USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Volume 1) > Part 30
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A description of Chatfield published in 1858, contains the following information which shows the progress which the vil- lage had made even at that early date.
"The village now contains more than a thousand actual in- habitants, and its buildings, for comfort and elegance, will not suffer by comparison with those of eastern towns of similar population. The development of the manufacturing interests of the town is as yet, but commenced. The rapidly increasing demand for manufactured articles in a new and growing set- tlement, with the high prices for transportation, must soon add largely to the present investments in manufacturing here. The branches most needed at present are an iron foundry and machine shop, a tannery, carriage shops, a manufactory of agricultural implements and the like. A good paper mill could hardly fail to prove a profitable investment, there being none
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in the state, while the consumption of the article is very great. A fine flouring mill was completed last summer, by Jones & Dickson, at a cost of over $15,000. It is now making a first rate article of flour; and in capacity and perfection of arrange- ment is surpassed by none in the county. There are three saw- mills; one a steam mill, with lath and shingle saws connected with it, is owned by Mr. Crissey ; and one by H. L. Edwards, is a fine water-mill, with lath and shingle saws, turning lathe, and corn-mill, attached. Mr. Sherwin has erected a fine three story building, for the manufacture of furniture, cabinet and turned work; and Badger & Harris have on hand at their warerooms a large assortment of furniture and house trimmings. A brick yard, adjoining the town, is being successfully worked, and good building stone is quarried close at hand. Connected with the business of the land office, there has been, and is now, a large amount of capital employed in the business of exchange bank- ing, loaning money, and land warrants, entering land on time for pre-emptors, and general dealing in real estate and securi- ties. The firms employed in this branch of business have proved themselves to be enterprising, liberal, public spirited and hon- orable men. They have invested largely in the town and vicin- ity, and are ever ready to encourage whatever tends to pro- mote her interests. Of general dealers and dry goods, and the like, there are six firms one hardware and stove dealer-sev- eral grocery and provision dealers-with the miscellaneous branches usually found in a place of its size, except, perhaps, a book store and a bakery. Of attorneys, physicians and sur- geons there is a goodly number here, and for education, talent, and thorough knowledge of their respective professions, they rank deservedly high. There are here societies of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists, all of which are well supported, and the two last named have provided commodious places of worship. Two excellent schools have been in suc- cessful operation during the past winter, and are to be con- tinued, throughout the summer. Arrangements are being made for the opening of an Academical School here in the coming autumn; and the community is of that class who will liberally support such institutions. There are here two weekly news- papers, both established in 1856, and liberally sustained by the citizens of the town and vicinity. The "Chatfield Democrat" is published every Saturday by C. C. Hemphill. It supports the present administration and advocated generally the principles of the Democratic party. The "Chatfield Republican" is pub- lished every Wednesday, by Holley & Brown. It upholds the name of William H. Seward, as candidate for the presidency in 1860, and is the organ of the Republican party in the county
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WILLIAM A. PEASE
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and vicinity. These newspapers are ably conducted and well- printed, and furnish weekly information of Minnesota matters. Medary House, is a new, large, and commodious hotel, superbly furnished, and kept in first class order by the deservedly pop- ular proprietors, Cole and Glasgow. It has ample accommo- dation for two hundred guests. The Wilson House is also a comfortable hotel kept by the proprietor, Charles Wilson. This house has recently been refurnished and is now in complete order for the entertainment of the public. The Chatfield House and City Hotel are good houses, though of humbler pre- tentioes."
Land Office. The Root river or Brownsville Land District comprised the five southern tier of townships, extending from the Mississippi westward to the territorial limits. The office was opened, at Brownsville, on the Mississippi, Aug. 1, 1854. It was moved to Chatfield, June 12, 1856. Major John R. Bennett was the register and Capt. John H. McKenney, the receiver. In 1860 the office was removed to Winnebago City.
Municipal History. Chatfield was incorporated as a village in 1857. The first officers of the village were: Council, H. B. Morse (president), John R. Jones A. Haven and I. Cole.
