USA > Minnesota > Lyon County > An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08192339 7
.+++ +
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/illustratedhistolcm00rose
JOSEPH NICOLAS NICOLLET
Who Explored Southwestern Minnesota in 1838 and Was One of the First White Men to Visit Lyon County.
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF
LYON COUNTY
MINNESOTA
-
By ARTHUR P. ROSE
MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Author of the Histories of NOBLES, JACKSON, ROCK AND PIPESTONE COUNTIES, ETC.
NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY MARSHALL, MINNESOTA PUBLISHERS 1912
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 633292 ASTOR LEMUS AND TILDEX F 19:3 .
-
FORE WORD
W HE white man's history of Lyon county dates back to no great an- tiquity, but that will be overcome in the course of time. Of priceless value are local histories of communities of the eastern states written contemporaneous with their early settlement; future generations will place a higher value on this work than the people of the present.
While the history of the county covers only a period of time represented by a span of years accorded a long-lived man, the events which have occurred should be recorded while there are yet living some who took part in the history- making. It is for this purpose that this volume is put forth. It is the only * complete history of Lyon county ever published, and the material for its com- pilation has been secured almost wholly from original sources.
The author has consulted and quoted from the writings of Hon. Warren Upham, secretary of the Minnesota Historical Society, from C. F. Case's History of Lyon County, from the History of the Minnesota Valley, from the publications of the Minnesota Geological Survey, from Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, and from other books of reference. The files of the local newspapers have been of inestimable value in supplying authentic data, especially the files of those pioneer journals, the Prairie Schooner, Marshall Messenger and News- Messenger, kindly loaned by C. C. Whitney, of Marshall. Without them much of historical importance must have remained unrecorded. Scores of pioneer residents have interested themselves in the work to the extent of devoting time to the detailing of early day events.
For the purpose of revising and suggesting improvements Messrs. C. F. Case and H. P. Sanden and Dr. H. M. Workman reviewed the manuscript before it was put to press. Those gentlemen read the historical part of the volume, made a number of corrections, and indorsed the work as an impartial, com- prehensive and substantially accurate record of events from the earliest days to the present time.
In the work of gathering the data the author has been ably assisted by Messrs. P. D. Moore, J, P Nelson, and William Larkin.
Probably no historical work was;eyer put to press which entirely satisfied its author. There are so many pitfalls in the path of him who seeks to record the events of the past; the human mind is so prone to err in recalling names and dates of a former day " Sc it happens that the writer, compiling his story from data of which only a past can be-verified, knows that there must be errors. albeit he may have exercised the greatest care. With no apologies, but with this brief explanation and the realization that the work is not perfect, this History of Lyon County is put forth.
ARTHUR P. ROSE.
Marshall, Minnesota, August, 1912.
C
.
.
C
CLC
.
V
.
c
.
.
L
V w
C
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER 1. ABORIGINAL DAYS-1700-1866.
Pre-Historic Times-The Earth in the Making-Early Inhabitants-The Indians-Origin of the Sioux-Their Tribal Divisions-The Sissitons-Indian Life in Lyon County- Early Explorers-LeSueur in Southwestern Minnesota-Carver-Long-Featherston- haugh-Fur Traders-Joseph LaFramboise Establishes Post in Lyon County-George Catlin Passes Through-Nicollet and Fremont's Explorations-Nicollet's Map-Captain Allen Traverses the County-Big Game Found-Sioux Treaty-James W. Lynd Founds Trading Post-Aaron Myers Locates on the Cottonwood-The Nobles Road Built- Headquarters Buildings Erected-Trappers' Operations-The Saratoga Townsite- Murder of John Renniker-Lyon County Depopulated-Sioux Massacre-Butehery at Lake Shetek-Peace Established-Impermanent Settlers-Half-Breeds' Claims. 25
CHAPTER II. EARLY SETTLEMENT-1867-1869.
