USA > Minnesota > Meeker County > Album of history and biography of Meeker County, Minnesota > Part 61
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Baker, Allen and Lewis were the first to raise a erop of wheat.
The first death was that of Mrs. Hannah B. Caswell, in January, 1859.
The town was organized at a meeting hekl at the house of Thomas Ryckman, April 30, 1886. At that time C. D. Hill was chosen chairman of the meeting: C. W. Puther, George W. Ilardy, and David Newcomb, judges of election ; Charles II. MeCune, elerk. It was voted to hold the next election at the house of Thomas Ryckman, and also to raise the sum of two dollars by tax, to pay Mrs. Ryckman for cleaning up after them. The officers elected were as follows-Lucien J. Perry, chairman, and A. T. Pentler and David Neweomb, supervisors; C. II. Me- Cune. elerk ; A. T. Pentler, assessor ; C. W. Puther and G. W. Hardy, justices; James Nelson and William Stockdale, constables, and S. O. Campbell, treasurer.
The officers for 1888 are as follows-Super- visors, Ole M. Johnson (chairman), John Hunter, Jr., and J. W. Torrey ; clerk, O. B. Vose ; treasurer, D. B. Hoar; justices of the peace, Jeremiah Leaming and Solomon R. Wright; assessor. C. A. Merrill ; constable, T. J. Barrie.
CHAPTER XX. FOREST PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
HE town of Forest Prairie lies in the extreme northern part of the county, and is technically known as township 121, north of range 30 west. It comprises 22.807 acres of surface, 542.47 acres of which are, however, covered by the waters of the several lakes. It is situated in a portion of "The Big Woods," and much
of it is still covered by the primeval growth of "century-old" timber. In this, the indus- trious hand of the sturdy pioneer has cleared up farms, and the soil, thus denuded of its leafy covering, is of a wonderful richness and fertility. In its pristine state there was not one acre of prairie in it, but it was entirely covered by trees, hence the late date of its settlement, the earlier pioneers prefering to take np their homes and till the soil of the prairie, already fitted to their hands.
The pioneers of this part of the county were Merritt B. Case, Charles T. Grote and James Hooser, who came in 1866, and here found the homes they sought. They learned that "here, too, lands could be had for the asking, and forests of timber with a few blows of the axe were hewn and framed into houses," and in the primitive structures thus erected settled down to the hard labor of clearing the heavy timber off the land, and opening up farms in the " forest primeval." Following them eame R. K. Beecham, Hiram Bentley, Benjamin F. Spaulding, Perry D. Bentley, Charles F. Spanking, Monroe Ab- bott, the widow Waldron and her son Syl- vester, George Smith, J. W. Polk, M. J. Roach, William Keilty, John Mayer, Sidney Webb, Sidney Seribner, J. S. Reynolds and a few others, who also settled in the "Big Woods."
Among the more prominent arrivals of the year 1867, in what is now Forest Prairie township, were the following named, most of whom permanently located here-M. D. Stores, II. R. Williams, Casper Hawkinberry, Peter Keilty. Stephen Cornwell, Dennis Monroe, Daniel Duffy, William Wertz, Aus- tin Brower and quite a number of others, for as soon as the way was led to these leafy shades, the tide of immigration followed fast, and quite a number of claims were taken that summer. The hard and laborious work of clearing off the umbrageous covering, the digging and grubbing out the roots, had long
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deterred the settlers from opening up these lands, but with the close of the war, another class of immigrants came. These were the sturdy woodsmen from the forests of Indi- ana, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia, and these preferred the timber lands. Their untiring energy has brought its reward, and their thrift has enabled many of them to advance themselves well toward an easy competence.
Eli Boring and Christian and Joseph Vos- sen were among those who settled here in 1868.
The first birth within the limits of the town is believed to have been that of twin children, born to Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, in the fall of 1866.
The death of the first white person was that of Mrs. George Smith, whose decease took place some time in the fall of 1866.
The first school was taught by Mrs. James Hooser, on section 26, in the summer of 1868.
