USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn 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
أساليب
Gr 977.601 F87c 1198505
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01053 2734
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018
https://archive.org/details/historyoffreebor00curt
Dr. a. C. 11 caga
presented to
ALBERT C. WEDGE, M. D.
HISTORY OF
FREEBORN COUNTY MINNESOTA
COMPILED BY FRANKLYN CURTISS-WEDGE
ASSISTED BY
Martin V. Kellar, Victor Gillrup, Curtis B. Kellar, Henry A. Morgan, Albert Clark Wedge, M. D., Thomas Elwood Noble, Emil Nelson, Joseph P. Hurley, Mrs. Alice I. Todd, Harold Dahlen, Dor K. Stacy, John F. D. Meighen, Vegger Gulbrandson, William A. Morin, Lesley S. Whitcomb, Harwood G. Day, Clarence Wedge and many others.
ILLUSTRATED
H. C. COOPER, JR., & CO. CHICAGO, ILL.
1198505
Sender 37.50
Franklyn Curtiss &s edge.
TO THE STURDY PIONEERS OF FREEBORN COUNTY WHO, AMID INNUMERABLE HARDSHIPS, BLAZED THE WAY FOR THE PRESENT GENERATIONS; AND TO THEIR DESCENDANTS and SUCCESSORS
THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED BY ALL WHO HAVE ASSISTED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION
FOREWORD
It is with a feeling of considerable pride and pleasure that the publishers present this history for the approval of the people of Freeborn 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 one volume 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 volume, 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
vi
FOREWORD
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 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. In Free- born county this difficulty has been especially great, owing to the fact that surnames are signed with a variety of spelling even by members of the same family.
The publishers of the work are especially indebted to Martin V. Kellar for his able assistance in the preparation of this book. His memory is unusual, and this, with his careful observation of over fifty-five years of Freeborn county's growth, together with his interest in historical matters and his willingness to take part in this enterprise, has made him an invaluable help in the com- pilation of the present history. Dr. Albert Clark Wedge has also been of help that can scarcely be measured. He has taken a prominent part in the progress of the county since 1857, and his encouragement and assistance has proven an inspiration to all who are connected with this publication.
H. G. Day, with kindness and courtesy, and a desire to see a history of the county issued, placed his priceless files of the Freeborn County Standard and other papers at the disposal of the editors. Without the information contained in these files, the publication of the History of Freeborn County would scarcely have been possible. Especially helpful have been the historical articles which Mr. Day has gathered, compiled and published, during the nearly thirty years that he has been the Dean of Free- born County Journalism. The files of the Times, the Enterprise, the Times-Enterprise and the Tribune, in charge of the Albert Lea Publishing Co., have also been a most valuable source of informa- tion, and the editors of the papers at Alden, Emmons and Glenville have proved more than willing to furnish information from the vari- ous issues of their publications. The Souvenir edition of the Hart- land Herald was used in preparing the history of that township and village.
Among the works consulted and in many cases copiously copied may be mentioned the History of Freeborn County pub- lished in 1882; the Aborigines of Minnesota ; the publications of the American Bureau of Ethnology and of the Smithsonian Insti- tute; 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 Minne-
vii
FOREWORD
sota 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 Freeborn 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
NATURAL PHENOMENA.
Introduction-Location and Area-Natural Drainage Surface Features-Soil and Timber-Trees and Shrubs-The Geolog- ical Structure-Natural Resources-The Coal Fiasco-Nat- ural Gas-The Hunter's Paradise-Mastodon Remains. . 1
CHAPTER II. THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
Primeval Solitude-The Coming of Man-Occupancy by the Mound Builders-The Hunting Grounds of the Sioux-The Sacs and Foxes Also Here-Winnebagos Arrive. 10
CHAPTER III. INDIAN TREATIES.
Visit to Washington-Boundray Lines Between Indian Tribes Defined-Territory Now Freeborn County Included in the Sioux Jurisdiction-Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien- Some of Wabasha's Men Killed by Foxes in Iowa-Strip of Territory South of Freeborn County Ceded by Treaty-The Doty Treaty and Its Failure-Treaty of Traverse Des Sioux -Treaty of Mendota, by Which Freeborn County Was Opened to Settlement.
13
CHAPTER IV. GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY.
Early Claims of Title-Spain, France and England-Treaties and Agreements-The Louisiana Purchase-Indiana-Louisiana District-Louisiana Territory-Missouri Territory-North- west Territory-Illinois Territory-Michigan Territory-Wis- consin Territory-Iowa Territory-No Man's Land-Sibley in Congress-Minnesota Territory-Minnesota State .
ix
20
CONTENTS
CHAPTER V.
