An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 18

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924

USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 18
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 18

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).

Sheriff-J. E. Black (rep), 1106.

Judge of Probate-M. Webber (rep). 111 1.

Alforney-C. H. Christopherson (rep). 1099.

"Resigned in January. 1908, and was sue- corded by J. P. Houg.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Clerk of Court -O. E. Ferguson (rep), 1121.

Superintendent of Schools-Edia A. Headley (rep), 1154.

Court Commissioner-J. O. Helgeson. 18.

Coroner-S. 1. Froshaug,79 122; E. N. Sisson, 75.

Surveyor-W. N. Davidson, 85.

Commissioner Second District-(. 11. Baldwin80 (rep), 125.

Commissioner Fourth District-J. P. Hougs1 (rep), 313.

There were a few contests in the repub- lican primary of 1908, which resulted as follows, so far as Rock county was con- verned :

Congressman-Gilbert Guttersen. 561; J. T. MeCleary, 290: P. A. Ewert, 131.

Representative-Harrison White, 479 ; S. B. Duea, 226; A. C. Finke, 295.

Attorney-C. II. Christopherson, 562 : A. J. Daley, 454.

Commissioner First District-E. T. Thorson, 98: Carl Wiese, 80.

Commissioner Third District-Otto 1. Paulsen, 152: P. N. Steen, 99.

The election of 1908 proved another complete victory for the republicans. The total vote for presidential electors was 1833, and the vote of the several candi- dates was as follows:

President-W. H. Taft (rep), 1231; W. J. Bryan (dem), 526; Eugene Chafin (pro), 56; Eugene Debs (po). 12: His- gen (independence ), 1.

Governor-Jacob F. Jacobson (rep). 966; John A. Johnson (dem). 816; George D. Haggard (pro), 27: Brecher Moore (po). 4; William Wallen (inde- pendence), 2.

TOResigned August 5. 1907. and was succeeded by B. O. Mork. The latter removed from the county and on July 13. 1908, P. D. Whyte was appointed.

SOWas chairman in 1909.

Congressman -1. T. MeCleary (rep) . 973; W. S. Hammond (dem), 847.

Representative- S. B. Duea (rep). 1321.

Auditor-John Kelley (rep), 1199.

Treasurer- J. P. Houg (rep), 1531.

Sheriff-J. E. Black (rep). 1567.

Judge of Probate-M. Weber (rep), 1518.

Attorney-C. HI. Christopherson (rep), 1499.

Superintendent of Schools-Edia 1. Headley (rep), 1541.

Coroner-T. S. Paulson 218: scatter- ing. 144.

Surveyor-W. N. Davidson, 38.

Commissioner First District E. T. Thorson (rep). 282.

Commissioner Third District-Offo . Paulsen82 (rep), 182; C. W. Finke (ind), 163.

Commissioner Fourth District-J. A. Kennicott83 (rep), 232: C. A. Reynolds (dem), 206.

Commissioner Fifth District-Charles E. Nelson (rep), 187: A. Rathjen (dem), 160.

The contests for the republican nomi- nations in 1910 were decided as follows:

Congressman-Franklin F. Ellsworth, G11 ; Albert I. Ward, 392.

District Judge-L. S. Nelson, 311 ; Wilson Borst, 165: J. A. Town, 436; ('. W. Gilmore, 136; D. A. Stuart, 70.

Senator-E. 11. Canfield. 635: S. B. Duea, 440.

Representative-Harrison White, 740; William Lockwood, 279.

Treasurer-J. P. Houg, 636: W. L. Kartrude, 522.

#1Resigned in January. 1908, to accept office of county treasurer and was succeeded by C. .A. Reynolds.

8218 chairman in 1911.

83Was chairman in 1910.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Judge of Probate-M. Webber, 855; S. C. Rea, 260.

Commissioner Second District-C. H. Baldwin, 131; John P. Ingelson, 57.

For the first time since the primary law went into effect those voting the den- ocratie licket in 1910 had a choice be- Iween two candidates who aspired to the same office. For congress W. S. Ham- mond received 51 votes to 2 for Oscar M. Quigley.

At the last general election before the publication of this volume, that of No- vember, 1910. the highest number of voles cast for the nominees of one office was for state senator, 1425 being polled.84 The democrats carried the county for their nominees for judge of the district court and state senator ; otherwise the re- publicans were successful, electing every county office without oppositon. The vote of 1910 as officially canvassed :

Governor-A. O. Eberhart (rep), 902: James Gray (dem). 108: J. F. Heiberg (pro). 20; George E. Barrett (po), 18: C. W. Brandborg (soc-lab), 16.

Congressman-Franklin F. Ellsworth (rep). 795: W. S. Hammond&* (dem). 598: D. A. Thayer (soc), 20.

District Judge-1 .. S. Nelson$6 ( rop) . 645; J. G. Redding (dem). 697: J. 1. Cashel (ind). 66.

Senator-S. B. DueaS7 (rep), 553: S. B. Nelson (dem), 812.

Representative-Harrison White (rep). 815; W. O. Crawford (pro). 510.

Anditor-John Kelley (rep), 1193.

Treasurer-J. P. Hong (rep). 1128.

Sheriff-JJ. E. Black (rep). 1181.

Judge of Probate-M. Webber (rep). 1204.

cinets as follows: Battle Plain, 37; Beaver Creek township and village, 161; Clinton. 72; Denver, 50: Hardwick. 53: Hills. 79; Kanaranzi. 58; laverne city, south ward, 250; north ward. 209; Luverne township, 62; Magnolia township

Attorney-(. A. Christopherson (rep). 1088.

Clerk of Court-O. E. Ferguson (rep), 1191.

Superintendent of Schools-Edia A. Headley (rep), 1199.

Court Commissioner-JJ. O. Helgeson.

Coroner-J. E. Treat (rep), 1065. Surveyor-W. N. Davidson, 13.

Commissioner Second District-C. Il. Baldwin (rep). 191.

Commissioner Fourth District-J. A. Konnicott (rep), 320.

And now the political history of Rock county is brought to a close. H covers a period From the time in 1890 when the first county official took the oath of of- fice-when there was a mere handful of men in the county who availed themselves of the privilege of voting-up to and in «luding the last general election before the date of publication of this volume. brief summary of the conditions during this time may not be out of place.

The county has always been normally republican. In the early days it was con- sidered a disgrace, and almost a crime, lo have other political affiliations. There have been county elections at which every vote was for the republican ticket. Al- though the party of Jefferson polled fair sized votes at several elections, il has never carried the county for the national lieket: at two elections it carried tho conniy for governor and on one occasion for congressman.

During The entire early history of the county and up to the middle eighties. the republican party was the only one main- taining an organization. But during this time there was a strong independent move- ment. kept alive by one faction of the re-

84The vote was divided among the several pre- . and village, 68; Marlin. 97; Mound. 56; Rose Dell, 60: Springwater, 50; Vienna, 63.

&Was elected.

66Was elected. 87Was elected.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

publican party and a few democrats. which opposed the republican organiza- tion and on several occasions gained par- tial control of county polities. With the later settlement of the county came the organization of the democratic party, and since that time it has been a factor in county politics, although always as a mi- nority party.

During the free silver days of the nine- ties the peoples party came into existence, and for a few years was a power in coun- ty politics. When its power began to wane, fusion was accomplished with the democrats, and for some time longer the combined forces furnished opposition to the dominant party,

The prohibitionists have never been strong in Rock county. In one or two campaigns they placed nominees for coun- ty offices in the field, but they have not maintained a permanent organization. Socialists and other minor parties have little or no strength in the county and never had organizations.

Rock county has been fortunate in its selection of county officers. During its political history of forty-one years, there has not been a defaulting county officer, so far as I am able to learn. Nor has there been a removal because of criminal action or incompetence, with one excep- tion.

CHAPTER IX.

LUVERNE-1867-1911.

L IVERNE, the capital of Rock county, is the oldest and most populous town in the county. It is located on Rock river. and its elevation above sea level is 1451 feet. It is on three lines of railway, the Chicago, Rock Is- land and Pacific, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, and the Doon branch of the Omaha system, being a ter- minus of the last named. Otherwise de- scribed, Imverne is within two and one- half miles, in a direct line, of the geo- graphical center of Rock county. The busi- ness center of the city is seven and three- quarters miles from the eastern boundary of the county, thirteen and one-half miles from the north line, twelve and one-half miles from the western border, and ten and one-half miles from the southern boundary.

The population of Luverne, according to the census of 1910, is 2540. It is one of the progressive and prosperous towns of southwestern Minnesota. All lines of business that are to be found in the towns of the agricultural communities of the upper Mississippi valley are represented. It is noted for its beautiful homes, schools, churches and social organizations, and in these respects it is the peer of any city of its size in the state.

Considered in its natural state, the lo- cation of Luverne is one of unusual

beauty ; southwestern Minnesota has not a more lovely spot. Through the eastern part of the city flows Rock river, skirted with a growth of natural timber, which forms a series of pretty little parks. In its natural state and with the embellish- ments added by the hands of man, Lu- verne ranks as one of the prettiest little cities of a state distinguished for its prot- ty towns. Especially is one charmed with its loveliness in summer. Then the broad avenues and parks are clothed in bright- est green. Trees are everywhere. Due to the foresight of the pioneers of the town, the spot which was once barren prairie is now a bower of beauty.

One can hardly realize that less than a half century ago this spot was an un- charted wilderness, practically unknown to white men; yet such is the case. Time was when the dusky red man pitched his tepee where now Luverne's churches are located ; vast herds of bison inhabited the Rock river country and made their wal- lows, perhaps, where now the courts are held : timid deer browsed where at pies- eut the pupil studies his natural history ; elk in countless numbers roamed the ad- jacent prairies and saw their antlers re- flecied in the clear waters of the Rock as they bent down to drink.

When the first white man set foot on the present site of Luverne is not known.

137

138

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Possibly he was some adventurous trapper who had pushed out beyond his associates in an endeavor to locate new grounds in which to ply his trade, and, having come to Rock river, proceeded up the stream to the point where was later founded the city. Possibly the first man was a mem- ber of the Nicollet party, or some other explorer of southwestern Minnesota. Dur- ing the military operations against the Sioux Indians, following the outbreak of 1862, the route of the white avengers across Rock river passed close to the city- to-be and was traversed occasionally by parties of soldiers and scouts. Later still. during the middle sixties, trappers on Rock river occasionally passed over the site. but no record of the operations of These people is left.

The history of Luverne may properly be said to begin in 1867. although it was some time later when the town was ae- tually founded. As has been told in chapier two of this volume. Philo Hawes. accompanied by Joe Fields, arrived on Rock river and camped a short distance north of the present city on June 13. 1867. on a trip to select a government mail route from Jackson, Minnesota, to Yank- ton, Dakota territory. Accompanied by four workmen, Mr. Hawes again visited the Rock September 18, and on the fol- lowing day he selected the site of Luverne as a place on which to establish a stop- ping place for the mail carriers and as a future home for himself. On September 19. 186;, the first building in Laverne was erected, a stable built of poles and hay. After making the improvement Mr. Hawes and workmen continued on their way to establish other stations. He re- turned again November 25, accompanied

'Philo Hawes became postmaster of Luverne in 1871 and served until December. 1874. He was succeeded by C. O. Hawes, during whose service the office was raised to the third class, in Dermber. 1879, 6. O. Hawes was postmaster until September 1, 1887. when he was succeeded by L. H. Way. Philo Hawes again took charge

by John Lietze and family and Mis, Mi- randa J. Skinner, who were the first white persons to claim residence in Ln- verne. Mr. Lietze was in the employ of Mr. Hawes and came out to the frontier for the purpose of "holding down" his employer's claim and to maintain a "Half- Way House" on the mail route. For the accommodation of himself and family a dug-out was constructed in a bank near where the Rock Island elevators now stand. In this building the Lietze fam- ily and Miss Skinner passed the winter of 1862-68.

