USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles 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
-
-
1
(Nobless: Rose IVM
1
一
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/illustratedhisto00rose
1
NOBLES COUNTY COURT HOUSE
AN
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
OF
NOBLES COUNTY
MINNESOTA
BY ARTHUR P. ROSE
NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA PUBLISHERS 1908
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
630150 ...... LENOX ANC TILDEA FOUNDATIONS 1912 L
FREE PRESS PRINTING CO EPPO MANKATO MINN
DEDICATED TO THE PIONEERS OF NOBLES COUNTY
TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE, AND TO THOSE WHO REMAIN TO RECITE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST. THESE PAGES ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
-
FOREWORD
Probably no historical work was ever 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 dates and names of a former day. So it happens that the writer of local history, compiling his story from data of which only a part can be verified, knows that there must be errors in his work, 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, the History of Nobles County is put forth.
With this volume is presented the first Nobles county history, and the ma- terial for its compilation is obtained from original sources. Friendly coadjutors have assisted materially in its preparation. To the editorial fraternity of Nobles county the author is under many obligations. The files of their publications have been of inestimable value in furnishing authentic data. Especially valuable were those of that pioneer journal, the Worthington Advance, of which liberal use has been made, and without which much of historical importance must have remained unrecorded. Due acknowledgment is made to county and village of- licers, who assisted in the hunt for early day records, and to scores of citizens in private life, who interested themselves in the work to the extent of devoting time to the detailing of early day events. Special mention is due the assistance given by the late Judge B. W. Woolstencroft, who was one of the very first settlers of Nobles county, and who died at his home in Slayton, Minnesota, after this volume had been put to press. A large part of the history of the county's carly settlement, of its organization and early political history was written from data furnished by Judge Woolstencroft.
To Dr. George O. Moore, of Worthington; Senator S. B. Bedford, of Rushmore, and Mr. A. J. Rice, of Adrian, the committee of pioneer residents selected lo review and revise the work, great credit is due. After the manuscript had been prepared these gentlemen devoted considerable time to the work of revision. Errors were discovered and corrected and suggestions for additions were made that resulted in a better history. In the work of gathering the data the author has been ably assisted by Mr. P. D. Moore.
The biographical sketches, forming the second part of the volume, were written, in nearly all instances, from facts obtained by personal interviews. Typewritten copies of the sketches were submitted to the subjects for correction. and nearly all made the necessary corrections and returned the manuscript to the publishers. This has resulted in reducing to a minimum the possibility of error in that part of the volume.
ARTHUR P. ROSE.
Worthington, Minnesota, September, 1908.
ENDORSEMENT
Worthington, Minn., Sept. 14, 1908.
We, the undersigned, chosen as a committee to review the History of Nobles County written by Mr. A. P. Rose and to be published by the Northern History Publishing Company, of Worthing. on, have read the historical part of the work in manuscript. We bear testimony that the history gives evidence of extensive reading and careful research and that it presents-to our best knowledge-an accurate, comprehensive and impartial record of events. As such we endorse and commend it.
S. B. BEDFORD. A. JJ. RICE, GEO. O. MOORE. Committee of Citizens.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
ABORIGINAL DAYS-1834-1866.
In Primeval State-An Imagery-Inhabited by Wild Beasts-And Wilder Red Men- A Contrast The Sioux-Tribal Divisions-The M'daywakantons-The Lower Sis- setons Claimed Nobles County Early Explorers-Nicollet Visits Nobles County- His Map-The Coteans Des Prairies-"Okebene" Lake-Ochevedan Ililloek, or Mourning Ground-"Karanzi" River-Surveyors Run Minnesota-lowa Boundary Line Nearby Settlements-Operations of Trappers-Jude Phillips and Brother- Effect of the Panie of 1857 -- Spirit Lake Massacre-Ho-tiles Retreat to Indian Lake-Southwestern Minnesota Depopulated-Incident of 1857-Boom Days-Paper Railroads-Original County Divisions-Nobles a Part of Dakota, Blue Earth and Brown-Creation of Nobles County-Colonel W. H. Nobles-The Boundaries -- Pro- visions for Organization- Gretchtown Named County Seat-Organization Post- poned Boundary Lines Surveyed-Settlers Return to Southwestern Minnesota- Census of 1860 Names of Inhabitants-Their Conditions-The Sioux War-The County Deserted- Soldiers Established on the Frontier-The Military Road-Its Course-Trappers Appear-Evidence of Early Occupation Disappear-Judge Wool- stencroft's Letter-First Railroad Survey-The Land Grant-Close of an Era .. .. . .33
CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLEMENT-1867-1871.
