An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota, Part 18

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Worthington, Minn. : Northern History
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 18

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At the primary election of Sept. 18. 1906. there were many contests for the republican nominations. The result was as follows :

Congressman - Gilbert Guttersen. 1.034: Jas. T. MeCleary. 858.

Senator-Daniel Shell, 711; S. B. Bedford. 1.201.

Representative-S. O. Morse, 1,418. Auditor-E. C. Pannell, 1,681.

Treasurer-E. K. Smith. 1,668.

Sheriff - Newton Fauskee, 1.321 : Western MI. Cline. 414; J. M. Scriven, 156.

County Attorney-E. J. Jones. 780 : C. M. Crandall, 751; S. S. Smith, 362. Probate Judge-C. M. Cory, 1,643.

150

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

Clerk of Court-F. L. Ilumiston, 1,206; E. F. Clower, 63.1.

School Superintendent-L. W. Ab- bott, 1,413; Maud Graves, 917.

Coroner-A. B. Williams, 1,543.

Commissioner Second District-W. F. Moss, 141; Fred Il. Tiemens, 124; James Montgomery, S1; H. J. Westrip, 10.

There were no contests for the demo- cratie nominations and only two candi- dates on the county ticket. The demno- cratic vote : Congressman, W. S. Ham- mond, 59;17 senator, John F. Flynn, 58; register of deeds, J. H. Rew, 58; com- missioner fourth district, O. D. Bryan, 10.

At the general election of 1906 2,133 votes were cast. For the second time in history Nobles county returned a ma- jority for a democratie nominee for gov- ernor, and for the first time gave a ma- jority for a democrat for congress. The republican county ticket was endorsed. One democrat, for commissioner, who was without opposition, was elected. The vote :

Governor-A. L. Cole (rep), 769; John A. Johnson (dem), 1,255.

Congressman - Jas. T. MeCleary (rep). 911; W. S. Hammond (dem), 1.123; Tucker (pro), 67.

Senator-S. B. Bedford (rep), 1,100; John F. Flynn (dem), 1,033.

Representative-S. O. Morse (rep), 1,542.

Auditor-E. C. Pannell (rep), 1,517. Treasurer-E. K. Smith (rep). 1,692.

1"The smallness of the democratie primary vote is easily accounted for. There being no contests in their own party, the democrats assisted the republicans in the selection of nominees, and under the primary law they are legally entitled to do so. For instance: The law provides that a primary voter shall vote the tleket of that party, the majority

Sheriff-Newton Fauskee (rep), 1,833. County Attorney-E. J. Jones (rep), 1,:31.

Surveyor-M. S. Smith, 16.

Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 1,2-18.

Clerk of Court-F. L. Ifumiston (rep), 1,122.

Superintendent of Schools-L. W. Ab- butt (rep), 1,612.

Coroner-A. B. Williams (rep), 1,625.

Commissioner Second District-W. F. Moss (rep), 352.

Commissioner Fourth District-O. D. Bryan (dem), 287.

The republican primary election of September 15, 1908, resulted as fol- lows:

Congressman, Paul A. Ewert, 348; Gilbert Gnttersen, 174; James T. Mc- Cleary, 419; representative, S. O. Morse, 524; llerman Nelson, :31; auditor, E. ('. Pannell, 1,122; treasurer, E. K. Smith, 1,115; sheriff, Newton Fauskee, 1,138; register of deeds, Harry Tripp, 1,125; judge of probate, C. M. Cory, 1,090; county attorney, C. M. Crandall, 598: E. J. Jones, 762; coroner, A. B. Williams, 999; school superintendent, 1. W. Abbott, 1,093; commissioner, first district, T. B. Magnire, 110; J. L. Mc- ('onkey, 142; fifth district, Gust Swan- berg, 269.

The democratie primary election re- sulted as follows: Congressman, W. S. Hammond, 55; commissioner third district, J. G. Murphy, 14.

