USA > Minnesota > Douglas County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 40
USA > Minnesota > Grant County > History of Douglas and Grant counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 40
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STONY BROOK TOWNSHIP.
On July 30, 1877, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners by H. G. Lillemon, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 130, range 43, asking that the township be organ- ized and named "Stony Brook." The petition was granted. Those who signed the petition were: Knut Olson, Jens Erickson, Peder Gulbranson, Tosten K. Dahlen, Kittel A. Sattra, Reier G. Baasen, Hans P. Heijer, C. O. Kolle, Christian Johnson, Anders Kjorven, H. G. Lillemon, Nils N. Brevig, Sr., Nils N. Brevig, Jr., Martinus Larson, Engebret Knudtson, John K. Folken and Ole Knudtson.
The first election in Stony Brook township was held on March 12, 1878, when the following officers were elected: H. G. Lillemon, clerk; H. H. Haavig, treasurer and assessor; H. G. Lillemon and H. Albertson, justices: C. O. Kolle and Nils N. Brevig, constables; S. S. Skinnemoen, road over- seer and pound master; H. Albertson, Tosten K. Dahlen and P. Gulbran- son, supervisors.
The officers of Stony Brook township in 1916 are as follow: H. T. Haavig, clerk; H. K. Vigen, treasurer ; I. E. Kolle, assessor ; Ole C. Rustand, Ole Asleson and Gilbert J. Pletan, supervisors.
LAND TOWNSHIP.
Land township was organized on March 6, 1878, when a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners by Erik Olson, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 127, range 41, ask- ing that the township be organized and named "Land." The petition
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DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
was granted, and the township named for the town of Land, Wisconsin, . from when some of the early settlers had come. Some of the signers of the petition were: Erik Olson, Lars O. Studlien, Ole Erikson, Sven Aus- lund, John F. Linden, Hans Helland, A. D. Auslund, and Christian Peder- son.
The first township meeting was held at the house of Lars O. Studlien, on March 26, 1878. The meeting was called to order by Sven Auslund and Erik Olson was chosen moderator, when the following officers were elected : Anton L. Studlien, clerk; John L. Studlien, treasurer; John T. Linden, assessor ; Sven Auslund and Hans Helland, justices; Ole Clarquist and G. P. Eklof, constables; Ole Erikson and A. D. Ausland, road overseers; Erik Olson, Christian Pederson and A. D. Auslund, supervisors.
The officers of Land township in 1916 are as follows: Peter Randin, clerk : John Johnson, treasurer ; Theodore Lindquist, assessor ; Tom Joranger, J. C. Urbatch and Paul Westberg, supervisors.
ROSEVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Roseville township was organized on July 24, 1878, when a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners by L. H. Patchen, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 127, range 42, asking that the township be organized and named "Roseville." The peti- tion was granted. This petition, which had been circulated for several months through the township, bore the following signatures: Joe Sherer, Theodore Shauer, John Brennin, John P. Nolander, Charles A. Haskins, Charles Werk, Ludvik Korner, S. N. Lerum, John T. Lindem, Ole Halvor- son, H. O. Hanson, John H. Kroke, Peter F. McCollor, Roderick O'Dowd, L. H. Patchen, C. W. Gifford, H. J. Bollum, Ferd Clark, Henry Bundy, Albert Boerner, John Buckman, William Boerner, Henry Boerner, Peter Samuel, J. H. Deveney, August Endreson and Hans Endreson.
The first township meeting was held at the house of John T. Lindem, on August 14, 1878, when the following officers were elected: Jolin T. Lindem, clerk; H. J. Bollum, treasurer; Theodore Shauer, assessor; C. \V. Gifford and Albert Boerner, justices; Syver Erickson and H. O. Hanson, constables : John Boerner and Carl Anderson, road overseers; L. H. Patchen, August Endreson and Henry Boerner, supervisors.
The officers of Roseville township in 1916 are as follows: Alfred Nel- son, clerk; Willard Kreidler, treasurer; A. T. Lindem, assessor; Herman Podratz, John I. Larson and John H. Olson, supervisors.
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MACSVILLE TOWNSHIP.
On September 23, 1878, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 127, range 43, praying that the township be organized and named "Macsville." The petition was granted, and it is thought that Francis McNabb and John McQuillan had something to do in suggesting the name; they were both early settlers of the township. Some of the signers of the petition were: John Sannom, G. P. Ronell, Francis McNabb, J. W. Perry, Hans Christianson and John McQuillan.
