professions. Indeed, a large majority of our greatest statesmen and law-
makers have been lawyers at the bar at one date in their career. We only
have to refer to Webster, Everett, Lincoln. Seward or Sumner, to find true
examples of noble, talented attorneys, whose influence became world-wide.
Here in Minnesota persons may be admitted to practice law upon an
examination before the board of law examiners. No person but an ad-
mitted attorney-at-law may commence or conduct any action or proceeding
in a court of record to which he is not a party, but this does not prevent a
private person from commencing or defending an action in his own behalf.
Any graduate of the college of law of the State University may be admitted
to practice law upon presentation of his diploma and proof thai he is an
adult citizen and resident of the state and of good moral character: also
the graduates of other colleges of law established in the state. Every attor-
ney shall :
First — Observe and carry out the terms of bis oath.
Second — Maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial
officers.
Third — Counsel or maintain such causes only as appear to him legal
and just: but he shall not refuse to defend any person accused of a public
offense.
>urtH — Employ, for the maintenance of causes confided to him, such
mean- only as are consistent with truth, and nevi to mislead the
judge- by any artifice or false statement of fad or law.
fifth -Keep inviolate the confidence of bis client: abstain from of
tensive personalities, and advance no fad prejudicial to the honor or repu-
tation of a party or witness, unless the j tuse requires it
Sixth — Encourage the commencement or continuation of no action
ceedings from motive- of passion or interest; nor may he, for any con-
I 33 I
514 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
sideration personal to himself, reject the cause of the defenseless or op-
pressed.
An attorney in Minnesota may he removed or suspended by the supreme
court, on the following grounds : Upon his being convicted of a felony, or
of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; in either of which cases the
record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence. Or upon showing that
he has knowingly signed frivolous pleadings, or been guilty of any deceit
or wilful misconduct in his profession; or for wilful disobedience of an
order of the court requiring him to do or forbear doing an act connected
with, or in the course of, his profession.
LIST OF ATTORNEYS IN THIS COUNTY.
Among the well-known attorneys who have from time to time prac-
ticed in Watonwan county may be recalled the following: J. W. Seager,
J. J. Thornton, Ashley Coffman, W. S. Hammond, Frank Ellsworth, R. H.
Burns, Ed. C. Farmer, Albert Running, J. L, Lohben and W. E. Allen.
Concerning these lawyers it may he said that the oldest now in prac-
tice in the county is J. W. Seager, still in active law practice at St. James.
He was born in Bath county, New York, September 16, 1845. He received
his education at Mora Academy, graduating from the law department of
Ann Arbor (Michigan) University; was admitted to the bar in Rochester,
New York, in December, 1866. After practicing there three years, he
came to St. James, Minnesota, where he ever since has been engaged in law
practice. He has had for partners both J. L. Lobben and his son, G. W.
Seager.
J. L. Lobben was born in Norway, August 1, 1862, in the parish of
Ecker. lie accompanied his parents to America when he was yet a mere
child. The family settled in Wisconsin. He was graduated from the
Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa; came to St. James with his parents in
[879; read law and was admitted t<> the liar in January. 1896, soon after
forming a law partnership with J. W. Seager.
W. E. Mien was born in Marysvillc. Kentucky, July 1, 1855. His
parents moved to Ohio during his youth; in 1876 moved to Iowa, where he
resided four years and there read law. In 1880 he returned to Ohio and
was admitted t < > the law practice and followed his profession there a num-
ber oi years. He came to St. James. Minnesota, in the fall of 1884; taught
school nne year, and was soon thereafter admitted to the bar in Minnesota.
1U then taught school at Gordinville, Minnesota, one year and was county
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 515
school superintendent two terms in Freeborn county, in [892 lie was
elected county attorney, serving one term.
Hon. W. S. Hammond, attorney-at-law, congressman and governor of
.Minnesota, now deceased, was born in Southboro, Worcester county, Mas-
sachusetts, November 17. 1863. He was educated in the East, graduating
from Dartmouth College in 1884. He came to Minnesota the same year
to accept a position as principal of the Mankato city schools, which place
he filled for one school year. He then went to Madelia. Watonwan county,
to accept the position of superintendent of the village schools there. He
held this position five years, after which he was admitted to the bar and
commenced the practice of his profession at Madelia in 1891. He com-
menced as a member of the firm of Hopkins & Hammond. In [895 he
came to St. James, where he built up a profitable law practice. In 1888 he
was a candidate for presidential elector, and in 1892 was the Democratic
candidate for congressman in the Second district. In 1804 he was nom-
inated for county attorney on the Democratic ticket and elected. In 1898
he was again nominated for congress by the Democrats, but declined to
accept. He held many school offices in the county and state, and was elected
governor in 1914, after having served in Congress from 1907 to [915, and
served until his death, in 1916. lie made a splendid executive, but was cut
down in the prime of his manhood. He was indeed an exceptionally good
type of American citizen. As an attorney he was both shrewd and hon-
orable with all with whom he had legal and personal dealings.
Of R. H. Burns it may be stated that he practiced here many years,
removed to Oregon and died in that state.
Ashley Coffman practiced in St. James until ah' nit 1900, when he
removed.
Albert Running has been engaged in law practice in St. James since
1906.
I. J. Thornton is deceased.
PRESENT BAR.
In July, 1016. the members of the Watonwan county bar were as |
low: At St. James — J. W. Seager, G. W. Seager, Albert Running, J. L.
Lobben, Ed. C. Farmer. At Madelia — A. C. Remele, C. J. Eide. At
Lewisville — Joseph Davies.
CHAPTER XL
PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY.
Hand in hand with the vanguard of civilization and the tread of the
earliest pioneers, in almost every country, is the physician, who is as essen-
tial to the building up of a community as any other class of men — in fact,
he is vastly more needed than anyone of the other professions in the first
settlement of new countries. The family doctor, be he learned or unlearned,
be he of what school of medicine he may, when the fevered brow and
parched lip of the fever-stricken sufferer languishes on the sick bed in some
humble cabin or sod house, is always a welcome visitor. With all that men
may say, in time of full, robust health, of doctors and their medicine chests,
there comes a time when his presence is needed and his services appreciated.
This was the case away back in the homestead days of Watonwan county,
when the little band of settlers was far from civilized life and from rail-
roads, towns and cities of any considerable importance.
With the passing decades the science of medicine has made very marked
advancement, until today the methods employed are far less to be dreaded
in the sick chamber than years ago. The remedies are more effectual and
less nauseating, and the percentage of deaths much less than in former
years. Especially, has surgery made rapid strides and what was once con-
sidered almost impossible, is new performed with comparative ease and
certainty.
The earliest doctors in this part of Minnesota had their hardships and
were not paid in proportion to their services. Many bills were never paid
and many physicians died poor. They waded sloughs and unbridged streams,
by day and at night. They faced the Storms of our cold, long winters, and
endured the bad roads and burning suns of many a weary summer season,
until the county was more improved and conditions were generally more
comfortable. They made history, as they made their weekly rounds among
their patients, but had no time to make a record of their goings and com-
ings, Hence, it is with no little difficulty that the writer has been able to
secure even as much as he has on this topic
COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 517
PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE REGISTERED HERE.
The following physicians have registered in Watonwan county, under
the various state requirement- :
Charles O. Cooley, Madelia, graduated in 1877 and registered here in
1883.
Thede Kirk. St. James, Rush Medical College, graduated in 1881.
Charles R. Bacon. St. James. Eclectic Medical College, Ohio, grad-
uated in 1877. He registered in tin's county in 1884.
W. H. Shaver. Madelia, McGill University, Canada, graduated and
came to Watonwan county in 1883.
Henry H. Herring, Miami Medical College, Ohio, 1873, registered here
in 1884.
Henrv H. Grosbach, St. lames, Eclectic Medical Institute, January,
1885.
James M. Smith, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Des Moines,
Iowa, 1886.
William H. Rowe, St. James. Rush Medical College, class of 1882;
came here in 1884
Perry H. Munger, St. James, came here in 1891.
Lawson L. McCurdy, Madelia, 1893.
Abram Siemunds, Butterfield, 1895.
William J. McCarthy, Madelia. state diploma, 1S07.
Knud AT. O. Leigeri, St. James, City of New York, 1874.
Fred E. Franchere, St. James, 1895, diploma.
Iven S. Runstad, Madelia, [876, diploma.
Edwin Martin Johnson, St. James, registered in 1898.
James B. Lewis. St. James, University of Pennsylvania, 1894.
John Edward Doran. St. James, state diploma, 1898.
B. H. Haynes, St. James, state diploma, 1902.
Joseph X. Flynn. Madelia. state diploma, 1901.
Ole Elland Hogen, Butterfield. registered in 1903.
M. F. Christian Jellstrop. registered in 1903.
Ola Andrew Kahrick, registered in this county in 1908.
Other doctors known to have practiced in this county were: Doctors
Cottrell, Putnam, Xeel, O'Connor. W. H. Rowe, Jr., Decaster. a surgeon
who divided hi- time between this county and Mankato; Thompson, and the
present massage doctors of St. James, Di trinberg and Beckstrom.
5l8 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Other early physicians are referred to in the records of the county as
being Dr. William D. Smith, of Madelia, who was county physician
in 1870; Dr. George Christopherson, in 1868; Doctor Stoddard, the records
show, was allowed twenty dollars for medical services for this county in
1870.
Dr. F. E. Franchere. physician and surgeon, located in St. James in
1895. He was born at North San Juan, California, July 14, 1866. His
parents came to Minnesota in 1869. He graduated from the medical de-
partment of the state of Minnesota in the class of 1890; spent the next
three years as house physician in the Minneapolis city hospital. He was
then appointed on the regular staff of the Rochester hospital for the insane,
where he remained for two years ; then went to Europe, studying at Paris
and London, after which he was appointed to the chair of nervous diseases
and insanity in the Sioux City College of Medicine, and also clinical instruc-
tor of medicine. On account of ill health he soon after came to St. James,
Minnesota. Tn the spring of 1895 he was married, and soon after came to
St. James, Minnesota. In the spring of 1898 he was appointed general
surgeon for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad Com-
pany; in 1899 he was appointed surgeon for the Minneapolis & St. Louis
Railroad Company at St. James, and was also coroner of Watonwan county.
Dr. J. B. Lewis, physician and surgeon, was born in December. 1855,
at York, Pennsylvania; graduated from the medical department of the
University of Pennsylvania; practiced in that state for six years; came to
St. Paul in 1885, and engaged in practice there until 1893, when he moved
to Waseca, where he practiced seven years. He came to St. James in the
spring of 190T. He was a member of the American Medical Association
and the Minnesota Medical Association.
Dr. P. H. Munger, physician and surgeon, was born in Ohio; grad-
uated from the medical department of Michigan University at Ann Arbor.
He commenced practice in 1893.
Dr. D. F. O'Connor, physician and surgeon, was born in Washington
county, Minnesota, December 23, 1864. He was reared to farm labor and
educated at the country district schools and at St. Croix Valley Academy,
graduating from the medical department of the Universit) of Minnesota in
[890. Two years later he opened an office at Grand Meadow; in Novem-
ber, 1899, he came to St. James. While at Grand Meadow he served two
terms as mayor of the city.
Dr. W. 11. Rowe, physician and surgeon, was born at Madison. Wis-
consin, July (. [858; educated at the University of Wisconsin and Rush
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 519
Medical College, Chicago, soon after engaging in the practice at Minnesota
Lake, coming to St. James about 1890. He is a member of the American
and State Medical Associations.
MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The Watonwan County Medical Society was organized January to,
1900. with the following officers: Dr. C. O. Cooler, president; Dr. F. E.
Franchere. vice-president; Dr. J. A. Prim, secretary and treasurer. The
charter members were as follow: Dr. C. O. Cooley, Dr. W. H. Rowc.Dr.
F. E. Franchere, Dr. W. J. McCarthy. Dr. L. L. McCurdy, Dr. S. S. Reime-
stad, Dr. O. E. Linger, Dr. J. A. Prim, Dr. J. Williams, Dr. A. F. Hunte
and Dr. C. C. Donaldson.
The purpose of this society is to bring into one organization the phy-
sicians of Watonwan county, so that by frequent meetings and full and
frank interchange of views they may secure such intelligent unity and har-
mony in every phase of their labor as will elevate and make effective the
opinions of the profession in all scientific, legislative, public health, mater-
ial and social affairs, t" the end that the profession may receive that respect
and support within its ranks and from the community to which its hon-
orable history and great achievements entitle it; and with other societies
to form the Minnesota State Medical Association, and through it, with
other state associations, to form and maintain the American Medical Asso-
ciation.
Every legally registered physician residing and practicing in Waton-
wan county, who is of good moral and professional standing and who does
not support or practice, or claim to practice, any exclusive system of medi-
cine, is eligible for membership.
Following is a list of physicians, and a short sketch of each, who have
practiced in this county during the last ten or twelve years, but who have
since moved away or died: Charles P. Bis^el. Lewisville, born in [852,
graduated from Iowa University, 1875, am' licensed by act of 1877.
Charles O. Cooley, Madelia, horn in [850, graduated from Maryland. 1876,
licensed in 1883, later attended Washington College of Delaware. Th
wald T- Jensen. Madelia. horn in 1881, graduate oi Hamlin, Minnesota,
1907; licensed 1907. James I',. Lewis, St. Jam< . horn in 1855, graduate
of Pennsylvania, 1878, licensed in 1885. William II. Rowe, St. Jam
58, graduate of Rush College, 18S2. licensed in lied on
ruary 4. 191 5.
520 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The roster of the physicians practicing in the county in 1916 included
the following: Ole E. Hagen, Butterfield, born in 1871, graduate of Illi-
nois University, 1903, licensed in 1903, attended the Physicians and Sur-
geons College of Chicago. William J. McCarthy, Madelia, born in 1S68,
graduate of Illinois University, 1897, licensed in 1897, attended North-
western University. H. B. Grimes, Madelia, born in 1877, graduate of
Michigan, 1903, licensed in 1904. O. A. Kabrick, Odin, born in 1880,
graduated from Keokuk, Iowa, 1906, licensed in 1909. Benjamin Hubert
Haynes, St. James, born in 1874, graduate of Illinois University, 1902,
licensed in 1902, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago. \V. H.
Rowe, Jr., St. James, born in 1884, graduate of Rush College, 1909, licensed
in 1910. Albert Thompson, St. James, born in 1872, graduate of Minne-
sota University, 1905, licensed in 1905.
The present officers of the Watonwan County Medical Society are as
follow: Albert Thompson, president; H. B. Grimes, vice-president; B. H.
Haynes, secretary-treasurer.
EARLY PHYSICIAN'S FEES.
A medical society in this county had fees advertised as follow: Visits
in town, one dollar; visits in the country, one dollar and fifty cents per mile;
office practice, one dollar; a complicated or obstinate case, ten dollars; ex-
amination, one to five dollars.
CHAPTER XII.
'NEWSPAPERS OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
The power of the press is not alone confined to the city, but in all
intelligent communities where there is even a village of any considerable
importance, one expects, and usually finds a local newspaper printed. Public
opinion is largely moulded by the newspapers of a county. It is through
the medium of the local paper that a community learn the news of their
immediate vicinity and also get the most striking and, to them, the mosl
important items of the news of the world. Any accident, fire, robbery, great
battle or uprising in any remote part of the globe which may transpire today
will be flashed on wings guided by electricity, to our section and the local
printer has it for his issue tomorrow.
FIRST PAPER IX COUNTY.
Madelia has the distinction of having had the first newspaper and also
the first banking institution in Watonwan county. The pioneer newspaper
was the Madelia Times, which finally consolidated with the Messenger,
forming the present Times-Messenger. The Times was established in 1S71
by Benjamin C. Sanborn, who conducted it until 1899, after which his son,
W. V. Sanborn, conducted it until 1903. The Sanborn interests were sold
to W. W. Cole in 1904. a few weeks after the consolidation of the two
papers. Perry Bestor bought the interest held in the Messenger by Grant
Riggle, and the firm was then styled Cole & lU-stor, who subsequently sold
to Hinchon and Guderian, the latter dropping out, leaving the propertv in
the hands of W. D. Hinchon. present owner. After selling out, Grant
Riggle started another newspaper at Madelia, but this only existed for a few
issues. The Messenger was established at an early date by Sumner I'.rain-
ard, of St. James, who conducted it for some time and sold the plant to
C. F. Mallahan, who in turn sold to Benjamin Cole. From Cole it passed
into the hands of \Y. R. Estes, who built it up more than any Other man
who ever >'V 11. d it previously, or subse'|uently. The next change was W !
it was purchased by C. W. Higgins, who sold to Grant Riggle. He later
took as a partner Perry Bestor, and they owned it until it merged with the
Madelia Times, since it has been styled the Times-Messenger. Tin pr<
522 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ent owner and editor, W. D. Hinchon, purchased all other interests in the
property.
The present paper is a six-column folio, but at one time was an eight-
column quarto. Its subscription rate is one dollar and fifty cents per year.
It has a good circulation in Watonwan and surrounding counties. Politi-
cally, it is an independent Republican newspaper. The equipment consists
of a four-page newspaper press, two good job presses, newspaper folder,
paper cutter, stapler, perforator, linotype machine, a great variety of job
type, and all other necessary equipment for the execution of first-class print-
ing. The Times-Messenger is issued every Friday and is now in its forty-
second year of publication. It is the official paper of Watonwan county,
the village of Madelia and also of the village of Lewisville, for the present
year — 19 16.
THE MADELIA NEWS.
This newspaper was established in November, 1 9 1 5 , by Will Y. San-
born. 1 1 is an eight-page, six-column paper, all home print, and its yearly
subscription rate is one dollar and fifty cents. It has a circulation in
Watonwan county, for the most part of its issue. In politics it is a Repub-
lican journal. Its proprietor is a native of this county, born in the village of
.Madelia in 1876, a son of Benjamin C. Sanborn, the founder of the county's
tii>t newspaper, lie conducted the Times (the first paper) for five years
and then after an absence of eleven years returned to Madelia and estab-
lished the News. While away he was in the far West, and at Pomeroy,
Washington, a part of the time named, be was interested in the Standard,
and at Pasco in the publication of the Express. The equipment of the News
is up-to-date. Among such equipment may be named a two-revolution
Cottrell paper press, a Chandler & Price jobber, and a linotype machine.
The office employs electric motor power to drive its machinery.
THE ST. JAMES PLAINDEALER.
The St. James Plaindealer was established in 1890 by C. W. Foote,
and with the passage of years it has been conducted by Messrs. Foote.
rhomas, Torson, < 1. j. Keenan, O. C. Cole and Will Curtis. In form and
e the PI er has always been a six-column quarto paper; at first
"patent insides" were employed, but at present it is all home print. Politi-
cally, this newspaper is progressive Republican. Its subscription rate is one
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 523
dollar and fifty cents a year in advance. It has a good circulation in
Watonwan county. The equipment of the office includes a Taylor drum-
cylinder press for printing the newspaper: a Universal jobber, fourteen by
twenty-one inches; a Chandler & Price jobber, a newspaper folder and the
usual amount of up-to-date type. Electric power drives the machinery of
the office — a wonderful contrast to that of the one-man power it required in
early days to run the old Washington hanclpress. The publication of news-
papers in these times marks fully as much advancement over old methods
as may be found in any other branch of business.
ST. JAMES JOURNAL-GAZETTE.
The St. James Journal was established in 1878; the St. James Gazette
was established in 1896; the two papers were merged in 1906. The Gazette
was established by \Y. D. Bell, present owner of the Journal-Gazette. The
property was leased to Sullivan & Gushman, December 1. 1915. The paper
was a six-column, eight-page journal at first, but is now a seven-column
paper of eight pages. It is Republican in its political influence and bear-
ings. It- subscription rate is one dollar and fifty cents in advance, and has
most of its circulation in Watonwan county. The general equipment is first-
class in every detail, and includes gasoline motor power. In all that is good
the Journal-Gazette affords the best.
Concerning the early and later proprietors of these papers. let it be said
that the first paper in St. James was the Herald, which was established in
March, 1873. by G. W. Tanner. This paper bad to cease it- issue on
account of the great grasshopper scourge in the 1 nti< - — it ran three years
and there was no newspaper in the place for three years. In [878, when
St. James became the county seat. W. A. Chapman established the Journal.
lb- conducted it ably until his death, in January, 1800. alter which his
widow carried on \\v business, until she had to give it up on account of
having to properlv care for her fatherless children. The nexl proprietor
wa- E. J. Lynch, who continued to run it until be -old to V 11. Ik-
took a partner. W. M. Barrett, and the Journal and Gazette merged in
March. 1006. with the name- of Barrett and Cell a- propriet
THE ST. JAMES tND Dl NT.