Obstacles Overcome-Frontier Line Recedes-First Settlers Arrive -- The Graham Lakes Country-Stephen and Joseph Muck-Planting Corn-Messrs. Woolsteneroft, Drury, Rice and Barnett Arrive-Stake Claims-Build Shanties-Other Settlers of 1867- Conditions Prevent Farming-Farmers Turn Trappers-Plentiful Small Game-Big Game-Bison-Elk-Deer-Township Lines
Run-Mail Route Established-The First Postoffice- Settlers of 1868-First Birth-Andy Dillman Comes to Okabena- County Survey Completed-Indians Arrive-And Create Stir-A Scared Boy- Settlers on Indian Lake-Their Romantie Surroundings-Adventures in Blizzards- Three Perish-Indian Seare-Exciting Times-Company Formed-The Island For- tified-Cottonwood County Settlers Notified-No Indians-First Sunday School- Census of 1870-Arrivals of That Year-Talk of County Organization-Decision Reached-Governor Austin Appoints Commissioners-First Meeting-First Official Acts-Wandering County Seat- Organization Legalized-Court House Talk-Sad Death of Mrs. Palmer-Another Sunday School-Public Schools-Creation of Gra- ham Lakes Township-Its Organization-The Name-Indian Lake Settlers Peti- tion-Their Township Created And Named-Settlers of 1871-First Financial Statement
.45
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III.
UNDER COLONS RULE -1872.
A Remarkable Year -- Birth of the Colony Idea- Miller, Ilumiston & Company -- Visit Nobles County Secure Control of Railroad Land- Elaborate Plans Thorough Advertising Campaign-Its Results -Hundreds Flock to Worthington- Their Char - acter- The Temperance Feature Fate of the Colony Company- An Appreciation of Professor Humiston Hard Winter Scate Relief First Jurors- - Railroad Begins Operation- Worthington Sioux Falls Mail and Stage Route - Postoffices Estab- lished- Dewald -Hebbard Westside- Mail Route Operated by Daniel Shell- Beautiful Country -Experiences of Colonists Rescate Projects Land Values Worthington Township Organized - Petitioners -Bigelow Township-Hersey Grant Name Changed to Ransom-Its History Fairview Renamed Lorain Dewald Early Settlers There- Little Rock-Elk-Conferring the Name Seward -First Assessment Real Estate Personal Property Livestock- Townships Compared -- Li conse Voted Down -Proposed Change in Boundaries Nobles Votes to Add Fon Townships But Rejects Proposition to Give Away Four Vote by Precinct -. 61
CHAPTER IV.
CALAMITOUS DAYS-1873.
Days of Adversity-Professor Humiston's Charities- A Severe Winter The Terrible Blizzard of January 7 -Samuel Small, Mrs. John Blixt, John Weston and Taylor Perish -Weston's Ghost-School Children Imprisoned-Joe Poots' Experience - Other Adventures District Court Established Jurors First Grasshopper In- vasion- Relief Work -Wilson Township Organized- Petitioners -- Name Changed to Akin- To Summit Lake-llebbard
Township Created-Petitioners Name Changed to New Haven-Later to Olney- Grand Prairie Organized Petitioners Selection of Name-Wandering Life of County Seat-Located at Worthington -- Stephen Miller Fathers the Bill-The Act -- Provision for Permanent Location - Hersey Becomes a Candidate-Second Bill Provides for Vote on Question -County Offices Moved to Worthington Buildings Rented- Railroad Company Donates Court House Square - Contest Between Worthington and Hersey -Former Win- Easily Vote by Townships Tax Levy-School Conditions Social Conditions. . 1 -
CHAPTER V.
THE GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE-1871-1875.