The first meeting was held at the house of John Gustafson, on October 12, 1878, when the following officers were elected: John McQuillan, clerk ; H. H. Schram, treasurer; J. W. Perry, assessor; H. H. Schram and John McQuillan, justices; John Sannom and Gustaf Johnson, constables; Hans Christianson and J. W. Perry, pound masters; G. P. Ronell, road overseer ; Francis McNabb, H. P. Ronell and Hans Christianson, supervisors.
The officers of Macsville township in 1916 are as follow: P. T. Will, clerk; William T. Tretten, treasurer; Tom Haley, assessor ; George J. Reuss, W. W. Niemackl and A. H. Blume, supervisors.
GORTON TOWNSHIP.
Gorton township was organized on July 21, 1879, when a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 128, range 44, praying that the township be organized and named "Gorton." The petition was granted. The signers of the petition were: E. H. Johnson, Frank Forstein, Ole O. Hillestad, Kolben Gabrielson, Christ C. Ness, Knut Hoginson, Ole Olson, Baak Iverson, Ellep Ellson, Agrim Baarson, Lars Knudson, Abner Craw- ford, Samuel H. Wright, Gullik S. Moen, Ole Lee, Knud Oland and Ole Olson.
The first township meeting was held at the old depot at Gorton station, on August 25, 1879, but the record of the officers elected has not been preserved.
The officers of Gorton township in 1916 are as follow: James A. Cobb, clerk; C. C. Ness, treasurer; C. H. Christophel, assessor ; Louis Klason, Knute Haugen, and William Steinhagen, supervisors.
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DOUGLAS AND GRANT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA.
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
On October 6, 1879, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 128, range 43, praying that the township be organized and nanied "Delaware." The petition was granted. When the petition was being circulated there were five names considered by the people and each had their sponsors, so it was put to a vote with the understanding that the name having the highest number of votes should be included in the petition to the county board. The ballot resulted in placing the names in the following order : Delaware was first, Highland Park, second; Granite Lake, third; Spring Grove, fourth, and Laconia, fifth. So the township came to be called Delaware, which name was chosen by people from that state.
The petition was signed by James Moses, A. Erlandson, A. Selander, O. Lundberg, Hans Channel, John E. Hanson, H. C. Prescott, Jacob Erland- son, J. N. Casper, Louis Melin, John Lundberg, John Helsene, Nels Helsene, A. J. Cates, J. P. Shoberg and Thomas C. Hodgson.
The officers of Delaware township in 1916 are as follows: C. A. Ander- son, clerk; Ole E. Nelson, treasurer; Edward Rolien, assessor; Louis Han- son, W. H. Tegtmeier, and L. J. Derby, supervisors.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP.
On March 29, 1880, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 130, range 44, asking that the township be organized and named "Lawrence." The petition was granted. In case the name "Lawrence" could not be used the petitioners asked that the township be called "Ches- ter." On the original petition in the county auditor's office are the follow- ing names: L. H. Fowler, C. W. Stickney, F. P. Symonds, H. Shaw, R. H. Fenner, D. P. Carpenter, William Carpenter, J. S. Bean, A. Fisher, E. East, S. Fisher, John Shaw, M. L. Adams, G. H. Adams, J. C. Marple, James W. Ash, N. S. Denton, J. C. Titus, F. J. Titus, Joseph G. Marple and Theodore Connell.
The first township meeting was held at the house of Joseph Bean, on April 17, 1880, when L. H. Fowler was elected clerk, and H. L. Marple was elected treasurer.
The officers of Lawrence township in 1916 are as follows: G. A. Shuck,
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clerk; George L. Thiel, treasurer; Howard Weaver, assessor; F. H. Sym- onds, A. G. Kube and F. A. Klinger, supervisors.
SANFORD TOWNSHIP.
On July 24, 1882, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners, signed by a majority of the legal voters of congressional township 129, range 42, praying that the township be organized as a civil unit. The petition was granted, and as no name was included in the peti- tion the commissioners decided to name the township "Sanford," in honor of Henry F. Sanford, the first settler in the township and in his day one of the most influential men in the community. The petition for organization was signed by Ole O. Blagsvedt, K. C. Walvick, Oloff Otterson, Henry Gunderson, Tosten Ostensen, Osten Jansen, C. S. Dahl, Ole Hanson, Hans Olson, Gunder Hanson, Ole Larson, Erik Olson, Nils Olson, Hans Hanson, Jens Peterson Lee and Henry F. Sanford.
