USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 26
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
A directory of the business enterprises of the village in the summer of 1881 shows only the following : Harrison White. general merchant and grain dealer: Cox & Knudtson, general merchandise (es- tablished in June. 1881) : Berry & White, drug store; Dr. W. T. Berry, physician : J. O. Tyler, proprietor of a cheese fac- tory, landlord of the Beaver Creek hotel and postmaster. From this directory it will be noted that there had been a falling off in the business houses of the town from the first year of its existence. But in 1882 began a more prosperous era, which extended over a period of several years and in which Beaver Creek advanced to a point never before attained.
Among the new enterprises started in 1882 were a harness shop by John Obele, a hardware store by J. O. Brictson, a gro- cery store by B. F. Roderick & Co., and a drug store by JJ. M. Park. A directory of March, 1883, furnishes this list: A. G. Seney, general merchandise: K. N. Knudtson, dry goods and groceries : Har- rison White, lumber, fuel, grain and live stock ; J. O. Brictson, hardware: J. M. Park, drug store : A. Obele, hotel : John B.
""Beaver Creek. in respect to general im- provements and the erection of new buildings, is coming rapidly to the front. The growth of the town during the past year has been con- siderably greater than that of the previous year and it enters upon the present season with
Obele, harness shop; Kiffe & Obele, black- smith and wagon shop; Mrs. J. O. Tyler, millinery store.
The year 1883 was a very prosperous one and many new buildings were put up. including three store buildings, a ware- house and several residences. The Herald at the close of the year told of a visit :
A visit to Beaver Creek, after an absence of a year, will discover to the visitor nu- merous changes and improvements. In- deed, he will find that the town has nearly doubled in size, and that its importance as a business point has materially increased. There is no mistaking the fact that Beaver Creek is enjoying a very substan- tial "boom" and that its prospects are brighter than ever before in its history. As a matter of fact, there is no town of its size that receives more grain and stock, and no town of its size that does, in a general way, a larger business.
The activity continued during 1884 and almost took the nature of a boom. New buildings went up all over the town and several new business houses were estab- lished. Rock county in general was en- joying prosperous times and good crops, and Beaver Creek kept pace with the gen- eral advance.7 At this time five ware- houses were required to take care of the grain that poured in.
It was while these conditions prevailed that Beaver Creek became an incor- porated village. In the summer of 1884 the residents petitioned Judge Severance of the district court for an order declar- ing the village incorporated. The court heard the petition August 27 and on Sep- tember 19 issned the necessary order. Col- onel Harrison White, J. M. Park and Abram Osmun were named a committee to call the first election, which was set for October 2. Forty-two votes were cast at the first election. Following is a list of Beaver Creek residents who have been
increased vitality and enterprise. There is no reason apparent why Beaver Creek should not . become a town of no inconsiderable impor- tance."-Rock County Herald, September 19, 1884.
ETTE III -
SCENES AT BEAVER CREEK
191
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
elected to office from the date of incorpor- ation to the present time :"
1884-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, Abram Osmun, C. C. Cox, Andrew Obele; recorder, John Park; treasurer, James D. Campbell; justices, Oliver A. Hume, George B. Roderick; constable, John Carney.
1885-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, A. C. Goltz, C. C. Cox, Andrew Obele : recorder, George B. Roderick; treasurer, J. O. Brictson; justices, Oliver A. Hume, J. B. Obele;" constable, John Carney.10
1886-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, A. C. Goltz, Andrew Obele, John Car- ney; recorder, George B. Roderick; treas- urer, J. O. Brictson.
1887-President, F. D. Ressegieu; trus- tees, J. H. Gibson, Fred Ward, A. W. Had- wick; recorder, C. H. Humphrey; treasurer, J. O. Brictson; justice, Sam Henderson.
1888-President, F. D. Ressegien; trus- tees, J. H. Gibson, Fred Ward, J. A. Shaver ; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, J. O. Brict- son; justice, W. H. Leavens;11 constable, C. C. Cox.12
1889-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, Fred Ward, J. W. Leslie, Thomas Wes- ton; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, I. H. Burt; justice, A. J. Daley; constable, B. F. Gibson.
1890-President, Fred Ward; trustees, J. W. Leslie, Thomas Weston, G. C. Tuns- tall; recorder, Olaf Skyberg; treasurer, J. P. Richardson; justices, J. H. Adams, Leon Carr; constables, C. C. Cox, R. Reetz.
1891-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, Theodore Winchell, Thomas Weston, G. C. Tunstall; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, J. P. Richardson; justice, James Marshall; constable, G. C. Mather.