Philo llawes moved on his farm with his family in March, 1868, and Mr. Lietze and his family departed for their former home in Blue Earth City. Mr. Hawes erecled au 18x24 feet log cabin and in the fall built a 12x?4 feet addi- tion. For two years this was the only building on the townsite. and in it center- ed The activities of the immediate neigh- borhood. With Mr. Hawes came George MeKenzie, who took an adjoining claim ; Edward MeKenzie came in April, 1868, was a mail carrier in the employ of Mr. Hawes, and made his home in the pioneer cabin : E. N. Darling and family and George Blasdell came in October and dur- ing the next winter Mr. Darling's family resided in the Hawes cabin : Edwin Gill- ham was also employed as a mail carrier and made his headquarters there. In the pioneer log cabin the mail for all the resi- dents of Rock county was handled, the work being attended to by Mr. Darling, who, although not a regularly commission- ed postmaster. made out the reports and did the other clerical work. In 1869 Ed- ward MeKenzie was commissioned post- master.1

of the office .July 1. 1890, and served a four- year term. L. H. Way again received the com- mission under the democratic administration and served until Mark Swedherg was appointed in the summer of 1898. Mr. Swedberg has over since that date been postmaster of Luverne. Five rural mail routes are supplied from the

139

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

At this early period there seems to have been no intention on the part of Mr. Hawes or any one else to found a town where later Luverne was built. But the Hawes home gradually became recognized as the social and business center of the. little community that grew up along Rock river. ITere were located the postoffice and mail route station and a genial fam- ily, and here transpired most of the neigh- borhood gossip and business transactions. In a cabin on an adjoining claim, in 1869, Abraham MeMurphy put in a small stock of staple goods, which he retailed to the neighbors. Ifis stock consisted principal- ly of sugar, tobacco. calico and a few other articles of common necessity. the total value of the stock never exceeding $100. The goods were brought in at vari- ous times from the nearest trading points by Mr. MeMurphy or his neighbors, and he continued to conduct this primitivo and pioneer store nearly two years. The enterprise added to the importance of the place. and for two years before a town was started the little community was known as Luverne, in honor of Philo Hawes' daughter. Eva Luverne.2

An important addition to the Luverne settlement was P. J. Kniss, who arrived June 6. 1870. took a claim on the north- east quarter of section 11, and there erect-

Jaiverne office. The dates of establishment and the first carriers on these routes are as follows: No 1. April 1. 1902. Horace Goodale, carrier; No. 2. September 1, 1902, Ira E. Crosby, carrier; No. 3. April 1, 1904, William C. John- son, carrier; No. 4, June 1, 1905, William H. Goodale, carrier; No. 5, June 1, 1907, Rex J. Kennedy, carrier.

"Eva Luverne Hawes was born at Cannon Falls, Goodhue county, Minnesota. November 14, 1857. accompanied her parents to the Rock river home in 1868, was married to P. F. Kel- ley September 5. 1876. and died at Luverne June 9, 1881. In the early days the commonly accepted form of spelling the name of the town was with the capital V. The Luverne corre- spondent to the Jackson Republic. writing July 21. 1872. said: "You will please notice the change in spelling the name of our town: it is not Lu- verne any more, but LuVerne." The Rock Coun- ty Herald. in its first issue, May 23, 1873. said: "The correct way to write LuVerne is with a capital V, not Luverne." For a num- ber of years that form was used, but the style was gradually replaced by the present form.

ed a log cabin, the second building on the future townsite.3 Then came an event of the greatest importance-no less than the selection of Luverne, boasting building improvements to the extent of two log houses, as the county seal of Rock county. This important step was taken September 1. 1870. when J. F. Shoemaker, Jonathan Phelps and Amos Estey, the commission- ers named for the purpose by Governor Austin, decided that Luverne (described as situated on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11) should be the seat of government of the new county. Upon the consummation of this selection, with the organization of Rock county an assured fact. eame the certainty that a town would be founded at Luverne to uphold the dignity bestow- ed upon the site.4 A correspondent wril- ing from Laverne December 15, 1840, said: "There is an excellent opportunity for some enterprising merchant to estab- lish himself in business here, as a store is needed very much. A winter school is about to commence at Luverne."

The organization of Rock county was perfected in January. 1871. and a short time later came the establishment of the pioncer business enterprises. Philo Hawes brought in a small stock of merchandise carly in the year, and a little later South-

a"P. J. Kniss' old log house, erected on his homestead in the west part of town in 1870. has been torn down. By the destruction of this old log house one of the pioncer landmarks of Luverne and Rock county has been destroyed. The house when built was the finest in Rock county and the logs for its construction were out along the banks of Rock river. Old settlers will recall many happy gatherings in pioneer days in this pleasant old house and many will regret that so familiar a landmark has been sacrificed for a structure of more modern times." -Rock County Herald, February, 1895.

"A correspondent from Rock county, in writ- ing us on business, says that things are looking bright and prosperous there and that several buildings are in contemplation next spring on the townsite of Luverne. This is one of the pleasantest locations in the west and Rock county one of the best counties in the state,"- Jackson Republic, December 10, 1870.

140

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

wich Brothers, of Freeborn, brought to the site a fair sized stock of dry goods and groceries," but apparently did not long remain in business. B. S. Wold and Alex MeKay erected a frame store building during the summer months and opened the town's first permanent general mer- chandise store. conducting the business under the firm name of MeKay & Wold. A gentleman who passed through Luverne in the spring of 1821 in after years told of the visit as follows :6

From Graham Lakes to Rock river, now Luverne, a distance of forty-five miles, there was not a sign of a house or habitation of any description-nothing but the wild prairie, without even a tree or bush. We made the journey across to the Rock river in a day and camped at the ford for the night. Philo Hawes had a log house just com- pleted, and another man-I think his name was Shoemaker-had a little hovel erected. and a firm from Jackson had the foundation for a store laid and was waiting for the lumber to come from Jackson for the store. After leaving Luverne there was no sign of a settlement until we came to the Sioux river at Iverson's crossing, seven miles east of Sioux Falls.

The construction of Mckay & Wold's store building was the only improvement made in 1821. and the capital of Rock county certainly did not boast metropoli- tan greatness. G. M. Henton, who came to Rock county carly in 1822. has writ- ton of the conditions in Luverne as he found them at that carly day :

5"(;" in a letter, dated July 5, 1871, to the Jackson Republic.

"T. J. Mills in Sioux Falls Press, April, 1890.

7"But, in passing. I cannot forbear to notice the earliest of all old settlers, who gladly and cheerfully welcomed all newcomers and who oc- enpied a very unpretentious log cabin, in which he kept the hotel and postoffice, and who with the late lamented P. J. Kniss and Edward Me- Kenzie was surveying the original town plat of this beautiful city on May 20, 1872, and then watched and prayed for people 10 come and oe- enpy the site he had selected, and so make a lown. That man was Philo Hawes."-Ira Craw- ford in an address delivered at an old settlers' reunion, June 8, 1898.

R.VIditions to Luverne have been platted as follows:

Warren & Kniss', by A. J. Warren and P. J. Kniss, JJnly S. 1874: surveyed by P. J. Kniss.