The St. James Independent wa- established 1 >■ b; I
W. and II. W. Haislet. On June 1. 1015. H. W. Haislet purchased In-
5-4 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
partner's interest, since which time he has been sole owner. This is a neat,
well-edited, well-printed publication, issued weekly in the form of a six-
column quarto paper, with a subscription rate of one dollar and fifty cents
per year. It circulates mostly in the territory of St. James and Watonwan
county. The present proprietor, H. W. Haislet, was formerly publisher of
the Butterfield Advocate in this county, and was there the greater part of
fifteen years, making him now the oldest newspaper man in point of service
in the county. The Independent office is well equipped with all the necessary
and up-to-date machinery and type suitable for a newspaper and job
printing office, in the twentieth century. The paper is independent in its
politics, true to its name. This office turns out large quantities of commer-
cial, plain and fancy printing, including pamphlets, bank checks, etc. With
his wide acquaintance in this section of Minnesota, Mr. Haislet edits a read-
able, interesting and newsy local paper.
THE BUTTERFIELD ADVOCATE.
The Advocate, at the village of Butterfield. was established in 1897
by F. Caldwell, who sold to Winfield Sylvester, he to L. C. Elwell. he to
Lysne Publishing Company, they to W. G. Finch, he to H. W. Haislet, and
he to J. W. Hubin. The present form and size of the paper is a six-column
quarto sheet. Tts price per year is one dollar and a quarter. It circulates in
Butterfield, Odin, Darfnr, St. James and Mountain Lake villages and towns;
practically covering the entire western end of this county. Politically, the
paper is independent. The Times at Butterfield was absorbed by the Advo-
cate in 1904-5. The Lysne Publishing Company also bought a paper at
Bingham Lake, and consolidated the material with the Advocate equipment.
The present office has among its equipment a two-revolution Campbell news-
paper press, a fourteen by twenty-two Cincinnati platen jobber, a ten by
twelve Gordon jobber, and a seven by eleven Pearl jobber; a thirty-inch
paper cutter, Junior linotype, a perforator, staplers, imposing stones, two
gasoline engines and a quantity of job and news type.
ST. JAMES HERALD.
Number 1, volume 1. of the St. James Herald, was dated Friday, Febru-
ary 28, 1873, and was edited and owned by <",. W. Tanner. It survived
abi nt two years.
CHAPTER XIII.
BANKS AND BANKING IN WATONWAN COUNTY.
A bank is an institution, under public control, having a place of busi-
ness where credits are opened by the deposit of money and currency, subject
i" be paid upon check or order, and where money is advanced and loaned
on stocks and commercial paper and where the same are received for dis-
count or sale. Any person so operating, whether incorporated or not, is a
banker. No person may use the name "bank" in connection with his busi-
ness, unless the same be under the supervision of the superintendent of
banks. Banks are now of three kinds: State banks, organized under the
laws of the commonwealth; savings banks, organized by special charter, or
under the general savings bank law; national banks, organized under the
national banking laws.
The superintendent of banks, at least annually, and as much oftener
as he deems necessary, has the right to visit and examine the business and
officers (if any such corporation, except a national bank, and ascertain its
financial condition. Whenever he finds a state or savings bank in such
condition that its further operation is hazardous to the public interest, he
may take possession of the same and report to the governor. A state bank
may commence the transaction of business only when il has the certificate
of such superintendent of banks, authorizing ii to do so. State banks are
prohibited from indicating in any way that they are authorized to transact
the business which a savings bank usually does, but a national bank, be
an institution incorporated under the national banking law-, is not subj
to state law in SO far. and Mich banks may create and maintain a savings
bank department.
National banks are such as are organized under the government's bank-
ing act. and must h ipital of not less than twenty-five thousand dol-
Each stockholder i- not only liable for the amount of hi- stock, but is
liable in an additional amount of such stock. \ny person engaged in bank-
ing who receives deposits after a bank ha- become insolvent, is guilty of a
criminal offense.
THE KIRST BANK IX WATONWAN' COUNTS
The first bank in Watonwan county wa- th. Watonwan County Bank,
established at the village of Madelia in the seventies, probably firsl owned
52(5 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
by Joseph Flanders, who later sold his interest, at any rate, to Judge Cooley,
and sometime in 1880, he sold to A. H. Benton, who sold his interest to
the present First National Bank of Madelia, and became cashier of the
latter institution, continuing for two years, when he resigned. The original
bank was taken over by the First National Bank in 1904. It was in Janu-
ary, 1904, that the doors of the new bank were thrown open to the public.
its organization was perfected by C. S. Christensen, Sr., E. L. Gove, A. H.
Benton, J. E. Haycraft. C. T. Dahl and F. H. Wellcome. The officers at
first were: F. H. Wellcome, president; C. S. Christensen, Sr., vice-presi-
dent; C. T. Dahl, vice-president; A. H. Benton, cashier, and L. J. Olson,
assistant cashier. The 1916 officers are as follow: C. B. Christensen. Sr.,
president; Charles Russell, vice-president; C. T. Dahl, cashier and F. H.
Hillesheim, assistant cashier.
The first (and present) capital was twenty-five thousand dollars. The
resources and liabilities are now three hundred and forty-eight thousand
dollars, with surplus and profits amounting to five thousand seven hundred
dollars. The recent deposits are named in the report as being three hundred
thousand dollars. This bank is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank,
ninth district.
The comparative statement of total resources of this concern is as fol-
lows: At the close of the years from 1904 to 1916 the resources were:
In 1904, $98,302; in 1905, $106,906; in 1906. $111,921; in 1907, $110,654;
in 1908, Si 15.564; in 7909, $152,606; in 1910, $184,179; in 1911, $196,872;
in 1912. $222,005; in 1913, $255,458; in 1914, $296,223; in 1915, $335,245.
This bank now pays fwe per cent on its deposits, and still manages to make
profits fur the stockholders. Tiny write insurance and make many farm
loans
Till' FIRST BANK AT ST. JAMES.
The pioneer banking concern at St. James was what was legally named
the "Hank of St. Janus," but usually in latter days known as "The Old
Bank." It- last quarters were in the present Sanitarium building — the old
Park Hotel. It was established in \Syii and in 1003 it had a capital of one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but during that year was forced into the
hands -1 a receiver and a set of trustees closed up its business at a loss to
it- depositors. It was established by Ah>scs K. Armstrong and was counted
ib> tronge I banking house in all southern Minnesota. For many years it
had the confidence of everyone in this county and seemed to be conducted
along [ 1 business lines, and at one time boasted of its two-hundred-thou-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COl \TIES, MINN. 5-7
sand-dollar capital, with a backing of much greater amount. It handled
much real estate, as Armstrong was one of the largest landowners in Waton-
wan county, having farms, wild land and a great amount of village and
city property in this and adjoining counties. In 190 1 the officers serving
were: Moses K. Armstrong, president; W. T. Bordeno, cashier; T. Kol-
stad, bookkeeper.
In three months of the year 1890 this hank issued drafts and checks
to the am. unit of over one million dollars and grain checks paid to farmers
who sold grain at the three St. James elevators amounting to $3_7,4i6.
It was wound up after several years of hard work on the part of the
trustees. The community in general never believed Mr. Armstrong dis-
honest, but rather that his methods were not good business policy and the
manner of keeping his accounts was not of the correct kind for good hank-
ing. To the date of his failure he was accounted a model man in every
particular and did much for the county and for the county seat, in liberal
donations, in way of ground- for industries ami public buildings, including
the school grounds, where stands the beautiful Armstrong school.
CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK, ST. JAMES.
The Citizens National Bank at St. James, was organized in 1901 by
T. K. Haugen and 11. M. Serkland, with officers a- follow: T. K. Haugen,
president: II. M. Serkland, cashier. The [916 officials are: C. R. Man-
waring, president; Thomas Ofterdal. vice-president; V M. Hanson, cashier;
V. A. Malmrose, assistant cashier. The directors' board is composed of the
following gentlemen : C. R. Manwaring, Thomas < Menial. A. M. Hanson,
J. C. Ranseen and Allien Johnson. A hank building was constructed in
[899 of -olid brick walls.
The capital is the same as when organized twenty-five thousand dol-
lars: the surplus and profits amounts to thirty thousand dollars, and the
amount of deposits at June. 1916, was two hundred and forty thousand dol-
lars. Its officers are well-known men in southern Minnesota.
first x.vn VNK OF ST. .1 \Mi
The first National Bank of St. lames, was established March 31, 1- 9
by Frank O'Meara The officers al fii I er Thomas Veltum, presid<
n Ellsworth, vice-president; Frank O'Meara, cashier. This hank suc-
ceeded the old State Bank of St. James, organized in [890. During the
panic of 1893-4, the First National Bank went through unscathed. H com-
528 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
menced on the same capital it now works under — fifty thousand dollars. It
has a surplus and profits amounting to $36,550, and deposits on May 1,
1916, amounting- to $347,531.74. The statement on the date just given
showed that the resources and liabilities amounted to $520,132.91. Among
the items therein enumerated are these: Loans and discounts, $368,756.35;
coin and certificates, $25,573.20; real estate owned by the bank, $11,495.60;
individual deposits which are subject to check, $98,924.21; certificates due
in less than thirty flays, $21,647.80: certificates of deposit, $234,191.28.
In 1892 their solid brick building was erected at a cost of thirty-two thou-
sand dollars, ami it has all of the modern improvements for the successful
transaction of a large banking business. The 1916 officers are: J. S.
Sonnesvn, president; Clinton Ellsworth, vice-president; Thomas Tennessen,
cashier; W. F. Schoffman and F. C. Veltum, assistant.
SECURITY STATE BANK OF ST. JAMES.
This bank was organized August 1, 1903, by \V. P. Rempel. W. S.
Hammond. F. F. Veltum. C. J. Wenstrom and William Oetting. The first
capital was the same as carried today — fifty thousand dollars. Its surplus
and profits are now ten thousand dollars, while its recent deposits are one
hundred and ninety-nine thousand dollars. At the close of business, March
7, [916, the statement shows the following: Resources — Loans and dis-
counts, $239,261.01; overdrafts, $515.63: bank and fixtures, $1,500.00:
checks and cash due from other banks, $32,813.85; bonds and securities,
• ,000.00; sundry expenses, $754.44. Total. $276,844.93. Liabilities-
Capital and surplus, $6,000.00; undivided profits, net, none: deposits,
- :i6,8 ! L.93: Total. $276,84. 1 93
The first officers of this bank were as follow: W. P. Rempel, presi-
dent: C. I. Wenstrom, vice-president; F !•'.. Veltum, cashier; William Oet-
ting and VV. S. Hammond, directors. The [916 officers are: W. P.
Rempel, president; William Oetting, vice-president; M. II. Hammond,
ca hier; Marion Clark, assistant cashier: W. I'. Rempel, William Oetting,
, i;. Hammond, Marion Clark and David Rempel, directors.
ODIN STATE BANK.
Ih. Odin State Bank was organized June 9, [904, with first officers
as follow : W. M. Jacobson, president; \\ J. Lervick, vice-president; J. C.
fensen, cashier. The present officers are: J. C. Lensen, president: W. M.
Jacobson, vice-president; P. T. Laingen, cashier; '1". I'. Laingen. assistant
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. . s_o
cashier. The board of directors are Messrs. W. M. Jacobson, J. C. Jensen,
A. Jacobson, M. Jensen, T. I'. Laingen, C. S. Hammer and O. H. Fossum.
The capital is ten thousand dollars, same as when established. It now has
a surplus of thirty thousand dollars, and a recent report shows deposits to
the amount of one hundred and one thousand nine hundred and ninety-four
dollars.
This bank succeeded to the Odin Bank, a private concern, established
in iqoi. The present brick building was erected in 1914, at a cost of thirty-
five hundred dollars. A general banking business is transacted; also real
estate, farm loans and general insurance business is carried on. The sub-
joined is part of their March, 1916, statement: Resources: Loans and
discounts, $98,664.42; overdrafts, $103.15; bank and fixtures, $4,650.00;
total cash assets, $14. 036.00; checks and cash items, $551.47. Total, $118,-
005.75. Liabilities: Total deposits, $100,994.91. Capital stock, $10,000.00;
surplus fund. 82,000.00; undivided profits, net, $2,010.84; bills payable, etc.,
$3,000.00. Total liabilities. Si 18,005.75.
MERCHANTS STATE BANK, LEWISVILLE.
The Merchants State Bank at Lewisville was organized on January 22,
1902, by Adolph Sucker. Tts first officers were: William F. Sucker, presi-
dent; T. M. Lewis, vice-president; Adolph Sucker, cashier, and F. M. Gil-
Ktt, assistant cashier. The 1916 officers are as follow: James Lewis,
president; T. X. Marsden, vice-president; Adolph Sucker, cashier and Percy
E. Lewis, assistant cashier.
The first capital was ten thousand dollars, which has been increased
to twenty thousand dollars. Its present resources and liabilities amount to
one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, with surplus and profits
amounting to three thousand live hundred dollars. The recenl statements
show the amount in deposits to be one hundred and forty-eight thousand
dollars. This bank is owned solely by citizens of Lewisville and it has
doubled its stock by its earnings, since 1902, a record seldom achieved by
any lank in so short a time. It owns its bank building, which is a brick-
stone structure erected in 1^03.
PEOPLES STATE BANK, B [1 I >'■
The People- State Bank, of Butterfield, was organized May is. 1903,
by B. Rempel, A. V. High, J. Koller and John Rempel, with a capital of
(A
53° COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ten thousand dollars, same as it operates under today. The first officers
were as follow: B. Rempel, president; A. V. High, vice-president;
J. Keller, cashier, and they are the same today except that John Heppne is
vice-president in place of Mr. High. This hank now has deposits amount-
ing to seventy thousand dollars, with a surplus and profit of four thousand
dollars. A general commercial banking business is transacted in this insti-
tution.
THE STATE BANK OF BUTTERFIELD.
The State Bank of Butterfield was organized in 1904. by J. K. Sonnesvn
and Thomas Thompson, of St. James, G. A. Kintzi, A. Syverson, J. F.
Enns, and J. Brogger of Butterfield. The capital stock is same as when
organized — twelve thousand dollars. At first the officers were as follow :
G. A. Kintzi, president; J. F. Enns, vice-president and E. Brogger, cashier.
They are the same now except that J. Brogger is president and E. Brogger,
cashier. In 1915 a splendid bank building was erected by this corporation.
The lot on which it stands cost fifteen hundred dollars, and the structure
itself cost ten thousand dollars, with fixtures amounting to thirty-five hun-
dred dollars.
The present (June, 1916) resources and liabilities are one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. The surplus and profits are eight thousand seven
hundred dollars and they have deposits at the last accounting, one hundred
and thirty-five thousand dollars.
FARMERS STATE BANK, ORMSBY.
The Farmers State Bank at Ormsby. was organized July 1, 1901. Its
first officers were: E. S. Ormsby, president; Christ Struck, vice-president;
A. II. Peterson, cashier. Tn 1916 the officers are: A. C. Brown, presi-
dent; John Toedt, vice-president; F. D. Klocow, cashier. The capital is ten
thousand dollars, same as when organized. A general banking business is
transacted here in a building owned by the stockholders. The surplus and
undivided profits in May, 1916, were twenty-four hundred dollars, with
deposits amounting to forty-five thousand dollars.
THE STATE BANK OF I. A SALLE.
The State Bank of LaSalle, Minnesota, was organized July 24, 1906,
by M. S. Dossett, C. Evanson, Silver Hage, T. ('. Ilovde and Hans Sigurd-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. s.31
. with possibly a few others. The first and present officers are: T. C.
Hovde. president; Hans Sigurdson, vice-president; O. E. Snndt. cashier.
The present assistant cashier is Sig. Skarphol. The capital stock of this
bank is ten thousand dollars. They do business in a building which they
erected in 1906 — a frame structure costing fifteen hundred dollars. Here
a general banking business is conducted. The resources and liabilities in
June, 1916, were one hundred and fifty thousand dollars: surplus and undi-
vided profits at that date were seven thousand four hundred dollars. The
deposits are now one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. The present
board of directors is made up as follows: Hans Sigurdson. M. S. Dossett.
A. H. Shellum, T. C. Hovde and O. E. Sundt.
STATE BANK OF DARFUR.
The State Bank of Darfur was organized June 10, 1903, by W. P.
Rempel, D. D. Hiebert, Theo. Kintzi, Charles W. Stark, Frank Balzer, J. H.
Dickman and Diedrich Heppner. Ten thousand dollars was the first and is
the present capital stock. The first officers were : J. H. Dickman, presi-
dent; D. D. Hiebert, vice-president; Carl Klein, cashier. Those serving
today (1916) are: W. P. Hempel, president; Diedrich Heppner, vice-
president: Theo. Englin, cashier; Paul Connor, assistant cashier.
A frame bank building was erected in 1900 at an expense of one thou-
sand dollars. In June, 1916, they had resources and liabilities to match,
amounting to one hundred and forty-two thousand seven hundred and thirty-
one dollars. The surplus and profits amounted to five thousand seven hun-
dred and eighty-seven dollars, with a showing of deposits of one hundred
and twenty-four thousand four hundred and seventy-nine dollars. In March,
1916. they had in the reserve fund over twenty thousand dollars, whereas
they were only required to have on hand eighty-seven hundred and thirty
dollars. 1
The board of directors who manage this bank 1- composed of M. H.
Hammond, Frank P.alzer, W. P. Rempel, Theo. Englin, C. \Y. Stark, D.
Heppner and C. Elg.
CHAPTER XIV.
FRATERNAL AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
In these days in nearly all intelligent communities one finds active,
energetic and influential lodges of various secret orders. The time has
long since passed when such societies were regarded as questionable. After
many years of lodge activities in the world, men and women, too, have
come to see that good only comes from well conducted lodges of secret
organizations. Among the oldest, most powerful and far-reaching of such
fraternities is the Masonic order, which has in its membership many of the
best men of both church and state. To be a good Mason means to be a
good man, in whom all may confide and have confidence, and when this is
not true such a one may be branded as a "black sheep."
MASONRY IN ST. JAMES.
Libanus Lodge No. 96, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at St.
James, was organized by charter, January 15, 1873, D>r tne Grand Lodge
of Minnesota. The charter members of this Masonic lodge were as follow:
Lee Hensley, Blinn Converse, S. C. Clark. G. H. Herrick, C. Plumstead,
Rice Converse, Seth F. Herrick, J. W. Lydick, George Hunsaker, J. J.
Thornton, H. Foster and E. H. Reynolds.
The second floor of the Schoft'man building is leased by the order at
the present time for lodge room purposes. The total membership of the
lodge is one hundred and fifteen. The officers in June, 1016, were: B. F.
Clements, worshipful master; Thomas Irving, senior warden; J. L. Loben,
junior warden: A. M. Card, secretary. The only other Masonic lodge in
the county is the one located at Madelia.
Madelia Lodge No. 66, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was or-
ganized on October 23, 1867, with a charter membership as follows: Hart
Montgomery, Bowen V;n^. John Doolittle, Josiah T. Stark, Jonathan T.
Furbery, Albert <;. Perkins, James I'. Hoycroft, R. \Y. Montgomerv.
Charles ( i. Mullen, William C. Rhoadr-
The lodge now has a membership of seventy-five. This lodge and the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 533
Order of Eastern Star of Maledia work in conjunction ami one sustains the
other to a good degree.
The first officers of the blue lodge here were Hart Montgomery,
Bowen Yates and John Doolittle ; while those of today are : E. E. Douglass,
worshipful master; J. \V. Smith, senior warden; A. B. Gjervik, secretary.
ORDER OF EASTERN STAR.
Madelia Chapter Xo. 3, Order of Eastern Star, was organized on May
1 J. 1898, by William Patton, grand patron: Flora Adams, patron and grand
matron. It now has seventy-five members. Its charter members included
the following: C. \Y. Seymour. America Hopkins. Mary Gross, Harriet
Dossett, Edith Hopkins. Hattie E. Seymour. Mary Seymour, E. C. Gross,
M. S. Dosett. W. R. Smith, Harriet Pomeroy. Eliza Smith, L. M. Pome-
roy, Charlotte Sylvester, Eva Shannon, N<>ra Hopkins, Nellie Estes, Mary
Cooley, Isabelle Benton, W. R. Estes, Rosella Estes, Alas Sanborn, J. E.
Haycroft. C. A. Trowbridge, A. H. Benton, Ardelia Bisbee, Lizzie Young,
F. L. Mullen, W. A. Mullen.
The first officers included these: Mary Gross, worthy matron; M. S.
Dosett, worthy patron; Eliza Smith, associate matron.
The present officers are as follow: Fannie Mitchell, worthy matron;
M. S. Dosett, worthy patron; Clara Seymour, associate matron; Hattie E.
Dosett, conductress; Lizzie Helling, associate conductress; Hattie S. Kitch-
en, secretary; C. F. Larson, treasurer.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
This is "lie of the oldest orders in tin- world outside the Masonic fra-
ternitv. Madelia Lodge Xo. no. Independent < )rder of Odd Fellows, was
organized at the village of Madelia. November 20, [X.%. b\ Deputy Grand
Master Samuel Winshep, assisted by degree staff from Mankato Lodge No.
