USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 53
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 53
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1909-President, S. Bertelsen; trustees, C. Jensen, T P. Hermanson, Charles Linder- man; recorder, H. V. Pedersen; treasurer, Nels Bertelsen; assessor, J. M. Denison; justice, R. Severson; constables, O. B. John- son, C. H. Droun.
1910-President, C. M. Christensen; trus- tees, George R. Stevens, C. Jensen, O. M. Sandberg; recorder, Mark Woolstencroft; treasurer, Nels Bertelsen; justice, J. M. Denison; constable, Axel Palm.
1911 -- President, S. Bertelsen; trustees, C. Gilbertson, C. Jensen, O. M. Sandberg; recorder, P. A. Nelson; treasurer, Nels Ber- telsen; assessor, N. P. Hansen; justices, R. Severson, Henry Harder; constable, O. B. Johnson.
The first and only disastrous fire in Ruthion's history occurred in the early morning of January 10. 1898. The fire originated in the rear of Olson & Ras- mussen's store building and before the flames could be checked several buildings and their contents in the business part of the village were destroyed. The esti- mated losses were $12.450, distributed as follows: Olson & Rasmussen, general merchandise store, $7800: Questad & Trenne, hardware stock, $2800; W. H. Bowles, furniture store, $1200: Chris Hogan, store building: $500; W. M. Burns, real estate office, $150. The burnt district was immediately rebuilt, nearly all the work of hanling material, con- struction, etc., being donated. The
In 1907 the no license advocates were success. ful by a vote of 39 to 22, as they were the next year by a vote of 41 to 2G. Since 1908 the ques- lion has not been submitted and license has not been granted,
21 Resigned April 23, 1907, and was succeeded by D. Hanson.
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SCENES AT RUTIITON
373
HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.
building improvements for 1898 were not confined to the restoration of the destroy- ed area, several other structures being erected and several new enterprises being put under way. The total improvements for the year amounted to over $20,000. The year 1898 marked the beginning of a very prosperous era in the history of the little village.22
For several years there was substantial growth and when the federal census of 1900 was taken the village had a popu- lation of 323. There was neither gain nor loss in population during the next five years, the state census of 1905 listing the same number of inhabitants.
The opening years of the present een- tury were prosperous ones in Ruthton and many new enterprises were established. A flouring mill was erected, and in 1901 Iwo new elevators were built, making a total of five in the town. A system of waterworks was installed lale in the year 1902.23 More publie improvements were made in 1995. One June 6 the voters authorized a $1000 bond issue, and the money thus oblained was used in improv- ing the streets, extending the water sys- tem and in the construction of cement crossings and curbings. The census of 1910 gave Ruthton a population of 290.
THE SCHOOL.
Ruthton maintains a school system that a much larger town might justly lake pride in. The history of school district No. 55 dates from the spring of 1889. At an election on March 9 of that year A. F. Reynolds was chosen director: S.
22"Freight receipts at this station for the month of February, last year, were $458.06; cor- responding month this year. $925.39. Our agent. Mr. Ayers, says the receipts have more than doubled every month during the year, which speaks volumes for our little city, which had a phenomenal growth last year, and already new buildings are planned to far exceed our last year's advancement."-Ruthion Gazette. March 11. 1898.
H. Strand, clerk ; and John Wheadon, Treasurer; and those gentlemen served as the first governing board of the Ruthto: school. Al an election on March 23, 1889, bonds for the erection of a school house were voted, and the building was complet- ed in time to open school early in June.24 Mrs. Wilkins was the first teacher.
The present commodious two-story building was creeled in 1898 on lots do- nated by L. A. Moore and with money raised by a bond issue. In recent years new and modern equipment has been add- ed, and the school property is now valued at $7000. Ten grades are maintained, conducted by five Irachers. The enroll- meni is about 125.
THE CHURCHES.
Of the three church organizations in Ruthton, that of the Danish Intherans is the oldest, having been organized shortly after the founding of the town. There was a largo Danish settlement in Acina township, nearly all of whom were of the Lutheran faith, and to these Rev. C. Pel- ersen, president of the Danish college at Tyler, began to minister in 1889. That year the church society was organized in The new school house, and on October 26 the following were chosen to constitute the first board of trustees: Erick Peter. son, president ; Jens Peterson, Rasmus Nelson, O. B. Johnson and Hans Carlson. Through this body the church was incor- porated as the Danish Evangelical Luth- eran church of Ruthion.