The First Settlers -- Muzzy-Goodell-Castor -- Other Arrivals-County Surveyed-Lynd Settlement-Life on the Frontier-Arrivals of 1868-The Cottonwood Settlement- First Postoffice-Taylor's Store-Tieknor's Hotel-Gristmill-Frontier Experiences- · The Lake Marshall Settlement-C. H. Whitney and Party-Pioneer Homes-Log and Sod Shanties-Life Described by a Pioneer 41
CHAPTER III. COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION-1869-1883.
Lyon County as French Territory-Sold to Spain-Resold to France --- Bought by United States-Included in Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin and lowa Territories- "No-Man's Land"-Minnesota Territory-County Formations-Aet Creating Lyon County-The Name-Organization-Lynd Named County Seat-Meeting Places of County Board-Organization of Townships-First Town Meetings-First Officers- Homesteaders-First Births, Marriages, Deaths, Etc .- Seleeting the Names-Lake Marshall-Lynd-Lyons-Fairview-Nordland-Grandview -- Lueas-Eidsvold-Mon- roe-Amiret-Westerheim-Vallers-Custer-Clifton-Stanley- Sodus-Rock Lake- Island Lake- Shelburne-Coon Creek.
17
CHAPTER IV. EARLY SETTLEMENT (Continued)-1870-1873.
Census of 1870-Arrivals That Year-Marshall Postoffice Established-Dr. Whitney's Store -Indian Scare-Militia Company Formed-Neweomers in 1871-Rev. Ellis' Store- Upper and Lower Lynd-First Church Building-Early Schools-Winona & St. Peter Railroad Built-Land Grant-Immigrants Pour In-And Stake Claims-Crop Sta- tisties for 1872-Loss by Fire and Hail-Hard Winter-Blizzard of January, 1873- Eight Persons Perish in Lyon County-Experiences in the Storm-Train Service Begun-Early Tax Payers-Lincoln County Formed-Marshall Becomes County Seat -Vote by Precincts
65
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
THE GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE-1873-1876.
Calamitous Days-First Grasshopper Invasion-Damage in Saratoga and Lynd Settle- ments-Depositing the Eggs-Relief Measures -- Mass Meetings-Destitution-Dis- tributing Food and Clothing-Free Seed Grain-Acreage of 1874-Myriads of Hoppers -- Almost Total Crop Destruction-A Terrible Blow-Fair Association Organized- First Fair-An Indian Seare-Fugitives Reach Lynd-Messrs. Gibbs and Pierce Perish in Blizzard-Government Distributes Rations and Clothing-Hoppers in 1875-Fighting the Pests-Damage by Blight-Census of 1875-First District Court-Invasion of 1876 -Another Damaging Setback-"Grasshopper Congress"-Day of Prayer for Deliver- ance-End of the Scourge.
75
CHAPTER VI. RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD-1877-1881.
New Era Begins-Bumper Crop of 1877-A Time of Jubilee-Rush of Homeseekers-The Icelandic Colony-Boom of 1878-The Trail of the Prairie Schooner-Last of Govern- ment Land Taken-Crop Failure-Old Settlers Organize Society-Dakota Central Railroad Built- Bishop Ireland's Colony- Crop Statisties, 1879-Another Blizzard Victim-Harvest of 1880-Population That Year- The Land Office-The Long Winter -October Blizzard-Samuel Kile Loses Life-Story of the Winter-Railroad Blockade -Death of Ole Norton-Famine-Out of Fuel-Burning Lumber-Snow Fences Appropriated-Floods-"Overland" by Boat-First Belgian and Holland Settlers Arrive-Railroad Rumors
87
CHAPTER VII. THE AGE OF PROSPERITY-1882-1912.
Promise of Better Times-Crop of 1882-Big Immigration-More Victims of the Storm King-French and Belgian Settlers Arrive-Proposed Duluth Railroad-Fight Over Bonds-Bounteous Times-Census of 1885-Blizzard of 1888-The Stalled Train- Adventures in the Storm-Willmar & Sioux Falls (Great Northern) Railroad-The Bond Issue-New Villages-Death-Dealing Cyclone-Population in 1890-Court House History-Campaigns for New Building-Bonds Voted-Destroyed by Fire-Rebuilt- Cyclone and Hail Storms-Panic of 1893-Crop Failure -- Hard Times-Census Figures -- Return of Good Times-Jail Erected -- More Railroad Building-Hail Storm of 1903 -Census of 1910-Crop Damage in 1911
99
CHAPTER VIII. POLITICAL-1869-1912.
