USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 40
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The northwest part of the county is drained by Jack and Okabena creeks, which flow into Heron lake, and whose waters ultimately join the Des Moines by way of lleron lake outlet.
Some two hundred ten square miles of Jackson county, lying in the southwest part of the county, are in the basin of the Missouri river, being drained by the head- waters of the Little Sioux, which rise near the center of the county and flow south- westerly, joining the Missouri thirty-eight miles north of Omaha.
The sixteen thousand odd acres of Jackson county that are water surface are taken up by about seventy-five lakes, great and small. Many of these are beautiful bodies of water. clear and sparkling. abounding with fish.
Of the lakes of any importance to the cast of the Des Moines river, all are in Christiania township: Fish lake, two miles long. is in the extreme north part of the county, half of it being in Col- tonwood county; lake Otto, one-half mile long. is on the boundary between Chris- tiania and Kimball townships; Indepen- dence lake, a half mile long. is on the boundary between Christiania and Bel-
mont ; Lower's lake, of similar size, is in the center of Christiania township.
The largest body of water in Jackson county and the largest in the whole of southwestern Minnesota is Hferon lake, located in the northwest part of the coun- ty, in Weimer, West Heron Lake and Heron Lake townships. Heron lake is eleven miles long and has a width of two and one-half miles in its central part, di- minished to one-half or one-quarter of a mile at either end, giving it an area of about fourteen square miles. The waiter of lleron lake is mainly clear, but it has some portions that are reedy and covered with a dense growth of wild rice, with marshy shores. This affords a paradise to geese. ducks and other wild water fowl, as well as to the hunter of this game. Ileron lake has a reputation far and wide as a hunters' paradise, and each season hundreds of sportsmen visit it.
There are a number of pretty little lakes in north central Jackson county, among them being: Lake Carroll, one-half mile long from northeast to southwest, in northern Delafield; Minneseka lake, a mile long from east to west, located just south of Wilder; Flaherty's lake, named in honor of an Irish trapper who operated in the vicinity in the early days, located in sections six, seven and eight, Heron Lake township, over a mile in length from north to south and over a half mile wide from east to west: Boot lake, located in section 31, Belmont. A few miles west of Jackson, in the west part of Des Moines township, is Clear lake, having di- mensions of about one mile each way.
In the southeast corner of Minneota township, extending into Middletown, is a group of pretty little lakes, on the shores of which some of the early day settlers lo- cated. The principal one of these bodies of water is Loon lake, nearly two miles across from north to south. Others in
285
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
the vicinity are Rush lake, Pearl lake and Little Sprit lake.
In Sioux Valley township are two lakes of size. Skunk lake, a mile long from east to west, is in sections 22 and 27; Rush lake, smaller in size, is in the south- western part of the township. Round Lake township has a number of pretty little bodies of water, the principal one being Round lake, a mile and a half in ยท diameter, situated in the northwest part of the township. The others are Plum Island lake in sections 10 and 15; Illinois lake, about the center of the township; and a portion of State Line lake, in the extreme southwest corner of the county.
Jackson is an agricultural county. The principal products are corn, barley, oats, wheat, rye, flax, hay, livestock, dairy pro- duets, poultry, fruit and vegetables. In the early days the settlers confined their energies almost exclusively to grain farm- ing and largely to wheat raising. Now diversified farming is the rule. Every farmer raises stock and many engage in dairying on a large scale. While agricul- ture is the principal pursuit, manufac- turing occupies an important place among the county's industries. The manufac- tories include tow mills, grist mills, brick and tile factories, creameries and garment manufacturing plants.
