History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 81

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 81

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POST-OFFICE .- The Post-office in this village was established in the year of 1858, and known as the Richland Post-office, with C. C. Onstine as Post-master, and it was through his efforts it was secured, it being moved from Lenora to this point. The office was first at the residence of Mr. Onstine, and remained there for about one year. In the spring of 1859, M. H. Onstine was appointed Postmaster, and he held it for about five years, when Mr. E. W. Bullis succeeded him, and it was soon after discontinued. Prior to the establish- ment of the Richland Post-office, and since its dis- continuance, the residents of Amherst were, and now are obliged to go out of town for their mail.

RELIGIOUS .- The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in the winter of 1872, the following being the first officers appointed:

Trustees, John Jacobson, G. Mayland, and Ole H. Oppegaard; Treasurer and Clerk, J. N. Johnson. The first pastor to hold ser- vice for this denomination was the Rev. T. Larson, of Greenfield. In 1877, the members de- cided to build an edifice in which to worship, and all feeling that the prosperity of the organization demanded it, they commenced the erection of a church worth about five or six thousand dollars, and completed it the same year. The lot for the church building was donated by Henry Onstine. Services are now held in the church once every three weeks.

The Henrytown Presbyterian Church was or- ganized the 14th of February, 1881, the officiating minister being Rev. Mr. Dalrymple, assisted by Revs. Drew and Carpenter. Prior to the organ- ization of the church, services had been regularly held in the schoolhouse by M. H. Carpenter. Upon organization of the society the following officers were appointed: Elders, Joseph Dawson and Wm. Patterson; Treasurer, M. H. Onstine; Secretary, J. Dawson. There are now fifteen mem- bers of the society, having started with nine. Ser- vices are held every Sunday at the schoolhouse.

The Richland Prairie Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church ( Elstad Synod ) was organized in 1861, and a few years later erected a neat frame structure in which to worship. The building is located in the northwestern part of section ten, and is 30x40 feet. The first pastor to hold service for the denomination was Rev. Jensen, who re- mained for a number of years. The present pas- tor is Rev. Magelssen. In the spring of 1882, an 800 pound bell was placed in the cupola. The society's cemetery ground adjoins the church.

MANUFACTURING.

The manufacturing enterprises of this town are confined to domestic and local work. A number of the manufactories in which a man manipulates the bellows and hammers the anvil were estab- lished late in the fifties, but, with the exception of one or two, they have all succumbed before the op- position from the village blacksmiths. Soon after the town was organized, M. H. Onstine erected and commenced running a small steam saw-mill in Henrytown. When the mill was started, and in fact during the first year of the mill's existence, the water necessary for running was carried to the mill from a spring three-quarters of a mile away, in leaden pipes. This plan worked very well so

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long as the pipes were unmolested and intact, but the gophers finally inaugurated a raid on the leaden pipes and demolished them, obliging Mr. Onstine to dig a well. The machinery was after- wards sold to and put up by parties in Spring Valley.

Anton Christianson operates a feed mill upon a small scale on his farm. His power is a wind-mill, and the capacity is about ten bushels per day.

Prior to the establishment of the saw-mill, lum- ber was pretty scarce in the town, the first lumber being drawn from Plymouth Rock, Iowa. The first shingled roof in town was upon the house of D. N. Fairbanks, on section thirty. They were made by hand.

CELEBRATION.

The first celebration of the anniversary of Ameri- can Independence held in Fillmore county, took place on the 4th of July, 1854, in the south- east corner of the town of Amherst, in a grove owned by Mr. E. P. Eddy, and this gentleman furnished lumber for seats, etc. The opening of festivities commenced about 10 o'clock, A. M., by firing eight guns -- shot-guns and rifles-heavily charged. A. D. Gray was Presi- dent of the meeting and Marshal of the day. The Declaration of Independence was read by Enos Gray, Rev. W. T. Bly opened with a prayer which was followed by a lengthy oration. Several other citizens made appropriate remarks, among the speakers being T. J. Eames, Enos Gray, and A. D. Grey. After the speeches and cheers ended, a basket pic-nic was next in order; conversations and chats continued during the balance of the day and not until the sun was hidden below the west- ern horizon did the meeting adjourn. The ground was decorated with a liberty pole from which the stars and stripes were waving in the breeze, and those who attended say that nothing in the line of celebrations they ever attended could equal this.

MILITARY COMPANY.

