USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 54
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MEEKER COUNTY IN THE WAR.
Although Meeker county had a population but little exceeding 900 at the last census preceding the great conflict between the seceding States and the Federal Govern- ment, it furnished a number of men for the army exceeding her proper quota. With about 300 voters, not one county of the State sent a greater percentage of her citizens. The following list of the "brave boys in blue," whose homes were in Meeker county, has been compiled from the reports of the Adjutant General of the State, with great care, and supplemented by consultation with some of the comrades, who have added some of the names not credited to this county . in the official record.
ROSTER.
FIRST MINNESOTA SHARPSHOOTERS.
James Lang. Horace Mixer,
Henry McGaffy. Philip Page,
Leverson Rogers, J. W. Walker.
FIRST MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
E. W. Pierce, B. W. Harriman,
Rufus Eastman, Reuben Waite.
SECOND MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
E. F. Branham, II. Clinton,
Daniel Campbell, Isaac Chapin,
Andrew Nelson, O. Oaks,
Charles Intchins, Moses Hutchins,
Gilbert Jackson. Christopher Johnson,
Joseph T. Riggs, George S. Sholes, Jr.,
James Nelson, W. W. Hunter.
THIRD MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Albert W. Angier, J. H. Bradshaw,
William Foster, Lorain Johnson,
John Peterson, Felix Stark,
Albert Taylor, Jerome Todd,
William Willis.
FOURTHI MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Capt. F. V. DeCoster, L. D. Allen,
Capt. C. H. Stinchfield. S. D. L. Baldwin,
Daniel Butler, A. C. Lawrence, Washington S. Cates, Seth Nichols,
Michael McCann, Thomas Fallon,
James W. Dunn, William HI. Hall,
John Fallon, Dudley Taylor,
Daniel Rhodes,
Joel Taylor,
Augustus Whitney, C. G. Peabody. C. M. F. Hutchins.
FIFTHI MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Surgeon V. P. Kennedy,
R. Bogusrode,
Benjamin Pottle.
SIXTHI MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Panl Mattson,
August Williams,
Ole Peterson,
Paul Paulson,
John Johnson.
SEVENTHI MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
E. Reiff,
Emanuel Reiff.
EIGIITII MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
James Murphy,
O. Olson.
TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
A. Oleson,
K. Larson.
SIXTEENTHI WISCONSIN INFANTRY. Azro B. Hoyt.
HATCH'S INDEPENDENT BATTALION.
Cap. G. C. Whitcomb, T. Grogton,
William P. Bennett, Charles Maybee,
Thomas Grayson,
Frank Howe,
Henry S. Howe,
Charles Peabody,
Emanuel Reef,
J. B. Salisbury,
E. N. Eastman,
W. S. Winston.
519
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
BRACKETT'S BATTALION MOUNTED RANGERS.
Edward Evans, W. P. Burnett,
Wmn. M. Campbell,
E. A. Campbell,
Samuel Hutchins, Patrick MeKenney,
G. R. Page, Peter Stearn,
John Wigle.
FIRST MINNESOTA CAVALRY.
John Wigle.
SECOND MINNESOTA CAVALRY.
William Branham, Freeman G. Gould,
J. B. Atkinson, James Deerey,
Jasper Fiseher, Michael J. Flynn,
Egidon Moers, William Koch,
Maximillian Koch,
G. R. Page,
Jacob Reef, Peter Stearn,
Carl Schultz,
C. Gould,
William Caswell, John Fitzgerald,
William M. Campbell, E. A. Campbell,
Even Evenson, William Heath,
Henry Luton, G. W. P. Little,
Andrew Larson, II. Miekelson,
Samuel Hutchins, Jerome Rogers,
Thomas Armstrong, Daniel B. Hoyt,
Otho Campbell, William Armstrong,
Knute Haverson.
FIRST MINNESOTA HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Capt. J. B. Atkinson, Louis Koch, John Angier, Ilenry Johnson.
FIRST INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF SCOUTS.
Albert DeLong,
J. A. Brink.
-
CHAPTER IV.
POLITICAL.
HE political history of Meeker county is more fully and anthentic- ally shown by giving the vote of the eounty during the various years, than by any other manner.
