USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 29
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Governor-Samuel R. VanSant (rep.). 1,493; Leonard A. Rosing (dem.). 690 : Thomas J. Meighen (pp.), 26: Charles Scanlon (pro.). 70; Jay E. Nash, 4: Thomas Van Lear (soc. lab.). 9.
Congressman - James T. MeCleary (rep.), 1,536: Charles N. Andrews, (dem.), 737.
Senator-W. A. Smith (rep.). 1,712.
Representative-L. F. Lammers (rep.). 899; A. M. Schroeder (dem.), 1,422.
Anditor-P. D. MeKellar (rep.), 1963. Treasurer-II. K. Rue (dem.), 1,859.
Register of Deeds-Ole E. Olson (rep.), :92; John Baldwin (dem.), 1,134; J. E. Foss (ind.), 382.
Clerk of Court-William Crawford (rep.), 1,191: John M. Voda (dem.), 1,159.
Judge of Probate-Charles HI. Sandon (rep.). 1.834.
County Attorney-E. T. Smith (rep.). 1,864.
Sheriff-M. B. Dunn (rep.), 1.839.
Superintendent of Schools-Laura T. Olson (rep.), 1,792.
Surveyor-J. J. Babcock (ind.), 1,621.
Court Commissioner-J. A. Goodrich (ind.), 1,578.
Coroner-D. P. Maitland (ind.), 1,623.
Commisioner Second District-P. H. Berge21 (rep.), 446.
Commissioner Fifth District-J. M. Olson (rep.), 323.
At the 1904 republican primary elec- tion the following were chosen withont opposition : Judge district court, James II. Quinn; auditor. P. D. MeKellar; county attorney, E. T. Smith ; commis- sioner second district, Henry G. Ander- son : commissioner third district, David Crawford. The result for those offices where there were more than one candi- date:
Congressman - James T. MeCleary, 1,135; H. J. Miller, 747.
Representative-L. F. Lammers, 432; B. P. St. John, 629 ; L. O. Teigen, 788.
Register of Deeds-Ole E. Olson, 738; O. J. Wagnild, 897.
Judge of Probate-B. P. Elverum, 739 ; C. H. Sandon, 1,085.
Superintendent of Schools-E. B. Me- Cohn, 508; Laura T. Olson. 1,080; Eliza- beth Rouse. 879.
Sheriff-M. B. Dunn, 1,050: Dan Mc- Namara, 218; C. M. Tradewell, 659.
Coroner-II. L. Arzt, 728; D. P. Mait- land, 1,005.
As in 1902, there was no opposition to those who filed for the democratic nomi- nations, and the following were chosen : Judge district court, Frederick A. Math- wig : congressman, George P. Jones ; audi- tor, Joseph .J. Jones ; register of deeds, John Baldwin : treasurer, H. K. Rue; sur- veyor. T. J. Babcock : commissioner first district, Henry Thielvoldt.22
2Resigned July, 1904, and Henry G. Anderson was appointed to serve until January 1, 1905. He was chosen chairman July 11, 1904.
"The highest number cast for any one office on the democratic ticket was 73. The small- ness of this vote is easily accounted for. There being no contests in their own party, the demo- crats assisted the republicans in the selection
208
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Two thousand nine hundred forty-six votes were cast at the general election of 1901. Theodore Roosevelt received a rec- ord-breaking majority for president, and the republicans carried the county for all state and district officers. Of the county offices only treasurer and one commis- sioner went to the democrats. The vote :
President-Theodore Roosevelt ( rep. ), 2.032 : Alton B. Parker (dem. ). 354.23 .
Governor- Robert C. Dunn (rep.). 1,505; John A. Johnson (dem.). 1.190; Charles Dorsett (pro.). 43: 4. E. Nach (pub. own.), 13; A. W. M. Anderson (soc. lab.), 13.
Congressman - JJames T. MeCleary (rep.). 1,811: George P. Jones (dem.). 1.001.
Judge District Court - James H. Quinn (rep.), 1,817 : Frederick A. Math- wig. (dem.). 1,000.
