History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 77

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

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DISTRICT NO. 69 .- This is a joint district with No. 65 in Houston county. The union was effected in 1871, through the exertions of Patrick Flanna- gan and John Kelley, and a schoolhouse was erected, 14x18 feet. The first term of school was presided over by Miss Mary Kelly in the winter of 1872.

DISTRICT No. 10, was first organized and a school house built in 1862. The first teacher was Wil- liam Van Doren. In 1873 a new schoolhouse was erected near the southeast corner of section twenty-six.

DISTRICT No. 163 .- This was organized in 1870, and the following year a small log house was put

up. The earliest school was taught by Miss Min- nie Clark. The residents of this district, which is in the southwest corner of the town, have been moving away so that only three freeholders remain, and no school has been held for several years. The prospect is that the district will be discon- tinued.

MANUFACTURING.

The first manufacturing industry in town was a small saw-mill built by David Weisel, an early comer, in the year 1855, and was situated on the creek near the northeast corner of section nineteen. The machinery of this mill was, with the exception of the saw and a few necessary castings, formed by his own hands. A corn cracker was also added and operated by the same power. The mill stones were cut from a rock found near. This was em- phatically a home institution, and was operated with considerable success until that terrible 6th of August flood in 1866, when he and his family and the mill fell victims to its destructive force.

The first regular grist-mill was built in 1857, by Collins Hall. It was a little frame building lo- cated in the northeast corner of section thirty-two. This also was carried away by the flood, but has since been rebuilt of stone and was operated by Mr. Hall until his death. Mr. Jackson now has a lease of the property.

The next mill to be built was a saw-mill by Nels Johnson. This was located on the South Fork, in the northern part of section seventeen. It shared the same fate as those higher up the stream in 1866. It was subsequently rebuilt, and Mr. John- son also added a grist-mill about ten years ago.

In 1876, Mr. Ole Severson built what is known as the "South Fork Valley Mill" located on the same stream. Mr. Severson is a man of great natural ability and genius, and although without milling experience, his grist mill was made accord- ing to his own plans, and a successful mill was the result.

POST-OFFICE.

At first the nearest Post-office was at Decorah, Iowa, twenty miles away; after awhile a Post-office was established at Lenora, and later at Newburg. The office in Preble was established in 1876, the first mail arriving on the 13th of April. Samuel Gray was the Postmaster. It is on a cross route, between Houston and Decorah, and at first came weekly, now the service is tri-weekly.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

FIRE INSURANCE.

A mutual Insurance Company was formed on 27th of January, 1880; the corporate name is

"THE PREBLE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COM- PANY." The officers are: President, Nels Johnson; Secretary, R. C. Spande. It is conducted on the ordinary mutual plan, and has taken risks to the amount of $48,029, and as yet has had no losses. The assets of the company, as shown by the report of 1881, amount to $27,302.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ARNE ARNESON is a son of Hans and Haagine Arneson, and dates his birth the 16th of May, 1842, in Berum, Norway. The family emigrated to America in 1851, locating in Rock county, Wis- consin, from whence, in 1853, they removed to this county, and settled on the present site of the vil- lage of Newburg. Mr. Hans Arneson erected a small blacksmith shop, which was one of the first industries of the kind in the county, and was pat- tronized by the settlers living a distance of fifteen miles around. Seven years later he moved to this township and located a farm on section twenty- six, where he still lives. In 1862, Arne, then a youth of twenty years, enlisted in Company E, of the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and re- mained in service about three years; was severely wounded in the left arm in the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1864. After his return he made his home with his parents until his marriage, which took place on the 31st of July, 1875, the maiden name of his wife being Malinde Johnson, a daugh- ter of one of the first settlers of the town. This union has been blessed with three children. Mr. Arneson represented his district in the Legislature in 1873, and has since been Town Clerk. He owns a farm in sections twenty-two and twenty-three, the greater portion of which is under cultivation.

