History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 67

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 67

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RUSHFORD TOWNSHIP.

progress of the town, particularly in its religious interests, a more detailed account of the more im- portant part of which has already been mentioned in these pages. The family has been a very val- uable one to the whole community.

Mrs. Snell was born in Townsend, Vermont, is a daughter of Curtis Fay, and was married in West Winchester, New Hampshire in 1850. During Mr. Snell's absence in the far West in search of a home she remained in Lawrence, and when her hus- band sent for her, packed her trunk, and taking her two children, one an infant but three months old whom the father had never seen, started to cast her lot with him. She arrived in October, 1855, and was met at Winona by her husband with a yoke of oxen and a wagon to convey his family to their new home. Their earthly possessions were soon loaded up and they consisted of a few fowls that Mrs, Snell purchased in Dubuque, three chairs bought in Winona, fifty pounds of flour for a winter's supply, and a few luxuries in the way of carpets, etc., brought from Massachusetts. Most fortunately Mrs. Snell was of a cheerful disposi- tion, not inclined to murmur, although she was compelled to pass her first night in Minnesota in a room containing five beds, all occupied, and hav- ing to wait on her child at night, had to step over the forms of several sleeping men to get out of the room. Of course the change to such a rude life grated harshly upon the finer sensibilities of a lady reared as she had been, but, with true womanly devotion, she had decided to share her husband's lot, be it what it might, and so she ac- cepted the situation and went through the trying ordeals of a frontier life with a cheerfulness most tranquilizing in its effects upon the whole com- munity, and is entitled to the highest meed of praise. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living.

In the spring of 1857, he sold the property he had bought on coming here, as mentioned in the account of the early settlers, and bought the place where he now lives, which he has adorned and beautified until it is one of the finest residences in the city.

SWAN C. THOMPSON was born in Wisconsin on the 9th of June, 1858. His parents moved to this place when he was an infant, and located on a farm, to which occupation he was reared. He at- tended the public schools until 1873, when he en- tered the La Crosse Business College, and after his return home was employed in the store of N.

Holgeson. In February, 1875, he and his two brothers opened a general mercantile store, but soon one brother sold out, and in March, 1882, Swan bought the interest of the other brother, and now carries the business on alone. Since 1879, he has been Postmaster. He also carries on a lumber yard, and ships annually large amounts of farm products.

HIRAM WALKER was born on the 9th of Octo- ber, 1825, in Croydon, New Hampshire. In 1836, he came to Ohio with his parents, locating in Lake county, and when twenty years old went to Ken- tucky, remaining two years. He then came to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he married Miss Celestia Nims, the ceremony taking place the 19th of December, 1849. Mr. Walker came to the La Crosse land sale of 1851, remained and built the first open front store in the place. The following spring his family came and located in Onalaska. After a trip through the county in search of good water power, Mr. Walker came to this place in August, 1854, and the same fall commenced a saw-mill where the feed mill of D. J. Tew now stands. Since then Mr. Walker has been promi- nently identified with the growth of Rushford, having built and operated a number of mills, fur- ther notice of which appears elsewhere, besides taking quite an interest in local political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have eight children, four boys and four girls.

OLIVER WILSON, who was one of the first party of emigrants to this place, was born in Norway on the 13th of March, 1836. His parents came to America and settled in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, when Oliver was eleven years old. In 1851, he moved to Illinois, and was engaged in farming until 1853, when he joined a company of Nor- wegians from Boone county on their way to this section of the country, and reached Rushford township on the 4th of July, 1853. Mr. Wilson being too young to take land, engaged with farm- ers in Iowa until 1856, when he returned here and bought land in section twenty. On the 4th of July, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Halverson. The issue of the union was eleven children, ten of whom are living. Mr. Wil- son is what might be called a self-made man; having nothing on his arrival here, he now owns a fine farm of six hundred and sixty acres, which speaks well of his good management and indus- try. He has been Town Treasurer for the past seven years, and filled other local offices.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

NORWAY.

CHAPTER LII.

DESCRIPTIVE -- EARLY SETTLEMENT - EARLY SET- TLERS-FIRST THINGS-SCHOOLS-POLITICAL OR- GANIZATION - RELIGIOUS-AMBER CANE-BRATS- BERG-BIOGRAPHICAL.

This political sub-division of the county of Fillmore is the second south of the northern boundary, with Rushford between, and next to the eastern boundary, with Preble on the south, and Holt, with which it was formerly associated, on the west.

