USA > Minnesota > Cottonwood County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 15
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
The Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Mountain Lake was organized about June 1, 1908. The company owns their own building, which was
163
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
built especially for the purpose and is doubtless the best and most completely equipped of any in the county. The plant has a capacity of about ten thou- sand pounds of butter per week, but the amount turned out at the present time amounts to about four thousand pounds per week, all of which has a ready market in the local community and Chicago. During the month of July, 1916, the creamery had one hundred and ten patrons.
SMALL CONFLAGRATIONS.
Mountain Lake has been very fortunate in not having many destructive fires. In 1897 the elevators belonging to H. P. Goertz and E. G. Ter- williger were burned, causing a loss of six thousand dollars. It was the general belief at the time that the fire was of incendiary origin, but it was never proven.
In 1900 the creamery owned by P. C. Hiebert burned, causing a loss of four thousand dollars, covered by insurance to the extent of two thousand dollars.
On April 13, 1898, the Hubbard & Palmer elevator burned, causing a loss of six thousand dollars. Seven thousand bushels of wheat were destroyed.
Hiebert Brothers' elevator was burned on January 30, 1899. At the same time an attempt was made to burn the elevator belonging to Hubbard & Palmer. All the losses were covered by insurance.
MOUNTAIN LAKE TOWNSHIP.
The southeastern corner township in Cottonwood is Mountain Lake. It comprises all of congressional township 105, range 34, west, and is a full thirty-six section township. It is situated south of Midway township, west of the Watonwan county line, north from Jackson county and cast of Lakewood township. It derives its name from the lake of that name within its borders, of which further mention will be made. The lake, as known to pioneers, is no more; it has long since been drained and grains and grasses grow in its old bed. There are a few small prairie creeks in the township, but none of any considerable size. Except the southern suburbs of the village of Mountain Lake, which is in Midway township, there are no villages within Mountain Lake township. It is excellent land and produces immense crops of all grains and grasses common to this latitude. It is set-
164
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
tled very largely by Russians, who make first-class agriculturists, though many have methods peculiar to themselves.
The population of the township in 1895 was 612; in 1900 it was 561 and the United States census for 1900 gave it as having only 512.
ORGANIZATION.
Mountain Lake township was organized at a board meeting in 1871, by a petition presented the board by Daniel D. Bates and many more, ask- ing that township 105, range 34 be set off and called Mountain Lake town- ship. The prayer was answered and the township organized by calling the first election at the house of A. A. Soule, Saturday, May 6, 1871. Daniel D. Bates, A. A. Soule and M. Jacobson were appointed judges of such elec- tion, and S. H. Soule was appointed clerk. The legal description of the new townships was: "Commencing at the northeast corner of township 105, range 34, thence south to the southeast corner of said township and range; thence west to the southwest corner of said township, thence east to the northeast corner of said township and to the northeast corner of said town- ship, thence to the place of beginning."
PIONEER AND LATER LAND ENTRIES.
The subjoined list of homesteads and pre-emption claims has been tran- scribed from the books in the register of deeds in the court house at Win- dom, and shows many entries, name of land office and by whom patented.
A homestead claim was filed on August 25, 1873, by William H. Drake in the northwest quarter of section 4. township 105, range 34, west, at the Jackson land office, and signed by President U. S. Grant.
Under the Soldiers Bounty Act of 1820, Abraham Mace, a private in Captain Wooster's company, Vermont militia, at the invasion of Plattsburg. during the War of 1812, was entitled to land, and his heirs laid claim to the southwest quarter of section 30, township 105, range 34, at the Jackson land office : the same contains one hundred and fifty-six acres.
President U. S. Grant signed the patent for a homestead on November 4, 1874, for Julia T. Knowlton, from the Worthington land office, the same being land in the southeast quarter of section 30, township 105, range 34.
Alfred A. Soule homesteaded, at the Jackson land office, the cast half of the northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 2, in 1872, the same being signed by President U. S. Grant.
165
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Ed. O. Zimmerman homesteaded at the Worthington land office the southwest quarter of section 20, the patent being signed by President Hayes, July 23. 1878.
