USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 4
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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
41
NAME
Age
Occupation
Birthplace
*John Oleson
34
Farmer
Norway
Barbara Oleson
37
Maria Oleson.
11
George Oleson
8
Betsey Oleson
6
*Uriah Kushman.
28
Betsey Kushman.
27
Hownis Kushman William Kushman
5
Ann Kushman
*John Bell ...
29
Trapper
New York
*Thomas Marks
36 Trapper
Pennsylvania
Henry Jordan .
39
Trapper
*George Wilkin
24 Indian Trader Wisconsin
*George Bumgardner
34
Farmer
Bavaria
Ann Bumgardner .
36
Henrietta Bumgardner.
11
Willmetto Bumgardner .. Maria Bumgardner
7
*William Hertwinkle.
40
Farmer
Julia Hertwinkle
40
Thomas Hertwinkle
18
Marie Hertwinkle
16
William Hertwinkle
14
*John Hertwinkle
27
Farmer
Monnie Hertwinkle
1
Wisconsin
Thomas Hertwinkle
25
Farm Laborer Bavaria
*George Evert ..
38
Trader
Maine
Henry Hanson
42
Trader
Tennessee
* William Eavens .. Maria Eavens
50
Norway
Thomas Eavens
26
*George McFarlane
32
Ireland
1 Henry McFarlane.
30
*Heads of families.
children. Fiendish atrocity, blood curd- ling cruelty and red handed murder ran riot. At New Uh was enacted one of the most atrocious massacres recorded in the annals of Indian warfare. At lake Shetek, in Murray county, and other places in southwestern Minnesota the murder crazed redskins fell upon the settlers and enacted lesser tragedies- lesser only because the victims were not so numerous. Those farmers. trappers and traders who had builded themselves homes in Nobles county had taken their departure, and so escaped the fate that befell so many in southwestern Minne- sota. Whether they had departed of their own volition or taken alarm and retreated when the Indians went on the
warpath is not certain. It is certain that they were not in the country dur- ing the war, and nearly every trace of their occupancy disappeared.
The growth of Minnesota received a set back from which it took many years to fully recover. After the inauguration of this fiendish warfare the western fron- tier line receded eastward, and the great- er portion of southwestern Minnesota was again left in the midst of the hostile Indian country, and for many months no white man frod its soil. After the settlements in the eastern part of the state had partially recovered from the first rude shock of the Indian outbreak, which fell like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, steps were at once taken to
Joanner Hertwinkle
20
49
6
Wisconsin
42
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
defend the exposed settlements, to con- quer the redskins and drive them back. The civil war was in progress, and the majority of the able bodied settlers were m the south fighting for the union. It therefore required some time to mister troops and place them in advantageous positions to cope with the wily red foe. In the meantime the Indians carried on their brutal warfare. murdering men. women and children, and burning as they went. After considerable delay the Indians were driven back, soldiers were placed all through this western country. and the prairies were constantly patroll- ed by companies which were detailed for this service.
The expeditions against the hostile Sioux resulted in Nobles county being frequently visited by military parties. On one occasion a force under General Thomas pursued a band of the hostiles In the shores of Okabena lake and be- vond. For convenience in operating against the savages military roads wore constructed in different parts of the country. One of the main thoroughfares was through Nobles county, extending from Jackson to the present site of Lu- vorne and on to Yankton. Another one, coming from Blue Earth City, united with this on section 21. Graham Lakes township. The road from Jackson cross- ed Hersey township, traversing it in a northwesterly direction. It crossed Jack «rock and entered Graham Lakes town- ship in section 31, continued in a north- westerly direction to its junction with the other trail on section 22. and then hore to the southwest. It passed through the northern part of Elk and Simmil Lake townships and entered Larkin a short distance southeast of the present village of Wilmont. Larkin township was traversed, the road leaving it at
section 18. Lismore township was en- tored at section 13; thence the road con- tinued its way through sections 11 and 15 and on to the west. The road was a good one, and in after years was used as the mail route from Blue Earth City and Jackson to Luverne, Sioux Falls and Yankton. To this day evidence of the old road can be seen in places.