First Officers Named by Governor Marshall-Delays in Organizing-First Election Precinets and Judges-Seventy-Eight Voters-Result of First Election-Commissioner Districts -Early Day Salaries-Legislative Roster-Republicans in Control-Part Played by "Peoples" Party-Congressional Roster-A Contest for Treasurer-Roster of District Judges-Democrats Enter Loeal Field-The Independents-Farmers Alliance Fur- nishes Opposition-Succceded by Peoples Party-Free Silver Issue-Primary Election Law-Gains in Voting Strength-Detailed Results of Elections-Summary
113
CHAPTER IX. MARSHALL-1872-1912.
Location-Natural Beauty-Known as the Big Bend-Homesteaders File on Site-Their Sod Shanties-The Postoffice-Campaign for a Railway Station-First Buildings- The Pioneer. Merchats-Selecting the Name-The Hotel Accident-Townsite Platted -Additions-Progress in 1872-W. M. Todd's First Visit-Part Played by C. H. Whitney-Postoffice History-Activities in 1873-Early Directory-First Tax Payers -One Year Old-Made County Seat-In Hopper Days-Incorporation-Becomes a City-License Question-Roster of Officers-Boom of 1878-Directory That Year- In 1884-Later` History-Fires.
129
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER N.
MARSHALL'S INSTITUTIONS.
The Schools-First Teachers and Pupils-The Octagonal Building -- Independent District -Roster Boards of Education-Superintendents-High School Graduates-New Building-St. Joseph's Convent The Churches-First Services-Church in a Saloon- Congregational-Methodist-Baptist -- Catholic-German Lutheran-Evangelical Asso- ciation-Episcopal-Icelandic Lutheran - Presbyterian-Norwegian Lutheran-The Lodges-Masonie-Grand Army -- Workmen -- Woodmen-Royal Arcanum-Maccabees -Foresters-Modern Brotherhood-Yeomen-Defunct Orders-The Carnegie Library -Fire Department -Pioneer Fire Fighters-The Banks -Bank of Marshall -- Lyon County National-First National-Marshall State-Municipal Plant - Telephone Com- pany-Tile Company
143
CHAPTER XI. TRACY-1875-1912.
Location- Summit Postoffice-Townsite Platted-Additions-First Business Houses- Known as Shetek Station-Postoffice History-First Year's Progress-Directory of 1875-During Grasshopper Days-Activities in 1879-Becomes a Railroad Center- Incorporation-Becomes a City-License Question-Roster of Officers-Boom of 1883 -- A Division Point-Business Houses in 1884-Census-The Second City in South- western Minnesota-The Fire of 1891-The Losses-Later History-The Schools- Teachers-Members of the Board-High School Graduates-School Buildings- Churches- Presbyterian-Methodist- Norwegian Lutheran-Catholic-German Luth- eran-Swedish Lutheran-United Norwegian Lutheran-Episcopal-The Lodges- Library-Fire Department-Banks-Tile Company 161
CHAPTER XII. MINNEOTA-1875-1912.
Lyon's Third City-Nordland Postoffice-Frick's Store -- "Yellow Medicine Crossing"- Founding the Village-First Business Men-Postoffice History-Townsite Platted- Additions-Name Changed to Minneota-History of the Change-Advancement in 1878-Village Incorporation-Voting on License Question-Village Officers-Directory of 1884-C'ensus Figures- Schools-High School Graduates-The Churches-Norwegian Lutheran-Catholic-Icelandic Lutheran-Baptist-Evangelical Lutheran-Lodges- Library --- Fire Department-Banks-First National-Farmers and Merchants 177
CHAPTER XIII.
COTTONWOOD-1888-1912.
