History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 91

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 91

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consin, and secured a farm in section eleven. In 1861, he went to to Dakota.

Torge Torgeson, a Norwegian, came here from Iowa, and was on section thirty-four, and in 1859, went to California, dying there in 1863.

John Thorson, of Norway, came here from Iowa, and took a farm in section twenty-four, and there his light still shines.

In 1856, there was quite a list of arrivals, among them should be recorded:

David Ingalls, a New Englander from Vermont, who had stopped a while in New York State as a pioneer there, surrounded a claim in section four, which he still occupies.

William Boland, from Holland, found a home embracing the northeast corner of the town, which he still maintains.

L. Aslackson came here from Carimona and went on section two, but now resides on section fourteen.

K. O. Wilson had lived awhile in Wisconsin on his way from Norway, and found a place that filled his idea of a farm in section twenty-eight.

James Hipes, a native of Virginia, had a farm in section thirty-five.

In 1866, he sold his place and went to Cari- mona. Is now dead.

Thomas Armstrong, of England, came in the spring from Granger and lived on section thirty- five, but in 1869, sold out and went to Mitchell county. His brother, E. Armstrong, came from Canada and bought the north hall of his brother's claim.

Orville F. Mann, a native of New York State, came from Michigan, and he still "holds the fort" on section five.

Robert Love, a Scotchman, came from Iowa and staked out a farm in section fourteen. He died in 1876, and his widow still occupies the homestead.

Oel Bacon, a native of Massachusetts, who had been sojourning in Wisconsin, secured a home in section twenty-one.

During 1857, there was a large list of people coming to fill up this town, and many of them will be mentioned.

Reuben Wells, one of the prominent men of the county, came here this year. He was born in Washington county, New York, on the 17th of November, 1802. His early life was spent in farm- ing in Luzerne county in that State. He took 160

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acres of land here, and at an early day, with a pocket compass, and by pacing off the distance, he would help the settler in finding the corner stakes. In 1863, he moved to Preston. It is probable that he has as large a circle of acquaintances as any man in the county.

John Boland, a Hollander came from Wisconsin and established a home on section one, which he still retains.

Moses D. Gue, of New York, had his first place in section thirty-three, but is now in section thirty- two.

Austin Tostenson, who came by the way of Wis- consin, now lives where he first located in section twenty-six.

Joseph Brown, who was from New York, coming rin Wisconsin, found a home in section seventeen, and died in 1882 in Iowa.

Widow Espy secured a place, which she soon sold, in section thirty-one.

Samuel Louden, a native of New York, is yet living on section twenty-nine, where he came from Iowa.

Ole Arneson may be found on section thirty- four, of which he secured one quarter on coming here from Harmony.

Simeon Hamblin, of New England, came here and died one week afterwards. His widow located in section eight. She died in 1874. A son, Samuel Hamlin, was also in section eight, but he lost his life in the service of his country.

Lewis Conklin, of New York, came from Wis- consin to section twenty.

S. G. Canfield, also of New York, took a place in section twenty-one, where his family now is.

In 1858, there were a few stragglers, some of whom have been gathered up.

Joseph Richards, of England, came from Canada and bought land in section ten, where he has since had his home.

John Ellingson, who came via Wisconsin, may be found on section twenty-two.

In 1860, J. R. Williams, from Wales, who had lived awhile in Wisconsin, found a place in section thirty-six, and his "flag is still there."

Owen D. Owens, of the same nationality, bought land in Bristol and lived with his sister, Mrs. J. J. Jones, who had secured a place in section thirty- six. He now lives in section thirteen. These were the earliest among the Welsh people of which there are quite a number in town.

After 1857, the immigrants were more of a scat- tering character, but some of the most prominent men and valued citizens were among these later comers, and mention will be made of them else- where.

POLITICAL.

The organization of the town was effected on the 11th of May, 1858, soon after Minnesota became a State. The primal town meeting was at the house of Oel Bacon, on section twenty-one.

The first officers were: Supervisors, Reuben Wells, Chairman, Halver Burgess, and Benjamin Palmer; Assessor, David Ingalls; Collector, Abner S. Adams; Clerk, S. G. Canfield; Overseer of the Poor, James Hipes; Justices of the Peace, Peter McCracken and Thomas Armstrong; Constables, Henry Yarnes and Willard Lester; Surveyor of roads, Andrew Weaver. The moderator of the meet- ing was Abner S. Adams, and the clerk was Reuben Wells.