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
No Evidence that Earliest Minnesota Explorers Reached Freeborn County-Visit of the United States Dragoons in 1835-Albert Miller Lea, the Topographer of the Expedition-Lea's Own Story-His Later Visit to Freeborn County-Early Hunting Expeditions-Great Amount of Game Secured in This Vicin- ity-Sibley and Rice-Early Surveys.
39
CHAPTER VI. THE FIRST SETTLERS.
Ole Colbjornson Livdahlen Arrives and Settles in Shell Rock Township-Other Pioneers of 1855-Geneva Lake and Valley of the Turtle-Lake Albert Lea-Valley of the Shell Rock- Freeborn Lake-Albert Lea Started-Influx of Settlement Begins-Copies from the Land Office Records.
49
CHAPTER VII. PIONEER TIMES.
Early Settlement -- First Village in the County-Blue Earth Road -The Pioneer Home-Pioneer Women-First Religious Meetings-First Events-By Martin V. Kellar. 58
CHAPTER VIII. EARLY DAYS.
Course of the Early Pioneers-First Settlement-Difficulty of Transportation-Story of the County Seat Wars as Told by One of the Principal Participants in the Contests-Appoint- ment of County Commissioners-Albert Lea Selected as the Temporary Seat of Government-Albert Lea, St. Nicholas, Shell Rock City, Itasca, Fairfield and Bancroft Enter the Fight-Albert Lea Wins First Contest-Itasca Again Enters the Arena-Settlers About to Lose Their Claims-Albert Lea Citizens Ascertain Methods of Protecting the Claimants- Victory Again Comes to Albert Lea-Matter Settled Perma- nently-By Dr. A. C. Wedge.
66
CHAPTER IX. ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY LINES.
Freeborn Included in the Original Limits of Wabash County- Made a Part of Dakota County in 1851-Divided Between
xi
CONTENTS
Rice and Blue Earth Counties-Freeborn County Created in 1855-Organized in 1857-Old Precincts-Township Names and Changes in Affiliation and Boundaries 76
CHAPTER X.
COUNTY REPRESENTATION.
Freeborn County in Seventh, Sixth and Fourth Council Districts -Constitution Convention-Freeborn and Faribault Counties Become the Fourteenth Senatorial District-Freeborn, Steele and Waseca Become the Sixteenth District-Freeborn County Becomes the Fifth District-Changed to the Fourth and Then to Ninth-Congressional Representative. 88
CHAPTER XI. COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
First Board of County Commissioners Organizes-The Super- visor System-Doings of the Early Boards-Complete List of Elective County Officers-County Seat Contest-Court House, Jail and Poor Farm-County Ditches-Edited by Victor Gillrup
96
CHAPTER XII. PIONEER SOCIETIES.
Associations Which Have Been Formed to Perpetuate the Memo- ries of the Early Days-Interesting Meetings Held-Freeborn County Old Settlers' Association, 1875 to 1882-Freeborn County Territorial Pioneers' Association, 1889 to 1911. . .. . . . . 112
CHAPTER XIII. BANKS AND BANKING.
Story of the Financial Institutions of the County-Location, Organization, Officers and Standing-Written by C. B. Kellar. 118
CHAPTER XIV. COUNTY SCHOOLS.
State and County School System-First Schools and First Dis- tricts in Freeborn County-State Aid-Equipment-Literary Societies-Meetings for Officers, Teachers and Pupils-Exhib- its and Contests-Institutes and Summer Schools-Parochial Schools-Story of the Districts-Prepared with the Assistance of Professor Harold Dahlen
127
xii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XV.
COMING OF THE RAILROADS.
Summary of Lines in Freeborn County-Land Grant Roads- Root River Valley & Southern Minnesota Railroad-Southern Minnesota Railroad-Southern Minnesota Railway-Minneap- olis & St. Louis Railway-Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad -Albert Lea & Fort Dodge Line - Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern-Germania Branch-Iowa Central-Chi- cago, Rock Island & Pacific-Illinois Central-Albert Lea & Southern Railroad-Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad-The Alphabet Line-Railroad Bonds 163
CHAPTER XVI. CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS.
Interesting Happenings in the Life of the County from 1859 to 1882-Political Incidents, Celebrations, Fires, Deaths, and Other Items Which Recall Days Long Since Past. 171
CHAPTER XVII. AGRICULTURE.
Advantages of Freeborn County as an Agricultural Region- Farming in the Early Days-Wheat as the Principal Crop- Gradual Decrease in the Raising of That Cereal-How the Settlers Obtained Their Land-Pests-Introduction of Dairy- ing-Modern Implements and Improvements-Illumination- Registered Farms-Calamities-Agricultural Society . . 192
CHAPTER XVIII. PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS.
Importance of the Medical Profession-The Pioneer Doctors- History of Medicine in This County Begins with Dr. A. C. Wedge-Medical Associations-The Albert Lea District Med- ical Association-The Freeborn County Medical Society. .... 203
1-
CHAPTER XIX. MILITARY HISTORY.