An act to incorporate the city of Chatfield was approved by the legislature February 19, 1887. The boundaries were established as follows: The south half of section thirty-one, 105, eleven, Olmsted county ; the east half of section six, 104, eleven, the east half of the southwest quarter of section six, 104, eleven, the northwest quarter section of section five, 104, eleven, the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section five, 104, eleven, and the north half of the southwest quarter of section five, 104, eleven. The chartered officers were: Mayor, George Prey; aldermen, William Strafford, I. M. Higley, Hiram Fair- banks; recorder, Joseph Underleak; city justice, J. W. Russell; justice of the peace, R. W. Twitchell; constable, C. E. Hod- kingson; treasurer, C. M. Culver.
1887-Mayor, J. C. Dickson; aldermen, C. H. White, J. S. Gove, F. W. Shimer; recorder, S. M. Onstine; treasurer, H. H. Rowe; city justice, J. W. Twitchell; justice of the peace, Wil- liam Smith; constable, John W. Scott.
1888-Mayor, J. C. Dickson; aldermen, F. W. Shimer, C. H. White, J. S. Gove; recorder, S. M. Onstine; treasurer, H. H. Rowe.
1889-Mayor, J. C. Dickson; aldermen, C. H. White, J. S. Gove, F. W. Shimer; recorder, C. L. Thurber; treasurer, George H. Haven; city justice, R. W. Twitchell; justice of the peace, A. V. Jennings; constable, John W. Scott. The voters declared in favor of license.
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1890-Mayor, J. C. Dickson ; aldermen, F. W. Shimer, C. H. White, William Strafford; recorder, C. L. Thurber; treasurer, George H. Haven. License was voted this year.
1891-Mayor, Milo White; aldermen, C. G. Bolles, Michael Burke, George Piny; recorder, George L. Gould; treasurer, A. L. Ober; city justice, J. W. Russell; justice, John Chermack ; constable, Charles W. Payne. The voters declared in favor of license.
1892-Mayor, Milo White; aldermen, F. W. Shimer, G. W. Perry, Michael Burke; recorder, George L. Gould; treasurer, George II. Haven. The voters declared in favor of no license.
1893-Mayor, F. W. Shimer; aldermen, George W. Perry, A. L. Ober, William Strafford; recorder, W. H. Silsbee; treas- urer, George II. Haven; city justice, J. W. Russell; justice, Duval MeKenny ; constable, Charles W. Payne. The voters de- clared in favor of license.
1894-Mayor, F. W. Shimer; aldermen, G. W. Perry, C. M. Culver, William Strafford; recorder, W. H. Silsbee; treasurer, George H. Haven. The voters declared in favor of license.
1895-Mayor, F. W. Shimer; aldermen, George W. Perry, T. R. Hamilton, C. M. Culver; recorder, W. H. Silsbee; treas- urer, George H. Haven; city justice, Duval McKenny; justice, James Laird; constable, C. W. Payne.
1896-Mayor, A. L. Ober; aldermen, George W. Perry, C. M. Culver, F. J. Halloran; recorder, C. H. White; treasurer, George H. Haven. The voters declared in favor of license.
1897-Mayor, J. C. Dickson; aldermen, Hiram Fairbanks, W. W. Murphy, E. C. Coffin; recorder, J. Ross; treasurer, George H. Haven; city justice, Duval McKenny; justice, J. W. Russell ; constable, C. W. Payne. The voters declared in favor of license.
1898-Mayor, J. C. Dickson; aldermen, J. D. Jones, H. L. Atchison, W. W. Murphy; recorder, J. D. Caw; treasurer, A. L. Ober. The voters declared in favor of license.
1899-Mayor, F. W. Shimer; aldermen, J. D. Jones, Milo H. White, W. W. Murphy; recorder, J. D. Caw; treasurer, A. L. Ober; city justice, Duval McKenny; justice, J. W. Russell; constable, C. W. Payne. The voters declared in favor of license.