The county has been Republican nearly
every campaign since its organization in State and National politics, vet on local issues it has varied considerably, and many from the other tickets have captured the coveted offices from the republican nominees through per- sonal popularity or other eauses. In this connection is presented an abstract of the vote at every general election hell in Meeker county, as far as could be ascertained from the records in the court house and files of newspapers. The vote for some years in the early part of the county's history are entirely wanting and a most diligent research among the papers and books of the county fails to find any trace of them.
Election, October 13, 1857.
Member of the Conncil.
Daniel Bassett ..
38- 38
Members of the House of Representatives.
Otis Bradford.
93-
John W. Griswold. 92
J. M. Spear 33
County Commissioner.
Freeman L. Gould.
95 --
55
A. D. Pierce.
40
J. A. Slanton
95-
54
I. C. Delamater
41
C. T. Jewitt.
92- 50
H. G. O. Thoms.
43
District Attorney.
Wm. Richards
93-
57
M. Warren.
36
W. Warren.
1
J. W. Griswold
55
Probate Judge.
Coroner.
J. Teachout.
73- 40
John Heath.
33
Election, November 6, 1860.
President.
Abraham Lincoln, Republican.
166-
74
Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat ..
83
John C. Breckinridge, Southern Democrat. 9
The balance of the vote for this year is entirely wanting in the county records, nor can it be procured in any way.
County Treasurer.
Sheriff.
520
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Election, November 4, 1862.
[There were but two polling places in Meeker county, one at Kingston and the other at the stockade at Forest City, the county being depopulated by the Indian massacre and scare.]
Member of Congress.
Ignatius Donnelly.
38-
7
Mark W. Piper
90
W. J. Cullen. 31
State Senator.
Chas. A. Warner.
34-
3
I. II. Stevens 31
Representatives.
B. G. Lee.
33
A. C. Smith. 39
C. F. Davis.
32
Joseph Weyman
5
Register of Deeds.
T. H. Skinner ..
37-
14
T. C. Jewett.
23
Clerk of the District Court,
J. M. Harvey.
26-
25
T. H. Skinner.
1
County Auditor.
J. M. Harvey
66-
66
Sheriff.
J. B. Atkinson
37-
7
Henry M. Rice, D.
92
Representatives.
Lewis Harrington.
102
D. E. King.
102
E. F. Lewis
84
J. S. Telford.
82
D. W. Johns.
80
C. W. Griggs
78
C. F. Warner
19
County Treasurer.
Jesse V. Branham, Sr.
97- 22
Chester D. Ilill.
75
Register of Deeds.
J. M. Harvey
111-
39
W. II. Dart.
County Auditor.
Jesse V. Branham, Jr.
101-
18
J. B. Atkinson
83
Judge of Probate.
C. B. Jordan
45 -.
2
J. M. Harvey.
43
Clerk of District Court.
J. M. Ilarvey
103-
20
J. E. Warren
83
Sheriff.
Henderson Angier.
88
George S. Sholes, Jr
88
County Attorney .
I. I. Lewis.
85
Representatives.
C. F. Davis.
112-
24
Ilenry llill.
111-
26
F. A. Renz
111-
27
M. W. Piper.
88
John Hein.
85
Gustave A. Ruckoldt. 84
County Auditor.
Charles E. Cutts ..
92-
Register of Deeds.
E. II. Whitney
89-
9
Hamlet Stevens.
M. W. Piper.
4
J. Il. Ilarvey
2
Sheriff.
George Sholes, Ir.
101- 31
William Richardson.
County Attorney.
Mark Warren.
69- 69
Coroner.
Ole Halverson Ness.
70- 70
Election, November 7, 1865.
Governor.
William R. Marshall, R
105- 13
Milton Gordon. 30
County Attorney.
A. C. Smith
23-
23
John Heatlı
Coroner.
34- 34
Election, November 3, 1863.
No general election was held this year in Meeker county, the inhabitants not having sufficiently recovered from the effects of the Indian outbreak to give attention to politics. Meetings were held at Forest City and at Kingston, and several officers were subse- quently installed, in accordance with the sentiment of the people, as manifested at the meetings.
Election, November 8, 1864.
Abraham Lincoln, R ...
President.
115
31
George B. McClellan, D. 84
Member of Congress.
Ignatius Donnelly,
115
32
John M. Gillman, D.
83
State Senator.
G. D. George
113-
28
A. C. Smith
40- 40
.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
521
Election, November 6, 1866.
