An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota, Part 26

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Marshall, Minn. : Northern History Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 726


USA > Minnesota > Lyon County > An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota > Part 26


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).


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20The first board of trustees of the Norwegian Lutheran church was composed of Jacob A. Jacobson, secretary; Hellek Olson, treasurer; John Tweet, Paul Haugen and Iver Engen.


2] Affiliated with the Tracy church is the Holand Evangelical Lutheran church, about five and one-half miles southwest of Tracy. It has a membership of 155 and is ministered to by Rev. Gullerud. The lloland church was organized in 1878 by Professor John Ylvesaker with the following members: Andrew Johnson, Andrew Olson, Klemet Helleson, Hans Jacobson, IIalvor O. Ericksrud, Henrik Pederson,


and held services once a month. He was succeeded by Father Darche, the first resident priest.22 The present mem- bership is about 200. The pastor of St. Mary's church also holds services at Walnut Grove.


Services by members of the German Lutheran faith were first held in Tracy in the fall of 1886. A church society was organized at that time with the following named gentlemen and their families as first members: John Reetz. William Wiecks, William Darger, Wil- liam Schmidt, H. C. Heine, John Selek, William Giffert and Charles Giese. Froni the date of organization until 1892 services were held once in three weeks in the Congregational church building, conducted by outside pastors. A church building was erected in 1892 and six years later a parsonage was put up, the value of both buildings being " about $2100. Rev. C. W. Heuer was the first pastor and served from 1892 to 1897. He was succeeded by Rev. Ahward, and the latter in 1909 by Rev. Tychsen. the present pastor. Services are now held every other Sabbath. The membership is about twenty-five.


The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Herlunda church of Tracy was organized December 11, 188S, with the following first members: Peter Magnell and wife, Albert Hedenberg and wife, Samuel Reinhold and wife, Peter Swenson and wife and Charles Dahlin. 23 The church was incorporated in 1889 as a member


John Iverson, Juul Helleson, Martin Olson, Nicolai Nelson, Truls Odegaarden and Tollef Nelson.


22Resident priests in charge of St. Mary's church have been Fathers Darche, Mahoney, Sullivan, Smol- lein, John Gleason, John Byrne and George E. Carlin. The last named was assigned to the charge August 28, 1907.


23Others who joined the church before it was incor- porated in 1SS9 were Christian Mohn, Sven J. Bjork- man, Anders A. Busk, Bengt Matteson, Peter Swanson, Swen Nelson and Swan Anderson and their wives. The first deacons of the church were Peter Magnell, Samuel Reinhold and Albert Hedenberg. The first trustees were Charles Dahlin, Samuel Reinhold and Peter Magnell.


1


1


Swedish Lutheran ..


Holand Church, Monroe


Presbyterian .-.


Tracy's Churches


Norwegian Lutheran


Catholic


German Lutheran Parsonage


German Lutheran


171


HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.


of the Augustana Synod of North America. Prior to 1891 the pulpit of the Tracy church was filled by the Balaton pastor and ministers from other charges. The first resident pastor, Rev. B. S. Nystrom, located in Tracy in 1891.24 A parsonage was built that year and the church was put up in 1892. The value of church property is $3000. The membership is now ninety-seven communicants and twenty-five chil- dren. 25


The United Norwegian Lutherans have maintained an organization in Tracy since December, 1888. Among those instrumental in its organization were Bernt Johnson, Ole Johnson, Henry Olson and Charles Ostlund. The society has never had a resident pastor and is at prezent supplied by Rev. K. C. Henderlie, of Canby, who conducts services once every three weeks. The membership is between fifty and sixty.


St. Mark's Episcopal church of Tracy was organized by Rev. Arthur Chard in the late nineties. For a time services were held in the United Norwegian Lutheran church, but the society now has a chapel of its own. The first members of the Episcopal church were Dr. and Mrs. H. M. Workman. Morris Workman, Mrs. L. E. Harvey, M. D. Gibbs, Mrs. Minnie Wiley, Mrs. H. E. Blair, Mrs. Keller, Mrs. C. W. Marks, Mrs. Ralph Yates, Mrs. Fannie Morgan, Mrs. J. Q. McNally, Mrs. Lucy Warren


24The pastors of the Swedish Lutheran church of .Tracy have been as follows: B. S. Nystrom, 1891-94; supplied by students 1894-96; C. J. A. Holmgren, 1896-99; P. E. Fredlund, 1900-02; A. Melin, 1902-06; L. E. Sjolinder, 1906-12.


