An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 24

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 24
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 24

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).

After the hard times period, during the closing years of the decade which had ushered in Hills, steady improvement was made. In 1896, although a full recovery from the hard times had not been made. the building improvements amounted to $12,640. according to the figures of the llills Crescent. Among the principal buildings were the Hills creamery, imple- ment house and residence of Ole Sever- son and a residence by P. IT. Bly. In 1897 the improvements reached a total of

10Signed by August C. Finke. O. F. Starr. W. J. Kinne. F. C. Nuffer. A. V. Greene. I. Quam. W. Jennings. Hans Nelson. John Helgeson, Mar- tin B. Hippl. S. S. Brovald. D. S. Walter, An-

$13,000, including the Presbyterian church ; in 1898 they were placed at the same figure; and in 1899 at $11,550, in- eluding the Rock County Banking com- pany's brick block, Wright & Munson's elevator and J. R. Wright's residence.

The year 1902 was an exceptionally prosperous one in Hills, the building im- provements for the year amounting to $53,500, including many handsome rest- dences. On March 13, 1902, the Crescent boasted of the following enterprises: two banks, two department stores, two hard- ware stores, two hotels, five elevators, two lumber yards, two implement houses, two harness dealers. three fuel dealers, three wall paper dealers, one furniture store, one machine repair shop, two stock yards. one feed mill, one restaurant, one real es- tate firm. one meat market, one drug store, one confectionery store, one stock buyer, one laundry. one millinery store, one newspaper, one photograph gallery, one barber shop, one shoe repair shop, one bicycle shop, one billiard hall, three dress- making establishments, two railroads, two express agencies, one undertaker, one car- penter shop, seven carpenters, two dray lines, one bakery, five insurance agencies. three painters. one physician, a detention hospital, a telephone system, three churches and three lodges.

Hills became an incorporated munici- pality in 1904. It had a population to warrant taking the siep ten years before, but the fear of many of the residents that incorporation would result in the licensing of saloons precluded taking any action at that time. In the fall of 1899 the matter was made an issue and came to a vote. . census of the village was taken, showing a population of 282. A petition was eir- culated1 and presented to the county board, asking for action looking toward fin Osboe. O. T. Rovang. S. Hagen, Ole Lund. E. W. Manson, Halvor Julson, P. H. Bly. H. E. Wyum. J. F. Jordan, John Rudd, F. W. Purcell, Helge Rue, G. Rue, J. N Jacobson,

176

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

incorporation. The commissioners took favorable action and named November 29 as the date and the opera house as the place for holding an election to decide the question. The result was a tie, thirty votes being cast for and the same number against incorporation. This defeated the proposition. Almost every year thereafter until incorporation was effected in 1904. the question was agitated, but sentiment was against taking the step because of fear that it would lead to the opening of saloons.

AA consas of the proposed incorporation (including 390 aeres on sections 21 and 28). taken September 13, 1904. showed a population of 351. On that date another petition was circulated,11 asking the re- quired steps to be taken by the county commissioners. The petition was pre- sented September 14, and two days later was acied upon favorably, the commis- sioners naming John Helgeson, William F. Finke and Ole M. Rund inspectors to conduct an election November 15. 1901. At the incorporating election sixty-eight votes were casi, of which fifty-three were in favor of and eighteen against incor- poration.

The first municipal election was held December 8, 1901, when the village's first. officers were chosen. A few days later those elected qualified and entered upon their duties. The results of the annual elections have been as follows :

1904-President, O. B. Severson; trus- tees, WV. A. Larson, J. N. Jacobson, J. C. Steensen; rerorder, Olaf Skyberg; treasurer. S. A. Christianson; justices, F. B. Myrick, O. T. Rovang; constables, Oswald Rund, Gu- lick Rogness.