With transportation facilities Jackson county is not so well supplied as it should be. The Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail- road traverses the county from southeast to northwest, passing through the town- ships of Wisconsin, Des Moines, Belmont, Hunter, Heron Lake, West Heron Lake, Alba and LaCrosse, on which line are lo- cated the villages of Alpha, Jackson, Lakefield, Okabena and Miloma. The main line of the Chicago, St. Paul. Min- neapolis & Omaha railroad passes through the northwestern part of the county, pene-
trating the townships of Delafield, Wei- mer. LaCrosse and Alba. On this line are the villages of Wilder, Heron Lake and Miloma. A branch of the Omaha road extends northwestward from Heron Lake. Through the extreme southwest- ern corner of the county and of Round Lake township passes the line of the Chi- cago, Rock Island & Pacific, upon which there are no stations within the county.
Local and long distance telephone lines form a complete network over the county, and every community is reached. There are about fifteen rural free delivery mail routes from Jackson county postoffices, and lines from several outside towns pene- trate the county. There are few farms to which mail is not delivered daily.
The soil of the county is uniformly fer- tile and productive. Owing to better drainage and the configuration of the land a few of the townships surpass the others in the value of the farming lands. This is particularly true during seasons of ab- normal rainfall. The following is a very brief description of the physical features of each of the townships :
Kimball, the northeast township, is moderately rolling, with broad, dry and fertile prairies. A branch of Elm creek flows across the southern part.
Enterprise is composed of rather level land. especially the southern part. Elm creek flows across the township and car- ries off the surplus water.
Wisconsin is drained by small tributar- ies of the Des Moines and a branch of Ten-Mile creek. Part of the surface is rolling : the rest is flat.
Petersburg, the southwestern township, is rated as one of the county's best town- ships, and it supports the largest farming population. Every acre of its surface is drained by the Des Moines river, which flows diagonally across the township, and its tributaries. Several creeks of good
280
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
size and perpetual flow diversify the sur- face, which is generally very dry and roll- ing. The broad Des Moines valley, with its timber-crowned bluffs and fertile bot- toms and benches of table land rising back from the river shores, is a mag- nificent feature.
Middletown is another good township. The surface is gently rolling. and there is no waste land. It is drained chiefly by tributaries of the Des Moines, although a portion of the township slopes toward the west, and the watercourses of that por- tion empty into the group of lakes near ils western boundary.
Des Moines is the oldest settled town- ship and one of the most prosperous. The Des Moines river flows through it, afford- ing several water powers within the town- ship. There is a considerable wooded tract on the east side of the river. The land is high and dry.
Belmont is crossed diagonally by the Des Moines river. upon the bluffs of which are heavy growths of natural timber. It is in every respect a township made rich by the hand of providence and was one of the first settled portions of the county. The land is rolling and fertile.
Christiania is the northermost of the river townships, and. like those farther south, is rich in all that nature contrib- utes. The river valley diversifies the west- ern part. The surface is gently rolling but has some bottom lands. Within the township are a number of fine little lakes.
Delafield is quite rolling and is drained by tributaries of the Des Moines, which flows close to its eastern border.
Horon Lake township ranks fourth in population, and its land is high and roll- ing. Heron lake penetrales the township : another fine body of water is lake Fla- herty in the northwestern part.
tends across the center of the county. From some of its hills water runs to the west and finds its way into the Missouri river : from others it flows to the cast and by way of the Des Moines reaches the Mississippi. The system of drainage is unsurpassed, and the land is all rolling.
Minneola, by reason of its many charm- ing lakes. is one of the most picturesque townships of Jackson county. The lakes were responsible for Minneota becoming one of the carly settled townships. The Little Sioux river flows through the west- ern part. The farming land is rolling.
Sioux Valley is rated among the best and most prosperous townships. It is drained by the Little Sioux river and con- tains broad and abundant acres. It is very rich and fertile.
Rost is well drained by the Little Sioux. which runs through the center of the township. The land is generally rolling.
West Heron Lake is the smallest town- ship in the county. In addition to the loss of several sections taken out of its farming land by Heron lake, that portion of its natural boundaries lying cast of the lake has been given to Heron Lake township. The land is the most level of all the townships.
Weimer loses much of its farming land by reason of lleron lake and the village of the same name. Portions of the sur- face are undulating; other portions are bottom lands.
LaCrosse. the northwest corner town- ship. has more miles of railroad within its boundaries than any other of the twen- ty townships. The surface is moderately rolling and is drained by Jack and other creeks flowing into Heron lake.
Alba township is crossed diagonally by Okabena creek, which furnishes good drainage. The land surface is level.
Ewington has no lakes, no streams and Hunter is located on the ridge that ex- no waste land. It is strictly a prairie
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
287
township of rich, tillable land. The sur- face is level.
The total taxable valuation of the coun- ty, according to the figures for 1908, is $8,065,052, of which $2,067,044 is on real property, while $998,000 is on personal property. These amounts are divided by precinets as follows :
more than the difference in price to bring those countries up to the condition of this.
The farmer in the older states east and south can dispose of an eighty acre farm, and with the proceeds purchase a quarter section in Jackson county, and in making the change will lose none of the advan-
PRECINCT
Total Value
Real
Personal
Av. Val. Per Acre
Alba
$347,356
$315,365
$ 31,990
$14.05
Belmont
369,797
333,909
35,888
14.48
Christiania
363,961
328,631
35,330
14.47
Delafield
367,364
330,111
37,253
14 94
Des Moines
339,561
307,288
32,273
14 56
Enterprise
360,577
331,755
28,822
14.40
Ewington
360,714
333,285
27,429
14.58
Heron Lake.
387,044
352,109
34,935
14 91
Hunter
359,179
329,161
30 018
13 95
Kimball
360,304
331,799
28,505
14.48
LaCrosse.
343,648
312,178
31,470
14.15
Middletown
360,634
324,572
36,062
14 28
Minneota
329,509
301,112
28,397
13 93
Petersburg
380.966
342,490
38,476
14 85
Rost
367,185
332,179
35.006
14 31
Round Lake
342,488
308,590
33,898
14.52
Sioux Valley
373,166
330,118
43,048
14 58
Weimer
283,838
260,738
23,100
14.47
West Heron Lake.
282,364
242,847
39,517
13 96
Wisconsin.
353,143
319,964
33,179
14.46
Jackson.
479,267
328,748
150,519
Heron Lake Village
198,728
123,561
75,167
Lakefield
250,255
180,910
69,345
Wilder
38,369
25,831
12,538
Alpha.
65,635
39,793
25,842
Round Lake, the southwest corner township, is supplied with a number of beautiful lakes. The surface is high and quite rolling.
Jackson county land can be purchased at from $40 to $115 per acre, according to improvements and proximity to mar- kets, and, considering the richness of the soil, the excellent markets and the edu- cational and social advantages offered, it is not easy to understand why any home- seekers pass through this country to the bleak prairies of the Dakotas or Canada. Jackson county land, at the price at which it can now be obtained, is cheaper, all things considered, than the Dakota or Canada land at the present prices, for the. settlers there will be compelled to spend
tages and conveniences enjoyed. There will be no frontier hardships to endure, no years of lonely toil in a sparsely set- tled country, nothing lacking in the way of social pleasures or the advantages of schools and churches.
Another advantage of Jackson county that must not be lost sight of is its proximity to the great primary markets. It is within easy reach of the great Min- neapolis. St. Paul. Sioux City, Omaha and Chicago markets. Their nearness and the low freight rates in effect insure high prices for farm products soll there and low. prices for commodities purchased there.
Jackson county holds most alluring
.
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
prospects for farmers who are in search of rich and productive lands close to mar- kets, where they may establish homes amid schools and churches and congenial surroundings. There are a few tracts yet to be put under cultivation, and there are large farms that may be subdivided. while other farms that are now in the hands of renters might be improved by resident owners.
The county is capable of supporting more than three times as many farmers as it now has. The local creameries want more cream, the merchants want more eggs and poultry, the elevators want more grain, the stock buyers want more cattle and hogs, and all around is a demand for the products of Jackson county-a de- mand that cannot be taken away.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE PRESS.