1900-Mayor, F. W. Shimer; aldermen, J. D. Jones, F. J. Halloran, Milo White, Jr .; recorder, Anthony Sharp; treasurer, A. L. Ober. The voters declared in favor of license.
1901-Mayor, C. M. Cooper; aldermen, F. L. Hill, C. V. Fer- guson, F. M. Davis; recorder, Anthony Sharp; treasurer, A. L. Ober; city justice, T. B. Clawson; justice, Joseph Marshall ; constable, C. W. Payne.
1902-Mayor, A. L. Ober; aldermen, F. J. Halloran, W. W.
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Murphy, Milo White, Jr .; recorder, A. J. Waters; treasurer, A. L. Lombard. The voters declared in favor of license.
1903-Mayor, F. J. Halloran; aldermen, H. H. Heydon, S. E. Bibbins, J. D. Caw ; recorder, C. V. Ferguson; treasurer, Sidney Burnap; city justice, T. B. Clawson; justice, Duval McKenny. The voters declared in favor of license.
1904-Mayor, F. J. Halloran ; aldermen, J. D. Caw, S. E. Bib- bins, H. H. Heydon; recorder, C. V. Ferguson; treasurer, Sid- ney Burnap. The voters declared in favor of license.
1905-Mayor, H. H. Heydon; aldermen, J. D. Caw, F. C. Lovell, Edward David; recorder, D. E. Dunham; treasurer, Sid- ney Burnap; city justice, Duval McKenny; constable, Edward Howard.
1906-Mayor, S. E. Bibbins; aldermen, W. H. Lynch, H. G. Case, E. H. David; treasurer, Sidney Burnap; recorder, D. E. Dunham. The voters declared in favor of license.
1907-Mayor, C. M. Cooper; aldermen, H. H. Heydon, Wil- liam Strafford, W. J. Wright; recorder, D. E. Dunham; treas- urer, Sidney Burnap; city justice, T. B. Clawson; constable, Edward Howard. The voters declared in favor of license.
1908-Mayor, C. M. Cooper; aldermen, H. H. Heydon, George W. Perry, W. J. Wright; recorder, D. E. Dunham; treasurer, Sidney Burnap; justice, S. T. McGrew. This year the voters declared in favor of issuing $2,500 bonds for the building in company with the township, of a city and town hall on lot ten, block eleven, in the city of Chatfield.
1909-Mayor, C. M. Cooper; aldermen, S. E. Bibbins, F. L. Tesca, William Strafford; recorder, D. E. Dunham; treasurer, Sidney Burnap; city justice, T. B. Clawson; constable, Edward Howard. The voters declared in favor of no license.
1910-Mayor, C. M. Cooper; aldermen, W. H. Ball, S. E. Bibbins, F. L. Tesca; recorder, D. E. Dunham ; treasurer, F. G. Stoudt. The voters declared in favor of no license.
1911-Mayor, Joseph Underleak; aldermen, S. E. Bibbins, Sidney Burnap, C. H. Anderson; recorder, F. W. Shimer; treas- urer, F. G. Stoudt; city justice, Duval McKenny; constable, Edward Howard. The voters declared in favor of no license.
1912-Mayor, Joseph Underleak; aldermen, Sidney Burnap, S. E. Bibbins, C. H. Anderson ; recorder, F. W. Shimer; treas- urer, Knute Olson.
March 8, 1887, the council passed an ordinance locating the city prison in a brick building to be known as a city hall, in lot nine, block eleven. April 29, 1897, an ordinance was passed authorizing Joseph Underleak and his successors and assigns to erect, maintain and operate an electric light plant and to supply electric lights and power to the city. Under this act
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the Underleak plant still supplies the electric service of Chatfield.
Waterworks. August 6, 1889, the city purchased from R. W. Twitchell for waterworks purposes an acre of land, located a half mile from the center of the city, in Olmsted county. A reservoir was constructed, twenty feet deep, sixty feet in diameter and with a capacity of 14,500 barrels. September 6, 1894, $5,000 was voted to extend the system, the work being finished that winter. June 4, 1905, $3,000 in bonds was voted to complete the works. Only $2,500 of this was used. The system is now very efficient. The value complete is $20,000. There are three and a half miles of mains with thirty-four hydrants, and the hose equipment is sufficient so that any place in the platted portion can be easily reached, thus affording ample fire protection.