25 Among the members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in addition to those mentioned, are John Peterson and wife, Nels E. Pehrson and wife, Andrew Martinson and wife, John August Anderson, Andrew S. Carlson and wife, Peter Neilson, Joel Nelson and wife, John A. Bowman and wife, John F. Fornquist, August Peterson and wife and Henry Peterson.


26 Among the Episcopal ministers who have supplied the Traey parish have been Revs. Arthur Chard, Ten Broeck, Charles Farrar, J. Holst, Riehard Reade, John Plunkett and W. A. Dennis.


27The charter members were W. M. Todd, Claude M. Ferro, Anson Warren, E. L. Choate, Ilenry W. Little,


and Mrs. Charles Riegel. Owing to the small membership the church has never had a resident pastor.26 Services are now held the second Sabbath of each month by Rev. W. A. Dennis, of Worthington.


THE LODGES.


Tracy is the home of a number of worthy secret and fraternal orders. They are the Blue Lodge. Chapter and Order Eastern Star of the Masonic orders. Grand Army of the Republic. Womens Relief Corps, Odd Fellows. Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen, Knights of Pythias, Catholic Order of Foresters. Modern Brotherhood and Royal Neigh- bors. Besides these are two women's clubs-Current News Club and Sorosis Club.


Tracy Lodge No. 155. A. F. & A. M .. the oldest order in the city, was organ- ized under dispensation in July, 1882. with the following first officers: W. M. Todd. W. M .; M. D. Gibbs, S. W .; and Anson Warren, J. W. The charter was granted January 10, 1883, to twelve members.27 The lodge has ever since been maintained and its membership is now seventy-four.


Late in 1883 members of the order in Tracy, Walnut Grove, Currie and Marshall asked the grand chapter for the establishment of a Royal Arch Mason Chapter at Tracy, 28 and in April, 1884, the local order was organized under dispensation.29 The charter was


Frank E. Ketehum, Charles J. Gardner, Samuel S. Truax, James Thomson, Joseph Jones, Myron D. Gibbs and John H. Cutler. Only one of the number is now a resident of Traey.


28Those who signed the application for the dispon- sation for Bower Chapter, Royal Areh Masons, were John M. Moore, John Moore, Neil MeKay, J. F. Remore, Frank Hooker, H. B. Gary, A. C. Forbes, M. E. Math- ews, Squire D. How, C. L. Van Fleet, S. M. Gage, M. Sullivan, G. F. Bidwell, Neil Currie, A. T. Crowl, H. M. Workman, John G. Schutz, James P. Corbin, John R. Fitch, W. II. Owens, George W. Thomas, H. G. Humphries, Jr., and E. A. Gove.


29Those who served as first officers under dispensa- tion were George F. Bidwell, G. W. Whomes, Neil Currie, M. Sullivan, S. D. How, A. T. Crowl. H. M. Workman, J. F. Remore, S. M. Gage, H. B. Gary, J. G. Schutz and N. Mckay.


172


HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.


granted October 14, 1884. The present high officers are J. D. Owens, high priest ; Charles C. Richard, king; Howard Gosslee, scribe.


Virginia Chapter No. 15, Order East- ern Star, was instituted February 3, 1885, by Grand Matron Mrs. H. A. Valentine, of Minneapolis, and Grand Patron Willis, of Farmington. It was organized with thirty-five charter mem- lers3ยบ and its membership is now ninety- six.


The second oldest order in Tracy is Joe Hooker Post No. 15. Grand Army of the Republic. It was chartered August 8, 1882, with twenty-two mem- bers. 31 The post was disbanded after a short existence, but was reinstated August 18, 1884. It was mustered in at that time by O. E. Gail, of Marshall. 32 The post now has only a few members but an active organization is main- tained.


For a time a Sons of Veterans post had an existence. It was formed in November, 1885, and its first officers were C. L. Bohannan, captain; J. G. Willis, first lieutenant ; O. J. Rea, second lieutenant.