Representative-1 .. O. Trigen (rep.). 1.160: A. M. Schroeder (dem. ). 1.413. Auditor-P. D. MeKellar (rep.). 1.638: Joseph J. Jones (dem.). 1,308. Treasurer-IT. K. Rue (dem.). 2.330.
Register of Deeds-O. J. Wagnild (rep.). 1,228; John Baldwin (dem.), 1.118.
Sheriff-M. B. Dunn (rep.). 2.108.
Judge of Probate-(. H. Sandon (rep.), 2.365.
County Attorney-E. T. Smith (rep.). 2.210.
Surveyor -- J. J. Babcock (dem. ). 2,007. Coroner-D. P. Maitland (rep. ). 2,181. Superintendent of Schools-Laura T. Hammond: representative. A. P. Van- Olson (rep.). 2.251. Dam : treasurer. Bruno Poppitz: sheriff.
of their nominees, and under the primary Inw they are legally entitled to do so. For In- stanee. The law provides that a primary voter shall vote the ticket of that party, the major- Ity of whose nominees he supported at the pre- coding general election. .1 demorral might have voted for every nominee of his party in the general election of 1902 (also voting for the republicans who had no opposition and yet vote the republican ballot at the primary cier- tion of 1904.
2Vote of other candidales not given.
Commissioner First District24-Henry Thielvoldt (dem.). 323: Charles Fried (ind.), 125.
Commissioner Second District-Henry 6. Anderson25 ( rep. ). 185.
Commissioner Third District-David Crawford (rep.). 555.
Commissioner Fourth District-Dun- can MeNab (rep.). 180.
The 1906 republican primary resulted in selecting the following without oppo- sition : Treasurer. H. K. Rue: register of deeds. O. J. Wagnild : judge of probate, John Woolstencroft : county attorney. L. F. Lammers: coroner. D. P. Maitland ; clerk of court, William Crawford: com- missioner second district, Henry G. An- derson. Those selected with opposition were as follows:
Congressman - James T. MeCleary. 835; Gilbert Guttersen. 299.
Senator-1. O. Teigen, 934 ; Henry E. Hanson. 194: (. W. Gillam. 213.
Representative-Charles Winzer, 826: John E. Kilen, 531.
Auditor-P. D. MeKellar. 1.112 : A. II. Strong. 502.
Sheriff- G. W. Eveland. 153; Emory Olson. 282 : Henry Beck. 352 ; J. J. Egge. 321.
Superintendent of Schools -. 1. . A. Mansfield, 823: Gilbert Hovelsrud. 530.
Commissioner Fifth District-A. C. 01- son. 330; A. J. Lindberg. 182.
The democrats chose the following with- oul opposition : Congressman. W. S.
"The county commissioners on July 22, 1904. redistrleted the county into commissioner dis- triets as follows: No. 1. Sloux Valley. Min- noota. Mhldletown. Petersburg, Wisconsin and Alpha; No. 2. Des Moines, Hunter and Jackson; No. 3. Rost. West Heron Lake, Wolmer, Heron lake township. Lakefield and Wilder; No. 4. Round Lake. Ewingion. Mba. LaCrosse and lleron Lake village: No. 5. Delafield. Chris- tiania. Kimball, Belmont and Enterprise.
25Hlas served ns chairman from July 11. 1904. to the present time.
209
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Henry TerHaar; clerk of court, A. M. Schroeder; surveyor, J. J. Babcock.
The prohibitionists selected David A. Tueker for congressman, and Charles M. Forman for representative.
So far as county politics were concern- ed, party lines were ignored at the elec- tion of 1906. . The election closely follow- ed the bitter county seat contest, and the political affiliations of the candidates had little weight with the voters. But the ac- tions and sympathies of the various nomi- nees during the fight and their geographi- cal location had considerable weight ; resi- dents of the north and west parts of the county voted almost solidly for men who had been in sympathy with Lakefield in its attempts to remove the county seat, while those of the east and south part of the county voted as solidly for men who had favored Jackson. Many political ob- ligations were paid at the election of 1906 : friends were rewarded, enemies were punished.