Van Eps & Vary's, by William Van Eps and

came to Worthington by rail. From there we staged it to Luverne, which then had three buildings-P. J. Kniss' log house in the west part of town, Philo Hawes' log house near the present site of the Bur- lington depot, and a part of Mrs. Wold's house, as it now is, which contained mer- chandise and was owned by Mckay & Wold. There were no shade trees as now, and no shade trees had been planted in the town. Grain was growing on the north side of Main street, where now stands the First National Bank and Rock County Bank. The trees along the river had suffered by prairie fires. But we were delighted with the view that presented itself as we came over the hill where now stands the beautiful home of John Jones.

Luverne was not destined to long ro- main a town of three buildings, Beliey- ing that a good town would eventually he built at the county scat. Philo Hawes joined with William Van Eps and Ed- ward MeKenzie in platting the Luverne townsite in the spring of 1822. The plat was surveyed by P. J. Kniss on May 20 and 21, and he was assisted in the work by Mr. Hawes and Mr. Mckenzie." The dedication of the plat was dated July 15. 1822. and was signed by William Van Eps. Inez Van Eps. Philo Hawes, Mal- vina Hawes and Edward Mckenzie; the plat was filed for record the following day. The site was divided into sixteen blocks. The north and south streets were named Cedar, MeKenzie, Spring. Oakley and Blue Mound: east and west streets were named Luverne, Lincoln, Main. Maple and Fletcher.º A citizen of the

William E. Vary, August 26, 1876; surveyed by F. P. Dobson.

Kniss & Brown's. hy P. J. Kniss and O. D. Brown, May 21, 1878; surveyed by J. A. Ogden. P. J. Kniss', by P. J. Kniss, June 5, 187%; surveyed by J. A. Ogden.

Warren & Kniss' Second, by A. J. Warren and P. J. Kniss, November 15, 1878; surveyed by J. A. Ogden.

Charles O. Hawes', by Charles O. Hawes, May 23. 1886; surveved by W. N. Davidson.

Thompson's, by S. W. Thompson and Amos Dow. June 9, 1886: surveyed hy W. N. Davidson. Crawford's. by William O. Crawford and L. F. Laverty. May 25. 1891; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.

Randall & Holbert's, by W. H. Randall and E. H. Holbert, June 18, 1892; surveyed by M. S. Smith.

Kniss Park, by P. J. Kniss and Charles O. Hawes, June 22. 1892; surveyed by W. N. Davidson. Greenvale, by P. J. Kniss, April 19, 1893; sur- veyed by W. N. Davidson.

MAIN STREET, LUVERNE

RESIDENCE STREET, LUVERNE

141

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

little village wrote on May 29, 1872: "Messrs. Hawes and Van Eps, proprietors of the townsite. are replatting it and mak- ing the streets wider ; they are now eighty feet wide. They have a fine location for a town on the banks of the Rock river. They offer as an inducement to business men to locate here from one to three lots free if they will erect a building on the townsite."9

The belief of the townsite owners was verified. Early in the spring of 1842 came evidence of activity in the embryo village. In May P. J. Kniss and C. F. Crosby erected a real estate office building. the dimensions of which were 16x20 feet. Late in the summer Dr. W. E. Vary opened a hotel, having commenced the construction of the building early in the season.10 Hofelmann Brothers started a blacksmith shop during the summer season and erect- edl a residence. William HI. Glass put up a building on East Main street and estah- lished the second general merchandise store. Wilson & Howard established a drug store in a little shanty, which they elected.11 John and James Helm built a store-house and engaged in the grain business, buying 2000 bushels of wheat and oats before the close of the year at

Barck, Adams & Howe's, by Albert Barck. A. P. Adams and S. H. Howe, June 5, 1893; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.

Kniss Outlot Annex, by executors estate of P. J. Kniss, deceased, and E. L. Johnson, Jime 34. 1897; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.

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An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 18

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970 Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company Number of Pages: 924

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Luverne, Minn. : Northern History Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 924