USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 38
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 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
Following is a list of all who have been elected to office during the time Alpha has been a municipal corporation :
1499 President. Charles Combes; trustees. William Carr, August Groth. L. Hageman: Te corder. William Kruger: treasurer. E. A. Hoell: justices. P. M. Getty. I. S. Rhodes; ronstables. L. Cobb. Theodore JJasper.
1900 President, C. L. Combes: trustee -. William Carr. Theodore Jasper. 1. Hagerman: recorder. E. C. Kruger; treasurer. E. A. Boehl : justice, La. Cobb: constable. C. I. Gustafson.
1901- President. F. J. Hassing: Theodore Jasper, Henry Bohm. L. Hageman: recorder, P. M. Getty: fraser. E. A. Bo; Assessor. I. E. Behlander: justices. Nel Nel. -m. 1. I'Mers-eman: constables. R. Cormack. Oscar Rackness.
1902 President. T. D'Mersseman; trustees, I .. Hageman. C. P. Hartwig, Henry Belon; recor der. P. M. Getty: treasurer. H. E. Buhlander: assessor, George Becker: justice. W. 11. Ha --- ing. C. A. Portmann: constables. H. Lever-on. Hin-t Bork.
1903 President. 1. D'Mersseman: trustees. F. J. Hassing. C. P. Hartwig. Theodore das per: recorder. P. M. Getty: treasurer. I. E. Bolander: assessor. A. A. Kruger: justice -. C. M. Packard. L. Barton; constables. Gust Bork. C. H. Gustafson.
1900 President. I. D'Mer-seman: frustre -. 11. 11. Hageman. Theodore Jasper. Ofto Bor- chardt : recorder. P. W. Getty: treasurer. John Waswo; assessor. Charles Evers: justice. Christ Geddie: constables, A. K. Simms, Tom Fisher.
1905 President. D. K. Elli -: trustees. . J. J. MeNamara. Theodore Jasper. Frank Maison: recorder. W. F. AAuton: treasurer. John Was- No: assessor, Charles Fvers: justices. C. M. Packard. John Diers: constable. Gust Bork.
190MG-President. F. J. Having; trustees. Theodore JJasper. C. H. Gustafson. J. L. Oher- mover: recorder. P. M. Getty; treasurer. John Waswog assessor. Charles Evers: justices, Ofto
"By a vote of 50 to 11. In 1901, the village was Separated from Wisconsin township for all pur- poses.
Gon
Henry Gustafson. residence
500
271
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Rackness, J. S. Crawley: constables, A. K. Sinims. John Steiner.
1907-President, F. J. Hassing; trustees, C. Il. Gustafson, Theodore Jasper, E. A. Boehl : recorder, H. E. Bohlander; treasurer, John Waswo; assessor. Charles Evers; justice, Carl J. Swenson; constable. L. A. Dorr.
1908-President. E. C. Klatt; trustees, E. A. Boehl. Gust Bork, E. H. Vickerman; recorder. 11. E. Bohlander: treasurer. E. A. Boehl; as- >essor, Charles Evers: justice, Otto Rackness; constables, A. K. Simms, Carl J. Swenson.
1909-President, F. JJ. Hassing; trustees, E. A. Boehil, John Steiner, C. Whismore: recorder. H. E. Bohlander; treasurer, J. S. Crawley: as- sessor, P. M. Getty; justice, J. J. Kukluk.
The federal census of 1900 gave Alpha a population of 209; five years later the number of inhabitants had increased to 241. Since its boom days Alpha's growth has been slow, but there have been a num- ber of additions. For several years a newspaper was supported, and a bank has been conducted there for several years. This was founded as the Bank of Alpha, but in July, 1904, it was reorganized as the State Bank of Alpha, with a capital stock of $10,000 and with George R. Moore as president and J. S. Crawley as cashier. Bonds to the amount of $4,000 were voted in 1904 for the purpose of in- stalling a water works system.
WILDER.
Wilder is an incorporated village on the main line of the Omaha railroad, seven miles northeast of Heron Lake. It is lo- cated on section seven. Delafield town- ship, near the north line of Jackson coun- ty. Here is a little town of perhaps two hundred inhabitants. in which are car- ried on several lines of business. It is situated on a slight elevation, sloping in all directions, and is surrounded by an excellent farming country.