The savages were soon subdued after troops were placed in the field, but for a number of years the settlers on the extreme frontier lived in a state of con- stant fear and anxiety. not knowing at what time the scenes of 1862 might be repeated. Soldiers were kept on the frontier for some time. and some of them were among the first settlers to take up their homes in the new country when peace was assured, not a few so- keting their claims while here in the service. When peace was established on the border, settlement again began-de- stined this time to be permanent-and the frontier line moved westward very rapidly.
During the first half of the sixties the settlement did not extend so far west as Nobles county, if we expect a few trap- pers who regularly plied their trade here. A few of these built shanties, which they occupied during the trapping sea- son. They would then depart to their homes farther cast or south and dispose of their catch. Sometimes they would return to the trapping grounds of No- bles county the next season : sometimes they would not. In no sense of the word could they be called permanent set- tlers. They neither laid claim to land (except under the unwritten law govern- ing trapping rights) nor intended to make their homes here. On the other hand, while those first settlers who came in the early summer of 1864 also en-
43
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
gaged principally in trapping for a liv- lihood, they were permanent settlers, and the settlement of the county may pro- perly be said to date from that time. They came to build permanent homes for themselves and engage in agricultural pursuits so soon as conditions would per- mit, and they all took land claims. Their trapping was done because of necessity. not because they were trappers.
When the settlers of 1862 appeared they came as pioneers to a new country. Practically all trace of the former oven- pation had disappeared. and the only evi- dence found were a few trappers' shacks and dugouts. These carly settlers know nothing, or very little, of the people who had preceded them, so completely had the efforts at civilization been obliterated, and few people today know that there were settlers prior to 1861.
For evidence of occupation of Nobles county prior to the arrival of the settlers of 1864 I am under obligations to Judge B. W. Woolstencroft, now of Slayton, who became a resident of the county July 4, 1867. In his occupations of hunter, trapper and surveyor he visited nearly all parts of the county in the early days, and knows whereof he speaks. The evidence of this letter and other sources of information lead to the be- lief that evidence of former occupation had almost completely disappeared. Judge Woolstencroft writes:
Slayton, Minn .. June 24, 1907. Mr. A. P. Rose.
Worthington, Minn.
Dear Sir :-- So far as 1 know, and am of the opinion that no one knows better, there was no settlement in Noble- county prior to 1867 no village laid out or platted. member seeing an old map, upon which
'"Early settlers also report the finding of evidence of a trappers camp in Elk township. on Elk creek, which had probably been in existence from an early dato.
1Much confusion has resulted because of the peculiar naming of this road. which Was
Gretchtown was marked as being located near the south end of West Graham lake, but there was no evidence of a plat or set- tlement when I came to the county.
There was a trapper's shanty on section 22, on the southwest bank of West Graham, and one on what has been called "the Island." These were made by digging two or three feet in the ground, the walls built up of log- and covered with brush. hay and earth. There was also a trapper's shanty on the rast bank of Ocheyedan lake and one on Indian lake. but I do not know the exact location of the latter. These were all the evidences of settlement prior to 1867.
Yours truly. B. W. WOOLSTENCROFT.1
When the civil war closed, railroads- those great civilizers-began reaching out and interlocking through the Northwest. For Minnesota this was the starting point of such an era of rapid growth and development as was the marvel of . the times. The iron horse had reached the castern part of southwestern Minne- sofa late in the sixties, and early in the next decade railroads were built through and beyond these counties. It was in 1811 that the first railroad was built into Nobles county, although the road was projected and the preliminary sur- vey made as early as 1866. This was done by the Minnesota Valley Railroad company, which later became the St. Paul & Sioux City and the Sioux City & St. Paul.17 The line of the proposed road entered Nobles county in section 12. Graham Lakes township, and passed in a southwesterly direction between the two Graham lakes, It left the township at section 31, passed through the northwest corner of Hersey and into Worthington township. continuing its general south- western direction, going along the north and west side of West Okabrna lake.
the southern end was officially known as the Sioux City & St. Paul, They were to all in- tents one road, owned by the same people and managed by the sante officers.
built from St. Paul to LeMars, The northern portion was the St. Paul & Sioux City, while
.1-4
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
The route thus surveyed was much lon- ger than the one finally decided on. Mf- ter the land grant had been secured-al- ternate sections in a strip of country on each side of the survey-the route was changed to the shorter one, over which the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha is now operated.
