History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 63

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 63

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twenty-six, and thirty-five, where it runs south west through thirty-four into Carrolton, to re-enter the town in section thirty-five, and doubling on itself in section thirty-six gets out of town headed toward the west. This description should give a good general idea of Root River which certainly "boxes the compass" if any inanimate thing ever performs such a nautical feat.

This town corresponds with a government sur- vey, except that one-half each of sections thirty- three, thirty-four, and thirty-five, are in Carrelton. It is said that some political purpose was to be subserved in transferring this territory to the latter town some years ago.

The next most important stream is Trout Run, which comes into town in section five, and with few deflections to the right or left, very becom- ingly flows south to make a confluence with Root River in section twenty. There are several good mill privileges on this stream, only one of which is improved.

Money Creek is the next largest stream. It rises in section three, and, flowing nearly parallel with Trout Run, discharges into the Root River in section twenty-seven.

PILOT MOUND .- The elevation from which the township takes its name is in the southwestern part of section eleven. It is a mound containing thirty-five acres at the base and about twenty-five at the top, about twelve acres of which is tillable, the rest is limestone and ledgey. It forms a prominent and striking object in the landscape, and formerly guided many a weary traveler as he wended his way toward the West.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first white man to lay claim upon the broad acres of Uncle Sam in Pilot Mound, was Arthur B. Bowe, a speculative Yankee from the Green Mountain State, who had been living in the ad- joining county of Houston, and had stopped awhile in Rushford. In 1854, he came over ou

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this virgin soil, and staked out a claim in sec- tion seven, and in fact laid claim to all the land unoccupied in southern Minnesota, whenever a prospector made his appearance. He would show a new comer an eligible location, and offer to sell his right, title, and interest for as much as he could get, and it is said that he actually sold the same lot a second time and thus got into trouble, and had to leave for a more desirable county. Of course the purchaser would have to enter his land at the land office, and pay $200 for every 160 acres.

The next man to place himself, north of Root River, in this town, was Nelson Frost, also from Vermont. He at first bought a claim of Bowe, consisting of 160 acres in sections seven and eight, for which he paid $75. Afterwards he bar- gained for another claim of Bowe, on Trout Run, in section nine, where he put up an unhewn tim- ber abode, the first house in this part of the town. His land had to be paid for to the government.

The same year Mr. Erick Torkelson and Elling Miller, from Norway, located in the south part of the town. They had previously lived a few years in Wisconsin. Torkelson took his land in section thirty-two, and Miller in section thirty-one.

In 1855, Mr. James Martin, an Englishman, settled in sections four and nine.

Henry Jones, the same year, from Illinois, sur- rounded a claim in section nine.

Mr. G. W. Hammer, from Illinois, secured a site for a farm on section twenty-two.

John Ellsburg secured a place in section twenty- two.

Isaac Dickinson, of New Jersey, found a home on section six.

In 1856, Terrence Dolan, a native of Ireland, came here from Chatfield and located in section seven.

Peter and Seger Berg came from Norway the same year, and took land in sections twenty-four and twenty-six.

James Mckeown, of the Emerald Isle, came over here and out to this township, and got a place on section ten. He had lived one year in Jordan in this county.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The first white child known to be born in town was William Henry Martin, on the 26th of March, 1856.

The first death was that of Marie Anna Frost,

daughter of Nelson and Anna Frost, in May, 1855.

Under the territorial government, Henry Rouse was Justice of the Peace, and a case was once tried before him where both parties were so obviously at fault that he fined both, the com- plainant and the defendant dividing the costs. The popular verdict approved the sentence, and the men went home satisfied.

POLITICAL.

The town was regularly organized on the 11th of May, 1858. H. R. Rouse called the meeting to order. The Moderator was Charles E. Rockwell; Clerk, J. H. Roberts; Judges, E. C. Degrush and H. A. Rouse. It was decided to call the township Pilot Mound, by a vote of 36 in favor to 22 for the name of Clinton. The whole number of votes cast at that election was 58.

The result of the election was as follows: Super- visors, O. W. French, Chairman, E. C. Degrush, a. vacancy; Clerk, J. H. Roberts; Assessor, S. A. Woolcott; Collector, T. J. Hammer; Overseer of the Poor, Nelson Frost; Constables, James A. Newman and H. R. Rouse.