The prohibition primary election re- sulted as follows: Representative, II. L. Blake, S.

of whose nominees he supported at the pre- coding general election. A democrat might have voted for every nominee of his party in the general election of 1904 (also voting for the republicans who had no opposition) and yrt vote the republican ballot at the primary (Jection of 1906.

151

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

And now the political history of No- bles county is brought to a elose. It covers a period from the time in 1870, when the first county official took the oath of office-when there were 32 men in the county who availed themselves of the privilege of voting-up to and including the last general election before the date of publication of this volume, during which time the total vote reached over 3,000. A brief summary of the conditions during this time may not be out of place.

The county has always been normally republiean. During the first year of its political history there was only one voter who registered against that party. There has been an increase in the demo- cratie vote since. But, although the party of Jefferson polled over 1,200 votes at one presidential election, it has never carried the county for the na- tional ticket. For many years the coun- ty was overwhelmingly republican, and it was not until the eighties that the democratic party maintained an organi- zation. But during this time there was a strong independent movement, kept alive by one faction of the republican party and the democrats, which opposed the republican organization and on sev- eral occasions gained control of the county offices.

With the settlement of the west end tence.

of the county eame a ehange. The democrats increased in numbers, and during the eighties the democratic party took its place as a factor in county polt- ties, which it has ever since retained. During the free silver days of the nine- ties the peoples party came into existence and for several years was a power in politics. When its power began to wane fusion was accomplished with the demo- crats, and for several years more, there was strong opposition to the dominant party.

Since 1884 there has been quite a prohibition following. For many years a county organization was maintained, and county tickets were regularly placed in nomination. The socialists have nev- er had much of a following here, and no organization has ever been effected.

While the county is strongly republi- can the voters are independent and not party bound, as the vote for governor and congressman at the 1906 election shows, and as is made evident by the fact that in many instances the opposi- tion candidates have been elected.

Nobles county has been fortunate in its selection of county officers. During its political history of nearly 40 years there has not been a defaulting county officer. Nor has there been a removal because of criminal action or incompe-

ISAXY.

WORTHINGION As Seen From the Court House Tower.

CHAPTER XII.

WORTHINGTON-1871-1872.

Worthington, the capital of Nobles county, is the oldest and largest town in the county. It is located on the east shore of lake Okabena, and its eleva- tion above sea level is 1,593 feet.1 It is in the eastern part of the county, the business center of the town being 16 miles from the county's northern boun- dary, eight miles from the southern, sev- en and one-quarter from the eastern and twenty-two and three-quarters from the western. Otherwise described, it is 178 miles southwest of St. Paul, the state capital, and is located on three lines of railroad-the Chicago, St. Paul, Min- neapolis & Omaha, the Worthington & Sioux Falls, and the Chicago, Rock Is- land & Pacific.

The population, according to the last census,-that of 1905-was 2,276. There has been an increase siuce that date, and there are now about 2,500 people resid- ing in the village. It is one of the most progressive and prosperous towns in southwestern Minnesota. All lines of business that are to be found in the prai- rie communities of the Mississippi valley are represented. It is noted for its schools, churches and social organiza- tions, and in this respect it is the peer of any town of its size in the state. It

1This is the elevation as given by the C. St. P. M. & O. Ry. The elevation as given by the B. C. R. & N. engineers is 1,585 feet.

is the kind of town in which one pre- fers to live.

The location of Worthington, consid- ered in its natural state, is one of un- usual beauty, and with the embellish- ments that have been added by the hands of its residents, it stands at the present time as one of the prettiest lit- tle cities of a state distinguished for its pretty towns. Especially is one charmed with its loveliness in the sum- mer season. Then the broad avenues and parks are clothed in emerald fol- iage. Trees are everywhere. Due to the foresight of the town's founders, the spot which was once barren prairie is now a bower of beauty. Picturesque lake Okabena, upon the shores of which the city is builded, is another beauty spot that adds charm to the location.