The first meeting was held on August 9, 1882, at the house of Knud O. Laastuen, but no list of the officers is preserved in the records.
The officers of Sanford township in 1916 are as follows: Andrew Johnson, clerk; Eldor Edstrom, treasurer; Ole H. Larson, assessor; Peter Johnson, Engebret Syverson and Ole Fjeld, supervisors.
NORTH OTTAWA TOWNSHIP.
North Ottawa township was organized on July 24, 1882, when a peti- tion was presented to the board of county commissioners, signed by a major- ity of the legal voters of congressional township 129, range 44, asking that the township be organized and named "Ottawa." The petition was granted, but the commissioners were informed by the state auditor that there was another township of that name, so it was changed to "North Ottawa." The residents of the township had first written the name "Rich- land" in the petition, but a short time before it was presented it was changed to "Ottawa" by some of the settlers who had come from Ottawa, Illinois.
The original petition was signed by twenty-six men, as follows: A. H. Bullis, James M. Tucker, Anders -A. Falla, Thomas H. Toombs, J. S. Ireland, George Allen, Peter Schuster, Nicholas Schuster, Nicholas Thies, John Matchenske, John Schuster, Henry Fay, Gustaf Hanson, Steen Steensen, W. A. Bullis, John Tripp David Tripp, Gustaf Johnson, Charles
(27)
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Johnson, William Tripp, George Tripp, L. C. Engelson, Ole A. Amundson, C. Nielson Veng, Hans Monson and C. Christianson.
The first township meeting was held at the house of Thomas H. Toombs, on August 7, 1882. The board of township supervisors elected at that meeting consisted of Thomas H. Toombs, chairman, John Tripp and Nicholas Thies.
The officers of North Ottawa township in 1916 are as follows: Ole K. Rustand, clerk; And. Rustand, treasurer; C. M. Johnson, assessor; Nicholas Thies, John Sieben and H. E. Lindsey, supervisors.
CHAPTER VII.
DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The story of the origin of the soils of Grant county, the manner of their construction, their structure and texture, has already been carefully set out in the chapter on geology. In that same chapter mention is also made of the location, drainage and native vegetation of this county; therefore it is not necessary to repeat these facts in detail in this connection. It is the happy blending of all these essential factors for crop production that has made Grant county a noted agricultural region. Situated on a divide at the head waters of two great drainage systems; at an altitude averaging twelve hundred feet; having an average annual rainfall of twenty-four inches, and a growing season of usually over one hundred and thirty days, Grant county possesses ideal conditions for plant and animal growth.
When the first settlers came to Grant county the broad prairies were unbroken by any tree or shrub. They bore a profusion of native grasses, made bright in places by numerous wild flowers. Along the streams and near the lakes were found small groves of trees, consisting principally of oak, maple, ash, elm, birch and cottonwood. The pioneers found these lakes and streams teeming with fish-pickerel, pike, bass and perch; and on the plains and in the groves an abundance of game. Great flocks of geese and ducks were common; cranes, prairie chickens, grouse, deer and rabbits were secured with little difficulty. An ample living was right at hand, and a ready means of barter and trade was found in the pelts of the foxes, badgers, mink and muskrats which were trapped or shot in great numbers. The natural resources of this region, and the beauty of the virgin country, with its exhilirating air and bright sunshine, were no doubt pleasing to the early comers, and they felt assured that here was a country that would abundantly reward their labor.
GETTING STARTED ON THE PIONEER FARM.
The pioneers who settled in this county were accustomed to farm life under frontier conditions. Many of them had already been through just such
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an experience as awaited them here, on a claim in Wisconsin, Iowa or south- ern Minnesota. Some few lived by hunting and trapping for a time, but the majority knew of the difficulties which confronted them and set to work as speedily as their means would permit to develop their new homes. The first concern of the settler was to erect a shelter for his family, usually the log cabin of one or two rooms, or out on the prairie built of such lumber as could be brought in from the nearest mill. A sufficient protection for the teams or oxen could be made from poles covered with grass. Small patches of ground were planted to vegetables for home use, and until mar- kets were available within reasonable distance no grain was raised for ship- ment. The virgin prairie sod was difficult to break with the tools of those days and it was several years after settlement begun that any considerable area was planted. Once broken up, however, the soil was easily worked and abundant yields were secured. Oxen could subsist entirely on the native grasses and wild hay formed the chief support of the few teams of horses in the early days. Many of the first settlers went to St. Cloud, Alexandria, Morris or to Fergus Falls for flour, but it was not long until mills were established near enough to get grinding done from home-grown grain.