Descriptive-First Mention-Selecting the Site-Platted by Schutz & Tyler -- Additions Sale of First Lots-First Buildings Ereeted-Pioneer Merchants-Postoffice Histo y Rapid Growth-Directory of 1889-Incorporation-Voting Under Local Option Law- Roster of Village Officers-Fire-Gains in Population-Schools-Graduates-Churches -Norwegian Lutheran-Presbyterian-English Lutheran-Lodges-Fire Department -Banks-First National-Cottonwood State-Fire Insurance Company. 189
CHAPTER XIV.
BALATON AND RUSSELL-1879-1912.
Balaton-Its Location-David Bell Establishes Store-Townsite Platted Additions -- Station Opened-The Postoffice and Postmasters-Early Business Houses-Directory of 1884-Fire of 1892-Incorporated-License Question-Officers-Fire of 1908 School-First Pupils-Churches-Lodges-Banks-Fire Insurance Company -Russell -Where It Is-The Name-Platted-Ephraim Skyhawk the Pioneer Merchant Postoffice-Later History-Incorporation-Contests Over Saloons- Local Officers- Fire-School-Churches-Lodges-Bank. 199
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
GHENT AND TAUNTON-1878-1912.
Ghent-Grandview Postoffice-Ray Founds Pioneer Store-Grandview Platted-Catholic Colony Stimulates the Village-Renamed Ghent-Early Business Houses-Incorpora- tion-Village Officials-Gains in Population-School-Catholic Church-Lodges-Fire Department-First State Bank-Taunton-As Siding No. 4-Lonesome Postoffice -- First Business Houses-Platted-Growth in 1898-Incorporated-Roster of Officer .- School-Churches-Fire Department-State Bank of Taunton 211
CHAPTER XVI. LYND, FLORENCE, GARVIN, AMIRET, GREEN VALLEY, ETC.
Lynd-The Oldest Village-Upper Lynd-Lower Lynd-Modern Lynd-Made County Seat -And Loses It-An Old Church-Florence-Its Founding and History-Garvin-Its History as Siding No. 7-Terry and Seefield-Pioneer Merchants-Amiret-Founded as Saratoga-Later Named Coburg-The Postoffice-Early Business Enterprises-A Deserted Village-Later History-Green Valley-First Business Men-Dudley- Burehard-Heekman-Camden, A Town That Was-Roek Lake-Sham Lake -- Blan Avon-Cereseo-Hildrethsburg-Island Lake- Brenner-Leo. 219
CHAPTER XVII. DESCRIPTIVE.
Location of County-Boundaries-Arca-Topographical Features-The Coteau des Prairies -Geological Formations-Elevations of Townships-Soil-How It Was Formed- Analyses-Timber -- Scarcity of Waste Land-Climate-Drainage Systems-The Streams-Lakes- Products -Resources - Development -Transportation Facilities- Wagon Roads -- Telephone Lines-Mail Delivery Routes-Land Values-Compared With Other Countries 233
CHAPTER XVIII. THE PRESS.
Papers Now Published-The Defunct Journals-Founding the Pioneer Paper-The Prairie Schooner-J. C. Ervin-Messenger-News-Consolidation as News-Messenger-Lyon County Leader-The Reporter-Tracy Gazette-Trumpet-Headlight-Republican- Herald-Minneota Prospect-Mascot-Vinland-Cottonwood Leader-Current-Gazette -Balaton Journal- Eagle-Times-Bystander-Leader- Press-Tribune-Press-Trib- une-Russell Review-Anchor- Garvin Leader. 239
CHAPTER XIX. REMINISCENT.
Prairie Fires-Terrors of the Prairie-Methods of Fighting-Interrupt a Funeral-Death of Mrs. Fellon-Game in Early Days-Early Courts of Justice-Brief Marriage Ceremony -Coining the Word "Blizzard"-"The Long Winter"-Locomotive Scares the Natives -Pioneer Minister-Rev. Ellis' Peculiarities-Railroad Strike-Riot Narrowly Averted County in Straitened Circumstances-"Stands Off" Creditors-Signs of the Times- Illustrations of Early Day Conditions. 247
Biographical History
CHAPTER XX. 255
-
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Joseph Nicolas Nicollet.
Frontispiece
Hugh L. Edwards and Family. 466
Nicollet's Map.