One can hardly realize that less than lialf a century ago this spot was an uncharted wilderness ; yet such is the case. Time was when the dusky red men pitched his tepee where now our churches are located; vast herds of bison moved about lake Okabena and made their wallows where now our courts are held; timid deer browsed where now the student studies his nat- ural history; elk in countless numbers

At the point of crossing of the two roads it is 1,573 feet.

153

154

IHISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

roamed the adjacent prairie and saw their antlers reflected in the clear wa- ters of Okabena as they bent down to drink.

The first white men to set foot on the site of the town, so far as shown by any records I am able to find, was the party of explorers under Joseph Ni- cholas Nicollet, mention of whose ex- płorations has been made in a previous chapter. On the map which he issued in 18.12 "Okebene" lake is accurately lo- cated, showing that in the late thirties or very early forties the site of the town had been visited by white men. Between that time and the date of the permanent settlement of the country the site was visited infrequently by explor- erers, military parties, scouts, and trap- pers. The latter were the more frequent visitors. During the late fifties and early sixties the country a short distance to the east and south was settled, to a very limited extent, by trappers. The abundance of game which overran the region drew hunters and trappers regu- larly to its lakes. The Okabenas were on the itinerary of these nomadic fron- tiersmen, and the site of Worthington was visited occasionally by these men long before there was any thought of a town there. Their permanent abiding places were further to the cast in Min- nesota or in the settled portion of north- ern fowa, about Spirit Lake, and until the late sixties none claimed even a temporary home within the limits of what is now Worthington.

it was in the month of September, 1868, that the first building was erected on land which is now within the cor- porate limits of the town. On the 24th of that month, there came to the Oka-

bena Lake country, from Blue Earth, three trappers-W. A. Dillman? Frank fortner and John Wilson. They erect- ed a combination sod and log shanty on the east shore of East Okabena lake. Fortner remained only two days, Wil- son a month, but Mr. Dillman occupied the shanty and engaged in trapping un- til Christmas, and became Worthington's first citizen.3

Although over 100 people became set- tlers of Nobles county during the years 186: to 1870, inclusive, on the site of the future village of Worthington not one established his permanent home. During the winter of 18:0-1871 G. J. Hoffman engaged in trapping on lake Okabena and succeeded in taking $600 worth of furs. He spent the winter in a dug-out on the south shore of the lake, a few paces to the west of what is known as the "swimming hole." In the spring of 1871 he walked to Osage, Iowa, and back again, carrying on his return trip a bundle of willow cuttings- the start of the now famous indlow grove. That summer Mr. Hoffman went to St. James, bought a small house there, and hauled it down to the future eity of Worthington on wagons. That house constitutes a part of what has been the Ludlow home up to the present year. It was the first building of wood within the corporate limits of the town. Mr. Iloffman's family, consisting of a wife and two children, eame to the new home as soon as the building was ready for ocenpaney, and was Worthington's first family.

Although both the Dillman shanty and Mr. Hoffman's house were within whal is now the corporate limits of Worthington, they were located outside

"A more detailed account of this event is to be found In chapter 2.

"Still a resident of Worthington.

155

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

the present platted portion of the town, and the construction of those buildings had nothing to do with the founding of the village.

Worthington came into existence as the result of the building of the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad.ª The perman- ent survey was made early in 1811. Immediately thereafter graders and bridge builders were put to work, and before the winter set in the grading was completed to LeMars, Iowa, and the track was laid as far as. the present town of Worthington. During the time grad- ing was in progress one of the camps was located at the point where the vil- lage afterwards made its appearance. The contractors erected a shanty just across the track from the present loca- tion of the freight depot, which was used as a boarding house for the grad- ers. Immediately after the grading was completed the shanty was torn down. It was early the intention of the rail- road company to locate a station and build a town on land at or near the point where the road passed Okabena lake. The site first selected was on the south side of the lake, where Mr. G. J. Hoffman had taken his claim. Thal gentleman refused to sell his property to the railroad company for what the company considered a reasonable figure. and that site was abandoned.5

The railroad company, of which E. F. Drake was president and guiding spirit,

4Now the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha.