15. The original members of the Madelia lodge were as follow: Charles
Cooley, Caleb D. Ash, Charles W. Kendall. I harles S. Mitchell, James C.
Smith, H. M. Beardsley. The lodge now enjoys a membership of one
hundred and twenty. They purchased the second story of the Flanders
block at a cost of four thousand dollars, in 1909.
The first elective officers were: Charles S. Mitchell, noble grand;
Charles \\". Kendall, vice-grand; Charles Cooley, secretary; Caleb I). Ash,
treasurer.. Those serving in 1916 are as follow: Stanley C. Sprague,
534 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
noble grand; William E. Glasgow, vice-grand; Albert Gjervik, secretary;
Nels Nelson, financial secretary, and John M. Sprague, treasurer.
LODGE OF THE REBEKAHS.
Madelia Rebekah Lodge No. 157, instituted on November 7, 1896, by
Mrs. Hotailing, of Mapleton, Minnesota, and assisted by degree staff of the
lodge at Mankato. The first officers were : Mrs. Sara Clark, noble grand ;
Mrs. Nellie Gove, vice-grand; Mrs. Hattie Gove, recording secretary; Mrs.
Cisnev, financial secretary; Mrs. Anna Christensen. treasurer. The officers
in 1916 are as follow: Mrs. Maggie Ahlness, noble grand; Mrs. Mary
Grimes, vice-grand; Mrs. Alberta McCarthy, secretary; Mrs. Kitty Nelson,
financial secretary, and Mrs. Nellie Gove, treasurer.
Watonwan Lodge No. 237, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
organized June 23, 1893, Dv fne Grand Lodge of Minnesota, with charter
members as follow : E. A. Gibbs, C. E. Fuller, E. M. Jones, T. E. Aldrich,
G. J. Keenan, E. N. Spaulding, G. H. Toxley, J. L. Loben, J. J. Schultz.
John Luft.
The total membership in June, 19 16, was one hundred and seventeen.
Lodge room quarters are now had over the Boston clothing store. The
present officers are as follow: J. L. Beck, noble grand; W. W. Brown.
vice-grand; A. M. Card, secretary.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
This order is represented at St. James by a lodge organized in May.
[892, and is known as St. James Lodge No. 107. Its first officers and
charter members were as follow: B.. L. Gates, past chancellor; F. \\".
Hunter, vice-chancellor; G. R. Newman, keeper of records and seal; A.
K. Hanger, master of finance; W. G. Manning, master of exchequer; H.
Zimmerman, master at arms ; E. W. Cook, inside guard ; L. C. Bergman,
outside guard; Lars Swensen, W. S. Weed, !•'.. L. Durlin, L. C. Anderson,
|. ]•'. Treffery, 'I". W. Edwards, Bert Bertranson, Otto Bergman. Joseph
Durrenbeger, John Albert, A. Warlike. II. II. Olson, C. G. Kittleson, W. S.
Trowbridge, S. Brainard, Joseph Carr, ('. II. Duryer, A. Sturm.
The present nl'ficcrs are as follow: M. A. Hammond, chancellor; Her-
man Serombo, vice-chancellor; Gerhard! Kittleson, prelate: II. D. Cheno-
worth, master of work; Leonard Clark, master at arms; P. C. Larson, in-
side guard; G. Beck, outside guard; V. A. Malmrose, keeper of records and
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 535'
seal and master of exchequer; M. Clark, master of finance. The trustees
are, McShean, Gibbs and Card.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
This is one of the modern-day beneficiary orders which provides a safe
life insurance and also a social feature that has made it very popular among
the masses of prudent, thoughtful citizens of this part of Minnesota, as well
as in almost every part of the country.
At Madelia the Hackberry Camp, No. 1326, Modern Woodmen of
America, was organized on March 12, 1891. Among the charter members
were the following: A. J. Framback, E. A. Young, J. McCarthy, S. Lar-
son, E. H. Barnes, C. X. Kjorlang, J. L. Vernon, C. O. Cooley, W. A.
Foss.'John E. Sundt.
The first elective officers were: A. J. Framback, vice-consul; E. A.
Young, clerk: J. McCarthy, sentry; S. Larson, E. H. Barnes. C. N. Kjor-
lang, managers; J. L. Vernon, escort; C. O. Cooley, local physician; W. A.
Foss, excellent banker; John E. Sundt, watchman. The chief present offi-
cers of the camp are: W. E. Glasgow, consul; L. S. Colehank, advisor; II.
C. Gunderson, clerk. The total membership is now one hundred and ninety-
eight.
Camp No. 2882, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized at But-
terfield. April 18, [895, by the following men: G. S. Langland. R. \.
Bronsoh, S. J. Sulem, O. C. Penner, Martin Madson, Albert Ulvested,
Abraham Siemens.
The first elective officers were as follow: Vice-consul, G S. Langland;
worthy advisor, i\. A. BrOnson; escort, O. C. Penner; watchman. Martin
Madson; -entry. Albert Ulvested; physician, Abraham Siemens. The pres-
ent elective officers are: Vice-consul, D. E. Raney; clerk, J. O. Ness;
hanker. J. 1 '.rugger: worthy advisor, F. Fuich.
Sylvan Camp No. [538, Modern Woodmen of America, was founded
in St. lames. September 15, [897, the charter members being the following:
|. 1. Thornton, J. J. Shultz. W. II. Rowe, Charles Meyers. E. J. Lynch,
A. J. Knorr, I. I'- Johnston, frank Hunter, R. I',. Hall, G W. Giles, I
dall Greene, C. H. Englebrecht, W. S. Crowley, Vshley Coffman, I'. <>
Berg, B. Bertramsen and < ". II. Beaulieu. This order is on< of the trong-
est in the city, as is shown by the fact that among its members are some of
the most important business men of the town and community. The pre enl
membership is one hundred and fifty-two.
536 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The present officers are as follow: Venerable consul, Andrew Nelson;
worthy advocate, Frank Thompson; clerk, E. C. Veltum; banker, M. Clark.
Camp No. 4420. Bingham Lake, Modern Woodmen of America, was
organized on December 19, 1S96, with twenty charter members, as follow:
John C. Wilson, Frank E. Wilson, Walter Williams, George W. Warner,
Daniel Siemens, William Schultz, Peter H. Rupp, W. L. Jackson, M. H.
Lynch, L. P. Hyde, D. J. Goertzen, John J. Goertzen, A. W. Ewert, John
P. Dickman, Adam Cogley, Charles Cogley, William Bailey, George Bur-
nette. Earnest Balsukote.
The present total membership is fifty-three. The first elective officers
were: John C, Wilson, consul; W. L. Jackson, clerk; John J. Geortzen,
banker; A. W. Ewert, escort.
The 1916 officers are as follow: John H. Sheriff, venerable consul;
L. P. Hyde, worthy advisor; John Kelley, banker; Fred L. Langley, clerk;
John J. Goertzen, escort. The camp meets in Holt & Wicklund's hall.
There is also a camp of this order at Odin, report of which is not at
hand for the compiler's use.
Lewisville Camp No. 7874, Modern Woodmen of America, was or-
ganized October 19, 1909, by Deputy E. P. Powers, and the following were
charter members : Roy L. Barrickman, John F. Chard, E. Chenney, Charles
M. Davis, Archibald F. Dewar, George Gove, Edward J. Gronewald, Benja-
min G. Doell, Charles S. Handy, H. M. Haycroft, D. McRae, Lee Marsden,
E. G. Pond, William F. Thomas, Earl F. Kelly. J. J. Walsh. The mem-
bership in 1916 was twelve. A hall was built in 1910, costing a thousand
dollars. The present elective officers are: George Gove, consul; F. J.
Chard, banker; John F. Chard, clerk; C. M. Davis, advocate; George Davis,
escort; Will Gove, watchman; H. McRae, sentinel; Dr. W. J. McCarthy,
physician; George Gove, Richard Lewis and C. M. Davis, managers.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS.
This is the ladies' degree of the Woodmen and is a flourishing order.
The second camp organized in Minnesota was the one at Madelia, this
county. Its present name and number is Buttercup Camp No. 63, organized
May 11. iSi).|. by .Mrs. Watt. Its charter members were as follow: Lizzie
Young, Hattie Pomeroy, Florence Sttibbs. Edward Stnbbs, Belle Sharbach,
K. Murbeck, II. Murbeck, Emma Kjorlong, Tilla Anderson, Florence Cone,
Alary Hammond. Tena Christensen, A. A. Driggees, John Matland, L. M.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. ^JJ
Pomeroy, Olive Driggers, Emma Mathers, Bessie Johnson, J. E. Johnson,
Sarah Haycraft, Eva McMakin, Eva Randall, Matilda McCurdy.
The total number of members is now sixty-three. The only other
of this order in this county is the one at St. James.
The original officers of this camp were as follow: Lizzie Young, Emma
Kjourlong, Belle Sharback, Matilda McCurdy. The 1916 officers serving
this camp are: Julia Wedlock. Roanaan Smith. Minnie Sorensen, Rachel
Salone, Fannie Smith, Hilda St. Peter, [da Miller.
The Holly Lodge No. 914. Royal Neighbors, was founded in St. James,
March 23, 1898, with the following charter members: Gustie M. Paine,
Selma M. Finseth, Belle Hoshied, Mary L. Schwingler, Ida M. Morris,
Mary Hintgen, Mary C. Miller, Alice B. Ililes, Dora Griffe'th, Belle Vror-
nan, Ruth Hill, Harriett Thornton, Ida Hyatt. Ida Wensrum, Olive Brad-
ford, Addie Hyatt. Caroline G. Griswald, Wiley Paine, O. G. Finseth, Will-
iam Hoshied. T. B. Larnich, J. I.. Griffeth, G. Morris, Edward Lynch. W.
H. Rowe, Charles Ekstedt, Robert Bunne.
MODERN BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA.
Madelia Lodge Xo. 266, at Madelia, of this order, was organized on
March 24. 1898, by 1". A. Jacobs. Tt now has a membership of fifty-five,
and it is the only other point in Watonwan count)-, aside from St. James,
where the work of this fraternity is represented. The present secretary and
treasurer is O. A. Crosby.
Chapter Xo. 2202. Modern Brotherhood of America, was organized
at LaSalle by W. E. Aldrich in 1908. The following is a list of the charter
members: Ole A. Brown, Ole P. Sundt, John J. Bjoin, C. H. Halverson,
George O. Lee. Ingleborg Nyhus, Chester J. Olson, Ole E. Sletta, W. C.
Thompson, Peter Jacobson, A. A. Halverson, Albert Thunderwald, Edward
J. Sanderson. A. E. Sundt. G. M. Olson, Carl Markeson, Ole A. Halvar-
son, Winnie A. Halvarson.
The first elective officers were the following: President, E. J. San-
derson; vice-president, Wilton Strcan: secretary, ( ). E. Sundt; treasurer,
William C. Thompson; chaplain, Mrs. O. A. Spain: conductor, Peter Jacob-
The presenl officers are as follow: President, O. E. Sletta: vice-
president, O. A. Halverson; secretary. O. F. Sundt: treasurer. < ,■ ■ O.
Lee; chaplain, Alfred Sletta: conductor, George n. The order holds
its meetings in the building erected by the LaSalle hand.
Bradford Lodge No. 361. Modern Brotherh 1 of Vrm was or-
53§ COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
ganized on August 30, 1898, in St. James. The following is a list of the
charter members: George A. Bradford, Fred G. Hyatt, William C. Huff,
Jacob Bergaman, John G. Bieman, J. N. Peffer, R. Olsen, J. M. Forsyth,
J. L. Lobben, A. C. Hopkins, Charles L. Paul. J. E. Crouch, H. E. Zim-
merson, William D. Forsyth. Frank Goodwin, Herman A. Karnopp and
George Zellers.
The Odin Lodge No. -'.132. Modern Brotherhood of America, was
organized on December 21, 1910, with the following charter members:
Amanda Berdell, Henry G. Fossum, Emma Jensen, Clara Kabrick, Thors-
ten P. Laingen, Palmer K. Laingen, Tina Olson, Minnie E. Petters, Henry
X. Olson, Lena C. Carlson, Palmer T. Laingen. Sophie C. Olson. Hilma
Berdell. Walter L. Curtis, Alva A. Harris, John E. Jensen, Hannah M.
Larsen, Julia T. Laingen, Fred Malmberg, Guilford C. Petters, Frank A.
Rice, Carl D. Carlson, Edward W. Thompson, Elma T. Laingen and Lewis
Olson. The lodge has recently become inactive and the membership has
been moved to another chapter.
BROTHERHOOD OF RAILWAY TRAINMEN.
This order is represented at St. James, a division point on the Omaha
system, between Minneapolis and Sioux City, by Lodge Xo. 384. It was
organized on June 27, 1897, by W. G. Lee. The charter members were as
follow: II. M. Cooper. W. E. Darlow, F. T. Desmond. A. Grigsbv, A. W.
Haversack, S. G. Land, E. M. Osborne, A. H. Rice. F. Rodrignes, A. D.
Reed, W. H. Taylor and J. B. Wellmans.
The membership of the lodge on June 1, 1916, wa^ eighty. This order
is purely a railroad fraternity and is doing much good in its line of work
among railway men. The first officers elected in this lodge in St. lames
were as follow: A. W. Haversack, master; II. M. Cooper, vice-master;
I''. T. Desmond, secretary; T. W. Edwards, financier; A. H. Rice, journal
agent. The men serving as officials in the summer of 1916 were: E. H.
Keegan, president; X. Leverich, vice-president: F. A. Hottinger, secretary;
R. H Chapman, treasurer; I. M. Berg, agent for official publication; E. H.
Keegan, legislative representative; I). G. Duryea, R. II. Chapman and E.
II. 1 1 ydal. commissioners.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 539
CATHOLIC ORDER OF FORESTERS.
There are two courts of this order in Watonwan county — one at Ma-
delia and one at the city of St. James. The latter is known as St. James
Court No. 971, and it was organized on November 12. 1899. Its charter
members were as follow: John Bruner, Gerard F. Heintz, Fred II. Klaras,
Nichols Klaras. Anthony Guehl, Frank Steinbach, Anton Keim, Aug Engle-
man. John Jacoby, Joseph Soitzner, John A. Posch, Vengek Kleim, J. J.
Zender, Anton Bauer, George Kleim, John Hoschied, John W. 1 lint-en.
J. N. Baker, Peter Steinbach. The present total membership is sixty. They
own a frame hall, costing eight hundred dollars.
The officers of this court in 1916 were as follow: J. G. Sullivan.
chief ranger; E. G. Wermerskirchen, vice-ranger; Fred 11. Klaras. past
ranger; N. L. Zender. deputy high ranger; Rev. John Meyers, spiritual
director; C. E. Leonard, recording secretary; ( '. A. Kelly, financial secre-
tary; J. J. Zender, treasurer; A. Guehl. A. J. Fugleman and J. J. Gross,
trustees: X. L. Zender, senior conductor; A. J. Schmidt, junior conductor;
J. D. Gross, inside sentinel; A. P. Klaras. outside sentinel; Dr. YV. 11.
Rowe, medical examiner.
An auxiliarv of this court is the Ladies' Court of Honor, now a new
fraternity of St. James.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
After the close of the Civil War, in almost every town and city in the
Northern states, there were posts of the Grand Army of the Republic or-
ganized by the veterans of that never-to-be-forgotten struggle Tin- county
had one at Madelia and at St. James.
At St. James this order is represented by John V Logan Post No. 64
The first commander was J. I'. Schultz, and the firsl adjutant was M. E.
Mullen. E. Z. Rasey, --till serving, has been commander of this post for
twenty-four vears. The charter members were as follow: M. F. Mullen.
I. P. Schutz, R. W. Holland. G. II. Ilerrick. J. F. Jones. A. EC. Peck, II
IF Higgins, Kim Delaughter, E. IF Heller. W. J. Kelly. William S. Ads-
mond, John E. Lyons, Robert Wowland, I'. IF Palmer, Frank Queen,
Rasmus Danielson, Knud Knudson, W. R. Koenig. In June, [916, only
two of the original posl membership were surviving — Knud Knudson and
U H. Palmer. Of the seven left in tin- post, wl even
soldiers enrolled at one time or another, the 1 Walter
540 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
J. Mallet, who was a witness in Washington, D. C, at the military trial and
execution of this despicable character, the keeper of Andersonville prison,
Wirz. who was found guilty and hung in the city prison at Washington.
Comrade Mallet, of the St. James Post, relates how he was ordered to
Washington as a witness and was asked to pick out the right man among
dozens in the jail at the national capital city prison at that time. He went
along through the passage ways of the dingy prison until finally he saw
the man Wirz. He called him by name and was asked by Wirz what he
was there for. He replied, "To swear against you." Then said Wirz, "I
will go to hell sure," and Mallet replied, "I think you will." Mallet was
of the Seventh Illinois Regiment. On the same gallows that Wirz was justly
hung, al^o was executed the assassin of President James A. Garfield, in
1882.
The present officers of John A. Logan Post at St. James are: E. Z.
Rasey, commander; John Coleman, senior vice-commander; Clinton Ells-
worth, adjutant; U. H. Palmer, quartermaster and surgeon; Ed. Hewitt,
officer of the day and officer of guard; Knud Knudson, chaplain.
In connection with this post is the Woman's Relief Corps, which now
has a membership of sixteen, hut has been for many years the life of the
post. Its president is now Airs. Ella Palmer, and the worthy secretary is
Mrs. Helen A. l\a<ey.
CH \1TF.R XV.
RAILROADS OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
The present generation of men and women living in Minnesota know
nothing, save by hearsay, concerning what it meant to live out on a hroad,
undeveloped prairie country before the days of railroads and easy trans-
portation and communication by phone and rural mail service. It was the
pioneer, the early pre-emptor and early homesteader in southern Minnesota
who knew of the hardships endured on account of being in advance of the
iron horse and his steel roadway, on which freight and passenger trains go
living hither and thither over the broad domain of this and adjoining states,
to either of the far-off seaboards. Our meat and grain now go trundling
along night and day to Xew York and Boston markets, feeding tens of
thousands of Yankees down by the Atlantic, while the orange and lemon
growers of the Pacific coast send their full trains loaded with the golden
fruitage of that sunny land of flowers, right to our very door--. Times have
materially changed since the sixties and seventies, when the residents of
i ottonwood and Watonwan counties were- compelled to draw grain to Man-
kato and St. Peter, and at times to St. Paul, in order to realize money with
which to pay taxes and purchase household necessities. Now the "fast
freights" halt at St. James long enough to take on a supply of ice for
refrigerating purposes, and then speed on to distant city markets and in
return bring back coal, lumber and a thousand and one things. Poultry
and butter are all shipped by a new method and the products of farm and
dairy are landed in the eastern cities as cool and fresh as when they wen
billed out in the stations within this county.
Railroads (nothing else) came here by chance, it took pioneer heads
and hands to projeel and construct these great highways that now ha
come to grid-iron our continent. Then the pioneer went ahead and pre-
pared the way and made the demand for the building of a railroad, but th
times the railroad companies rush o,, ahead of settlements and prepare the
way for the comfortable advent of the settler and his family.
Farmers in all parts of the United States are seeking land, at a price
which will enable them to provide for their -on. and daughters, and at the
ie time represent a livelihood for them. At the present time farm lands
are being held in variou at a price which precludes the | of
the average farmer to own a vine or fig I
54- COTTONWOOD AXD WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
St. James is only thirty-three miles north of the Iowa line. While the
topographical features of the county are much the same as in other coun-
ties of southern Minnesota, it is a matter of common concession that
Watonwan county, even though its land values range only from sixty-five to
one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, is one of the most productive of
farm lands to be found anywhere in the universe. It is endowed with an
abundance of lakes and small streams and with an atmosphere that is com-
parable with any in the country.
Many counties in the state boast of their richness and the fertility of
their soil, but it has remained for Watonwan county to produce a rich, dark-
colored loam soil, varying in depth from two to four feet and resting on a
clay subsoil, whose prolificness is incalculable. The area of Watonwan
county is four hundred thirty-five and forty-five hundredths square miles,
or two hundred seventy-eight thousand six hundred eighty-nine and ninety-
two hundredths acres, of which two hundred seventy-seven thousand fifty-
one and ninety-two hundredths acres are land, and one thousand six hun-
dred thirty-eight are water. The land surface is divided into a few more
than one thousand three hundred farms, at an average value of sixty-five to
one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre.
The transportation facilities of Watonwan county are most excellent.
Two great railroad systems traverse its confines. The markets of St. Paul,
Minneapolis, Winona, Mankato, and other cities, which represent wholesale
and commission centers, are easily accessible and this potent fact is merely
one of the many which go to account for the success of the farmers of this
county.