PRESENT OFFICERS .- The town has uniformly had good officers, and its internal affairs have been well managed. Town officers for 1882: Supervisors, H. P. Aldrich, Chairman, Ole Carl- son, and C. T. Baarnaas; Town Clerk, S. Hitch- cock; Treasurer, Isaac Jackson; Assessor, H. F. Yates; Justice of the Peace, F. Erickson; Con- stable, T. Sorrenson; Pound Masters, F. Erickson and E. Anderson.

IN THE WAR.

This town furnished 103 men for the Union army, as is claimed, and paid $8,000 in bounties to the soldiers.

SCHOOLS.

DISTRICT No. 55 .- In 1856, a school was taught in the house of Frank Whitney, and his wife was the teacher. This was in section ten; the place is now in possession of Mr. F. Erickson, and there were then a dozen or more scholars. A log school- house was built in 1856, on the land of Mr. H. Jones, in section ten, Mrs. Whitney, the same teacher, also was the first to officiate here. In about 1867, this building, having outlasted its usefulness, was replaced by another. The new house cost $1,200, and a school is kept from seven to nine months each year.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

DISTRICT No. 56 .- The school bearing this num- ber was organized in March, 1857, at the house of H. R. Rouse, when a site was agreed upon for the schoolhouse, which was to be within eight-five rods of the geographical center of the district. A tax of $106 was raised to build the schoolhouse, and it was to be ready for occupancy by the first of June that year. Nelson Frost, Henry A. Spicer, and Isaac Dickinson were chosen trustees. The house was of logs, in section eight, on land owned by N. Frost. The school was opened by Miss Marietta Smith. This may have been the first schoolhouse got up in town. It had a dirt roof and it was not uncommon to see snakes on the top of the house which was green with grass. This educational institution served its purpose until 1869, when a new one was built in section seven. Miss Dilla J. Mann was the first teacher here.

DISTRICT No. 57 .- As near as we can learn the first school opened in this dirtrict was at the resi- dence of Nels Thorson in 1857. Lewis Everson taught in the Norsk tongue. The next year a regular "bee" was held, and a log cabin put up and dignified by the name of shoolhouse. In 1878 or 1879, the present edifice was constructed in sec- tion thirty-one. The first English teacher in this district was H. H. Haden.

DISTRICT No. 58 .- In the autumn of 1862, a house was bought of Peter Berg, in section twenty- six, for a shoolhouse, and school was commenced with J. H. Burrell as teacher, with twelve or four- teen scholars. In 1871, the district was divided, and a new schoolhouse put up in section twenty- four, on land owned by Peter Berg. The house cost about $400. The eastern part of the district retained the old number.

DISTRICT No. 139 was organized in 1866, at the house of Asa Smith. Miss Mary Green first called the school to order, and kept the first term. In the summer of 1867, the first schoolhouse was built at a cost of $900. While the building was going up a school was kept in a log cabin formerly used by John Ellsbury.

DISTRICT No. 159 .- This district, in 1877, was organized from four other districts. The meeting for organizing was held on the 3d of October at the house of Charles Egge. Otto Haug was elected Director; Carl Egge, Treasurer; Nels T. Borgen, Clerk. The schoolhouse was built in sec- tion twenty-one, at a cost of $350, and the school

opened on the 1st of January, 1878. William Mckeown being the initial teacher.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious society organized in Pilot Mound, was the Methodist, on Sunday, the 23d of May, 1858, by Rev. Ezra Tucker, the preacher in charge of the Chatfield circuit of the Methodist Episcopal church, with nine members; Mr. W. Wendell was appointed class leader. The first prayer meeting was held on Sunday, the 13th of the following June. The first class meeting was held on the 4th of July, 1858. The first Sun- day school was started by Rev. Mr. Tucker, on the 25th of July the same year, with Mr. Wendell as Superintendent. In a few years this society relapsed into a state of inertia.

BAPTIST CHURCH .- On Saturday, the 28th of May, 1859, Rev. G. W. Fuller, of Chatfield, assisted in the institution of this society. Mr. W. Wendell, having changed his views in relation to baptism, was probably instrumental in inaugurat- ing this movement, and united with the society. He, being already a licensed preacher, became the pastor, and was ordained the 21st of September following. This society soon subsided.