6Worthington Advance, Nov. 29, 1883.

"The railroad company was the owner of the greater part of the original platted town- site (on section 23), which it had acquired through the land grant. A small three cor- hered piece of the original plat (on the south- west quarter of section 24) was the property of Mr. Drake, personally, he having come into possession of it by purchase. The quar- ter had been filed on by Geo. E. Stewart on Dec. 16, 1871, and that gentleman had secured

then selected the site at the east end of the lake and made the survey. Although the original townsite was surveyed in the summer of 1871, the plat was not put on record until the following year. The original plat extended from Eighth street to Fourteenth street, and from the railroad track (along which ran First avenue) to Eighth avenue. Blocks two to 25, inclusive, were surveyed by Alex L. Beach, and blocks 26 to 45, inclu- sive, by T. P. Gere. The Gere certificate of survey was dated May 22, 1812. The dedication was in the following words:

The Sioux City and Saint Paul Rail Road company by Elias F. Drake, its president, and the said kelias F. Drake, on behalf of him- selfs, proprietors. hereby acknowledge that so much of the plat of the town or village of Worthington, as is shown hereon has been made by said proprietors and is acknowledged and filed in accordance with the requirements of "an act providing for the record of town plats" now in force. The streets and alleys indicated on said plat are dedicated to the use of the public for streets and alleys only and in case of the vacation of any such streets or alleys by any competent authority, the reversion and title in fee of such vacated streets or alleys is hereby expressly reserved and declared to be in said proprietors, and the fee of any part of any street or alley is declared not to be included in or as part of any lot herein.

ELIAS F. DRAKE, Prest. ELIAS F. DRAKE.

The acknowledgement was made June 24, 1812, before G. A. Hamilton, a no- tary public of Ramsey county. The in- strument was filed in the office of the register of deeds of Nobles county June 21, 1872, by Selim Fox, register, per John HI. Cunningham, deputy.7

the patent from the government on May 20. 1874. The property was deeded to Mr. Drake the same day the filing was made.

Clary's addition, which, however, was not platted until later, comprises parts of the

northwest quarter of section 24. The east

half of that quarter was filed on June 1. 1872, by Elias D. South. The west half was filed on May 27, 1872. hy Veeder J. South.

"Additions to this original townsite have been platted as follows:

Park- Surveyed by O. D. Brown June 12. $1876; dedicated by the S. C. & St. P. R. R. Co., by E. F. Drake, president, and G. A.

150

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

Before the lots were placed on the market, before a building was erected on the townsite, an event occurred which vitally affected the history of the town- to-be. This was the formation of the National colony and the assumption by it of the control of affairs in Nobles county. It is not necessary here to re- peat the story of that organization, which has been told in a preceding chap-

Hamilton, assistant secretary, Sept. 29, 1876; filed Oct. 4. 1876.

Second-Surveyed by John O. Brunius; dedi- cated by the S. C. & St. P. R. R. Co., by E. F. Drake, president, and G. A. Hamilton, secretary, Nov. 1, 1879; filed July 8, ISSO.

Anderson's-Surveyed by T. Linus Blank Oct., 1882; dedicated by Ilenry ll. Anderson Vol. 25, 1882; filed Det. 26, 1882.

Clary's-Surveyed by F. L. Diserens October, INS2; dedicated by Timothy F. Clary and Eliza F. Clary Dec. 2, 1882; filed Dec. 12, 1882.

Subdivision of Blocks 20, 21 and 22 -Sur- veyed by Orrin Nason; dedicated by the S. C. & St. P. R. R. Co., by Elias F. Drake, presi- dent, and G. A. Hamilton, secretary, Aug. 24, 1883; filed Sept. 7, 1SS3.

Drake's Surveyed by Win. 1. Peterson; dedicated by Elias F. Drake Feb. 11, 1881; fled Feb. 20, 1884.