JAMES BROWN, the owner of one of the first farms in the northern part of this township, is a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio, his birth dating the 18th of March, 1830. His father, Rex Brown, owned and operated a grist-mill in that county for nearly thirty-five years. They finally moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Brown died in 1867. On the 19th of January, 1853, James was joined in marriage with Miss Melissa Luce. He remained in the latter county until 1866, when he came to Minnesota and purchased a farm in Caledonia, Houston county, which he shortly afterward sold, and came to this place, buy-

ing the so-called "Tarvestad" farm. His wife died on the 19th of March, 1869, and the death of two of his sons had occurred only a short time pre- vious. They had five sons, but two of whom are living. The maiden name of his present wife was Mary Knudson, and the issue of the mar- riage is two daughters. Mr. Brown has been one of the officers of his school district since his resi- dence in the town, but has not taken an active part in politics.

THORE OLSEN "FAAE," one of the two first white men to settle in this place, was born in Stavanger, Norway, on the 31st of December, 1827. He came to America in 1849, and resided in La Salle county, Illinois, where he married Miss Elizabeth Spande, and remained until the summer of 1853, when he came to this township. Besides Mr. Johnson's family he had no neighbor the first year, then a band of Winnebago Indians located their camp within eighty rods of where the two men had settled. Mr. and Mrs. Faae have had ten children, nine of whom are living; four daughters are married and live in Dakota, as does also one son, the remaining four still live with their parents. Mr. Faae has a fine farm of three hundred acres supplied with good buildings.

ANDERS HALVORSEN "NORDBOVAAGEN" is a na- tive of Norway, born on the 12th of June, 1830. He came to America in 1848, resided in Rock county, Wisconsin, about six years, and then in La Salle county, Illinois. Having accumulated enough from his scanty earnings to pay the fare for his parents and two sisters, he sent to the "old country" for them. They arrived in this country in 1858, and the same year came from Illinois to this town with an ox team, and located in section twenty-six. In June, 1861, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Anna Knudson Vigness. They have had seven children, four of whom are living. Mr. Halverson, Sr., died in 1866; his widow lives with her son Anders, and is in her eighty-sixth year.

JACOB JACOBSON "HAGE," one of the early set- tlers, was born in Findo, Stavanger, Norway, in the year 1826. When young he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, then as a sailor, and in 1849, he came to America. He first located in La Salle county, Illinois, then in Dayton, where he was employed in a plow factory about a year, after which he, in company with another young man, purchased the establishment and operated

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PREBLE TOWNSHIP.

the same for about five years. In 1850, Mr. Hage married Miss Julia Ellefson, who was born in Vigeland, Christiansand, Norway, in the year 1827. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living, four sons and three daughters. In 1854, they came to this township and purchased a farm where they have since lived. Mr. Hage has always taken a prominent part in all church and school affairs.

JOHN N. JOHNSON, one of the oldest natives of this town, is a son of Nels and Maria ( Nese ) Johnson, his birth dating the 5th of December, 1854. From the time he was able he assisted in the labors of the farm, having but little time to attend the common school. After arriving at the age of manhood, he went for a term to the Insti- tute at Decorah, Iowa. On the 26th of June, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Jose- phine Larson, a daughter of one of the pioneers of Newburg. She was born on the 4th of March, 1861. The fruits of the union are two sons. In 1881, Mr. Johnson was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which position he still holds. He has a fine farm, nearly all under cultivation, and a beautiful new residence.

NELS NELSON "KINDINGSTAD," one of the pio- neers of the town, was born in Stavanger, Nor- way, on the 3d of June, 1828. His father died when Nels was fourteen years old, and in 1849, he emigrated to America, locating first in La Salle county, Illinois, and four years later in Winne- shiek county, Iowa, where he remained two years. In 1855, he came to this town and settled in seo- tion twenty-one. He was one of the organizers of the town, and chosen tax collector at the first election, and Assessor at the third township elec- tion, having since held sundry positions of trust in the town. On the 31st of March, 1867, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Serine Hendrickson. Seven children have blessed the union, six of whom are living, three sons and three daughters. Mr. Nelson owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, most of which is well improved, his dwel- ling, barn, orchard, etc., being substantially and tastefully arranged.

NARVE LARSEN, a son of one of the first settlers of the town of Newburg, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 23d of October, 1850. He came with his parents to this county when four years old, and has always made it his home. During his boyhood he attended school when not engaged

in farm labor, and in 1875, purchased his present farm in section twenty-five. On the 26th of June, 1876, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Kjersti Quarve, a daughter of the late Hon. George Quarve, one of the early settlers of Spring Grove, Houston county. Three children bave been born to this union, two of whom are living. Mr. Larsen was elected Justice of the Peace in 1881, and still bolds the position.