In 1862, a militia company was formed and or- ganized in Amherst, composed of about 150 men. The following were the officers of the company: Captain, Simon Knudson; Lieutenants, John Pe- terson, Hans Gunvalson, and Knud L. Olson. The company met for drill every Saturday on sec- tion twenty-one, their uniform being white pants with red stripes, and black caps with red stripes.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

PETER ANDERSON is a native of Norway. When he was five years old his father died, and since the age of fourteen he has supported himself. He came to America in 1853, re- sided in Wisconsin and afterwards in Iowa, coming to this township in 1858. He was married at the age of twenty-seven years, to Miss Betsey Ingebretson, who died in 18-, leaving three children. Mr. Anderson served fifteen months in Company B, of the First Minnesota Heavy Ar- tillery. He was joined in matrimony, on the 4th of July, 1878, to his present wife, Miss Betsey Anderson. They have been blessed with three children. Mr. Anderson first bought a farm in section thirteen, but in 1867, sold and moved to his present place in section twenty-seven.

OLE ALLEN, a native of Norway was born on the 2d of January, 1837, and emigrated to Ameri- ca with his parents in 1848. They first located in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, but soon moved to Rock county. In 1853, they removed to Spring Grove, Houston county, Minnesota, and were among the first settlers. Ole joined a party who were going to Pike's Peak in 1859, but while in Iowa, heard a discouraging report and gave up the project. He then went to New York and sailed for California where he was engaged in mining three years, and afterwards farmed three years. He returned to Spring Grove in the fall of 1865, and a year and a half later, in company with Henry Harvey, opened a store in Newburg continuing in the business one year. He then sold and bought a farm in Canton township but soon after moved to his present farm which is located in section twenty-nine, Amherst. In 1878, he was elected County Sheriff and resided two years in Preston, has since filled a number of local offices and is at present Justice of the Peace. While in Preston he lost three children by scarlet fever.

OLE O. BLOGSVEDT is a native of Norway where his birth occurred on the 5th of March 1825. After his marriage he came to America and located in Rock county, Wisconsin, where they remained four years, then moved to this place and settled in the northern part of the town, but a year later purchased their farm in section fifteen. They have a family of nine children.

OLE M. BLOGSVEDT dates his birth the 1st of January, 1855, in Rock county, Wisconsin, from

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whence he came to this place with his parents when but one year old. He remained at home until his marriage on the 11th of December, 1879, with Miss Lena Hansen, after which he bought a farm near his father's, Mons O. Blogsvedt. The latter was born in Norway on the 8th of June, 1823, and engaged in farming and . lumbering until coming to America in 1852. He was mar- ried abont a month before leaving his native place, his wife's maiden name being Kari Olson, who has borne him nine children, seven of whom are living. They located in this township in 1856, and have since made it their home.

JOHN Bosso dates his birth in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 14th of February, 1836. He graduated from a seminary of that place in 1852, and the following year came to America. He re- sided with an uncle in Buffalo, New York, one year, then was engaged four years in farming in Niagara county. He was married in 1858, to Miss Colly Merchant. The union has been blessed with seven children; those living are, Pauline, Mary, and Cloe. Mr. Bosso enlisted in Company A, of the One Hundred and Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry in the spring of 1862; was chosen from the company and drilled for a scout, being so employed until the close of the war. He was in Sherman's army, and many times entered the Confederate line and gained valuable information, being obliged sometimes to enlist to secure the desired knowledge. In the spring of 1867, he came here with his wife and family and bought land in sections thirty-three and thirty- four, which has since been their home.

ANTON CHRISTIANSON was born in Norway on the 24th of December, 1850. He came with his parents to America in 1860, and located in Win- nebago county, Illinois, where his uncle had re- sided since 1840, he being the first settler in the county. They remained there three years, then moved to this township and located in section fifteen. Anton was married on the 17th of December, 1876, to Miss Augusta Thompson. He has held a number of local offices since his resi- dence here. In 1876 he made a trip to Illinois, and two years later went to Lake Kampeska, Da- kota, where he took land. Thence to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and afterward to Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties, then returned to his farm near Lake Kampeska and remained during the summer of 1880. For several years Mr.

Christianson was engaged in selling farm machin- ery for H. Paine, of Decorah, Iowa, but is now agent for the Althanse Wind Engine. In the spring of 1882, he, with a partner, bought a store in Highland, and has since carried on the same.