Joe Hooker Corps No. 65, Womens Relief Corps, has been in existence nearly


30The charter members of Virginia Chapter were Hattie Bidwell, Euniee Blood, Lillian Blood, Jennie Densil, Louise Gibbs, Myrtle Gibbs, Blanche Grant, Abbie Humason, Mary A. Jones, Louise Klepper, Hannah Lloyd, Evelyn Matson, Grace Nash, Martha Pattridge, Alice Richard, Sarah Segur, Hannah Stafford, Emma Warren, Hannah D. Warren, Amelia Whiting, Minnie Wiley, Josephine Yates, G. F. Bidwell, F. S. Brown, S. M. Gage, M. D. Gibbs, W. D. James, W. D. Jones, W. H. Little, O. L. Pattridge, W. J. Richard, J. R. Segur, F. L. Warren, Homer Whiting, H. M. Workman and Mrs. Virginia Workman, who was the first worthy matron and for whom the chapter was named.


31The charter members of Joe Hooker Post were 31. D. Gibbs, Ole Rialson, J. L. Craig, M. F. Mills, James Steel, D. W. Underwood, H. N. Joy, James Morgan, J. H. Hiteheox, Samuel Bell, L. Aldrich, W. JI. Arnold, J. P. Davis, John Manuel, John Lloyd, David Wilford, Irving R. Wagner, David Campbell, W. J. Henry, Thomas Edwards, J. N. Fiteh and F. P. Town.


32The first offieers at the time of reorganization were I. R. Wagner, W. H. Arnold, John Lloyd, M. D. Gibbs, J. P. Davis, II. N. Joy, J. L. Craig, William Mesler, David Campbell and John Manuel.


3?The charter members of Joe Hooker Corps were


twenty-three years. It was chartered December 6, 1889, with twenty-three members. 33 It now has 106 members in good standing.


Chosen Friends Lodge No. 100, Inde- pendent Order Odd Fellows, was char- tered July 30. 1884. and was instituted August 18 by Past Grandmaster Fahr- man, of Winona. It began with six members3! and now has forty-seven. A Rebekah lodge, auxiliary to the Odd Fellows. also has an active organization.


Tracy Lodge No. 96, Ancient Order United Workmen, was organized June 10, 1887, with only ten members.35 It has increased until today it has the largest membership of any lodge in Tracy. About one hundred forty mem- bers belong to the local order. Its auxiliary. Tracy Lodge No. S, Degree of Honor, was organized January 10, 1893, with ten members. 36 Its membership is now 120.


Tracy Camp No. 1549, Modern Wood- men of America, came into existence August 18. 1891. with eleven members. 37 The lodge has had a prosperous exist- ence. It now has ninety-five beneficial and one social members.


A lodge of the Knights of Pythias, No. 85, was established September 9,


Mary A. Starr, Elizabeth Beach, Martha Deming, Urania Swartwood, Mary Bohannan, Lizzie Ilaywood, Minnie M. Bohannan, Addie M. Perry, Mary E. Rice, Emma Webster, Jennie Miller, Mary E. Wagner, Mary C. Mesler, Anna Manuel, Evelyn Matson, Myrtle Gibbs, Louise Gibbs, Cora Howard, Mildred Clark, Maria P. Bohannan, Della Downing, Kate Hughes, Albina Bates.


34The charter members of Chosen Friends Lodge and the offices they held were as follows: J. A. Stewart, noble grand; C. L. Bohannan, vice grand; R. E. Hughes, secretary; F. S. Woodruff, treasurer; I. N. Bentley, conductor; W. D. Jones, inside guardian.


35The ten charter members of the Tracy Lodge No. 96 were Martin Thurin, N. B. Jacobi, J. R. Segur, A. E. West, B. Hughes, I. E. Segur, J. M. Wardell, W. Riec, E. Woodruff and C. L. Kopp.


36Charter members of the Degree of Honor lodge were Mesdames Eunice Clark, Minnie F. Pattridge, Franeelia M. Huntington, Cora L. Thurin, Matilda Brauns, Lucinda Craig, Jennie Comrie, Cora A. Ilar- tigan, Angie L. Musser and Delia Nichols.


37Charter members of the Woodmen lodge were W. R. Edwards, H. A. Bates, Swan Anderson, J. E. Ilennessey, W. Il. Bohannan, Allen Bates, J. J. Hartigan and C. L. Bohannan.


173


IHISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.


1891, with twenty charter members. 38 It has had an active existence and now has a membership of sixty.