Large Acreage Sown-Fine Growing Weather-Ravages of Young Hoppers-First In- vasion Commissioners Appropriate Money for Relief -County Paper Soll Flour and Pork Apportioned-Distributing Agents-Second Invasion- Fields Swept Bare- Discouraging Sight Grasshopper Stories Third Invasion The Harvest Average Yields Auditor Bear's Estimate -Losses-\ Prophesy Rigid Economy-Way for Fuel- Potatoes for Food -- Preparing for Winter- Soliciting Aid J. C. Clark Raises $1,800 Solicitation for Private Account-Mass Meeting- Adopts Resolution Stat- ing Conditions-Three Hundred Destitute Families-Appeal to Governor-"No More Bonds" Formal Appeal for Help Clothing Worn to Rags Bed Clothes of Prairie Hay-No Improvidence-Must Have Help State Aid Received -Tax Paying Time Extended Statement by Treasurer Why Not Desert County ?- Tax Levy Reduced-Assessment-Schools in ISTt New Mail Route Postoffices Matter of Taxes State Furnishes Seed Wheat- - Its Distribution Anxious Days Grasshop- pers on the Wing- Again Attack the Crops Hersey, Graham Lakes and Seward Suffer Most-A Degenerate Breed-Census of 1875-Assessed Valuation First Dis- triet Court Cases Tried-Jurors
.81
xiii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
THE GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE (Continned) -- 1876-1879.
Railroad Rumors-Southern Minnesota to Extend-Settlers Enthusiastic-$40,000 Sub- sidy Voted-Vote by Precincts-Project Fails -Sioux Falls Wants Railroad -- Presi- dent Drake Favors Worthington for Terminus-So Does Sioux Falls -- Nobles Asked to Aid-Company Incorporated -- Survey Made -- Construction-Lively Times- First Train-Founding of Adrian-Miller Station Grasshoppers Again-Myriads Appear-Crops Disappear Partial Wheat Crop- Damaging Setback-Relief Meas- ures -- "The Indians Are Coming"- - Refugees Flock to Worthington Camp on Public Square-Great Excitement-No Indian -- Origin of the Scare-Scouting Party-Its Members Lieutenant Plotta' Report- Settlement in West End-West- side Township Organized -- Petitioner -- First Town Meeting-Court House Erceted -Thurber & Chandler, Builders-Hoppers Scarce in 1877-Small Acreage-Weed- Grown Fields-Seed Grain Appropriation-Adrian Catholic Colony -Bishop Ireland Visits Adrian Country Decides to Locate Colony-Contract With Railroad Com- pany-Father Knauf Arrives-Coming of First Colonists-Lands Sold-Rush in Spring of 1878-Land, Land, Land-Grasshoppers-Partial Crop Failure-Organi- zation Willmont Township-Derivation of Name- Southern Minnesota Extends -- Ileron Lake-Pipestone Branch-Railroad War-Kinbrae and Dundee Founded- Last of the Grasshoppers Organization Afton Township Squabble Over Name Plethora of l'etitions-Name Changed to Bloom-Leota Organized -- Petitioners- - Named for Indian Maiden-Seney's Operations-Rushmore Founded-Activity in West End-Railroad Lands Bought-Improvements by Adrian Colony - Good Times Coming .. 91
CHAPTER VII. ERA OF PROSPERITY 1880 1893.
Reconstruction Dawn of a Brighter Day-Adrian Colony Active-The 1880 Crop -- Census of 1880 Lismore Township Organized The Name Signers to Petition - The Long Winter-An October Blizzard-Railroads Blockaded-Snow Boats -Out of Fuel- Schools Close -- Burning Grain-First Train in Six Weeks-Blockaded Again-April 13, Thermometer Zero-Roads Opened- First Freight Train in Eleven Weeks Floods Stop Traffic Burlington Road Makes Proposition -Subsidy Voted Road Built- - Last Spike Driven-Round Lake Founded A Bumper Crop The "Park Proposition"-Plan to Sell Part of Court House Block -- Strong Opposition Scheme Defeated County Seat Contest- - Adrian to the Front-Exciting Days -- Legislature Petitioned But Fails to Respond -- Larkin Township Organized- Petitioners Selecting the Name-Frand Charged-Tornado-Cora Graf Killed- Property Destroyed -- Burlington Extends-And Founds Ellsworth -- A Year of Jubi- lee-Diversified Farming Begun-Exports of 1884 Real Estate Values Soar Consus of 1885-Connly Seat Removal Talk-Big Crops-Another Railroad-Blizzard of 1888-Three Perish-Hail Storm-Census of 1890-Plan to Divide the County Rushmore Sees a Conspiracy-And Protesis-Plan Defeated .105
CHAPTER VIII. CURRENT EVENTS-1893-1908.