Fire Department. The Fire, Hose, Hook & Ladder Com- pany of Chatfield, was organized May 4, 1891, when a number of citizens met at the city hall. The meeting was presided over by F. L. Tesca and F. G. Shumway was the secretary. G. A. Chase was elected fire marshal. May 11, the meeting was called to order by G. A. Chase, and F. G. Shumway was elected tem- porary secretary. The constitution and by-laws were adopted and signed by W. H. Brown, William McLaughlin, Frank Hill, Frank Kadletr, J. W. Scott, John P. Gillin, James Batterson, A. J. Hardy, Fred Wilson, William Hickey, J. Jorgensen, A. C. Rosequist, G. A. Chase, F. G. Shumway, W. H. Ellis, W. H. Elwood, F. W. Shimer, Milo White, Jr., John A. Flindt, F. L. Barnard, S. L. Peterson, John Chemark, J. L. Gould, A. L. Ober, Frank Waters, C. H. White, Daniel Marron, J. P. Wil- liams, I. H. Sawyer, Lincoln Craine, Walter Jones, E. J. Lynch, J. D. Sanderson, James Underleak, Frank Hill, U. J. Wright. The following officers were elected: Foreman, F. W. Shimer; first assistant, W. H. Ellis, second assistant, Fred Williams; treasurer, William McLaughlin; secretary, F. G. Shumway. July 7, 1891, the council elected the following officers of the depart- ment : Chief engineer, F. W. Shimer; first assistant, A. L. Ober; second assistant, C. H. White. The department at once started raising money by giving a ball. This event which is given an- nually is now the principal social gathering of each season. The fire equipment is housed in the city hall.
The present officers are: Chief, Robert Means; first assistant, Harry Etnier; second assistant, J. D. Caw; treasurer, F. G. Stoudt; secretary, C. H. Fairbank. The present members: J. D. Caw, E. F. Harnish, F. G. Stoudt, F. A. Hamilton, U. J. Wright, W. H. Silsbee, C. H. Fairbank, Henry Laivell, Harry Etnier, A. J. Hardy, F. W. Shimer, F. L. Barnard, John Chemark,
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Joseph Chemark, Tony Sharp, C. H. White, Joseph Underleak, Robert Means, Boyd Shimer, J. L. Delaney, J. Williams, George Smith, Edward David.
Public Library and Rest Room. In the fall of 1910, the rest room was established, the Commercial club paying for the light and heat and the W. C. T. U. furnishing the matron. After about six months it was suggested that a library could be estab- lished in connection with the rest room at no additional expense. The Commercial club appointed a committee of two, and a canvass was taken of the city, resulting in the donation of 1,000 volumes. Soon afterward the council took charge of the library under the state law. The institution now has about 2,500 volumes and is in great popular favor.
The Chatfield Library Association was incorporated January 2, 1874, with the following named persons as its first officers: J. S. Sawyer, president; G. L. Case, vice president; G. H. Haven, secretary, and R. A. Case, treasurer. It began with about 350 volumes, costing $600.00, and was maintained for some 20 years, when its library was presented to the public schools.
Chatfield Cemetery Association. This association originated May 22, 1855, Charles G. Hawley being chairman and Grove W. Willis secretary of the organization meeting. Charles G. Hawley and Nelson Allen were chosen trustees for the term of three years, William B. Gere and T. J. Safford for two years and Grove W. Willis and Riley L. Nickols for one year. These trustees met at Chatfield, May 23, 1856, and elected Nelson Allen president; William B. Gere, secretary, and T. J. Safford treasurer. May 24, 1856, the board decided to purchase land from George W. Rose, in the northeast corner of section eight, 104, eleven. The grounds were laid into lots, and when completed, offered for sale. The will of the late Levi Bemis gave the association $5,000 the fund to be permanent and the interest to be used for certain improvements and to build a sidewalk from the cemetery to the city limits. The present officers are: President, Hon. Milo White; secretary, F. W. Shimer; treasurer, G. H. Haven; trustees, Milo White, F. L. Tesca, William Laird, G. H. Haven, H. H. Heydon, F. W. Shimer. In addition to the origi- nal tract, five acres were purchased in 1884 and ten in 1909 ..
