USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > 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 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
Gc 977.601 M87c 1630831
M. G
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
m 3 1833 01053 2940 עב
O. W. SHAW.
THE HISTORY
-OF-
Mower County Minnesota
ILLUSTRATED
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FRANKLYN CURTISS-WEDGE
ASSISTED BY
John H. Skinner, Esq .; Gertrude Ellis Skinner; Nathan F. Banfield, Esq .; Herbert L. Banfield, Esq .; Lafayette French, Esq .; Col. Arthur W. Wright; Arthur W. Allen, M. D .; Grace B. Sherwood; Lyman D. Baird, Esq .; Nicholas N. Nichol- son, Esq .; L. N. Griffith, Esq .; Ralph E. Crane, Esq .; Jacob S. Decker, Esq .; O. J. Rhoades, Esq .; Col. Charles L. West; O. J. Simmons, Esq .; Rev. C. D. Belden; Prof. George A. Franklin; Jennie G. Keith; Mrs. Lyman A. Sherwood; George E. Anderson, Esq .; C. F. Greening, Esq .; Hosmer A. Brown, Esq .; Ralph Prescott, Esq .; L. W. Sherman, Esq .; William Nordland, Esq .; Henry Weber, Jr .; George Sutton, Esq .; Ferdinand G. Ray, Esq .; Lorenzo S. Chapman, Esq .; A. F. Stiles, Esq .; Mrs. Ralph E. Crane; Bert A. Johnson, Esq .; Paul C. Keith, Esq. ; John C. Hawkins, Esq .; and many others.
CHICAGO H. C. COOPER, Jr., & CO.
1911
1630831
TO THE STURDY PIONEERS OF MOWER COUNTY WHO, AMID INNUMERABLE HARDSHIPS, BLAZED TIIE 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 Mower county. The undertaking has not been an easy one and the difficulties have been many, so many indeed that this publica- tion would not have been possible without the liberal assistance 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, manufac- turers, professional men and bankers, often at great personal 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 fami- lies, their activities and their localities. To all of these the readers of this work owe a lasting debt of gratitude, and to cach 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 limts of one volume we believe that the matter selected is that which will prove of greatest interest to the greatest 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 authentie, 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 so. We have endeavored to follow a uniform system of the spelling of proper names, although various spellings of even the most familiar names appear in the newspapers and records.
Among the authorities consulted and in many cases quoted
vi
FOREWORD
copiously are: History of Mower County, published in 1884; Souvenir of Austin, issued by the Austin Herald; 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 files of the newspapers of this and neighboring counties have been carefully perused, as have the county, town- ship, city, church and village records. Hundreds of minute books have been examined and thousands of letters and original manu- scripts carefully scanned. To all who have extended us courtesies during our search for these records we extend our thanks. To John H. and Gertrude Ellis Skinner special thanks are due for many writings in this book to which their signatures are not affixed, and also for work on the proofs.
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 members of the staff.
That this history is faultless we do not presume ; it is probably 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 Mower 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 CONTENT
CHAPTER I.
NATURAL PHENOMENA.
PAGE.
Introduction - Location and Area - Surface and Topog- raphy-Material Resources 1-5
CHAPTER II.
THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
Primeval Solitude-Origin of Human Life in Minnesota- The Lowland Mound Builders-The Highland Mound Builders-Mower County a Hunting Place for the Indians .. 5-11
CHAPTER III. INDIAN TREATIES.
Visit to Washington-Boundary Lines Between Indian Tribes Defined-Territory Now Mower County Included in the Sioux Jurisdiction-Second Treaty of Prairie Du Chien -Some of Wabasha's Men Killed by the Foxes South of Austin in Iowa-Strip of Territory South of Mower County Ceded by Treaty-The Doty Treaty and Its Failure-Treaty of Traverse Des Sioux-Treaty of Men- dota, by Which Mower County Was Opened to Settle- ment 11-17
CHAPTER IV. GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY.