l'anic of 1893-Dull Times-Plans for New Court House-And Jail Work Begun Opposition Temporary Injunction Commissioners Win in Supreme Court-476 Residents Remonstrate-Contract Let- Corner Stone Laid-Building Accepted- County Seat Removal Again an Issue-Census of 1895-Prosperous Period-Land Values Increase-Spanish- American War-Nobles County Furnishes Company-
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Mustered In- Typhoid Fever Epidemie-Three Deaths-Camps Ramsey, Snelling, Meade, MeKenzie- Mustered Out -Roster of Company-Losses Burlington Road Extends-Wilmont and Reading Founded-Lismore Started-Censu- of 1900 -- Disastrous Year 1903-Destructive Hail Storm Big Losses- Stories of the Storm The Floods-Okabena Overflows Streets Traveled in Boats- Kanaranzi on a Rampage-Sweeps Everything Before It- Fury of the Little Rock-Freight Wreck - Record of Precipitation All Records Broken Crop Failure -Dull Times- Censu- of 1905-By Preeinets-Native and Minnesota Born- Foreign Born- Countries of Birth-Good Crops of 1906 and 1907-Prosperous Times-In 1908. . 115
CHAPTER IX. POLITICAL-1870-1874.
Governor Austin Appoints First County Commissioner -- The Missing Records -Other Officers Named-First County Convention-The Bolt -Violence Narrowly Averted at First Election-The Result-Auditor Ilarris Refuses to Canvass the Vote- Early Day Members of the Legislature-Difficulty Getting Officers to Serve- Election of 1871-One Demoerat in the County -- List of Voters-Changed Condi- tions in 1872 Voters of That Year Polling Places Election Officers-County Overwhelmingly Republican-Legislative Ilistory-Opposition to Republican Party in 1873-Republican Ticket Wins-Polities Dull in 1874 - Democrats Put Up a Ticket- It Meets Defeat
123
CHAPTER X. POLITICAL-1875-1887.
Passing of Pioneer Ways-Prohibitionists Enter Politics-Election of 1875 Big Vote in 1876 -- Hayes Carries County-Republican Split in 1877-Peculiar Conditions That Year- Result in Giving Democrat, a Few Oflices-Only One Ticket in 1878- Exciting Contests of 1879 Republicans Bolt and Fuse With Democrats-Republi- can Ticket Defeated-Spectacular Contests for Sheriff, Auditor and Treasurer Tie for Sheriff- Dramatic Scene When Lots are Drawn Court Deeides Two Contests- Garfield Gets Majority in 1880 -Republican County Ticket Elected Democrats and "Anti-Ring" Republicans Combine in 1881-Crushing Defeat of Republican Ticket-Little Interest in 1882 Fusion Forces Name Part of Ticket in 1883 -- And Eleet It-Blaine Carries County in JSS4 -- New Element Enters Poli- ties- - Antagonism Between East and West Ends-Big Vote of ISSG-Republicans Eleet Majority of Ticket.
.. 131
CHAPTER XI. POLITICAL-1888-1908.
Vote Increases- Passing of the Independents- Election of ISSS- Alliance Party Com- plicates Matters in 1890- Democrats and Republicans Break Even-Birth of Peoples l'arty- Its Part in Politics -Australian Ballot Employed in 1892-Harrison Car- ries County -Result Locally -Fusion in 1894 -Republicans Win -- Fusjon Forces Take Three Offices in 1896-MeKinley Gets Majority-Death of Peoples Party- John Lind Carries the County in 1898-Republican County Ticket Eleeted- Record Breaking Vote of 1900- Mckinley Again Carries County Three Offices for Democrats Primary Election Law- Revolutionizes County Polities-Primary of 1902-Nearly Clean Sweep for Republicans- Interesting Primary of 1904- Roosevelt's Record Breaking Majority -- Republicans Win in County-Primary of 1906-Democrats Carry County for Governor and Congressman-Primary of 1908 Summary
111
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII.
WORTHINGTON-1871-1872.
Location-Elevation- Population-A Bower of Beauty-First White Men Visit the Site Infrequent Visits by Trappers-Andy Dillman's Sod Shanty -- G. J. lloff- man's Dug-Out-First Building of Wood Railroad Construction Original Town- site Abandoned- The Town Platted-Original Owners-Additions-National Colony Assumes Control-Professor Humiston and Doctor Miller Visit the Site-The Town Named-Incidents Connected with the Selection of the Name-The Historic Worthington Family-Regrets that. "Okabena" Was Not Selected-A Hoax -- Start of the First Building-Ceremonies When the First Nail is Driven-Business Houses Opened in 1871-The Worthington Hotel - Postoffice Established-Post- masters-Winter of 1871-72-Rush in the Spring-Impressions Upon Early Day Visitors-The Town in August, 1872 Building Improvements That Year-Miller Hall-Worthington Township Organized-The Temperance Feature Petitions-Li- cense Refused
153
CHAPTER XIII.