D URING the forty years of Jack- son county's newspaper history only nine papers have been es- tablished-a remarkably small number when compared with neighboring coun- ties. Of these nine, five are still publish- ed, as follows: Jackson Republic, by the estate of the late C. F. Mallahan; Lake- field Standard (founded as the Minnesota Citizen), by R. H. Lueneburg and J. W. Daubney; Jackson County Pilot, by John L. King; Heron Lake News (founded as the Heron Lake Wave), by Carl S. East- wood; Jackson County Times (Heron Lake). by Jolin S. Woolsteneroft. The newspapers which have been discontinued were the Heron Lake Guardian, Lakefield Herald, Jackson County Argus (Alpha) and the Jackson Tribune.
The first newspaper to be taken from the press in Jackson county was the Jack- son Republic. Its establishment was due largely to the removal of the United States land office from Winnebago City to Jackson and the consequent rise in importance of that little town. George C. Chamberlin and Henry M. Avery were the founders and the date of the first issue was February 26, 1870.
Considerable difficulty was encountered in getting the paper started. Jackson was then the only town in the county, and
there was not a railroad within many long miles of the place. Mr. Chamberlin set out from Jackson in November, 1869, on his way to select the material. He made a hundred mile stage ride to the railroad at Janesville, went to Chicago, selected his material, and in due time the plant arrived. The "ready-prints" were made in Chicago and sent by express, but failed to arrive in time and a man had to be sent to find them.1 The birthplace of the Republic was a little building of native lumber which stood on the corner where the P. H. Berge & Company's store is now, one of the first buildings erected in Jackson.
The Republic was established as a seven column folio, of which two pages were printed at home. Every family in the town and vicinity subscribed and all the business men gave it support .? The peo-
1"It was a cold and stormy week and snow drifts were almost insurmountable. Railways were one hundred miles away, and mails and stages were irregular and uncertain. Our ready- print package failed to arrive and J. F. Ashley was dispatched for it, with instructions to meet it if he had to go to Chicago. He found the paper at Albert Lea and in due time arrived home. richly earning the $25 that the printing paper for the first issue cost us for bringing from that point. . All night long did we work to get the first number ready for the press, warming pieces of boards on which to stand as we worked, and placing a kettle of live coals under the press while printing."- George C. Chamberlin in Republic, March 21. 1890.
"The local subscribers to the Republic during the first year of its existence were as follows:
Jackson-Hon. J. B. Wakefield, Hon. E. P.
289
290
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ple seemed to be as much interested in the success of the venture as did the pro- prietors. Messrs. Chamberlin & Avery. in their introductory. said :
We this week present our render- the first number of the Jackson Republic. We enter upon its publication not entirely ignorant of the cares and responsibilities of an editor not wholly unfamiliar with the many perplex- ing duties with which an editor must contend. Not even the most ripe in editorial lore can snit all his readers. yet faithful efforts are always appreciated and honest exertions will mert their reward.
In making our how we do not propose to lumber up our valued columns with promises impossible to fulfil, but prefer to let our pa- per from week to week speak for itself. If wo succeed in making the Republic a live. lo- cal paper, a credit to Jackson and Jackson county. our object will have been accomplish- od. That will be our chief aim and to that end we pledge our earnest efforts.