The administration of town affairs has left no opportunity for unfavorable comment, as the lead- ing men have been entrusted with town matters, and the management has been devoid of extrav- agance on the one hand or parsimony on the other. The officers for 1882 are: Supervisors, John S. Thomas, Chairman, Michael Thorson, and Lewis Conklin; Clerk, Knud O. Wilson; Treasurer, Ole Arneson; Assessor, Willlam C. Love; Justices of the Peace, V. M. Fairbanks and Even R. Morris; Constables, H. E. Cheney and Henry Boland.

There is no Town Hall and the town meetings have usually been in schoolhouses, but for a few years past they have been held in the store at Canfield.

POST-OFFICES.

The first to be established in the town of York was in the fall of 1857. S. G. Canfield was the Postmaster and the office was in his house on the southwest quarter of section twenty-one. In about one month it was removed to the place where it is now kept. In March, 1882, Mrs. S. G. Canfield was appointed Postmistress. The mail service is a daily one between Lime Spring, Iowa, and Spring Valley, Minnesota, a cross line. At first it was a weekly mail.

The Post-office at Greenleafton was established in June, 1874. J. Huetink was Postmaster. A mail is served four times a week by a cross line | from Cresco to Preston.

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The Cherry Grove Post-office was located here in 1869, having been moved from Forestville town- ship, a mile distant, and D. J. Ingalls was se- lected as Postmaster. It was at his house, on section four, until February, 1882, when it was returned to Forestville.

SCHOOLS.

DISTRICT NO. 86. In 1861 this district was or- ganized, and during that summer a school was kept by Mrs. Lucy Canfield in her house on sec- tion twenty-one. In 1862, the schoolhouse was got up, 18x24 feet, on section twenty-nine. It was afterwards enlarged by the addition of twelve feet to the length. As originally formed the dis- trict had eleven and one-half sections. In No- vember, 1881, it was subdivided by a special act of the legislature leaving the east half of the dis- trict with the schoolhouse and a new number.

The new district thus formed from the western portion held a meeting at the house of Oren Louden, on the 29th of April, 1882, and elected officers as follows: Director, L. Conklin; Treasurer, Moses Gue; Clerk, O. Louden. A tax of $450 was voted to build a schoolhouse on the northeast quarter of section thirty.

DISTRICT No. 87. This was organized about 1860, at the house of E. Armstrong. A house was built of hewn logs supplied by members of the dis- trict who turned out to lay them up. The school was started that same summer, and it is believed that Miss Mary Burgess was the teacher. The building was located on the northeast quarter of section thirty-four. In May, 1880, a frame build ing was put up about seventy rods north of where the old one stood. In the new house, Arne Grundyson inaugurated the school business.

DISTRICT No. 88. An organization was effected in 1860, and the farmers supplied the logs and then helped put up the structure on section twenty-four; the house still remains. Miss Mary Black was the first teacher.

DISTRICT No. 89. The first schoolhouse here was erected in 1857, on section ten, by the usual method of contribution in material and work, and that winter a school was opened and Miss Mary Black was the first to handle the ferule. In 1870, the old building furnished food for the flames.

Then the school was kept in A. S. Adam's gran- ary and in a house where Mr. Adams formerly lived. In 1872, the tidy building now standing was erected. In the new house George J. Sander-

sou was the first instructor. When first organ- ized it was known as No. 54.

DISTRICT No. 134. The first school taught in this district was in John Boland's house in section one, in 1860, by Miss Nettie Terbest, a subscrip- tion school for small scholars. In 1865, it was or- ganized and a house put upon section eleven. Miss Maria Flynn was the first teacher in the school- house. The present building was erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,300, and a school was opened by Harris Merrill.

RELIGIOUS.

HOLLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This denom- ination has an edifice on section seven, and near it a parsonage, both of which were erected in 1878, at a cost of $2,200.

The persons who were interested in this form of belief held a meeting on the 21st of November, 1876, and a church was organized by Rev. R. B. Abbott from Albert Lea, assisted by Elder H. Frederick, of Austin. Seventeen members were admitted by letter at that time. The first ordained minister was Rev. J. W. F. Roth, Sen., who was in- stalled in July, 1877. In October he returned to Holland where he is supposed to be now. On the 7th of May, 1879, Rev. J. W. F. Roth, Jr., was in- stalled as pastor, and he still breaks the bread of the word to the little flock. Previous to the con- struction of the church the meetings were held in the various houses where it would be most con- venient.

NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. As early as 1855, meetings were held in the house of K. Olson; Rev. V. Koren coming from Iowa for that purpose. When the schoolhouse in dis- trict No. 88 was built, meetings were held there. The formal organization was on the 24th of No- vember, 1864. The trustees were Knud Knudson, and Ole Anderson. In 1872, a neat frame struc- ture for church purposes was built on section twenty-four at a cost of $1,500. The pastor is Tobias Larson, who was installed on the 8th of August, 1865, and services are held monthly.

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH .- At quite an early day meetings were held in the house of John Bo- land by an itinerant preacher. In 1869, Rev. R. Peters came here and organized the society, and meetings were held in the schoolhouse until the church could be built, which was in 1869. The earliest minister here was Rev. Peter Lepeltak, who remained about eight years and then went to

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Michigan. Rev. Herman Vanderplorg was the next comer, and he still remains. The church is on section one and is reported to have cost $3,600, all but $100 of which was donated by Mary Green- leaf, of Philadelphia.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - Methodist meetings were held in the house of S. G. Can- field, in 1857. Father Best preached a few times and Elder Dyke was here several times in 1858. In 1859, a class was organized with Harry Yar- nes as leader. Rev. Mr. Ellingwood and others were here, the last being Mr. Bunce.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This is called the Bethel Church of Canfield. Meetings were first held in the schoolhouse on section twenty-nine. Rev. J. W. F. Roth, Jr., was one of the preachers. In the fall of 1879, an organization took place with ten members, and Mr. Roth became the pastor. Meetings are regularly held on Sunday afternoons, and a Sunday school used to be held during the available season. As yet there is no church edifice.

VARIOUS EVENTS.

Among the early marriages, or rather marriages at an early day, were Mr. Thomas Lewis and Miss Elizabeth Brown, on the 24th of December, 1857. The ceremony was performed by Peter McCracken, Esq., Justice of the Peace, the happy couple making their bridal excursion for three miles in an ox cart.

Willard Lester and Mary Ingalls were united by the same magistrate on the 24th of April, 1858.

Rasmus Erickson and Ann Oleson, according to the record, were married on the 10th of August, 1858.

Charles Hanson and Letitia R. Ingalls were married on the 15th of November, 1858. All by Esquire McCracken.

On the 6th of June, 1857, Ira Henderson and Sarah P. Ingalls made an excursion from York to Forestville, and were married by Robert Foster.

Tilda, daughter of Knudt and Julia Olson, was born on the 2d of March, 1855.

The first blacksmith shop was opened by Os- man Olson in 1855, on section sixteen; it was run for about eight years and closed up.

An early death was Almond, son of Joseph Betts, in 1856 or '57. He was buried on the farm on section fifteen, where the cemetery now is.

Ole Sampson's wife died in July, 1857.

On the 21st of May, 1857, Simeon Hamblin

died, and was buried in section four, but his re- mains were afterwards removed to Forestville.

The patrons of husbandry, which had such a flourishing existence at one time had a Grange organized in this town in 1873. The meetings were at first in the schoolhouse No. 89, and after- wards in No. 86.

GREENLEAFTON.

This little hamlet nestling down in the north- east corner cf the town, was named in honor of Miss Mary Greenleaf, of Philadelphia, who gen- erously gave three thousand five hundred dollars to build the Dutch Reformed Church edifice, It has two stores, a Post-office, a blacksmith shop, a church in the village, and another not far away, and is certainly a nucleus with room for consolida- tion and expansion, and who knows what a view we should behold here if we could look down the vista of coming time for a hundred years.

CANFIELD.

This is another embryotic villlage, on the line be- tween sections twenty-one and twenty-two, with a Post-office and other possibilities which cannot be conjectured. S. G. Canfield opened a store here in 1876, under the auspices of the local Grange, and G. H. Sherwood joined him in 1878. The store is now managed by Messrs. Somsen & Vaughn, who purchased it in the early spring of 1882, and they carry a good stock of general merchandise.

Mr. Pulver started a blacksmith shop in 1877, which is now run by Benjamin Barnhart.

CHERRY GROVE.

This is another of those villages made up of hopes unrealized, and expectations unfulfilled. Its location may be found in section four. Its desig- nation as a village was on account of its Post- office, which being gone the location continues as a remembrance, and the name will remain on the maps long after what usually distinguishes a village from the country has been obliterated ..

BIOGRAPHICAL.