WORTHINGTON-1873 1589.
Promises Fulfilled-Worthington Becomes Important Trading Point-1873 Opens Aus- piciously-Okabena Flouring Mills-Their Importance Incorporation-Provisions of Charter-Liquor Selling Prohibited-First Election-Those Who Voted-Charter Adopted-First Officers-First Acts of Council-Worthington Becomes County Seat-Grasshopper Days -- In 1874-The Land Office- Election of 1874 Voters That Year-Census of 1875-Big Business-Election of 1875-Building Record for 1876- Election That Year -- Big Vote in 1877-Immigration in 1878-The Town Lively- First Brick Block-Miller Ilall Burns Elections of 1878 and 1879-Censu- of 1880-A Comparison Election of 1880-Wrangling Over Temperance Question- Two Parties Born-Exciting Election of 1881-Pro-perous Times in 1882-1 New Railroad -"The Elgin of Minnesota"- Annual Election-Boom Times in 1883 Board of Trade- New Buildings-Repeal of Temperance Clause in Charter-Under Local Option-License Carries in 1883-AAnd Again Next Year -- Population in 1885-License Carrie -- Improvements in ISS6-Exports and Imports- Elections of 1886 and 1857-"Dry" in ISSS-Likewise in 1889. . . . .. .165
CHAPTER XIV. WORTHINGTON-1890-1908.
Steady Growth -- C'ensus of 1890-License Again in Vogue-Water Works Plant In stalled-Election of 1891- - Prosperous Days - Building Record-License Wins Again in 1892-The Panie-Its Effect- Election of 1393 -- Two Fires Officers Elected in 1894-Big Gain in Population -- Electric Lighting System-Temperance Wave in 1895 A Cyclone Return to License in 1896 Elections of 1897, 1898 and 1899 -- A Prosperous Decade- Census of 1900- Big Vote of 1901-The Citizens' Movement - Three Years of Dullness-The Flood-Worthington "Dry" at the Time-Goes "et" in 1904-Census of 1905-Clean Sweep for License in 1905 and 1906- "Dry" in 1907-"Wet" by One Vote in 1908-The Contest. . . 177
CHAPTER XV. WORTHINGTON'S ENTERPRISES.
Public School-The First School-Early Day Teachers-The Attendance-Worthington Seminary-Its Promoters Its Failure- l'etition for Independent District-Formed
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
- l'ir-t Directors- First School Building-Bonds Issued - Robinson Get, Contract- The Hexagonal Building Railroad Company Donates Land-High School Or- ganized -- Alumni Association-List of Graduates- New School House Present Condition of Schools -Fire Department- Early Day Protection-Cisterns-Bueket Brigado- Fire House -Department Organized Charter Members-The Tourna- ments-New Fire Station- Officers Militia Company Recruited-Mustered In- Officers Enlisted Men State Bank of Worthington Elihu Smith Starts First Bank Thomas Par-ons- George D. Dayton-Becomes State Bank-Later Ilistory - Worthington National Bank-As Nobles County Bank -- Founded by Thompson & Day-Evans & Lynd Secure Control-Reorganized as National Bank Citizens Na- tional Bank -- Founded by C. T. Tupper-Changes in Management-First National Bank- Farmers and Citizens Bank First County Fair Association Organized. - "I'll and Pumpkin" Story Grounds Leased-Officer -- Worthington District Fair A-sociation Its Operations- Chantanqua Association- Organization- Officers-The Chautauquas-Commercial Club-Carnegie Library-The Directors Bath House As- sociation- Bands- Gun Club -Worthington Hospital. .187
CHAPTER XVI. WORTHINGTON'S CHURCHES AND LODGES.