ANDERS O. PETERSON was born in Norway on the 16th of December, 1857, and came with his parents to America at the age of three years, his father purchasing a farm in this township soon after their arrival. Anders engaged in farm labor as soon as old enough, attending school until six- teen years of age when he entered the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa, and remained three years. He afterwards completed his studies at the Business College, of the same place, graduating with the first honor, in 1880, since which time he has been engaged in teaching in English and also the Norwegian language. Mr. Peterson has re- cently purchased a portion of his father's farm in section twenty-six.

LARS PETERSON is a native of Norway, born in August, 1840, and reared to agricultural pursuits. He came with his parents to America in 1862, stopped first in Black Hammer, Houston county, but the following year came to this township where his father bought a farm in section thirty- four. The latter moved to Red River Valley in 1878, and died the same year. Lars then bought the homestead, to which he has since added and now owns two hundred and thirty acres. Miss Torbjor Johnson became his wife on the 25th of March, 1876. The fruits of the marriage are two children.

OLE RICHARDSON is a native of Norway and was born in the town of Agvaldsnes, on the 3d of Oc- tober, 1829. He served a three years apprentice- ship at the blacksmith trade and afterward worked at the same for five years. In 1855, he married Miss Christina Larson. They came to America and resided in La Salle county, Illinois, for about four years. In 1860, they came to this place and the following year purchased their present farm. which contains three hundred und twenty acres, supplied with good substantial buildings, orchard, etc.' Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have eight chil- dren, the four eldest of whom are married; three reside in this town, one in Dakota, and four still live at the place of their birth.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

RASMUS C. SPANDE, a prominent man of this town and one of its early settlers, was born in Norway on the 4th of May, 1831. When in his eighteenth year he left the place of his nativity for the city of Stavanger, where he found employ- ment as clerk in a mercantile establishment. He started for America on the 16th of April, 1854, and arrived in this town on the 24th of June, locat- ing in section twenty-seven. On the 6th of April, 1854, he was joined in marriage with Miss Serine

Tostensdatter. The issue of the union is ten child- ren, nine of whom are living, and five still residing with their parents. Mr. Spande is still living on the original humestead, which is now in a good state of cultivation, supplied with a commodious dwelling, barns, granaries and a well kept orchard. Since his residence here he has taken an active part in the organization and affairs of his church. He was a leader in establishing the Preble Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1880.

NEWBURG.

CHAPTER LVII.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT-IN- .DIAN VILLAGE - MANUFACTURING - POLITICAL - WAR RECORD-SCHOOLS --- CHURCHES -- NEWBURG VILLAGE -- BELLVILLE-MABEL-BIOGRAPHICAL.

Newburg is the southeast corner town of the county. Houston being on the east, Iowa on the south, Canton on the west, and Preble on the north. Few sections of country seem to be more abundantly supplied with natural advantages than this. The contour of the land is slightly undulat- ing, dotted with small groves of timber, and the soil is a uniform dark rich loam with a clay sub- soil, well adapted to the cereals and to root crops or for grazing. The southwest sections are covered with heavy timber.

Fresh water is abundant from numerous springs with which other parts of the county are not so highly favored, but the farmers resort to drilled wells from 150 to 200 feet deep, from which a plentiful supply of good water is raised, usually by wind-mill power.

Riceford Creek rises near the southwest corner of the town and runs in an easterly direction for some distance, when it dives beneath the surface to reappear just as it leaves the township, in sec- tion twenty-four. During a high stage of water the surplus beyond the capacity of the subterran- ean channel, flows on the surface. Another stream arises near the village of Newburg, and another loops down into section six, and uniting runs north into the next town. A small creek rises near

the western edge of section one and runs east to Ricefor 1 Creek.

The people of this town seem to be in a state of general prosperity, which, of course, is due to their industry and economy, in connection with the pro- ductiveness of the soil. The well tilled farms, commodious barns and granaries, and excellent and often elegant residences, furnish unmistaka- ble evidence in this respect.