Early Claims of Title-Spain, France and England-Treaties and Agreements-The Louisiana Purchase-Indiana- Louisiana Distriet-Louisiana Territory-Missouri Ter- ritory-Northwest Territory-Illinois Territory-Michi- gan Territory-Wisconsin Territory-Iowa Territory- No Man's Land-Sibley in Congress-Minnesota Terri- tory-Minnesota State-Compiled from Manuscripts of Hon. F. M. Crosby 17-36
CHAPTER V. EARLY EXPLORATION.
No Evidence That the French Explorers Ever Saw Mower County-United States Dragoons the First White Men to Leave a Record of Having Visited This Locality-
vii
viii
CONTENTS
PAGE.
Expedition of 1835-Four Companies Under Lieutenant- Colonel Stephen W. Kearney, with Albert Lea in Com- mand of Company I, Cross Mower County Twice-Major Lawrence Taliaferro, Dr. John Emerson and the Slave, Dred Scott, Visit the County in 1836-Henry H. Sibley, Alexander Faribault, John C. Fremont and William H. Forbes Here in 1840-Surveying Party in 1852-Another in 1853-Township and Section Lines Are Surveyed .. . . 37-44
CHAPTER VI.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Colony of the Borderline Between Racine Township and Fill- more Colony-Arrivals in Le Roy Township-Early Set- tlement in Lyle and Lansing-Settlers of 1854-Influx of Population Begins. 44-46
CHAPTER VII. .
ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY LINES.
Mower County Included in Wabasha and Rice Counties- Mower County Created-Organized by Governor Gor- man-Commissioners Meet at Frankford-Old Election Precincts-Township Boundaries. 47-53
CHAPTER VIII.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Doings of the Consecutive Boards of County Commissioners -County Officials-Registers of Deeds-Treasurers- Auditors-Sheriffs-County Attorneys-Clerks of the District Court-Judges of Probate-Superintendents of Schools-County Buildings-Location of County Seat- County Court House - County Jail - County Poor .54-70 Farm
CHAPTER IX.
COUNTY REPRESENTATION.
Mower County in Seventh and Fourth Council District- Fillmore and Mower Counties Made the Eighth Council District-First Representative From This County Takes His Seat-Constitutional Convention-Mower and Dodge Counties Become the Thirteenth Legislative District- Mower and Dodge Counties Become the Fifteenth Dis- triet-Mower County Becomes the Fourth District- Changed to the Third Distriet-Later to the Sixth Dis- triet-Congressional Representation. .70-78
ix
CONTENTS
CHAPTER X. BENCH AND BAR.
PAGE.
Judicial History of Mower County-Judges Who Have Pre- sided in the Courts of This District-Their Life, Ability and Characteristics-The Men Who Have Made Up the Bar of the County-Notable Cases That Have Been Tried Here-By Attorney Lafayette French. 78-95
CHAPTER XI. COMING OF THE RAILROADS.
Old Land Grant Roads With Extensive Concessions-Road- bed Graded Through Mower County-Engine Reaches Le Roy-Freight Car Passes Through Mower County from New York to St. Paul-Later Growth and Develop- ment of the Railroad System in the County-Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul-Chicago Great Western-Illi- nois Central. 95-103
CHAPTER XII. AGRICULTURE.
Importance of the Farming Interests of Mower County- Character of the Men Who First Came Here-Failure of Wheat Crop-Development of Diversified Farming- Advantages-Mail and Trading Facilities-Nature of the Soil-Sheep and Poultry Breeding-The Pork Indus- try-Registered Stock Predominant-Homes of the Farmers-Agricultural Societies-Storm and Floods- 104-117 Grange Movement, Insurance Companies.
CHAPTER XIII. HORTICULTURE.
Importance of Fruit Growing in Mower County-" Experi- ences of a Veteran Horticulturist," by John C. Hawkins -Fruit Growing in the Early Days-The Minnesota and Mower County Horticultural Societies Organized-Diffi- culties Encountered in Developing Mower County as a Fruit Growing Section - Persistent Efforts - Oldest Orchard in Mower County-Seedlings Raised Here. . . 118-122
CHAPTER XIV. COUNTY SCHOOLS.