The town was duly organized July 10, 1867, at which time the following named took a prominent part in the proceedings: M. B. Case, C. T. Grote, James Hooser, B. K. Beecham, C. F. Spaulding and nearly all the settlers at that time within the limits of the subdivision of the county.
The present officers are as follows: Super- visors, J. T. Hagan (chairman), James Brower and Theodore Ackerman; clerk, Wm. M. Abbott; treasurer, Michael Hesse ; assessor, A. R. Fisher; constable. C. F. Spaulding ; justice of the peace, M. J. McCarthy; road overseers, Jolın Harper, J. T. Hagan, Stephen Fencker, Thomas Casey, John Boden, H. R. Williams, A. R. Fisher, Joseph Teller, Thos. Keilty, Nick Baner, Peter Pagan, Lonis Wertzburg, Martin Thelan and A. R. Vossen.
The village of Watkins was laid out by Danville D. Spaulding, Alonzo Spaulding and the railroad company in June, 1887, and the plat filed for record August 22, of the same year. It is located upon the east half of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter,
and the west half of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 2.
Owing to its youth there is but little busi- ness doing there as yet.
Joseph Vossen and A. D. Spaulding were the pioneer merchants commencing here before the inception of the village in 1887. Six months later Mr. Vossen bought out his partner, and now runs it alone. This, the lumber yard and grain warehouse constitute the business of the place, but it mnay grow to considerable importance in the future, as its location is an excellent one.
CHAPTER XXI.
ACTON TOWNSHIP.
MOST beautiful and picturesque part of Meeker county is com- prised within the limits of Acton. This subdivision lies in the center of the western tier of townships, and embraces all of Congressional township 119 north of range 32 west. Lakes and ponds inter- spersed with groves of timber and openings of prairie, the diversity of the landscape is its chief beauty, while the excellence of the soil doubtless attracted the earlier settlers' attention, as well as the loveliness of the surroundings. It contains 19,842 acres of arable and timber land, and an area equal to 3,130 acres of water, and is noted for the fertility of the rich, dark, sandy loam that covers its surface.
The first settlers in this garden spot were Peter J. Lund, Nels Waylander, and Jessa Winquist, three Swedes, who came here early in 1857, and took up their residence. Mr. Lund settled on section 4, where he made his home for a number of years, but is now living west of Grove City. Waylander lives in the village, and Winquist resides on his original claim.
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
During the same year there were several others who found homes in this town, among whom were the following named : John and Peter Ritchie. Robinson Jones. Howard Baker, Mrs. Ann Baker, Abram Kelley. John Blackwell, Captain Robinson, and John Winquist.
Among the few that located here between that time and the period of the Indian massacre were Mathias Paulson, Paul M. Paulson, in 1859, and Peter, and John P. Johnson and Ole Larson, in 1861.
The fearful tragedy, known as the Indian outbreak, commenced in this town, as is de- tailed at full length in the history of the massacre in this volume. Not only did all the survivors of that bloody Sabbath flee the country, but for several years only few came here to take their place, nor did they return.
Among the settlers of the next ten years, who have so materially assisted toward the development and upbuilding of the town and the development of its resources, may be mentioned the following named-John Blom- berg, August Davidson, Hans Cristoferson, Thomas Johnson, John Lunke, Bersvend Thorp, Lars Christianson, O. P. Draxten, Peter Brandt, Sever Johnson, P. O. Eiden, Ole P. Eiden, Ole Peterson, O. M. Linnell. Ole P. O. Engen. John Syng, and P. M. Peterson.
The first birth was that of a son of Peter Ritchie, which occurred in 1859.
The first school was taught at the house of Nels Waylander, on section 4, in 1859, by a man by the name of Algreen.
The pioneer religious services were held at . the same cabin in 1858, by Rev. John Rob- son, a Methodist divine.
As to the first death and first marriage there are numerous opinions, and the com- mittee could not decide, as many of the older settlers have left this part of the county, and exact dates can not be given.