FIRST RAILROAD HERE.
The first railroad through Watonwan county was what was organized
as the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad Company, and now forms a part of
that corporation known as the Chicago & Northwestern Company, this par-
ticular line being chartered as the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha.
It was built from Crystal Lake to St. James in the autumn of 1870 and
reached the latter place in November of that year. This brought the people
of the county in touch with the outer world and gave a great boom to this
part of the commonwealth. With it^ division point at the county seat, St.
James, many advantages have arisen as a direct result. The following year,
[871, the road was pushed through to Sioux City and later to Omaha and
Kansas < it v. by direct rail connections. It is true the railroad arrived
prior to tin hard winters and the terrible grasshopper years which were be-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 5 )_;
tween 1873 and 1878; otherwise, the homesteader would have certainly
perished for want of food and fuel, which in many cases had to be shipped
here from distant points, where donations and appropriations had wisely-
been made by public authority.
The railroad just mentioned was the only one that entered this county
1 r a number of years, but finally, when fully settled up, capital seized upon
the ripened opportunity of gaining excellent feeders for their far-reaching
system of railway, and surveyed and constructed various branches, includ-
ing the one from Sanborn southeast into Central Towa, which crosses the
main line at the village of Butterfield, with the lesser villages of Darfur
and Odin within this county; also the line from Madelia, this county, to
Fairmont, Minnesota, with the station of Lewisville in this county. This
line crosses the townships of Antrim, Fieldon and a part of Madelia.
THE MINNEAPOLIS 8 ST. LOUIS.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, which originally had
but one line extending from Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Minneapolis, via Albert
Lea route, part of the distance, as the country settled up extended its lii
and branches and paying "feeders" into various sections of this and adjoin-
ing states. These lines included the one built in [899 from Minneapolis to
Spencer, Iowa, via St. James, Minnesota, thus giving this county a second
-v-tern. This company has recently absorbed the old towa Central railroad
and various other lines. This road traverses the townships of Kiverdale,
Rosendale, St. James, and Long Lake townships of Watonwan counts.
with station points at LaSalle, St. James. Echols and Ormsby, from which
point it enters Martin county. This affords the people of this county a
second and competing line to the Twin Cities and the Great Fake region of
the northeast; also to the southeast, from where coal, tile and various com-
.dities required here, are shipped to points in this county. The passenger
and freight business of this county is now excellent, having, in round num-
bers, a mileage of about ninety mile-- in main trackage.
ADVANTAG] - TO ST. JAMES.
It was indeed a fortunate thing for St. James in 1S71. when the divis-
ion of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha mad was moved I
from Mankato. Like many of the good thing- in life, the people in St.
James hardly appreciate the value of this enterprise or realize how much it
means to them. They were happy when it came, yet it is a much lai
concern now and it is well that they should ponder over the details of this
544 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
institution which plays such an important part in making St. James one of
the most substantial of the smaller cities of Minnesota.
To begin with, the Minnesota and Iowa division traffic, both passenger
and freight, is one of the heaviest in the northwest. During the last fifteen
years an enormous sum of money has been expended on the roadbed, mak-
ing it far superior to most western roads, and the equipment and service
make the less fortunate neighbors on nearby lines quite envious. St. James
being a division point, all trains stop, thus giving the people advantage of
excellent train service. The great volume of business done on this line has
' a direct effect upon the welfare of the city, for it is from here that business
is handled. Besides T. R. Welch, division superintendent, and his assistant
and a large office force, there is a battery of six dispatchers. The fine two-
story brick office building, surrounded by beautiful grounds, is the scene of
great activity all hours of the day and night throughout the year.
The old round house stood where the general office building is today.
With the increase of business and traffic, the structure became inadequate.
These circumstances resulted in the building of the present round house in
the summer of 1890. This structure has twenty-five stalls and is as com-
pletely equipped as any division point on the system.
In the average town in a strictly agricultural region there are times
during the year when cash trade is small. The large amount of dairy farm-
ing around St. fames circulates considerable cash during the dull seasons,
but it remains for the Omaha pay-roll to make things hum the whole year
around. There is paid oul by the Omaha road at St. James an average
monthly pay-roll of over seven thousand dollars. There are employed in
the train service on this division an average of three hundred and in the
engine service an average of two hundred and fifty. About forty men are
employed in the round house.
\- an index of the rapid growth of the business of this division, the
numerous increases in the capacity of the company ice house is here given.
The capacity when first built was live hundred tons; enlarged in 1893
to one thousand five hundred tons: in [900 to two thousand tons; in 1905
to two thousand five hundred tons; in [906 to three thousand tons and in
mill the number of tons had been increased to eight thousand four hundred.
This plant is a model of its kind and is one of the largest in the country.
Nol only are refrigerator cars iced, but day coaches, Pullman and buffet
are cared fi >r
While the objeel of this article is to call attention to one of the strong
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTJES, MINN. "j-
points of this thriving substantial city, there is something regarding the local
railroad situation that is worthy of mention. There was a time when rail-
road center were referred to as "railroad towns" and that term in the
early days, carried with it the idea of a rough town. This may still be the
case out West, but St. James is known as a quiet, orderly city, noted for its
excellent school system and as an ideal place for bringing up children. Not
only those of local employees connected with the management of the Minne-
sota and Iowa division, hut those in the train service are among our most
honored and respected citizen-.
Considerable has been said of the Omaha road, hut the city is very
fortunate in having the Minneapolis & St. Louis, thus giving the people
another line to the Twin Cities and connecting with their Watertown branch
at W'inthrop and going south into [owa. There is a branch of the Omaha
running smith in this county from Madelia, ten miles east of here, and the
Northwestern crossing the Omaha at Butterfield. eight miles west, cuts the
county north and south. Thus it will be seen that St. James has a train
service and connections which make it a center of a large and rich territory.
On account of this it is an ideal point for many lines of industry and is the
home of a number of commercial travellers.
FIRST TRAIN OX THE MINNEAPOLIS & ST. LOUIS.
Comparatively it:w of the citizens of St. James realize that Friday.
December t. [899, was a day which is destined to go down into history hand
in hand with their prosperous tittle city. On that morning there steamed
into town from the north the first train on the Minneapolis & St. Louis
railroad. The men having it in charge were Conductor Frank Jones,
Engineer Worth and Fireman William Young. It was a construction train,
to be sure, but nevertheless a train, no matter what construction i- put upon
it. It was about eleven o'clock in the morning when it pulled in and stopped.
In two minute- it v. nth through the town, but nol before the enter-
ing artists, Hoffman & Richardson, had taken a line snapshot of it.
Among the men of note who Stood without the range of the camera and
smiled as they watched the smoke rise and curl away in ringlet-, was M. K.
Armstrong, Acting Trainmaster G ".catty, .an old and tru ted employee
'ne road: McCatx een, contractors, with Superintendent Frank K
!'..reman Pratt, of the tracklaying gang, and lasl but by no means 1'
John Mills, engineer of tracks
(35)
CHAPTER XVI.
MILITARY HISTORY.
It will be remembered that Watonwan county was not well settled when
the Civil War broke out in April, 1861, — in fact, the settlement was just
commenced in and about the village and the then county seat. For this
reason the part that Watonwan county men took in the war was necessarily
not large. But while there were a few who enlisted and were credited to
other counties in the state of Minnesota, it does not boast of its part in
that war that forever set the old doctrine of states rights at naught, in so far
as it related to the holding of slaves in this country.
Minnesota furnished many thousands of loyal, brave men for the war,
and when it was finally over tens of thousands of the boys who wore, the
loyal blue, immigrated from some one of the Eastern states to this state,
and this included a goodly number of men who became first and permanent
settlers in the various townships of Watonwan county.
The county records show the names of many veterans of that war,
who claimed and secured their homestead and other land rights in this
county, by reason of their service in the war. No township can be named
in this county that does not have citizens residing there who did not see
their share of fighting in the Southland between 1861 and 1865. It was
this class of men who braved the bullets of the erring ones of the South;
who here faced the storms of many a hard winter; suffered by reason of
dry weather and grasshopper scourges, but who finally redeemed the county
from many blighting scourges, and have lived the remainder of their days
in comparative ease. The ranks of the Civil War soldiers, however, are
being rapidly depleted and ere long none will remain among us as a re-
minder of those sturdy, loyal characters who aided in putting down the
rebellion. The "copper-button" of the Grand Army of the Republic is now
only seen here and there, as most of the soldiers have passed to the beyond.
In 1864 the records show that the county commissioners of Watonwan
county voted to allow one hundred and fifty dollars bounty to any man
who should enlist from the countv, in order to avoid a draft. Other aid
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 547
was rendered by the citizens, through the lx>ard of county commissioners,
all going to show the spirit of loyalty that then obtained.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
For hundreds of years Spain had ruled in tyranny over Cuba and in
April. 189S. when the "Maine" gun-boat belonging to the United States,
was sunk in Havana harbor, as believed, by the Spanish, and war was de-
clared cm that nation, it was no trouble to secure recruits and volunteers to
quickly fill up t lie ranks needed t< > carry forward the war with that coun-
try, which, in a few months, finally resulted in the sinking of almost the
entire Spanish Meet and also in freeing the neighboring island of Cuba, at
our south, after three hundred years of bondage in which Spain had held
the people of that island.
A military company, known as Company H, of St. James, was one of
the companies making up the Second Regiment, National Guard, of which
William Denny was captain; Peter S. Lobben, first lieutenant, and A.
Running, second lieutenant. This company was organized on March 4,
1898, and formed an honorable part of the Twelfth Minnesota Regiment,
mustered for Spanish-American service, and which left for Chickamauga.
May 6, of that year. When the company went South, under orders of
President William McKinley. they had officers as follow: G. N. Griswold,
captain; C. R. Henton, first lieutenant; William Denny, second lieutenant.
Griswold resigned on June _>o. iNoN; Lieutenant Henton commanded until
July 20; Perrin L. Smith was elected captain on July 19; William Denny
was transferred to Company C, October 6, as first lieutenant; Fred Straub
became second lieutenant on October 6. The company was mustered out
at Xew Ulm, Minnesota, with its regiment, November 5, 1898.
CHAPTER XVII.
AGRICULTURE, STOCK-RAISING, ETC.
Watonwan is purely an agricultural district ; here "corn is king," and
small grains and stock-raising, with dairying next in importance. The
early settlers did not suppose that this was a corn country, hence devoted all
of their energy to raising wheat, oats, barley and flax, and this in the very
nature of tilings was of a lasting benefit, as the tough prairie sod had first
to be pulverized by constant and annual cultivation, before the production
of corn wmld have been a great success; but as the farmer saw the price
of grains kept low and no signs of ever making much money out of the
laborious work of raising grain, they commenced to experiment in seed
corn and after years of trying, succeeded in producing a very early and
hard}' variety of corn which now grows as well here as in Iowa, which is
one of the leading corn states in the Union. The same conditions obtained
in northern Iowa for a decade or more after that section of the West was
settled. The soil here is ideal for corn growing and with the proper var-
iety of seed the crop seldom fails. Then the soil is very suitable for dairy-
ing, there being much low. moist land, where all kinds of common grasses
grow luxuriantly. Many have come to believe, in more recent years, that
with the modern system of creamery and butter-making facilities, this whole
country will ere long be one vast dairy region. The pastures of the county
are now covered with cows, whose milk is fast paying off the debts that
stood against the farms of the county a few years ago.
There are now paying creameries at various points, including those
located at Butterfield, St. James. Odin, Darfur, the Nelson and Albin
creamery, the 1. 011- Lake creamery, the Sveadahl creamery, the South
Branch creamery, and others. In [913 the county had eight creameries, the
output of which was one million and a quarter pounds of butter; also, one
cheese Factory with an output of one hundred and twenty-seven thousand
pounds of cheese. The live stock of the county in 1913 was as follow:
Horses. 8,433; cattle, 20,459; sheep, 1 .754 ; swine, 13,599.
There are numerous large stock farms here and fancy stock is raised.
Hundreds of cars of fat cattle and other stock are -hipped annually from
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 549
the market- of Watonwan county. Nearly all the farmers own an orchard
for the production of apples, as well as berries, which yield a splendid crop.
Nearly every farm home in this comity is supplied with United Stales
rural free delivery of mail and parcels, daily, and long-distance telephones,
which, together with the excellent transportation facilities to the markets
of the Twin Cities. Winona ami Marikato, make an ideal home for the
agriculturist.
ICK-RAISING METHODS IMPROVED
Complete success at farming and stock-raising in this county did not
crown the efforts of the Watonwan husbandmen until they had first learned
the lesson of corn growing and breeding fancy stock, coupled with the kin-
dred industry of butter-making and the sale of cream. For many years
after this county had been settled the cattle were of a poor grade, and after
getting half their growth were -old to stockmen from Iowa, who drove
large herds annually from southern .Minnesota to Iowa, where they were
fattened and enriched the men who brought them from this state. Tint,
later, through the foresight of such men as the late M. K. Armstrong and
a score more men, hetter grades of stock were imported and since then
none but the best will satisfy the farmer here. The horses also have been
bred up till the horse buyers of today say tin- county produces almost as
good a grade of horses as does that tine horse-breechng section of Brown
county on the north, whose German population have a name .it home and
;d for rai-iiiL; the best horses in Minnesota.
As this county is being drained, the land is becoming better adapted to
successful farming and stock-raising, and the rural scene of today, splendid
as it is to the eye of the passerby, 1- only a faint shadow of what the real
county will he in the near future.
The farmer who used to he known only as the "homesteader," the
(--hopper sufferer." and had to he materially aided by the outside world,
ha- now come to be in good circumstances and supports hi- automobile,
telephone connection, has his daily paper and i his children in the
high -eh'-!- of th« county and at the State University. Pioneering is al-
ways hard on every member of tin- family, hut this was especially true in
this part of the state, before railroad days and before the -oil had been
subdued. Those who remained faithful t" the tru-t imposed upon them as
fathers and mother- in this county have lived to see their families well
ied and holding placi portance in the busy world.
550 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
FARM NAMES.
Through a provision of the law enacted a few years since, landowners
within the state of Minnesota may select a name for their improved farm
land (not already taken by another and so recorded with the register of
deeds), by the payment of a fee of from fifty cents to one dollar. This
was a wise provision, and has been in vogue many years in other countries.
The farm name — no matter how many times the land changes owners —
always has an individuality that otherwise it could not have. But in Waton-
wan county not many farmers have taken advantage of this provision of the
Legislature, as the record book only presents the names of sixteen farms,
and they are as follow :
No. I — June 25, 1909, "East Bank Farm," in section 12, township
106, range 31 west, by J. C. Jensen.
No. 2 — October 16, 1909, "Oak Dale Stock Farm," in section 15,
township 105, range $2 west, by Otto M. Howe.
No. 3 — "Brook Side Stock Farm," December 20, 1910, in section t,t,
and section 34, by D. O'Keefe.
No. 4 — October 21, 191 1, "Brook Valley," in section 20, township 107,
range 32 west, by John A. Sjorquist.
No. 5 — May 6, 1912, "Northwood Farm," by Nels Nelson, in section
24, township 105, range 32 west.
No. 6 — June 15, 1912, "Fertile Valley Farm," in section 16, township
105, range 32 west, by Mangus Ronsdahl.
No. 7 — "Elmwood Farm," August 31, 1912, in sections 19 and 30,
township 105, range 31 west, by Soren Cook.
No. 8 — April 16, 1914, "City View Farm," in section 18. township
106, range 31 west, by \V. G. Manning and Francis T. Desmond.
No. 9 — "Cloverdale Farm," August to, 1915, in section 9, township
106, range 32 west, by 1\. E. Hag en.
No. 10 — "Sunnyside Farm," September 8, 191 5, in sections 20 and 29,
township 107, range 53 west, by Albert A. Uhlhorn.
No. 11 — "Park Dale Farm," September 27, 1915, in section 2. town-
ship, 106, range 31 west, by Hans A. Haygen.
No. 12 — October 8, 1015, "East View Farm," in sections 20, 29 and
30, township i<><>, range 32, by N. L. Zender.
No. 13 — "Clover Leaf Farm," January 8, 1916, in section 7, township
107, range 33 west, by Oscar Wallin.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 551
No. 14 — March .28, 1916, "Cloverdell Farm." in section 20, and section
21, township 105. range 30 west, by William F. Poppe.
No. 15 — "Fairview Stock Farm." March 29, 1916. in section 18, town-
ship 106, range 32 west, by Henry J. Meyer.
No. 16 — "Flage." April 6, 1916. by Siver Hage in section 2, township
107, range 30.
THE GREAT ELGIN COLONY.
Among the greatest single colonies that ever came to this county was
the one induced to settle here by Mr. Voss. Many of these Illinois farmers
purchased lands at ten dollars an acre and sowed the raw breaking to flax,
and so great was the yield for a numl>er of seasons that many paid for their
land from the proceeds of one year's crop of flax. Besides this the land
was thoroughly subdued, suitable for the easy cultivation of other crops,
including corn. After a few crops of flax, it was found that this plant
was a detriment to the soil and its growth was lessened until none was sown.
This colony furnished many thrifty agriculturists in the vicinity of St.
James.
COUNTY FAIR SOCIETIES, KTC.
Here, as has been the case in many of the counties in Minnesota the
keeping up a successful county annual fair for the exhibit of farm. live
stock and fruits produced in the county, has been no small task. The
earliest society went down about the date of the Indian massacre in 1862
and was not reorganized for a number of years. It is profitless to the reader
to trace the coming and falling by the wayside of all of these societies, but it
may be briefly stated that in 1890 the business men of St. James started a
monthlv "stock sale," which was highly successful and pleased the farmers
very much.
In November, 1891, the Watonwan County Board of Trade decided to
organize a regular county fair, again. On February 26, i.X<>_\ they met and
elected the following officers: H. W. Wadsworth, president; the township
vice-presidents were, David Sharp, South Branch ; P. H. Grogan, River-
dale; C. M. Malmrose, Nelson; \V. W. Gibbs, Rosendale; Gilbert Swensen,
Long Lake; E. Z. Rasev, St. James; James McDonaugh, Adrian; J. D.
McBroom, Butterfield; A. A. Nass, Odin; Thomas Veltum, St. James vil-
lage; John Hammond. Antrim. A constitution was prepared, read and
adopted, and the name given the society was the "Watonwan County Agri-
cultural Society."
55'2 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Several successful fairs were held under the auspices of this society,
but interest was not kept up. A meeting was called and other men desired
to organize a stock company and purchase the old fair grounds. This meet-
ing was held in 19 10. In February, 19 13, a new or really a re-organized
society was formed and stock was placed at five dollars per share. The
last officers of the old association became the first officers in the newly
formed society. C. T. Crowley, E. A. Gibbs, Rev. Knowlton and C. E.
Fuller were made a committee to prepare and submit plans for the grounds
and buildings.
Thus the old fair grounds went from the hands of a county agricul-
tural society of the old type into the hands of a stock company, which
incorporation made the present improvements on the grounds, which are
just to the southeast of the city. The half-mile track, amphitheatre, judges'
stand, the long rows of stock pens and nther improvements, make it a per-
manent and desirable property. The buildings, for the most part, are cov-
ered with metal sheeting.
The present officers of the association are : Oliver C. Peterson, presi-
dent; E. Corliss, vice-president; Thomas Offerdahl, secretary; Milton Ham-
mond, treasurer. There is a board of directors made up of the stock-
holders, scattered throughout the county. Shares are now ten dollars each
and there are about seventy-five at this date.
The grounds comprise about twenty acres, which was bought from W.
W. Gibbs at one hundred dollars an acre in 1905. It contains two good
wells, and all the improvements before mentioned, all of which have cost
more than five thousand dollars. Electric lights make all beautiful at night,
and every township in the county now makes a special effort to attend the
annual fair, bringing with them the finest of stock, grain and fruits the
county can produce. In the year [915 the association paid out for premiums
$1,082; for races, 8<)_>n; fur amusements, $875. a total of S2.877. Thev
now have an indebtedness of $1,722.27.
The Farmers Clubs are doing much toward exciting interest in the
enterprise, as are also the rural schoi >1 districts, which under the county
school superintendent, have collected six hundred dollars and to this has
been added two hundred more for a school exhibition building.
\.\ EARLY HORSE AND CATTLE FAIR,
At a meeting held in the village of St. James early in July, 1875. by its
enterprising citizens, it was decided thai a monthly horse and cattle fair
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 553
should be held in that village on the third Saturday of each month, com-
mencing with September [8. The fanners and citizens saw the need of
choosing a certain day when they could go and sell, buy or trade and where
the butchers could also be accommodated. The first fair was a sort of an
experiment, but was so much of a success that others followed. At the
first fair seven yoke of oxen, several cows and a great many young cattle
were sold, amounting to nearly one thousand five hundred dollars. \s the
country settled up, and markets changed in the community this fair was
clone away with.