A country through which railroad sur- veys are being made is not destined to remain long without settlers, and the voar 1866 marks the close of an era. At that time there was not a settler in the county, Nobles had not yet been divided into townships and smaller di- visions, it was an untamed country.
CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLEMENT - 1867-1871.
Facts supplying the context of the preceding chapter lead to the conclusion that the settlement of southwestern Min- nesota, and particularly Nobles county, was exceedingly slow. Obstacles to its development were encountered that tried men's souls. Few communities in these United States have been called upon to pass through struggles such as were en- countered by the early settlements (or settlers, rather) of southwestern Minne- sota. The hardy pioneers would push . their way to the frontier and establish themselves nicely when the war whoop
The beautiful Graham lakes country was the first portion of the county to receive settlers. They were attracted by the natural beauty of the place, as well as the fact that there were about sey- enty-five acres of timber on the lakes- an important item to the first settlers. On the 19th day of June, 1866, Stephen would resound over the prairies. Then . and Joseph Muck (brothers) came from the country would have to be abandoned. and the savages would remain in control until the oncoming tide of immigrants would again force its way westward.
After this civil war was brought to a close immigration to the western states was large, and it was during this period that permanent settlement was made in Nobles county. It was in the month of June, 1867, that Nobles county received its first settler. There is always sono- thing connected with the settlement of a country that interests. Often there is a tendency on the part of the chronicler to paint, polish and varnish the stories of early days. Sometimes those who were the principal actors in the drama enacted are unable to recognize them-
*For sketch of the life of Stephen Muck see
selves or their part in the play. It is my intention to steer clear of this error and avoid fiction in dealing with the early day events, and to rely solely upon the facts to make the narrative interest- ing.
Jackson and decided to make their homes in the beautiful Jake country. Joseph Muck had resided at Jackson for many years, having been there at the time of the Spirit Lake massacre in 185: Stephen Muck1 was a recent ar- rival. The former had visited the Gra- ham lakes country previously and know of its advantages. Arriving there. the brothers appropriated the old trapper's shanty on section 22. mention of which has been made before.
The land had not yet been surveyed. but these pioneers of pioneers were not to be deterred from becoming land own- ers because of that fact. Each laid claim lo a homestead by "squatter's rights." Joseph Muck staked his claim on the biographical section.
45
-16
HISTORY OF SOBLES COUNTY.
when survived, proved to be the south- fast quarter of section 21. Graham Lakes town-lip. His brother laid claim to land on the east bank of the lake, which proved to be the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter and lots one and two, of section 23. consisting of 133 aeres. The brothers at once plowed a few acres of land. which they planted to corn." Then they returned to Jackson to attend to their harvest there. In the Tall they returned to their claims. Jos- "ph Muck was accompanied by his fam. ily, and Stephen Muck by his live child- ren - Agnes. Elizabeth. James, Emma and Charles."
Before the Muck families come that fall. however, a few other settlers had emme for the purpose of acquiring homes in the new country. While the Mucks Were at work on their claims in June. John Barnett and Martin Rice, formerly uf Fillmore county. Minn .. arrived on the seen. Finding the land unsurveyed, they were unwilling to locate lest they should happen to get on odd numbered sections, which under the land grant had become the property of the railroad com- pany. They started ont with the Meks on their return trip to Jackson during the first days of July.
At the outlet of Heron lake this party was met by Benjamin W. Woolstencroft.' formerly of Clayton county, lowa, and his brother-in-law. Charles 11. Drury. formerly of Fillmore county, Minn .. who were also on their way west looking
south bank of West Graham lake, which. For home in the non-ettled sections. These two informed Messes. Barnett and I've that congress had made provisions for the protection of "squatters" who might locate on railroad land. They were convinced, and all four set out for Graham Jakes, while the Mucks con- tinued their journey to Jackson. The party of four arrived on July J. and all immediately staked claims.