The village of Wilder is about a quarter of a century old, but Wilder as a Jack- son county place name was bestowed in 1871. During the month of June of that year. while the grade for the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad was being made, the
officials selected the site of the present vil- lage of Wilder as a station on the new line of road. The Jackson Republic of July 1. 18:1, said of the selection of this point for a station :
In the township of Delafield, in the north part of this county, a sidetrack has been grad- ed where it is no doubt intended to plat a town. No better farming country can be found in our whole state than in the same township of Delafield and the townships adjacent. The Ileron lake community, Big Bend and even to Jake Shetek, in Murray county, are naturally tributary to the station to be located here. Excellent roads in every direction tend to draw business to this point. and although the set- tlement in the vicinity is of comparative re- cent date, the farms already being opened and in contemplation will make this one of the most important shipping points on the line. . We prediet here will grow up one of the best towns on the road.
The sidetrack was laid during the month of September, but no depot was put up, and the railroad officials made no effort to found a town at that point. For a short time the station was known as Timber Lake, but in November it was officially designated Wilder, in honor of A. H. Wilder, who was connected with the new railroad. For fourteen years Wilder was nothing but a name. and retained that only by virtue of the railroad company's time card.
The awakening came in 1885. Then it was announced that a farm college was to be built at Wilder by the Episcopal church and that a town was to be founded un- der the management of Close Brothers & Company. The effect of this announce- ment was to make Wilder a magic word ; it was on everybody's lips.4 The ac- tivity was brought about through the ef- forts of Rev. D. G. Gunn. of the Episco- pal church. who had for several years had in mind the founding of a farm school. Early in 1885 Colonel John L. Merriam, 1. 11. Wilder and Mrs. Carrie Thompson
4"Wilder is the magic word we often hear HOW. It is to he the shrine to which pilgrims to the northwest will wend their way and find rest and plenty in its happy precincts."-Heron Lake Correspondent, June 26, 1885.
272
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
offered to donate two-thirds of their land holdings on section seven, Delafield, to the Episcopal church of Minnesota, on condi- Tion that a college be built there. A cor- poration was formed with Bishop Whipple as president and Rey. Kann as secretary. and the secretary at onee set about rais- ing money to build the school. The exe- cution of the plans for the founding of the town of Wilder was placed in other hands. Concerning the selection of the site and the carly history of the movement. the Windom Citizen in June, 1885. said :
Rev. D. Griffin Gunn, who has within the past five years built and had direct charge of six churches in the Blue Grass region, has ever since his arrival among us been laboring for the establishment of a home and farm school for his boys. His first idea was to build the school on Cottonwood lake. adjoin- ing Windom, but upon priceing the land found that east of the lake to be $10 per acre and that on the west $25. He soon afterward bought the Pomeroy tree claim, the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6. Delafield township, and look occasion to look over Wilder while waiting for a train. He was struck with the beauty of the northeast quar- ter of section 7. and upon inquiry found it to be held by Messrs. Merriam and Wilder and Mrs. Thompson, of St. Paul. The price was put at $9 per acre, but when it was known for what purpose it was intended they prompt - ly and generously offered not only this but all their interests in section 7 free. But Bishop Whipple did not feel justified in accepting at that time.
After this nothing was done for about two years; then the matter was again brought he- fore the bishop, who approved it. but nothing was to be done before his return from Europe. Since his return the friends have been busy preparing for the work.
The site for the school and farm contains 353 acres on Timber Jake, and the doners are well known here as extensive land owners in Cottonwood and Jackson counties. The spot selected for the school building is on a bean- tiful rise of ground, which overlooks the whole surrounding country, including the pietur- esque Timber lake. From the summit can also be seen the village of Heron Lake, six miles distant, and on clear days Lakefield, twelve miles distant.
The school building when completed is to cost $15,000. The main or upright part is to be completed before December 31. work to he commenced at once. The trustees are Bishop Whipple, Rev. E. S. Thomas, retor of St. Paul's church. St. Paul; Rev. James Dob- bins, rector of the Shattuck school, Faribault : Rev. D. G. Gunn, S. M. Carey, of the firm of
Robinson & Carey, St. Paul; George II. Chris- tian. of the Minneapolis mills.
Mr. Gunn will be resident supervisor and general superintendent of the school. Besides the school building there will follow belong. ing to the Episcopal church the associate mission school, Episcopal church and rectory.
The movement is now ready. F. B. Close & Company will look after the business interests. while Mr. Gunn goes ahead with the school building. Mr. Com has been appointed by the trustees to select the school building and town site. The town will be platted and de- pot grounds located in a few days.
We are authoritatively informed that the following business buildings, besides numerous residences, are only awaiting the platting: hotel, harness shop. bank. elevator, general store, shoe shop, hardware store and land of- fice.