W. Michael Court No. 100, Catholic Order of Foresters, was established August 9, 1899, with a small member- ship.39 Meetings are seldom held now, although the charter is still retained.


A lodge of the Modern Brotherhood of America was organized December 21, 1899, and is still an active organization with thirty-five members. 10


A Royal Neighbors lodge was insti- tuted March 10, 1900. with a large membership. 11 It has since held regular meetings and now has a membership of forty-five.


Both the Current News Club and the Sorosis Club are affiliated with the State Federation. The former has a membership of twenty-five and the latter of twenty. The Sorosis Club was organized in 1892 and became a member of the federation in 1900.42 The Current News Club was organized in 1893 and federated in 1895.43


THE LIBRARY.


The Tracy public library was estab- lished in the winter of 1880-81 and among the first members were F. S. Brown, John Lind, H. W. Little, G. H.


38Charter members were John Renninger, C. M. Wileox, W. M. Fay, Neil Finch, D. HI. Evans, F. N. Stewart, F. S. Brown, N. B. Jacobi, F. Hunkins, Willard Riee, L. F. O'Brien, C. S. Shepard, J. E. Doyle, W. J. Walker, George Stahl, P. H. Welch, M. B. Stowell, J. A. Wiley, S. Kinmore and George Norris.


39The charter members of the Foresters lodge were John Wiesner, Henry Cain, J. C. Donovan, James G. Behan, J. M. MeCabe, Peter Frederick, Frank Ford, Richard M. Hogan, James Donovan, B. W. Odekirk, Walter Dalton and Herman Farrell.


40The charter members of the Modern Brotherhood lodge were Joseph R. MeElvain, Charlotte MeElvain, William A. Dieks, Jacob J. Tofting, Charles P. Ilewitt, Augusta A. Schumacher, Knute N. Nylin, Josephine Carter, William S. Carter, J. B. Bens, D. Alton Prouty, Dora Lehman, Nieholas A. Borger, John C. Bong, Henry Jones, John P. Larson, James L. Montgomery, Ida Lehman, Anna M. Hanson, William A. Carter, Peter A. Callahan, August S. Swenson, Swan Anderson, Nellie Nylin, Mary A. Jones, Floyd A. Schaffer, Nellie A. Hewitt, W. P. Newton, Nellie Narveson, Thomas Narveson, Elise Drury, Frank Cary, Elizabeth C. Allen, Della M. Ray and Albert T. Goslec.


41The charter members of the Royal Neighbors lodge


Jessup and others. It is now conducted in a room in the city hall and comprises 1192 volumes. The library is open to the public on Saturday of each week. A fee of twenty-five cents per quarter is charged patrons.


THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The first steps toward the establish- ment of fire protection in Tracy were taken in 1885. There being no water- works system at that time, the principal apparatus of the pioneer fire fighting company were a hook and ladder truck and accessories, which were purchased at a cost of $383. The hook and ladder company formed at that time was the nucleus of the present fire fighting or- ganizations of Tracy. The members of the pioneer company were Martin Thurin, P. J. Tevlin, J. J. Hennessy, H. M. Workman, Dell Haines and Pearl Rea. Later August Peterson and Frank Black- man became members.


After the big fire of November, 1891,and a waterworks system had been installed, a reorganization was brought about --- in the spring of 1892. Besides the mem- bers of the old company there were admitted at that time John Jones and A. H. Rowland.


The department is an efficient one


were Laura Berdan, Ellen Jensen, Hilda Johnson, William D. James, Emma H. Flatequal, Susie MI. James, Mary J. Kahl, H. A. Bates, W. G. Menke, D. A. Prouty, Ella M. Stiles, Nellie Thurston, Honora Donovan, Louise Hennessy, Maisie M. Whitmore, Anna C. Parks, Dencie A. Bates, Elizabeth Dalton, Christina Flink, Marion A. Prouty, H. M. Workman, Ollie Elliott, Mary Burns and Harry Stiles.


42The members of the Sorosis Club are Mesdames H. M. Algyer, C. E. Bartlett, F. S. Brown, Don Casse]- man, C. W. Walbran, Cora Craig, G. W. Donaldson, W. R. Edwards, B. L. English, G. A. Fitch, G. H. Goodwin, Cora Gould, Mildred Hunter, W. D. James, J. J. Laughlin, W. H. Valentine, D. T. McArthur, G. W. Norris, C. B. Pattridge, C. G. Porter, J. A. Riekert and T. H. Webb. The associate members are Mesdames Hoidale, Steel and Lien.


