USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 60
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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
The Swedish Mission Church was organ- ized August 15, 1879, by John G. Sjorquist, with some twenty members. J. Norgren, E. Skarvik and E. Runquist were chosen trus- tees at that time and E. Skarvik, Z. Dolin, John Olson, Nels Nelson, J. E. Ileglund, and E. Runquist, deacons. Services of this denomination were held in the place, at the residence of J. Norgren, as early as 1872, and were continued from time to time until the organization of the society. At that time they rented John Rudberg's hall, which they occupied until 1881, when steps were taken to build their present church edi- ' fice, which was completed in 1885. This
567
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
structure is, in the main building, 28x36 feet in size, with an annex 16x18 fect on the ground. The church is well furnished and fitted inside, and has a large and increasing membership. The following are the present officers : Rev. John G. Sjorquist, pastor: O. W. Olson, secretary ; E. N. Dahlgren, John Olson and A. G. Heglund, trustees; E. Skarvik, P. Nelson, Frank Johnson, Hans Anderson, Andrew Olson, and John Nelson, deacons.
Colfax Post, G. A. R., was organized March 18, 1885, on which evening A. R. Becker, deputy grand commander, assisted by comrades V. II. Harris, J. B. Atkinson and J. B. Hatch, installed the officers and mustered in the members. The charter men- bers were the following named-Il. Y. Dorman, J. Bogart, M. Boyer, C. C. Curtis, E. F. Proctor, R. T. Elliott, John Bogar, E. A. Hines, J. E. Lyon, A. M. Bell, David Flack, James Patterson, Henry Clay, J. T. Shumater, C. Il. Castle, Theodore Singleton, Joseph Hamilton, John Mattson, Henry Lenhart, John A. Quick and M. H. Boyer. The following named were clected as the first officers, and duly installed-E. F. Proctor, C .; II. Y. Dorman, S. V. C .; John Bogar, J. V. C .; A. M. Bell, Q. M .: Henry, A .; M. Boyer O. D .; C. C. Curtis, S .; David Flack, Chaplain; J. Bogart, O. G. The organization increased in strength rapidly, until it numbered some thirty-two members, but by the removal of some of them from the county, a slight fall- ing off in their number is noted. In 1886 a drum corps was organized, as attached to the Post, consisting of four fifes and four drums, and is one of the institutions of the same. They own the furniture of their hall, with the decoration flags, banners, etc., and four lots in the cemetery. Meetings were held weekly, but are only semi-monthly at the present, but the interest is still main- tained in the order by all. The present officers are-Isaac Vervalen. C .; John Bogar, S. V. C .; Wells Truman. J. V. C .; G. O. Baily,
A .; E. F. Proctor, Q. M .; Moses Bogar, O. D .; John A. Quick, Chaplain; I. N. Russell, S .; and R. T. Elliott, O. G.
CHIAPTER XIV.
DARWIN TOWNSHIP.
HE town that bears the name of Darwin was called after one of the prominent men connected with the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad, and embraces all of Congressional township 119, north of range 30 west, and contains 23,002.26 acres, 20,552.86 of which are land and 2,949.40 acres covered with the water of the lakes. The soil is a rich, dark, sandy loam, capable of high cultivation and wond- erfully productive. As to surface this is one of the finest townships in the county, being nearly all level or gently rolling prairie, well drained, and, with the growing crops, hand- some and tasty houses and barns surrounded by natural or artificial groves, presents to the eye one of the loveliest of pictures.
The first to make a settlement in this town- ship was Patrick Casey, who came here from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1856, and on the 18th of lune of that year, made his claim on section 33, on the shores of beautiful Lake Casey, where he now lives.
Following him shortly were John Peiffer, Peter Stierens, Gottlieb Reef, Patrick Con- don, John Doyle, John Dougherty and Tim- othy Dnnn. These all took claims and made homes here in the same year, 1856.
They were joined during the year 1857 by the following named settlers, who here found, in the wilderness, the place for the homes they had set out to find in Minnesota : Wil- liam and Michael O'Brien, Bryan McNulty, William Cunningham, John MeRaith, James Shelley, Jacob Reef, James Murphy, S. W. Ryan, Willard Keats, Richard Poole, Henry Bierman, John Curran, J. Powell, J. E. Bill,
.
1
56S
JMEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Capt. James Hayden, a man by the name of Hitchcock, Edwin Fitch, and Mark Warren.
Like all other sections of the county the little settlement received but few accessions the next few years. the financial crisis of 1857 having paralyzed all immigration and business. Among the prominent people who made settlements in 1859 were John S. Shields, Edwin and Lanee Chapin, and Syl- vester Stevens. In 1860 the following named made their appearance, and, taking up land, became identified with the development of the town : James Dearey, Michael Haggerty, Michael Nash, Michael Gallahue, Samuel Charlton, and " Colonel" Andrews.
The town of Darwin held its first election in 1857, at which time it was known as the town of Rice City, Capt. James Hayden, from Dubuque, Iowa, having laid out and platted a city of that name, where the farm of John S. Shields is now located. The township, however, was not organized until April 5, 1858, when the proper election was held, and the town properly commenced its existence. After the coming of the railroad, in 1869, and the laying out of the village of Darwin, within it limits, the name of the town was changed to its present one.
The officers in the town for the year 1888. are as follows: John Lenhardt, chairman ; John Peiffer, second, and W. V. Passenger, supervisors : G. W. Harding, elerk; Ole Benson, treasurer ; William Lenhardt, asses- sor; D. H. IInll, and Riley MeGannon, justices ; and Thomas IInghes and Henry Segar, constables.
The first child born in the town was Mary Ann, the daughter of John and Mary Peif- fer, whose birth took place in 1857.
The first death was that of Edmund, the son of Timothy Dunn, who died in 1862.
The first school was taught by Miss Mary Flynn, in 1859, in a log school-house near where Michael Harding's house now stands.
The first religious services were held at
the house of Bryan McNulty, in 1861, Rev. Father Alexis, from St. Cloud, celebrating mass of the Catholic church. This was in 1860 or 1861.
The first marriage was that of John Doyle and Mary Lynch, which took place in 1861.
DARWIN VILLAGE.
The village of Darwin was laid out and platted by John Curran and Martin MeKen- ney, and the St. Panl & Pacific Railroad Com- pany, and the papers were filed for record with the register of deeds. October 11, 1869. The site of the village lies upon the south half of section 23, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 30.
The pioneer merchant was Alexander Cairneross.
The next was J. F. Low, who opened a store shortly after, and finally failed, and the stock was closed out. A man by the name of Moran opened a store, but afterward sold it out to James Curran. The latter ran it until his death, when he was succeeded by Brown Bros. They finally sokl out the store and moved away.
The Minnesota and Dakota elevator was built by C. D. Brown in the fall of 1870, but was preceded by one erected by the David- son Elevator Company, in 1869. This latter was burned down about 1880. The Cargill Bros.' elevator was put up by F. J. Chevre, in 1887, and passed into the hands of the present owners in the spring of 1888.
Mrs. M. A. Paquet runs the only store in the place now. and thus the elevators and the temperance pool-room of Patrick MeKin- ney constitute the business of the place.
-
CHAPTER XV. HARVEY TOWNSHIP. HE town known as Harvey embraces all of congressional township 120, north of range 31 west, and contains 24,830.92 acres, of which
569
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
464 acres are covered with water. The soil is unusually fertile and productive, being suitable for any of the great cereals of which Minnesota is the great storehouse. The land, which is generally of a slightly rolling character, is, a small portion of it, covered with the primeval growth of forest timber, but the most of it is in the natural prairie, and the clearings made by the hands of the industrious settlers. The Crow River, which flows through some of its eastern sections, with the lakes and affluent creeks, afford ample drainage, and make the land very desirable. The soil, a sandy loam of high quality, is noted for its fecundity, and the improvements of the residents are of a marked degree of excellence.
The first settler in this town was Rudolph Schultz, who located here where he now lives, in the spring of 1856.
Among the others who settled within what is now the boundaries of IIarvey the same year were - Mr. McCue, Dennis Shields, Edward Fitzgerald, Carl Shultz, J. W. Walker, Reuben Davis, David Ralston, Pat- rick Armstrong, John Tower, Dennis, John, Thomas and Daniel Dougherty, and a few others. They mostly took up homes here. and remained, and many of them are still residents of the town.
In the following year, 1857, among the most prominent settlers were-Patrick Fin- negan, E. O. Britt, Jorgen Lohse, William Marks and John C. Shultz. The date of John Ralston's settlement was March, 1858, and of Robert B. Ralston and Fergus McCus- ker, 1859. Like every other town in the county, there was but very little more settle- ment here until after the close of the war, when it began to fill up rapidly. Among the few who did settle prior to the outbreak of 1862, not mentioned above, were the fol- lowing named-Samuel Hutchinson, Joachim Shultz, Henry Parker, L. F. McCnsker, Martin Bramly, James Harvey, and two
men by the names of Taylor and Thomas.
The first birth was that of Miss Sarah Jane Dougherty, born July 15, 1856. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs: Thomas Dougherty.
The first marriage was that of Dennis Dougherty and Miss Mary Finnegan, which took place in May, 1869.
The first death was the taking away of Eddie Dolan, a child of cight years of age, in 1870.
The first school was taught by Miss Mary Flynn.
The first ground was broken for farming purposes by Dennis Dougherty, in 1856, and the first crops were put into the ground by him, his father and brothers.
Harvey, which was previous to that a part of Forest City, was organized as a separate civil township in the spring of 1867, and at the first election, held at the Dougherty school-house, Philip Turck and Patrick Flynn were chosen supervisors, and Andrew Smith town clerk.
The officers for 1888 are as follows-Super- visors : E. Carlson (chairman), T. W. Curry and Patrick Vaughn ; clerk, P. J. Mitchell; treasurer, James McCusker; assessor, J. C. Connole; constables, Thos. Flynn and Thos. J. Connole; justices, John Schultz and Michael Finnegan ; poundmasters, D. Rut- land, W. Shields and M. Nelson.
-
CHAPTER XVI.
DANIELSON TOWNSHIP.
ONGRESSIONAL township 118, north of range 32 west, is known by the name of Danielson, after one of its earliest settlers. It embraces an area of 22,950 acres, some 974 acres of which are, however, unavailable for agricultural purposes, being covered by the waters of several lakes and ponds. The land, which is
570
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
level prairie, is susceptible of high cultivation, and is uncommonly productive. The inhabit- ants are an industrions class of people, there being a large share of thrifty, hard-working Scandinavians among them.
The first settler in this part of the county was Noah White, who located here in 1857, but a year later moved over into Kandiyohi county. For several years thereafter there were none to settle here until in 1861, when the following named came and took claims and founded homes-Nils Danielson Upsaal, Peter Peterson, Oscar Phillips, Berger An- derson. Andrew Dakken, Soren Morton, C. L. Hanson. Ole Solomonson, Nels Mattson, O. K. Nelson, Bethel Gunderson and William Hanson. Most of these still have their homes here, and have brought their farms to a high state of cultivation and beautifully improved them.
No more settlers came in here until after the Indian outbreak, or, in fact, until about the close of the late war.
Prominent among the older residents of the town who, although not early settlers, still have done much toward its development, are the following-Daniel Danielson, Hans II. Johnson, John Murphy, John Johnson, John Henderson, Henry Solomonson, John Ogren. Isaac Johnson, P. C. Hanson, Chris- tian Hanson, Christian and Lars Rasmusson, Otho Philips, Lars Ilanson, P. C. Finelius, Charles Finelius, L. P. Frederickson, Nels Frederickson, Jens Ilink, Lewis Johnson, Andrew Dahl, Peter Elberg, John Brown, Paul Nelson, Hans Falk, John Eklund, Christian Nelson, Andrew Ogren, Peter Thorenson, Christian Thorenson, Henry Philips, Andrew Swan, Charles Johnson and Peter Mortenson.
The first birth in the town was that of Arnt, the son of C. L. Hanson, who was born November 13, 1866.
The first death was that of Arnt, the son of C. L. Hanson, who died June 16, 1868.
The first marriage was that which united the lives of O. K. Nelson and Miss Mary Danielson, in 1868.
The first school was taught by Miss Lizzie Martin, in 1869.
The pioneer religious meeting was held in the school-house, on section 2, in 1869.
The first church in the town was named Arnt Dahl, being a combination of the names of the first person to die in the town, Arnt Ilanson, and the name of the minister, Rev. Mr. Dahl.
Danielson was for some years a part of a precinct composed of the towns of Swede Grove. Acton and Danielson, but March 12, 1872, it was set off and organized with its present boundaries. Among those prominent in the organization were the following named : Daniel Danielson, who was elected clerk ; Ole K. Nelson, chairman of the town board ; O. Solomonson and C. Fernelius, supervis- ors; Berger Anderson, treasurer; C. L. IIanson, justice ; Daniel Danielson, assessor, and Lars Rasmusson, constable.
The present officers are-Supervisors, Eme- lius Nelson, chairman, William Nelson and Lewis Peterson; clerk, Peter Mortenson ; treasurer, L. P. Sorenson ; justices, Alfred Johnson and J. B. Dahl ; constables, J. P. Ilanson and August Nelson ; overseers of highways, S. Morton, J. K. Brown, Frank Holmgren, August Nelson ; assessor, Jens Hink.
-
CHAPTER XVII.
LITCHIFIELD TOWNSHIP.
HE territory known as Litchfield township is in the third tier from the north line of the county, and the second from the western boundary. It embraces all of congressional township 118 north of range 31 west, and contains about
571
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
24,407 acres, 2,895 of which are covered with water, and about a like extent with timber. The prairie land is mostly high and suf- ficiently undulating and rolling to afford ample drainage, and add to its picturesque- ness and adaptability for the uses of agricul- ture. There are several beautiful lakes within the limits of this subdivision of the county, the largest and most important of which is Lake Ripley, on the edge of the cor- porate village of Litchfield. This lovely sheet of water was named in honor of Dr. Frederick N. Ripley, one of the earliest set- tlers of the county, who was frozen to death near its banks in the winter of 1855-'56, as detailed elsewhere.
The first settlement of this township was made in July, 1856, by a party of Norwegian emigrants, who had moved hither from Rock county, Wis. Their names were Ole Halver- son Ness, Henry Halverson, Ole Halverson Thon, Amos Nelson Fosen, Nels Hanson Colberg and Gunder Olson. Ness, Halver- son and Thon had families, which they brought with them; the others were, at the time, single men. The entire party took up claims and settled in the southwest part of the township, one of the most picturesque localities in the county.
Among the other settlers of the year 1856 may be named the following : William Ben- son, Swen and Nels Swenson, Michael Len- hardt, Ferdinand, Christian, Frederick and William Cook.
In 1857 quite a number found homes in this town. Some are here still, a portion have moved away, and others have been called away by death. The names of the settlers of this year are-Bengt Hanson, John Larson, and his four sons, Nels, Andrew, Peter E. and Lewis ; Hogen Peterson, Thorl- son J. Cornelius, Ole Amundson, Nels Dan- ielson, Kittel Haroldson, Henry J. Johnson, Ole Kittelson, Jesse V. Branham, Sr., and his sons, Jesse V., Jr., William and Edward;
Oscar Erickson, Nels Clements, Ola John- son, and Louis and Maximillian Cook.
Among the settlers of 1858 were the fol- lowing named-Iver Jackson, Bengt Nelson, John and Thomas McGannon. No more can be named by the old settlers, who were interviewed, but there possibly may have been one or two more. Times were hard during these years, and all suffered many privations, and nearly all were glad of any shelter, even if no better than a "dugout." Money was almost an unknown quantity, at the time, but in spite of the drawbacks and discouragements of those early days those who have remained have reaped their reward in their fine farms and elegant homes. The town now has a population of 1,100 people, outside of the village of Litchfield, which is situated within its borders.
The first house in the township was the log cabin of Henry Halverson, built in the summer of 1856.
The first birth was that of Ole T., son of Henry Halverson, who was born December 11, 1856. He is the first male child born in the county.
The first death was that of Dr. Frederick N. Ripley, who froze to death on the banks of Lake Ripley, March 3, 1856.
The first barn built was that of Ole II. Ness, who lived in it during the first sum- mer, his house not being finished until win- ter.
The pioneer church services were held at the residence of Ole II. Ness, in the fall of 1858, by Rev. Wmn. Frederickson, a minister of the Norwegian Church, from Goodhue county, this State.
The first school was taught by John Black- well in 1860, at the house of Ole H. Ness, who employed and paid the teacher.
The first school meeting was held at the house of Mr. Ness. December 7, 1861, at which Amos Nelson Fosen was chairman, and John Blackwell, clerk. The first direc-
572
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
tors chosen were Thomas MeGannon, Kittle Haroldson and Ole Halverson Ness.
The building of the first school-house was commenced in the summer of 1862, on the farmor O. Il. Ness, but on account of the Indian troubles was not finished until some time after the war. A substantial brick edi- fice, used for the same purpose, marks the site of the original building.
This town was originally a portion of Round Lake township, but seems to have been known also as Ripley, from the lake of that name; but no record of such exists. On the 5th of April, 1858, the board of County Commissioners ordered its organiza- tion under the name of Ness, after O. II. Ness, one of its oldest settlers. It continued to bear that name until 1869, when, on a petition of its citizens, the name was changed to its present form. The officers of the town in 1888, are the following named : Super- visors, John Rodange, Bengt Hanson, and G. B. Strobeck; town clerk, Aaron Lied- holm ; treasurer, A. J. Revell; justice of the peace, J. II. Bacon ; assessor, W. H. Dart ; constable, G. S. Sholes ; road overseers, An- drew Mattson, Peter II. Peterson. John Chil- strom, Peter Mortenson, Swan Swanson : poundmaster, HI. M. Angier.
CHAPTER XVIII. COSMOS TOWNSHIP.
A LL OF the territory technically known as township, 117 north of range 32 west, is embraced in one civil town under the name of Cosmos, and contains an area equivalent to 23,030 acres, but 542 acres of which are covered with the waters of the numerous lakes that stud its surface. The land, which is a low lying level prairie, is susceptible of high culture, and excellent authority claims for it a high
degree of adaptability for wheat raising. The soil is a kindly, warm and quick, black loam, and wonderfully suited to the growth of all indigenous grasses, and hence, this is an excellent place for stock raising.
The pioneer settler in Cosmos was Daniel Jackman, who first came here in 1867, and made a claim upon which he settled, with his family, in May, 1868.
The same season the following named made their appearance here, and, taking home- steads, settled : John Jameson, Isaac Lay- ton, Hans II. Hanson, Iver H. Thompson, Ole K. Nelson, Ole Olson, H. W. Young, Daniel Hoyt, Edward Chamberlain, Ezra Mathews, Nelson Eddy, J. M. McDonald and Orrin A. Phelps.
The settlers of 1869 were the following named: Samuel Hutchinson, C. H. Ducker- ing, Elisha L. Grindall, Christian Halvorson, Albert Amermen, J. T. Royce, Thomas Royce, A. B. Watson, Ralph D. Waterman, Lewis Halverson and John Rastus.
The first birth in the town was that of a daughter of Samuel Hutchinson, born Janu- ary 18, 1871.
The first boy was born March 27, 1871, child of Willard C. Amerman, and was named Albert.
The first death was that of John T. Royce, who died April 16, 1871.
The first marriage was that of Ole K. Nel- son and Miss Mary Danielson in 1869.
The first school was taught in the spring of 1870, at the house of J. T. Royce, with Miss Lily Cathcart as the teacher. The first school-house was built in 1871, and in this structure Miss Nellie Barrack was the pioneer instructor.
The first wheat erop raised in the town was by Isaac Layton and II. W. Young, in 1868. They also did the first breaking.
The first house was built by D. Jackman, in the summer of 1868.
The first religious services were held by
573
A
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Rev. Mr. Kennedy, a Methodist divine, in 1873, at the school-house above mentioned.
In 1874 a postoflice was established in the town, under the name of Cosmos, with John A. Jameson as postmaster. Two years later he was succeeded by Isaac Layton, and in 1878, Daniel Jackman was commissioned. The latter held the position until ISSO, when he resigned, and Mrs. Jackman was appointed postmistress.
The town was duly organized Jannary 25, 1870, at a meeting held at the house of Dan- iel Jaekman. The first officers were D. Jackman, chairman, and John Jameson and Albert Amerman, supervisors ; Daniel lloyt, clerk ; J. Il. Thompson, treasurer; D. Jack- man, assessor ; Oren Phelps and E. M. Ma- thews. justices. At this election the total number of votes cast was but nine. The present (1888) offieers are the following- Supervisors, J. A. Town (chairman), F. A. Twombly and Peter Hanson ; clerk, Daniel Jackman ; treasurer, C. A. Gilman ; asses- sor, Daniel Jackman ; constable, Frank Twombly; justice of the peace, C. A. Gil- man ; road overseers. Daniel Jaekman, C. A. Gilman, Daniel Cashman, John M. Nel- son.
CHAPTER XIX.
UNION GROVE TOWNSHIP.
HAT portion of Meeker county em- braced within the boundaries of Congressional township 121, north of range 32 west, is known as the town of Union Grove. It is one of the most beanti- ful in the county, the surface being diversi- fied by alternate prairie and timber. It con- tains 23,025.25 acres within its limits, 766.26 of which are covered by the waters of the lakes and rivers that add loveliness to the appearance of the country. The soil, a
warm, sandy loam, is wonderfully fertile, and in quickness of growth is not surpassed in the county.
The pioneer settlement here was made in 1856, by Lyman Allen, Andrew Hamilton, Lyman Baker and Mr. Haywood.
In the same year, also, settlements were made by James Ilamilton, S. H. Caswell, James Nelson. Cyrus Lewis, John W. Good- speed, Mr. Brawn. Alonzo Cook, S. Dickin- son, Judson Pierson and William Wheeler.
Those who found homes in this part of the county in 1857 were the following : Thomas Ryckman. Jeremiah Leaming. Moody Cas- well, Alonzo M. Caswell, Albert Caswell, Charles and Wilmot Maybee, James A. Lee, James Shears, William Wilcox, Albert Bridges. Florinda Bryant, William Rodgers. D. B. Hoar was also an old settler here.
From the year 1857 until after the Indian outbreak, but few came to this part of the county to make a settlement, and most of those, leaving during those exciting times, never to return, have passed out of the mem- ory of the residents. The details regarding many of these will be found in the bio- graphical department.
Among the first events that happened in this subdivision of the county were the fol- lowing :
The first marriage was that of James Nel- son and Miss Elizabeth Caswell. April 15. 1857.
The first birth is believed to have been that of the son of the above parties, born in 1858. Ilis name is William Nelson.
The first school was taught in a small log cabin owned by Nathan Caswell. in 1859. by Miss Mary Caswell, now Mrs. Goukl.
The first school-house was erected in 1867, on the southwest quarter of section 24, and Miss Vina MeNabb was the first teacher there.
The first religious services were held at the house of Thomas Ryckman in 1865. by the
2
574
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Rev. George Hardy. The Rev. Mr. Gris- wold, a Methodist divine from St. Cloud, held regular services in the school-house above mentioned during 1866.
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.