32
Mr. and Mrs. Knute E. Ronning 466
Minnesota Territory
48
Christ K. Melby. 480
Tracy School Building
68
Harry J. Tillemans. 480
Sod Shanty. 65
L. T. Thompson. 480
Map of Lyon County, 1874
80
August Princen 480
A Pioneer Cabin
Charles Foulon. 494
Oldest Building in Lynd Township
114
Dr. E. F. St. Denis. 494
A Landmark-Kiel's Hotel 114
Edward Schreiber 494
A Pioneer's Log Cabin. 124
Abel D. Schaeffer 494
Early Day Farm Home. 124
Dr. F. D. Gray. 506 506
Marshall Street Scenes. 134
The Marshall Hospital.
Marshall's Churches. .
146
R. B. Daniel. 506
Marshall's Institutions
154
H. M. Clark. 506
Tracy Scenes.
160
Philip P. Ahern 522
The Great Tracy Fire
166
Gus Knudson
522
Tracy's Churches.
170
St. Gilbertson.
522
Minneota Scenes.
182
522
Cottonwood Scenes
192
536
Balaton Scenes
202
Frank D. Pinckney
536
Russell Scenes
206
Charles W. Cady
536
Ghent Scenes.
214
Florence Scenes
220
Garvin Scenes
224
Amiret Scenes.
236
N. J. Robinson.
548
Plowing Scene.
250
Dr. L. E. Ijams
560
Trappers and Their Catch
250
O. A. Krook 560
560
Frank Case.
560
Thomas E. Davis
294
Lyon County Officers
312
Minneota Catholic Church, Pastor and Offi- cers
344
Peter H. Bly 572
Hans P. Sanden 584
Henry H. Benson. 584
584
Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Mathews 406
T. M. Thomas' Drug Store. 422
S. Sanderson and Family 422
Home of Nels Anderson. 438
Mr. and Mrs. John Hartzell. 438
Standard Lumber Company. 596
Bridge Over the Redwood 606
Ole K. Furgeson. 152
F. T. Shaeffer. 5844
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver A. Killius 596
Old Home of Henry Patneaude. 596
Home of H. P. Sanden 596
Mr. and Mrs. Aime Vanhee. 152
Dr. E. L. Hall. 536
Ole Ophiem. 548
J. S. Bartlett.
548
Rev. L. E. Sjolinder and Family
548
Charles C. Whitney
254
Mr. and Mrs. Reese Davis.
274
Joseph V. Mathews 572
Dr. J. B. Robertson.
572
Victor J. La Voy
572
Anton E. Anderson. 360
Mr. and Mrs. Christian E. Etrheim. 378
Homes of D. S. Burt .. 392
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver A. Killius.
D. L. Kennedy
Lyon County Lakes
G. B. Bjornson
Evan M. Jones ..
€
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Amiret township, 56. Amiret village, 56, 226-228.
Apportionments-commissioner districts, 114, 116, 118; congressional, 116; legislative, 115, 116. Area, 233. Assessments, early, 80, 111. Automobile, first in Tracy, 254.
Balaton, 199-205; banks, 204; churches, 202; early directory of, 200; fires, 200, 202; first business houses in, 199; incorporation of, 200; insurance company, 204; license question, 201; lodges, 203; officers, 201; platting, 199; popu- lation of, 199, 200, 201; postoffice, 200; school, 202.
Banks (see village headings). Big Bend, 45, 130.
Births, first-in county, 42, 59; in townships (see township headings).
Blan Avon, 232.
Blizzard, derivation of word, 251.
Blizzards, 45, 69-71, 81, 91, 92-97, 99, 102-104. Bloekades, railroad, 80, 93-97, 99, 135.
Bonds- for court house, 108, 109; for indebted- ness, 89; for municipal improvements (see village headings); for railroads, 98, 101, 105; For schools (see village headings).
Boundaries-of Lyon county, 49, 73, 233; of Minnesota Territory, 48. Breaking, early, 38, 40. Brenner postoffice, 232. Buildings, pioneer, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41, 45. Burchard, 230.