James Cooney claimed, as a homestead, July 23, 1878, the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4, the patent was signed by President U. S. Grant : the papers came through the land office at Worthington.
James B. Jones claimed a homestead in the southeast quarter of section 14. and had it patented to him by President Hayes and signed on February 10, 1881 ; it was secured at the Worthington land office.
Eliza C. Huntington homesteaded the east half of the northeast quarter of section 30; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and was patented by President Hayes and by him signed on December 13, 1880.
Simon Huntington homesteaded land in the west half of the northeast quarter of section 30; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and patented by President Hayes, who signed it on June 15, 1880.
Cornelius Quiring homesteaded land in the west half of the southwest quarter of section 28; it was entered at the land office at Worthington and patented by President Chester A. Arthur and signed by him on April 5, 1883.
Ole Christensen homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of section 12, at the land office at Worthington and had same patented to him by President U. S. Grant, who signed it on November 3. 1876.
Peder Christensen claimed, as his homestead, the cast half of the north- east quarter of section 12, and the same was patented to him by President U. S. Grant, and signed on December 1, 1876; the entry was made at Worth- ington land office.
John Oglesby at the land office located at Worthington, claimed as his homestead the west half of the southeast quarter of section 34 and his patent was issued by President Hayes, June 15, 1880.
George Baumann, at the Worthington land office homesteaded the west half of the southeast quarter of section 18, and had same patented to him by President Hayes, who signed the papers on December 30, 1879.
Joseph Meixell claimed as a homestead at the land office at Worthing- ton, the northwest quarter of section 28, and same was patented by President Hayes, November 5, 1878.
William Weibe homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter of section 22, the entry being made at the land office at Worthington and pat- ented by President Chester A. Arthur, April 5, 1883.
Christian Reinert homesteaded the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 22; also the northeast of the southwest of same section,
166
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the entry being made at the land office at Worthington and the final patent issued to him by President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Charles F. Barnes homesteaded the west half of the northwest quarter of section 34, the entry being made at the land office at Worthington; the patent was issued by President Chester A. Arthur, March 15, 1884.
Samuel E. Ford homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 18, and it was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, April 5, 1883; the land was entered at the land office at Worthington.
Heinrich Regehr, at the Worthington land office filed on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 34, and the same was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, June 5. 1884.
Henry H. Winter homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 26. The entry was effected at the land office at Worthington and was finally pat- ented to him by President U. S. Grant, November 5, 1874.
Thomas S. Potter homesteaded the north half of the northwest quarter of section 18, and the same was patented to him by President Grover Cleve- land, April 20, 1885.
Martin Pepper homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 14 and his patent was signed by President Hayes, November 5, 1878; the entry was made at the land office at Worthington.
Andreas Heiler, at the land office, Worthington, filed on a homestead in northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10, this township; it was patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, January 10, 1885.
Jacob Dickson homesteaded the east half of the southeast quarter of section 28 and had the same patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, April 5. 1883. It was filed on at the land office in Worthington.
Wilhelm Holzrichter had patented to him a homestead by President Chester A. Arthur, October 26, 1883, the same being the south half of the southwest quarter of section 18. It was filed on at the Worthington land office.
David Wade homesteaded the south half of the northeast quarter of section 22, the same being entered at the land office at Worthington and finally patented by President Chester A. Arthur, March 10, 1883.
Jacob Neufeld entered as a homestead at the land office at Worthing- ton, the northeast quarter of section 20, and had the same patented to him by President Grover Cleveland, August 10, 1886.
167
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Paul Seeger, at the Jackson land office, pre-empted the northeast quarter of section 4, President U. S. Grant signing his final papers.
Martin Henderson pre-empted two quarters in this township at the land office at Jackson and the final papers were signed by President Chester A. Arthur, May 20, 1884.
William H. Race, at the Worthington land office, pre-empted west half of the southwest quarter of section 12, the papers finally being verified by President Hayes, March 20, 1877.
D. D. Olfert pre-empted at the land office at Marshall, the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 20, the papers being issued by President Benjamin Harrison, November 15, 1893.