Wheat at once took the lead as a cereal crop, though oats, barley and rye were also planted. In spite of the fact that the native grasses offered such splendid pasturage for stock, laws were passed at an early day to pro- hibit stock from running at large unattended by a herder, for fear of damage to unfenced fields. Only such stock was kept as was needed for home con- sumption and farm work as it was many years after the first settlement that any regular shipments of stock were made.
SOME EARLY DIFFICULTIES.
A menace which the early settler soon learned to dread was the danger of prairie fire. These fires might be started by accident or by design, or sometimes by lightning, and come sweeping over the plain consuming every- thing in its path. It was the usual custom when establishing a new home to plow several furrows at some distance about the house and outbuildings, and this would sometimes suffice to turn the flames aside, but in many cases houses and crops were burnt and a few people lost their lives. Old settlers say it was a wonderful spectacle to see a fire that had gotten a good start sweep across the prairie with the speed of the fastest horse.
As early as 1875 the county commissioners took action for the relief of settlers who had lost their crops from danger by hail. In that year
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Christopher Peterson, Peder Gran and Halvor Larson were granted extended time for paying their taxes on that account.
Predatory animals were a source of considerable loss to the early set- tlers and for some time bounties were paid for wolves and gophers. The years 1876 and 1878 will long be remembered as the "grasshopper" years. At that time these insects devoured many acres of crops. They did con- siderable damage at other times, but never returned in such great numbers.
The lack of roads was a great handicap to the early farmers of Grant county, and it was several years before passable roads were built connecting the first settlements with mills and markets. A great part of the hauling was done after the ground had frozen in the winter time and sleighs could . be used.
EVOLUTION OF FARM MACHINERY.
The first crops harvested in this county were cut with a cradle and flailed out on the frozen ground. In this manner Jens Peterson Lee cared for twenty acres of wheat which he planted in 1871. The self-rake reaper was soon introduced, followed by the "hand" binder, on which two men stood and bound the grain by hand as it came over the elevator. This was suc- ceeded by the "wire" binder and later by the "self" binder of the present day.
Almost as wonderful an improvement has been made in the plows, cul- tivators and threshing machines in use in this region. In fact, all the various machines required by modern farming are the results of practical use and demonstration by succeeding generations of farmers.
TREE PLANTING.
Many of the early settlers on the prairie began at once to set out trees about their farmstead, to add to the attractiveness of the place and serve as a wind break from the winter storms. Some of the land in this county was taken up under the "timber claim act," which was an act passed by Congress to encourage tree planting on the plains. These various efforts resulted in the thousands of beautiful groves which now adorn the farms of Grant county, serving not only as a protection but being of material benefit in the way of fuel and lumber.
DIVERSIFIED FARMING.
For many years wheat was the leading crop in Grant county, but dimin- ishing yields made it evident that dependence could no longer be placed on
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that one crop. Perhaps the height of the wheat yield was reached in 1895, after which diversified cropping began to be introduced, which system was given additional impetus by the serious "rust" loss of 1903. Larger acre- ages were planted to oats, rye, barley, flax, potatoes, corn and clover, and the first steps taken towards a crop rotation which would include some legume for the improvement of the soil. Flax was found to grow well one year on new breaking, but was subject to wilt if replanted on the same ground. Corn had been grown in this part of the state for many years and the acreage was rapidly increased as the acreage of wheat grew smaller.
In recent years the advantages of stock raising have become more and more apparent, and the superior natural advantages of Grant county for this type of farming have caused its rapid adoption. Fine herds of pure- bred stock are now to be found on many farms.
Originally many acres in this county were in need of artificial drainage and thousands of dollars have been spent by the officials in putting in proper ditches. The rich, flat land in the western part of the county especially suffered in a wet season, and a comprehensive system of drainage is now being installed.
STATISTICS OF PRODUCTION.
According to the federal census of 1910 Grant county in 1909 produced crops valued at $2,232,674. In that year the value of all farm property was $13,482,322. Hay and forage was produced on 43,545 acres to the amount of 56,513 tons. The amount of grains produced is shown in the following table :
Oats.
Wheat.
Barley.
Rye.