For ten years the Danish Lutherans were without a church home. Following
23At the annual village election on March 12. 1901. the proposition to issue bonds for install- ing a water works system was defeated, but the proposition was carried at a special elec- tion October 7. 1902, by a voto of 54 to S. A $3000 bond issue was authorized, which, with the funds already in the treasury, was used in the construction of the plant, which was turned over to the village December 17. 1902.
""The original school house is now located on Main street and is occupied as a harness shop by John Beck,
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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.
the completion of the Methodist church. that building was used by the pioneer or- ganization until the summer of 1899, when the society erected a home of ils own. Paul Sorenson and S. Bertelsen constituted the building committee that supervised the construction of the build- ing. which cost $1200. A parsonage. erected at a cost of $2000. is now also a part of the church property. . Rev. ('. Petersen supplied the church for a num- ber of years from Tyler and then took up his residence in Ruthton and had charge of the church until his death. He was succeeded in 1908 by Rev. R. J. Kristen- sen.
The Actna Norwegian Lutheran church was also carly established. Before the founding of Ruthton a mimber of Norwe- gian lutherans of the vicinity were affili- ated with a church'of their denomination at Florence. An informal organizalion. comprising about a half dozen members, was made in 1889 under the direction of Rev. H. Magelson, of Elkton, South Da- kota, and for several years, at irregular intervals, services were held in the Thompson school house, west of Ruthton.
A formal organization of the Norwe- gian Lutheran church was brought about in November, 1892. Rev. Il. Aanestad was the organizing clergyman and the fol- lowing were the first members: C. Gil- bertson. Thomas Thompson, Andrew P. Myhre, E. K. Gryte. H. M. Bly, II. Nel- son. Il. Martinson, John Sandvig, Joseph Helland and H. P. Halverson. A church building was riveted in Ruthion in 1901 and was dedicated in July, 1905. The
"The charter members of the M I. A. lodge were O. T Bly. W. F. Burns. Jacoli F. Carlson, Theodore Drake. Frank Finley. A. F Gallupheo, Andrew Groen, Jesse F. Hinck. Frank Jacobson, Patrick Kelley, N. P. Larsen, B. D. Martinson, B. J Alooney. I. Myllenbeck. Thomas Arnesen, ( W. Olson, Jacob Poorflert. Prder Skaasheim and Hl Martinson.
"The charter m molo is were (. P Carlson, lda L. Carlson. Flora A Dubay. S. B. Duca. Anna Fisher, William Fisher, Mary Ginzel, Marie S. Madsen. Amelia S. Mener. Herman Mejer, Clara
pastors of the church have been II. Magel- son. 1889; Il. Aanestad, 1890 io 1901; A. Sorenson. 1901 to 1903; A. Nervig. 1903 to 1906: 1. Bergh, 1906 to date. The churches at Florence and Current Lake are supplied by the Ruthton pastor.
A Methodist class was formed in Ruth- ton in 1891 by Rev. Arminius Davis, and a church organization, which united the classes at Ruthton and Woodstock, was perfected November 2, 1892. by Rev. John V. Hawk. On that occasion the follow- ing became members : James Shields, Samuel Parks. W. T. Warren, Abram Sni- der, Nellie Snider, JJames Gilfillan, D. G. Smith, Fred Kaist, E. C. Van Walker and Mrs. Barrows. The Methodists erect- ed the first church building in the village, dedicating it August 8. 1896. Its cost was about $1000.
THE LODGES.
Among the several fraternal organiza- tions in Ruthton. Ruthton Camp No. 3691. Modern Woodmen of America. is the oldest. It was instituted March 25. 1896. with nineteen charter members.23
Harmony Camp No. 5905. Royal Neigh- bors of America, began life AAugust 2. 1909, with eighteen charter members.26
The Masonic order in Ruthion has at present Forty members. Ruthton Lodge No. 212. A. F. & A. M., was instituted March 20, 1902, by Grand Master Coun- tryman with eight charter members. 27
Lamiel Chapter No. 163, Order Eastern Star, became an organization March 23. 1903. and was instituted October 21 of the same year.28
B. Park. William 6. Park, Mary 1. Peterson. Fred Reins, Lena Reins. Carl A. Scherer. Minnie B. Skinner and Mae E. Wells.
37The first members were (. Diehl, Jay Man- son. M. J. Evans. George Moore, H. Martinson, O. J. Rogde, O. W. Olson, and Charles Kelson.
"Among the charter members were Zoe Diehl. Minnie Calderwood L. Martinson. Mrs. C. M. Christensen. Mrs. R B. Kelson, Emma Carlson. Illa Anderson, Laura Kyler, Josie Smith, C. Jensen, Mrs. Bice and M. J. Calderwood.
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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.