LAURANS ASLAKSON was born in Norway on the 13th of March, 1821, and reared to agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1846, to Miss Louisa Thompson. In 1852, they came with their three children to America, resided on a farm in Wiscon- sin two years, then came to this county and wore

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among the early settlers of Carimona town- ship were they remained two years. In 1856, Mr. Aslakson purchased land in section fourteen, 1 York township, and has since made it his home. Mr. and Mrs. Aslakson have had ten children; Anu, Ellen, Thomas, Emma, Knudt, Ole, Julia, Stena, Aleck, and Annie. The three oldest were born in Norway, Emma in Wisconsin, and the other six in this State; Ellen died at the age of thirteen years.

OLE ARNESON, one of the early settlers of this section, is a native of Norway, born on the 14th of August, 1832. His father died when Ole was seven years old, and he lived with his mother until the age of twenty. He was married in 1855, to Miss Aslang Johnson. The following year they came to America, directly to Minnesota, and located in Harmony township, but a year later moved to this place and took their present farm. For the first few years Mr. Arneson was obliged to carry his wheat eighty miles to the mill at McGregor, Iowa. He has a family of six children; Arne, Isabella, Cor- nelia, Betsey, Julia, and John. Mr. Arneson has filled a number of offices of trust since his resi- dence here. 1

GERRITT BOLAND, deceased, was a native of Holland, born in 1796. He was twice married; the maiden name of his second wife was Abigal Van Hummel, who bore him three children, Will- iam, Henry, and John. When the sons were old enough they carried on the farm and the father was engaged in a meat market. They emigrated to America in 1846; came to Wisconsin and settled in Fond du Lac county, where Mr. Boland died in March, 1856. The following year Mrs. Boland sold her land there and moved with her family to this township. She died in 1869. Her youngest son, John, still lives on the old homestead. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Som- sen in April, 1866. The union has been blessed with three children; Alice, Henry, and Benjamin. Mr. Boland has recently built a fine frame resi- dence.

JOSEPH BROWN, deceased, one of the early set- tlers of this place, was born in Orange county, New York, in 1805. When about four years old he moved with his parents to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to maturity. In 1832, he married Miss Eda Foster, who bore him three children; J. Lyman, Elizabeth, and Jerusha. Mr. Brown then engaged in lumbering and clear-

ing land. They moved west in 1849, locating in Columbia county, Wisconsin, and in 1857, came to this township and located a farm on section seventeen. In 1869, he had the first contract for carrying mail from Lime Springs, Iowa, to Spring Valley, Minnesota. In 1871, he removed to Cresco, Iowa, where he again engaged in carry- ing the mail from that place to Preston. He died in Forest City township, Iowa, on the 24th of March, 1882. His widow lives with her daughter at the latter place. J. Lyman, their only sou, resided with his parents until early in 1862, when he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Sharp Shooters, went to Washington and joined the army of the Potomac, receiving an honorable discharge after a service of three years and three months. Before going to the war he had pur- cheased land in this township, but in 1866, he sold it and bought a farm on sections twenty-one and twenty-two, which is his present home. He was married in 1865, to Miss Anna Mathewson, a native of Oswego, New York. They have two children, Harry N. and Alice L.

V. M. FAIRBANKS was born in Lamoille county, Vermont, in June, 1819. At the of twenty-one yours he left home, and for five years engaged in selling dry goods and notions in the state of New York. He was married in 1846, to Miss Sarah E. Holton, also a native of Vermont. Mr. Fairbanks was farming one year, then run a saw-mill, and afterward carried on a farm. In 1851, he came to Iowa county, Wisconsin, and resided until the fall of 1865, when he came to this township and bought land of J. Whitman in sections twenty- eight and twenty-nine, upon which he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks have three chil- dren; David H., Julia L., and William E.

MRS. MARIA GUE, whose maiden name was Maria Hurlbut, was born in Boonville, Oneida county, New York, in December, 1826. She attended school in the first stone schoolhouse built in the Black River district. At the age of six- teen years she began teaching in her native town. In 1848, she was married to Moses D. Gue. They moved to Wisconsin in 1849, and resided in differ- ent parts of the State until 1857, when they came to York township, made a claim, but returned to Wisconsin and spent the winter. The following spring they came again to their claim and made it their home until 1869, then sold and bought a farm in section thirty-two, and in 1880, moved to

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their present land in section twenty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Gue have nine children; Charles, Cor- nelia, Frank, Alice, Inez, Grace, Cora, Horatio S., and Herbert. The two oldest were born in New York, Frank in Wisconsin, and the rest in Minne- sota.