Anderson's Subdivision of Blocks 1 and of Clary's addition Surveyed by L. L. Palmer; dedicated by Daniel Shell, Henry H. Ander- son and Otis Bigelow April 23, 1884; filed April 23, 1884.

Smith & Shell's Surveyed by I. L. Palmer; dedicated by C. I. Smith and Daniel Shell June 1, 1887; filed June 1, 1887; corrected plat filed June 29, 1895.

Moulton's Resurvey nnd Subdivision of Clary's Addition- Surveyed by Myron Shop- ard July, ISS7; dedicated by Minnesota loan & Investment co., by Gro. D. Dayton, presi- dent, and Geo. O. Moore, secretary, Aug. 24, 187; filed Aug. 25, 1887.

Lots A, B, D and E of Block 8-Surveyed by W. D. Smith; dedicated by Minnesota Loan & Investment Co. (by Geo. D. Dayton, president, and Gro. O. Moore, secretary), R. 1. Baker, L. Singer, W. S. Lewis and J. Il. Johnson Dec. 19, 1887; filed May 9, 1888.

Mclean's Subdivision of Block 19 and Part of 50, Second Addition- Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by W'm. MeLean March 16, 1892; filed March 18, 1892.

Okabena- Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedi- cated by Benjamin F. Johnson, C. 11. Alford, Adelia A. Prince, Alex Sterling, Gilbert An- derson and Win. Mclean Aug. 30, 1892; filed Oct. 7, 1892.

East-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by H. T. Drake, A. M. Drako and W. H. Lightner, executors of the will of E. F. Drake, deceased, Oct. 16, 1891; illed Oct. 22, 1894.

Nobles Street Crossing and Subdivision of Block 3 of East Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated hy H. T. Drake, A. M. Drake and Wm. H. Lightner, exceutors of will of ES. F. Drake, deceased, Sept. 17, 1895; filed Sept. 28, 1895.

Southwest quarter of section 24, Worthing- ton township, embracing all lands in that quarter not already platted, including several additions and plats. Amended plat filed Sept. 28. 1895.

Smith & Shell's Division of Block A, of

ter. With the purchase and subsequent manipulation of the railroad lands by the company, arose the necessity for a town in the new country to be used as its headquarters-a town builded in ac- cordance with the temperance beliefs of its founders, who had extensively adver- tised that the community to which they were to bring emigrants should be moral and temperate. Prof. R. F. Humiston

Meander Lot 1, in Section 25, Worthington Township Surveyed by M. S. Smith May 13. 1×94; dedicated by C. 11. Smith and Daniel Shell July 6, 1895; filed Nov. 13. 1895.

Hansberger's Subdivision of Block 39-Sur- voyed by M. S. Smith March, 1896, by order of county auditor for W. I. & F. L. Humis- ion, Jas. S. Ramage, Susan Ditty, U. F. Ilansberger and Minnesota Loan & Investment Co .; liled Aug. 5, 1897.

Shell's Subdivision of

the Southeast 48 feet of Hotel Lot, Block 1-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by Daniel Shell Dec. 30, 1899; filed Dec. 30, 1599.

Kraft's Subdivision of Block 11, Clary's Ad- dition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith Feb. 13, 1900; dedicated by Geo. Miller, Samuel N. Rose and John G. Kraft May 18, 1900; filed June 5, 1900.

Barnes' Subdivision of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Block 50, Second Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith April 21, 1900; dedicated by Nathan Barnes, Carl A. Anderson and W'm. Mclean June 27, 1900; filed July 2G, 1900.

Shell's Rearrangement of Lot 26, Block 1, of Anderson's Subdivision of Block 1, of Clary's Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith July 20 and 21, 1900; dedicated by Danicl Shell July 23, 1900; filed Aug. 16, 1900.

Paulson's-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedica- ted by Anna B. Paulson, S. A. P'aulson, Mary Wass and J. E. Darling April 27, 1901; filed April 30, 1901.