The town is quite well elevated, and the small streams that arise within its borders run off in various directions. There is very little land in its territory that is incapable of cultivation, and it is very well settled, mostly with immigrants from Norway, who are thrifty and industrious.

The village of Bratsberg, in the southeast of section ten, is sufficient to meet the demands of the country for trade and mechanical work for quite a distance around.

The nearest railroad depot is at Rushford, which is only six or seven miles from the center of the town.

Norway is a good, healthy town, and farms are being well and rapidly improved.

EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS. ·

In March, 1854, John Olson Overland and his three sons, Ole, Steiner, and Knud, and a brother- in-law, Halver Erickson, Harold Olson, and Hans Franson, came to this township from Winneshiek county, Iowa, selected claims and provided for their families by putting up a residence 14x18 feet, in accordance with the prevailing local fash- ion, then went for their families, and got back on the 18th of May.

The year before this, Ole Johnson and Halver Erickson were through this region looking for lands upon which to locate. They were through

the town of Rushford, and found two colonists in the valley, Halver Goodrich and Ole O. Tuff. They went through where they finally settled, and finding no water, concluded that it was not a de- sirable place to attempt to live, but on their sec- ond visit, as above mentioned, in 1854, a little digging developed a spring on section fifteen, and from this the supply for the whole coterie was ob- tained during the first summer. There was quite a camp the very first season, as many as sixty per- sons in the colony; the most desirable and fash- ionable residence being a covered wagon. The Indians were still around, and would sometimes crowd into any shelter they could find during a shower.

Hans Franson procured a place in section fif- teen, where he lived up to the year 1881, when he rented his farm and moved to the Red River country.

Ole Johnson Overland was introduced into the light of the nineteenth century in Norway on the 20th of September, 1823. Served three years in the army during the war against Prussia. In 1851, came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with his father, mother, two brothers, and four sisters; two years later the party moved to Winneshiek county, and as above stated came to Fillmore county.

Ole Johnson himself took a claim in sections fif- fifteen, sixteen, twenty-one, and twenty-two. He had been married in 1850 to Miss Gunill Franson. He was one of the first supervisors of the town when it also embraced Holt under the name of Douglass, and was also one of the officers of his town after it was divided. He was one of the first trustees of the Highland Prairie church, and one of the building commit- tee.

Knud Johnson was born in Norway in 1834 and came with others and took a claim in section

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sixteen, and there with his wife his lamp still holds out to burn.

Halver Erickson was born in Norway in November, 1829. In 1850, he came to Wisconsin, and to Iowa in 1853, and here the following spring, driving his stakes in section fifteen, where he still remains. In the autumn of 1854, he was united in marriage with Caroline Johnson. He was one of the early town officers.

Ole Kettleson came from Norway by the way of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and secured a local habitation in section seven, which he vacated forever a few years ago.

Ole Carlson Rue began his career in Norway on the 16th of February, 1838. In 1851, with his paternal ancestor, he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin. In 1854, they got over west of the Mississippi, and the father secured & home on section twenty, where he may still be found.

The young man, in 1860, married Kari Kettle- son and took a homestead on the same section. He has been for several years a Supervisor.

Peder Erickson Helgeland located on section thirty-two and still remains.

In 1854, Mr. Knud N. Melve and his father came and took land in section thirty-one, and now lives on a place secured at the same time by his brother-in-law, Ole C. Berg, who was relieved of earthly trouble in 1869. The old gentleman, Mr. Melve, lives with his son at the age of 85.

Thomas Thompson came with his father in 1855, having stopped awhile in Illinois. He secured 120 acres in sections twenty and nineteen. The old gentleman bought land in the town of Holt, but lived with his son and must have been one of the oldest men in the county at the time of his death, at the age of 94 years.

Hans Gunderson was born on the 9th of August, 1820, came to Wisconsin in 1852, and in 1854, came to Norway, the namesake of his native country, and secured of his adopted government 160 acres in section eighteen. On the 23d of January he married Este Johnson, and they have had eleven children.

Simon Thompson came to Dane county in 1852, from his native Norway, and in 1854, to Iowa, and here in 1855, taking a place in section seven, and remained until the 23d of August, 1881, when it is hoped he secured an eligible claim in that undiscovered country from which no explorer returns.