For the first and only time in the his- tory of Jackson county a democrat car- ried the county for governor, John A. Johnson receiving a plurality of 102 over A. L. Cole. The republicans carried the county for the other state and district of- fices. In the county election the republi- cans elected seven nominees, the democrats three, and two independent candidates were chosen. Twenty-seven hundred for- ty-seven votes were cast. The official vote was as follows:
Governor-A. L. Cole (rep.). 1.253; John A. Johnson (dem.). 1.355.
Congressman - James T. McCleary (rep.), 1,469 ; W. S. Hammond (dem.), 1,149.
Senator-Henry E. Hanson (rep.), 2,194.
Representative-Charles Winzer (rep.). 1,422: A. P. VanDam (dem.), 1,037; C. MI. Forman (pro.), 191.
Auditor-P. D. McKellar (rep.), 1,549 ; John Baldwin (ind.), 1,198.
Treasurer-H. K. Rue (rep.), 1,452; Bruno Poppitz (dem.), 1,198.
Register of Deeds-O. J. Wagnild (rep.), 1,380; L. J. Dostal (dem.), 1,333.
Clerk of Court-William Crawford (rep.). 1,138; A. M. Schroeder (dem.), 1,548.
Sheriff - Henry Ter Haar (dem.), 1,403; M. B. Dunn (ind.), 1,310.
Judge of Probate-John Woolstencroft (rep.), 1,311 ; C. H. Sandon (ind.), 1,375. County Attorney - L. F. Lammers (rep.), 1,377; E. T. Smith (ind.), 1,335.
Superintendent of Schools -J. A. Mansfield (rep.), 1,117; J. B. Arp (ind.), 1,830 ; Laura T. Olson (ind.), 773.
Coroner-D. P. Maitland (rep.), 2,047. Surveyor-J. J. Babcock (dem.), 1,999. Commissioner Second Distriet-Henry G. Anderson (rep.), 457.
Commissioner Fifth District-Andrew ('. Olson (rep.), 397.
At the primary election of 1908 the fol- lowing republicans were nominated without opposition : Auditor, P. D. Mc- Kellar ; sheriff, O. C. Lee ; superintendent of schools, J. B. Arp ; commissioner fourth distriet. Duncan McNab. Where there was more than one candidate for the same office the results were as follows :
Congressman-Paul A. Ewert, 317; Gil- bert Guttersen, 582; James T. MeCleary, 687.
Representative-A. A. Fosness, 966; Charles Winzer, 541.
Treasurer-Henry Knudson, 486; H. K. Rue, 1,131.
Register of Deeds-A. J. Nestrud, 824: Peter J. Reinen, 693.
Judge of Probate-C. H. Sandon, 950; T. II. Stall, 597.
County Attorney-L. F. Lammers, 622 ; T. A. Mansfield, 955.
210
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Coroner- H. L. Arzt. 113; Iver S. Ben- son. 635.
Commissioner Third District-David Crawford. 258; William Rost, 15%.
Again a few democrais filed for the nomination and were selected without op- position. They were: Congressman. W. S. Hammond : representative. John Bald- win ; sheriff. Henry TerHaar: register of deeds. L. J. Dostal : surveyor, J. J. Bab- cock : superintendent of schools. Mrs. Del- la Best : commissioner first district, Hon- ry Thielvoldt.
At the last general election held in Jackson county before the publication of this history, that held in November. 1908. 2,821 was the highest number of votes cast for any one office. The republicans carried the county for the national and state tickets and elected the auditor, treas- urer. judge of probate, county attorney. superintendent of schools, coroner and two commissioners : the democrats carried the county for congressman (the second time in the county's history) and elected the representative, register of deeds. sheriff. surveyor and one commissioner. The of- ficial vote of the general election of 1908:
President-William H. Taft (rep.). 1.515; William J. Bryan (dem.). 1,013.20 Governor-Jacob F. Jacobson (rep.). 1.361; John A. Johnson (dem. ), 1,289. Congressman - James T. MeCleary (rep.). 1.181 : W. S. Hammond (dem.). 1.626.
Representative-A. A. Fosness (rop.). 1.340; John Baldwin (dom.). 1.181.