Camden, 231. C'anton township, 54. Catholic colony, 91, 97, 100, 183, 184, 212. Census-of county, 65, 83, 91, 102, 107, 111, 112; of farmers in 1884, 51-63; of villages (see village headings).
C'eresco, 232. Church, the first, 67. Churches (see village headings). Clifton township, 58. Climate, 236. Coburg, 226, 227. Commissioner districts, 114, 116, 118. Commissioners-chairmen of board of county, 113; early meeting places of, 49, 50. Congressional history, 116. ('ontests-for county seat, 74; for office, 117. Coon Creek township, 62. Coteau des Prairies, 30-32, 233-235.
Cottonwood, 189-197; banks, 196; churches, 194; early directory of, 191; fire, 193; fire depart- ment, 196; first business men of, 190; founding of, 190; incorporation of, 192; insurance company, 196; license question, 192; lodges, 195; officers, 192, 193; platting of, 190; popu- lation of, 189, 192, 193; postoffice, 191; school, 193; selecting the site of, 189. Cottonwood lake, 189, 236.
Cottonwood river, 29, 35, 36, 236.
County borrows money, 253.
County formations, 48.
County seat-removal of, 74, 220; selecting the, 49, 220.
Court, district, established. 84.
Court houses, 74, 107-109. Crop failures, 75-85, 89, 97, 110. Crop statisties, 68, 78, 80, 88, 90, 100.
Custer township, 58.
Cyclones, 106, 107, 109, 110.
Deaths-in blizzards, 69-71, 81, 82, 91, 93, 94, 99, 100; in cyclone, 106; first in county, 43; first in townships (see township headings). Delaven township, 59. Descriptive, 233-238.
Destitution-because of crop failure, 110; because of grasshoppers, 76, 77, 80, 85.
Drainage, 236.
Dudley, 229, 230.
Edenview township, 58. Eidsvold township, 54. Elections-county (see political); village (see village headings). Elevations, 234. Exploration, 28-32.
Fairs, county, 81, 111. Fairview township, 52. Field, the fenced, 35. Fire departments (see village headings). Fires (see village headings).
Fires, prairie, 69, 247. Floods, 96, 97, 254. Florence, 222-224. Free seed grain, 69, 78, 82, 85.
Game, 27, 33, 68, 69, 249. Garden, first in county, 35. Garvin, 224-226. Geology, 25. 233-235.
xiii
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Ghent, 211-215; as Grandview, 211, 212; bank, 215; church, 214; fire department, 215; first business houses in, 211, 212; incorporation of, 212, 213; lodges, 215; naming of, 212; officers, 213; platting of, 211; population of, 211, 212, 213; postoffice, 211; school, 213. Gold discovery, 254. Goose lake, 237. Graduates of high schools (see village headings). Grain, first raised, 44. Grandview postoffice, 211. Grandview township, 53. Grasshopper scourge, 75-85, 87, SS. Green Valley, 228-229.
Hail storms, 69, 110, 111, 112. Half-breeds, 40, 41. Heckman, 230. Hildrethsburg, 232. Homesteaders, 50-63, 89. "Hopperdozers," 83.
Icelandic colony, 88. Immigration, 68, 72, SS, 89, 91, 97, 99, 100. Incorporation (see village headings). Indians-in-Lyon county, 27, 39, 130; origin of, 25; trails of, 27, 45, 130; treaties with, 33; tribal divisions of, 26; trouble with, 28, 31. 37, 39; villages of, 26, 31; war between, 26. Indian scares, 66, 81. Island lake, 61, 237. Island Lake postoffice, 232. Island Lake township, 61.
Jail, 111. Judges district court, 117. Judges, early election, 114, 115. Judicial districts, 84. Jurors, first, 84. Justice courts, early, 250.
Kent, 224.
Lady Shoe lake, 237. Lady Slipper lake, 237. La Framboise, Joseph, 30, 31. Lake Marshall, 50, 130, 237. Lake Marshall township, 50. Lake of the Hills, 237. Lakes, 236, 237. Lake Sigel, 237. Lake Yankton, 237. Land grant, 68, 84. Land office, 91, 92. Land values, 75, 112, 23S. Legislative history, 115, 116. Leo postoffice, 232. License (see village headings). Lincoln county created, 73. Lisbon township, 54. Livestoek, first in county, 44. Lodges (see village headings). Lonesome postoffice, 216. Lone Tree lake, 236. Long lake, 237. Lueas township, 54. Lynd, James W., 34, 51.