PROTESTANT METHODIST .- This denomination started out with quite good prospects. Rev. Stephen Jones expounded the Word to the little flock, but inanition soon overtook this denomi- nation.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL .- In 1864, the Metho- dist people, having suspended meetings a few years before, rallied their reserves and reorganized as a part of the St. Charles circuit, in the adjoin- ing county. Stephen Souther was appointed class leader to keep the faithful together. Preach- ing was occasionally done by Rev. John Klepper. In 1865, Rev. H. Webb and Rev. W. C. Rice were appointed to look after this charge, and they supplied alternately. In 1869, the Pilot Mound circuit was instituted, and it was thus associated with several other places. A few years afterwards this arrangement was suspended, and the society was associated with Chatfield. Several years since the meetings were discontinued, and no service in this interest is now held.

FREE BAPTIST .- In 1879, this society was brought into existence under the inspiring exer- tions of Rev. Cyrus Calkins as pastor, and this still exists as the only church organization in this part

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of the town. The meetings are held in the school- house in district No. 55.

FLOURING MILL.

The first and only Hlouring mill ever built in town, was by E. D. Hammer, in 1871, on Trout Run. It is a frame building with a stone base- ment, and cost about $12,000. It has three run of stones, two of these for flour and one for feed. It is three stories high and is located in section seventeen. Fine grades of flour are made for custom use, and the mill is run to its fullest capacity. The canal to supply the mill is fifty rods in length.

SAW-MILL.

The first saw-mill in town was built in 1858, in section four, by Charles Rockwell on Trout Run. It was a vertical saw, and was driven by water with a head of eight feet. In 1864, Mr. Rockwell sold to Lewis Foss and Brother for $1,000. They run it two years and then transferred the prop- erty to Mr. A. Currie for a like sum. After a time the mill went into disuse and the dam washed away. In 1874, the mill blew down, and thus passed away this relic of early days. Mr. Cur- rie still owns the site.

BLACKSMITH SHOPS.

About the year 1855, there were two blacksmith shops started in town, one by Elling Miller, in the southwest part of the town, in section thirty-two, and the other by John Ellsbury iu section two.

STORE.

The first attempt at keeping a store was by William Van Buren, a shoemaker, who kept a small stock of goods in the shop where he worked at his trade. This was in section ten, and the building still stands near the present store. He kept this running for about two years, and then removed to Troy. The next to go into merchan- dising was the firm of Jones & Hitchcock, in May, 1867; starting at first with a stock of $600, in sec- tion ten, at the "Four Corners." In 1869, the business was transferred to Hammer & Newman. It changed hands several times previous to 1881, when it was secured by the present owner, Isaac Jackson, who is still proprietor, and carries a stock of $2,500 worth of goods.

PEKIN VILLAGE.

This is the location of the Pilot Mound Post- office, and is in the southwest part of section ten,

in a little ravine following Money Creek. It is said that Stephen Trindall gave it the name, be- cause, he said, the position was in such a narrow, shut up place, that you could not see it until you got right there where you could "peek in" upon it. Here is the only store in town, the blacksmith shop, and here the town meetings are held.

POST-OFFICE.

The Post-office was established in 1856, with David Billings Smith as Postmaster. It was kept in section twelve at first, and afterwards, about 1860, removed to Pekin. In 1861, E. D. Hammer was Postmaster, till 1867; George Gould was the next, and then the present incumbent, Spencer Hitchcock, was appointed. It is still kept in the village.

TOWN HALL.

The Town Hall, to use a hibernianism, is a blacksmith shop, known as "Uncle Jake's," owned by James C. Jones, who gets $3 a year for its use for town meetings.

FRATERNAL ORDERS.

The Good Templars were instituted here in 1867, and flourished for a time under the patron- age of the best ladies and gentlemen in town, but after a few years it was suffered to collapse.

THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY .- This order was inaugurated here in 1873, and had a fair mem- bership. After awhile it was allowed to go into a decline. Of course there are members of the lead- ing orders who go to the larger villages to attend the meetings.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HON. SEGER BERG was born in Norway in 1820. He was married in his native country in 1843, to Miss Gunelia Olson. They came to America in 1853, locating in Boone county, Illinois, where Mr. Berg learned the wagon-maker's trade. He moved to this place in 1856, and took government land in section twenty-four, which he has improved, and upon which he now lives. Of eight children born to him, four are living, Halver, Ole, Rallef, and Otto Samuel. Halver, the eldest, resides in Yellow Medicine county, where he is Judge of Probate; Ole is an attorney at Rushford. Mr. Berg, the subject of this sketch, has held many local offices, and in 1877, was a member of the Legislature.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