Member of Congress.
Ignatius Donnelly, R.
299- 157
William Colville, D.
142
State Senator.
H. L. Gordon
298- 153
W. T. Bonniwell
145
Representatives.
D. E. King
308
P. W. Savage
299
George Defler
140
Edward A. Campbell
139
County Auditor.
Jesse V. Branham, Jr.
292- 142
M. W. Piper
150
Register of Deeds.
John Blackwell
280- 121
James M. Harvey
159
Probate Judge.
C. B. Jordan
298- 154
Thaddeus R. Webb
144
Sheriff .
Orrin Whitney
300- 300
Court Commissioner.
J. B. Atkinson
117- 117
County Attorney.
Thos. S. Brown.
248- 226
A. C. Smith
22
Surveyor.
W. H. Greenleaf
300- 300
Coroner.
S. Y. Gordo
298- 146
H. G. O. Thoms
147
Election, November 5, 1867.
Governor.
William R. Marshall, R.
403- 183
Chas E. Flandrau, D.
220
State Senator.
A. C. Smith
210- 210
Representatives.
J. B. Salisbury
361
Lewis Harrington
384
M. V. Coehran
211
M. W. Piper.
222
County Treasurer.
J. V. Branham, Sr.
380 -148
Andrew Elofson.
232
Clerk of the District Court.
Jolın Blackwell.
400 -188
E. A. Evans.
212
Sheriff.
A. A. Sanford.
399- 179
H. G. O. Thoms
220
Judge of Probate.
Harry Wilson
398- 185
James B. Atkinson
213
County Attorney.
Harry Wilson
357 -185
A. C. Smith.
172
Election, November 3, 1868.
President.
U. S. Grant, R.
600 -315
Horatio Seymour, D.
285
Member of Congress.
C. C. Andrews, R.
459 -168
E. M. Wilson.
291
Ignatius Donnelly
133
State Senator.
Dana E. King, R.
539 -203
Mark W. Piper, D
336
Representatives.
W. W. Patterson, R.
592 -202
Daniel Pyle, R.
592 -204 .
Eli E. Lewis, D.
289
Ashley C. Riggs, D.
288
County Auditor.
Jesse V. Branham, Jr. .
531 -199
Hamlet Stevens.
332
Register of Deeds.
John Black well
603 -325
H. L. Smith.
278
Probate Judge.
John M. Waldron.
570 -268
James Thoms.
302
Henry Hill
592 -592
Surveyor.
William H. Greenleaf.
590 -590
Coroner.
Ole Halverson Ness.
591 -302
M. J. Flynn.
289
Election, November 2, 1869.
Governor.
Horaee Austin, R.
630 -336
Geo. L. Otis. D.
294
Daniel Cobb, P.
8
Representatives.
A. H. Reed.
627- 346
Burroughs Abbott.
624- 344
A. G. Sexton
281
Albert Sperry
280
County Treasurer.
Henry Hill.
500-
86
Hamlet Stevens.
414
Sheriff.
William M. Campbell.
193- 94
Samuel G. Gordon
399
County Attorney.
Chas. B. Howe. 'No opposition.
County Attorney.
522
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.'
Coroner.
William Matheney. No opposition.
On the question of removal of the county seat to Litch-
field:
For the removal.
508- 89
Against the removal.
419
Election, November 5, 1872.
President.
U. S. Grant, R.
908- 532
Horace Greeley, D
476
Members of Congress.
John T. Averill
881- 383
George L. Becker
498
State Senator.
Chas. E. Cutts.
809- 234
Charles B. llowell.
575
Representatives.
William Greenleaf
829- 284
Dillon O'Brien.
545
County Auditor.
Jolin Black well.
896- 327
Jesse V. Branham, Jr ..
469
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren.
934- 483
John W. McKcen
451
County Attorney.
C. 11. Strobcek
915- 475
Francis Belfoy
440
F. V. DeCoster.
817- 291
E. A. Campbell
526
County Surveyor .
L. E. Dudley
919 -455
Asa Garland.
464
Coroner.
John A. Quick.
850- 322
H. F. Edmund.
524
Ilenry Clay.
4
Election, November 4, 1873.
Governor.
C. K. Davis, R
839- 420
A. Barton, D.
419
County Treasurer.
Amos N. Foscn.