M. Anderson, G. B. Anderson, Ole Severson, F. 11. Fritz. Ole O. Rup, Jr .. J. R. Wright, F. A. Webster and Ole M. Ruud.

"Signed by John Helgeson, P. L. Breden. R. G. Garner. A. C. Finke, O. T. Rovang, J. H. Finke, O. J. Nash. J. H. Cox. C. W. Olander, Ed- ward Larson. G. Rogness, Fred York. I. F. Jor- dan. F. B. Myrick. O. B. Severson, W. Jennings. Lars Engebretson. A. Hynden, Iver Thompson, 11. A. Twange, Jacob Nerison, John Thorson, Carl Loftness, Evan Sather, D. S. Walter, J. N. Jac- obson, Halvor Julson, Nels G. Sundem. W. F. Finke. K. O. Rue. W. A. Larson, S. S. Bro-

1905-President, O. B. Severson; trustees, W. A. Larson, J. N. Jacobson, K. K. Hel- lie; recorder, Olaf Skyberg; treasurer, S. A. Christianson; justices, A. C. Finke, O. M. Rund; constables, Edward Larson, .t. Il. Finke.

1906-President, O. B. Severson; trustees, J. N. Jacobson, W. A. Larson, K. K. lellie; recorder, Olaf Skyberg; treasurer, S. A. Christianson; assessor, F. C. Nuffer; jus- tices, A. C. Finke, H. A. Twange; constables, Henry Nelson, F. E. York.

1907-President, W. F. Finke; trustees, J. N. Jacobson, W. A Larson, Anton Ilyn- den; recorder, Olaf Skyberg; treasurer, O. I. Nash; assessor, F. C. Nuffer: justices," S. J. Froshaug, A. C. Finke; constables, H. A. Nerison, M. P. Halvorson.

1908"-President, W. F. Finke; trustees, G. O. Rue, Otto Nelson, K. K. Hellie; re- corder, Olaf Skyberg; treasurer, O. J. Nash ; assessor, K. N. Knudtson; justices, B. O. Mork, A. C. Finke; constables, M. P. Ilal- vorson, H. A. Nerison.

1909-President, W. F. Finke; trustees, H. M. Moen, K. K. Hellie, Otto Nelson; re- corder, Carl Omodt; treasurer, O. J. Nash; assessor, F. C. Nuffer; justices, K. N. Knudt- son, Niels Jacobson; constables, H. A. Neri- son, Oscar Qualley.

1910-President, J. N. Jacobson; trustees, W. F. Finke, K. K. Hellie, William Thomp- son; recorder, J. B. Stordahl; treasurer, O. J. Nash; assessor, F. C. Nuffer; justice, K. N. Knudtson; constable, A. G. Qualley.

1911-President, J. N. Jacobson; trus- tees, K. K. Hellie, W. F. Finke, P. P. Sun- dahl; recorder, I B. Stordahl; treasurer, C. J. Woodrow; assessor, F. C. Nuffer: justices, Niels Jacobson, H. A. Twange; constable, E. Nerison.

Since Hills has become an incorporated town its growth has been steady. Over $30,000 were expended on building im- provements in 1904. The state census of 1905 gave the town a population of 320. In 1908 the building improvements foot- ed up over $15,000 and in 1909 to the same figure. The census of 1910 showed a population of 398, giving Hills second place among Rock county towns.

vold. A. T. Sexe, William Thompson. A. E. Cleveland. H. E. Wyum. Martin Nelson, Ole O. Itue. T. Nigaard, Peder Holverson, T. Lien and K. K. Hellje.

"Were appointed.

"Hills has never had a licensed saloon. Prior to 1908 the question was not put to a vote and the council did not grant license. In 190% the vote was twenty-three for license to forty- seven against. In 1909 the question was not an issue and in 1910 the vote was twenty-eight for to sixty-two against,

177

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

THE SCHOOL.

The first school taught in Hills was conducted by Miss Jennie Wright. The district had not been organized and the expenses were paid with money raised by subscription. The district, comprising five sections, was organized in 1893, and the school that year was taught by Miss Myra Ferguson in the town hall. The members of the first board of education were Olaf Skyberg, P. H. Bly and Nels Iverson. In 1894 a block of land was purchased by the district and a two-room frame building was put up at a cost of $3000. A. S. Johnson and Betsey Rovang conducted the first school in the building. As the town grew the old building became too small to accommodate the district and in the fall of 1903 an addition was built at a cost of $3000. Just after its completion, Janu- ary 7. 1904. the building was totally de- stroved by fire. Steps were at once taken to rebuild, and early in September the present four-room school house, 32x72 feet, was completed at a cost of $7800 ..

THE CHURCHES.

Hills has three active church organ- izations, the Immanuel Norwegian Evan- gelical Union (Synod), the United Nor- wegian Lutheran and the Trinity Norwe- gian Lutheran Free. For many years the Presbyterian society also maintained an organization, and the church building of that society still stands.

The Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical ITnion church of Hills antedates the town by several years. The original organiza- tion is the oldest of the Norwegian Luth- eran churches in Rock county, having been organized at the home of Ole P. Steen, in Clinton township, on July 10, 1872.11 Rev. Elof Olson was the first pastor of the congregation and assisted in the organiza-

tion. He was succeeded by O. Sando (18:3-1878). C. A. Naeseth (1828-1882). A. Thurmo (1882-1894), and J. H. Lamde (1894-1911), who also served all the other synod churches in the county. The church was incorporated October 11, 1881. Services were held at the homes of the members until 1886.

During the summer of 1884 a chureh edifice was started on the site where was later built the town of Hills. When it was nearing completion it was struck by the terrible evelone of July 21, 1884, and entirely destroyed, causing a loss of $1800. One of the carpenters at work on the building was killed and another seriously injured. At a meeting on July 26, 1885, it was decided to erect another church edifice on the same site. The new build- ing was completed late in December, 1885. at a cost of $2600. An addition was made in 1900, making the total value of the building about $4000. A parsonage was completed in November, 1902, at a eost of $3500. The Immanuel church of Hills is one of the strongest, as well as oldest. in Rock county. The congregation of this church and the one at Beaver Creek num- hors al the present time about 325.

The United Norwegian Lutheran church of Hills is also one of the pioneer religious societies of Rock county. It was organized as a Norwegian Lutheran church in July, 1828, under the direction of Rev. H. Z. Itvid, and on May 5, 1829, the congregation allied itself with the United Norwegian Lutheran society. The first officers of the society were Ole Sand- bo. secretary: Paul O. Sandbo, C. C. Moe and Joseph Jacobson, trustees : John Nelson, treasurer: A. Gunderson and Erick Evenson, elders: Ole O. Blegen, deacon.

The first regular pasior of the church

Berge, Anders Anderson. Thore Schulzen, John Steen, Christian Clemetsen. Hans Olsen, Ole Finkelsen, Goodman Anderson and John Nelson.

14The voting members who signed the con- stitution were Ole P. Steen, Sven Sanderson, Ole Rud, Asle Skattum, Peder Tuff. Christopher

178

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

was Rev. I. C. Jacobson, who accepted the eall on September 24, 1818.15 Ile was succeeded October 25, 1880. by Rev. H. Wang, who served until 1890. Rev. Theodore Fossum took the pastorate at that time and served fourteen years. Ile was succeeded by Rev. C. S. Salveson, who served six years. The present pastor, Rev. II. O. Bjorlie, took charge of the church in 1910. One of the early day buildings of Hills was the brick church of this denomination, precied in 1891 at a eost of $3000 and dedicated in the fall of 1892.

The Trinity Norwegian Lutheran Free church of Hills is a comparatively new organization, but one of considerable strength. The Entheran Free faction with- drew from the United church in 1903. and Rev. K. J. Wang accepted the call as pastor. In October of the same year it was decided to erect a church edifice. C. C. Moe. Chris Sandbo and Charles Nel- son were appointed a committee to solicit funds and John Nelson. L. O. Kolsrud. C. F. Skovgaard. Thomas Johnson and Olaf Skyberg were named the building committee. A church costing $6000 was erected and dedicated September 25, 1901.

The only English-speaking church that ever maintained an organization in Hills was the Presbyterian, which was organ- ized in the nineties. Under the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Finch. a church building costing $2000 was put up in 1897, and it was dedicated June 5, 1898, by Rev. R. N. Adams, D. D. For several years the organization was quite prosperous, but for the last five years of its existence was poorly supported. In 1908 it had not a resident member, but services were held until the next year, when service was dis- continued.

"Rev. Jacobson's salary was fixed at $125 in cash, and he was also to be the recipient of a certain number of free will offerings every year: in addition each member of the con- gregation Was expected to assist the pastor

THE LODGE.

Ilills is not a good lodge town. It has only one secret society, and that is not in a very Hourishing condition, although it holds its charter. The lodge is Hills Camp No. 3924, M. W. A., and was or- ganized in 1896.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

An efficient fire department is main- tained and has been since the incorpora- tion of the town. In April, 1905, fire fighting apparatus was received and tem- porary companies were organized. A per- manent organization was made in Angust, 1905. when the following officers were elected: O. J. Nash, chief; Otto Nelson. assistant chief ; Carl Woodrow, secretary : Thomas Sundal, treasurer: O. B. Sever- son, K. K. Hellie and C. 11. Sandberg, trustees.

THE BANKS.

In Hills are two banking institutions, the First National and Farmers State. The former is the outgrowth of the town's first financial institution, a private bank doing business under the title Rock Coun- ty Banking company. It began business August t, 1892, with a capital stock of $5000, being owned by R. B. Hinkly, B. II. Hinkly. W. Il. Wilson and 1. R. Wright. The bank was under the man- agement of Mr. Wright, and in December, 1896, that gentleman bought his partners' interests. Ho erected a tire-proof brick banking house in 1899, and conducted the bank until il was succeeded by the First National in 1902.

The $25,000 stock for the First Na- tional was subscribed largely by local cap- italists, and on May 5, 1902. the new in-

with one day's plowing and to furnish him with one bushel of oats every year. For this remuneration the pastor agreed to conduct at least thirteen preaching services during the year.

CHURCHES AND SCHOOL AT HILLS

179

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

stitution took over the business of the pio- neer bank. Its first officers were A. C. Croft, president: J. N. Jacobson, vice president : J. R. Wright. cashier: P. E. Brown, A. T. Sexe, J. N. Jacobson, A. C. Croft and J. R. Wright, directors. In December, 1902, the First National Bank took over the business of the State Bank of Hills, which had been organized a few years before.

The Farmers State Bank was organized with a capital stock of $10,000 in An- gust. 1900, by local business men and farm- ers of the vicinity. The first board of di- rectors and officers were as follows: W. F. Finke, president : P. O. Skyberg, vice president : M. Engebretson, cashier : A. C. Finke, assistant cashier: G. D. Nelson, HI. Holverson and Olaf Kolsrud.

HARDWICK.

According to the last census figures, Hardwick ranks third in size among Rock county villages. It is a compactly built, neat appearing, prosperous little munici- pality located nine miles north of the county seat, at the junction of two lines of the Rock Island railroad. Otherwise described, it is in the southeast corner of Denver township, the platted portion of the village being on sections 26 and 35. Like Hills, it is a comparatively new town but has ontstripped some of the older places in the county.

As a town, Hardwick's history dates back only to the year 1892, but the actual history of the place began several years before that time. Prior to the fall of 1884 the site of the present village was unoccupied by human habitation, and the honor of erecting the first building on the site belongs to a young Norwegian emigrant, Knute Taamasgaard by name.

16"Nothing definite can be learned concerning the location of a station between this point and Trosky, but there is still reason to believe that

At that time Mr. Taamasgaard, who was employed on the farm of Otter Otterson, made "squatter's" settlement on the land in question and constructed a diminutive dug-ont and sod shanty, in which he and his wife resided about two years.