The Danish Brotherhood has an active organization in Ruthton. Hope Lodge No. 253 was instituted February 25, 190%, by Frederick Petersen, of Tyler.29
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
At a public meeting held March 23, 1908, eight men enlisted as volunteer fire- men, and of the number Holger Pedersen was chosen chief. The initial organiza- tion was not long-lived. A reorganization was brought about May 18, 1910, when the following were chosen officers: II. Harders, chief: E. O. Ageton, president : George Stevens, secretary; Nols Bertel- sen, treasurer. The department consists of ten members.
THE BANK.
The Ruthton State Bank is the only bank in the village. It is the successor of the First National Bank, which, in turn, was the outgrowth of a private bank- ing house established during the fall of 1897 by M. J. Evans, of Sac City, lowa.
2ºOf the charter membership the following were elected to office at the time of organiza- tion: Laurids Sorensen, C. Jensen, Martin Pe- dersen, Viggo Jensen, Mads Jorgensen, T. P.
The First National Bank of Ruthton was organized in May, 1901, by M. J. Evans, E. N. Bailey, L. W. Felter, Lottie Felter and M. H. Evans. It was capitalized at $25,000 and M. J. Evans was the presi- dent, which office he held until May, 1903. At that time he sold a controlling interest to C. Diehl and M. J. Calderwood, who became, respectively, president and cash- ier.
A second bank, the Citizens Bank, was established by Pipestone capitalists in February, 1903, but it was merged with the First National in July of the same year. In November, 1904, there was a complete change in the management of the First National, E. W. Davies becom- ing president and S. B. Duea, cashier. Early in 1910 the First National Bank of Ruthton became the State Bank of Ruth- ton, capitalized at $20,000. Business was begun under the state banking laws March 1, 1910, with the following board of di- rectors: S. B. Duea. E. W. Davies, T. P. Hermanson, S. Bertelsen, O. B. John- son, J. M. Denison and August Green.
Hermansen, Julius Hansen, Emil Jorgensen, Al- fred Petersen, Rasmus C. Rasmussen and L. P. Rasmussen.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
WOODSTOCK AND TROSKY.
T HIRD in age among Pipestone county towns is the Burke town- ship village of Woodstock. It was founded in 1879, only a few months after the village of Edgerton came into existence. For beauty of situation no vil- lage in Pipestone county surpasses it. It rests upon an elevated plateau, which overlooks in every direction an excellent farming country. Its founders exereised the best of judgment in the selection, for it is one of the most desirable sites to be found in southwestern Minnesota. Wood- stock is located on one of the highest points of land in the state of Minnesota -- on the hill-top of Pipestone county. Its elevation, as reported by the Omaha rail- road surveyors, is 1822 feet above sea level. It has always been distinguished as a live- ly business center and as an attractive residence village. It has excellent schools, strong church organizations and flourish- ing fraternal societies.
Woodstock is a station on the Heron Lake-Pipestone branch of the Omaha rail- road and is twelve miles east of the conn- ty seat. For a number of years it was the western terminus of the branch road and that fact led to its development into a flourishing little village earlier than
Illickcox's Prairie postoffice lost its identity upon the removal of the office to Woodstock. In 1880 the office was maintained in T. T. Fitz- gerald's store and that gentleman was the post-
otherwise would have been the case. It was the building of the line of railroad, originally styled the Minnesota & Black Hills Railroad company-affiliated with the interests of the old Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company-that led to the founding of a town on the Burke town- ship prairie. The matter of locating a station in Burke township on the line of railroad building from the east was a top- ic of general interest so early as the spring of 1879. In the issue of the Pipestone County Star of July 3 a correspondent from the east end of the county present- ed arguments to prove that a station es- tablished in Burke township would prove a paying investment to the railroad com- pany. Before many months such a con- dition had come to pass.
Before the site was selected for a station and townsite, in the early summer of 1829, upon the petition of settlers in the vicinity, a postoffice named Hickcox's Prairie was established at the home of Granger Hickcox, just across the grade from the future town. The gentleman after whom the office was named beeame postmaster and conducted it several months before it was replaced by the Woodstock office.1 In September, 1879,
master. He was succeeded in January. 1885, by Fred Bloom, who served under the appointment only a few months. Charles Lindsay took the office under the democratic administration and
377
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HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.
the railroad company purchased from Kasson Hickcox land on section ? for townsite purposes, and in the latter part of that month the site was surveyed by R. J. Dukes, a civil engineer in the em- ploy of the railroad company .? The dedi- cation of the plat was made October 1 by H. H. Sibley, the vice president, and George A. Hamilton, the secretary, of the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company. The original plat was divided into nine blocks.3 Woodstock received its first in- habitant at about the time the plat was made. He was AAugust Luhde, a bachel- or, who moved from his nearby homestead and erected a small shop near the center of Main street. where he engaged in the blacksmith business. The track-layers completed the road to the site early in October, and the company built a plat- form in lieu of a depot. At the close of the year 1829 Woodstock consisted solely of August Lunde's shop and the plat- form.