Lars L. Humble was among the settlers of 1857, and his local habitation was and still is in section thirteen. In 1846, he was married to Catharine Jenson, who died early in the decade of 1870, leaving eleven children.

Ole Arneson Grinland's nativity dates from November, 1817, and his marriage from April, 1841. In 1851, he transferred himself and family to Wisconsin, and in 1854 to the Minnesota Nor- way, and secured 160 acres in section eleven, where he may still be found.

Ole Jorgenson, a Norwegian sailor, came to this place in 1854, and settled in section fourteen, but afterwards removed to where he is now located, in sections twenty-three and twenty-four.

Aslack Gunderson arrived in this township in 1855, and secured a stopping place in section twelve, where he remained until 1881, when he went to Dakota.

John L. Jahr was one of the arrivals in 1857, and the next spring bought a farm in sections fourteen and twenty-three. He was a leading man and was in the State legislature, but died on the 28th of May, 1880.

John Sanderson, also a Norsk, came from Wis- consin in 1854. His wife was Betsey Lorgeson, and they had twelve children. He died in April, 1873.

Hagan Olson was from Norway, came to Wis- consin in 1848, and here in 1854. His wife was Berget Nilson. His place is on section eleven.

In 1857, Mr. Even Ellertson, with his sons, Isaac, Elling, and Nels, came and took farms in section eleven. Isaac still remains here, Nels and Elling went west to Dakota in 1881.

Kittel Olson was an early arrival in 1854, and took a place in section twenty-one, but removed to Becker county early in the seventies.

Mikkel Kittelson came by the way of Wiscon- sin and placed himself upon section twenty-three.

Even Gisleson located on sections eleven and fourteen. He died some years ago, and the farm was divided between his two sons who still live here.

John Larson Stensgaard secured a claim and lived in section twenty-four. But he was removed from this earth in 1878.

C. Olson and Ole Jacobson settled upon section twenty-three.

Ole Olson Thorud was among the comers of 1856. He married Miss Mary Thompson and se-

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cured a farm on section seven where they still re- main.

The oldest house is said to be that of John Ol- son which was built in April, 1854, in section six- teen.

The first resident minister was the Rev. N. E. Jensen.

The first religious service was held by Rev. Mr. Koren, in 1855.

The first schoolhouse was in District No. 13. The first school teacher was Hannah Onstine. The first child was Ole Gunderson, on the 26th of August, 1854.

The first marriage of Norway residents was per- formed in Iowa. The high contracting parties were Mr. Halver Erickson and Miss Kari Olson.

SCHOOLS.

In accordance with the law that had just been passed making each town a single district, to be subdivided according to the pleasure of the citi- zens, this town was divided into four school dis- tricts of equal size, and the next year, when this arrangement was modified, these districts were continued with the present numbers. At that time District No. 12 had 55 scholars; No. 13 had 81; No. 14 had 48, and No. 15 had 63. So there was a rising generation.

DISTRICT No. 15 .- The first school inaugurated in this district was in the house of Andrew Peter- son, where M. A. Maland now lives in section twenty-eight, in 1859 or '60. The instructor was G. A. Highland. The first schoolhouse was a log structure, 16x20 feet, in section twenty-nine. In October, 1873, a school meeting was held to con- sider the subject of moving the house to the present location. There was talk of dividing the district, but it has not yet been done.

DISTRICT No. 13 .- The first building for school purposes was rolled together in 1859, and was 14x16 feet. The first teacher was Hannah On- stine. The location is in section fifteen. The new house is 20x36 feet, and was erected at a cost of $850. It has a set of apparatus costing $23.

DISTRICT No. 12 .- The first shelter for the school was of logs in the center of section seventeen. In 1878, a new house was put up at a cost of $500.

DISTRICT No. 14 .- This house was got together by subscription; it was 16x18 feet, and was put up in 1861. In 1878, a new house was erected, 18x26 feet.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.

This town was a part of Douglas from May 11th, 1858, until April 3, 1860, when a separate organ- ization was effected. An early history of Douglas will be found in the sketch of the township of Holt, to which the reader is referred.

The first town meeting was at the house of Even Ellertson on the 3d of April, 1860. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, Ole Johnson, Chairman, John Larson, and Ole Jorgenson; Clerk, A. S. Byholt; Assessor, Simon Thompson; Jus- tices of the Peace, A. S. Byholt and E. Evenson; Constables, Ole H. Wentoel and K. Kittelson- Stockland; Treasurer, N. E. Ellertson; Surperin- tendent of Schools, Andreas Byholt.