State and County School System-First Schools and First Districts in Mower County-State Aid-Equipment- Literary Societies-Meetings for Officers, Teachers and Pupils-Exhibits and Contests-Institutes and Summer Schools-Parochial Schools-Story of the Distriets- Prepared With the Assistance of Miss Grace B. Sher- wood 122-142
x
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XV.
ANECDOTES AND ADVENTURES.
PAGE.
First Marriage-Hunting and Trapping-Early Days in Cedar City-Pioneers of Frankford-Frontier Experi- ences by Jacob S. Decker-Independence Celebration- Early Days in Lansing-By O. J. Rhoades. 142-154
CHAPTER XVI. EARLY AUSTIN.
City Founded at the Old Water Ford-Coming of Austin Nichols-Arrival of Chauncey Leverich-Beginning of Settlement-Platting the Village-Pioneer Days-Im- portant Events-Murder of Chauncey Leverich-Stories of the Small Beginnings of What Has Become an Impor- tant City 155-180
CHAPTER XVII. MUNICIPAL AUSTIN.
Incorporation of the Village in 1868-Incorporated as a City -Changes in Charter-Elective and Appointed Officers Who Have Served the Municipality-Important Acts of the Successive Councils-Home Rule Charter Adopted - Edited by John H. Skinner 181-200
CHAPTER XVIII. INDUSTRIAL AUSTIN.
Importance of the Mercantile Interests-Beginning of Indus- try-Austin in 1867-The Railroad Era-Austin in 1876 -Austin in 1884-The Modern Period-Manufacturing Interests-First Mill-Former Industries-Modern In- dustries-Edited by Charles L. West. 200-211
CHAPTER XIX. AUSTIN MANUFACTORIES.
First Mill-Former Industries-Present Interests-Story of the Growth and Development of the Various Plants Which Have Assisted in the Progress of the City-Minor Activities 212-227
CHAPTER XX. AUSTIN FRATERNITIES.
Masonic Orders-Odd Fellows-Pythian Orders-Catholic Orders-Order of Elks-Other Fraternal Orders-Patri- otic Orders-Catholic Orders-Railroad Orders-Fra- ternal Insurance-Scandinavian and Teutonic Lodges- Industrial-Driving Associations-Edited by Osman J. Simmons 227-241
xi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXI.
MODERN AUSTIN.
PAGE.
Advantages of the City, Written by Rev. C. D. Belden- Religious Activities, by Robert L. Moore-Austin Clubs, by Miss Jennie G. Keith-St. Olav Hospital and Training Sehool-Austin Schools, by Prof. George A. Franklin- Austin Hotels. 241-284
CHAPTER XXII. BANKS AND BANKING.
Story of the Growth and Development of the Financial Inter- ests of the County, Told by Nathan F. Banfield-First Bank in the County-Banks of Austin, Grand Meadow, LeRoy, Lyle, Adams, Racine, Rose Creek, Dexter, Sar- geant, Brownsdale, Waltham, Taopi-Summary of Bank- ing Conditions in Mower County 285-298
CHAPTER XXIII. PIONEER GIRLHOOD.
Reminiseenees of Mrs. Lyman A. Sherwood-Trip From Winona-Incidents on the Way-Arrival in Austin- Austin as a Pioneer Village-Fourth of July Celebration -Incidents of the Early Days-Life in "Old Headquar- ters"-Work on the Cemetery-Off for the Civil War- Indian Scare-Other Aneedotes. 299-308
CHAPTER XXIV. THE NEWSPAPERS.
Introduction by Gertrude Ellis Skinner-Story of the First Newspaper in the County-History of the Founding, Growth, Development and Present Status of the Journals of Mower County. 309-318
CHAPTER XXV.
THE PHYSICIAN.