For a few months the site was generally known as Hickcox's Prairie, but when the plat was put on record, it was as Wood- stock. The village was named after Woodstock, the county seat of Mellenry county, linois, which was named after
served until 1859, when he was succeeded by Fred Bloom, who served until 1893. Mr. Lindsay again took charge of the office under Presi- dent Cleveland's second adminstration and held office until 1897. Since that date Fred Bloom has held the office continuously, Excepting Pipestone, Woodstock was the first Pipestone county town to secure rural free delivery. Three rontes are now operated from the office: No. 1. established September 1. 1900, No, 2, established November 1, 1902: No. 3, establish- rd June 1, 1908 Woodstock has been a money order offlee since January, 1893.
""Mr Hickoux feels considerably clated over the prospects of a new town [not yet named] just Bid onit on a part of his farm at the present terminus of the Minnesota & Black Hills road." Pipestone County Star, September 25. 1879.
"The following additions to Woodstock have been platted:
First, by Ehas F Drake and A. H. Wilder. trustees, August 20 JAMS Hickeox's, by Sarah G. Tiekcox, November 5. 1885.
Sampson & Fremel's, by John C. French, Jan- mary 19. 1886.
4The naming of Woodstock as here given is on the authority of the Omaha railroad officials
Woodstock, Vermont, and that after a town in England.4
In 1880 Woodstock became a town in fact as well as in name. Several residents located in the village and several business enterprises were established. Early in the voar the railroad company ereeled a cot- tage for an agent's residence and a little later built the depot which has ever since done duty. installing a Mr. Bowen as the first agent." In the spring T. T. Fitz- gerald came from Wisconsin and erected the building now occupied by the Wood- stock News, He became the first mer- chant of the village, putting in a stock of general merchandise and drugs and becoming postmaster. Among the other enterprises founded in the spring of 1880 was a warehouse by Lneins S. Cutting, who came from Olmsted county. His ware- house was 21x60 feet and was provided with living rooms overhead. A little la- ter his son, Albert Cutting, put in a stock of merchandise in one part of the ware- house. S. M. Pasco also established a lumber yard in the spring. Richard At. kins moved his farm residence to the new village from section 1. and in the fall George A. Miller erected a shop and suc- ceeded August Luhde as the village black-
as set forth in a booklet, recently issued, giv- ing the derivation of names along their lines of road. Pioneer settlers of Woodstock give an entirely different version. They state that the town was named at the time of the arrival of the first train to the station. This event was witnessed hy a large assemblage of home- steaders, who gathered from the nearby claims to get a sight of the iron horse. The "pathfinder" was a work train, piloted by a man named Wood. On bringing his engine to a stop at the new station the engineer stepped from his cab to the platform and on noticing a pile of timber nearby announced. from this suggestion and hy way of honor to himself. that he would christen the new town Wood- stock. The proposal met with a ready accep- Lance by the group of witnesses, as there had heen considerable opposition to the name Hick- cox's Prairie. Perhaps the engineer had ad- vaner information as to the naming of the town by the railroad officials and took that means of announcing it and, incidentally, of securing a little honor to himself.
"Mr. Bowen was in charge only until the fall of 1880. He was succeeded by George W. Nash, the present register of deeds of Pipestone county.
SCENES AT WOODSTOCK
379
HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.
smith. Those constituted the improve- ments during the year 1880.
The memorable blizzardy winter fol- lowed. during which there were no im- provements and during which the stocks of the business men were depleted. The following summer came a continuation of the growth. H. B. Ellithorpe erected a building next to the Fitzgerald store and opened a meat market. Later in the year the firm of Ellithorpe & Ware purchased the AAlbert Cutting stock of merchandise. The building now occupied by the post- office was erected during the summer of 1881 by W. A. Patton, who conducted a boarding house, and before the grain buy- ing season commenced the Hubbard & Palmer company built a second ware- house.
The year 1882 was a notable one in the history of Woodstock, for it was then that the village was selected as headquar- ters by two tirins which inaugurated move- ments that meant much for the future of the little town. One of these firms was the American Land & Colonization com- pany, promoted by Scotch capital to un- dertike a colonization project : the other was the land tirm of Sampson & French. of Storm Lake, town.