The name of the town is said to have been sug- gested by John Semmen in honor of the native country of almost every inhabitant of the town- ship.

The town officers for 1882 are: Supervisors, L. L. Humble, Chairman, Olaus Olson, and D. Lunde- berg; Clerk, A. S. Byholt; Assessor, O. C. Swen- son; Treasurer, O. S. Evenson; Justiors of the Peace, G. O. Jahr and Ole H. Haasarud. The con- stables elected refused to quilify on account of the law requiring them to shoot unlicensed dogs, and 80 Andrew A. Groshong and Ole O. Tollerud were appointed and qualified.

RELIGIOUS.

HIGHLAND PRAIRIE NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL CONGREGATION .- This was organized by Rev. V. Koren, in 1855, which must have been the first society organized in the county. The first services were held on the 13th of June, 1855, at the house of Ole Johnson, by Mr. Koren who continued oc- casional services at private houses and in the grove up to 1857, when Rev. F. C. Clauson, from Spring Grove, supplied until 1859, when Rev. N. E. Jen- sen settled and officiated regularly up to 1869, and then Rev. K. Magelssen took the field. In 1864, a church was built at a cost of $7,000. The size is 35x41 feet, with an addition making a total length of seventy-five feet, a porch in front is 12x14 feet. It has a seating capacity of 400. The bell weighs 840 pounds. The church has an organ costing $400. Service is held once in two weeks. In 1859, the society secured forty acres of land near the church and built a parsonage at & cost of $1,100.

In accordance with old country custom there is a cemetery near the church, which is well kept.

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NORWAY TOWNSHIP.

It is likely that the Rev. V. Koren was the first minister in the county. He was born in Norway in 1826, and is a regular academic and theological graduate.

Rev. N. E. Jensen was born in Norway in 1824, was graduated in 1853, came in 1859, re- mained about ten years and afterwards died in Houston county.

AMBER CANE.

This is such an unexpected industry in this northern region that its development is slow, but any facts about it must be of interest. The first raised here was by E. Helgemo, O. Eggen, and J. Koperud in 1879, from a single pound of seed. At first, after the crop was secured, they impro- vised a machine to press the juice, but it was in- adequate to the pressure and kept breaking, but they succeeded in obtaing about forty-four gal- lons.

In 1880, they went into it more extensively, procured a suitable press and evaporator, and put up fifteen barrels, and in 1881, twenty-eight barrels were made. Other parties in town raise corn more or less, and the most of it is manufactured by Mr. T. Thompson, a manufacturer in the west part of the town. Almost every valuable interest thus be- gins in a feeble way, and, of course, strengthens as it grows.

BRATSBERG.

This village is located in section ten, near the southwest corner. It contains a Post-office, a blacksmith shop, and several residences.

WAGON SHOP .- This was first started by John Bodding about ten years ago, two years later it was sold to A. Erickson who managed it a short time, then it fell into the hands of O. O. Nelson who last year made an addition to the shop, doub- ling its capacity, and he still is the owner.

BLACKSMITH SHOP .- The shop was started early in the sixties. Mr. O. Berg first built a small shop, and three or four years afterwards sold out to P. Martinson, and he sold to O. O. Eggen & Son some time in the seventies. The proprietors added to the capacity of the shop in 1881; they have facilities for manufacturing wagons and employ one or two men.

STORE .- The only store in the town was first started by Ole Hendrickson in the spring of 1865, in a small log building at Bratsberg, in section ten. At first a small stock of dry goods was put

in, with groceries, beer, and cider. In about eight- een months the building was enlarged and more goods added, and still later another addition was put on, making the store what it now is. It was afterwards transferred to the present owner, O. E. Evenson, who had been Mr. Hendrickson's clerk. He at once purchased an increased stock of goods, adding boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, and crockery. The liquid part of the trade was dis- pensed with after the first few years.

POST-OFFICE .- Ole Johnson persuaded the Post- master General, in 1860, that the great need of this section was a Post-office, and so a commis- sion was duly forwarded to him. Becoming weary of the onerous duties of the position, it was transferred to Halver Jensen, who kept it at his brother's, Rev. N. E. Jensen, for a time, in a shanty about one-half mile north. Afterwards it was taken to the store, and Ole Hendrickson was Postmaster. When the store changed hands, O. E. Evenson became Postmaster, and still retains the office.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

O. J. GAARDER was born in Norway on the 16th of January, 1850. When he was an infant his parents came to America and located in La Fay- ette county, Wisconsin. They removed to this county in 1856, and located in section fourteen, Norway township. He was married in 1873, to Miss Gustava Hanson, who has borne him three children. Mr. Gaarder has been constable for the past four years.