Wheat raising was, until within a few years, the principal industry, and although the plowing, sowing, harvesting, and threshing, involved a large amount of toil, the actual labor began in getting the wheat to market. Brownsville and Lansing, the nearest being forty miles, were the nearest places where it could be marketed, and the winter was the most available time, although a trip over this weary way with snow several feet deep, and a northwest wind steadily sweeping along with its doleful monody, and the thermome- ter thirty or more degrees below zero, was no holiday trip, as three or four days would be con- sumed in the journey, and frost bitten ears and toes, were not infrequently unpleasant reminders of the marketing experience. For nearly a quar- ter of a century the husbandman of this region had to labor under this serious disadvantage in disposing of his surplus productions, and these experiences must ever remain a vivid recollection to those who went through them. There should be no wonder that when the officers of the Chi- cago, Dubuque, and Minnesota Railroad Com- pany came into town soliciting aid to construct a

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NEWBURG TOWNSHIP.

Narrow Gauge railroad, that there should have been a prompt response in the affirmative.

When the town meeting was held to vote on the question of issuing bonds to the amount of $12,- 000, it was nearly unanimous, although there were several citizens who worked against the measure.

Within a few years attention has been paid very generally to raising corn and stock, and at no dis- tant day it is evident that this, with the dairy business, will become a paramount industry. Thus, with the cultivation of the small fruits and the amber came, a very important revolution will have been accomplished, which will conduce to the prosperity of the whole community by removing the danger of crop failures,

There seems now to be great satisfaction with the present facilities for transportation, and the trials, troubles, and tribulations of the past are often referred to by way of contrast.

As showing what can be done with crops sup- posed to be out of their latitude, it may be men- tioned that Mr. Hyatt has for several years suc- cessfully raised crops of sweet potatoes, some of them weighing more than three pounds. He is also a cultivator of apples and smaller fruit.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first claim staked off in the town was early in 1851, in section thirty-two, by an unknown man who never came back to reclaim it after it had been "jumped" by Joseph Lovesy in the summer of the- same year. Mr. Lovesy came from Illinois and remained about four years, when he went to Hous- ton county.

George Cannon arrived in 1851, and located near Lovesy on part of Hiram Edmond's farm. He was also from Illinois, and he afterwards sold his place and removed to Houston county, where he subsequently died.

Calvin Chandler put in a personal appearance in the spring of 1852. He was from Bangor, Maine, and had made a temporary sojourn in Beloit, Wis- consin. He planted himself in section thirty, and remained about eighteen years when he again started on his travels, and brought up in Martin county, and two or three years since he was called upon that unknown journey, which all have to take sooner or later.

John Monroe arrived in the summer of 1852.

Hans Valder came in June, 1853, annd found Monroe living in his cabin.

Alanson Loomis made a claim in section twenty-

six, but about four years later moved to Burr Oak, Iowa.

Three brothers, Anders, Iver, and Gulbrand Gulbrandson "Ellestad" secured claims in sections twenty-eight and twenty-nine in 1853, and they proved to be stayers as they remain there yet.

E. Bell located in section twenty-five where he still lives.

C. B. Reynolds in section twenty-six.

Milton Sherburne came to this town in 1854, and located in section twenty-five. In 1876, he moved to Black Hammer, Houston county, where he still lives.

A. H. Butler, who was afterwards County Treas- urer, located near H. Edmonds.

The date of the settlement of quite a number of others will be found among the biographical sketches.

INDIAN VILLAGE .- John J. Johnson, who settled . in the South Fork valley in the spring of 1854, relates that near his place there was an Indian village containing about one hundred "bucks, squaws, and pappooses." While breaking some land a few of the Indians wanted to assist in driv- ing the oxen, but the cattle were afraid of them, and then they tried to hold the plow, but were also unsuccessful in this feat. Although, if they had the disposition to work, patient effort must have finally taught them, if they could be led to persist in their efforts.

FIRST BIRTHS .- Lewis L. Tollefson was born July 6th, 1852, son of Lars and Maria Tolefson. Mary Lucinda Monroe was born on the 24th of December, 1852, daughter of J. M. and R. Monroe.

FIRST MARRIAGE .- This interesting event was celebrated on the 4th of February, 1859, between Tollef Tollefson and Kjestine Tostensdatter, by Hans Valder, Esq. The year 1859, is certainly a late time for the first marriage, and it is not un- likely that earlier cases will be found when it is too late to record them here.