PETER BERG is a native of Norway, born in 1829. He came to America when twenty years old, and for a few months lived in Wisconsin; then moved to Illinois, and was employed on the Chicago & Galena railroad about seven months, after which he was engaged in different occupa- tions in the State. In 1854, he made a trip through Wisconsin in search of a home, but the country not reaching his expectations he finally returned to Illinois. He was joined ' in marriage in 1855, with Miss Harriet Ellingson, a native of Norway. In 1856, Mr. Berg made another trip to this part of the country, and soon took land in Pilot Mound which is still his home. His children are John A., Ole, Mary Ann, Hannah, Halver, and Helena P.

TERRENCE DOLAN is a native of Ireland, born in Cavan county in 1838. He came with his parents to America in 1850, first locating in Poughkeep- sie, New York. In the fall of 1852, his father moved to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Bedford county. There Terrence com- menced to learn the blacksmith trade, but his father, not being able to make a permanent loca- tion in his vocation as tiller of the soil, concluded, in May, 1855, to start for the West. Accordingly he set out with all his earthly belongings, and, coming by the way of Iowa, arrived in Chatfield, Fillmore county, in June of the same year. He immediately located in Chatfield township, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 12th of May, 1875. His wife followed him to the bright beyond on the 7th of March, 1877. Mr. Dolan was a man gifted with more than ordinary qualifications. He had a sound mind, clear judg- ment, a large share of benevolence, very compas- sionate, and yet firm of purpose. He was strictly honorable in his dealings, and commanded the good-will and esteem of all who knew him. He and his wife, whose maiden name was McGovern, enjoyed a married life of unalloyed happiness for sver sixty years. They died as they had lived, faithful believers in the Roman Catholic Church. Of their children that are yet living, three sons and one daughter reside in Chatfield and Pilot Mound; one son in Winona county, and one daughter in Renville county.

Terrence, the subject of our sketch, took a claim in Pilot Mound, using his pre-emption right in the land office, then at Chatfield, on the 20th of November, 1860. He still resides on the old place,

having made valuable improvements. He was married on the 6th of February, 1872, to Miss Anna Williams, also of Irish birth. Their children are John Henry, Nellie F., Mary G., James E., and Esther A .; another, Charles A., died in infancy.

GEORGE W. HAMMER, deceased, one of the pio- neers of Fillmore county, was born in Indiana in 1818. He was married at the age of twenty-two years to Miss Maria Newman. They came to Minnesota in 1855, and located a farm in section twenty-two, Pilot Mound, which was their home until their death. Mr. Hammer was known as "Uncle George" and noted for his hospitality, visitors always being sure of a welcome when going there. He died in October, 1871, at the age of fifty-three years. Of nine children born to him, seven are living. Mrs. Hammer died soon after her husband.

JOHN K. HAMMER was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 9th of October, 1825. When he was young his parents moved to Cook county, Illinois, and in 1846, to Oshkosh, Wiscon- sin. John resided at Wolf River in the same county about nine months and engaged in build- ing the first saw-mill in that section. He then took a farm eight miles west of Oshkosh. He was married at Algona on the 18th of March, 1852, to Miss Harriet L. Hewitt, a native of Oneida county, New York. In 1860, Mr. Hammer accompanied a party to Colorado and Nevada in search of gold. His company was the first to explore the region about Virginia City, and gave it its name. They also built the first quartz mill in that section. After about sixteen months Mr. Hammer sold his interest for $200, and in December, 1861, crossed the Sierra Nevada mountains to San Francisco, from which place he started for New York, cross- ing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. He came directly to his home in Wisconsin and in 1863, moved to Minnesota, buying a farm in Saratoga, Winona county. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; went immediately to the front and was with Sher- man in his march to the sea. While in service he contracted a disease from which he has never fully recovered. In 1877, he rented his farm near Sara- toga, and moved to Pilot Mound where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer have a family of six children; Alma A., Serelda A., Minnie K., Ed. A., Florence A., and Orra A.