Freeborn County at the Outbreak of the Civil War-Raising of First Company-Other Companies Raised in This County- Roll of Honor-Names of Freeborn County Veterans-Battle- Scarred Relic-Siege of Ft. Ridgley-Reminiscences of the War-Robson Post, No. 5, G. A. R .- State Militia Companies -Albert Lea Light Guards-Company I, First Regiment, M. N. G .- The Spanish-American War.
209
xiii.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XX.
POSTAL HISTORY.
Beginning of Postal Service-First Postoffice in Freeborn County -St. Nicholas, Lake Albert Lea, Geneva-Old Stage Routes- Rural Routes-Development of the System-Present Offices- Albert Lea, Alden, Armstrong, Clarks Grove, Conger, Emmons, Freeborn, Geneva, Glenville, Gordonsville, Hartland, Hayward, London, Manchester, Myrtle, Oakland, Twin Lakes-Former Offices-Edited by Emil Nelson. 227
CHAPTER XXI. FREEBORN COUNTY HORTICULTURE.
Native Fruits, Berries and Trees-Some of the Pioneer Horticul- turists-Their Long Life and Exemplary Habits-Horticul- tural Societies-By Clarence Wedge 237
CHAPTER XXII. EARLY ALBERT LEA.
Picturesque Location-Ruble and Merry Arrive in 1855-Colby and Lilly Settle in the Township-Merry Sells to Thorne and Wedge-Settlers of 1856-Principal Arrivals of 1857-Plat- ting the Village-Early Business Interests-Albert Lea in 1858-Hotels 246
CHAPTER XXIII. MUNICIPAL ALBERT LEA.
Village Powers Delegated to the Supervisors - Conflict Over Incorporation-Bill Passes Legislature-Accepted by People of Albert Lea-Officers from Year to Year-Story of the City Charter-Edited by Victor Gillrup 263
CHAPTER XXIV. MODERN ALBERT LEA.
Advantages of Albert Lea as a Place of Residence-Parks-Street Paving - Street Lighting - Water Works - Sewers - Tele- phones-Fire Department-City Hall and Engine House- Carnegie Library-City and County Hospital-Business Men's League-Cemeteries-Written by Joseph P. Hurley 274
xiv
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXV.
ALBERT LEA INTERESTS.
American Gas Machine Company-Albert Lea Gas Light Com- pany-Albert Lea Hide and Fur Company-Albert Lea Pack- ing Company - Corset Companies - Wedge Nursery - Lake Shore Greenhouses-Albert Lea Mills-G. A. Olson Manufac- turing Company-American Culvert Company-Other Com- panies-Loan Associations-Modern Business Houses . .... 289
CHAPTER XXVI. ALBERT LEA CHURCHES.
Early Settlers Were Devout Men-First Religious Services-Story of the Various Religious Bodies - Original Organization - Early Pastors-Later-Day Pastors-Dates the Buildings Were Erected-Various Activities Connected with the Churches- Former Churches 304
CHAPTER XXVII. ALBERT LEA FRATERNITIES.
Many Beautiful Lodge Halls in the City-Masonic Orders-Odd Fellows - Knights of Pythias - Elks-Eagles-Owls-Com- mercial Travelers - Fraternal Insurance Orders - Patriotic Orders-Scandinavian Lodges-By John F. D. Meighen. .... 321
CHAPTER XXVIII. SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE.
Club of Albert Lea-Sociability and Mutual Help the Keynote -Church Organizations - Woman's Christian Temperance Union-City Relief Society-Women's Relief Corps-Travel Class - Beethoven Club - Study Club - Albert Lea Science Association-Fortnightly Club-By Mrs. Alice I. Todd. 346
CHAPTER XXIX. FREEBORN COUNTY VILLAGES.
Story of the Prosperous Trading Centers - Alden, Clarks Grove. Emmons, Freeborn, Glenville. Geneva. Gordonsville, Hartland. London. Manchester-Other Villages-Bancroft and Itasca- Three Former Villages
353
XV
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXX. FREEBORN COUNTY TOWNSHIPS.
Location - Natural Features - First Settlement - Stories of the Pioneer Days - Town Organizations - Interesting Events- Albert Lea - Alden - Bath-Carlston-Freeborn-Freeman - Geneva - Hartland - Hayward - London - Manchester - Mansfield - Moscow - Nunda - Newry - Oakland Pickerel Lake-Riceland-Shell Rock. 378
CHAPTER XXXI. FREEBORN COUNTY CHURCHES.
Pioneers in Faith Who First Held Services in This County- Story of the Leading Churches of the Townships and Villages -Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Synod-United Lutheran -Danish Lutheran-German Lutheran-Swedish Lutheran- Danish Baptist-Methodist Episcopal-German Methodist- Free Methodist-United Brethren-Presbyterian-Congrega- tional-Roman Catholic-Adventists-Early Services .. .. 432
CHAPTER XXXII. DAIRY INTERESTS.