The parties interested in the town besides the doners (who reserve one-third of the gift lot-) are: Frank M. Bookwalter, of the Book- walter Engine company, Springfield. Ohio; Fuller Trump. Springfield, Ohio: Senator \. M. Crosby. Adrian, Minnesota: F. B. Close & Company. Pipestone, and a host of others.
Mr. Gunn attributes his success at Wilder mainly to the efforts of Messrs. J. J. Kendall and E. S. Thomas.
The building of the school and of the town was begun in the summer of 1885, and times were lively." The foundation of the college was completed in the fall, and work on the superstructure was begun early in December. Before the close of the year the following had erected build- ings and engaged in business: Dufour & Findley, general merchandise : J. F. Cass. restaurant and boarding house; W. 11. Bigelow & Company, lumber and wood ; HI. Moude, shoe shop: Cyrenius. black- smith shop: Klock & Day, ford store: Juveland, meat market. The postoffice was established late in the year.
The growth of Wilder during 1885 and 1886 was checked to some extent because of the inability to secure title to lots. Deeds to the site were not turned over to
S"Reports from Wilder say that it Is the liveliest burg in a hundred miles and that mo- chantes can get steady employment until it freezes up; that the college building is being rushed with a large force of workmen; that J. J. Kendall's house and Bigelow & Company's store buildings begin to loom up in mammoth proportions; that more than forty new build- ings are already planned,"- Lakefield Citizen, July 31, 1885,
BRECK SCHOOL
KENDALL BUILDING
COLLEGE BUILDINGS
THE DEPOT
MAIN STREET
WILDER
METHODIST CHURCH
PUBLIC SCHOOL
THE BUSINESS CENTER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
MITOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIL
273
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Bishop Whipple and the trustees until late in 1886, and prior to that time clear title could not be given to lot purchasers. The town was platted December 2, 1886, by John W. Merriam, it having been surveyed by Orrin Nason in the spring of that year, and was recorded in January, 1887. The plat consisted of ?? blocks, di- vided into 638 lots. The platted town in- cluded the north half of the northeast marter, the cast half of the northeast quarter, the cast half of the northwest quarter. lot one, the northeast quarter and lot two, of seetion 7, Delafield.
A few new business enterprises were added during 1886. In June it was re- ported that there were about a half dozen houses in the town and that the popula- tion was about fifty. At the close of the year there were about thirty buildings, including the college, the depot, a gen- eral store, hardware store and a hotel. The Breck school was incorporated in Decem- ber, 1886, by the following persons: D. G. Gunn, of Jackson county ; E. S. Thomas, S. M. Carey, V. M. Watkins and Harvey Officer, of Ramsey county; James Dob- bins, of Rice county; George H. Chris- tian of Hennepin county. The school opened and entered upon a prosperous career, but there was not much advance in the town for a decade after its found- ing. It simply held its own as a little trading point until the properous times of the late nineties caused it to develop into a bustling little village.
On the last day of the year 1898 a cen- sus was taken which showed a population of 195 people. The taking of the census was the first step toward incorporation. On the same day a petition was prepared asking for the incorporation of all of section 2. except the south half of the southeast quarter-560 acres-into the vil- lage of Wilder. The petition was pre-
sented to the board of county commission- ers,6 and that body took favorable action, naming March 28. 1899, as the date for voting on the question. The election was held at the office of D. L. Riley, and "for incorporation" carried. Soon after- ward municipal officers were elected and qualified, and local government began.
There were 114 inhabitants in Wilder when the federal census of 1900 was taken. and in 1905 the population was 121. The town is a good trading point, and while it has not attained great size, it is numbered among the prosperous com- inunities of Jackson county.
Wilder supports one bank. the Farmers State Bank. It was organized with a paid up capital of $10,000 October 1, 1900, with the following officers: M. H. Evans, president : E. P. Coleman. vice president ; F. H. Vail, cashier. The institution con- tinued under this management until 1902, when the controlling interest and major- ity stock was bought by Charles Mal- chow, F. E. Malchow and William G. Malchow. The officers then became Au- gust Wolf, president; Charles Malchow. vice president : William G. Malchow, cashier. The only change in management since then occurred in 1906, when Au- gust Wolf was succeeded as president by W. J. Clark. The directors of the Farm- ers State Bank of Wilder are Charles Malchow, John T. Powell, F. E. Mal- chow, Charles Winzer, Charles B. Cheadle, W. J. Clark and William G. Malchow.
OKABEN.A.
Okabena is an unincorporated little vil- lage located on the Milwaukee railroad and on section 7, West Heron Lake town- ship, four miles south of Heron Lake.
"The petitioners were H. F. Tucker. F. G. Riley. W. G. Malchow, S. L. Rank. J. A. Thom, W. L. Trowbridge. F. H. Vail. E. P. Colman. (. L. Moodin. J. J. Iutz. John Hall, W. S. Price, F. D. Silliman. John McQuigg. W. B. Fry. Ezra Winslow. I. G. Reed, O. A. Patter, A. Egeland, H. R. Trowbridge, George Koontz, F.
274
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Okabena makes no pretense of metropoli- tan greatness, but it is a prosperous little bandet, boasting a dozen or more business enterprises. In the town are a bank, school. church. general store. hardware store, creamery, lumber yard, hotel, livery barns, blacksmith shop, implement deal- ers, elevators, restaurant, billiard hall, etc.
Okabena was founded as a station of the Southern Minnesota railroad in Sep- fember. 18;9. and when the tracklayers reached that point they laid a sidetrack. The same fall a warehouse was built, and the next February a postoffice was estab- lished with K. t. Jackson as postmaster. Mr. Jackson opened a small store in No- weber, 1880, which he conducted until the summer of 1881. Okabena did not develop into a town until the nineties. The townsite was surveyed in May, 1892.7 although the records show that the plat was not put on record until October 30. 1895. It was surveyed byd. 1. Holst and platted by Henry J. Schumacher. The plat consisted of six blocks located on the north side of the railroad. East and west .freets were named Jackson, Exchange and Market : those north and south were named Front. Minnesota, Grove and Oka- bona. With the prosperous times of the late nineties and of the present decade came the building of the town, which is recognized as an excellent trading point by these residing in the vicinity.
MILOM.A.
Miloma is the railroad center of Jack- son county-and that's all. Here, three miles southwest of Heron Lake and the
t: Beats T. Goodwin Broce Bumgardner. E. R. Henderson. Howard Wnslow. G. Protzer. Charles D. Gibb. E. B. Wells. F. N Fry, .A. B. Philhps. J F. Case. JJ L. Holst. William Prot - zor. H. 1. Bliss, 1. A. White, HI I .. White and .1. Iverson.
TA townsite is to le platted at Okabena this spring. No doubt we shall ser a great city there. Sie das. Such enterprise Is Hable to Inist the commercial business of Its neighbor. Prairie Junction." Jackson County Pilot, April 24. 1502.
same distance northwest of Okabena, on section 85, Lat rose township. the main line of the Omaha railroad and the South- ern Minnesota division of the Milwaukee road cross. A union depot is maintained : the other enterprises consist of a post- office, a small store and eating house. com- bined, and a warehouse.
In the early dass, when railroads were building through the virgin country of southwestern Minnesota, the location of towns depended upon the routes the rail- road- took, and years before the Southern Minnesota was extended it was predicted that the principal town of southwestern Minnesota would be at the point of cross- ing of the Sioux City & St. Paul and the Southern Minnesota railroads-but the prediction did not comestrue." It was in April. 18;9. that officials of the Southern Minnesota railroad gave ont the informa- tion that their road would cross the Sionx City road on the south half of section 35. LaCrosse township. Tracklaying was completed to that point Angust 1 of the same year.
The building of a metropolis at the junction did not eventuate; in fact for over a year absolutely nothing was there." and the place did not even boast a name. being referred to as "the Sioux City june- tion" or "the junction." The monotony of the place was broken during the win- ter of 1880-81 by the creation of a joint depot, and in August. 1881, arrangements were made for transferring the mails at
"The Worthington Advance of January 13. 1.76, said: "The Southern Minnesota is Worth- ington's opportunity. If the road comes here. Worthington becomes Hom that day a railroad center and an important Inland city. If It goes north of us, the railroad center for this section of country will lu at the point of crossing the Sioux Any road."
In the light of present conditions this pre- dirtion is amusing. The Southern Minnesota railroad did build north of Worthington; the mint of crossing the Sioux City road is at Miloma, and anyone who has spent his the there waiting for trains will corroborate the statement that it is not a metropolis.
Then comes the 'junction' with its nothing." Jackson Republic. November 1. 1879.
275
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
that point. Then came an official name creamery under the management of Chris -Prairie Junction. In the spring of Sorenson. The next year B. A. Kittle- son ereeted a building and opened a store, which he conducted until the spring of 1902, when he sold to the Nasby Mercan- tile company. The townsile was platted April 13. 1898, by William Schroeder. 1885 James H. Drake, who owned forty acres of land at the junction, set out the grove of trees which is located just to the cast of the depot. It was rumored at the time that a site was to be platted there and a lown founded, but if anyone had such intentions he abandoned them. J. BERGEN. W. Barber became postmaster in 1886, Bergen, named after a city in Norway, is a little hamlet located on sections 23 and 26, Christiania township, where is a store, creamery and blacksmith shop. It was founded in 1895 and for several years maintained a postoffice. and two years later Thomas Sweeney built the little store building near the depot and opened a restaurant. The depot at Prairie Junction was struck by lightning on the night of Sunday, May 21, 1893, and burned to the ground together with OTIFER PLACES. all the contents. Agent Cooper and fam- ily barely escaped with their lives. The depot was rebuilt. In recent years the name of the station and postoffice was changed from Prairie Junction to Miloma, the first syllables of the names Milwau- kee and Omaha being used to form the name.
PETERSBURG.
Petersburg is a little inland hamlet lo- cated near the center of Petersburg town- ship, boasting a creamery, a store, school house and a few residences. In the six- ties a postoffice named Petersburg was established on section 28, with Rev. Peter Baker as postmaster. Like most country postoffices it had an intermittant exist- enec, being discontinued and reestablished several times. Andrew Everson became postmaster in December, 1876, and at an- other reestablishment in July, 1888, O. W. Edgecombe became postmaster. The office was discontinued for good in 1904, and beginning with October the patrons were supplied by rural free delivery.
Some of the farmers of Petersburg township in 1897 organized the Peters- burg Dairy association, purchased a site, erected a creamery building and started a
Before the days of rural mail delivery there were several country postoffices in Jackson county. At other places in the county abortive attempts have been made from time to time lo found towns. Among the number were Springfield, Belmont and Odessa, the history of which have been given in preceding chapters.
Des Moines City, located on the river in the north part of Des Moines town- ship, was another early day village. Here was located the only grist mill in the county and a sawmill. Griggs & Com- pany, the owner of the mills, platted a town in the spring of 1820, and for a time the village was a weak rival of Jackson.
Belmont was a country postoffice locat- ed in the township of the same name. It was first established in April, 1822, and Ole Tollefson was postmaster. The office was not on a stage line but was supplied by special carrier. In March, 1875, the office was discontinued, and the one at Brownsburg look its place. The Belmont office was reestablished in April, 1877, when Peter A. Sandvold was named post- master, but it was later discontinued. Again in February, 1883, a postoffice named Belmont was established at a point
276
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
two miles north of Brown's mill. with Ole Kilen as postmaster. He was suc- ceeded by Robert Kilen. The postoffice was discontinued in December, 1886. The name is still preserved in the Belmont Creamery association, incorporated. which
The Round Lake postoffice. in the township of that name. was established in July. 1822. with W. A. Mosher as postmaster. The office was supplied from Worthington. W. N. Davis and .J. N. Dodge later hold the office, and it was discontinued when the office of the same name was established at the railroad sta- tion in Nobles county.
In 1822 parties in the interest of a French colony attempted the founding of a town on section 15. Petersburg down- ship, but were unsuccessful.
Ellora postoffice was maintained in Enterprise township for a short time. It was discontinued in July, 1873.
Orr postoffice. in Hunter township, had an existence of many years. It was es- tablished in July, 1823. and Thad Rucker was the first postmaster.
Williamsburg was the name of a Jack- son county village on the south shore of Imon lake which had a brief existence in the seventies. A townsite was surveyed on the southeast quarter of section 25. Minneota township. in October. 1874. for William MeClellan. It was annonneed that later the site would be made to in- alude land belonging to Messrs. Rathban and Read and that several business enter- prises would be started. Mr. Mcclellan
opened a store there in May, 1875, and maintained it for a time. The Williams- burg postoffice was established the same >pring.
Brownsburg was a little village on the Des Moines river in southern Belmont has its plant on section 22. The com- township that gained some importance. pany was organized in 1808 by farmers in The Brownsburg postoffice was establish- Belmont. Enterprise and the northern part of Des Moines townships. Follow- ing are the officers and directors: 1. J. Lindberg, president : John Elfson. vice president; 1%. O. Teigen. secretary : John Lilleberg, treasurer : William Johnson, Lewis Anderson, J. K. Ofstad. of in March. 1515, having been moved from Belmont. and Ole AA. Brown was the first postmaster. Brown & Company's mill was located at that point. Brede .1. Brown became postmaster in 1880 and hold the office several years. A store was started in the eighties, and in 1888 it was icarned the village consisted of a flouring mill, cheese factory, school house and church.
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.