THE CREAMERIES of WATONWAN COUNTY.
Of recent years the flat lands of this count}- have been profitably utilized
for pasture purposes and the amount of butter made has been remarkable.
The farmers have found that their debts could be paid off and a nice bank
account started through keeping as many cows as possible.
A report of the Sveadahl ("ream Company, published in February,
191 1. shows that during the year ending in that month, this creamery had
produced one hundred and live thousand pounds of butter and received for
the same thirty-two thousand two hundred and twenty-two dollars. They
had paid out for butter-fat twenty-eight thousand five hundred dollars. The
expenses, including salaries, amounted to twentj five hundred and fifty dol-
lars. Thev had on band, in the sinking fund, thirteen hundred dollars.
The average price per pound for butter-fat that year, was thirty-one cents;
average overrun twent) per cent. Total, three thousand dollars business
more than the previous year.
At Madelia the Co-operative Creamery opened up for business in 1890,
and in the first season received ninety thousand pounds of milk. In Sep
tember thev sold the butter on track at twenty cents per pound and raised
the price of milk to the farmers. This was the first creamery in the county.
There are now eight or ten successful creameries and many cream
stations in operation within Watonwan county. In [903 the State Butter-
makers Association I at St. James.
DAIRY ST \Tl- 1 i'
The recent state reports show that there are now eight a< cream-
eries within this county; that I creameries produced lasl veai
hundred and sixty-two thousand, live hundred and forty-seven pot
554 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
butter and that the patrons were paid two hundred and thirty-eight thou-
sand, four hundred and thirty-two dollars therefor.
MADELIA CREAMERY COMPANY.
The Madelia Creamery Company, which was organized on January I,
1 9 1 5 , are the successors to the Madelia Butter and Cheese Company organ-
ized in 1890. The old company held a charter from the state that expired
on August 1, 1915. On February 21, 1916, the creamery was sold at public
auction, the highest bidders being the present Madelia Creamery Company.
The present company is a stock concern, composed of the leading farmers
and business men in anil around Madelia. The men connected with the
organization are as follow : A. U. McLaughlin, president ; Clark Penny,
vice-president; George E. Gjertson, secretary; Henry Madson, treasurer;
George E. Gjertson, John Hermanson, S. A. Peterson, C. L. Sorensen and
Clark Penny, directors; C. L. Sorensen, manager. Mr. C. L. Sorensen
belongs to a family of butter-makers, he being one of six brothers now in
the business. Perhaps no other family in the United States can boast of
having as many brothers managing co-operative creameries as the Sorensen
family. Another fact that recommends them to their many patrons is that
no one of them has ever failed. Therefore, there is a very logical reason
why the Madelia Creamery Company is among the leaders in the creamery
business of the county. Their patrons are always satisfied and their pros-
perity never questioned.
During May, 1916, the company had about two hundred patrons, whose
checks for that month amounted to a total of four thousand seven hundred
and two dollars and ninety-nine cents. The amount of business done by
the company amounted to five thousand dollars. Their principal market is
in Brooklyn, New York. The farmers are careful to deliver their cream
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for which they receive three cents
above the regular price of butter-fat. They may get their checks whenever
needed, but regular payment is made at the end of even- month.
The company is perhaps the most completely equipped of any concern
of its kind in the county. It has a capacity of thirty thousand pounds of
butter-fat per month, and is equipped with all the latest machinery, at a
cost of three thousand dollars. A brick building erected especially for the
purpose, was constructed in 1902 at a cost of five thousand dollars. The
plant is equipped with a chemical refrigerator, a four-ton ice plant and a
ten-horse-power electric motor.
C0TT0XW00D AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 555
ST. JAMES CREAMERY ASSOCIATION.
The St. James Creamery Association was organized in 1901 and has
had a steady growth ever since. It is the largest institution of its kind
in the county, has about two hundred and twenty patrons and a capacity
at the present time of thirty thousand pounds of butter-fat per month. The
output is marketed in St. James and Xew York City.
This establishment is a stuck concern, composed of a number of the
leading farmers and business men of Watonwan county, and represents
another industrial enterprise which goes to demonstrate that St. James will
ultimately be a manufacturing point of importance on the two trunk lines
of railways which girth the city.
This creamery was originally conceived and founded for the purpose
of affording an accessible and profitable market for the farmers in this
vicinity. How well it has fulfilled its mission and materialized on the
financial end and compensated its stockholders, is evidenced by reports and
returns which the concern can exhibit. The creamery being under the
direction of responsible men interested in the welfare of the county, natur-
ally, as a matter of self-pride as well, produces naught but the acme of
purity and wholesomeness.
They have a capacity of large proportions, even though the demands
made upon them are as much, if not more, than they are able to satisfy.
Thev have installed the latent machinery; their product is chemically pure,
and the public need have no fear of bacteria or bacilli or disease germs when
thev consume the dairy products turned out by this creamery. The pub-
lished rejwrt of this association in July. [914, stated that there were then
two hundred and thirty patrons, who received twenty-nine cents per pound
for the butter-fat for that month and that the same amounted to a total of
seven thousand two hundred and twenty-six doll
CHAPTER XVIII.
MURDERS AND OUTRAGES COMMITTED IN THE COUNTY.
While it i- not the object of this chapter to deal in detail with all of
the crimes committed in this county, yet the following cases are thought to
be of sufficient importance to give them space in this connection.
Perhaps the most sensational murder trial in the history of Watonwan
county was held in the May term of court, 1874, in which Andrew Johnson
was charged with the murder of Lais Johnson, of Long Lake township. On
May 12 the jury found a verdict of guilty against the accused, whereupon
Judge Waite pronounced the sentence of imprisonment in the state peni-
tentiary at hard labor for life.
A brief history of the case is as follows: It appears that the parties,
Andrew Johnson, Lais Johnson and wife, were acquainted before coming
to this county and the two men were sometimes at variance. They both
came to this county and settled near Kansas Lake. Lais's claim was three-
fourths of a mile from the lake and Andrew's house three-fourths of a mile
from Lais. Their acquaintance was kept up after they settled on their
claims. Lais was a small man and not very energetic and the evidence went
to show that his wife used to go out and work for the neighbors, especially
in the harvest field, when she could get highest wages and generally Lais
did not go with her. They had three children at the time. Among those
for whom Mrs. Lais Johnson worked was Andrew and on account of some
suspicious circumstances Lais became jealous of Andrew. This jealousy
soon led to contention between Lais and his wife and be forbade her going
out to work. About this time Lais ,^"t a gun with the supposed intention
of protecting himself. This was in 1872.
There were stories circulating that Lais was insane and it was found
that they were mostly started by Andrew. He went to Madelia. with an
interpreter, to get an order of the probate judge to send Lais to the asylum
and received a summons for that purpose and had Doctor Xeill. of St.
fames, to examine Lais. \ short time previous to this Lais and Andrew-
had a fight at the house of the former and Andrew, being much the larger,
gave Lais a beating and badly injured bis head. While in this condition
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 557
the Doctor had made an examination and decided that Lais was partially
insane, but did not order him sent to the asylum. This was in October.
On November 8 Lais mysteriously disappeared and his wife said he had
gone begging, although at the time he had a comfortable house, with some
crops they had raised and some cattle. Suspicions were aroused; Andrew
Johnson and Lais's wife were arrested, a preliminary trial held and suffi-
cient evidence produced to prove that Lais had been murdered, hut as the
body had not been found they could not he indicted and were released.
Early in the winter Lais*s wife went to live with Andrew (although it was
stated that she made application to another family first). The next April
Andrew went away and in a few days Lais's wife also. On May 25 the
body of Lais was found at Kansas Lake. On his head over the right ear
was a large wound, the face badly gashed and the cheek bone broken. His
shirt and vest were wrapped about the head and he had on no sh,,es. The
coroner's inquest was held and a verdict reached that he came to his death
by the hands of Andrew and Caroline Johnson. In the meantime a letter
was received by Andrew's brother from Omaha, signed Jan Jensen, asking
how the "land lay." Communication was at once had with officers at Omaha
and a person found, answering the description. Upon L:"ini,r to Omaha the
sheriff Found them living together as man and wife. They were brought
back to Madelia, committed to jail and married therein. In the February
term of court Andrew was indicted by the grand jury. His lawyer was
Hon. M. J. Severance.
FOUR MURDERED IX A FAMILY.
Just twenty years ago, at the Goblinski farm in South Branch town-
ship, occurred an awful crime by which the father, two sons and a daugh-
ter were murdered.
On December 22, een by the files of tin Madelia Timet.
about that date, the citizen- of the neighborhood were horrified by the reporl
that about the creamery in South Branch township an awful crime had
:. enacted. The Times said: "Tin- report was broughl in by I'. Ciller-
pie, who had lieen at the house and jusl come to town He saw some of
the neighbors there at the house. There was much excitemenl and it was
difficult to ascertain the circumstances. I le heard from them that a man
named Fred Becker, who had run a thresher engine for Mr. Goblinski I
or three seasons, was living with th^ family. The father had been t- St.
James and after hi- return he and Becker had trouble aboul the
55<3 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
his daughter, Anna, with Becker, and reproved her. Thereupon Becker
drew a revolver and shot at the man several times, one taking effect, killing
him instantly. He shot at August, the eldest son, the daughter and another
son. He saw the dead body, but he could get but little of the details of the
tragedy.
"Smith Keech, who lives at St. James, came down from there in the
afternoon. He and several others had driven out to the scene of the murder
that morning. Sheriff Forsyth had been notified and, accompanied by Dep-
uty Bird and Coroner Rowe, had got there a short time previous and were
examining the bodies. They found one, that of the murderer, who, after
killing the girl, shot himself fatally, and they lay in one room and the
father and August, killed while running, lay in another room. Another
boy, Carl, who was shot twice and dangerously hurt when going upstairs,
had been taken to a neighbor. It was a horrible sight and enough to make
line's 1 ili mil run cold.
"A representative of the Times was there Tuesday afternoon. The
inquest had been held and the house cleaned up some, but the bodies lav
awaiting the arrival of the undertakers. The daughter's body had been
placed in the kitchen beside her brother, Charles, who was the one killed,
and August hurt. The murderer lay in the front room, where he fell, and
the brain had oozed from the wound in the top of his head, where the bullet
passed out. He was closely shaved, well dressed and seemed prepared to
go away. He had acted somewhat strange, and some even thought him
insane. He was about twenty-five years of age, and his name was John
Kable. The father was forty-eight, Charles, twenty. Anna, thirteen and
August, twenty-two years of age. The affray occurred at about six o'clock
in the morning. The mother and two younger boys were out in the barn
milking, and did not know of the awful murder until it was all over. No
eyewitness of it is alive. August was upstairs. Coming down he was shot
when be opened the chamber door, which be closed and went upstairs and
jumped out of the window, full. .wed by the youngest brother, who ran to
the neighbors and gave the alarm. For a time people were afraid to go
into the house till they learned the assassin was dead."
OTHER CRIM ES.
In the last week of June. iqih. at the usually quiet and law-abiding
village of Madelia, a shunting affray took place between one "Bill" Tones,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 559
commonly called "Sporty Jones," and a horse buyer named Jess Marsh.
The two men had returned from New Ulm. where they had been drinking
too freely of spirits and trouble ensued. At Madelia at eleven o'clock, Sat-
urday night, June -'4. they had a fist encounter in which Jones got the worst
of it. On Sunday afternoon following, still under die influence of the
liquor's effect. Marsh and a horse buyer were standing beside an automobile,
in front of a drug store, when Jones came up the sidewalk from the west.
When he saw .Marsh he stepped down from the walk and went around the
car, as Marsh was standing on the side of the street by the machine. A few
words were exchanged and then the report of a revolver was heard, and
Leo Jacobson. an innocent bystander, turned and entered the drug store,
saying that he was shot, lie was scion hurried away to Mankato to the
hospital. The shot was evidently intended for Marsh, missed its mark and
struck young Jacobson. Jones deliberately picked up the revolver and put
it into his pocket and walked to his room. Marshal Jacobson arrested
Jones and placed him in jail, but at the time of the arrest the revolver could
n<>t be found. Later, it was discovered in Jones's trunk. Marsh was also
arrested and held as a witness and placed under five hundred dollars bond.
Jones claimed that it was accidental and that Marsh hit the gun with his
cane and fired it off. At the hospital it developed that the ball passed
through the young man's body, cutting the intestines in ten places.
A SUICIDE.
The last week in June, 1916, the people of South Branch township
were horrified at hearing that an attempted murder and suicide had taken
place in that township at the home of William Luptke, a respected residenl
It appears that a young man named Henry Goblinski had been keeping com-
pany with Luptke's daughter, and hi- attention, had became very distaste
ful to the girl's father, who ordered the young man off the place. The man
Goblinski is about thirty-six years of age. He armed himself and went to
Luptke's farm some time Saturday night, and conceded himself in the hay
mow of the barn. It was between six and seven o'clock "ii Sunday morn-
ing that the girl's father went to the barn, and a- he was climbing up the
ladder of the hay-loft, Goblinski opened tire on him. He ihol twice,
bullet taking effect in each shoulder and plowing it- way through the body
downward. Luptke dropped to the door and then Goblinski turned the gun
on himself and sent a bullet through hi- heart. He died instantly.
560 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
VISIT OF NOTORIOUS BANDITS NORTHFIELD ROBBERY.
In 1876 took place the much-talked-of Northfield bank robbery, at
Northfield, Minnesota, the Younger brothers, notorious Missouri bandits,
taking the lead in that raid. While Northfield is not in Watonwan county,
but in Rice county, there was a connection with this county from the fact
that the raiders purchased horses at St. Peter and trained them partly there
and partly in Madelia of this county, and Cole Younger, in his autobiography
written in 1903, makes considerable mention of himself and others of the
raiding band stopping at various places in Watonwan and Cottonwood
counties. Much general interest has always been had by the people in this
part of Minnesota in this bold daylight bank robbery. Hence the following
portions of the narrative concerning it are here inserted, as written by Cole
Younger, who served, with others, a term in the penitentiary at Stillwater:
When we split up in St. Paul, Howard, Woods, Jim and Clell Miller
were to go to Red Wing to get their horses, while Chadwell, Pitts, Bob and
myself were to go to St. Peter or Mankato, but Bob and Chadwell missed
the train and they had me in a stew to know what had happened to them.
We watched the papers but could find nothing about any arrests, and Pitts
and 1 bought our horses at St. Peter. I was known as King and some of
the fellows called me Congressman King, insisting that I tore some re-
semblance to Congressman William F. King, of Minneapolis. I bought two
horses, one from a man named Hodge and the other from a man named
French, and while we were breaking them there at St. Peter, 1 made the'
acquaintance of a little girl, who was afterwards one of the most earnesl
workers for our parole. A little tot then, she said she could ride a horse
too, and reaching down I lifted her up before me and we rode up and
down, I asked her name and she said it was "Horace Greeley Perry," and
I replied: "I wonder you're such a little tot with such a great name." "I
won't always be little.'" she replied. "I am going to be a great big girl and
be a newspaper man like my pa." [Her father was a Si. Peter journalist
and a great admirer of Horace Greeley and insisted on naming bis daugh-
ter after Greeley— hence the masculine name.] "Will you still be my
sweetheart then anil In' mv Eriend?" And she declared she would, a prom-
ise 1 was to remind her of years later under circumstances of which I did
in >t dream then.
Main- years afterward, with a party of visitors to the prison, came a
girl, perhaps sixteen, who registered in full. "Horace Greeley Perry." I
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 561
knew there could not be two women with such a name in the world and I
reminded her of her promise, a promise that she did hot remember, although
she had been told how she had made friends with the bold, bad man, who
afterwards robbed the Bank of Northfield.
Very sunn afterward, at the age of eighteen, I believe, she became as
she had dreamed in childhood, "a newspaper man," editing the St. Peter
Journal, and to the hour of my pardon she was one of the most indefati-
gable workers for us.
A few years ago failing- health compelled her removal from Minne-
sota to Idaho and Minnesota lost one of the brightest newspaper writers
and one of the best and truest women and stanchest friends that a nun
ever knew. Jim and I had a host of earnest advocates during the latter
years of our imprisonment, but none exceeded in devotion the young woman
who as a little tot had ridden unknowingly with the bandit who was so
soon to be exiled for life from all his kin and friends.
THE NORTHFIELD RAID.
While Pitts and I were waiting for Bob and Chadwell we scouted about,
going to Madelia and as far as the east part of Cottonwood county, to
familiarize ourselves with the country. Finally, a few days later, the boys
joined us, having bought their horses in Mankato.
We then divided into two parties and started for Northfield by some-
what different routes. On Monday night, September 4, 1876, we were at
LeSueur Center and court being in n there we had to sleep on the
floor. The hotel was full of lawyers and they, with the judge and other
court attendants had a high old time that night. On Tuesday night we
were at Cordive, a little village in LeSeuer county, and Wednesday night in
Millersburgh, eleven mile- west of Northfield. Bob and his party were then
at Cannon City, to the south of Northfield, west of the Cannon river. We
took a trip into town that forenoon and I looked over the bank. We had
dinner at various places and then returned to the camp. While we v
planning the raid it was intended that T should be one of tin- parte to
into the hank. I urged on the hoys that whatever happened we should
shoot anyone.
"What if they begin shooting at - ited. "Well,"
Bob, "if Cap is so particular ab 'tin-, suppose we let him stay out-
i him take his chances." So at the last minim- our plans were
562 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
changed and when we started for town Bob, Pitts and Howard went in
front, the plan being to await us in the square and enter the bank when the
second detachment came up with them. Miller and I went second to stand
guard at the bank, while the rest of the party was to wait at the bridge for
the signal — a pistol shot — in the event they were needed. There were no
saddle horses in evidence and we calculated that we would have a consid-
erable advantage. Wrecking the telegraph office as we left, we would get a
good start and by night would be safe beyond Shieldsville and the next
day could ride south across the Iowa line and be in comparative safety. But
between the time we broke camp and the time they reached the bridge, the
three men who went ahead drank a quart of whisky and there was the initial
blunder at Northfield. I never knew Bob to drink before and I did not
know that he was drinking that day till after it was all over.
When Miller and I crossed the bridge the three were on some dry-
goods boxes at the corner, near the bank, and as soon as they saw us went
right into the bank instead of waiting for us to get there. When we came
up I told Miller to shut the bank door which they had left open in their
hurry. I dismounted in the street, pretending to tighten a saddle girth.
J. S. Allen, whose hardware store was near, tried to go into the bank, but
Miller ordered him away and he ran around the corner shouting: "Get
vour guns, boys, they are robbing the bank." Dr. H. M. Wheeler, who
had been standing on the east side of Division street, near the Dammier
House, shouted "Robbery, robbery," and I called him to get inside, at the
same time firing a pistol shot in the air as a signal for the three boys at the
bridge that we had been discovered. Almost at this instant I heard a pistol
shot in the bank. Chadwell, Woods and Jim rode up and joined us, shout-
ing to the people in the street to get inside, and fired their pistols to empha-
size their commands. T do not believe they killed anyone, however. T have
always believed that the man, Nicholas Gustfusson, who was shot in the
street, and who it was said did not sjo inside, because he did not under-
stand English, was hit by a glancing shot from Manning's or Wheeler's
rifle. If any of our party shot him it must have been Woods. A man
named Klias Staeev, armed with a shotgun, fired at Miller, just as he was
mounting his horse, filling Clell's face full of bird shot. Manning took a
shot at Pitts' horse, killing it. which crippled us badly. Meantime the
street was getting uncomfortably hot. Every time T saw anyone with a head
on me T would drop off my horse and try to drive the shooter inside, but I
could not see in every direction. T called to the boys to come out of the
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 563
bank, for I could not imagine what was keeping them so long. With his
second shot. Manning wounded me in the thigh and with his third he shot
Chadwell in the heart. Bill fell from the saddle dead. Doctor Wheeler,
who had gone upstairs in the hotel, shot Miller and he lay dying in the
street.
At last the boys who had been in the hank came out. Boh ran down
the street toward Manning, who hurried into Lea & Hitchcock's ^ore,
hoping in that way to get a shot at Bob from behind. Bob, however, did
not see Wheeler, who was in the hotel upstairs behind him, and Wheeler's
third shot shattered Bob's right elbow as he stood beneath the stairs. Chang-
ing his pistol to his left hand Bob ran out and mounted .Miller's mare. How-
ard and Pitts at last came out of the hank. Miller was lying in the street,
but we thought him still alive. 1 told 1'itts to put him up with me and I
would pack him out. hut when we lifted him 1 saw that he was dead and I
told Pitts to lav him down again. Pitts's horse had been killed and I told
him that I could hold the crowd hack while he got out on foot. I staved
there pointing my pistol at anyone who showed his head until Pitts had
gone perhaps thirty or forty yards and then putting -purs to my horse I
galloped to where he was and took him up behind me.