Aeton was set off and organized in April, 1858, and then embraced all the territory
now constituting the town of Danielson and the south half of Swede Grove, besides its present jurisdiction.
Nearly all the settlers here at the time took an active part in the matter, and much interest was manifested in the outcome.
The officers of the town for the current vear (1888) are the following named : Nels Waylander, chairman of the town board ; O. T. O. Lee and J. P. Berg, supervisors ; O. M. Linnell, clerk ; Nels A. Draxten, treas- urer ; John Paulson, assessor, and Peder Pet- terson Swenaas, justice of the peace.
THE VILLAGE OF GROVE CITY.
Grove City was laid out and platted by the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company. on the northeast quarter of section 3. of this township, in the summer of 1870, the plat of which was filed for record with the county register of deeds, August 26, 1870. One ad- dition has since been added to the original site by the same corporation, the plat of which was filed September 11, 1877.
Among the very first settlers of the village were Olaf Levander, A. P. Nelson, Swan Hokanson, George Okeson, Mark W. Piper, A. S. Wilcox. Andrew Okeson and E. P. Eklund.
The first dwelling-honse on the site of the new village was erected by Olaf Levander, in the spring of 1870. About the same time a house was put up by the railroad company for the section hands, and the next one was built by Swan Hokanson.
The business life of the village commenced the fall of 1869, when Hines. Kimball & Beedy, of Kingston, put up a store building and opened a stock of general merchandise, under the charge of M. W. Piper. Two years afterward this was soll to W. W. Hobbs. who finally died, when the property was pur- chased by Nels Luberg, and the goods by Nels Elofson ; the latter closed them out shortly after.
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The second store was opened in 1870, by Larson & Dahlquist. A year or two after, Louis Larson purchasing his partner's inter- est, became sole proprietor, and thus operated it for three years, and then closed out the goods and moved to Atwater.
O. H. Peterson started a store in 1876, and in July, 1878, was succeeded by Peterson, Nelson & Co. This firm was succeeded, on the death of Mr. Peterson, by Dudley & Nel- son, and in their hands it remained some three years. I. Hooper then became a part- ner, but was bought out again, and A. P. Nelson disposed of his interest to O. E. Dud- ley, who, in turn, sold out the business. Reitan & Christensen are the present propri- etors.
The pioneer blacksmith shop was put up by E. P. Eklund, in the fall of 1869, and he still carries on the business.
The first hotel, which was known as the Swede Grove House, was erected by Louis Olson in 1874, and run by him until his death ; afterward his widow rented it to M. J. Paulson. The latter purchased the prop- erty in 1879, and continued the landlord of the Grove House, for he changed its name, until the spring of 1888, when he leased it to S. D. Ringstrom, the present host.
The business of the place is represented by the following firms : Reitan & Christensen, general merchandise; O. N. Lindell, hard- ware and furniture: Fenstad & Grinsgard, general merchandise : A. O. Lawson & Co., clothing and general merchandise; M. A. Brown, general merchandise; A. J. Florin. boots and shoes ; Hans Norgood, boots and shoes ; Otto Dersch, agricultural implements, stock dealer, butcher shop, flour and feed ; John Harstad, barber and confectionary ; Olaf Jorgenson, harness : P. J. Malmquist, E. P. Eklund and Ole B. Anderson, black- smiths; Bresden & Hawkinson, Inmber; Eklund & Nelson, agricultural implements ; O. N. Lindell, drugs; Ole Pahrson, Peter
Redin, Nels Lagergren and Nels Elofson, saloons; E. N. Hanson, wheat buyer and flour depot ; Swen Hawkinson, jewelry, clocks, etc .; Dudley & Nelson, insurance ; and the three elevators of Dudley & Nelson, C. E. Sundberg and the Northwestern Eleva- tor Co.