"City of Churches"-Ten Organization- - Colony Christian Union-Union Plan Adopted -First Religious Service Church Organized-Born in a Saloon Building-Union Plan Fail- Three Churches Founded-Union Congregational-Charter Members - House of Worship Erected- Destroyed by Fire-The New Church -Pastors- Sunday School Superintendents-Methodist Church-Rev. Crever -- First Trustees Many Places of Worship-Early Struggles-First Church Editiec-The New One- later Church History-Pastors-Presbyterian Church-Charter Members-Elders- Trustees -- First Church Building-Pastors The New Edifice-Sunday School Su- perintendent -- Swedish Lutheran Church First Members Incorporated- Church Building - Pastors -Parsonage-Episcopal Church- Rov. Gun-Church Building- Difficulties Overcome-Catholic Church-First Steps Building Erected-Incorpor- ated Evangelical Association Members Trustees Church and Manse Pastors - Baptist Church -- Initial Steps Organization Members-Council of Recognition- Incorporated -Trustee- Building Pastors Swedish Mission Church Member- Church and Parsonage Pastors Christian Church- Lodges Grand Army Post Mustered In First Officers Later Officers -- Largest in Minnesota-Disbanded- Reorganization- Charter Members- - Relief Corps-First in Minnesota Charter Mom bers First Officers The Masons - Blue Lodge Organized -Certificate- Charter Members First Officers Chapter Organized Its Prosperous Condition Eastern Star Workmen Degree of Honor- Knights of Pythias- Modem Woodmen Royal
. . . . 199 Neighbors Odd Fellow- Maccabees Yeomen ...
..
CHAPTER XVII. ADRIAN.
Location- Its Attractive Site- Settlers in West End Railroad is Coming Selveting the Site Surveyed - The Dedication -- Additions-The Name- Mistakes as io Origin -George II. Cair Erect- First Building- And Opens Store Other Enterprises of 1876 Postoffice Established Postmaster‹ Bright Prospects First School First Church Services- New Enterprises in 1877-Business Directory of 1878-Prosperous Times Consu- of 1880 Incorporation Charter Granted First Election Officers 1881 to 1908 Mirian's Big Trade Territory-Improvements in Early Eighties Liveliest Town in the County Flowing Mill Burns-Building Boom in 1891 -- Panie of 1893 Census Figures Loss of Trade Territory Quiet Times AAssessed
xvii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Valuations-Conditions in 1908-First School Held in an Attic- The Teacher- First School House-Distriet Formed- Officers-The New Building-Public and Parochial Schools- City Hall Water Works-Electric Lights-Fire Department -- National Bank of Adrian-Adrian State Bank First National Bank-St. Adrian's Catholic Church-Its History-Fine Church Edifice-Methodist Church-Norwegian Lutheran Church-Peoples Church-Fraternal Orders. 217
CHAPTER XVIII. ELLSWORTIL.
Nobles' Third Town-Rich Trade Territory-The Site-Settlement of Grand Prairie- "Uncle" Stillwell-His Prediction -Selecting the Site - Plaited Additions-The Name-Prospects-Sale of Lots -- Rush to the Site First Building-Henry Tor- rance Opens First Store Business Houses of 1884-The Depot-First Lady Resi dont-Postoffice Established- Postmaster- Lively Times Selected as a Division Point Census of 1886-Petition for Incorporation-Petitioner- Incorporation Car- rie -- Officer> Chosen-Political History-On a Normal Basis-Census of 1890 -Cy- clone-Brings Disaster-Fire-City Hall -- Population in 1895-In 1900-Prosperous Years Builling Operations City Hall Burns New City Hall-Water Works Electrie Light -- Census of 1905-Fire Department-German State Bank First National Bank-St. Mary's Catholic Church Organization-Church Building - Pastor -- Parochial School-Congregational Church -- Charter Member --- Buildling -- Pastors-Methodist Church -- Ii- History -- German Presbyterian Church-Knights of Pythias Lodge Workmen-Degree of Honor Foresters Modern Woodmen-Royal Neighbors 227
CHAPTER XIX.
WILMONT AND BREWSTER.
Wilmont-Fourth in Size Location Trade Territory Site Selected Plaited Addi- tions-The Name-First Train-Rush to the Site-First Resident - Prophesies First Business House -- A Town in a Day-First Lady Residents -- Prosperons Times-Incorporation -- Petitioners -- Village Officers-After One Year-Population -- First Sehool-District Formed -- Fire Department-Water Works -Churches- Lodges Brewster-Location -- A Substantial Village Old Town of Hersey Station E -- tablished-Depot and Cottage-Platted-Additions W. R. Bennett is Agent- - Found- ing the Town-First Business Men-The Postoffice --- Grasshoppers Bring Disaster- - Retrogression-Change in Name- Origin of "Brewster"-Prosperous Days- - Petition for Incorporation-Petitioners- Granted-Officers-Steady Growth -Population Water Works Troubles Drainage System The Park Schools Churches Lodges. . 237
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.