681- 108
Hamlet Stevens
573
Sheriff.
N. J. March.
726- 190
Geo. W. Brower.
457
H. M. Angier
79
Court Commissioners.
O. II. Campbell.
822- 394
1I. C. Bull ..
428
Andrew Nelson
Representative.
Orrin Whitney.
452
Election, November 3, 1874.
Member of Congress.
Eugene M. Wilson.
875- 151
William S. King
724
State Senator.
Andrew Nelson
798-
14
J. M. Waldron
784
Representative.
N. C. Hlines.
731- 53
L. G. Pendergast.
679
W. W. Hobbs
168
County Auditor.
lIamlet Stevens
937- 274
John Waller
663
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren
1582-1582
Judge of Probate.
John Blackwell.
923- 254
S. A. Plumley
669
County Attorney.
E. A. Campbell.
898- 227
C. H. Strobeck.
671
County Commissioner.
J. H. Bacon
1588-1588
Coroner.
Oliver Rasmick
881- 164
J. A. Quiek.
717
Election, November 2, 1875.
Governor.
J. S. Pillsbury, R.
720- 55
D. L. Buell, D
665
Representative.
C. E. Cutts.
704-
15
V. P. Kennedy
689
Amos N. Fosen
759-135
M. J. Flynn.
624
Clerk of the District Court.
S. W. Leavitt.
726- 57
J. Q. A. Braden
669
Sheriff .
N. J. March
712- 49
P. Ekstrom
673
Judge of Probate.
S. A. Plumley
721- 83
N. C. Martin.
638
Coroner.
L. E. Dudley
747- 82
L. P. Foster
655
Election, November 7, 1876.
President.
R. B. Ilayes, R.
1211- 381
S. J. Tilden, D ..
487
Peter Cooper, G.
343
787- 335
County Treasurer.
Judge of Probate.
523
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
State Senator.
John M. Waldron, R
1216- 409
V. P. Kennedy, D
554
A. C. Smith, G.
253
Representative.
Louis Rudberg, R.
1201- 417
J. N. McDonald. D.
405
T. R. Webb, G.
379
County Auditor.
Hamlet Stevens
1034-
76
A. T. Koerner
958
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren.
1224- 460
G. W. Jordan
458
A. P. Ornsdorff.
306
County Attorney.
C. II. Strobeck.
66
E. A. Campbell.
603
J. B. Atkinson.
108
County Surveyor.
L. E. Dudley.
1087- 162
J. B. Salisbury
817
J. B. Atkinson
108
Election, November 5, 1877.
Governor.
John S. Pillsbury, R.
832-
2
W. D. Banning, D. and G.
826
Austin Willey, P.
4
County Treasurer.
Amos N. Fosen.
S40- 76
W. H. Dart.
764
Sheriff.
P. Ekstrom
916- 181
N. J. March
735
Superintendent of Schools.
J. W. Gordon.
707-136
W. E. Cathcart.
571
R. R. Beecham.
376
Judge of Probate.
N. C. Martin.
883- 111
S. A. Plumley
772
Coroner.
Nels Elofson.
866-
85
M. Baldwin
397
G. O. Trow
384
Court Commissioners.
II. L. Smith
825-
14
E. P. Peterson
517
J. B. Atkinson
294
Election, November 5, 1875.
State Senator.
V. P. Kennedy
829
Representative.
W. M. Campbell.
785- 27
Joseph Hubbard.
758
R. K. Beecham.
133
County Auditor.
G. B. Phelps
963- 230
H. S. Branham.
733
Register of Deeds.
Aug. T. Koerner.
914- 144
N. A. Viren
770
County Attorney .
S. A. Plumley
904- 129
L. C. Spooner
775
County Surveyor.
L. E. Dudley
901- 113
J. P. Mann.
788
Election, November 4, 1879.
Governor.
John S. Pillsbury. R.
870- 160
William Meighen, G.
710
Edmund Rice, D ..
363
W. W. Satterlee, P.
14
County Treasurer .
August Palm.
1018-
73
A. II. Lofstrum.
707
J. B. Atkinson.
238
Clerk of the District Court.
S. W. Leavitt.
1062- 167
W. D. Joubert.
590
N. Y. Taylor.
305
Superintendent of Common Schools.
J. W. Wright.
943- 139
J. W. Gordon.
804
Joseph Weymer.