Mr. Woolstencroft located on the northeast bank of the west lake, which was afterwards found to be the south- cast quarter of section 15. Mr. Drury tork land on the cast bank of the past lake, which was the southeast quarter of section 23. Later in the year he brought in his family. Mr. Rice took the cast half of the northeast quarter of section 15. and Mr. Barnett the northeast quar- ter of section 9. Each of these four (Terted log cabins5 put up a small amount of hay and did some little break- ing. Although Messrs. Rice and Bar- nett had made improvements on their claims, they deserted them after a short timer and did not return to the county. B. F. Tanner arrived in the settle- ment in July with his family and se- Jected the island in East Gr lam lake a. his claim, bot made no improvements thercon. A few more homeseckers ar- rived in the fall, and the little settle- ment began to take on the airs of civili- zation. O. B. Lacy came and took up land in section 23, but did not make improvements. E. J. Clark arrived Nov. 20. and I. M. Tanner the same month.
A question has been raised as to who was the first man fa put plow in Nobles county soll, the clahin of one of the early settlers of the Indian lake country having been adva need There was no settlement there whatever prior 10 1869, and the fact that plowing was done In the Graham lakes county in 1867 is Devond dispute The homon belongs to the Mick brothers, If we leave out of the consideration the possibility that the carlier settlers mas have engaged in agricultural pursuits,
Now misiles at Kinbras
'See biographical section.
the the fall Mr Woolstencroft learned that his hous had been "removed" by one of his poishlons, and, therefore, he was compelled to delay the removal of his family until spring. at which time the neighbor "made good" by Turmshing another and better lot of logs than those he had taken.
47
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
John Leitz and family arrived in the have been threshed and could not have tall and settled on the claim which had been taken to market except after a been deserted by John Barnett. An- long and rough journey. other arrival of the year was W. Il. Ingles. This completes the list of all who came to the settlement during the year. All of these did not pass the winter in their new homes, as several went out to make arrangements for bringing in their families or to remain away permanently. Those who passed the winter of 1867-8 in Nobles county were Chas. H. Drury and family, Steph- en Muck and children. Joseph Muck and family. B. F. Tanner and family. John Leitz and family and O. B. Lacy.
All of the carly settlers of Nobles county took land with the idea of ulti- matily engaging in farming, and most of them did so. But conditions were not propitions for carrying on agricultural pursuits in anything but a meagre style. llere was a mere handful of men gath- ored together a long distance from civ- ilization and all that goes to make life comfortable. The nearest market was Jackson, a little inland hamlet on the frontier itself. There the Graham lakes settlers had to .go for their flour and other necessities of life. There were no threshing machines in the country, and the nearest flouring mill was miles away. It would have been unprofitable business to raise small grain, which could not
"Big game was also quite plentiful for a few years after the first settlers arrived. and oc- casionally some of it would be bagged for food. The hison had nearly all left the coun- try by the time these settlers arrived. but Nobles county's prairies were thickly covered with his bleeching bones, and his wallows were seen in all parts of the county, indicat- ing that this had been a favorite pasture ground. So far as I have been able to learn. only two bison in native state were ever seen in the county after settlers arrived. These two were seen by B. W. Woolstencroft on the prairie at a distance. But quite a band of them undoubtedly had their home here during the summer of 1868. On land in Seward town- ship which is now the farm of W. IT. Booth was found evidence that a herd of forty of fifty had spent the season there. The camp-
So the pioneers contented themselves with raising potatoes, corn and garden truck for their own immediate needs. and that was the extent of farming op- erations the first four years. Countless hardships were endured during these years. Almost without exception, the settlers were poor men, who had been attracted to the new country because of the desire to become the owners of homes. Without means to accomplish this in the settled portions of the coun- try. they resolutely pushed ont onto the frontier, where free homes could be se- cured under the homestead laws.
Not being able to earn a hivlihood at farming because of the inconveniences before mentioned, they turned their en- orgies in another direction. The conn- try was literally alive with small fur- bearing animals. including muskrats. foxes, martens, mink, badgers and skunks, and the taking of their furs of- fered profitable employment." So the farmer settlers became trappers. Inex- pericneed in the art of setting traps. they had no easy task. They were often caught in the blizzard miles from home. sometimes being on the prairie during an entire storm. where nothing but cour- age and physical strength could save
ing place and wallows were found. but if the herd itself was seen it was not reported. Elk were here in more considerable numbers and remained for several years. In all parts of the county they were found. The first set- tlers in the Indian lake country saw many of them, and old settlers of that neighborhood report having seen them in bands of 100 or more. and they frequently dined on elk meat. One of the Graham lakes settlers has told me that he counted # band of seventy- two at a point four miles north of the pres- ent village of Worthington. So late as 1872 and 1873. after the settlers had begun pouring in by the hundreds. elk were occasionally sren by the colonists who had made their homes on the prairies. Only on rare necasions were deer seen. a few having been reported sren in the Indian lake country.