William Leder, at the land office at Marshall, pre-empted the south half of the northwest quarter of section 6, the papers being signed by President William McKinley, September 9, 1897.
Frederick Maker pre-empted the east half of the southeast quarter of section 6, the papers being signed by President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Keziah M. Tingley, at the Jackson land office, entered the north half of the northeast quarter of section 34; President U. S. Grant signed his papers on April 1, 1875.
Peter K. Voth entered land at the land office at Marshall, the same being described as the north half of the southeast quarter, and the south- east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 20; the final papers were signed by President Benjamin Harrison, March 1, 1892.
The business interests and professions of Mountain Lake were repre- sented by the following in 1916:
Auto garage-H. P. Goertz Auto Company, Peter Stoesz.
Banks-First National, First State.
Barber shop-Rempel & Harder.
Blacksmith shops-Peter Goosen, Herman Kremin.
Confectionery-J. J. Vogt, "The Pleasant Corner."
Clothing-Janzen Brothers, J. N. Fast.
Creamery-Farmers Co-operative Association.
Creamery station-Fairmount Creamery Company, Worthington Creamery Company, Hansford Creamery Company.
Drug store-S. Balzer.
Dray lines-J. P. E. Derksen, Dick & Heppner.
168
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Dentist -- E. A. Rieke.
Elevator-F. Schroeder, Hubbard & Palmer, Farmers Elevator Com- pany, Schaefer Brothers.
Furniture dealer-Jacob Heir, J. J. Janzen.
Feed store-D. D. Ems.
General dealers-Balzer, Iliebert and Company, David Ewert, P. Geyer- man & Sons. Ed. Rupp.
Hotel-The Commercial.
Harness shop-Mens S. Hanson.
Hardware dealers-J. J. Janzen, John Jungas.
Implement dealers-Schroeder & Becker, Thiessen Brothers, Mountain Lake Implement Company.
Jeweler-W. A. Nickel.
Lumber dealers-H. P. Goertz, Frank Balzer and Company.
Livery-George Hutgler.
Mill-Mountain Lake Roller Milling Company.
Milliners-Hiebert Sisters.
Meat markets-George P. Derkson, T. J. Eickholt.
Merchant tailor-Phil Nerstheimer.
Newspaper-Mountain Lake Viere and Unser Beuucher.
Physicians-Dr. P. W. Pauls, Dr. W. A. Piper.
Photograph gallery-Cornelius J. Brown.
Produce dealers-Hanford Produce Company, Worthington Produce Company.
Real estate dealers-Aug Buche Land Company, J. C. Koehn, D. A. Lahart Land Company.
Shoemaker-Henry Fiel.
Tin shop-J. V. Dueck.
Telephone-North Star Telephone Company, Tri-State.
Veterinary-Sidney Meyers.
ROSE HILL TOWNSHIP.
Rose Hill township is situated on the western line of Cottonwood county and is the second from the southern line. It comprises all of con- gressional township 106, range 38 west. It is bounded on the north by Westbrook township, on the east by Amo, on the south by Southbrook and on the west is the county line between Cottonwood and Murray counties. Originally, there were numerous lakes and prairie ponds within the limits
169
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
of this township, and there are still a few, but many of the lakes have been drained and their beds are utilized for pasture and field purposes. Among the lakes are Berry, Long and Carey lakes.
This is an excellent agricultural and dairy section and the farmers are rapidly becoming forehanded and wealthy. They have the modern con- veniences of life, and are reaping the reward for the long years of struggle they had as homesteaders, against prairie fires and grasshoppers.
The population of the township in 1895 was 480; in 1900 it was 535 but by 1910, according to the United States census returns it had decreased to 510.
ORGANIZATION.
By an act of the board of county commissioners in the month of March, 1879, Rose Hill township was organized, and the board ordered the first township meeting and election of officers to take place on April 5, 1879, at the house of John Carey.
SOME EARLY LAND ENTRIES.
Maria Carey homesteaded land in the south half of the northwest quarter of section 24, at the land office at New Ulm, and had her patent issued to her from President Hayes, September 10, ISSO.