His Proud Achievements-His Solemn Oath-His Ethies- The True Physician-His Reward-His Delicate Relation to the Human Family-His Inventions and Discoveries Free Gifts-The Pioneer Doctor-His Character and Services-His Limitations-The Pioneer Physicians of Mower County-The Mower County Medical Association -Edited by A. W. Allen, M. D. 319-328
CHAPTER XXVI. CIVIL WAR HISTORY.
Outbreak of the War-The First War Meeting in Mower County-Newspaper Clippings of Stirring War Events -List of Veterans Who Enlisted from Mower County,
xii
CONTENTS
PAGE.
With History of Their Regiments - Honor Roll of Mower County Heroes Who Laid Down Their Lives for the Union-Col. Henry C. Rogers and His Record-By Col. A. W. Wright. 328-346
CHAPTER XXVII.
POSTAL HISTORY.
Growth and Development of the System-First Offices in Mower County-Stories of the Stage Coach Drivers- History of the Present and Discontinued Postoffices of Mower County-Edited by George E. Anderson ..... 346-358
CHAPTER XXVIII.
GRAND MEADOW TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Soil of Township-Early Settlement-Organi- . zation-Village of Grand Meadow-Opening of the Set- tlement and Early Business Interests - Societies - Churches-Postoffice-Library - Catastrophes - Early Events-Village Government. 358-373
CHAPTER XXIX.
RED ROCK AND BROWNSDALE.
Red Rock Township-Early Settlement-First Events- Organization - Brownsdale Village -Organization - Early Business-Serious Water Spout-Brownsdale in 1871-Brownsdale in 1885- Modern Brownsdale-Fra- ternities, Churches and Industries-Edited by Hosmer A. Brown. 374-388
CHAPTER XXX.
LE ROY TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Area-First Events-Early Settlement-Or- ganization-Old Village-LeRoy Village-Beginning the New Village-LeRoy in 1868-Early Business-LeRoy in 1871 - LeRoy in 1884 - Religious - Cemeteries - Modern LeRoy-Disasters. 389-410
CHAPTER XXXI. LYLE TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-First Events-Cedar City-Village of Lyle-Able Articles by William Nord- land and L. W. Sherman-Development of the Village- City - Hall - Fire Department - Churches - Fraternal Orders - Industries - Telephone Company - Municipal History-Recollections of Early Lyle. 410-428
xiii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXII. DEXTER TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
PAGE.
Dexter Township-Location and Soil-Settlement-Organi- zation-Religious-Dexter Village-Location and Settle- ment-Village Plats-Village Incorporation and Officers With Village Improvements -- Churches - Edited by Henry Weber, Jr .- Renova-Sutton. 428-439
CHAPTER XXXIII.
WINDOM TOWNSHIP.
Location, Advantages and Area-Early Settlement-First Events-Organization of the Township-Religious- Rose Creek Village-Location, Platting, Incorporation and Officers-Business in the Early Days-Churches- Edited by George Sutton and Ferdinand G. Ray .... . 439-451
CHAPTER XXXIV. LODI AND TAOPI.
Location and Area-Soil and Waters-Early Settlement- First Events-Organization-Immense Farm-Village of Taopi - Taopi in 1875-Taopi in 1884 - Modern Taopi 452-456
CHAPTER XXXV. WALTHAM TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-Organization-Reli- gious-First Events-Old Waltham House-Cemetery- Old Waltham Village-New Waltham Village-Modern Waltham - Business Interests - Church - School and Creamery-Edited by Lorenzo S. Chapman .456-464
CHAPTER XXXVI. RACINE TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-Organization-Reli- gious-Hamilton Village-Racine Village-Edited by A. F. Stiles. 464-468
CHAPTER XXXVII. SARGEANT TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-Organization-Early Hotel and Store-St. John's Church-Sargeant Vil- lage 469-472
CHAPTER XXXVIII. AUSTIN TOWNSHIP.
Location and Natural Advantages-First Settlement-First Events-Organization-Religious History-Mill Sites- Cemetery 472-478
xiv
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXIX.
LANSING TOWNSHIP.