210
Sheriff.
P. Ekstrom
1263- 573
L. D. Marshall.
571
J. B. Ilatcb
119
Judge of Probate.
N. C. Martin
1038- 118
W. L. Van Enian
693
A. C. Smith
227
Coroner.
J. A. Quick.
950- 221
William Christoph
729
A. Fryberger.
278
Election, November 2, 1880.
President.
James A. Garfield, R.
1335- 373
Winfield S. Hancock, D.
563
James B. Weaver, G ..
399
Member of Congress.
W. D. Washburn, R.
1292- 299
C. E. Cutts.
866-
37
H. H. Sibley, D.
664
Ebenezer Ayers, G
329
524
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
State Senator.
W. M. Campbell.
981- 17
V. P. Kennedy
964
V. Il. llarris.
336
Representative.
O. M. Linnell
1120- 497
Ole Johnson
623
A. D. Ross
523
County Auditor.
G. B. Phelps.
981- 17
Daniel Pineo
964
Ilamlet Stevens
336
Register of Deeds.
A. T. Koerner
1250- 230
James Kline ..
1020
County Attorney.
W. S. Van Enian.
1203- 147
L. C. Spooner.
1056
County Surveyor.
L. E. Dudley.
1236- 188
J. B. Salisbury.
1048
Court Commissioner.
F. V. DeCoster.
1183- 149
E. P. Peterson.
1034
Election, November 8, 1881.
Governor.
L. F. Ilnbbard, R.
1061- 306
C. H. Roberts, D.
459
R. W. Johnson.
296
County Treasurer.
A. Palm.
767 -144
N. W. Hawkinson
623
Amos N. Fosen
376
Sheriff.
P. Ekstrom
969 -134
N. J. March.
731
James McMahon.
104
Judge of Prohate.
N. C. Martin
1035- 273
J. T. Alley
662
J. B. Atkinson
100
County Attorney.
E. A. Campbell
960 -184
S. A. Plumley.
776
Superintendent of Common Schools.
J. W. Wright.
971 -136
J. Y. Winings.
835
Coroner.
J. A. Quick.
942 -325
E. Hilderbrandt.
617
William Christoph
237
Election, November 7, 1882.
Member of Congress.
II. B. Strait.
1385- 587
C. P. Adams.
438
Porter Martin
360
State Senator.
W. Il. Greenleaf.
1100-
15
William M. Campbell.
1085
Representative.
O. M. Linnell.
1108- 54
Olaf Peterson
1054
County Auditor.
George P. Phelps.
1297- 406
Andrew Rowland.
891
Register of Deeds.
Aug. T. Koerner
1361- 560
H. W. Adlerbjelke
801
Election, November 6, 1883.
Governor.
A. Biermann, D.
1123- 44
L. F. Hubbard, R.
1026
Chas. E. Holt, P.
53
County Treasurer.
N. W. Hawkinson.
1160- 97
A. Nelson Fosen.
1063
Clerk of the District Court.
J. E. Upham.
1292- 526
C. D. Brown
766
Sheriff.
Daniel Flynn
1019- 239
P. Ekstrom.
780
John Knight
437
Judge of Probate.
N. C. Martin
2192-2160
F. II. Wickstrand.
32
County Attorney.
E. P. Peterson.
1201- 183
C. Il. Strobeck
1018
Court Commissioner.
F. V. DeCoster.
1211- 221
J. B. Atkinson
727
A. Wall.
263
Coroner.
E. Kimball.
1215- 205
William Christoph
1010
Superintendent.
W. E. Cathcart.
571
J. W. Gordon.
707- 136
A. J. Garland.
238
Representative.
W. M. Campbell.
841- 46
L. Rudberg.
419
R. K. Beecham.
376
RESIDENCE OF HON. ANDREW NELSON, LITCHFIELD, MINN.
527
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Election, November 4, 1884.
President.
James G. Blaine, R.
1456- 184
Grover Cleveland, D
860
B. F. Butler, G. and L
294
John P. St. John, P.
118
Member of Congress.
Horace B. Strait, R.
1448- 165
Ignatius Donnelly, D. and G.
1173
I. C. Stearns, P.
100
Representative.
M. J. Flyun.
1380 --
45
Even Evenson
1220
C. S. Clark.
115
County Auditor.