GUNDER GUNDERSON was born in Norway, in December, 1823. He came to America in 1845, and settled first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then in Dane county, where he bought a farm and lived until coming to this place in 1854. He was mar- ried when in Wisconsin, to Miss Guniel Holver- son in 1848. Their son Ole was born on the 14th of August, 1854, and was the first white child born in Norway township. Mr. Gunderson served one year in the Second Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry, Company E, under Gen. Thomas; partici- pated in the battle of Atlanta, Georgia; Campaign against Hood, and with Sherman in his march from "Atlanta to the sea." He received his dis- charge at Fort Snelling, and returned to his home in this place. Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson have had ten children, eight of whom are living and two at home.

JOHN O. GORDER is a native of Norway, born

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on the 18th of May, 1822. He was married in 1840 to Miss Mary Jensen. They came to Amer- ica in 1853, and resided in Wisconsin until 1857, when they moved to this township and took land in section fourteen, which is still their home. Mr. Gorder served ten months in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, participated in the battle of Chattanooga and afterward was taken sick and confined in the hospital six weeks. He returned home after his discharge and has since been engaged in the cultivation of his farm. He has nine children.

L. L. HUMBLE was born in Naunestad, Norway, on the 10th of May, 1846. When six years old he came to America with his parents, who located in La Fayette county, Wisconsin. In 1857 they removed to this township and settled on section thirteen, where his father still resides. The sub- ject of this sketch was chosen Town Treasurer when twenty-one years old, and served one year, when he resigned. In 1868, he entered the em- ploy of a Rushford firm as clerk; remained one year and then opened a store of his own, which he carried on one year. At the age of twenty-six years, on the 28th of January, 1872, by Rev. Kr. Magelssen, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophie Hansen, who was then nineteen years old. They have been blessed with five children. In 1873, Mr. Humble was elected Town Clerk, hold- ing the office five years, when he resigned. In 1878, he moved to Barnes county, Dakota, but two years later, sold his property there and returned to this place. The following year he was chosen Chairman of the board of Supervisors and still acts in that capacity.

PEDER E. HELGELAND, a native of Norway, was born on the' 11th of November, 1825. He was married in the "Old Country" to Miss Anna Gil- bertson. They came to America in 1853, and re- sided in La Fayette county, Wisconsin, until 1856, since which time this township has been their home, their farm being located in section thirty- two. Mr. and Mrs. Helgeland have had seven children, four of whom are living; Mary, the eld- est, is married, and resides in Dakota; the others are Isabel, Gustavus, and Erick.

HELGE A. HALLOM was born in Norway on the 2d of March, 1843. He was reared on a farm, and remained at home until August, 1861, when he em- igrated to America, borrowing money with which to come. He located in this township, and was

employed by the farmers of the vicinity. On the 23d of February, 1874, he was married to Miss Caroline Flattum, who has borne him four chil- dren; Lewis, Arnelia, Andrew, and Alfred. Mr. Hallom purchased a farm in section thirty soon after his marriage, and has since made it his home. He was elected Constable, and held the office four years.

HON. JOHN L. JAHR, deceased, was born in Nor- way on the 8th of April, 1835. He came to Amer- ica with his father in 1852, and settled in Wis- consin, coming to this place in 1857. He brought the first threshing machine to Norway township, and the year after coming purchased land in section fourteen. On the 22d of June, 1859, Mrs. Mathia Larson became his wife. Mr. Jahr held many offices of trust in the town, and was a member of the State Legislature for one term. He died on the 28th of May, 1880, leaving a widow and six children, all of whom reside on the original homestead.

G. O. JAHR is a native of Norway, his birth dating the 31st of March, 1856. At the age of sis years he came with his mother to America, and di- rectly to this township. In 1865, his mother was married to Christen Jacobson, of this place. Mr. Jahr remained here until 1880, when he went to Fargo with the intention of locating, but John L. Jahr, with whom he had previously lived, died that year, and our subject returned to take charge of the business of the deceased, and has since car- ried on the farm. He was elected Justice of the Peace at the last election.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 67

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

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