Auditor-P. D. MeKellar (rep.). 2.133. Treasurer-11. K. Bue (rep.). 2,352. Register of Deeds-Albert JJ. Nestrud (rep.). 1,831 : 1. J. Dostal (dem.). 1.138. Sheriff-O. C. Lce (rep.), 1,099 ; ITen- ry TerHaar (dem.). 1.209.
Judge of Probale-C. Il. Sandon (rep.). 1.863: Rafdahl (ind.). 810.
"The vote Is given for only the two leading candidates.
County Attorney-J. A. Mansfield
Surveyor-J. J. Babcock (dem.). 1.919.
Superintendent of Schools-J. B. Arp (rep.) 1,885; Mrs. Della Best (dem.). 1.112.
Coroner-11. L. Arzt ( rep. ). 2,073.
Commissioner First District-Henry Thielvoldt (dem.), 381.
Commissioner Third District -- David Crawford (rep.), 4:1.
Commissioner Fourth Distret-Duncan MeNab (rep.). 315.
And now the political history of Jack- son county is brought to a close. It cor- ers a period from the time in 1858 when the first county official took the oath of office-when there was a mere handful of men in the county who availed themselves of the privileges of voting-up to and in- (Inding the last general election before the date of publication of this volume, at which time the total vote reached nearly 3.000. A brief summary of the condi- tions during this time may not be out of placec.
The county has always been normally republican. In the early days it was con- sidered a disgrace, and almost a crime. to have other political affiliations. There have been county elections hold when every vote was for the republican ficket. Al- though the party of Jefferson polled 1.150 votes at one election, it has never carried the county for the national ticket: the nearest it came was in 1892. when the Cleveland electors were only IS votes be- hind those of Harrison.
During the entire early history of the county and up to 1886, the republican party was the only one maintaining an organization. But during this time there was a strong independent movement. kept alive by one faction of the republican par- ly and the few democrats, which opposed the republican organization and on sev-
211
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
eral occasions gained control of county very strong in Jackson county. In one politics.
With the later settlement of the coun- ty came the organization of the demo- cratie party-in the middle eighties-and since that time it has been a factor in county politics, although always as the minority party. On one occasion it car- ried the county for its candidate for gov- ernor; at two elections it has returned majorities for its nominees for congress- man : on several occasions it has secured majorities for legislative candidates.
During the free silver days of the nine- ties the peoples party came into existence. and for a few years was a power in coun- ty politics. When its power began to wane, fusion was accomplished with the democrats, and for some time longer the combined forces furnished strong opposi- tion to the dominant party.
The prohibitionists have never been
or two campaigns they placed nominees for county offices in the field, but they have not maintained a permanent organi- zation. The socialists and other minor parties have little or no strength in the county, and have never had organizations.
While the county is normally republi- can, normal conditions are rarely normal (if such an expression may be used). There is a strong independent vote, not bound to any party, which sways the county from the dominant party frequent- ly when it is believed better candidates appear upon another ticket.
Jackson county has been fortunate in its selection of county officers. During its political history of 51 years, there has not been a defaulting county officer, so far as 1 am able to learn. Nor has there been a removal because of criminal action or in- competence.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTOR, LEHOX AND TIDEN FOUN DATIONS
JACKSON IN 1882 From an Old Pen and Ink Drawing. The Railroad shown in the Picture will be Built Later
CHAPTER XVI.
JACKSON-1856-1869.
J ACKSON, the capital of Jackson eounty, is the oldest and largest town in the county. It is located on the Des Moines river, and its elevation above sea level is 1,353 feet.1 It is on the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul railroad, and is a division point of that road. Otherwise described, Jackson is in the southeastern part of Jackson county, the business center of the village being fifteen and one-half miles from the northern boundary, eight and one-half miles from the southern bound- ary, six and three-quarters miles from the eastern border, and twenty-three and one- quarter miles from the western boundary line of the county.
The population of Jackson, according to the census of 1905, was 1,776, but there has been an increase since that, and a census today would show a population of about 2,000. Jackson is one of the progres- sive and prosperous towns of southwestern Minnesota. All lines of business that are to be found in the towns of the agricultor- al communities of the upper Mississippi valley are represented. It is noted for its schools, churches and social organ- izations, and in this respect it is the peer of any town of its size in the state.