On the eleventh day of September. 1884, the tracklayers of the Burlington railroad, building from the south. reached the site of the present town. Rumors at once became rife regarding the establish- ment of stations on the new road between Luverne and Pipestone. During the month of September it was announced that one station would be located near Poplar creek in Pipestone county, to be named Trosky and another on Otter Ol- terson's farm, the northwest quarter of section 26, Denver township, to be called Denver. During the next month the town Jot company connected with the Burling- ton road started the town of Trosky, but no steps were taken toward the building of the village in Denver township, the name of which, it was announced in Oc- tober, was to be changed to Jasper. Al- though land for depot grounds was deeded to the company by Mr. Otterson, the otři- cials took no action in regard to found- ing the new station during 1884.16

The people of northern Rock county, being long distances from market, were anxious for the opening of a station at some point along the line. The railway officials taking no action during the sum- mer of 1885, the residents of Denver. Rose Dell and Mound townships circulated a petition in August, asking that the Bur- lington officials establish a station on Ot- ter Otterson's farm-the location previous- ly selected. The petition was signed by sixty-nine settlers. Within a few days after it was presented, on August 19, 1885, E. S. Ellsworth, the Burlington townsite agent.

the site originally selected on section 26 will be adopted."-Rock County Herald. November 21, 1884.

180

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

came to the site and under his direction a section house was built on Mr. Otterson's farm. Mr. Otterson was employed by the railway company to look after the ship- ment of grain from that point-and that was the extent of the preparations for founding a town at that time. The mat- ter of platting a townsite was under con- sideration by the authorities for a few weeks, but no action was taken.

Rumors of the establishment of the sta- tion were revived in the spring of 1886, but no action was taken until the fall of that year. In October the station was definito- ly located on the line between sections 35 and 2617 and a side track was constructed. In November a depot platform, 16x20 feet, was built, but the station was not named or put on the time card of the company until laler. The grain buying firm of Cudahy & Butler bought grain at the new station that season. In. the spring of 188; the station was named Hardwick, in honor of JJ. L. Hardwick, the master builder of the Burlington road, and the next fall it was placed on the railroad time lable. Other Otterson bought grain and stock for E. A. Brown, who had suc- ceeded to the business at the new stalion. during the season of 1887, and did a thriving business. 18

There was practically no change at the station during the next few years. Otter Otterson continued buying grain for E. A. Brown, and later John Otterson bought for the Iowa, Minnesola & Dakota Grain company, which succeeded Cudahy & Bul- ler. In 1889 Engebret Olson opened a small blacksmith shop on what is now the northeast corner of block four of the orig-

""It appears to be definitely determined that the new station in Denver township will be lo- cated on the north line of section 35. The loca- tion is certainly not the best that could have been chosen to secure the most business for the company. but the location selected is proba - bly more advantageous than any other for the town lot company." Rock County Herald, Oe- tober 29, 1986.

1"Since the crop of 1887 began to come into the market E. A. Brown has shipped fifty car-

inal plat, and he continued in business until after the founding of the town.

Several items of importance occurred during 1891. That year John Otterson erected the first building of permanent character in Hardwick. It is the build- ing on the lower end of Main street now occupied as a restaurant, and was or- cupied by Mr. Otterson as a residence : when the postoffice was established it was opened in this building. During the sum- mer the depot was put up and it was opened September 1 with William Littel in charge. Early in the year the farmers in the vicinity petitioned for the establish- ment of a postoffice at Hardwick, and in December the office was put in operation with John Otterson as postmaster.19

By this time Hardwick had developed into an exceptionally good grain market, and toward the close of the year came the announcement that the following year would see the founding of the town, with stores, shops and other enterprises that make a town.

Almost with the beginning of the year 1892 came the first business men to start the new enterprises. In February Herman Lenz, a farmer residing in the neighbor- hood. completed a small store building and put in a stock of general merchandise. The next month A. A. Walvatne erected a building adjoining Mr. Lenz. in which Thomas Trenhaile opened the second gen- oral store. Before the spring was over En- gebret Olson moved his blacksmith shop closer to the new village and William Olson came from Larchwood, towa, and opened a shop in opposition: T. Staven came from Trosky and built a wagon

loads of grain from Hardwick, the station in Denver township, and has shipped in all since that time ayer two hundred carloads of grain anıl livestock." Rock County Herald. January 13. 1888.