Politics will not be entirely ignored but touched upon as lightly as circumstances will permit. What few words we may venture in this direction will most certainly be viewed from a republican standpoint. vet we will endeavor to not advocate them in such vehem- ence as to offend even the most fastidious of the twenty-five democrats who have cast their
Freeman. Dr. C. L .. Morrill. J. W. Cowing & Co., M A. Strong, S. M. Clark, W. S. Kimball. W. Ashley, Major H. S. Bailey, J. B. Reynolds. J. A. Myers, Isadore A. Moreaux. W. C. Gar- ratt. Mrs. C. A. Bishop, J. W. Seager. J. N. Thompson, David Evans, Jr., Harvey Klock. K. M. Peterson, E. T. Mather. O. E. Bennett. F. P. Haverberg. Simon Olson, A. L. King, Chris- tlan Ingbertson, Halver L. Halverson. A. E. Wood. W. S. Curtis, Alex Hall. J. E. Palmer. Ispar Wheeler. Benjamin Harrison, Michael Miller. D. A. Reed, Anders Roe. W. A. Stew- art. E. P. Skinner. Charles Frishie. S. W. Bur- Less. O. Burgess. A. Miner. Nathaniel Frost. Lewis Parker. George P. Lee, Joseph Thomas. Rev. B. Savage. Rev. J. Door, J. W. Ilunter. Alex Fuldes. R. B. Norton. M. S. Barney. Hol- sten Olson, Clark Marshall. L. E. Marshall, S. 1% Trask. S. S. Barrett. M J. Clough. I. F. Eddy. Hans Knudson. G. G Ashley. Samuel Dovis. William King. J. K. P. Lyon, Jared Palmer. James Kerr. Calvin Chandler. W. P. tard John Utter. G K. Tiffany, Milton Mason. Dr O. M. Burhans. Samuel Hill William W. Wiltse. A N. Thompkins C. H. Sandon. C. IL. Hwith. JJ. K Johnson. A. J. Borcland. John Richardson, Thad Rocker, Ira G. Wolden. I B. Greenwood. I. W. Seely. Palmer Hill. Philip Yates, W. H. P. Lecocq. Stephen Ford. James W Thorn. Andrew Laird George W. Woodlo. Dr. R R. Foster S. 1. Pitcher M. Fisher Wil- Ham C. Bates, J. J Porter. C. Chamberlin, .I. P. Prescott. A. Gruhlke, Hans Stall. Clark Bald- win. Inrs Rasmussen, Ole E Olson. J W. Dunn. S C. Thaver. O. T Russell. B. H John- sun. Nath B. Hall. B. W. Ashley. Peter Ber- WW B. D. Dayton, James Clayton. R K. Craigque, 3 M Henry, John Logue, Rev W. F. Hass. A. E. Wheeler, T. J. Wixson, Henry S. Graves. I Bordwell H P Wilbur. George A. Bush. A Galbraith. E. H Klock G E. Stewart. 0 F Mexander R N. Woodward Herman Miller. George W. Stevens. J. W Benjamin. Allen Gardner, Jr., Clark Lindsley. E. Sevatson,
lot in the republican county of Jackson.
Our paper will In the organ of no one in- dividual, clique or faction, and its aim will be to faithfully chronicle passing events in Jack- son county to lay before its readers from week to work the beauties and advantages of our broul prairies, and to contribute its portion lo directing hither our full share of westward immigration.
All we ask is a support commensurale with our desires. If the people of our youthful town and county duly appreciate the advan- lages to them of a good local paper and will give us the patronage and cooperation they indicate, to make such will be the uniting ef- fort- of
THE PUBLISHERS.
Chamberlin & Avery published the Re- public until December 2. 1872. when the junior partner became the sole proprie- tor. Mr. Avery conducted it until April, 18;5, when he sold out to his former part- ner. Mr. Chamberlin was the editor and proprietor until January 1. 1881, and un- der his management it was enlarged to an eight column foho. Mr. Chamberlin was one of the ablest journalists that ever
A. J. Frost. L. O. Beck. L .. W. Whitney, Charles Malchow. Walter Withers, Francis Ingraham. George Eliot, E. C. Houston. C. B. Rubert, J. D. Chubb. N. E. AArms. R. K. Johnson, R. E. Bowden. Charles F. Shellon. E. Clark, B. A. Brown, Julia 1. Chandler, D. Cardwell. Henry Blakes. George R. Moore, Lansa 1. Orwelle. Barney Langhran. Rov. A. TT. Simonton, Wil- liam Gray. A. W. Ray. John Robinson. O. Cooke. W. Il Ashley. Ezra Winslow, S S. Johnson. D. D. Finch, George D. Foss. 1 .. L .. Thompson. I. T. Trumbi. E. I. McQuillan, C. D. Deni- son. John Pavies, Levi Camfeld. 1. Hales. R. D. barned, William Blaisdell. H. M. McGaugh- ey, Orrin Nason. Barby Whallon, James Thack- ory. JJ. M Willing. Anders R. Kilon. Thomas Goodwin. Charles Holmes, T. Rucker. Menno Eby. Martin 1 .. Bromaghim. A. O Hovda. Jobn Liefson. Lewis Eckel. T. C. Richmond. . \. C. Hall, Il W. Chandler, Frank Parso, Thomas Brooks, C. Gummerson, Ira Camfield. Charles F. Sheldon.