Lynd, Lower, 67, 74, 220. Lynd, Modern, 219-222. Lynd township, 51.
Lynd, Upper, 44, 49, 67, 147, 219, 220.
Lynd voting precinet, 114.
Lyon county-creation of, 49; enabling act for, 49; naming of, 49; organization of, 49, 113; sovereignty of lands in, 47, 48. Lyons township, 51, 52.
Madison township, 56. Markets, 238.
Marriage ceremony, a brief, 250.
Marriage, the first-in county, 44; in townships (see township headings).
Marshall, 129-159; banks, 156, 157; churches, 145-151; cyclones in, 109, 110; early direc- tories of, 133, 140; fire department, 155; fires in, 141; first buildings in, 66, 130; first busi- ness houses in, 131-134; first man on site of, 129; first tax payers in, 72, 136; flood in, 96, 97; homesteaders on land in, 66, 130; incorporation of, 137; library, 154; license question, 137; lodges, 151-154; made county seat, 74, 136; naming of, 131; officers, 137- 139; platting of, 132, 133; population of, 136, 137, 140, 141; postoffice, 65, 130, 135; railroad reaches, 68, 132; securing the station for, 131; schools, 143-145; threatened by prairie fire, 249. Marshall voting precinct, 114.
Martin township, 60. Massacre at Lake Shetek, 39, 40. Militia company, 66. Mill, the Marshall, 158.
Minister, a pioneer, 67, 252.
Minneota, 177-188; as Nordland, 177-179; as Upper Yellow Medicine Crossing, 177; banks, 187; churches, 183; early directories of, 178, 181, 182; fire department, 187; first merchants of, 178; founding of, 178; incorporation of, 180; license question, 180; library, 187; lodges, 186; naming of, 179; officers, 180, 181; platting of, 178; population of, 177, 180, 182; postoffice, 177, 178; schools, 182. Moe township, 54. Monroe township, 55. Mound Builders, 25. Mounds, 26, 27. Myers, Aaron, 34, 35, 37.
Newspapers, 239-245. Nobles' Col. W. H., 35, 36. Nobles' spring, 35. Nobles' wagon road, 35, 36. Nordland township, 53. Nordland village, 177-179.
Officers-county (see political); township (sco township headings); village (see village head- ings). Old Settlers Association, 90.
Panic-of 1873, 76; of 1893, 110. Petrified tree, 234. Political, 113-128. Population-of county (see census): of villages (see village headings).
xiv
HISTORICAL INDEX.
Postoffices (see village headings). Postoffice, the first, 44, 45.
Prairie fires, 69, 247. Prairie schooners, 89. Precincts, early voting, 114. Press, the, 239-245.
Products, 237.
Railroads-Dakota Central (Northwestern), 90; Duluth, North Shore & Southwestern, 101; Minneapolis & St. Louis, 97, 98; Minnesota & Northern, 106; Sleepy Eye branch (North- western), 111; Willmar & Sioux Falls (Great Northern), 103-106; Winona & St. Peter (Northwestern), 67, 68, 89, 132, 254.
Railroad strike, 90, 252. Redwood river, 30, 32, 236.
Redwood station, 230. Relief measures, 69, 76-78, 82, 85.
Religious services, first-in county, 42, 147; in townships (see township headings).
Reminiscent, 247-254.
Renniker, John, murder of, 37.
Rivers, 236.
Rock lake, 60, 237. Roek Lake postoffice, 231. Rock Lake township, 60. Rural free delivery routes, 237. Russell, 205-209; bank, 208; churches, 207; first business .men of, 205; incorporation of, 206; license question, 206; lodges, 20S; naming of, 205; officers, 207; platting of, 205; popu- lation of, . 205, 206, 207; postoffice, 205; selecting the site of, 205; school, 207.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.