1892-President, Fred Ward; trustees, E. H. Moreland, Jacob Hettinger, Andrew Obele; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, J. P. Richardson; justices, J. H. Adams, James Marshall; constables, C. C. Cox, A. B. Price.
1893-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, E. H. Moreland, Jacob Hettinger, E. F. Baker; recorder, H. J. Smelser; treasur- er, J. P. Richardson; justice, L. H. Owen; constable, A. E. Jordahl.
1894-President, Harrison White; trus- tees, E. H. Moreland, Jacob Hettinger, G.
The license question has a number of times been submitted to the voters. So early as the spring of 1878, when the town had just been started, the matter of license or no license was submitted to the voters of the township, no- license winning by a vote of 79 to 34. During most of its incorporated history Beaver Creek has granted license. Following is the result of the vote on the question at the times it was submitted (perhaps not complete): 1887. for license by 15 majority: 1888. for, 39, against. 27: 1891. for. 21. against. 17: 1893. license car- ried; 1899. for. 18. against. 21: 1900, license by 6 majority; 1907. for, 14. against, 35.
"A. J. Daley and J. O. Tyler were elected justices at a special election November 17, 1885.
H. Worley; recorder, L. B. Sage; treasurer, I. H. Burt; justices, J. H. Adams, A. B. Vines; constable, Theodore Winchell.
1895-President, Abram Osmun; trustees, W. T. Berry, Ira Crawford, Theodore Win- chell; recorder, J. H. Adams; treasurer, O. B. Bratager; justice, L. B. Sage; con- stables, A. E. Jordabl, E. C. Conant.
1896-President, Abram Osmun; trus- tees, Ira Crawford, Theodore Winchell, G. C. Pluedeman; recorder, A. B. Vines; treas- urer, O. B. Bratager; justices, J. H. Adams, Seth Crawford; constables, A. E. Jordahl, John Carney.
1897-President, Abram Osmun; trustees, Theodore Winchell, G. C. Pluedeman, E. J. Dunbar: recorder, A. B. Vines; treasurer, O. B. Bratager; justice, E. C. Brooks; con- stable, F. E. Welker.
1898-President, E. J. Dunbar; trustees, Theodore Winchell, J. S. Crawford, John Carney; recorder, W. J. Kinne; 13 treasurer, O. B. Bratager;" justice, J. B. Obele; con- stable, F. E. Henton.
1899-President, E. J. Dunbar; trustees, Theodore Winchell, J. S. Crawford, John Carney; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, F. E. Welker; justices, E. C. Brooks, J. S. Crawford; " constable, F. E. Henton.
1900-President, E. J. Dunbar; trustees, Theodore Winchell, J. S. Crawford, H. R. Ohs; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, F. E. Welker.
1901-President, E. J. Dunbar; trustees, Theodore Winchell, J. S. Crawford, John Carney; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, F. E. Welker; justice, E. C. Brooks.
1902-President. E. J. Dunbar; trustees, John Carney, Samuel Loe, W. A. Speed; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, G. F. Chis- holm; justice, Ira Crawford; constable, Knudt Loe.
1903-President, H. J. Ferguson; trustees, Samuel Loe, W. A. Speed, F. A. Welker; recorder, J. B. Obele; treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, E. C. Brooks; constable, W. A. Weaver.
1904-President, H. J. Ferguson; trustees, Samuel Loe, F. E. Welker, A. J. Tange- man; recorder, L. Misener;1 treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, L. Misener; constable, T. N. Adams.
1905-President, F. E. Welker; trustees, A. J. Tangeman, S. L. Todd, F. E. Henton; recorder, F. M. Jones; treasurer, M. O.
1Resigned February 4, 1886, and was succeed- ed by J. B. Obele.
MAt a special election in July. 1888. H. Kiffe and A. W. Hadwick were elected.
12B. F. Gibson elected at a special election in July. 1SSS.
13Resigned in September. 1898, and was suc- ceeded by J. B. Obele.
1+Resigned in September, 1898, and was sue- ceeded by F. E. Welker.
"Did not qualify.
1Resigned in June.
192
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
Page; justices, E. C. Brooks, G. B. Whit- ney; constable, O. H. Hazel.
1906-President, F. E. Welker; trustees, A. J. Tangeman, S. L. Todd, F. E. Henton ; recorder, W. E. Leeman; treasurer, M. O. Page; justices, G. B. Whitney, E. C. Brooks; constable, T. N. Adams.
1907-President, F. E. Welker; trustees, H. R. Ohs, J. C. Clanssen, T. A. Grout; re- corder, J. R. Doan; 17 treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, E. C. Brooks; constable, G. B. Whit- ney.
1908-President, F. E. Welker; trustees, J. C. Claussen, F. E. Henton, L. M. Merkel; recorder, B. R. Page; treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, E. C. Brooks; constable, G. B. Whitney.
1909-President, F. E. Welker; trustees, J. C. Claussen, F. E. Henton, L. M. Merkel; recorder, H. S. Cragg; treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, E. C. Brooks, constable, James Vopat.
1910-President, F. E. Welker; trustees, L. M. Merkel, James Vopat, A. G. Gilbert; recorder, H. S. Cragg; treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, E. C. Brooks; constable, G. B. Whitney.
1911-President, H. S. Cragg; trustees, James Vopat, Henry Nowka, Frank Loose; recorder, E. J. Dunbar; treasurer, M. O. Page; justice, F. E. Welker; constable, N. L. Merkel.
The banner year in Beaver Creek's whole history was 1885. A correspondent writing in October said: "Business lots on First avenue are in demand. An addi- tion to the town plat is talked of in order to supply the increasing want. Build- ings are going up in every direction and we haven't mechanics enough to supply the orders for work." The Herald on June 12 told of the progress the town was making:
There is no mistaking the fact that Bea- ver Creek is enjoying a lively "boom." To one who has not visited the place for a few months the transformation wrought during that time is surprising. In fact, Beaver Creek of a year ago is practically a thing of the past, and in its stead a new town has appeared. New buildings appear in all parts of the village and the business lots which but a short time ago were vacant are now, particularly along the portion of the business street east of the corners occu-
"Succeeded in May by E. C. Brooks.
InFigures by the Sioux Falls Press, January. 1886.
19 Among those who erected business houses were 1. C. Mittelstadt & Co., John B. Obele. Henry Kiffe, K. N. Knudtsun. J. M. Bennett,
pied respectively by Colonel White and K. N. Knudtson, covered with substantial busi- ness houses. Moreover, the town authori- ties have been active and enterprising in the matter of public improvements. The streets have been graded, the public build- ings and grounds improved, and new side- walks have been built along the entire length of First avenue, as well as upon other streets.
An even thirty buildings, the total val- ne of which was $30,000. were erected during the year 1885. 18 of which sixteen were business houses.19 A business di- rectory published in June (after which a newspaper. bank and several other enter- prises were started) gave the following list of business meu : L. C. Mittelstadt & Co., lumber yard (A. C. Goltz, manager) : J. O. Brietson. hardware and implements : John Obele, harness shop: Harry Kiffe, wagon shop : Dr. W. T. Berry, physician and drug store; A. E. Patterson. imple- ments: J. M. Park, drug store: George B. Roderick. groceries and provisions ; K. N. Knudtson, general merchandise; J. M. Bennett. saloon and billiard hall: Pat Toohey. saloon and billiard hall: George Tunstall, carpenter and cabinet maker: Dr. Cummings, physician : Jacob Hetting- er, blacksmith shop: A. Hess, shoe shop and boarding house: L. S. Welker, meat market; J. O. Tyler, postmaster: Mrs. J. O. Tyler, millinery store: Mr. Evans, temperance saloon: Colonel Harrison White. general merchandise, grain and live stock : Hume & Campbell, humber and furniture; A. Obele, blacksmith shop : John Gassoway, barber shop : Fred Scott, dray line.
During this period in the career of the town, when it boasted a population of 165. according to the census of 1885. in the winter of 1885-86. its residents sought
Pat Toohey. Dr. Cummings, H. Hess, J. O. Tyler and J. A. Hettinger. Among those who erected residences were E. C. Conant. J. D. Campbell. Ahram Osmun, C. C. Cox. O. A. Hume, Wil- liam Carney, Thomas Carney. R. Reitz, John Mickelson, G. B. Roderick. Will Leavans, A. C. Goltz, J. O. Brietson and Harrison White.
193
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
to wrest the county seat from Luverne. An active campaign was waged for a few weeks, but the obstacles to be overcome were too great and the effort was aban- doned.
During the latter half of the eighties, before the railroads brought competing towns. Beaver Creek continued to be a thriving and progressive village. The fast developing country surrounding brought prosperity to its merchants, and the lit- tle town continued its forward march until a series of events occurred which put a damper on all progress. The building of two new lines of railway, both of which passed close to the town, and the founding of Bruce, Manley and Hills in its former territory were serions blows. Then came two fires, destroying many of the busi- ness houses and entailing losses of many thousand dollars, which added to the re- trogression.
The first fire occurred April 9, 1889. when the roller mill, an elevator and sey- eral sheds, in addition to several thousand bushels of grain. were entirely destroyed by the "lurid leveler." The destruction of the town was threatened, but by hard work the flames were contined to the struc- tures mentioned. The loss was $25,000. Following the fire came agitation for in- stalling a system of waterworks, but at an election to vote bonds for the purpose on September 5, the proposition was de- feated by five votes out of a total of forty- three.
The next contlagration came early on the morning of December 3, 1889, when seven business houses on the north side of Main street with their contents were con- sumed. The fire is supposed to have been of incendiary origin and was started in a
vacant store building owned by J. O. Tyler. Although the alarm was sounded at once, the people were not able to stay the progress of the flames with the force pump and the one line of one-inch hose, which constituted the town's fire fighting apparatus. The total loss was placed at $9000, covered by only $3500 insurance. The losses were as follows: Harrison White, store building, machine shed and outbuildings, $4000; E. C. Conant. dam- age to general merchandise stock in Col- onel White's building. $1000; L. S. Wel- ker, meat market building, $400; E. A. Baker, fixtures and meal stock, $200; J. O. Tyler, vacant store building, $1200: T. O. Meyers, vacant store building, $500 : Nels Clemetson, hotel building, $1000; Thomas Evans, saloon building, $600.
The burned district was not rebuilt : the new town of Hills, six miles south. cut off a valuable part of its trade terri- tory : the promoters of the town of Man- ley, only three and one-half miles away. were boldly planning the removal of the unfortunate town to their site: local jeal- onsy divided the town into factions in con- sidering matters of public benefit.20-and Beaver Creek came upon evil days. Dwel- lings became tenantless and some were moved away : store buildings became va- cant and dilapidated, and the business in- terests of the town were threatened.
The census of 1890 gave Beaver Creek a population of 232 people. In the spring of the next year the business portion of the town consisted of a hotel, lumber yard. cheese factory and creamery, three general stores, a bank, three warehouses, wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, drug store, two saloons, hardware store. harness shop,
"0"Just so long as every enterprise or scheme for the improvement of Beaver Creek is made subservient to personal preferment, just so long will Beaver Creek retain its present high rank among the few imbecile towns of the state. It is high time that the spirit of jealousy is sub- clued and everyone join in a united effort to boom the town. In fact, it is imperatively
necessary in the present case, and unless a pol- icy different from that heretofore pursued is adopted, little good will be derived from the enterprise, however promising the outlook. Lay aside all matters of pique and work for Beaver Creek."-Beaver Creek News-Letter, De- cember, 1889.
11
194
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
shoe repairing shop, livery stable, barber shop and meat market.
Not until 1898 did Beaver Creek show signs of gaining its former prestige. Then came the turning of the tide. It had weathered the days of adversity and was once more gaining ground, starting out on a new era of growth and development which has not since been checked. A directory in the fall of 1898 listed the following business firms: F. E. Welker. Dunbar Brothers and G. F. Chisholm, gen- eral merchandise stores ; Sage Brothers, hardware store; Dr. W. T. Berry, drug store : John B. Obele, harness shop; Wil- liam MeCurdy, meat market ; Tuthill Lumber company. E. C. Brooks, manager ; Lukensmeyer & Hettinger, blacksmith and wagon shop; F. E. Henton, blacksmith shop: Colonel Harrison White, imple- ments, A. E. Jordahl, manager: Henry Olson, shoemaker: William J. Weston, saloon ; St. John Brothers, grain. M. C. Reeder, manager: Hubbard & Palmer , grain, George Dunbar, manager : Peavey Elevator company, grain, Sol. Sage, man- ager : E. C. Plnedeman, depot agent.
The population of Beaver Creek in 1900 was 186, and this was increased to 202 in 1905. The 1940 census showed a popu- lation of 195. Within the last decade many public and private improvements have been made. The village has broad streets, lined with shade trees, and cement walks. It has church buildings and one of the finest school houses in the county. It has mercantile establishments that would be a credit to a town many times its size.
SCHOOL.
When Beaver Creek was founded late in the year 1844 it was in the territory of school district No. 15, the school house of which was located one-half mile west of town. In 1828 the old building was sold to another district and a one-room
building was erected in the village. The school was opened in September, ts?8, with nearly fifty pupils in attendance and with Miss Jennie Grout as teacher. Other early teachers of the school were A. II. Grout. O. E. Ferguson, W. Il. Hummell. Robert Ord and Laura Ord. An addition to the school house was made a few years after its erection, making a two-room building. This pioneer structure served the district until the present school house was erected, twenty-seven years later.
Late in 1904, by a vote of 64 to 10, the electors decided to erect a two-story, four- room brick building the following year. The contract for its erection was let in July, 1905, to Otto Miller on a bid of $6500, and the building was dedicated November 11 of the same year. The total cost of the building, heating plant. and furnishings was about $10,000. A two year high school course was established in 1909. There are now four departments. the enrollment, according to the annual report in June, 1910, being as follows : High school, 27; grammar department, 13: intermediate department, 29; pri- mary department, 40: total enrollment. 109.
CHURCHES.
The church history of Beaver Creek antedate> that of the founding of the town by a number of years. Three church organizations have been founded during the forty years that. have elapsed since the first religious services were held. Two of these organizations, the Methodist and Presbyterian. are still represented at Beaver Creek. The Baptist society gave up its organization nine years ago.
The Methodist society was the first or- ganized. The church of that denomina- tion came into being following the first religious services held in Beaver Creek township. A tent, pitched near the habi-
195
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
tation of A. II. Grout, was the temple of neighborhood devotional services so early as the summer of 18:1. New set- tlers, most of whom had left church atfil- iations in the east, became members of the Beaver Creek settlement in the course of another year, and one of the first concerns of the pioneers was to provide regular worship.
On Sunday, June 2, 18:2. a meeting held at the sod house of B. I. Crossman resulted in the organization of a Sunday school. On the same occasion a Methodist class was also formed with William Gront as leader. Until the fall of 1822 the oc- casional serviees of the little congregation were conducted by the lay members. The first minister of the gospel to visit the Beaver Creek settlement was Rev. William Bear, of Worthington, who preached the first sermon in the township in the sod house of E. L. Grout. Rev. Bear at that time gave his official sanction to the class already organized. That same fall Dr. B. H. Crever, also of Worthington. preach- ed to a large gathering at the home of William Grout.
The congregation became anxious for the services of a regular pastor, and in accordance with this desire a petition was prepared asking for the transfer of Rer. E. H. Bronson, the pastor of several of the settlers in their former home, from the Wisconsin conference to serve the new charge. The request was granted and Rev. Bronson, on the first Sunday following his arrival in the new country, June 20. 1813, conducted the first pastoral services in the open air before the home of William Gront. At the close of this meeting a formal church organization was perfected with a large membership. Among those most influential in bringing this event to fulfilment were William Grout, E. L. Gront, Charles Williams, F. Miercort, B. F. Crossman, Moses Ferguson and G. IF.
Henton. Rev. Bronson, later assisted by Rev. J. M. Bull, continued in official charge of the Beaver Creek church, in connection with his other ministrations in Rock and adjoining counties, for a period of four and one-half years.
The first permanent house of worship was the school house erected in the Grout neighborhood during the spring of 1815. Services were later held in a newer school building closer to Beaver Creek village. The present church edifice was erected during the summer of 1886. It was dedi- cated free of debt by Rev. J. N. Liscomb. presiding elder of the Mankato district. on Sunday, June 19, 1887.
The Presbyterian church of Beaver Creek dates from May, 1878. During that month, at the solicitation of a num- ber of followers of that denomination who had settled in the young village and vi- einity, services were conducted in the old school house west of town by Elders D. C. Lyon and Edward Savage. Ser- eral weeks later Rev. Charles Thayer. who had been assigned as state synodical missionary for Rock connty, made arrange- ments for services at Beaver Creek at stated intervals. It was through Rev. Thayer's efforts that a deputation from the Mankato presbytery came to Beaver ('reek and organized the Presbyterian church on June 5, 1880, with about a dozen members.
In November of the same year it was decided to ereet a church edifice. To this end a board of trustees, consisting of James Marshall, J. H. Stearns and J. D. Campbell, with Harrison White as treas- nrer, was elected. Within a few months a sum sufficient to build and furnish a church costing in the neighborhood of $1400 was subscribed. and the railroad company donated a site of three blocks. Building operations were commenced early the next summer. The corner stone of
196
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
the church-the first erected in Beaver Creek-was laid on June 21. 1881. The first service in the church was conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. J. Mumo, on Sun- day, October 9. and the formal dedication occurred December 14.
The Baptist church of Beaver Creek was also established early. Rev. A. W. Hilton, the first pastor of the Luverne society, during the closing years of the seventies, organized a branch of that church. A formal organization was later perfected by Rev. Cyrus Thomas, and in 1886 the Beaver Creek Baptists erected a church edifice. The society was for many years in a flourishing condition, but in 1902, because of great loss in membership, principally by removals. it was deemed advisable to give up the organization. The church building was sold to a Valley Springs congregation and moved to that place. The proceeds of the sale were do- nated to the Luverne church, with whom most of the remaining members allied themselves, and were used for building purposes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.