Clifton-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by Minnesota Loan & Investment Co., by Geo. D. Dayton, president, June 27, 1901; filed July 17, 1901.

Scott's Subdivision of East Half of Block 3, Clary's Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by Minnesota Loan & Investment Co., by Geo. D. Dayton, president, Aug. 9, 1901; filed Sept. 9, 1901.

Clement's Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedi- cated by Walter L. Clement, Sept. 30, 1901; filed Oct. 14, 1901.

Ramage's Subdivision of Lots and Alleys in Blocks 3 and 7-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by Jas. S. Ramage Dec. G, 1901; filed Dec. 26, 1901.

Clement's Subdivision of Block 55. of the Second Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by Walter L. Clement Sept. 30, 1001; illed April 16, 1902.

Block 1. North Worthington-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated hy L. M. Bitss May 31, 1902; filed June 4, 1902.

Albinson & Boberg's Subdivision of Lots in Block 52, Second Addition- Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by John A. Albinson and John A. Hoberg June 4, 1902; illed June 11, 1902.

McLean's Subdivision of Block 47 Second Addition-Surveyed by M. S. Smith; dedicated by Win. Mclean Juno 2, 1902; filed July 12, 1902.

MUNNTT HANK

WORTHINGTON STREET SCENE, 1880

Corner of Main Street and Third Avenue. The Building in the Center is One of the First Erected in the City. To the Right is Seen the Old Congregational Church, the Town's First Church Edilice.

1. 1, 2

NAMING OF WORTHINGTON

Facsimile Letter, Written in 1888, From Professor R. F. Humiston to Elias F. Drake. in Which is lokl the Story of The Naming of Worthington.

's . . .

157

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

and Dr. A. P. Miller, who were the leading spirits of the colony company, at once assumed the duties of founding the town, and late in the summer of 1811 they paid a visit to the site. The land upon which the town was built a few months later did not then have a sign of habitation on it, nor had it yet been definitely named.

The party consisted of Professor Humiston. Dr. Miller, Mrs. Miller and Captain Aiken Miner, who made the trip by team from Jackson. They came to view the lake and the site of their future labors. As they stood on the shore of the lake they viewed the coun- try as it had been since time begun; the hand of man had not changed the work of nature.º The two promoters made the trip around the west lake on foot on an exploring expedition. At the inlet at the west end of the lake they con- structed a raft and floated across the stream. It was nearly nightfall when

""In the early autumn of 1871, in company with Professor Humiston and my husband. I stood on the shore of lake Okabena, looking westward at the unaccustomed spectacle of the sunset on the prairie and its glorified re- flection in the water below. There was not a house then where Worthington now stands. and the professor. with his accustomed gal- lantry. jocosely invited me to haptise the new townsite with the crystal water sparkling at my foet. But with what I now see to have been an excess of modestv. I declined." Extract from letter written by Mary Dor- man Miller, dated New York. Doc. 11. 1888.

"Although I have a mass of data concern- ing the naming of Worthington, including letters written by everyone connected with the naming, I have been unable to learn the exact date the name was conferred. Prof. Humiston, Mrs. Miller and Mr. E. F. Drake have written detailed accounts of the event, hut not one has mentioned the time the christening was made.

"Correspondence in 1888 between Prof. R. F. TIumiston, E. F. Drake, Mrs. Marv Dorman Miller and A. P. Miller of the Advance, has brought forth many incidents connected with the naming of the town. A St. Paul paper made the statement that the Minnesota town was named in honor of the Worthington family. of Toledo, Ohio. To this the Worthington Ad- vance took exception, declaring that it was in honor of that branch of the family residing at Chillicothe, Ohio. Mr. Drako defended the statement of the St. Paul paper and orron- eously declared that the name was given in

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An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota, Part 18

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Worthington, Minn. : Northern History Number of Pages: 738

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Worthington, Minn. : Northern History
Number of Pages: 738