"What kept you so long?" I asked Pitts. Then he told me they had
been drinking and had made a box of it inside the hank. Instead of carry-
ing out the plan as originally formed of seizing the cashier at his window
and getting to the safe without any interruption, they leaped right over the
counter and scared Heywood at the very start. As to the rest of the affair
inside the bank I take the account of a Northfield narrator:
With the flourish of his revolver one of the robbers pointed to Joseph
Heywood, head bookkeeper, who was acting as cashier, in the absence of
that official, and asked :
"Are you the cashier?" "No," replied Heywood, and the same question
was put to A. I Hunker, teller, and Frank J. Wilcox, assistant bookkeeper,
each of whom made the same reply. "You are the cashier," said the robber,
turning upon Heywood, who was sitting at the cashier's desk. "Open that
safe — quick or T will blow your head off."
Pitts then ran to the vault and stepped inside, whereupon Heywood
followed him and trie<l to dint him in. < ),„■ of the robbers seized him and
said: "Open thai safe now. or von haven't a minute to live. rhere is a
time lock on." Heywood answered, "and it can't be opened now."
Howard drew a knife from his pocket and made a feint to cut Hey-
564 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
wood's throat, as he lay on the floor, where he had been thrown in the
scuffle, and Pitts told me afterwards that Howard fired a pistol near Hey-
wood's head to scare him. Bunker tried to get a pistol that lay near him.
but Pitts saw his movement and beat him to it. It was found on Charley
when he was killed; so much more evidence to identify us as the men who
were at Northfield.
"Where is the money outside the safe"? Bob asked. Bunker showed
him a box of small change on the counter, and while Bob was putting the
money in a grain sack, Bunker took advantage of the opportunity to dash
out of the rear window. The shutters were closed, and this caused Bunker
an instant delay that was almost fatal. Pitts chased him with a bullet. The
first one missed him, but the second went through his right shoulder. As
the men left the bank Heywood clambered to his feet and Pitts, in his
liquor, shot him through the head, inflicting the wound that killed him.
We had no time to wreck the telegraph office, and the alarm was soon
sent throughout the country. Gov. John S. Pillsbury first offered one thou-
sand dollars reward for the arrest of the six who had escaped, and this he
changed later to one thousand dollars for each of them, dead or alive. The
Northfield Bank offered seven hundred dollars and the Winona & St. Peter
Railroad Company five hundred dollars.
A CHASE TO THE DEATH.
A little way out of Northfield we met a farmer and borrowed one of
his In uses for Pitts to ride. We passed Dundas on the run, before the news
of the robbery reached there, and at Millersburg, too, we were in advance
of the news, but at Shieldsville we were behind it. Here a squad of men,
who, we afterward learned, were from Faribault, had left their guns out-
side a house. We did not permit them to get their weapons until we had
watered our horses and got a fresh start. They overtook us about four
mile> west of Shieldsville and shuts were exchanged, without effect on either
side. A spenl bullet did hit me on the "crazy bone," and as I was leading
Bob's horse it caused a little excitement for a minute, but that was all. We
were in a strange country. On the prairie our maps were all right, but
when we got into the woods and among the lake- we were practically lost.
There were a thousand men on our trail, and watching for us at fords and
bridges where it w<t thoughl we would be apl t
That night it started to rain, and we wore out our horses. On Friday
we moved toward Waterville, and Friday night we camped between Elysian
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 565
and German lake. On Saturday morning we left our horses and started
through on foot, hiding that day "ii an island in a swamp. That night we
tramped all night and we spent Sunday ahout four miles south of Marys-
burg. Meantime, our pursuers were watching for horsemen, not finding
our abandoned horses, it seems, until Monday. We spent Tuesday in a
deserted farm-house close to Mankato. That day a man named Dunning
discovered us and we took him prisoner. Some of the boys wanted to kill
him, on the theory that "dead men tell no tales,'' while others urged binding
him and leaving him in the woods. Finally, we administered to him an
oath not to betray our whereabouts until we had time to make our escape,
and he agreed not to. Xo sooner, however, was he released than he made
post haste into Mankato to announce our presence, and in a few minutes
another posse was looking for us.
Suspecting, however, that he would not do so, we were soon on the
move, and that night we evaded the guard at the Blue Earth river bridge,
and about midnight made our way through Mankato. The whistle on the
oil mill blew and we feared that it was a signal that had been agreed upon
to alarm the town in case we were observed, but we were not molested.
Howard and Woods, who had favored killing Dunning, and who felt
we were losing valuable time because of Hob's wound, left us that night and
went west. As we afterward learned, this was an advantage to us as well
as to them, for thev stole two horses soon after leaving us and the posse
followed the trail of these horses not knowing our party had been divided.
Accordingly, we were not pursued, having kept on a course toward Madelia
to a farm where T knew there were some good horses, once in possession
of which we could get along faster.
RATIONS SCARCE.
We had been living on scant ration. . corn, watermelon, and other \.
tables principally, but in spite of this Bob's arm was men. ling somewhat.
He had to sleep with it pillowed on my breast, Jim also being crippled with
a wound in his shoulder and we could not get much sleep. The wound in
my thigh was also troubling me and 1 had to walk with a cane I had cut in
the brush. One place we got a chicken and rooked it. only to be interrupted
before we could have our feast, having to make a quick dash for cover. At
every stopping place we left mark- of blood from our wound- and could
have been easily trailed, had not the pur-ncr- been led in the track of our
recent companions.
566 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
It seems that from what I have read since, however, that I had myself,
left with my landlord, Colonel Vought, of the Flanders House, at Madelia,
a damaging suggestion which proved the ultimate undoing of our party. I
had talked with him about a bridge between two lakes near there, and
accordingly when it became known that the robbers had passed Mankato,
Vought thought of this bridge and it was guarded by him and others for
two nights. When they abandoned the guard, however, he admonished a
Norwegian boy named Oscar Suborn to keep close watch there for us and
on Thursday morning, September 21, just two weeks after the robbery,
Oscar saw us and fled into town with the alarm. A party of forty was
soon out in search for us, headed by Capt. W. W. Murphy, Colonel Vought
and Sheriff Glispen. They came up with us as we were fording a small
slough and unable to ford it with their horses they were delayed somewhat
by having to go around it. But they soon after got close enough so that
one of them broke my walking stick with a shot. We were in sight of our
long-sought horses when they cut us off from the animals and our last hope
was gone. We were at bay on the open prairie, surrounded by a picket line
of forty men, some of whom would fight. Not prepared to stand for our
last fight against such odds on an open field, we fell back into the Watonwan
river bottoms and took refuge in some bushes. We were prepared to wait
as long as they would, but they were not of the waiting kind, at least some
of them were not, and soon we heard the captain, who we later learned was
W. W. Murphy, calling for volunteers to go in with him and rout us out.
Six stepped to the front. Sheriff Glispen, Col. T. L. Vought, B. M. Rice,
G. A. Bradford, C. A. Pomeroy and S. J. Severson. Forming in line, four
paces apart, he ordered them to advance rapidly and concentrate the fire of
the whole line the instant the robbers were discovered.
AT BAY.
Meanwhile, we were planning, too. "Pitts," I said, "if you want to go
Out and surrender, go on." "1 will not go," he replied, game to the last.
"1 can die as well as you can." "Make for the horses," I said. "Every man
for himself. There is no use to stop to pick up a comrade here, for we
can't get him through the line. Just charge them and make it if we can."
I got up as a signal for the charge and we fired one vollev. I tried to
get my man and started through, but the next I knew I was lying on the
ground bleeding from my nose and mouth and Bob was standing up shout-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 567
ing: "Coward!" One of the fellows in the outer line too brave, himself,
to join the volunteers who had come in to beat us out, was not disposed to
believe in the surrender and had his gun leveled on Bob in spite of the hand-
kerchief which was waving as a flag of truce. Sheriff Glispen, of Waton-
wan county, who was taking Bob's pistol from him. was also shouting to the
fellow: "Don't shoot him or I will shoot you."
All of us but Bob had gone down at the first fire. Pitts, shot through
the heart, lay dead: Jim, including the wound in the shoulder, he received
at Xorthtield, had been shot five times, the most serious being the shot
which shattered his upper jaw and lay embedded beneath the brain and a
shot that buried itself underneath his groin and which gave him trouble until
the day of his death. Including those received in and on the way from North-
field. I had eleven wounds. A bullet had pierced Bob's lung, but he was
the only one left on his feet. His right arm useless and his pistol empty.
he had no choice.
"1 surrender," he had shouted. "They are all down but me. Come
on; I will not shoot." \nd Sheriff Glispen's order not to shoot was the
beginning of the protectorate that Minnesota people established over us.
We were taken into Madelia that day and onr wounds dressed and I
greeted my old landlord, Colonel Vought. who had been one of the seven
to go in to get us. We were taken to his hotel and a guard posted. Then
came the talk of mob vengeance we had heard so often in Missouri. It was
said a mob would be out that night to lynch us. Sheriff Glispen swore we
never would be mobbed as long as we were his prisoners. "I don't want
any man to risk his life for us." T said to him. "but if they do come for us.
give us our pistols so we can make a fight for it." "If they do come and I
weaken." he -aid. "you can have your pistols." But the only mob thai came
was the mob of ^'-htseers, reporters and detectives.
TO PRISON FOR LIFE.
On Saturday we were taken to Faribault, the county seat of Rice
countv, in which Xorthfield is, and here there was more talk of lynching,
but Sheriff Ara Barton was not of that kind either, and we were guarded
bv militia until the excitement had subsided. At Faribault a policeman, wlv
thought the militia guard was a bluff, bet five dollars he could go right up
to the jail without being interfered with. He did not halt when challenged,
and was fired upon and was killed. The coroner's ^jury acquitted the
568 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
militiaman who shot him. Some people blamed us for his death, too.
Chief of Detectives McDonough, of St. Louis, whom I had passed a few
months before in the Union depot at St. Louis, was among our visitors at
Faribault.
Lour indictments were found against us. One charged us with being
accessory to the murder of Cashier Hey wood; another with assaulting Bun-
ker with intent to do great bodily harm, and the third with robbing the
First National Bank of Northheld. The fourth charged me as principal,
and my brothers as accessories, with the murder of Gustafson. Two wit-
nesses had testified before the grand jury identifying me as the man who
fired the shot that hit him, although I know I did not, because I fired no
shot in that part of town. Although not one of us had fired the shot that
killed either Heywood or Gustafson, our attorneys, Thomas Rutledge, of
Madelia, and Bachelclor and Buckham, of Faribault, asked, when we were
arraigned, November 9, that we be given two clays in which to plead. They
advised us that as accessories were equally guilty with the principals, under
the law, and as by pleading guilty we would escape capital punishment, we
should plead guilty. There was little doubt, under the circumstances, of
our conviction, and under the law as it stood then, an accused murderer
who pleaded guilty was not subject to death penalty. The state was new,
and the law had been made to offer inducement to murderers not to put
the county to the expense of a trial.
The excitement that followed our sentence to state prison, which was
popularly called "cheating the gallows." resulted in the change of the law
in that respect. The following Saturday we pleaded guilty, and Judge Lord
sentenced us to imprisonment for the remainder of our lives in the state
prison at Stillwater, and a few days later we were taken there by Sheriff
Barton. With Bob it was a life sentence, for he died there of consumption
on September 16, 1889. He was never strong physically after being shot'
near Madelia.
NOKTITFIEI.D BANK ROBBERY BOUNTY DISTRIBUTION.
The following is an exact copy of an article that appeared in the
Madelia Times in September, 1877: "Pursuant to the provisions of chap-
ter one hundred and seventy-four of the laws of Minnesota, passed in the
year 1K77, notice is hercbv given that at the court house in the village of
Madelia on Tuesday, the twentieth day of September, 1877, at nnie o'clock
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 569
in the forenoon, 1 will hear evidence for the purpose of determining who
are entitled to share in the distribution of the stale bounty, awarded by the
act above referred to, for the capture of the Northfield Bank robbers.
Signed, D. A. Dickinson, Judge of Sixth Judicial District."
There were nearly one hundred applicants who asked to share in the
reward, but of this number only forty-two were successful. The average
amount to each man was forty-five to forty-eight dollars.
CHAPTER XIX.
SIDELIGHTS.
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY.
According to the census reports of both state and United States the
following facts have been obtained concerning the population of this county:
In 1865 Watonwan had a population of two hundred and forty-nine, made
up of forty-six families. In 1870 it had reached 2,434; in 1875 it was
4,024; in 1885 it was 5,995; in 1890 it was 7,746; in 1900 it was 11,496;
in 10 10 it had decreased to 11,382.
STATE CENSUS OF 1885.
Precincts. Families. Males. Females. Total.
Adrian township __ 62 193 186 379
Antrim 91 286 148 434
Butterfield 44 123 133 256
Fieldnn 71 205 181 386
Long Lake 72 234 168 402
Madelia 04 315 269 584
Madelia village 101 290 271 561
Nelson 93 288 258 546
Odin 92 248 305 553
Riverdale 7^, 201 rSS 389
Rosendale 43 137 'M 278
St. James $7 *75 LS° 325
St. James village __ 123 |<>S 305 714
South Branch 39 99 89 188
Totals 1.055
3,202
-791
5.995
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINX. 571
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS IN IQIO.
Adrian township 481 Nelson township 684
Antrim township 582 Odin township 604
Eutterfiekl township 602 Odin village 139
Butterfield village t,J~ Ormsby (village part of) 66
Darfur village 72 Riverdale township •/2j
Fieldon township 535 Rosendale township 571
Lewisville village 218 St. James city t 2,102
Long Lake township 583 St. James township ^jz,
Madelia township 574 South Branch township 617
Madelia village l<273
Total 1 [,382
According to the United States census returns in 1910 there were
nationalities as follow: Total, [1,382, of which 8,850 were native horn;
German. 505; Sweden, 629; Norway. Nrd; Great Britain and Ireland, 97;
Denmark. 65; Austria. 70; Russia. 123; other countries, 107.
In 1873 there were reported to the county clerk one hundred and forty-
seven births and thirty-three deaths. Of the deaths reported, eight were
caused directly by the storm of January 8.
The number of marriage licenses issued during the year 1874 was
twenty-four. Number taking out naturalization papers, nineteen; citizens'
papers, forty-eight. Number of births, one hundred and ninety-one; num-
ber of deaths, forty-five.
ALTITUDES OF THE COUNTY.
According to the government survey made a number of years since, the
altitudes above the level of the sea for this county are as follow: At
.Madelia it is one thousand and twenty-live feet above the sea. The Waton-
wan river i- nine hundred and -event) -nine feel above thi ea At St.
fames city the altitude is one thousand and seventy-three feet. \t 1 '.utter-
field it is eleven hundred and eighty-four feet. The highest point in thi
county is found in the southwestern corner, where it r< hirteen hun-
dred feet, and the lowest point i- nine hundred and sixty feel
Given by townships the reports show the following: Madelia town-
ship, one thousand and twenty-live feet: Fieldon township, one thousand and
fiftv feet; Antrim township, eleven hundred feet; Riverdale township, one
5~2 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
thousand and forty feet ; Rosendale township, one thousand and sixty feet ;
South Branch township, eleven hundred and twenty feet; Nelson township,
one thousand and seventy-five feet; St. James township, eleven hundred and
twenty feet; Long- Lake township, eleven hundred and fifty feet; Adrian
township, eleven hundred and fifty feet; Butterfield township, twelve hun-
dred feet ; Odin township, twelve hundred and forty feet ; the mean height
of the county is eleven hundred and ten feet above the sea level.
VILLAGE PLATTINGS.
Since the organization of Brown and Watonwan counties, the follow-
ing village plats have been surveyed and recorded — the village of Madelia
being platted before the organization of this county, hence, is found in the
transcripts from Brown county :
Madelia, platted by Surveyor Daniel Buck, for the proprietors, Daniel
Haire, P. Hartshorn, Leander W. Sheppard, Tames Hudson and Stephen P.
Benjamin. It was recorded July 9, 1857, and formed parts of sections 27
and 28, township 17, range 30, west. At first it was the seat of justice for
the newly formed Watonwan county.
St. James was platted by Elias F. Drake, president of the St. Paul and
Sioux City Railroad Company, as being a part of section 13, township 106,
range t,2, west. It was recorded October 8, 1870.
Butterfield was platted in section 27. township 106, range 33, west,
on September 13, 18S0, by E, F. Drake, president of the St. Paul & Sioux
City Railroad Company.
Grogan was platted by B. R. Grogan and Moses K. Armstrong, in
section 3, township 106, range 31, west, on September 6. 1891.
LaSalle was platted on October 12. 1809, by Harry L. and Anna L.
Jenkins, as a part of section 17, township 107, range 31.
Echols was platted by Harry I., and Anna L. Jenkins, in section 3,
township 105. range 32. west, October 12, 1899.
Ormsby was platted in section 32, township 105, range 32. west, by
Harry L. and Anna I.. Jenkins. October 14. iSom.
( Idin was platted by the Western Town Lot Company. March 29, 1899,
in section 25, township 105, range 33, west.
Darfur was platted by the Chicago & Xorthwestern Railroad Company,
through it- president, Marvin Hughett, April 20, 1809. in section 20. town-
ship 107, range 33. west.
Lewisville was platted by the Interstate Land Company, May 3. 1899,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 573
in section 44, township 105. range 30, west, through the company's presi-
dent, F. H. Peavey.
SPELLING SCHOOL.
The following is an account of a spelling school held in Flanders Hall.
April. 1875, by some of the early settlers and their friends:
After considerable debate, E. II. Hill and W. R. Estes were prevailed
to act as captains oi the hosts: A. Frizzell was chosen enunciafor. The
first one having a very had spell was VV. R. Estes who showed that he did
not know how to .-pell "'rinse," producing it with w-r-i-n-t-z. The next
was O. H. Davis, who proved that he was a rogue by giving that word,
w-r-o-g-e, and presently Miss Elliot chimed with s-c-o-n-r-s-e, for source.
B. G. Yates (a temperance advocate) took champaign instead of the
sparkling champagne, and retired. \Y. Woods labored on lava with a-v-o-u-r.
G. W. Yates slipped on three trials and spelled cortege, but with a stern
look and a gesture from Alonzo he left the ranks. E. H. Bill thinking a
recreation verv nice, desired to prolong it, but was forced t" retreat by
doubling the t in pastime; C. M. I Jelling and ( ',. W. Tanner followed suit
by doubling the s. Misses Dunn and Peck went down by misunderstanding
equivalent-, spelling it 1-c-n-c-e. Airs. Dunn added e to fresco and had
to retire. G. P. Johnston, a dry-goods clerk, took salvage for selvedge;
Mr. Dunn tried it with s-e-1-v-e-g-e and sat down.
E. II. P>ill believes MPs Youngman more of Bible reader than her spell-
ing "-heckle" would indicate. It is indelibly impressed upon the mind of
Mrs. Clark that that word i- spelled with one 1. .Mi— Flora Cheney and
F. D. Toy were -till standing, but it being a very late hour it was thought
best to adjourn.
OLI> SE1 I I.I RS REUNION IX MADELIA, 1X75.
Although tin'- meeting had unfortunately been appointed upon "blizzard
day' day. February 26, [875), yet old settlers who have had the enter-
prise to push out into this new country in an early day w ere n< 't t< 1 be daunted,
so despite this -torm an assembly of pioneers t<> the number ty gath-
1 in Mr. blander-' ball and had a very enjoyable time. < If those present,
the one who had first set foot on Minn [oseph Flanders, who
came to the state in 1851, went away and returned in o The
earlie-t wa- M. Delling and then 1'.. C. Sandborn, who came May 5, [853.
574 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
The oldest settler in this vicinity present was Mrs. Isaac Slocum, who
came in 1855. Dr. Tibil and family came soon after. A Mr. Law claims
to be the oldest settler in the county, but was not at the meeting. There
were many present who came in 1855 and still a greater number of those
who came in 1857.
The partaking of a sumptuous supper prepared by the ladies of olden
times, yet in the best style of modern days, was perhaps the most important
event on the program. On one table was a monument of "Johnnie cake,"
capped with the date 1855 and made by Mrs. I. Slocum from meal ground
in a coffee mill, in rememberance of the best that day afforded as to material
and manner of preparing it.
Dr. Tibil called the assembly to order and made some very sensible
and spicy remarks as to his leaving home and the many conveniences in the
East and coming out here in "God's pasture," as he termed it. where the
only inhabitants were wild Indians. Mr. C. D. Ash also gave his reasons
for leaving the rocky fields of New Hampshire, he being fully convinced
that he could not make a mistake in seeking another location, and step by
step reached the land of good health and good prospects.
Air. I). Buck, of Mankato, was called on and responded by saving that
he came to this place in 1857 and made the claim now in the farm of W. \Y.