43The members of the Current News Club are Mesdames Libbie Babeoek, C. O. Brauns, D. H. Evans, J. Finnegan, J. E. Filkins, Neil Fineh, Louise Gibbs, C. Callaghan, E. Herzog, E. B. Korns, E. S. Miller, Julia MeDonnough, Harriet MeCallister, George Nehls, Lester Fiteh. L. K. Prouty, Nels Pehrson, J. R. Segur, Lee Swift, H. F. Seiter, George Traey, Ross Main and HIelena Thurin.


174


HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.


and thoroughly equipped. In its equip- ment are two hose carts, a hose reel, a hook and ladder truck, and nearly 3000 feet of hose. The department is maintained in the city hall. There are seventeen active members. The present chief is G. E. Schmidt.


The Tracy Firemans Relief Associa- tion has over $2000 in its treasury. H. M. Workman is president of the association, Jacob Rickert secretary, and A. H. Rowland treasurer.


THE BANKS.


Three banking houses are conducted at Tracy, the First National Bank, Citizens State Bank, and Traey State Bank. The first named is the successor of the old Commerce Bank; the two state banks are of more recent origin.


Tracy's first bank was a private in- stitution, the Bank of Tracy, founded by G. H. Jessup in the early eighties. Later W. O. Musser became a partner in the business. The bank was a popular institution, built up an enormous busi- ness, and had a long life. Late in 1904 Mr. Jessup died, the affairs of the bank were found to be in a bad way, and the institution was closed. Upon its ruins a new bank was started, founded for the most part by depositors of the defunet bank.


The second banking house of Tracy was the Commerce Bank, established as a private institution in the eighties by J. E. Evans and J. P. Davis. The Commerce Bank was succeeded on Aug- ust 1, 1891, by the First State Bank, it having been purchased by J. S. Tueker, D. T. McArthur, E. W. D. Holway and others. Upon the organization of the state bank Mr. Tucker became president and Mr. Holway vice president.


On February 21, 1895, the First State Bank was reorganized and became the


First National Bank. The organizers were Martin Thurin, John A. Hunter. John D. Owens, W. R. Edwards, Neil Finch, D. T. McArthur, Ben Bear, E. W. D. Holway. C. J. Weiser, Solomon Loeb and J. S. Tucker. The first officers were as follows: J. S. Tucker. president : E. W. D. Holway, vice pres- ident; D. T. McArthur, cashier; and L. J. Hunter, assistant cashier. Mr. McArthur became president in 1901 and was at the head of the bank until his death on August 26, 1911.


The First National Bank moved to its present commodious quarters at the corner of Main and Third Streets in April, 1898. From a small beginning the institution has worked its way to the front and is one of the prosperous finan- cial institutions of Lyon county. It has a capital stock of $50,000 and a surplus of $10,000. In 1911 the deposits averaged about $400,000 and the total resources were about a half million dollars. The present officers are C. J. Weiser, president; Ben Bear and E. "Herzog, vice presidents; H. M. Algyer, cashier; L. Houston, assistant cashier.


The Citizens State Bank began busi- ness September 21, 1904, with the fol- lowing first officers: J. M. Wardell, president; George E. Dutton, vice pres- ident; H. F. Seiter, cashier. The busi- ness is conducted in the building at the corner of Third and Morgan Streets formerly occupied by the Bank of Tracy. The bank has a capital stock of $25,000 and a surplus of $5000. From Septem- ber, 1907, to September, 1911, the deposits increased from $77,033.02 to $248,453.25.


The present officers of the Citizens State Bank are J. M. Wardell, president : George E. Dutton, vice president ; H. F. Seiter, second vice president; J. A. Rickert, cashier; L. F. Nelson, assistant


175


HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.


cashier. The directors are S. P. Hicks, Segur. The company was reorganized George E. Dutton, H. J. Pattridge, J. M. Wardell, D. H. Evans, Neil Finch, H. F. Seiter, A. M. Nash and W. H. Valentine.