EVIN D. HAMMER is a native of Putnam county,

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Indiana, born in December, 1829. In 1832, his parents moved to Cook county, Illinois; thence to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where Evin was engaged in the lumber business. He was united in marriage with Miss Hulda L. Nichols in December, 1853. In 1859, they moved to Pilot Mound where Mr. Hammer bought land in sections ten, eleven, and twenty-one, which he improved and upon which he lived several years. He enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company K, in 1864; was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and discharged at the close of the war. Since his residence in this place Mr. Hammer has filled many offices of trust, and was a member of the State Legislature in 1869. He moved to his present farm, in section seventeen, in the fall of 1871, and immediately commenced the erection of his flour- ing mill which is the only one in town. Of three children born to Mr. Hammer, two are living, Alice J. and Otis E. Elmer M. died at the age of three years. Alice is married and lives in Otter Tail county.

WILLIAM HARRISON was born in New Jersey in the year 1839. When he was quite young his parents (by adoption ) moved to Pennsylvania locating first in Pike, then in Bradford county. In 1852, they came to Green county, Wisconsin, remained five years and removed to this place, his father taking land in section six. In 1862, Wil- liam enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company D; was with Sully in his expedition against the Indians, returning to Fort Snelling in the fall of 1864. He then went south and joined Schofield's division; was ordered to Washington, D. C., and thence to Goldsborough, North Carolina, where they joined Sherman's army and moved toward Charlotte where they remained until the close of the war. He returned home after his discharge, and purchased a farm in section five where he now lives. Miss Jane M. Eastman, who is a native of Salem, Washington county, New York, became his wife in 1876. Their children were, Charlotte, who died in infancy; Mary Ada; William Ernest, who died at the age of two and a half years; Wilton L., and Reuben.

JACOB JULIAN was born in Cass county, Indiana, on the 6th of January, 1850. He came to Pilot Mound with his parents when six years old, and attended the first school kept in the district in which they lived. In February, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Brogan, a

native of Chicago. The same year Mr. Julian purchased land in section eight where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Julian have two children, Isaac J. and John W.

ISAAC JULIAN is a native of Indiana, born on the 8th of January, 1826. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits and resided with his parents until his marriage with Miss Phebe Ann Carr in 1848. Mr. Julian made a trip west in 1855, in search of farming land and on reaching Pilot Mound pre- empted a claim in section eight, to which he has since added, his residence being in section four. He returned the following spring for his family, and has since made this place his home. His children were, Jacob, Margaret, Jessie, who died at the age of two years, Mary E., Sarah E., Jemima, and Eveline, who died when four years old.

JAMES C. JONES is a native of Illinois, born on the 16th of April, 1850. When he was four years old his parents came to the then territory of Min- nesota and settled in this township, where James attended the first school ever taught in the place. In 1872, he went to California, resided in Stanis- laus county a few months; thence to Tulare county where he helped construct a canal for the purpose of irrigation, and owned an interest in the same for five years. He was married in 1876, to Miss Harriet Mitchell. After disposing of his interest in the canal he returned to Stanislaus county and kept a livery stable for a few months; then engaged in farming. In 1879, he returned to Minnesota and located in Pilot Mound. A few months since he purchased a blacksmith shop in which business he has since been engaged. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

ISAAC JACOBSON, one of the early settlers of this county, is a native of Norway, born in February, 1813. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when twenty-two years old married Miss Kari Torgerson. They came to America in 1844, and settled in Wisconsin. In 1855, they came to Fill- more county, locating a farm in the present town- ship of Arendahl. Mr. Jacobson proposed the name for the latter township, and upon its organ- ization was appointed Postmaster. In 1874, he traded his farm for a store and continued in the business until 1881, when he moved to Pilot Mound and has since been engaged in mercantile pur- suits, the Post-office being located at his store. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson have eight children; Martha,

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Jacob, Torger Andreas, John, Annie Sirine, Kari, Guro, and Dagne.

HANS KOLSTAD, another of the early settlers of this place, was born in the southern part of Nor- way, on the 23d of February, 1816. He learned the painter's trade, and being a musician, devoted considerable time to the improvement of that talent. In 1843, he married Miss Else Kolstad. They came to America in 1856, and directly to this place, where Mr. Kolstad pre-empted & quar- ter section of land in sections thirty-four and thirty-five and has since made it his home, now owning 360 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Kolstad have had four children; Simon, Engebreth, Hans, and Simon. Simon, the eldest child, died in Norway at the age of three years. Hans died in infancy. Simon was married on the 20th of May, 1875, to Miss Kari Larson; their children are Helmer E. and Ludwig C. Engebreth still lives at home, and has filled several offices of trust; is at present Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 63

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: