USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Volume 1) > Part 1
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HISTORY OF Fillmore County MINNESOTA
COMPILED BY FRANKLYN CURTISS-WEDGE ASSISTED BY
William Willford, Milo White, George H. Haven, Michael Scan- lan, Samuel A. Langum, John C. Mills, Emma Allen Mills, F. E. Titus, O. W. Moore, A. D. Becker, George A. Love, Sidney J. Huntley, L. O. Haugen, George E. Kirkpatrick, J. S. Hatlestad, D. M. Backman, A. L. Tollefson, O. P. Hadland, Thomas J. Meighen, J. K. Johnson, E. P. Johnson, Oscar Carlson, F. E. Lang- worthy, William B. Hutchison, Thomas Duxbury, E. L. Babcock, Henry S. Bassett, Rev. Kr. Magelssen, M. H. Onstine, and many others.
VOLUME I
Thomas
ILLUSTRATED
H. C. COOPER, JR. & CO. CHICAGO 1912
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TO THE STURDY PIONEERS OF FILLMORE COUNTY WHO, AMID INNUMERABLE HARDSHIPS, BLAZED THE WAY FOR THE PRESENT GENERATION; AND TO THEIR DESCENDANTS AND SUCCESSORS THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED BY ALL WHO HAVE ASSISTED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION.
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FOREWORD.
It is with a feeling of considerable pride and pleasure that the publishers present this history for the approval of the people of Fillmore county. The undertaking has not been an easy one and the difficulties have been many, so many indeed that this pub- lication would not have been possible without the liberal assist- ance of the citizens of the county. The chief contributors and editors have given freely of their time and talent; business men, church officials, fraternity, association and corporation officers, manufacturers, professional men and bankers, often at great per- sonal sacrifice, have laid aside their regular duties to write of their communities and special interests; educators have written of the schools, and men and women in all walks of life have given the information at their command, regarding themselves, their families, their activities and their localities. To all of these the readers of this work owe a lasting debt of gratitude, and to each and every one the publishers extend their heartfelt thanks.
In handling the vast amount of material gathered for this work, it has been the aim of the entire staff to select such matter as is authentic, reliable and interesting. Doubtless facts have been included that many will deem of little moment, but these same facts to others may be of the deepest import. It may be also that some facts have been omitted that many readers would like to see included. To such readers we can only say that to publish every incident in the life of the county would be to issue a work of many volumes, and in choosing such material as would come within the limits of two volumes we believe that the matter selected is that which will prove of greatest interest to the great- est number of readers, and also that which is most worthy of being handed down to future generations who in this work, in far distant years, may read of their large-souled, rugged-bodied ancestors and predecessors, who gave up the settled peace of older communities to brave the rigors of pioneer endeavor.
A few omissions may be due to some of the people of the county, themselves, as in several instances repeated requests for information have met with no response. In such cases informa- tion gathered from other sources, while authentic, may be lacking in copious detail.
Before passing hasty judgment on apparent errors, one should consider carefully, not relying on tradition or memory. In many cases we have found that persons' memories are faulty and tradi- tion erroneous when measured by the standard of official records, even in the case of comparatively recent events, while in many instances families are under the impression that their forebears arrived in the county long before it was possible for them to do
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FOREWORD
so. We have endeavored to follow a uniform system of the spell- ing of proper names, although various spellings of even the most familiar names appear in the newspapers and records.
Among the works consulted and in many cases copiously copied may be mentioned the History of Fillmore County pub- lished in 1882; the publications of the American Bureau of Eth- nology and of the Smithsonian Institute; Minnesota in Three Centuries; the histories of southern Minnesota counties by the editor of the present work; the various publications of the state of Minnesota and the United States government, as well as the publications of the Iowa and Minnesota historical societies, and many other biographical, historical and archaeological works of reference. The county, township, city, church and village records have been studiously perused. Hundreds of minute books have been examined and thousands of letters and original manuscripts carefully scanned. To all who have extended us courtesies during our search for these records we extend our thanks.
The biographies have all been gathered with care from those most interested, and with a few exceptions have been revised and corrected by the subject of the biography or by a relative or friend. This, however, refers to the dates, and sequence of events, all personal estimates being the work of the editors, and inserted in biographies only after consultation with other mem- bers of the staff.
That this history is faultless we do not presume; it is prob- ably not within the power of man to arrange a work of this kind without mistakes of one sort or another; that it will meet the unqualified approval of all we dare not expect, but we trust that the merits of the history will overbalance any shortcomings that may be discovered.
Our association with the people of Fillmore county has been a most pleasant one. We have conscientiously performed our task, and in placing the history in the hands of those whom it most concerns, our hope is that we have done our work well.
H. C. COOPER, JR., & CO.
Chicago, Ill., September 1, 1912.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. NATURAL PHENOMENA.
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Introduction-Advantages-Climate-Location and Area- Natural Drainage Surface Features-Sink Holes- Elevations-The Soil-Native Trees-The Geological Structure - Material Resources - Fuel - Quicklime- Building Stone-Brick-Sand for Mortar and Concrete- Lead-Iron-Gold-Copper 1
CHAPTER II. THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
The Mound Builders-Evidence of Their Existence in Fill- more County-An Ancient Battlefield-Other Indian Remains-Modern Indians-Interesting Items Concern- ing Those Whom the Early Settlers Succeeded. .. 17
CHAPTER III. INDIAN TREATIES.
Successive Relinquishments by Which Fillmore County Came Into the Possession of the United States-First Visit to Washington-Prairie du Chien Treaty of 1825-Prairie du Chien Treaty of 1830-Corner of Fillmore Ceded as a Part of the Half-Breed Tract-Winnebago Treaty of 1832-Winnebagoes Given Possession of the Southeast Corner of Fillmore County-Later Relinquish Their Claim-Doty Treaty-Treaty of Traverse des Sioux- Treaty of Mendota-Fillmore County Passes from the Possession of the Indians
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CHAPTER IV. GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY.
Early Claims of Title-Spain, France and England-Treaties and Agreements-Louisiana Purchase-Indiana-Louis- iana District-Louisiana Territory-Missouri Terri- tory-Northwest Territory-Illinois Territory-Michi- gan Territory-Wisconsin Territory-Iowa Territory- No Man's Land-Sibley in Congress-Minnesota Terri- tory-Minnesota State 31
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TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER V.
EARLY EXPLORATION.
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No Evidence That Earliest Explorers Reached Fillmore County-Interesting Speculation as to Whether La Hontan Meant His "Long River" as an Exaggeration of the Root River-Albert Miller Lea and the United States Dragoons Cross Fillmore County-Early Maps of the Root River-Early Surveys. 51
CHAPTER VI. EARLY SETTLEMENT.
First Settler Arrives in Canton in 1851-Pre-emption Laws- Tide of Immigration Begins-Pioneer Conditions-Ter- ritorial Villages-Twenty-four Townsites Plated in Fillmore County Before State Was Admitted. 61
CHAPTER VII. ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY LINES.
Fillmore County Originally Included in Wabasha County- Fillmore County Created March 5, 1853-Winona and Houston Set Off February 23, 1854-Olmsted Set Off February 20, 1855-Old Election Precincts-Townships Created and Named. 69
CHAPTER VIII. COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
First Officers Appointed by Governor Gorman-Acts of the Early Boards - Territorial Commissioners - Supervisor System-Commissioners Since 1860-List of County Offi- cers-County Seat Changes-County Property-Court House-Jail-County Poor Farm-Edited by Samuel A. Langum 84
CHAPTER IX. COUNTY REPRESENTATION. Fillmore County in Seventh, Fourth and Eighth Council Dis- tricts-Constitutional Convention-Fillmore County in Ninth, Fourteenth, Second and Third, Second, and Fifth Districts - Congressional Representation - Edited by Samuel A. Langum 104
CHAPTER X. EARLY DAYS.
Early Routes of Travel-Difficulty of Carting Produce to Market-Hardships Endured by the Pioneers-Changes in Methods of Agriculture-Stories and Incidents Which Are Now Nearly Forgotten-The Fillmore County Moon- shiners-By William Willford. 112
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TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XI. SOCIETIES OF OLD SETTLERS.
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Old Folks' Association-Old Settlers' Association of the Southern Tier of Counties in Minnesota-Fillmore County Old Settlers' Association-The Old Settlers', Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of Fillmore County- Names of Those Who Have Been Prominent in These Associations-Edited by F. E. Titus. 121
CHAPTER XII. COMING OF THE RAILROADS.
General Summary of Fillmore County Railroads-First Railroad Project-Mississippi & Missouri-Root River Valley-Land Grant Roads-Five Million Dollar Loan- Root River Valley & Southern Minnesota-Southern Minnesota-Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul-Reno- Preston Branch - Preston-Isinours Branch - Chicago, Great Western-Chicago & Northwestern. 132
CHAPTER XIII. MILITARY HISTORY.
Fillmore County at the Outbreak of the Civil War-Raising of the First Company-Other Companies Sent From This County-Roll of Honor-Names of Fillmore County Veterans-Spanish-American War 142
CHAPTER XIV. CHRONOLOGY.
Notes Culled From the Early Newspapers Regarding Fill- more County People-Happenings From 1857 to 1880- Items Which Recall the Names and Characteristics of the Earlier Settlers. 158
CHAPTER XV. FILLMORE COUNTY HORTICULTURE.
Native Fruits Found by the Early Settlers-The First Nursery-Growth of Horticultural Interest Throughout the County-Conditions at the Present Time-Two Hundred Thousand Apple Trees Soon Coming to Fruit -Fillmore County Horticultural Society-Southern Min- nesota Horticultural Society-Edited by O. W. Moore .. 177
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CHAPTER XVI. OSTEOPATHY.
Osteopathy as a System or Therapeutics-Andrew Taylor Still the Founder-Importance of the Profession at the Present Time-The First Osteopath in Minnesota-The xi
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Present Practitioners in Fillmore County-By Dr. A. D. Becker 185
CHAPTER XVII. PRESTON CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
Preston City-Location and Advantages-First Settlement -Early Residents-Early Business-Preston in 1858- Municipal History-Electric Light and Waterworks- City Hall and Library-Preston Township Past and Present 188
CHAPTER XVIII. SPRING VALLEY CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
Spring Valley City-Its Modern Aspect-Early Days- Municipal History-Fire Department-Library-Rest Room-Waterworks and Lights-Commercial Club- Other Advantages-Spring Valley Township-Early Settlement and Organization-Former Villages-Edited by Sidney J. Huntley . 206
CHAPTER XIX. HARMONY VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP.
Location and Advantages of the Village-Early Stores- Harmony in 1882-Harmony in 1890-Municipal History -Harmony Township-First Settlers and Early Events -Organization-Postoffices - Big Springs - Greenfield Village-Revised by L. O. Haugen. 227
CHAPTER XX. LANESBORO AND CARROLTON TOWNSHIP.
Lanesboro-Location and Advantages-Early History-The First Hotel-Lanesboro in 1879-Municipal History- Carrolton Township-Early Settlement-Land Office Records-Early Events-Political-Clear Grit-Isinours -Revised by M. Scanlan 238
CHAPTER XXI. RUSHFORD AND PETERSON.
Rushford City-Modern Progress-Early History-Naming the Hamlet Pioneer Days-Municipal History-Public Library-Rushford Township, now Rushford Village- Early Settlers-Early Events-Land Office Records- Political-Peterson Village-Early History-Municipal History-Revised by George E. Kirkpatrick. 250
CHAPTER XXII. CHATFIELD CITY AND TOWNSHIP. Location and Advantages-Early Days-Reminiscences of Hon. Milo White-Chatfield in 1858-Land Office- Municipal History and Public Improvements-Commer-
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cial Club-Early Settlement of Chatfield Township- Land Office Records-Revised by George H. Haven .... 265
CHAPTER XXIII. CANTON VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP.
Canton Village - Advantages - Early History - Municipal History-Revised by J. S. Hatlestad-Canton Township -Early Records-Organization-Railroad Bonds-Early Industrial Enterprises-Lenora-A Literary and Social Center-Elliota-Prosper-Edited by William Willford. 284
CHAPTER XXIV. AMHERST AND HOLT.
Amherst-Location and Area-Settlement-Onstine Party- Celebrations-Richland Center-Strington-Henrytown -Edited by M. H. Onstine-Holt-Settlement-Organi- zation-Early Events-Highland Village-Whalan Vil- lage-Early History-Officers-Present Advantages- Edited by D. M. Backman. 296
CHAPTER XXV. MABEL AND NEWBURG TOWNSHIP.
Mabel Village-Present Activities-Commercial Club-Tele- phone Company-Grain and Stock Company-Early History-Municipal History-Water Works-Revised by A. L. Tollefson-Newburg Township-First Settlement In County-Early Days by William Willford-Bellville -Newburg-Other Items 310
CHAPTER XXVI. BLOOMFIELD AND BEAVER.
Bloomfield Township-Etna Village-Ostrander Village- Beaver Township-Early Settlement-Early Events- Land Office Records-Incidents of the Early Days. ..... 323
CHAPTER XXVII. FORESTVILLE AND YORK.
Forestville Township-First Settlers-Arrival of the Meighens and Fosters Oldest Store in the County -- Importance of Forestville Villages in the Early Days- Prominent Men-Revised by Thomas J. Meighen-York Township-Early History-Hamlets of Greenleafton, Canfield, York and Cherry Grove 332
CHAPTER XXVIII. CARIMONA AND BRISTOL.
Carimona Township-Early Days-Carimona Village and Its Blasted Hopes-Waukokee Village-Bristol Township- xiii
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Land Office Records-Postoffices-Granger Village-Its Early History 341
CHAPTER XXIX NORWAY AND PREBLE.
Norway Township-Names of the Sturdy Norsemen Who Set- tled Here-Events of the Early Days-Preble Township -Early Settlement Written by William Willford-The Indians-Political History-Postoffices 350
CHAPTER XXX. ARENDAHL AND PILOT MOUND.
Arendahl Township-Story of the Early Days-Land Office Records-An Indian Village-Wassonia-Arendahl Vil- lage-Pilot Mound Township-Political Matters-Early Events-Pekin Village 358
CHAPTER XXXI. FOUNTAIN AND FILLMORE.
Fountain Village, Edited by J. K. Johnson-Fountain Town- ship-Early Settlers-Pioneer Events-Fillmore Town- ship - Fillmore Village - Wykoff Village - Municipal History-Prominent Citizens-Edited by E. P. Johnson 366
CHAPTER XXXII JORDAN AND SUMNER. Sumner Township-Its Early History-Hamilton Village- Washington Village-Jordan Township and Village- Land Office Records-Incidents of the Early Days. ..... 378
CHAPTER XXXIII EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Beginning of State System-Summary of Present Schools- School Progress-First Districts Created-The First Schools-Starting of the Various Districts-City and Vil- lage Schools-Early Spelling Schools-Prepared with the Assistance of Professor Oscar Carlson-Edited by Mrs. John C. Mills. 385
CHAPTER XXXIV. THE NEWSPAPERS.
Importance of the Press-Present Papers in Fillmore County -First Paper in the County-History of Defunct News- papers-Story of the Present Weeklies-Their Begin- nings, Growth, Influence and Importance-Edited by F. E. Langworthy 432
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TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXV. BANKS AND BANKING.
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Financial History of Fillmore County-The Early Banks of Easton and His Partners-Many Old Banks Still in Existence-Story of the Starting, Growth, Progress and Standing of the Present Banks-Edited by M. Scanlan .. 443
CHAPTER XXXVI. INCIDENTS AND EVENTS.
Experiences of P. McCracken-The Weisel Flood, Written by William Willford-Hunting and Fishing-List of Old Settlers-Pre-Settlement Incident-Early Days in Am- herst-Severe Storms-Reminiscences of W. F. Davis- Reminiscences of William K. Sawyer-Bear Hunt and the Killing, Written by William Willford-Indian Scare -Carimona Tavern-Early Days in Granger-A Vigil- ance Committee-Reminiscences of Old Pedagogue- "Yale College"-Scotland School-Abstracts of Title .. 462
CHAPTER XXXVII POLITICAL HISTORY.
Story of the Political Movements in Fillmore County-Origi- nal Democratic Influence Brought by Land Office Officials -Republicans Gain Control on Railroad Taxation Ques- tion-The Grange Movement-Greenbackers-Alliance- Men Who Have Been Prominent in State and National Politics-Edited by Samuel A. Langum. . . . 498
CHAPTER XXXVIII. AGRICULTURAL HISTORY.
Pioneer Farmers-Breaking the Ground-Early Drawbacks -Census Report of Live Stock and Farm Products- Roads and Bridges - Fillmore County Agricultural Society-Underground Waters-Edited by John C. Mills 503
CHAPTER XXXIX CREAMERY INTERESTS.
Rise of the Dairy Industry in Fillmore County-Early Farm- ers Kept a Few Cows for Home Use-Attention Turned to Stock Raising-The First Creameries-Farmers Bene- fit by Co-operation-The Present Creameries-Edited by E. L. Babcock 518
CHAPTER XL. BENCH AND BAR.
Judges Who Have Presided on the Fillmore County Bench- Early Courts-Sessions at Winona, Chatfield, Carimona and Preston-Prominent Men Who Have Practiced in Fillmore County-Notes of Some of the Early Lawyers- Fillmore County Bar Association 525
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FILLMORE COUNTY COURT HOUSE
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CHAPTER I. NATURAL PHENOMENA.
Introduction-Advantages-Climate-Location and Area-Nat- ural Drainage Surface Features-Sink Holes-Elevations- The Soil-Native Trees-The Geological Structure-Material Resources-Fuel-Quicklime-Building Stone-Brick-Sand for Mortar and Concrete-Lead-Iron-Gold-Copper.
Situated near the extreme southeastern part of that sturdy commonwealth known in the galaxy of states as Minnesota, lies a favored county which has taken its name from sturdy old Millard Fillmore, of New York, who assumed the executive office of the United States Government on the death of Zachary Taylor, July 9, 1850, and was succeeded by Franklin Pierce, March 4,.1853, just one day before Fillmore county was created by the Minnesota Territorial Legislature.
A fertile country of rich black soil, its surface divided into hills and rolling land and prairies, cut with picturesque ravines, beautified by meandering streams, and interspersed with natural and domestic groves, the county has advantages which have placed it in the foremost ranks of Minnesota's agricultural and grazing districts. The elevation of this stretch of land above the sea, its fine drainage and the dryness of the atmosphere give it a climate of unusual salubrity and pleasantness. Its latitude gives it correspondingly longer days in summer, and during the growing seasons about one and a half hours more of sunshine than in the latitude of St. Louis. The refreshing breezes and cool nights in summer prevent the debilitating effect of heat so often felt in lower latitudes. The winter climate is also one of the attractive features. Its uniformity and its dryness, together with the bright sunshine and the electrical condition of the air, all tend to enhance the personal comfort of the resident, and to make outdoor life and labor a pleasure.
Embracing, as the county does, so pleasing a prospect to the eye, and so fruitful a field for successful endeavor, it is natural that the people who from the earliest days were attracted here should be the possessors of steady virtues, ready to toil and to sacrifice, that their labors might be crowned with the fruits of prosperity and happiness. The cities and villages have had
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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
their part in the general commercial upbuilding of the state, and furnish excellent trading and shipping facilities for the rural dis- tricts. In these centers, milling and manufacturing are carried on to a greater or less extent, and the dairy and creamery interests are important.
The rural districts are the scene of peace, prosperity and con- tentment. The homes are substantially built, and furnished with the comforts and conveniences of modern life, stock is humanely housed and well pastured, the farm land is extensively tilled and productive, and the churches and schools which are seen on every side testify to an interest in the higher things of life by a law- abiding, progressive and loyal people.
It is indeed in its men and women, rather than in its grains and vegetables, its live stock and fruit, its factories and commerce, that Fillmore county takes its greatest pride. From her farms, from her villages and from her cities have gone forth those who have taken an important part in the activities of the world, and who, whether in commerce or diplomacy, in the professions or in the trades, have maintained that steadfastness of purpose and staunchness of character that mark true Fillmore county men and women wherever they may be found.
Unusually blessed by nature with deep soil and abundant nat- ural resources, and endowed with a wealth of prehistoric and historic lore, the county is a fitting home for the sturdy people who have here made their dwelling place. Hard-working, pro- gressive, educated and prosperous, they have appreciated the gifts which nature has spread for them, and have added their own toil, and the fruit of their intellects, to the work of the elements, mak- ing the county one of the beautiful spots of the earth. On the slopes graze cattle and sheep, while the tilled lands respond to the efforts of the springtime sower and planter with a wealth of harvest in the summer and autumn. On nearly every quarter section is reared a comfortable home and commodious barns, while from the crest of every swell of land are visible the churches and schools wherein the people worship the Giver of all Gifts, and educate their children. Thus blessed by God and beloved by man, the county today stands for all that is ideal in American life and is forging ahead to still wider influence and more extended opportunity.
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