The village of Grove City was incorpora- ted as such, by an aet of the State Legisla- ture, passed February 14, 1878. At that time the Secretary of State appointed C. J. Erickson, Nels Paulson and A. S. Wilcox as commissioners to issue the notices for the first election, and to govern the balloting at the time. At this election there were chosen the following officers : A. S. Wilcox, presi- dent of the village board ; Nels Paulson, recorder ; C. J. Erickson, treasurer ; and N. Loberg, C. C. Reitan, and P. J. Malmquist, trustees. The first meeting of the new gov- ernment met March 1, 1878, when most of the officers were duly sworn in. The gov- ernment of the village is vested at present (spring of 1888) in the following gentle- men : O. N. Lindell, president ; P. J. Malm- quist, Otto Dersch and A. O. Lawson, trustees ; John N. Gaynor, recorder ; A. P Nelson, treasurer : N. E. Hanson and N. Loberg, justices ; and J. J. Hartstad and Olaf Ask, constables. C. C. Reitan was president of the village board for three terms, but prefers to eschew politics for the present.
Grove City Lodge, No. 69, A. O. U. W., of this village, was organized November 4, 1880, with the following named charter members : N. M. Holm, J. W. Jamison, N. Paulson, C. M. Carlson, H. P. Stark, George T. McKin- ney, J. T. Ally, Olaf Levander, L. N. Lund, A. P. Nelson, P. N. Engstrom, A. W. Lar- son, llon. O. M. Linnell, N. E. Hanson, C. E. Lindberg and John Christensen. On organ- ization, officers were chosen, of whom the following is the roll : N. M. Hohn, P. W. M .; N. Paulson, rec .; H. P. Stark, fin .; N. E.
4
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Hanson, receiver; J. W. Jamison, G .; P. N. Engstrom, I. W .: A. W. Larson, O. W. The lodge is in a very healthy condition, and is one of the noble benevolent orders that are of so much benefit to the families of the members in cases of sickness and death. The present officers are: A. P. Nelson, P. M. W .; O. N. Lindell, M. W .; D. A. Roos, O .; N. N. Waylander, F .; J. N. Gaynor, R .; C. C. Reitan, receiver ; A. O. Lawson, fin .; J. J. Harstad, G .; P. Paulson, I. W .; H. Simonson, O. W., and J. Christensen, D. D. G. M. W.
There are three churches in the village, all having neat and tasty edifices for worship. They are the Swedish Baptist, Swedish Lutheran and the Norwegian Lutheran.
The postoffice, which is the old Swede Grove postoffice, brought to the village by Olaf Levander in 1870, has been presided over since his administration by Nels M. IIolm, N. P. Olson, H. P. Stark and John Gaynor. The latter is the present incumbent of the office.
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CHAPTER XXII.
GREENLEAF TOWNSHIP.
HE subdivision of Meeker county, which takes its name from Hon. William H. Greenleaf, comprises all that tract of land known as congressional township 118, north range 31 west, and con- tains a total of 24,736.07 acres, 1,958.23 of which are covered with the waters of its lakes and streams, and 22,777.84 are fine arable land or excellent timbered ground. The soil, like the entire county, is a fine. rich, dark, sandy loam, and peculiarly fertile and susceptible to a high state of cultivation.
The pioneer settlers in this portion of the county were two men by the names of George Orcutt and Mr. Pratt, who located on the
southwest quarter of section 35, in the sum- mer of 1856. They commenced to break up the land, and had got about three or four acres of the sod turned when the Indians killed one of their oxen, which crippled their team, and growing discouraged they threw up the job in disgust and moved to Forest City, remaining in that village until the fol- lowing fall, when they left the county.
The first permanent settlers were a family of brothers, William, Herman and Charles Kruger, natives of Germany, who came here in May, 1857, and located together on sec- tion 12. William is still a resident of the township, living on section 13; Herman is living near the village of Hutchinson, in McLeod county, and Charles makes his home in LeSueur county.
After these, in 1857, there came to this portion of the county the following named settlers, who here found homes-George C. Whitcomb, Vincent Coombs, Milton Coombs and Jesse V. Branham, Sr.
The settlers of 1858-9 were John Sampson, John A. Sampson, Roland Angier, Hender- son M. Angier, Charles Allen, George Mc- Gowen, Jonathan Keach, Mr. Mathews, Ira Pratt, Sr., Ira Pratt, Jr., Silas Pratt, and Mr. Malloy.
Of the settlers of the year 1860, most of them are still residents of their original claims, but some have removed from the county to pastures new, or have paid the debt of nature. They were as follows: Lewis Meagher. John McGraw, Patrick Manning, Michael Ilanley, Michael Ryan, Michael Carrigan, Patrick McCann, Thomas Reagan and Hans and Even Evenson, and others.
After the Indian outbreak of 1862, for several years, emigration seemed to have ceased, but about 1865 it recommenced and has steadily filled up the county with a sturdy class of citizens that is rapidly developing its resonrees. Of those who have settled in Greenleaf since the massacre days, but are
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
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yet entitled to the distinction of old resi- dents are the following: John B. Pennoyer, Martin Spellicy, Iliram Delong, Martin Lawson, John T. Putzier, John Knack, Daniel Nevins, L. M. Johnson, Jacob Ander- son, J. William Johnson, Leonard Roman Johnson, J. A. Nystrom, C. M. Beckstrand, Olavius Hanson and Alexander Hanson. A great many of the prominent citizens of this township are noticed at length in the bio- graphical department of this volume.
The town of Greenleaf was organized as ·a civil township, at a meeting hekl August 27, 1859, and at that time embraced all the territory now known as Collinwood, Ells- worth and Greenleaf, except the northern tier of sections which were attached to the town of Litchfield. At this organization the following named gentlemen took a prom- inent part : Dana E. King, George C. Whit- comb. W. H. Greenleaf, George McGowen, Jonathan Keach, T. R. Webb and Dr. Rus- sell Whiteman.
The present (1SS8) officers are : David Shepherd, chairman ; Nels B. Johnson and Alfred Anderson, supervisors ; Even Even- son, clerk ; John Spelliey, assessor; Even Evenson, justice of the peace ; and C. W. Anderson and Ole Oleson, constables.
The first death was most probably that of Mrs. Kruger, the mother of the three Krugers, about 1859.
The first school was held in the Manning neighborhood.
The first school-house was erected where the Swede church is now located, on section 10, about 1868. This was a log strneture, and in this Miss Viola Dart taught the first school.
The first religious services were held at the house of John Sampson, in 1860, by Rev. Andrew Jackson.
The Beckville Swedish Lutheran Church commenced with services held at the resi- dence of Erick Norelius, in 1859. Worship | organization.
was held at various private houses and in the school-house, until 1873, when the present church edifice was erected. The first perma- nent pastor was the Rev: P. Backman, who settled here in 1869.
CHAPTER XXIII.
COLLINWOOD TOWNSIIIP.
HE town which bears the above name, embraces all of Congression- al township 118, north of range 29, and is one of the most beautifully picturesque in the county. It has a surface area of over 24.000 acres, of which a portion is covered with the waters of the beautiful lakes that bestud its surface. It lies entirely within the limits of the timber belt, and it is largely still in its primeval, wild state. Beautiful clearings, like isles in the sea of waving foliage, dot its surface, and the cot- tages of the settlers lend life to the picture.
The first settler in this part of the county was Charles C. Dewing, in the fall of 1862. Although several claims had been made within its boundaries, previously one by Den- nis Felix, in January, 1858, and one by Levi Wilcox, in September, 1857. Neither of these settled here however.
The next to take up homestead and settle here was Thomas Fallon, who filed his claim in January, 1864, and was followed in the summer and fall of the same year, by Jacob Hutchins, Thomas J. Hutchins, Jacob Blair, Elkanah MeStotts, Alexander Ramey, Harri- son Fuller, Philip Van Blarrecom. Hawkins Steel. Oliver Rasnick, E. K. Counts, Canaan Counts, George Fuller, Swan Johnson, John Fosberg, David Parks, Noah Parks, and Lazarus Parks.
Most of these people came from their native State, Virginia, and the town was know as New Virginia, previous even to its
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
During the year 1865, there was added quite a number to the population of the town, nearly all of the same sturdy class of woodmen, who literally hewed out homes for themselves here. Their names were : Abra- ham Pancake, George Pancake, John Mc- Kinney, James Currington, Jasper Wright, Solomon II. Wright, W. A. Wright, William Taylor, Charles Taylor, Jonathan Watson, David Taylor, Lemuel and John Denty, An- drew Shortridge, Erin Ramsdell, George II. Watson, Johnson Taylor, Abraham Risner, William J. Yates, Erick Larson, Amost Stage, R. M. Young, and John Acres.
Among those who settled here shortly after this were the following named : Moses II. Bogar, Peter Anderson, Erick Stitfinson, T. II. Bogar, J. A. Quiek, Taylor Johnson, George W. Clark. James Grant, S. Johnson, and others.
The first death was that of Mrs. E. K. MeStotts, who died in the fall of 1865.
The first marriage was that of John Tay- lor and Miss Elizabeth Ilutchins, in the fall of 1866.
The first school was taught by E. K. Counts, during the winter of 1866-7, in what is now district 17, on the Van Blarrecom farm, on section 18.
This was the first school house built in the town, put up in the fall of 1866, the first school officers of the district being-Jacob Blair, clerk ; E. K. MeStotts, treasurer; and Jacobs Hutchins, director.
The first religious services were held in what is now Steelsville, in the Grove, by the Revs. William Maynard and James Sellards, two Baptist clergymen, in 1867. The first church organized was that of the Methodists, who formed a class in the fall of 1868, with J. A. Quick, as class-leader, and George Fuller as steward. The first pastor was George D. Potter. This church is still in existence, and John A. Quick is still the class-leader.
The town was organized as New Virginia in the spring of 1866, with the following officers elected-E. K. MeStotts, chairman, and Canaan Counts and Hawkins Steel, supervisors : E. K. Counts, town clerk ; Jacob JIutehins, treasurer; Jacob Blair, assessor; Oliver Rasnick, justice ; and Harrison Fuller, constable.
The name of the town was changed through the influence of II. C. Bull and others to its present name, "Collinwood," in 1868.
The officers for the present year are the following named-Supervisors, Oscar Peter- son (chairman), Matt Anderson, Swan Cervin; clerk, Peter Sangreen ; treasurer, Erik Dahl- man ; assessor, Matt. DeLong ; justices, John A. Quick and G. O. Bailey; constable, Will- iam Adams.
A village was laid out in 1866, on the shores of Lake Collinwood, by H. C. Bull, an eastern man, and called Collinwood, in which David Parks was the pioneer mer- chant. Bull and Taylor followed soon after in the same line of trade. David Parks put up a saw-mill which he sold to Pendergast Bros., and by them was moved away about 1876. The latter parties also erected and ran a grist-mill, but it, too, has ceased run- ning. A postoffice was also established with II. C. Bull as postmaster. IIe was succeeded by L. G. Pendergast, and various other parties, but finally the whole thing was aban- doned.
Bonniwell's mill was erected in 1870, by George Bonniwell and his nephew Charles, who purchased the water power and site of Lloyd and William Pendergast. This was operated by them and by George Bonniwell alone until June, 1887, when it was destroyed by fire.
Jewett's mill, built by G. R. Jewett, in 1867, on section 7. This is a saw and grist- mill combined, and still operated by Mr. Jewett.
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MERKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
CHAPTER XXIV.
TOWNSHIP OF ELLSWORTH.
ONGRESSIONAL township 118, north of range 30 west, is known as the civil town of Ellsworth. It comprises some 23,019 acres; 18,494 acres are either fine, arable prairie, oak openings, or covered with timber; 4,525 acres of its surface are included in the beautiful lakes which dot its bosom. It was named in honor of that gallant hero, Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, who was so ruthlessly murdered at Alexan- dria, Va., in the spring of 1861, for defend- ing his flag from insult. The soil, a quick, warm, sandy loam, is remarkably fertile, and the return to the husbandman ample. The chief product is wheat, of the best quality of the much sought after hard variety.
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