PAGE.
Location and Area - Early Settlement - Organization - Bounty-Churches-Railroads-First Events-Mills - Cemeteries - Lansing Village - Early Interests - Ma- sonic Lodge-Ramsey Junetion-Corning Village .... 478-487
CHAPTER XL.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Advantages-Early Settlement-Organization -First Events-Religious-Frozen to Death-Village of Adams 487-495
CHAPTER XLI.
FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP.
Location and Soil-Early Settlement-Frankford Village- Bear Creek-Norwegian Settlement-History of Town- ship and Village by Mrs. Ralph E. Crane. 495-504
CHAPTER XLII.
PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-Organization-First Events-Religious-Town Hall and Cemetery ...... 504-506 CHAPTER XLIII.
CLAYTON TOWNSHIP.
Location and Advantages-Early Settlement-Organization -- Name-Cemetery .506-507
CHAPTER XLIV.
MARSHALL TOWNSHIP.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-Organization. ... 507-510
CHAPTER XLV.
UDOLPHO TOWNSHIP.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-First Events-Reli- gions-Accidental Deaths-Origin of Name-Cemetery -Madison Village-Red Oak Grove Settlement and Church 510-521
XV
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XLVI.
BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP.
PAGE. Location and Advantages-First Settlement-Early Events -Organization-Religious-Norwegian Settlement .. 521-523
CHAPTER XLVII.
NEVADA TOWNSHIP.
Location and Area-First Settlement-Organization-First Events-Religious-Industries-Six Mile Grove Settle- ... .523-528 ment
CHAPTER XLVIII.
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD.
Second Infantry M. N. G .- Company "G" of Austin-Com- pany "G" in the Twelfth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Spanish-American War-Officers and Men-First and Present Officers-By Col. Arthur W. Wright. ... 528-532
CHAPTER XLIX. EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY.
Story of Early Political Parties and Contests Told by Jacob N. Nicholsen-East and West Side Fights-Nominees and Results of Elections in Ante-Bellum Days-War Time Politics-Exciting Days for Mower County. ... 532-542
CHAPTER L. EARLY SETTLERS.
Land Office Records-Date of First Claims Taken in Each Township, With the Names of the Pre-emptors-Honor Roll of Those Who Braved the Hardships of Pioneer Life and Fulfilled the Government Requirements of Actual Residence in the Earliest Days-Old Settlers' Asso-
542-553 ciation
CHAPTER LI. DAIRY INTERESTS.
Importance of the Dairy Industry in Mower County-A. V. Ellis the Father of Dairy Farming In This Vicinity- Story of the Present Day Creameries-The Dairy Cow, Her Worth and Virtues-By H. L. Banfield .......... 553-555 Note-The biographical index will be found in the back part of this volume.
History of Mower County
CHAPTER I.
NATURAL PHENOMENA.
Introduction-Location and Area-Surface and Topography- Material Resources.
Situated in the southeastern portion of that rolling sweep of country known as southern Minnesota, is a prosperous county that has taken its name from John E. Mower, an early member of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature.
A rolling prairie, interspersed with natural and domestic groves, 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. This taken in connection with the abundant rainfall in early autumn, accounts for the rapid and vigorous growth of crops in this vicinity and their early maturity. 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 eities and villages of the county
1
2
HISTORY OF MOWER 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 ; the milling business is naturally important ; and the dairy and creamery interests are paramount.
The rural districts are the scene of peace, prosperity and 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 tilled and productive, and the churches and schools which are scen 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 Mower county takes its greatest pride. From her farms, from her eities, and from her villages, have gone out 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 Mower 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, 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, 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 spring-time 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. The county of Mower lies in the south- eastern portion of Minnesota, only two counties separating it from the Mississippi river, while it forms one of the southern tier of counties. The county is bounded on the north by Dodge and Olmsted counties; on the east by Fillmore county, the west by Freeborn county ; and on the south by the state of Iowa. The county comprises an area of about 453,120 acres, or 708 square
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.