Murphy. He was in Madelia when the original townsite was laid out and
did the surveying and platting of it. The proprietors of the site were Hart-
sin irn, Shepard and Haire. and there was quite a controversy, which was
detrimental to the place, as to what name sin mid be given the village. Ac-
cording to Mr. Buck's version there was a little coincidence in this, inas-
much as Mr. Hartshorn had a daughter and Mr. Haire had a sister, each
named Madelia, so it was resolved that the town should receive that name.
Mr. Buck told of bis experiences, one of which was that while boarding with
a Mr. Benjamin, he slept on a pole bed and on the night that the comet of
thai year had been predicted to strike the earth, he went to turn over in
bed when down came the bedstead and bis first impression upon being so
suddenly awakened was that the comet had struck Benjamin's house.
Mr. Flanders told of his early experiences, many of which were very
amusing. lie also said thai one object be bad in coming to this country
was to "make circumstance-." IK' related incidents concerning the poverty
of the people "!' the early times; that frequently they did not have a meal
in tin' house and that be bad made a dinner of little fishes, caught by his
children, cooked without -alt and eaten with a little bread: yet all were happy.
Mr. Charles Kempfer related some amusing incidents of the earlv days
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 575
of yore and said that his object in coming was to get where land was cheap.
He was followed by B. O. Kempfer, who, as he said, had imagined himself
the star of the Empire state and had made his way westward. He had
also seen jolly days in the early times and the only affront he remembered
was in being called a young Irishman by Mr. Buck while driving survey
stakes for him, when in reality he was a Pennsylvania-Dutchman.
SONG FOR THE OLD SETTLERS.
By rims. A. Kempfer.
There's Slocum and Pomeroy ami Gilbert and Chase,
Hon well 1 remember each glad welcome fare;
There's Barney and Bundy, Tom Rutledge and Pat,
They'll- all of them hearty and some of them fat.
Hurrah for the band, the brae little band,
The bold pioneers that settled the land.
There's -Mullen and Shannon and old Mrs. (lids,
Nels Larseo and .lens and Helger so bold;
They've braved many storms and they've done very much,
And so has I >i k- Tihil and 'I'll lore Dutch.
Hurrah for the hand, the foe-daring band,
That faced the wild Savage and settled the land.
There's Buck, the surveyor, the lawyer 1 mean.
When Madelia was grass ami all of it green;
He ••tain" the townsite with compass SO tin-'.
And his legs were all wet with primitive dew .
Hurrah for the band, the gay-daring hand.
The jolly gOOd fellows that settled the land.
That night, while enjoying pure primitive dreams,
We awoke .11 1 lie sound of Buck's terrible screams.
He "bust" out a-laffin'. "he was ciuite dead,"
That "comet" justed "busted his primitive bed."
Hurrah for the hand, the gaj daring band,
Tin- Jolly good fellows that settled the land.
There's Hudson and Travis ami Sprague and "Old .1
I 1 old '57 I heir fares I know.
Ami all Whom I've INI d I knew them Well thru
Your poet is happy to meet them again.
Hurrah for the band, the musical hand.
The pride of the gay boys thai settled the land.
The "New Yankee Sled." first fruits ol m mil
We sang on thai sled to keep off the 1,
The sled is now rotten, and we more.
Bui the son- and your fa.,-, are bright as of yore.
Hurrah for the hand. John Out'cn Bl Band,
Thai played for 'he heroes thai settled the land.
576 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
GREAT STORMS.
Iii January, 1873, the thermometer made a sudden drop about two
o'clock in the afternoon and the wind began blowing a hurricane from the
northwest, followed by snow. It seems that for some reason that a great
many of the country people had gone into the towns on this day and naturally
were caught away from home in the storm. Some thought they were com-
pelled to return home and therefore made the attempt. Among the number
was Mrs. Charles Decker and Mrs. Chris Ash, both of whom lived near
Madelia. When four miles from town they tied their team to a fence
within thirty rods of a house, started to go with the wind and perished.
A man and his team were found frozen to death near the Trowbridge farm,
three miles southwest of St. James. A man living four or five miles west
of Madelia succeeded in getting within twenty rods of a house when he was
forced to unhitch his oxen, afterward found dead, and make his way with
the wind the best he could. He finally reached the home of Mr. Duncan,
just alive.
A gang of snow shovelers working for the railroad just out of St.
James, saw the storm coming and started for the nearest house, but were
overtaken. When they arrived they found one of their number missing,
but weather conditions were such that they could not retrace their course.
They remained in this house for two days and nights and then went in
search of the poor lost victim, expecting to find him frozen stiff, if they were
successful at all. In their diligent search they found signs of his existence
and digging into a snow drift he sprang out all right and said he would like
to have si line breakfast.
In the Nelson settlement north of St. James four people met death
from exposure. A child and her aunt. Airs. P. Olt, lay in a barn for two
days and nights without food before they were rescued. The child's feet
were badly frozen and for some time her recovery was very doubtful.
The cold was intense and continued, resulting in great loss of live
stock, Ml the stock that happened to be away from shelter when the storm
came on perished as well as many that were under shelter.
HAH. STORM.
A terrific hail storm occurred throughout Watonwan county in July.
[879. Everything was felled in its path, all vegetables were ground into
the earth and grass was cut off as though mown with a machine. Branches
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 577
of trees, one to two inches in diameter, were broken off like pipe steins;
window glass broken in nearly every home and in places the sash broken.
Poultry in the open were all killed, live stock bruised and in several cases
badly injured. A brick house belonging to Xat Stevens near Willow Creek
was blown down, killing a woman and injuring several others.
BLIZZARD BOUND.
The following is an account of an experience in a blizzard as told by
one of the participants, and retold by Albert Uhlhorn:
One day in the early seventies F. II. Uhlhorn and John A. Miller com-
ing with an ox team from the woods at the Big Cottonwood, were caught
in a blizzard and when stalled in the snow hitched both yokes before one
load and continued on their way. After several hours, Miller, by cold and
fatigue was benumbed and nearly fell asleep. Having vainly tried to urge
him along, Uhlhorn seeing no other way of arousing bis friend, struck him
a right smart crack over the back with the whip. This awakened Miller
and looking up he exclaimed. "Sell war grad recbt Fritz, grad jetzt kan ich
sehne wo wer sind," ( Penn. Dutch), and with that he fell into that firm and
elastic step so characteristic of a veteran of the Potomac army. Soon they
reached a farm house and were sheltered.
ADVANTAGES OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
This, county is blessed with a splendid soil and plenty of good well
water at a depth of from twenty to fifty feet; numerous lakes and streams
with plenty of fish; a county with numerous railroads, thriving cities and
villages, dotted with school houses, churches and creameries. And a county
with a law-abiding, industrious population, a healthy climate and absolutely
free from poisonous reptiles and insei I
The need- of the county are not many, but a few should be mentioned:
First, more capital at a lower interesl and longer time; second, a drainage
system within the reach of all who need it.
.1 R-S ["ONE 1. VYING.
Upon the final completion "f the new courthouse basement, and on
August 15. [895, there was a corner-stone laying ceremon) performed
under the management of tin- Masonic fraternity. There were tour hun-
(37)
578 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
dred Masons present, many coming from distant parts of the state. In
the stone was affixed a metal box in which was enclosed many articles,
including a copy of the Plaindealer, Journal, Madelia Times and Messenger,
local papers of this county; .Masonic papers, sealed envelope from Post-
master J. J. Thornton, daily papers of the state and those from Windom.
The oration of the day was delivered by Hon. W. S. Hammond, grand
orator, a portion of which read as follows, and is here given place from
the fact that the address was able, eloquent, and somewhat prophetic in its
character :
"When the future history of Watonwan county is written, the historian
will designate the year i S> >5 as a memorable one. The writer will say that
in that year the harvests were greater than they had ever been before in the
history of this county; he will say the shocks of grain were so thick in
some fields that a wagon could not lie driven across them. A year of great
promise and a year of mighty realization. In that year he will also say
there was completed a court house, built not for a single day, and not for a
single generation, but constructed of such materials and erected with such
care and skill that it was destined by its builders to be used for county
purposes for many more years.
"Alan is a builder. In his primitive state he builds to protect himself
from the summer's heat and winter's cold, from the snow and the pelting
rain. His retreat may he a cave in the ledge sufficient to satisfy his wants.
with little labor bestowed upon it by him, or it may be a shelter fashioned
from the boughs of the forest. Hut when communities are formed and
attachments made, a- wealth accumulates and civilization spreads, a demand
arises for buildings of a different character. Strength, convenience and
beauty are then sought. Nearly all the L;reat nations ^i the world have left
-real buildings an. I monuments, or the record of such buildings or monu-
ment- lor their descendants to admire and study \l;cs ago men were carry-
ing stones from Arabia ami Ethiopia and building vast monuments near
that city of famous temples, the capital of Middle Egypt. Today those
inspiring pyramids attract pilgrims from all parts of the world, who gaze
with awe ami wonder at their majestic proportions.
"In modern days, buildings have not ceased to be built, and the public
buildings of main national and municipal governments are memorials of
the work and labor of illustrious architects and skillful and cunning artisans.
Unlike the buildings of old. they will not be destroyed by the savage bar-
barian, but will remain until another people, in another age, will remove
them to build again where they stood.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 579
GROWTH OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
"This county, today, is only thirty-four years old; has a valuation of
five million dollars and personal property valued at a million and a half
dollars. The population of the county in 1865 was only two hundred
and forty-eight; in 1890 it was seven thousand eleven hundred; today its
almost ten thousand, which gives every individual therein about six hun-
dred and fifty dollars. When we consider that forty years ago there was
no one living here save the wandering bands of savages who roamed at
will over these rolling prairie-, caring little for this rich soil under foot —
this rich loam — which was capable of producing wheat, corn, rye, oats, flax,
barley and vegetables in great quantities, but seeking out the game of the
prairies or the lish from the innumerable lake-, and when one considers that
the early settlers of this county like the pioneers of New England, came
here without abundant resources, but dependent upon the value of their
crops in distant markets; obliged to carry their household supplies and their
necessary farming machinery over rough and unt raveled roads many long
miles and undergoing nearly as great an amount of hardship and labor in
taking their products to market as in harvesting it; and when we consider
ravages of the Indians in their uprising in 1862, and the terror inspired
in the minds of the old settlers by the tales of Indian barbarities and tin-
tortures inflicted upon those who were unfortunate enough to fall into hands
of the blood-thirsty, marauding Indian-, caused many to leave their homes
and seek places where they might at least live in peace.
"When one considers the grasshoppers of the seventies, which like the
Egyptian locust, so covered the face of the earth that the land was dark-
ened, and they ate the herb- of the land until there was no more green
things, sweeping out of existence the hard-earned saving- of the husbandman
who year after year, purchased seed wheal and oats for his crop, which in
the end he was not able to harvest, but was driven into debt in order to
supply themselves with the bare necessities of life; and when one considers
the great storms of hail that d, and that, unlike the bail storm
Pharoah knew, did not only take the barley in the ear and the flax in the
boil, but took the wheat and the rye: when 01 lers all those drawbacks
in the development of this county, and considers it- present prosperity, we
cannot wonder at the energy and p ance and the strength of char-
acter of the men and women who have cultivated these fields, Mar after
year, and who have made this county what it i- today.
580 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Well fares the land, from threatening ills secure,
Where wealth accumulates and men endure.
"The hardships attending the early settlement of this county have all
heen safely passed through. The public records wherein the owners of all
this property are shown have become themselves records of great value.
Their loss would be an incalculable damage to the property owners of this
county. After they have been placed in this new building there need be
little fear that fire will destroy them. The business of the county is grow-
ing and as year by year the volume of business increases, the county should
have it transacted in proper offices and buildings, where the accounts and
reports may be preserved from loss.
"May this building be successfully completed, as it has been begun.
May it remain for years a monument of the thrift, the foresight and pros-
perity of the people. May it remind future generations now unborn, of the
progressive type of their fathers, and how they established a county on the
vacant prairies and founding it with a suitable structure for its needs and
demands. May those who look upon this building be inspired themselves
still further to improve and beautify their surroundings."
It will be remembered that the foregoing was an oration delivered by a
young lawyer who rose to hold the positions of governor, congressman and
who died at St. James before the court house was scarcely a score of years
old.
GRASSHOPPERS.
In the spring of 1875 the people of Watonwan county were rejoicing
because they thought they were going to be missed by the grasshoppers.
But early in July came news from the north and east that the pests were
on their way. One morning about ten o'clock, a few days after the report,
the air was seen to be full of them. Borne along by northeast winds, they
passed over in clouds almost darkening the sun. In the afternoon they
commenced lighting and before night the ground was covered with them.
At once they began gnawing at the crops witli ravenous appetites. The
next day there was a little wind from the same direction, but they did not
move. On the .Monday following the wind had shifted in the northwest.
They attempted to rise and fly southwest, but made little headway. This
same program continued during the summer.
The citizen^ of Antrim township took the situation in earnest anil called
a meeting at the home of J. B. Firmenich for the purpose of concerted
action. A brief record of the meeting is given. "Resolved, that the farm-
ers take the first week in October to secure their places from fire; Resolved,
COTTOXWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. g8l
that no person shall start a tire for the purpose of securing their places with
less than three men; Resolved, that each person present he a committee of
one to detect and prosecute any person setting fire carelessly or with inten-
tion of doing damage; Resolved, that all present shall go and subdue any
fire that shall get from any party. The request of this meeting is that every
farmer in the township will act in accordance and also save straw."
GRASSHOPPER CATCHER.
Mr. C. C. Sylvester, of Watonwan county, devised a machine for catch-
ing grasshoppers. It was practical in character, heing adjustable in its sev-
eral parts, to work with either one or two horses. It could be raised and
lowered according to the wishes of the operator. The canvas upon which
the hoppers fell was easily removed from the machine and in its removal
was brought into a sack, so that none of the captured could escape. In front
of the canvas was a reel which drove the pests into the trap. The cost of
the machine was about ten dollars.
A .Mr. Leonard and a Mr. Munson also built a machine for the same
purpose. It differed considerably from Air. Sylvester's, except that the
power was applied in the same way. It had no reel, but instead two flags
extended out at the sides to scare the insects toward the center. On top
were bows to support a canvas covering and on the bottom was a revolving
apron which ran fast and carried the hoppers into the rear sack, which
could be detached and emptied.
The ravages of the grasshoppers upon the meager crops of the pioneers
caused many of them to become almost destitute. This circumstance called
for help which resulted in private, state and national assistance.
In July. i<*v4, the state furnished ninety sacks and ten barrels of flour
to the county commissioners to be distributed in the several districts to
those who were in absolute need. The same year twenty-five business men
of Minneapolis gave a substantial sum to the frontier relief fund. Con-
gress came to the rescue about the same time and passed the bill submitted
by Representative Dunnell, enabling the settlers who bad pre-empted land
in ten or more counties in southwestern Minnesota to maintain titles to their
farms while they were compelled to be away on account of the grasshopper
plague. The limit fixed by the bill was July i. [875.
In January, 1875. Congress passed a bill providing for an appropriation
of twenty thousand dollars fur the relief of the grasshopper sufferers in
southwestern Minnesota. In [878 they passed a similar bill providing for
an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
582 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
In 1877 the state Legislature passed the "Grasshopper" bill, a part of
which is herein given : Section 1 — Money shall be paid by the state not
otherwise appropriated to persons living within the counties affected with
grasshoppers for destruction of the insects and their eggs. Section 2 —
Grants — One dollar per bushel before June 1st; fifty cents between that time
and June 10th; twenty cents until October 1st. Section 3 — Grants — Fifty
cents per gallon for all grasshopper eggs taken and destroyed. Section 4 — ■
Authorizes the county commissioners to appoint suitable person in each
township to receive, measure and destroy all insects and eggs and he shall
be under oath to faithfully discharge his duties and shall be paid out of
the county fund such sum as the county shall fix upon. The state appro-
priated one hundred thousand dollars in carrying out this act.
BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS.
When the pioneers first came to this part of Minnesota they found
many birds and animals common that are not now known at all. Yet, they
still found more of such birds and animals that one would naturally look
for after the hand of civilized life has so materially changed the condition
of things.
Of the species of birds that inhabited both timber, valley and prairie
plains, these were quite common in the fifties and sixties and many are still
with us to charm and cheer the lover of real true nature: Turkey buzzard,
hawks (several species), eagles, owls (three species), woodpeckers (two
species), humming-bird, swallows (three species), whippoorwill, nighthawk,
kingfisher, fly-catcher, thrush, robin-red-breast, blue birds, wren, scarlet
tanger, cedar bird, shreke, cat bird, American creeper, nuthatch, titmouse,
goldfinch, snow bunting, sparrow, cow-bird, blackbirds (three species), mea-
dow-lark, oriole, crow, blue jaw wild pigeon, turtle dove, prairie chicken,
partridge, quail, sandhill crane, blue heron, bittern or stake-driver, night
heron, kill-deer, woodcock, snipe, rail, snow goose, Canada goose, brant,
mallard, teal, spoonbill, wood duck, canvas hack, butter ball, gull, tern, loon,
grebe or mud-hen.
Of the mammals found roaming at will over this portion of Minne-
sota when white men first settled it. may he mentioned the following: Bat-.
schrews, mole, lynx, wild-cat. prairie wolf, fox. timber wolf, fischer, weasel,
mink', otter, beaver, skunk, badger, raccoon, red squirrel, gray squirrel, fiy-
ing squirrel, chipmunk, striped gopher, pocket gopher, prairie squirrel, wood-
chuck, mice (several species), rat, muskrat, jack rabbit, rabbit, northern
rabbit, elk, deer and buffalo.
CHAPTER XX.
REMINISCENCES.
The following reminiscences of early days in this county was written
by Alexander Swanson. and published in the St. James Plaindealer a num-
ber of years ago. Mr. Swanson still, resides at St. James, a well-preserved
and well-posted gentleman.
It was in Adrian township, section 12. during the month of June, 1870,
that Alexander Swanson broke the first land and brought the first load of
lumber from Lake Crystal and erected the first so-called "homestead build-
ing" in harmony with the style that was already in vogue, namely, to find
an elevation of the land, sloping southward or eastward and there select a
choice lot for digging a basement, making the room below the ground two
or three feet deep. The dimensions of the building were ten by twelve by
six. Common lumber was used for the walls and the roof, then it was sided
with genuine "homestead siding" or plowed sod. Shingles were not to he
found, so the roof was covered with slough grass, which staple article then
grew in abundance. Then the same material was used to tup off the roof
as had previously served as a covering fur the walls. The only windows
consisted of panes ten by twelve in size. The door faced cither toward the
south I'!" the east. The floor was composed of hard, shoveled clay; very
few of the pioneers could afford to have a floor of wood material. This
was the prevalent method employed by the Scandinavians in Watonwan
county. The Americans were more satisfied with the common "claim
shanty" and they boasted over the fact that their residences presented a
more civilized aspect. In a good-natured way they -poke of the Scandinav-
ian home- a- "gopher lints." Yd it must lie admitted that their claim
shanties more easily became the prey of the tierce fires than what was 1
tomary with the sod huts.
THE FIRST Iloi [
The first house erected in that vicinity that was covered with a shingle
roof was built in the spring of 1N72 in the south portion of section [2,
Adrian township. But this magnificent building was not long privileged to
584 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
tower above the sod huts, because already in the month of May, that year,
it was laid waste by a hurricane. The owner, Ole Boman, was upstairs
when the roof was lifted off and carried away. One portion of the build-
ing, while performing the act of moving to new quarters, happened to meet
Mr. Boman's sister, Lena, in its course and struck her so violently that her
leg was crushed, splinters of the bone being visible through the skin.
The family was now placed in an unenviable condition. No doctor
could be reached at a nearer distance than Mankato, and no team of horses
was to be found in the settlement. But as Mr. Boman was daring and
resolute he undertook to perform the surgical act. Using his razor as an
instrument he opened up the wounded spot, placed the splinter of bone into
its natural place and bandaged it. No chloroform was used. The only
characteristic here made prominent was courage, mingled with a decided
purpose to accomplish what was necessary. The operation was a success
and after a long time of intense suffering Miss Boman completely recovered.
She was afterwards united in marriage to Mr. C. W. Samuelson and became
the mother of Alfred Samuelson and Mrs. Willis Nelson. This is men-
tioned for the mere purpose of illustrating what privations and endurance
the early pioneers had to experience. The theory was now established with
an emphasis that it was not advisable to build any other dwelling than sod
huts on the prairie. But times have changed and so have the methods of
living. The sod houses have disappeared and replaced by buildings of a
different frame and style and the pioneer has become accustomed to homes
just as modern as any American mav care to live in.
TRANSPORTATION TROUBLES.
When the earliest settlers arrived here they were not to be accommo-
dated with graded roads, or roads of any kind or description, but had to
drive wherever it was possible to move forward. When rivers or creeks
checked the way it was customary to fasten the wagon box to the running
gears witb a rope and urge the faithful steers to plunge in for a swim across
the stream. In this way and mode of traveling a long time elapsed before
any tracks of wagon wheels became visible, thus indicating a team road.