What the Dairy Industry Has Meant to Freeborn County-Million Dollars a Year Received by the Farmers for Milk and Cream- Farmers of Clarkes Grove the Pioneers in the Movement- Farmers of Clarks Grove the Pioneers in the Movement- Story of the Creameries Throughout the County-Edited by 451 Thomas Elwood Noble .
CHAPTER XXXIII. THE NEWSPAPERS.
Importance of the Newspaper-One Daily and Five Weeklies in Freeborn County-Historic Freeborn County Standard and Its Eventful Career-Times-Enterprise-Albert Lea Daily Trib- une - Alden Advertiser - Glenville Progress - The Emmons Leader - Papers of Other Days - Edited by Lesley S. Whitcomb 480
CHAPTER XXXIV. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS.
Celebrations - Blizzard of 1873 - Two Famous Horse Races - Some Early Deaths-Some Excellent Men-The Neutral Strip -Freeborn County Archaeology-Reminiscences of Thomas R. Morgan-Reminiscences of D. W. Horning 491
xvi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXV.
BENCH AND BAR.
Henry Morgan Writes of Those Who Have Constituted the Courts and Legal Profession of Freeborn County-Judges Who Have Administered Equity and Justice in This County-Members of the Bar-Legal and Judicial Minds Whose Eloquence Have Been at the Disposal of Freeborn County Litigants-Other Matters-Drainage of Riceland Marsh 504
CHAPTER XXXVI. BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW.
Sketches of the Leading Men of the County-Lives of Those Who Have Helped to Make the County What It Is today-Inci- dents in the Lives of the Early Settlers-Tales of Success and Achievement 521
CHAPTER XXXVII. APPENDIX.
Supplementary Notes on the Bench and Bar, by Henry A. Morgan -The Kreigler, Carbury and Wing Homicide Cases-George S. Ruble's Claim to Court Square - Other Matters - The Trondhjem, Moscow, Oakland and Hayward Congregations .. 859
CHAPTER I.
NATURAL PHENOMENA.
Introduction-Location and Area-Natural Drainage-Surface Features-Soil and Timber-Trees and Shrubs-The Geolog- ical Structure-Natural Resources-The Coal Fiasco-Natural Gas-The Hunter's Paradise-Mastodon Remains.
Situated a little to the east of the south-central part of that beautiful sweep of rolling prairie known as southern Minnesota, lies a favored county which has taken its name from William Freeborn, an early pioneer, and a member of the council in several sessions of the Minnesota territorial legislature.
A rolling prairie, interspersed with natural and domestic groves, dotted with lakes, beautified by meandering streams, and surfaced with rich, deep soil, 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 of the county have had their part in the general commercial upbuilding of the state, and furnish excellent trading and shipping facilities for the rural districts. In these centers, manufacturing is carried on to a greater or less extent, and the dairy and creamery interests are paramount.
The rural districts are the scene of peace, prosperity and
1
2
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
contentment. 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 tiled 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 Freeborn 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 Freeborn county men and women wherever they may be found.
Usually blessed by nature with deep soil and abundant natural 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, progressive, edu- cated 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, making the country one of the beautiful spots of the earth. On the slopes of land graze cattle and sheep, while the level 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.
Location and Area. Freeborn county borders on the state of Iowa, and is very near the center of the southern boundary line of Minnesota. It has the form of a rectangle, having a length, east and west, of five government towns, and north and south, a width of four, making an area of 720 square miles, or 449,235.63 acres, after deducting the areas covered by water. Freeborn is on the southern tier of Minnesota counties, the fourth from the Mississippi, and next to Mower county; on the south it has Winnebago and Worth counties in Iowa; on the west it is the sixth from the Dakota line, and next to Faribault; and Steele and Waseca are the northern neighbors.
There are thirty or more lakes in its territory, the most promi- nent among which are Lake Albert Lea, Geneva lake, Freeborn
3
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
lake, Twin lakes, and Pickerel lake. It is well watered, being really on a divide, with waters flowing north and south. Among the more noted streams are the Shell Rock river, Cobb river, Goose creek, Turtle creek, Deer creek, Bancroft creek, Stewart's creek, and State Line creek, with several others. These, with the lakes and other topographical features, receive special mention in the town histories. The twenty townships all coincide with the govern- ment survey, and have corresponding political organizations, named as follows: Freeborn, Carlston, Alden, Mansfield, Hart- land, Manchester, Pickerel Lake, Nunda, Bath, Bancroft, Albert Lea, Freeman, Geneva, Riceland, Hayward, Shell Rock, Newry, Moscow, Oakland and London.
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.