The Tracy State Bank opened its doors January 2, 1905, with a capital stock of $20,000. It occupies a building put up for. the purpose in the fall of dent during the first year of its existence. The present officers and directors are as follows: J. R. Fitch, president; D. A. MeLarty, vice president; L. J. Fitch, cashier; A. Swoffer and C. S. Orwall.


and incorporated, with a capital stock of $50,000, under the present name on January 1, 1911. The stockholders are the same as of the original company and the officers are D. H. Evans, president; Il. F. Seiter, secretary and treasurer; Ole Ophiem, manager.


F. M. Slover, a practical tiler, and a


1904. D. A. MeLarty served as presi -. corps of surveyors are employed by the company. During the summer months between twenty-five and thirty men are employed and the plant is operated during the winter months with a reduced force. The capacity of the plant is from 2000 to 4000 tile per day, depend- MANUFACTORY. ent upon the size. It is one of the An institution that has aided materi- ally in the progress of Tracy is the Tracy Cement Tile Company, manufacturers of tile, building blocks and brick. It is the successor of the Tracy Cement Drain Tile, Brick and Block Company, which began business in 1905 and which was owned by H. F. Seiter, D. H. Evans, Ole Ophiem, J. R. Segur and F. G. largest cement manufacturing plants in the state and is equipped with modern machinery, being operated by elec- tricity. A large stone crusher is operated and there are two live-steam curing tunnels. Besides the manufacturing de- partment, another branch of the enter- prise is contracting tile laying, survey- ing, etc.


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CHAPTER XII.


MINNEOTA 1875-1912.


I N POINT of size Minneota is Lyon county's third town and it is also one of the older villages of the county. As a business point it also takes high rank. for it draws trade from an exceptionally fine farming country. Its trade territory is large, extending northward into Yellow Medicine county and westward into Lincoln county. It is a substantially built little city and presents an attractive appearance.


Minneota is in the northwestern part of the county, on the Chicago & North- western railroad. The platted village is on the southeast quarter of section 25. Eidsvold township. Its elevation above sea level is 1179 feet. The population when the 1910 census was taken was 819.


So early as 1871 settlers located in the northwest corner township in close proximity to the site of the present village. Others came the following year, and in 1872 a postoffice named Nordland was established for their benefit. It was located on section 26, just west of the site of the village, and H. D. Frink, a homesteader, was the postmaster. That office was the predecessor of the Minneota office and Mr. Frink remained in charge until it was moved to the present location in 1875. Mr. Frink


'The Marshall Prairie Schooner on January 29, 1874, referred to the place as follows: "Upper Yellow Medicine Crossing is a postoffice and store located on


also established a little store at his home in 1873 for the convenience of his neighbors, and about the same time Christian Lee started a blacksmith shop. which he conducted near the Frink store for two years. Mr. Frink operated his store only about one year. The site of these activities was sometimes referred to as Nordland, after the postoffice, but more frequently as Upper Yellow Medi- cine Crossing, from the fact that there the newly constructed railroad crossed the Yellow Medicine river.1 The im- portance of the little hamlet on section 26 was added to in 1874 when N. W. L. Jager opened a store there.


It seemed probable that Nordland would gradually develop into a little village, but this was not destined to occur at its original location. The store and blacksmith shop were on the lands of homesteaders and the railroad com- pany decided to locate a station on its own land. On September 22, 1875, a construction train, carrying material and a score or more workmen, was run out to the Yellow Medicine crossing and a sidetrack was laid on the southwest quarter of section 25, land which had been secured under the land grant. At the same time preparations were made for building a warehouse at that point


Yellow Medicine river at the crossing of the Winona & St. Peter railroad, fifteen miles northwest of Marshall."


178


HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.


This improvement warranted the be- lief that the railroad company would establish a station there and that in time a village would be founded. Before the season closed a few persons located at the new site, established business enterprises, and the new place succeeded to the name Nordland. Mr. Jager moved his store from section 26 and was the first inhabitant. He had only a small stock of goods and housed them in a little shanty he erected close to the river. The warehouse was erected and early in November Ole H. Dahl located there as manager. At the same time that gentleman opened a little store. carrying hardware and drugs.2 The third business man also came in Novem- ber, 1875, only a few days after Messrs. Jager and Dahl. He was Thomas D. Seals, who moved a store from Marsh- field, in Lincoln county,3 and opened the second general store. Mr. Seals has ever since been engaged in business in . the village.




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