Summit-H. A. Willi.ons. H. H. Stone. I W. Whitney. Mrs. M 1. Topping, IL. Haley. J. IT. Willing.
Minucota O. Burgess, John Richardson, I. B. Greenwood. William Bates. I .. Bordwell. George Ellet, H. P. Wilbur. I. P. Ballard, S. W. Burgess, A. B. Stimpson.
Graham Lakes John trapsev. Benjamin Har. rison. H @ Mallett, Chirles Drury. S. R. Har- ris. 1. W. Cakes, F. A. Doore. B. F. Tanner, H. 1. Wallace, J. Il. Cunningham, H. W. Hessel- roth. W. 11. Brown.
Norwegian A. S. Simile. M. P. Higgins. Ro. Z+11 Seager.
Petersharg J. H. Baker, C. W. Cornish. A. Gruhlke. Ezra Fortner. George D. Stone. Rev. D'. Baker, J. A. Middaugh, S. Middaugh, J. C. Iloovel.
Big Bend Orrin Nason. H. M. MeGaughey. George D Foss S. S. Johnson. Bara Winslow. William Gra. Charles Sheldon. R K John- son. Allen Gardner. Jr .. C. Chamberlin. David Evans, Jr., Barney Laughran.
291
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
published a paper in southwestern Minne- sota. Under his management the paper was always bright and newsy, sparkling with good humor, bringing cheer to the frontier settlers.
Burt W. Day owned and edited the Re- publie from January, 1881, to April 1, 1887. It then passed into the hands of A. B. Allen, who presided over its desti- nies over twelve years. Soon after taking control he enlarged the paper to a six col- umn quarto, and during part of the time it was an all home print paper. Sher- man J. Dunn bought a half interest from Mr. Allen the first of the year 1893, and was a part owner until June, 1894.
W. C. Hartson bought the Republic October 1, 1899. In 1902 he inereased the size to a seven column quarto, and on May 5, 1903, began the publication of a semi-weekly, issuing Tuesdays and Fri- days. The ownership of the paper passed into the hands of O. C. Gould, of Fair- mont, in September, 1903, and Nelson P. G .- Wright was installed as manager. The semi-weekly was discontinued at that time. Mr. Wright left the paper in June, 1904. From Jackson he went to Moun- tain Lake and then disappeared from the face of the earth; nothing has even been heard of him since.
Mr. C. F. Mallahan, who had been pub- lishing the Jackson Tribune, bought the paper from Mr. Gould in June, 1904, con- solidated the two plants, and was the publisher and editor of the Republic until his death, which occurred August 29, 1909. Mr. Mallahan was a publisher of many years experience and published a very ereditable paper. The Republic has been republican in polities during its en- tire life of forty years.
Jackson county's second newspaper was the Heron Lake Guardian, which was founded by S. S. Haislet early in Oeto- ber, 1880. It was a little five column
paper and started out with considerable patronage, but Heron Lake was a small place in which to successfully conduet a newspaper, and after many trials and trib- ulations it was discontinued. It was pub- lished until April, 1883. Mr. Haislet shipped the plant to Adrian and com- menced the publication of the Adrian Guardian, with which paper he was iden- tified many years.
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