This is the elevation of the business part of town. The elevation of Depot hill is 1,446 feet, while the Des Moines river at Jackson is 1,288 feet above sea level.
The location of Jackson, considered in its natural state, is one of unusual beauty ; southwestern Minnesota has not a more lovely spot. Here the Des Moines river forms a semi-circle, and on the hills and benches on either side of that stream is builded the eity. On the east side are hills and bluffs, covered with a heavy growth of natural timber ; on the west side are a succession of benches. On the lower bench is the business part of the city, while on the higher ground of the next rise is the residence portion. The bluffs and hills surrounding protect the little city from the wintry winds of the prairies.
In the summer season, when the beau- tiful natural parks that surround the town are clothed in emerald foliage, even he who has not the esthetical nature is moved, The lover of landscapes, as he stands upon one of the tree-erested hill tops of the east side and gazes upon the little eity of Jackson, nestling in the valley and perched upon the sunny hillsides, with the sparkling water of the Des Moines flowing below him, sees a picture of beau- ty and is led to exelaim, "What a beauti- ful sight !" In its natural state and with the embellishments added by the hands of man, Jackson stands at the present time as one of the prettiest little eities of a state distinguished for its pretty towns. Espeei-
213
214
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ally is one charmed with its loveliness in the summer. Then the broad avenues and parks are clothed in lightest green. Trees are everywhere.
One can hardly realize that only a lit- the over a half century ago this spot was an uncharted wilderness, practically un- known to white men : vel such is the case. Time was when the dusky red man pitch- ed his tepee where now our churches are located: vast herds of bison inhabited the Des Moines river country and made their wallows where now our courts are held : timid deer browsed where now the pupil studies his natural history : elk in count- less numbers roamed the adjacent prai- ries and saw their antlers reflected in the clear waters of the Des Moines as they bent down to drink.
When the first white man set foot on the soil of the present site of Jackson is unknown. Probably he was some adven- turous trapper who had pushed out beyond his associates in an endeavor to locate now grounds in which to ply his trade. Possi- bly he was one of the early explorers of southwestern Minnesota.
When the first permanent settler came lo Jackson county he selected the spot up- on which Jackson now stands as a town- site. having practically the whole of south- western Minnesota to choose from. It was during the summer of 1856 that the Wood brothers-William. George and Charles- selected their claims, built a cabin, opened a store and christened the site of their pro- posed town Springfield. The store was built in the northwestern part of the pres- ent incorporated town. but their claims took in practically all of the present Jack- son west of the river and a part of that on the east side. The same year other pin- neers settled along the Des Moines river in Jackson county, but none of them lo- caled on the Wood brothers' claims. A few, however, took claims and built their rah-
ins within the present corporate Innits of the town, on the east side of the river. Among these were William Church. who located with his family just south of the present location of the elevators : Joshua Stewart, who with his family lived in the southeastern part of the present town : William T. Wheeler, who erected a cabin south of the Jackson depot and then de- parted.
It is not necessary to tell again of the tragedies that occurred on the Jackson townsite on that eventful 26th of March. 1852-of the murder of the Wood brothers and the sacking of their store, of the other murders in the vicinity. and of the flight from Springfield. On that day the soil of Jackson was drenched in human blood. Very soon after the massacre Alexander Wood, a brother of the murdered storekeep- er's, came to take possession of his broth- ers' claims. le formed a partnership with a company of townsite boomers, with the intention of building a town on the land. Elaborate plans were made for the new town, which was to be named Jackson. Mr. Wood was to holl the land claim, the other members of the company were to make certain stipulated improvements. and they were to acquire a half interest in the site. On the strength of these pro- posed improvements. Jackson-then only a name-was designated the county seat of Jackson county when it was created by act of the legislature on May 23. 1859. Despite the prestige this legislation gave. the townsile company did not fulfil its promises by making the improvements. Mr. Wood did not care to endure the hard- ships incident to a winter passed on the frontier, so he gave up the idea of becom- ing the founder of a town and filed on a quarter section only of his brothers' claims." nol as a townsite claim bul as a farm claim.2
"This clalm Included the north part of the present business and residence part of Jack-
215
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
For several years thereafter immigra- blind. the was the son of Joseph Muck tion to Jackson county was not great, and, and was employed by Mr. Wood. although the belief was often expressed that a town would some day be built on the site, no attempt to found a town was made until after the war. Mr. Wood con- tinued to hold his elaim and made some improvements on it. It is said that the first plowing on the townsite was done by Stephen Muck, who afterwards became
During the late fifties and the sixties all of the land now included in the corporate limits of the village was filed on, but ti- tle was not received from the government to the last tract until carly in 1873. Fol- lowing are the names of those who re- ceived patents to the land, the date of the patent-, the description and acreage of the claims :
NAME
DATE OF PATENT
ACRES
DESCRIPTION
Stephen F. Johnson
Sept. 15, 1864
40
nw 1/4 of nw 1/4 24
Nathaniel Frost
June 1, 1868
40
sw 14 of nw 14 24
James E. Palmer
May 1, 1863
40
se 1/4 of sw 14 24 3
Joseph Thomas
Dec. 1, 1865
80
n 1/2 of sel4 24
Hiram S. Bailey
Aug. 1, 1872
40
sw 14 of sw 14 24
Israel F. Eddy.