Samuel Hoveland, at the Tracy land office, had a homestead entry on the northeast quarter of section 2, and had the same patented to him by President Chester A. Arthur, May 15, 1884.
William Johnson homesteaded the south half of the northwest quarter of section 22, and had the entry made at the land office at Tracy and his patent was issued him by President Chester A. Arthur, January 15, 1885.
Henry Olsen homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 14, in the land office at Tracy and the same was patented to him by President Grover Cleveland, April 27, 1885.
Frank White, at the land office at Tracy, was given his homestead right in the southwest quarter of section 14, and the same was patented to him by President Grover Cleveland, January 9, 1886.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Clark W. Seeley, at the land office at New Ulm, entered the southwest quarter of section 4. this township; his final papers were signed by Presi- dent Hayes, January 20, 1881.
170
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Martin Kauchbauns, entered land at the land office at Marshall, described as lot No. 3, in section 26. President Benjamin Harrison signed the final papers, granting the patent.
George F. Robison, at the Marshall land office, entered the land known as lot No. I, in section 12, the same having been signed by President Theo- dore Roosevelt, September 2, 1902.
SELMA TOWNSHIP.
The extreme northeastern congressional township in Cottonwood county is known as Selma; it comprises township 107, range 34 west, and is situated directly south of Brown county, west of Watonwan county, north of Midway township, Cottonwood county, and east of Delton township, this county.
A branch of the Chicago & Northwestern railway crosses this town- ship, entering in section 3, running directly southeast, leaving the township and county from section 13. The Watonwan river and small tributaries are found flowing through this township. The soil is excellent and all the tillable land is now under a high state of cultivation. The village of Com- frey, Brown county, extends over into this township to a certain extent. Of the churches and schools of the township other separate chapters will treat. The population of the township in 1895 was 405; in 1900 it was placed at 427 and the United States census returns for 1910 gave it as hav- ing 530. There are no towns or villages within Selma.
ORGANIZATION.
Selma township was organized by the board of county commissioners at their regular meeting in March, 1874, and was then named Clinton town- ship and why changed, or when, the records seem silent. It comprises town- ship 107, range 34 west. The first election was called to be held at the house of D. T. Woodward, April 4, 1874.
"Ripley" township was organized at the same time and comprised town- ship 108, range 34 west, which civil township has no history in this county, as it was immediately taken over by Brown county with another con- gressional township.
171
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
HOMESTEADS AND PRE-EMPTIONS.
Just who was the first white man to set stakes and make for himself a permanent home in this township is not now well established, even by tradition. But a careful search through the books of the register of deeds of the county, shows that the following were the original land entry per- sons, either as homesteaders or pre-emptors :
John W. Golden, homesteaded at the New Ulm land office, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 18. January 18, 1878, and his patent was signed by President U. S. Grant, and the entry was effected at New Ulm land office.
Lewis Coville entered, as a homestead at the New Ulm land office, July 12. 1878, the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the southwest quarter in section 32, his patent being signed by President U. S. Grant.
David Archibald claimed a homestead in the northeast quarter of sec- tion 12, October 6, 1878, and the patent was signed by President U. S. Grant.
Mathias Stoffel homesteaded on May 22, 1879, the south half of the southeast quarter of section 26, the patent being signed by President Hayes. The entry was made at the New Ulm land office.
Charles Anderson homesteaded land under the Homestead Act of 1862. in the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10. It was entered at the land office in New Ulm and was patented by President Hayes and signed by him on January 20, 1881.
Thomas Cullen claimed his homestead rights in the west half of the northeast quarter of section 6; it was entered through the land office at New Ulm and was patented by President Hayes and signed on March 13. 1879.
Caroline Knudson homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter of section 34; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm, and was pat- ented by President James A. Garfield. June 20, 1881.
Thomas Coen homesteaded land in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 6, and had the same patented to him by President Hayes, who signed it on March 13, 1879; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm.
Greta Jones Dater homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 14, at the land office at Tracy; the patent for this land was issued by President Chester A. Arthur, February 20, 1882.
172
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Olf Peterson homesteaded the north half of the southeast quarter of section 26; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented by President Hayes.
John Cullen homesteaded the east half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 6; it was entered at the land office at New Ulm and patented by Presi- dent Hayes, March 13, 1879.
Christian Anaker homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 24 at the land office at Tracy, and had the same patented to him by President Grover Cleveland, January 9, 1886.
Theodore P. Eickholt homesteaded the south half of the southeast quarter of section 26, at the land office at New Ulm, and received his patent from President Hayes, January 20, 1881.
IToward M. Goss homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 34, at the land office at New Ulm, and received a patent signed by President U. S. Grant, September 15, 1874.
Ogden D. Warner homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 34, at the land office at New Ulm, and received his patent from President U. S. Grant, March 20, 1876.
PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS.
Theodore J. Brandt, at the Marshall land office, entered under the Pre- emption Act, the northeast quarter of section 20, and his final papers were signed by President Grover Cleveland, January 3, 1894.
Lemuel Randall, at the New Ulm land office, pre-empted the north half of the southwest quarter of section 8, and April 10, 1875; President U. S. Grant certified to his papers and signed the same.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSIIIP.
Springfield township is the second from the western line of the county and is on the south line, with Southbrook township at its west, Amo town- ship at its north, Great Bend township at its east and Jackson county at the south. It comprises all of congressional township 105, range 37 west. The main stream and south branch of the Des Moines river flow from the south- east to the northeast of this township, forming the great bend, after leaving and entering Great Bend township. This is an excellent township and the farming interests are good. The people are of the thrifty type, who always
173
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
succeed in accumulating wealth. Once a barren prairie domain, it has, uncler the touch and labor of its settlers, come to be known as one of the finest in the county. Its groves, which were planted out by the thoughtful settlers, have come to be of great beauty and utility, both for the fuel and shelter they afford against the severe elements.
The population of Springfield township in 1895 was 351; in 1900 it was 361 and in the United States census reports for 1910 its population was given as only 332.
ORGANIZATION.
Springfield became a separate civil township by an act of the board of county commissioners in 1870, when Great Bend and a few more townships were organized. By a petition of a majority of the legal voters within township 105, range 37, west, the county commissioners decided to form this township, and fixed the day for the first township election for August 27, 1870, and appointed John Wilford, George W. McGaughey and R. A. Nichols as judges of the election. This was done at the county commis- sioners' meeting at Great Bend, before Windom had been made the seat of justice, the exact date being August 15, 1870.
PIONEERS AND LAND ENTRIES.
The following is a transcript of the homestead and pre-emption entries in this township :
Charles L. Hecox claimed the west half of the southeast quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 34, of this township, March 28, 1878; signed by President U. S. Grant, and entered at the Worthington land office.
Cyrus N. Peterson homesteaded land in the south half of the north- east quarter of section 12, this township. His patent bears the date of July 20, 1877, and is signed by President Hayes. The land office issuing the papers was at Worthington.
Legrand B. Rolph homesteaded at the land office at Worthington, land in the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4; it was patented on November 5, 1878, and was signed by President Hayes.
Augustus MeNeely claimed a homestead in the west half of the south- east quarter of section 32, also in the east half of the southwest quarter of the same section. His entry was effected at the land office at Jackson, and
174
COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
the patent was signed by President U. S. Grant, the date being February 1, 1873.
Marshall C. Cummings homesteaded land in the west half of the south- west quarter of section 14; his patent bears the date of December 30, 1880, and is signed by President Hayes. The land was secured through the Jack- son land office.
Freeman Trowbridge claimed land in the northwest quarter of section 4; his patent was dated June 15, 1880, and is signed by President Hayes; it was issued from the land office located at Worthington.
William W. Frost homesteaded land in the southwest quarter of sec- tion 22; the patent was signed by President Chester A. Arthur and dated March 15, 1882; it was secured at the land office at Worthington.
Abigail J. Green located a homestead in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 4. The patent was issued on November 5, 1878, and was signed by President Hayes. This was secured through the land office at Worthington.
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.