19Mr. Otterson conducted the postoffice until 1894. ES. H. Albright served until April, 1887, since which time John B. Iverson has bren postmaster. One rural route is supplied from the Hardwick office. It was established Janu- ary 15. 1904.

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

shop: John Scharnberg erected a hotel and a little later opened a saloon in con- nection. During the summer Henry Me- larchy opened a meat market ; John Il. Dressen erected a building and started the town's third general store : John Nie- mer started the first livery barn. During the fall JJ. C. Johnston & Co. erected sheds and office building and started a lumber yard, under the management of Dunk Wills; a new grain buying firm ap- peared : John Otterson added flour and feed to his stock of fuel: a school house was erected : and several of the new com- ers built residences. The first child born in the village was a son born to Mr. and Mrs. John Otterson on June 20.

At the close of the year 1892 we find that there were in the new town three general stores, one hotel. one lumber yard. one fuel yard, two grain warehouses, two blacksmith shops, one saloon and one liv- ery stable. Within the year Hardwick had developed into a hustling little vil- lage.20 The list of building improvements for 1892 as reported by the local press was as follows:

John Scharnberg, hotel $3000

School building 1000

J. H. Dressen, store building. 1000

Herman Lenz, store building. 1000 Thomas Trenhaile, residence. 800

H. T. Holverson, livery barn 800 IV. E. Littel, residence. 650

J. C. Johnston & Co., lumber sheds and office

600

A. A. Walvatne, store building. 500 William Olson, blacksmith shop. 500

Charles Anderson, residence. 400

J. B. Reed, residence. 300

E. Olson, blacksmith shop. 300

Henry Melarchy, butcher shop. 200

Total $11,050

"""No town in Rock county of equal age has come to the front more rapidly and developed brighter prospects of becoming a prosperous business point than Hardwick. It is surround- ed by a splendid farming country, which until recently has been sparsely populated, but it is now rapidly coming into the hands of well-to-do and enterprising farmers."-Rock County Her- ald, December 30. 1892.

"The land on section 35, upon which the or- iginal plat was located, was originally the prop- orty of the Western Land company. In 1890 it came into the possession of A. A. Walvatne. Who in the summer of 1892 disposed of part of it to A. W. Sleeper.

The survey of the townsite was made September 1 and 2. 1892. by W. X. Day- idson. The dedication was made Septem- ber 12 by A. A. Walvatne and A. W. Sleeper, and the instrument was filed for record September 24.21 The original plat consisted of only four blocks. The streets east and west were named First, Main and Third : north and south the site was divid- ed by Summit street.22

The founding of new enterprises con- finued during the carly part of 1893. A billing was erected and a bank founded, under the management of D. J. Hawley, who in May was succeeded by George O. Ross; D. J. Stoakes opened a hardware store : the first grain elevator was erected hy Otter Offerson ; Hauger & Saekett put up a building and opened a feed mill. Thereafter for several years there was little advancement in Hardwick. The town maintained an excellent grain mar- ket, and hundreds of carloads were ship- ped each year; the few business houses were well supported and the village con- tinued to hold its own with the neighbor- ing hamlets during the lean years of the middle nineties. A directory published in the fall of 1898 showed the following business enterprises :23 J. B. Iverson, Ilu- lett Brothers & Co. and Heckt Brothers. general merchandise ; Q. Siark, hardware; Stephen Brothers, meat market: J. C. Johnston & Co., lumber yard. L. M. Lar- son, manager: T. O. Tollefson, livery, grain and live stock ; August Strochbeen, Hardwick hotel : Hardwick Elevator com- pany, grain : Holverson & Jargo, grain : E. A. Brown. grain and live stock; Daven-

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An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota, Part 24

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