G. B. Phelps.
1857- 981
E. Kimball.
876
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren
1566- 418
T. J. Soule.
904
A. P. Onsdorf.
24-4
County Surveyor.
J. B. Salisbury
9732-2732
Election, November 2, 1886.
Governor.
A. R. MeGill, R.
1377-
61
A. A. Ames, D.
1316
James E. Child, P.
113
Member of Congress.
B. B. Herbert, R.
1416-
13
J. L. MeDonald. D.
1298
E. B. Lathrop, P
105
State Senator.
John S. Shields
1007- 53
O. Il. Campbell
954
Hamlet Stevens
827
Representatives.
Even Evenson
1810- 814
Martin Paulson
996
County Auditor.
Ambrose Walls.
1467- 136
T. HI. Pendergast.
1331
County Treasurer.
N. W. Hawkinson
1430- 63
Rasmus Nelson
1367
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren
1743- 697
John Rodange.
1046
Clerk of the District Court.
J. E. Upham.
1915-1049
J. B. Hatel
866
Sheriff.
H. M. Hohn.
1162- 64
Daniel Flynn
1098
J. W. Johnson
552
Superintendent of Schools.
T. J. Sonle.
1473- 105
J. W. Wright.
1368
Judge of Probate.
Chas. H. Strobeek
1381- 999
C. M. Gumaelius.
1082
County Attorney.
J. M. Russell
1491- 172
E. P. Peterson.
1319
Court Commissioner.
HI. S. MeMonagle.
1601- 412
F. V. DeCoster
1189
County Surveyor.
J. B. Salisbury
2793-2793
Coroner.
E. Kimball
1727- 651
James Maher
1076
Commissioners.
V. H. Harris, 1st dist ..
397- 163
Andrew Nelson, 1st dist.
234
John Blomburg, 2d dist.
401- 222
Daniel Jaekman, 2d dist ..
179
Peter Sangren, 3d dist.
451- 943
Harrison Fuller, 3d dist.
208
William Abbott, 4th dist.
213- 36
C. H. Atkinson, 4th dist.
177
N. C. Caswell, 5th dist
142- 443
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CHAPTER V.
JOURNALISM AND EDUCATION.
WO important and potent factors m the civilization and development of any community are its educational and newpaper facilities. In these respects Meeker county is not behind her sister connties, having been provided liberally as to both these engines of civilization. THE PRESS.
The pioneer journal was the Mecker County News, which was established at Forest City in 1868, and was published in that place by Frank Belfoy until the fall of 1869, when he removed the office and material to the new town of Litchfield. It was a sprightly,
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MEEKER COUNTY, AMINNESOTA.
newsy. republican sheet, and well edited. It was carried on by Mr. Belfoy in the latter town until the fall of 1874. when the sub- scription book and good-will of the journal were purchased by Daggett & Joubert, and the paper consolidated with the Ledger, press and material being sold to go to Hutchinson, by Mr. Belfoy. The press was the first that was ever brought to the State of Minnesota.
In the fall of 1870, II. G. Rising com- menced the publication of a newspaper, known as the Litchfield Republican, and continued its issue until the autumn of 1871, when he removed it to Glenwood, the county seat of Pope county, west of this place. It was, as its name implies, republican in poli- tics, and was a good local sheet.
The Litchfield Ledger was established in 1872, the first issue bearing date of April 30. It was an exponent of the principles formu- lated by the republican party, was a seven- column folio, and was edited and published by Daggett & Joubert. It was an able and spiey local paper, and attained, from its first inception, considerable influence. In the latter part of 1874 the firm purchased the business of the News, and consolidated the two journals under the name of News-Ledger. and the paper was issued weekly by Daggett & Joubert under the double title. In Octo- ber. 1876. Mr. Daggett was taken from this workl by death, after which W. D. Joubert ran the paper alone until six months later, when Frank Belfoy brought a half-interest, and the firm of Belfoy & Joubert was formed, and carried on the business until August, 1881, when Mr. Belfoy, also, died. and four months afterwards the interest belonging to him was purchased by his sur- viving partner. Under the sole management of Mr. Joubert the News-Ledger has con- tinued until the present day, growing in influence and prosperity every year. Since the establishment of the paper five of the apprentices in the office have become full-
fledged editors. after having learned the principles and practice of the " Art preserva- tive" in this school. Four of them are now running papers in the State of Minnesota, namely-S. W. Frasier, of the Brown's Valley Reporter; V. Gordon, of the Inter-Lake Tribune; F. E. Joubert, of the Wheaton Gazette; and N. P. Oleson, who is publishing a Swedish paper in Minneapolis. The other is M. O. Cathcart, one of the Litchfield Ledger staff.