The People's Telephone Company. With headquarters at Chatfield, and exchanges at Spring Valley, Racine, Stewartville and St. Charles, was organized in 1898. The officers are: Presi- dent, J. A. Melone; secretary, W. W. Boyer; treasurer, S. Mad- dock; directors, H. Brown, Hugh Currie, B. W. Huntley and A. L. Ober.
The Southern Minnesota Better Development League, whose object is told in its title, was organized April 2, 1912, at Man-
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kato. The officers elected were: President, T. G. Bonnallie, Tracy; first vice-president, George R. Thompson, Chatfield; second vice-president, Alson Blodgett, Jr., Fairbault; secretary, Prof. C. E. Ball, North Mankato; treasurer, J. B. Ludlow, Rush- more. The counties eligible are: Rock, Pipestone, Lyon, Mur- ray, Nobles, Jackson, Cottonwood, Redwood, Martin, Watonwan, Brown, Faribault, Blue Earth, Nicollet, Waseca, Le Suer, Steele, Rice, Mower, Dodge, Goodhue, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wabasha, Houston, Winona, Sibley, Scott, Yellow Medicine. George R. Thompson, of Chatfield, is one of the leading movers in this organization.
The Minnesota Fire Insurance Co., of Chatfield, is now in its fourth year. Its risks in force amount to $3,482,651, and its premiums in force amount to $67,184.88. The officers are : A. L. Ober, president; C. L. Thurber, vice-president; W. W. Boyer, secretary ; F. G. Stoudt, treasurer; directors, A. L. Ober, Charles L. Thurber, W. W. Boyer, F. G. Stoudt, F. L. Tesca, C. W. Doud, D. B. Franklin, S. Maddock, Jos. Underleak. General counsel, Royal A. Stone, St. Paul, Minn .; assistant counsel, Joseph Underleak, Chatfield, Minn .; Auditor, C. W. Doud, Chatfield, Minn. These officers have served from the first, with the excep- tion that S. Maddock and Joseph Underleak were not members of the original board of directors.
The Security Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of Chatfield, was organized April 22, 1898. Since its organization it has paid losses of $518,954.92. January 1, 1912, the insurance in force was $10,932,213 and the premiums in force, $192,318.49. The company has a surplus of $9,640.47. The officers are: F. L. Tesca, president ; S. E. Bibbins, vice-president; A. L. Ober, treasurer; Charles L. Thurber, secretary; directors, Lars Chris- tianson, Fargo, N. D .; J. W. Cowling, Jackson, Minn .; and G. R. Thompson, C. H. White, F. G. Stoudt, S. E. Bibbins, F. L. Tesca, A. L. Ober, C. L. Thurber, Chatfield.
The Chatfield Commercial Club. This club had its beginning February 24, 1910, when twelve business men gathered and a committee was appointed to solicit members for the new club. March 18, 1910, the committee reported and it was voted to organize. The final steps were taken March 25, 1910, when the organization was completed and the by-laws adopted. The fol- lowing officers were elected: President, Dr. C. M. Cooper; vice- president, Charles L. Thurber; secretary, P. H. Laivell; treas- urer, O. L. Ober. Of the work of the club the first year, the Chatfield "News Democrat" of March 1911, says: The club has spent $150 on roads leading into town, in addition to the $700 given by the townships and individuals; efforts were made to interest the citizens in keeping the town looking better and
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PETER LIEBERG AND FAMILY
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cleaner; hitching posts were placed along the side streets; unjust freight rates were adjusted; an additional coach was obtained on the Chatfield branch; two Trade Extension days were given; a Fourth of July celebration was held; a Farmers' Institute was arranged; a rest room was established; a public library was started; the matter of establishing an agricultural course in the public schools was taken up, and presented to the voters by competent authorities.