SAMUEL HAMLIN, deceased, a son of Simeon and Abigail Hamblin, was a native of Bennington county, Vermont, born on the 2d of February, 1831. He moved with his parents to New York, where he resided until 1856. In February, of the latter year, he was joined in marriage with Miss Maria N. Smith, a native of Vermont. They re- sided in Erie county, New York, one year after marriage, then came to Minnesota and settled in this place. In August, 1862, Mr. Hamlin joined a volunteer company and went to guard the fron- tier families against the Indians, remained four weeks and returned to his family. On the 1st of January, 1864, he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, C. mpany K, was transferred to the Eighth Regiment, Company H, and sent west, where he was taken sick and died in Aug- ust, 1864. He left a wife and five small children; Henry F., Albert L., Clinton E., Frederick E., and Helen J. They remained on the farm which Mr. Hamlin took when first coming here until 1875, then moved to section five, which has since been their home. Two of the children are yet liv- ing with their mother.

IRA HENDERSON is a native of New York, born in Holland, Erie county, on the 23d of March, 1831. He was engaged in farming and lumber- ing, and in 1852, came to Columbia county, Wis- consin, remained until the New Year and came to Washington county, Minnesota, taking land near Lake St. Croix. In the fall of 1854, he sold his property and returned to New York, but the fol- lowing spring came back to Minnesota and settled in this township, having since made his home in section four. He has held the offices of Assessor and Justice of Peace. Mr. Henderson was mar- ried in Minnesota on the 6th of June, 1857, to Miss Sarah P. Ingalls. They have had three children; David I., Horace Greely, and Lydia Grace. The oldest died on the 24th of December, 1868, in his tenth year, and Lydia Grace, on the 4th of Jan- uary, 1869, in her sixth year.

SIMEON HAMBLIN, deceased, was born in New England in 1769. He was twice married, his econd wife being Miss Abigail Stratton, a native

of New Hampshire, born in 1802. They lived a number of years in Bennington county, Vermont, where their five children were born. In 1849, they moved to New York, and settled in Erie county, where they remained till 1857, when they came to this place. Mr. Hamblin lived just one week after reaching his destination, his death occurring on the 21st of June, 1867. Mrs. Hamblin took a claim in section eight where she resided until 1864, then went to live with her younget son, John P., where she died on the 12th of August, 1874, aged seventy-four years.

JOHN P. HAMBLIN, a son of the subject of our last sketch, was born in Bennington county, Ver- mont, in 1844. He resided with his parents, com- ing here with them in 1857, and after his father's death remained with his mother until 1864, when he purchased a farm in section ten. The follow- ing August he enlisted in Company I, of the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, went South and served with the regiment until the close of the war. He then returned to his farm which he sold two years later, moved to section three and in 1869, came to his.present farm in section four, hav- ing choice land and good buildings. The maiden name of his wife was Mary L. Smith, who has borne him three children; Edward G., Simeon E., and Lewis.

DAVID INGALLS, one of the early settlers and the first Assessor of this place, was born in Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, on the 3d of June, 1794. His early life was spent in farming, and when twenty-one years old he went to Erie county, New York, first to the present site of Buffalo, and thence to the Holland Purchase. He located a farm there upon which he lived over forty years. He was married in 1819, to Elizabeth Richardson, a native of Vermont. They had eleven children, eight of whom are now living; Susan, Sarah P., Letitia, Elmina G., Philo H., Kirk B., Mary E., and David J. At the age of sixty- two years Mr. Ingalls came west with his wife and five children, three having preceded him. They located in this township, on section four, which has since been his home. Mrs. Ingalls died on the 7th of November, 1867, and would have been seventy- five had she lived one day longer.

JOHN J. JONES, a native of Wales, was born in 1832, and reared on a farm. He came to America in 1855, resided in Oneida county, New York, two years and returned to his native land. In about

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1859, he came again to this country, and located in Madison county, New York, where he was engaged in farming about eight years. He then came west and bought a farm in this township, but returned to New York in in two years. He was married in January, 1868. to Miss Ann Hughes. Mr. Jones returned to his farm in this place after about two years, and has since devoted his time to its improvement, build- ing a new frame house in 1872. He is the father of four children: Robert H., Laura B., Jennie, and Maggie.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 91

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

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