The Rambler, a small humorous journal, first saw the light in 1874, and owed its inception to two of the compositors in the Ledger office, J. D. Hayford and N. P. Olson. For a few months, while its existence lasted, it afforded considerable amusement.
The Litchfield Independent was started in 1876 by a stock company, as an exponent of the National greenback party. Among those who owned stock in it were W. M. Campbell, E. A. Campbell. Dr. V. P. Ken- nedy, A. Pah, P. Ekstrom, and the editors, Il. C. Martin and A. Sanders. A short time after the first issue, II. I. Peterson purchased the interest of Sanders, and the firm of II. C. Martin & Co., was formed, who ac- quired the interests of the other owners. Two years later E. P. Peterson bought ont Mr. Martin and the firm name and style changed to E. P. and II. I. Peterson. These gentlemen carried on the paper until March, 1881, when II. I. Peterson, the present pro- prietor, purchased the interest of his brother and has continued at the head of the journal ever since. He is a good newspaper man, a pungent writer, and the paper, under his management, is deservedly popular.
The Rathhuggaren, a Swedish radical journal, was established by Hans Il. Wids- trand, in 1880, as a monthly paper, and for a period of a few months operated in this locality, but its publication was finally sus- pended.
The Litchfield Review made its first ap-
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
pearance on the 5th of July, 1881, with the names of the firm of Lewis A. and Fred. A. Pier at the head of its columns as editors and proprietors. It was at that time an independ- ent, five-column quarto sheet, but is now a six-column quarto, just as non-partizan as ever, and an excellent local paper. April 1, 1887, the junior partner disposed of his inter- est in the business to Frank II. Ilaven, and the firm of Pier & Haven formed, who have controlled the management and revenue of the office ever since. July 1, 1887, they purchased a Shipman one-horse-power engine, which furnishes the power to run their presses, etc. Besides his labors upon this journal, Mr. Pier holds and occupies the editorial tripod on the Christian Gleuner, a monthly paper published at Minneapolis, devoted to the interests of the Christian Churchof Minne- sota, of which denomination he is a minister.
The Svenska Folkets Allahanda, an inde- pendent Swedish paper, was established in 1882, by Gisslo & Peterson, and published by them in Litchfield in that language for about eighteen months, when it was removed to Minneapolis.
EDUCATIONAL.
Perhaps in no other direction is the mate- rial development and progress of the county better shown than in the rapid and enormous increase in the educational facilities afforded the rising generation. A careful study of the statistics furnished from the official papers will convince the most skeptical reader that in this respect Meeker county has made giant stridestoward universaleducation.
In 1861 it is shown by the records there were within the bounds of the county but 245 persons of a school age, or between the years of five and twenty-one, while in 1868 there were 1,426, and in 1887 these had in- creased to 4,204 scholars entitled to their proportion of the school apportionment.
The whole number of schools in 1861 is
reported as being 11, which in 1868 had risen to 35, and now in the present year, 1888, there are 81 organized school districts in the county, having some 77 school-houses erected and in nse. In 1861 there were but + school- houses within the county limits, and in 1868 there were 12.
In 1861 it required 8 teachers to manage the schools ; in 1868, 15 were necessary; while now 90 are required for the schools taught in the winter, and 82 for the summer schools.
In 1861 the salaries paid to teachers aggre- gated only $343.80; in 1868 the sum was $1,477, but in 1887 it took $22,392 to liqui- date the indebtedness of the districts for the same purpose.
The value of the school edifices in 1861 is recorded as having been $345, and in 1868 $2,270. In 1887 the same class of property represented a value of $66,708.
In the early records of the county there is no mention of any school apparatus or school libraries, and the furniture in use in those days was of a very rude and primitive char- acter, while the annual report of T. J. Soule, the efficient county superintendent, for 1887, shows that the value of school apparatus, libraries and furniture in use in the various schools of the county was $9,172, being, alone, about four times the value of all the school property in the county twenty years previous.
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