FIRST DEATH .- This has not positively been as- certained, but it is probable that it was a daughter of Edmond Bell.

GRIST-MILL.

The only one in town is the Newburg Mill, built in 1869, by Michael Bernatz, who came from Iowa, and owned and operated it until the fall of 1875, when he sold to Mr. Alfred Buck. The size of the mill is 28x36 feet, and has two run of stones, with a capacity of ten bushels an hour, and twenty

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

bushels of feed. Mr. Buck still owns and operates it. It is located on the little stream in section five.

A WIND GRIST-MILL.

This was constructed by J. M. Monroe in the year 1873, at a cost of $1,500, for grinding feed and shelling corn. Its capacity was about ten bushels per hour, and it was kept in operation about seven years.

James Monroe, in 1856, brought the first sepa- rator threshing machine into town, and it did good service for a long time.

POLITICAL.

The town meeting to organize the township was held under the original order on the 11th of May, 1858, at the schoolhouse in the village of Newburg. Only one of the regularly appointed judges of elec- tiou was present. Gabriel Gabrielson, Jeremiah Clark, and Calvin Chandler were appointed to fill the vacancies. Alfred Clark was appointed clerk. The officers elected were: Supervisors, A. H. But- ler, Chairman, John Willsie, and John Craig; Town Clerk, Alfred Clark; Assessor, G. Gabrielson; Col- lector, Justus Seelye; Overseer of the Poor, Hiram Edmonds; Justices of the Peace, Hans Valder and James Harkness; Constables, W. R. McDonald and Thomas R. Seelye.

The meeting voted that "hogs and sheep should not be free commoners, within the limits of the town." A tax of $250 was voted. The school- house in district No. 38 was designated by accla- mation as the place for town meetings.

WAR BOUNTY .- At a town meeting held on the 23d of August, 1864, it was voted that each vol- unteer who should enlist and be credited to the quota of the town should receive $300, to be paid, $100 when enlisting, and the balance in two and three years, and to meet this obligation, bonds to the extent of $1,700 were authorized with interest at ten per cent. The largest expenditure in any one year was in 1865, when it went up to a total of $1,930.30.

PRESENT TOWN OFFICERS. - The town officers elected on the 14th of March, 1882, were: Super- visors, Hans Valder, Chairman, J. Seelye, and H. N. Sherburne; Town Clerk, S. C. Brace; Treasurer, C. W. Bacon; Assessor, J. G. Miner; Justices of the Peace, Asa Willsie and M. L. Potter; Consta- bles, P. P. Johnson and C. M. Morgan.

Economy and honesty have always character- ized the management of town affairs.

SCHOOLS.

DISTRICT No. 2 .- In 1862, this district was organized; but two terms of school had been held prior to the time the schoolhouse was erected. The first schoolhouse was completed in 1865. A part of this district at one time was set off and connected with a district in Houston county.

DISTRICT No. 3 .- An organization of this dis- trict was effected in 1856. The first officers were: Trustees, Osten Peterson, Mathew Mathison, and Hans Arneson; Clerk, Hans Valder. A school- house of small dimensions was built the same year. The first instructor was Miss Emily Seelye. This is presumed to be the first district organized in town.

DISTRICT NO. 5 .- Here comes another district which is said to be the first organized in town, in 1855. E. F. West taught the first school. It was subdivided in 1872, and District No. 168 was set off, and in 1873, another schoolhouse was built. There was quite an opposition to building the new house, but the friends of the measure rallied at a school meeting one stormy night and carried their point.

DISTRICT NO. 6 .- This was organized in 1857, and a school building erected the same year, 20x30 feet. The same house still remains, having been several times repaired. James McDonald has the honor of having taught the first school, in the winter of 1857.

DISTRICT NO. 66 .-- A building for school pur- poses was put up in 1863, soon after the organiza- tion of the district, and the earliest school was called to order by Miss Frances Plomteaux the fol- lowing winter.

DISTRICT No. 135 .- In 1860, this district was organized, and the following year a schoolhouse was built at a cost of $475, 18x22 feet. Samuel Aiken taught the first school.

DISTRICT No. 150 .- This formed a part of the sixth district, and was organized near the close of the sixties. The following year a schoolhouse was erected, 18x28 feet, at a cost of $800. The first school teacher was Miss Dura Gilmore.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 77

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

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