Acres,
Corn. 9,386 272,798
47,593
54,207
25.232
254
Bushels,
1.542,716
923,778
573,654 4,156
While there are as yet no commercial orchards in Grant county, it has been demonstrated that fine fruit can be grown here. Within the last few years many hardy apple, crab, plum and cherry trees have been set out and are doing well.
MODERN FARM CONDITIONS.
Conditions of rural life have so vastly improved since the first settlers entered this county that it is hard to realize that it has been but little over forty years since the pioneers started to change this then wilderness into pro- ductive farms. The splendid results of their efforts are seen today through-
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out the county, in the thousands of well improved farms and modern farm homes, equipped with everything that makes for comfort and convenience. The scientific training given in the schools, proper crop rotations, improved seed and machinery, purebred stock, co-operative buying and selling of stock and better marketing facilities, are some of the factors now in operation which will maintain these farms at their present high standard and make possible a permanently profitable system of agriculture in Grant county.
It is estimated that there are now in use in Grant county about five hundred and forty automobiles. Over three hundred of these are owned by farmers. They have ceased to be a luxury and are now almost a neces- sity. The automobile has had a marked effect on rural life. It has increased community interest and afforded a relief from monotony; aided in edu- cation by wider contact ; provided means of easier and cheaper marketing; helped in the building of good roads, and proven of emergency value.
Every village in Grant county now has a "rest room," which women and children from the country may make use of while waiting for one another to do their shopping, or visit there with friends. These rooms have proven a great accommodation especially in stormy weather.
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENT.
Grant county employs a trained agricultural advisor, whose duty it is to co-operate with the farmers in working out and putting into operation plans calculated to improve the business of farming. His activities are super- vised in a measure and assisted by the state agricultural college and the United States department of agriculture, and the Grant County Farm Bureau. The present county agent is A. L. Norling, who has been here since November, 1912. The work of the agent is comprised in part in the following lines of effort: Organizing clubs of boys for contests in corn growing and stock raising; organizing clubs of girls in bread-making con- tests; assisting in outlining programs for Farmers Clubs meetings; and initiating definite projects for farm work in improved seed, crop rotations, purebred stock, feeding experiments, disease control and sanitation, farm accounts and farm surveys to determine profit.
FARMERS CLUBS.
Acting under the suggestion of the department of agricultural exten- sion of the state university, many Farmers Clubs have been formed in this
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section of the state. In Grant county there are now sixteen. The purpose of these clubs is educational, social and financial. They are composed of a number of families residing in a neighborhood who meet together once a month or oftener at the various farm homes. A program consisting of literary or musical entertainment, talks on the business of farming or such topics as may be chosen, is given by members or some one invited for the occasion. A lunch is generally served. The work of these clubs is prov- ing of great benefit to the different communities. . The names of the clubs and the secretary of each are as follow :
Progressive Farmers Club. Oscar Erlandson, Elbow Lake.
North Ottawa Farmers Club. Ella Ricks, Norcross.
Lawrence Farmers Club. Ernest E. Marple, Wendell.
Farmers Betterment Club. Ole Skinnemoen, Wendell. Viking Farmers Club. Alfred Wicklund, Elbow Lake.
Elberling Farmers Club. W. F. Wohlers, Ashby. Central Farmers Club. Adolph Kaasa, Elbow Lake.
Corndale Farmers Club. Glen Cole, Norcross.
Willowdale Farmers Club. Mabel Haugen, Elbow Lake.
Booster Farmers Club. Olga Bengtson, Herman. Erdahl Farmers Club. O. G. Reina, Erdahl. Mustinka Farmers Club. Mr. Wagner, Elbow Lake. Land Farmers Club. George Lindquist, Hoffman. Lincoln Farmers Club. Marie Blixrud, Barrett.
Lien Farmers Club. David Newman, Barrett.
Delaware Farmers Club. M. C. Aanerud, Elbow Lake.
RECORDED FARM NAMES.
In 1909 the state Legislature passed an act under which the owner of a farm may have a farm name recorded and secure exclusive right to that name in the county where he resides. Up to the present time sixteen farm names have been recorded with the register of deeds of Grant county, as follow :
"Clover Leaf Farm." Owned by W. H. Goetzinger. Recorded Decem- ber 23, 1910. Located on sections 21 and 28, township 129, range 42.
"Fairview." Owned by J. L. Bugbee. Recorded February II, 191I. Located on section II, township 130, range 44.
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