18
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
them. But in the all became expert trappers. Generally the market for fur was good. and thousands of dollars worth was taken during the season.
During the months of July and Au- gust, 1867, the county was divided into townships by a party of surveyors. This proved of little benefit to the setflere, however: but next year the section lines were run. and thereafter homestead- ers were able to definitely locate their clains.
During the summer of 186; a mail route was established from Blue Earth City to Yankton? over the old military trail, which passed through the Graham lakes settlement. The line was then complete from the Mississippi to the Missouri. Philo Hawes was the contrac- tor, and "Stormy Jack" Grier was the mail carrier.º In January. 1868, a post- office was established for the benefit of the settlers, and Chas. H. Drury became the county's first postmaster. He was succeeded by H. C. Hallett, who also "kept tavern" in a log hnt .? In 1824 the office was moved to the home of N. 11. Smith, on section 21. and that gen- tleman served as postmaster until the office was discontinued in 1829. Then the Graham lakes settlers were supplied from the Airlie ( Kinbrae) office.
There were only a few additions to the settlement in 1868. John Woolsten- croft arrived in the Graham Jakes setile-
"This was an extension of the uld route from Red Wing to Bhi Earth City, which was opened in 1854. and of which Philo Hawes was the contractor. The country br- tween those towns was then as wild as was Notes county during 1867, and there was only me stopping place along the route.
w"One thing we must not forget to mention. and that is the mall route, l'oder the man- agement of Philo Hawes, it was one of the institutions of which we felt prond, and the many acts of kindness bestowed by the con- tractor will never In forgotten by that band of pioneers." An Early Settler.
9.A party of the National colony founders who spent the night there in 1871 reported that Mr. Hallett informed them that for-
ment June 2 and settled on the claim that had been deserted the year before by Martin Rice. John Anscomb and family came that year, and possibly a few others joined the band on Graham lakes. In March the first white child born in the county arrived on the scene. She was Minnie Leitz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leitz. 10
The Okabena lake country received its first settler- on September 24. 1868, when W. A. (Andy) Dilhnan." Frank Fortner and John Wilson, trappers came and created a sod and log shanty on the ca-t bank of East Okabena lake. Foriner remained only two days, and then re- turned to Blue Earth City. Wilson stayed a month, and then he, too, ro- turned to Blue Earth City. Dillman. however, remained until Christmas, and he was rewarded with a fine catch of Enrs. Around the Okabona lakes and the slough- in the vicinity were many kinds of fur bearing animals. During the three months he was there Mr. Dill- man secured about 1,000 muskrat, 12 fox. live mink and several other hides. These he disposed of at Jackson and Spirit Lake. He then depart al for the settlements farther cast. but returned to Nobles county early the next year.12
The running of the section lines dur- ing the fall of 1868 was an item of great importance to the people then liv- ing in the county. Before that event the
merly he had kept the mail in his hat, but that recently the business had grown so that a drawer was necessary. and that there was a prospect of his salary bring raised to $10 a year.
"The first male chill born in the county was Arthur A. Woulstencroft, born July 20. 1869, the son of Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Wool- stencroft.
"Si biographical section.
"Mr. Dillman Informs me that during his residenre here in 18G8 his nearest neighbors. exerpting the settlers of Graham lakes, were two families who Bved where lakr Park, Iowa, now is, and two or three families who were located on Rock Creek, in Rock county.
49
HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.
settlers held their land by "squatter's rights;" now they were enabled' to defi- nitely locate their lands and make their filings in the government land office at Jackson. Under contract, dated Aug. 3, 1868, Surveyors R. H. L. Jewett and G. G. Tlowe undertook the work of making the survey, Accompanied by a man named Howard, they at once on- tered upon their duties, and from Ang. 21 to Oct. 29 they were engaged in sur- veying the section lines and marking the corners of all the townships except the western tier.13 The four townships on the western border were surveyed by R. H. L. Jewett, under contract of July 30, 1869, during the fall of that year.14
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