April 20, 1862
160
ne 1/4 24
Bartholomew McCarthy
May 1, 1866
80
s 1/2 of se 1/4 24
Alexander Wood
Sept. 1, 1860
160
n 12 of sw 12 and e 12 of nw 11 24
Stephen F. Johnson
Sept. 15, 1864
40
ne 14 of ne 14 23
Arthur L. Crane
April 2, 1866
40 nw 1/4 of se 14 23
Nathaniel Frost
June 1, 1868
120
s 12 and nw 1/4 of ne 14 23
Hiram S. Bailey
Aug. 1, 1872
80
s 1/2 of se 1/4 23
State of Minnesota
40
ne 1/4 of se 14 23
Stiles M. West
March 4, 1865
160
s 12 of ne 14 and s 1/2 of nw 1/4 25
James E. Palmer
May 1, 1863
120
n 1 , of ne 1/4 and ne 14 of nw 14 25
Hiram S. Bailey
Aug. 1, 1872
40
nw 1/4 of nw 14 25
Benj. D. Dayton
Aug. 1, 1872
80
e 1 , of ne 11 26
Wilson C. Garratt
Feb. 1, 1873
80
w 1/2 of ne 1,4 26
During the time these claims were being filed upon and before Jackson was plat- ted a few cabins were erected. On the east side of the river stood the old fort which had been erected by the soldiers after the massacre of 1862; the Joseph Thom- as cabin, which had been erected by William T. Wheeler in 1856; and the eab- in of Israel F. Eddy on Depot hill. The first building erected on the west side, ex- cept Wood brothers' store and a cabin built
son, described as the north half of the south- West quarter and the east half of the north- west quarter of section 24. Mr. Wood received his patent from the government September 1, 1860.
3The oldest deed on record in Jackson county is dated May 28. 1864, when James E. Palmer and his wife, Aminda Palmer, conveyed this land to Jane R. Bailey for a consideration of $500.
This tract was conveyed by the state of Minnesota to the Southern Minnesota Railroad company as a part of the grant.
near by in 1858 by Dr. E. B. N. Strong, was a house built by Major H. S. Bailey in 1865, on his claim just south of the town proper.
After the civil war there was quite a large immigration to Jackson county, nearly all settling along the river. Among those who came to the immediate vicinity of Jackson was William Webster. who constructed a dam across the river and began the erection of a saw mill in 1865. Owing to lack of capital, he did not com- plete it that year, but in 1866 Welch Ash- ley took over the property and completed it. In this mill was sawed nearly all the lumber used in the construction of Jack- son's first buildings.
Two arrivals at the site in 1865 who were to play an important part in the ear-
216
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ly history of Jackson were Major Hiram S. Bailey, who filed upon a claim now ly- ing within the corporate limits of the town, and Welch Ashley, who came from Pennsylvania looking for a location in the western country. They were impressed by the beauties of the site and decided that the prospective immigration to the viein- ity would warrant the founding of a town. Accordingly they bought the Alexander Wood farm, platted it in the fall of 1866, and named their town Jackson.5
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