The colonization company, which brought about a large immigration of thrifty Scotch to southwestern Minnesota. although unsuccessful in carrying out as elaborately as planned its scheme for fill- ing up the lands in Pipestone and Murray counties, over which it secured control, became an important agency in the build- ing of Woodstock. The company pur- chased a half interest in the townsite. erected an office building and installed D. M. Eyffe as local agent. A number of Scotch immigrants settled in the vil- tage and surrounding country. one of whom. James Whyte, became the land- lord of the Scotland hotel, erected late in
the spring of 1882. A livery barn was also erected and operated in connection. The large landed interests of Sampson & French in the adjoining territory in- duced that firm to locate headquarters in Woodstock in 1882, in charge of G. H. Perry. Two new store buildings were added to the village that year, one by T. T. Fitzgerald, the pioneer merchant, the other by II. B. Ellithorpe, who had succeeded the firm of Ellithorpe & Ware.
Progress continued through 1883. A grocery and notion store was established by Wesler Webster in a building remod- eled from the Cutting warehouse, which had been moved to a location on Main street. On the site vacated, Sampson & French erected a steam elevator and feed mill, with a capacity of 20,000 bushels. This firm also established a lumber yard and late in September founded the Bank of Woodstock, to house which a neat building was erected. Other business houses were opened in the course of the vear, and Woodstock took its place as one of the lively Pipestone county towns. A business directory, issued in the spring of 1884, listed the following :
T. T. Fitzgerald, general store and post- master.
H. B. Ellithorpe, general store.
Fred Bloom, general store.
Bank of Woodstock, George C. Eyland, Jr., cashier.
M. W. Ware, hardware store.
D). M. Fyffe, agent American Land & Colonization Co.
G. H. Perry, agent Sampson & French.
James Whyte, proprietor Scotland house. C. C. Cole, hotel and restaurant.
Perry & Eyland, lumber dealers.
E. C. Hind, livery stable.
G. W. Nash, station agent and manager Peavey Bros.' warehouse.
George A. Miller, blacksmith and machine shop.
R. E. McAllister, barber shop.
Eagan & Shea, saloon.
Morris Moriarty, saloon.
The year t885 was characterized by activ- ity in the upbuilding of the town. A num- ber of new business houses were put up.
2
380
HISTORY OF PIPESTONE COUNTY.
the Presbyterian church was brought to completion, and a dozen residences were erected. It was a twelve-month of rapid development, not only in the town, but in the surrounding country, and prosperous times prevailed.6 There was a steady ad- vance also during the next half dozen years, and when a special census was taken in the spring of 1892 the village had a population of 206 people.
Woodstock became an incorporated mu- nicipality in the summer of 1892. The petition to the board of county com- missioners which resulted in that action was dated May 12. 1892.7 It asked for the incorporation of 1440 acres of land on sections 2. 3. 10 and 11. Burke township. Favorable action was taken at a meeting of the board May 21." The election to decide the question was held in the Wood- stock depot Jane 23. when 27 votes were
""During an hour's visit at Woodstock Sat- urday evening we had a chance to see the many improvements that have taken place there dur- ing the past year, and we are safe in saying that, considering its resources, there is not a town in this section of the state that has made more rapid strides. The improvements are not gorgeous by any means, huit are substan- tial and show that solid men have undertaken the work of building up a town that is a cred- it to Pinestone county in every sense of the word. The country around Woodstock is as fine as any that can be found, and through the untiring efforts of Messrs. Sampson & French. Perry & Eyland and the American Land & Col- onization company, by their agent. D. M. Fyffe. it is being rapidly filled un with a class of set- tlers that will in a short time make Woodstock a business point second to no other in this ser- tion. The business of the town is represented by a class of live men who are continually im- proving their obers of business and carry large storks of goods."-Pipestone County Star, May 19. 1885.
"The signers of the petition were Fred Bloom. James E. Craig. 0. 1. Wing. F. D. Bennett. 1 E. Deits, Ed Wilkins, E. W. Coleman. Francis Chard, John L. Soules, George A. Miller, James Shields, Thomas Shea. G. W. Nash. A. Helgerson, S. C. Lilly. A. M. Moore, David Drits, J. [ Shields. 0. Schelrud. John K. Kepner. James Hendren, E S VanWalker. C. A. Hy- song \ C. M. Mister. C. D. Walling. M. An- derson, Charles Lindsay, John Conway, William Morlarity. George Conant. R. E. McAlister. Ferdinand Len phe. Morris Moriarity and James Keenan.
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