The present officers are: President, Charles L. Thurber; vice-president, E. W. Buzzell; secretary, George R. Thompson; treasurer, F. G. Stoudt. Among the results accomplished the past year may be mentioned: The club took action persuading the city council to take charge of the library and contributed $50.00 toward its support; it worked for the establishment of associated school districts in this vicinity, and succeeded in having a department of agricultural training and domestic science opened in the public schools; urged the need of new hose for the fire department and contributed toward purchasing it; it gave its endorsement toward establishing a gasoline storage tank which materially lowered the cost of gasoline; it assisted in securing better roads; it took an interest in the Memorial Day exercises and also gave a Fourth of July celebration; it placed on the principal streets signs regulating the speed of vehicles; it repaired the hitching posts; it continued the rest room; it arranged for band concerts; it took the initiative in securing the replacing of the walk between Chatfield and West Chatfield; it offered prizes at the short course of corn raising and dairying; it secured an improvement in passenger condi- tions on the railroad; it arranged for the State Anti-Tuber- culosis exhibit; it secured a state appropriation for roads, and accomplished much else for the good of the city.
Following is a complete list of the members of the club, June 6, 1912: Charles H. Anderson, H. L. Atchison, S. E. Bibbins, Henry Blakeslee, John Blonigan, E. G. Bolles, Eugene Bolles, W. W. Boyer, Mike Burke, Sidney Burnap, E. W. Buz- zell, Caw & Lynch, Frank Chemark, John Chemark, Dr. C. M. Cooper, M. H. Crane, C. M. Culver, J. L. Etnier, C. H. Fairbank, C. H. Follensbee, Frank Dalton, J. L. Delaney, C. W. Doud, R. I. Doud, C. H. Hanson, Ed F. Harnish, G. A. Haven, G. H. Haven, F. N. Henry, H. H. Heydon, C. V. Hoffman, Ed Howard, J. B. Kalmes, F. W. Kammer, A. Kuisle, P. H. Laivell, Luther Lombard, C. J. Manahan, Martin Manahan, Will Man- ahan, W. R. Means, W. A. Moore, Frank Mundell, Dan O'Keefe, S. L. Peterson, Rev. W. R. Reynolds, E. W. Rossman, M. W. Schermerhorn, Anthony Sharpe, R. D. Shearer, F. W. Shimer, Louis Siegel, Dr. F. L. Smith, George J. Smith, H. J.
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Smith, J. E. Smith, F. G. Stoudt, E. F. Sutherland, F. L. Tesca, George R. Thompson, C. L. Thurber, John Tuohy, William Tuohy, Frank Underleak, G. H. Underleak, Joseph Underleak, J. P. Williams, Dr. C. W. Woodruff, U. J. Wright.
CHATFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Chatfield is the third town from the western boundary of the county on the northern line. Olmsted county joins it on the north, Pilot Mound on the east, Fountain on the south, and Jordan on the west. It contains thirty-six sections as originally run out by the government surveyors. The northeast part of the town is prairie, while the northwest was a solid body of heavy timber, and the south half of the town was oak openings, and is a rolling section of country.
The Root river, with its numerous tributaries, flows through the central part of the town. Sugar creek flows northeast to mingle its waters with the parent stream in section fourteen. Bear creek comes from the west through section eighteen. The north branch comes into town in the northwest corner, and finds the middle branch in section seventeen. Numerous other rivulets arise from springs and help swell the Root river. The Root river and Sugar creek have bluffs on either side rising from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet or more, with projecting rocks and a variety of trees. The soil is generally a clay loam with a yellow clay subsoil, with the exception of the valley of the Root river, which is of a black sandy character to a depth of about ten inches, and this is superimposed on a whitish sand several feet, reposing on a bed of white clay. The larger part of the town is admirably adapted to stock raising, and the balance for tillage purposes, and in an early day the yield of wheat was enormous.
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