The fn>t wagon track that formed a line across the prairie in the Adrian
and Sveadahl settlement was to be seen in 1 N7 1 , when a government cara-
van carrying provisions from some fort in South Dakota passed through.
The caravan consisted of forty heavily loaded dray wagons, each headed
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 585
by three teams of mules. The route was directed from Big Bend via Moun-
tain Lake through Adrian northeasterly, passing west of Lake Hanska,
heading for New Ulm. The settlers could henceforth pride themselves on
having at least one road.
Speaking of bridges, the first one built in the Adrian vicinity was on
the south line of section 12. near where the present steel bridge is located.
The means to defray the building expenses were raised through voluntary
subscription. The work was freely offered and performed by settlers. The
wood material was brought from the forests near Ibera. But the bridge
had one deplorable characteristic, and that was to betake itself to some
knoll of high ground whenever high water occurred. Later, it was burned
up in a prairie fire. This necessitated the building of a new one and now
the settlers extended their subscriptions as far as St. James, where ten
dollars was received. Soon the pioneers felt proud of their new and more
substantial structure, which was at that time the only bridge, for many
miles, across the north branch of the Watonwan river.
The settlers in this county were not troubled by Indian outbreaks as
had happened in settlements farther east, but they had their enemies just
the same. The small patches of land that were cultivated became the as-
sembling places for all the birds under the heavens. Occasionally they
became so aggressive that the farmer had to leave his dinner for the pur-
pose of chasing them away. Gophers also carried on their destructive work,
but the bitterest enemy was the annual prairie lire, which came during the
fall months. The one that was perhaps the most severe came in the fall of
1871. shortly after the big Chicago fire. The whole prairie presented the
appearance of a flaming sea. Many people lost their homes and nearly all
their possessions, including their crops. But this was not all. Following
came the boreal winds sweeping the snow along into drifts and blockading
everv house. Several families wen- closed in their primitive residences for
days and were finally helped out by neighbors. The railroad companies also
had to experience many hardships that winter. Several futile attempts were
made to open the road, but not until March was traffic resumed. What
hardships the settlers had to encounter can only !"• realized by those who
partook in the work to prepare the way for civilization in those pioneer
days. The elements were not always in quietness during the early days.
Thus can be mentioned the big snow <torm in January, 1872, when so many
people perished; some at the very threshold of their homes. Some of the
men were away at the Ibera mill, where they had to remain for three days.
(38)
5&6 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
PRIVATIONS OF PIONEERS.
The first ten years as settlers mark an epoch of privations and poverty
alike to all. If it were these common experiences that account for it, or the
spirit of the age, cannot be said, but anyway one cannot help but notice the
commendable traits of the people, the friendships, the unanimity and help-
fulness among them. Neighbors would willingly lend to each other not
only agricultural implements and household goods, but articles of food as
well. Thus, flour was such an article to be borrowed and loaned, giving
occasion to the saying that each family has its own household, but the Mom-
is common. The reason for this was that the mill at Ibera was often so
overtaxed that one had to feel satisfied in getting ten bushels of wheat
ground now and then. Arriving at home the settler would notify his neigh-
bors that he had been to mill and they soon would arrive for their shares
of the grist, which was divided into small quantities to each family. When
the next neighbor would go to mill the conditions were similar.
Each one of the old settlers feels thankful at this time that he has been
privileged to partake in the upbuilding of a community, of establishing
schools, churches and other institutions of culture and civilization.
Back in 1872 and along to the early eighties the country comprising
Watonwan county was a vast rolling prairie covered with an abundance of
grasses and wild (lowers, traversed by torrent streams and containing count-
less sloughs, all filled with wild game, such as geese, cranes, ducks, prairie
chickens, snipe, blackbirds, larks, bob-o-links and numerous other song birds;
jack rabbits, gophers, mink, muskrats, etc.
Only ten year- prior to this early period the Sioux Indians had stealth-
ily gone over these prairies, on murder bent, but it was now being settled
by immigrants, mostly from Germany, Scandinavia and the Green Isle, and
a large number of Civil War veterans, commonly known as Yankees. Then
it was a common occurrence to see those neighbors as they -1 1 together,
the Yankees doing most of the talking, while the Swedes and the Germans
would assent with "Ay tank so." and "Ja. Ja; dad is mine ida !"
Well, they not only talked. They bad homesteads, but there were no
houses, no stables, no fields, no groves, no mads, no churches, no school
houses and no money, or at least very, very little of it. lie was rich who
bad a team of oxen, a cow. a hog, a wagon and a breaking plow and no
debts. Bui these men. and women too, had a strong will and strong arms.
They went about looking for a hillside on which to build a house, often
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 587
made of rough lumber with sod piled against it; a foot thick for walls, one
window with four eight-by-ten-inch panes of glass and one door. This
constituted the pioneer's palace, which was usually about ten by twelve by
six. In the fall a stable was built of soil with a hay roof only.
The younger generation may smile, but it is nevertheless true that the
pioneer children were never happier than when they were sitting with their
parents in those huts, around the stove in which a fire of green wood and
hay twists kept them warm. Then the father would teach them to read and
write Deutsch (German), hoping that by the next winter the district would
organize, build a school house and hire a teacher to teach them English,
while the mother mended the clothes, knit stockings and mittens or made a
cap of muskrat skins.
THE CHILDREN HELPED.
In the summer the children watched the cattle, clay in and day out,
Sundays and week days, in cold and rain, heat or hail, with no shelter but
their clothing, which was often "absent" at the knees and elbows. Mother
had no time for mending them. She was with the elder children, helping
the father in the field, breaking prairie, which was not an easy task, with
ox teams, for if the lead team took a notion to go home or to take a bath
in a nearby slough, they did it, as there were no lines with which to hold
them. Resides the mother helped at haying hut not with mowers, hay rakes,
loaders and stackers. No, they had a scythe, a hand rake and hand forks,
or thev had to wait for the neighbor who was lucky enough to own a mower-
reaper to do the cutting. '1 lie first machine that cut the grain was a mower-
dropper, which dropped the bundle at the driver's will, right behind the
sickle-bar, and thev had to be bound before the tea < i e around again.
There are verv few of the present generation who can bind a hand-bundle
tie correctly. Then the shocking was done at night, when all helped along.
But these were not the greatest trials. They hai grasshoppers for
five years in succession. This plague ate and destroyed all cultivated crops
except potatoes. They tried to catch them when small in open ditches made
around the field, into which they would jump, to be burned or pounded to
death, or in a large bag with a stick across the top. which was carried rap-
idly over the field- to catch them, At one time th< tate offered a bonus of
ten cents per bushel for dead grasshopper-. This did not check them how-
ever. In one instance a farmer sowed sixty bushels of wheat and threshed
out four, and had a family of seven to provide for.
588 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
TRIBUTE TO PIONEER HEROES.
Iii the early days prayers were offered up more fervently than they are
today. Those were the days when the weeping mothers were thankful when
they had a crushed potato with some milk to give their little ones, and the
fathers, hoping, yet fearful, held onto that patch of land which is now
referred to as the old farm, little thinking what heroes they were, who
made it what it is today. Look about you and behold these venerable men
and women, now adorned with the snow of years — years spent in wresting
the beautiful homes we now see from adverse circumstances. Fewer will
there be each year and many there are who have gone to their final resting
place and reward. The, pioneers are entitled to the name hero and deserve
as much reverent consideration as the boys in blue of the First Minnesota
who checked Picket's division at Gettysburg, although their deeds are not
now described in such brilliant language nor commemorated by monuments.
Those days of trial went by. Bridges, roads, churches and school
houses were built, teachers were hired and a new epoch began. But just a
few words about the school house and the first days of school. The house
was a wooden structure with lap siding and building paper for walls. No
plaster, a tin stove and flax straw for fuel. But strange as it may seem, no
scholar ever became seriously ill or ever complained. Going to school was
their recreation, their greatest joy. their chance to learn. And then there
was the school ma'am. She seemed like a fairy from some distant land,
filling the heads of the little ones with wisdom and those of the bigger boys
with lovely dreams. In this respect there has not been a decided change.
In the evenings, when the weather was not too unfavorable and the chil-
dren bad their lessons for the following day. the family would walk for
miles over the snow or prairie for a visit, but it is not so now. Times have
cbanged from ox teams to automobiles, yet people seem less contented now
than forty-four years ago.
May 17. [869, marked the completion of the Minnesota Valley railroad
as far east as MankatO. Therefore, when ibis point was reached by rail
there was no other way for the early settler to get to his destination except
to walk. However, in 1 S 7 1 , the same road continued the construction of
their line From St. James to Sioux City. The railroad was given a land
grant of every other section as 1. 3, 5, etc. Then the rest was open to
homestead and everv settler was to own all the land inside of the local
grant.-, except sections [6 and 36, which were known as school lands. Ac-
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 589
cording to the terms of the old land grant to the Minnesota Valley railroad,
their property was to be free of taxation so long as it remained in their
hands. During this time no attempts were made to sell any of the land.
Not many year- passed until the road changed ownership and became known
as the St. Paul & Sioux City road. Immediately the state Legislature passed
a law requiring this same road to pay taxes which meant that the railroad
company at once opened up its land to settlers and homesteaders. The first
land sold at from five to eight dollars per acre.
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE.
The grasshopper plague lasted from [873 to 1877. Coming at a time
when the early settlers were just beginning to make a start meant undue
hardships tor them. Nothing escaped the pests and as a result the settlers
made a bare subsistence for a period of five long years. This plague was
not confined to southwestern .Minnesota, but to other states as well.
From Fargo Falls on the north they swept the western part of Iowa, finally
taking in the whole state as well as parts of Illinois and Wisconsin.
The earlv prairie fires had completely destroyed the forests so that
with the coming of the early settlers the average tree was no larger than
the usual walking cane. From St. James to Madelia there was not a tree
standing sufficient to make a cord of wood, with the possible exception oi
those around the Long and Kansas lake-, where they had been protected.
Therefore, the trees that are now seen have I nted during the last
forty years.
Continuing the story of the railroad construction from St. James to
ux City, they hired six hundred men who were grouped into nine
camps two mile- apart. \ day's work was ten hour . for which the laborer
received one dollar and seventj ents. Board cost him four dollars per
week. In all other work the average worl ing day was eleven hours. Every
camp contained thn and thre Colonel Allen, of St. Paul,
wa- the head contractor, and General Bishop was chief surveyor and engi-
neer.
All the provisions were hauled from St. 1'anl and Mankato. The meal-
all had a kind of a sameness, consisting of pork and bean-, black coffee and
brown sugar and. occasionally, dried apples and rice. N ibles of any
kind were ever served and not a drop of milk nor an e££ was ever seen in
camj). The cooking was all done by men. Strange as it may seem, during
590 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
a period of six months only three or four men were sent from work on
account of sickness. Drinking water was secured from shallow wells and
wet weather springs and dry as some of the men became not a drop of whis-
key was drunk.
In August the track was laid as far as St. James and it was hoped that
Worthington might be reached by the time winter set in. At that time the
place was just a village situated near Okobena Lake. However, in Novem-
ber winter set in with an old-fashioned blizzard and the track was laid only
as far as Heron Lake, which was ten miles from Worthington. During this
blizzard and snow storm Worthington became isolated from the outer
world, without fuel and necessary provisions. The next spring the track
was laid to Worthington and on to Sioux City.
EXIT THE GRASSHOPPER.
In 1877 or about the time the grasshoppers were leaving, the question
arose among the settlers as to how they should continue to hold out under
such circumstances. Then in the fall came the prairie fire which swept
everything clean. Some idea of how fast the fire traveled may be gained
from the fact that a distance of seventy-five miles was burned over in
twenty-four hours. With few provisions at hand and the horrors of another
winter staring the settlers in the face, the future appeared dark, indeed.
But they were all young people, healthy and courageous, able and willing to
endure hardships for the sake of a home. With the coming of spring the
men sought work on the farms in the eastern part of the state, leaving their
wives and children behind to look after their homestead and lay up pro-
visions for winter. Wages during summer were not more than twelve
dollars per month, with board and washing included. When the fall work
was over the homesteader returned to his family.
AMUSEMENTS NIL.
There were no amusements in the pioneer days. There were no dances,
because there were no places to dance. There were no husking bees, be-
cause die birds and small animals ate up all the corn that the grasshoppers
left. There could be no spellings, because there were no schools. There
was very little entertaining, as the little sod huts of one or possibly two
rooms and with a clay floor about two teet below the surface of the ground,
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 59I
would not permit of large gatherings. In fact, the greatest amusement of
all was work; just plain hard work and seeing things grow.
It can hardly be said that the pioneers received any mail service. They
were fortunate if thej received their mail such as it was once a month.
Whenever a neighbor should go to St. James, and that was very seldom, he
would get the mail for the whole neighborhood. Occasionally, a man from
the neighborhood would walk to Si. Peter for the newspapers, whose pub-
lications were few and quite irregular. It was in a Swedish settlement only
that there were subscribers to a paper, which was one from Chicago. The
number of subscribers were two.
EARLY MARKET.
Fresh, home-churned butter sold in St. James for five cents a pound
in trade; no cash. Likewise, fresh eggs sold for five cents per dozen, but
only in trade. As some of the settlers became more prosperous they would
fatten a pig to sell. There was no sale for the animal on foot, so it had to
be killed and dressed and then the owners were lucky to dis])Ose of it at
four cents per pound. Later on. when the settlers began to raise more
stock, a stock bmer would come around to buy all the two-year-old steers,
never a heifer, for which he would pay fifteen to seventeen dollars apiece.
TOOLS AND MACHINERY.
In the early pioneer days there were no tools and machinery to speak
of for harvesting the crops. For instance, the grass had to lie cut with the
sevthe and raked with a hand rake. But as time and improvement went on
there was usually some man in a community who could afford to buy a
mower or rake, perhaps both. Then he would cut and rake the crops of his
neighbors for so much a day. Great advance was made in the harvesting of
crops with the coming of the reaper. Farmers traded work, and when it
came time to harvest the grain, all the men and women in a community
would go from place to place doing the binding. Women bound jusl tin-
same a- men and quite often the best and most rapid binders were among
their number. In some cases it was necessary to hire men. who were paid
at the rate of two dollars per day in liar-.' 1
CHAPTER XXI.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
MARKET QUOTATIONS.
No little interest is attached to the prices paid for various farm pro-
ducts and retail store goods, at different times in the history of any com-
munity, hence the following quotations are here given, the same being the
prevailing prices at either St. James or Madelia since the settlement of the
ci unity, commencing in 1874. Those before cannot be established correctly,
as no newspapers were published and files preserved before that date:
Wheat, 90 cents; corn, 40 cents; oats, 40 cents; potatoes, 95 cents;
barley, 40 cents; flour, $2.75 per hundred; butter, 15 cents; eggs, 20 cents;
lard, to cents. This obtained in the month of November, 1874, at Madelia.
September, [892, at St. James: Wheat, 60 cents; oats, 23 cents: flax,
89 cents; corn, 25 cents: butter, 15 cents; eggs, 14 cents.
At St. James in 1913: Wheat, 76 cents, corn, 58 cents; barley, 50
cents; flax, $1.24; rye, 48 cents; hogs, $6.80 and S7.25 ; cows. $5.50; steers.
$6 to S7; live turkeys, 12 cents: geese, 6 cents: eggs, 22 cents: butter, 22
to 30 cents; potatoes, 60 cents.
At St. James in July. toiO, these prices obtained: Wheat. No. 1
Northern, $1.07; corn, jy cents; oats, 36 cents; barley, 67 cents; rve. 92
cents: flax, $1.80; draft horses, $125 to $215; feeding steers. $7 to $7.50;
choice fed steers, $9.25 to $to; medium, $7 to $8; yearlings.. $8 to $10;
ows, $6.75 to $8; hogs, $9.50 to $9.70; sheep, $5 to $8; butter, 27 cents;
eggs, 22 cents: gasoline, 23 cents. Three and a half cents per pound was
paid for old scrap paper during 1916.
ANTI-HORSE THIEF ASSOCIATION.
In the past years, though well settled, this and adjoining counties have
suffered loss at the hands of horse thieves. In 1894 there was organized a
society for the prevention of horse stealing in Watonwan county. A long
constitution was adopted and many members paid a nominal fee and became
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIKS, MINN. 511;
active members of the society. The first officers were: Robert Rowland,
president; E. A. Gibbs, vice-president; I. \V. Somers, secretary; L. O.
Ulvestad, treasurer, and "riders" as follow: Ernest Uhlhorn, Adrian town-
ship; Frank Dewar and I. ('. Lindley, Antrim township; C. Melheim, and
J. Rempel, Butterfield township; William Gillispie and Ross Sargent. Fieldon
township; Bernt Olson and I Larson, Long Lake township; H. C. King
and E. H. Bill, village of Madelia; P. J. Gjertson and W. W. Murphy,
Madelia township: Nels Newberg. and John Olson, Xelson township; S.
Xass and one more from Odin township; J. Grogan and Gustav Durheim,
Riverdale township; W. N. Foote, and K. S. Thompson, Rosendale, town-
ship; Otto Wenstrom and G. W. Forsythe, St. James village; Robert Row-
land and J. VV. Somers, St. James township; Bert Sharp and George Stradt-
man, South Branch township.
This society was the means of stopping horse thieving in the county to
a large extent. The) also aided other counties in this and adjoining states
in capturing stolen horses and cattle.
THE PROHIBITION QUESTION.
The matter of prohibiting the sale and use of intoxicating liquors in
this, as in all other counties, has been one that ha^ engaged the minds of
the voters and law-makers for many years. With the progress made by the
temperance element, many counties have been placed in the "dry column"
in recent year-, and it is believed that before long the entire state will he
free from the curse of the saloon. Local option, low license, high license
and many other plans ha n operated, hut none have proven as satisfac-
torj to tin- better elemenl in communities a- total prohibition, hi 1915
Watonwan county went "dry." as the tern now-a-days, when total
prohibition is in effect. Thi of Madelia wen! dry in March, [910,
and St. James in 1015. Concerning this question at Madelia it may be
i ted that Four y the village became entirely saloonless, seventeen
d and tried citizens and business men of that village signed the following
statement :
"During the dry period bus d each year and has been
the best in [913, Manx new dwellings have been built this year which are
occupied soon as completed. Not a vacant house or -tore building is found
in town. The village was never in better condition than now. Moral con-
ditions are unsurpassed.
594 COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
"The majority against licenses increases each year, the majority in
March, 1913, being the largest ever given against license in this village.
We believe the licensed saloon to be a detriment, financially, morally and
socially to any community and we are unalterably opposed to the saloon in
any form. We propose to do as we have in the past, viz., oppose the
licensed saloon in thi;-- town with all our power. (Signed) George S.
Hage, D. E. Peterson. W. A. Mullen, B. James. S. Larson, M. S. Dosset,
M. Olson, E. A. Hagaman, C. T. Haugen, O. A. Crosby, X. Pederson, R.
M. Sargent, T. Patterson. A. J. McLean, James N. McCarty."
LOCAL OPTION VOTE IX I Q I 5 .
The county of Watonwan voted at a special election held in March,
191 5, on the question of whether or not saloons should be allowed a license
in the county. The vote stood as follows:
Yes. No. Yes. No.
Madelia • 68 33 Madelia village 202 103
Fieldon 44 40 Lewisville village 24 49
Antrim > 35 69 Ormsby village 12 11
South Branch 25 68 Odin village' 33 vg
Rosendale 48 50 Butterfield village 45 57
Riverdale 105 40 Darfur village 5 20
Nelson 120 28 St. James City (1st
St. James 50 76 ward) 137 183
Long Lake 100 33 St. James City 2nd
Odin 78 32 ward) 128 142
Butterfield 56 37
Adrian 57 30 Majority for Prohibition 247
"RUSSIAN THISTLE DAY."
Monday, July 7, 1895, was Russian Thistle Day in this county. The
Russian thistle had come to he so thick that the farming community was
being greatly damaged. This obnoxious plant hail been drifting in from
the northwest, from the Dakotas and northern Minnesota until it seemed
to have almost thwarted the plan-- of the best experts at annihilating it.
The county commissioners resolved that July 7, 1805. should be fixed as the
day and date for the destruction of all Russian thistles standing or growing
in Watonwan county, Minnesota.
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN. 595
The record has the following: "All Russian thistles found standing or
growing in said county alter the said date will be destroyed by public author-
ity at the expense of the owner or occupant of the lands upon which said
Russian thistle may be found, and said owner or occupant failing to destroy
said Russian thistle before the date fixed is liable to prosecution for misde-
meanor and for maintaining a public nuisance."
The following year another "Thistle Day" was fixed by the county
commissioners in September, 1896.
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