ORRIN DIBBLE is a native of Essex county, New York, born on the 17th of February, 1833. At the age of seventeen years he left home and was engaged in a saw-mill until twenty, when he started with a friend for the West. They worked their way through and finally reached Canada, where Orrin found an uncle and brother, who ob- tained for him a situation in a saw-mill. After haying, at which he found employment, he started in search of friends whom he supposed to be in Spring Valley, but not finding them he engaged to go in the pineries, where he heared that his acquaintances were in Spring Grove, instead of the former, and immediately set out for that place. In 1853, he went to Bay City, Wisconsin, and the three following winters were spent on an island in the Mississppi River, where he took a claim. The Sioux Indians were also encamped there, and Mr. Dibble tells many interesting stories connected with his life those few years. In the spring of 1856, he returned to his former home in New York, and married Miss Mary Johnson, the cere- mony taking place on the 1st of October in the same year. He had previously bought land in Spring Grove, to which he came soon after his marriage, his wife remaining at her home in consequence of her mother's illness, for fourteen months. In 1869, Mr. Dibble sold his land in Spring Grove and came to this place, locating a farm in section thirty-five, where he still lives. He has a family of eight children. The second daughter is married to E. L. Babcock, who was born in Cortland county, New York, in 1855. He received an education-at the. Homer Academy, in Cortland county, came west in 1876, and taught school for four years in Harmony and Amherst. The marriage ceremony took place on the 2d of May, 1880. The union has been blessed with one child. Mr. Babcock owns a store in which the Post-office is located, he being Postmaster and also Town Clerk.

ERIC M DYRDAL, a native of Norway, was born on the 22d of June, 1836. He was married in 1862, to Miss Leve Enfinson. They came to America in 1868, and resided in Iowa for three years, then moved to this township and settled on

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their present farm in section twenty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Dyrdal have had five children, one of whom died in infancy; Martin E., James, Karl, and Alfred are living.

ANDREW EVENSON was born in Norway on the 22d of October, 1827, and reared to agricultural pursuits. When twenty-one years old he married Miss Guniel Evenson, who bore him six children. They came to America in 1857, and first located in Spring Grove, Houston county, remained three years, and came to this place, which has since been their residence. Mr. Evenson enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and partici- pated in four battles, in one of which he was wounded. His wife died in 1871, and two years later he married Miss Aelia Evenson. The fruits of this union are three children.

EARL S. EMMONS was born in Pennsylvania on the 13th of February, 1817. When about six- teen years old, he went to Ohio and worked at the wagonmaking trade in winter, and on the lakes in the summer. In 1841, he started for Iowa, but finding employment at his trade in Illinois, remained there. The maiden name of his wife was Prudence Wiser, whom he married in Illinois on the 4th of December, 1845. In 1854, they came to this township, arriving on the 7th of April, bought land near "Stringtown," where they lived thirteen years, then moved to their present farm in section nineteen, Amherst township. Mr. Emmons was the first judge of election, and has held the office of Constable. Mr. and Mrs. Emmons have two children; William J., who lives near his father, was born on the 1st of July, 1849, and married on the 6th of July, 1875, to Miss Mary Vought; the daughter is now the wife of E. Kimber.

ETHAN P. EDDY, one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of New York, born in Wyoming county, on the 12th of January, 1819. When he was young, his parents moved to Allegany county, and when about twelve years old to Chau- tauqua county, but soon after to Lorain county, Ohio. They removed to Michigan in 1832, and four years later Ethan left his home and learned the carpenter trade, after which he was engaged on farms for a time. In 1839, he returned to Ohio, and was employed on the farm of Henry Onstine. On the 28th of February, 1841, he mar- ried Miss Julia Onstine. The following year he resumed his trade and continued at that and ship building until 1850, when he came to Green

county, Wisconsin, where he took one hundred acres of wild land. In 1853, his father-in-law, Henry Onstine, came with a party to the West; Mr. Eddy joined them in Iowa and came to this place, arriving in August. He bought land of A. and J. Lashmidt, who were probably the first settlers in this township. He was one of the first County Commissioners, and has since held differ- ent local offices and been elected to the State Leg- islature. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have five children; one son who is married and lives with his father, and four daughters, two living in Iowa, one in Nebraska, and one in Cottonwood county, Minne- sota.

JOHN H. FAIRBANK is a native of Franklin county, Massachusetts, where his birth occurred the 7th of July, 1833. His mother died when he was nine years old, the family was separated, and John made a living by gardening, farming, etc., and attended school when possible. In March, 1854, he started for the West in company with two brothers. He stopped in Illinois and bought a team, which they drove to this place, one brother remaining in the latter State. John was joined in matrimony with Miss Harriet E. Kimber, daugh- ter of one of the first settlers of this township, who came from New York in 1854, and now lives in Iowa. In 1867, Mr. Fairbank sold his farm and made a trip through Missouri in search of a home, but soon returned here, and now lives in section twenty. He has filled the office of Constable two years. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbank have a family of five daughters and one son.

DANIEL N. FAIRBANK is a native of Vermont, born in Windham county on the 21st of July, 1828. When fifteen years old he came to Wisconsin, and lived in Waukesha, Fond du Lac, and Winne- bago counties, engaged at the blacksmith trade. In 1846, he returned east, and worked in a cutlery factory in Massachusetts four years. While there he married Miss Betsey Viner, the ceremony taking place in 1851. They came to Fillmore county in 1857, bought land in this township, and in 1862, Mr. Fairbank engaged in trade at Lenora, re- maining in business four years, then purchased a farm in Canton township, but soon after returned to this place, which has since been his home. His wife died in July, 1872. The maiden name of his present wife was Minnie Moratz, a daughter of Godfrey Moratz, who was born in Prussia in Jan- uary, 1818, and brought his family to America in

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AMHERST TOWNSHIP.

1853, and to this place three years after. He now makes his home with Mr. Fairbank. The latter has held a number of town and county offices since his residence here.

ANDREW GILBERTSON was born in Norway on the 18th of January, 1837. In 1861, he left the "Old Country" and emigrated to this place. His parents came as far as Canada with him, and two years later joined him here. They all lived together until his mother's death in 1866, since which time the father and son have resided on the farm of the latter in section twenty-two. Mr. Gil- bertson was married to Miss Ingar Anderson in Jannary, 1874. The result of the union is four children.

CHRISTEN HELGESON dates his birth the 1st of March, 1842, in Norway. He came with his par- ents to America in 1861, and located in Rock county, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1864, Chris- ten removed to Spring Grove, Houston county, where he found employment and remained until coming to Amherst. Soon after coming he married Miss Christine Knudson, whose father was among the early settlers of Houston county. Mr. Helgeson owns a fine farm in section twenty- seven, where he makes his home.

ANDREW JOHNSON was born in Norway on the 24th of October, 1818, and since the age of fifteen years has supported himself. In 1850, he mar- ried Miss Mary Olson, who bore him one son, Mar- tin A., who was born in Norway on the 25th of January, 1853. In 1861, Mr. Johnson, with his wife and son, came to America, and located on section thirty-one in this township, where he has since lived. Mrs. Johnson died after three years residence in this county, on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1864.

KNUD S. KNUDSON was born in Norway on the 23d of December, 1818. He emigrated to Amer- ica, and settled in Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1846. In the spring of 1853, he married Miss Gune Gutumsdatter. They came to this place and took one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he erected a log-house, 12x14 feet, which is still standing. He has added to his farm, and now owns six hundred acres. His wife died in July, 1880, leaving six children, five hav- ing died before her.

CHRIST KNUDSON is a native of Norway, and dates his birth the 25th of July, 1835. He came to America in 1861, and directly to Amherst town-

ship, where he found employment with farmers one season, then engaged to go in the pineries, but remained only one winter. He then pur- chased land in Preston, where he lived a few years. While there he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Anderson, in 1864. They came to this township, and located in section thirty-five, which is still his home. His wife died on the 18th of February, 1880. They had six children, only two of whom are living; two died the same year as their mother.

SYVER LARSON was born in Norway in March, 1835, and has supported himself since the age of fourteen years. He came to America in 1856, and settled in Stoughton, Wisconsin, thence to Iowa in 1860. While there he married Miss Martha Pe- terson, the ceremony taking place on the 1st of March, 1861. In the spring of 1873, they moved to this township, locating a farm in section twenty- four. They had eight children, three of whom are living. Mrs. Larson died in the spring of 1877.

JOSEPH D. NEWELL, a native of Monroe county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 28th of March, 1836. When he was ten years old he came to Wisconsin with his parents who located in Janes- ville, where his father died the same year. In 1856, four of the brothers came to Fillmore county and took claims, but all lived on Joseph's claim for about six years. Samuel was the first to marry and removed to a farm north of Preston. Joseph was married on Christmas, 1873, to Miss Sarah Travers, who has borne him two children. Mr. Newell was engaged in the butcher business in Lanesboro with his brother Franklin for two years. The latter now resides just north of that place William, the eldest, married a wife in 1844, who died in Pennsylvania; he now lives near the subject of our sketch.

CANUTE K. NESS is & son of Knud K. Ness, who was born in Hallingdahl, Norway, on the 14th of November, 1830. He left home when fifteen years old, and moved to Wig, near Bergen, where he re- mained till the spring of 1853, when he came to America. He stayed during that summer in Chi- cago, being employed in lumber yards. In Octo- ber, 1853, he married Miss Gertrude Ramsey and moved to Boone county, Illinois, where they lived. in a house on the site of Capron, which is now a good-sized village. In 1857, they moved to Win- neshiek county, Iowa, and three years later bought

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THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO HISDADY

a farm near Decorah. In 1871, the family came to this township and located in section thirty-six, where they still live. Canute, the subject of this sketch was born in Capron on the 23d of Septem- ber, 1854, and came with his parents to this town. He attended the Decorah Institute during the win- ter of 1875, and in 1876 and '77, the Business Col- lege at La Crosse, graduating in the latter year. On the 13th of December, 1878, he was married to Miss Randy Monsen. Mr. Ness was elected Jus- tice of the Peace in 1880, and served two years.

HENRY NESS, a native of Germany, was born in Hohenstein on the 22d of October, 1825. When he was but six years old his father died, and since the age of twelve he has supported himself. He served three years in the war against Denmark, and participated in five battles. In 1857, he came to America and directly to this county, locating in Harmony township. Miss Margaret Hahn became his wife on the 15th of July, 1860. In 1863, Mr. Ness enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and served fifteen months .. He sold his land in Harmony in 1866, and pur- chased a farm in section twenty-seven of this town- ship. He devotes the greater portion of his time and land to the cultivation of fine fruit trees, ber- ries, grapes, etc., also gives some attention to the raising of live stock. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors, and held other offices. Mr. and Mrs. Ness have two daughters; Mary, who married W. Patterson, resides in the town of Scot- land, and Sarah lives with her parents.

R. O'BRIEN was born in Ireland on the 9th of August, 1820. His father died when he was six- teen years old, and being the eldest of ten chil- dren, the chief support of the family devolved upon him. They lived on the farm until 1848, when they were ejected from their home by a sheriff and his posse for a "non title" after the rent had been paid. When the house was attacked Mr. O'Brien and one sister were the only occu- pants. He asked of the land agent on the outside a consideration of twenty pounds for improvements made on the farm while they occupied it. This request was at first refused, but as the inmates re- mained firm, the promise was given but broken after he had gained possession. Disgusted with snch laws they sailed the same year for America. Their mother died on the voyage and the family located in Freeport, Illinois. The subject of our sketch was married to Miss Mary Mooney in 1854.

During the late war he was tax collector for a time in a part of Stephenson county, Illinois. In Sep- tember, 1871, he rented his farm and came to Minnesota, and three years later purchased his present farm in this township. He was a member of the board of Supervisors for two terms, one of which he was Chairman. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have five children; Catharine, the wife of James Moriarty of this town; James, a farmer in Foun- tain; Ellen, a Sister of the Notre Dame order in Milwaukee; and Lawrence and Mary, residing with their parents.

MICHAEL H. ONSTINE was born in Lorain county, Ohio, in August, 1835. He was the young- est child and only son in a family of eight chil- dren, and when but two years old his mother died. His father, having a taste for adventure, spent most of his time in traveling, and when Michael was eight years old he accompanied him on a trip to Pennsylvania. In 1847, they crossed the coun- try to Galena, Illinois, thence on the steamer "Highland Mary" to Fort Snelling. While at the Falls of St. Anthony the boat left them, and they crossed the country to St. Paul where they remained about two weeks, boarding with Mr. Bass, who kept the first hotel in that city. They then embarked on the steamer "Ben Franklin" which was then engaged in the removal of the Winnebago Indians to the Crow Wing reservation. They descended the river as far as the mouth of Chippewa River where they joined a crew of rafts- men, and labored at the sweeps for seven days be- fore reaching the ferry opposite Galena. Mr. Onstine came to what is now Fillmore county and secured his present home in August, 1853. In 1858, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Augusta E. M. Osgood, whom he married the same year. She was one of the first school teachers in this sec- tion of country, and the daughter of John Osgood, one of the first settlers of Northern Iowa. In 1858, Mr. Onstine was elected Town Clerk and served eleven years. He has also held other offices of trust and always has been a leading man in public affairs.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 81

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

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