USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Volume 1) > Part 36
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MR. AND MRS. MAJOR FOSTER
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Bisbys spent the winter of 1852-53 as the only settlers in the township.
In the summer of 1853 there arrived two men who were designed to be the real makers of Forestville. Robert M. Foster and Felix Meighen had known each other as boys in Pennsyl- vania. As a young man, Mr. Foster had moved to Steubenville, Ohio, and Mr. Meighen, who married Mr. Foster's sister, had located in Galena. After considerable correspondence, the two gentlemen decided to try their fortunes in a newer country. Consequently Mr. Foster came from Ohio to Galena, Ill., and after staying there a short time, started to the westward with Mr. Meighen. At Decorah, Ia., they heard of the lands to the northwest that were open to settlement. Continuing their jour- ney they reached Elliota, and from there they traveled westward until they reached the fertile valley that is now the village of Forestville. After perfecting negotiations, Levi Waterman agreed to sell his claim. Mr. Meighen then returned to Galena, Ill., to serve out his term as deputy sheriff under his brother, William Meighen, who was then sheriff of Joe Daviess county, in which county the city of Galena was located. Mr. Foster remained, and in October, 1853, about forty rods north of the mouth of "Sugar Camp Hollow" he opened, in a double log building, the first store in Fillmore county, under the firm name of Foster & Meighen. Mr. Foster lived during the winter of 1853-1854 with the Water- man family, Samuel Riddle being also one of the boarders, Rid- dle having arrived in the early spring of 1854, and filed on a claim near the village. The Watermans also maintained a sort of a hotel for the convenience of travelers for about one year.
In 1854 the real influx of population began. Felix Meighen came back for a short time, bringing with him his brother, Wil- liam Meighen, who also determined to cast his lot here. Later they again went back to Galena, but the following year came to make their homes here permanently, bringing their families.
Forestville Village. This hamlet boasts of the oldest store in the county, the first store which was opened in the county being still in operation here. The site of the village was staked out as a claim by Levi Waterman in 1852, was by him sold to Robert M. Foster and Felix Meighen in 1853, and was by them platted as a village in 1854. A store was opened by Foster & Meighen October 1, 1853, being in charge of Mr. Foster until the early part of 1855, when Mr. Meighen arrived with his family. In 1856 a brick store and residence were erected from the first brick made in the county. The store stock was moved into this brick store in 1857. The company continued as Foster & Meighen until 1868, when Mr. Foster withdrew. Thomas J. Meighen and a cousin, Dennis R. Meighen, then conducted the store in Felix
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Meighen's name for four years, since which time the establish- ment has been in charge of Thomas J. Meighen. The house and store erected in 1856 are still standing.
In the meantime William Meighen arrived in Forestville in 1855 and began to take an active part in its destinies. He and Major J. Foster erected the Freemont House. Mr. Foster opened it in 1856, and Mr. Meighen began to deal extensively in real estate. In 1856 a steam sawmill was built and Forestville became not only the center of a large territory in this county, but also the stopping place of the pioneers bound for points west and north.
While the Meighens and Fosters were building up a village north of the river Henry Fitch had taken a claim south of the river in section 13, which in 1854 he sold to Forest Henry and William Renslow. They platted South Forestville and started a village. A grist mill was erected with Henry Spies as miller. A sawmill was also conducted in connection with this mill. Alvin West opened a hotel. Reuben Odell and later Gilbert Bassett opened stores. In 1856 a distillery was built, and conducted by Robert Douglas, Reuben Odell and others. The product, which was pure rye whiskey, was sold at retail at forty cents a gallon. The imposition of the high war tax on liquor and distilleries caused this plant to be closed during the first year of the Civil War. After the village was started business increased rapidly, many residences were erected, and the future of the community seemed assured. Only fertile fields, owned by Thomas J. Meighen, now mark the spot which was once the village of South Forestville.
The two Forestvilles flourished for a time. In 1880 there was a population of 100 people. During the war there were some four hundred persons living here. The best school in the county added to the attractiveness of the place and families flocked in from all the eastern states. It was soon believed that Forestville would be the metropolis of the county. But when the railroad which Forestville expected to get passed far north of the village, there was an exodus to Spring Valley and elsewhere, and although for a time the village held its own, it now consists merely of a store, the old Meighen home and a number of other buildings, which the owner, Thomas J. Meighen, still retains for various purposes.
Postoffice. This was established in 1855 with Forest Henry in charge. In a year or two R. M. Foster received the appoint- ment, and served until 1869. Felix Meighen then served a number of years and was succeeded by his son, Thomas J. Mei- ghen, who held the position until the office was discontinued. The patrons now receive their mail by rural routes from Preston and Wykoff.
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Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Forestville township were issued by the government in 1854. Those who obtained land that year were as follows-the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely located: Sep- tember 9, Forest Henry, 13; September 9, Alonso Renslow, 13; September 9, William Renslow, 13.
Those who obtained land in 1855 were as follows: January 16, John Galloway, 23; May 2, Abel Baldwin, 5; May 19, John E. Hosking, 22; August 27, Edward Trask, 23; August 27, Ezra R. Trask, 22-26-27; August 31, John Bower, 7-8; August 31, Leon Lefevere, 7-18; September 8, David Bender, 18; September 10, John H. Kirkendoll, 18; September 19, John H. Bonesteel, 21; September 19, Robert M. Foster, 12; September 27, John B. Hayles, 23; October 12, Major J. Foster, 12; October 12, Bedar Judd, 31; October 19, Jonathan P. Chapin, 6; November 3, Alex- ander Pine, 5-8; November 17, Charles Craling, 21-22; November 17, Almond Sage, 24; November 20, B. K. Ingalls, 29; November 30, John H. Varnel, 19-20; December 29, Harrison Pine, 23.
Prominent Men. Among the prominent men in Forestville township and village before the war, aside from those whose names appear elsewhere in the township and village history may be mentioned: Joel Watkins, John Long, Lionel C. Long, H. S. Bassett (who clerked in his father's store), Charles E. Evans, R. R. Sisson, John Bottom, S. H. Bateman, John Eulette, James Eulette, Frank Johnson, John C. Smith, Maj. D. E. Runals, Louis Eidam, J. L. Colby, Copeland Richardson, George Barr and sons, George, John and Lawrence, John N. Graling, Charles Graling, J. H. Bonesteel, D. K. Michener, J. L. Michener, A. B. Rejester, Levi Rexford, John E. Haskin, Charles Hanson, Holley Cook, Victor LeFevre and Leon LeFevre, Peter McCracken (who later moved to York township), Fred K. Baldwin and Henry C. Bald- win, Luther Rexford and Levi Rexford and others whose names are mentioned in the early claims to land.
Of these men it is interesting to note that Lionel C. Long moved to Nobles county and now lives in St. Paul. He became a prominent man, and in 1894 polled a large vote as populist candi- date for congressman from the second district.
Alvin West was prominent in town affairs, and for twenty years held the combined offices of town clerk, assessor and treas- urer, a thing never elsewhere heard of in Minnesota history.
Louis Eidam, Jr., met with a tragic death. After assisting in a frame raising on the farm of Joseph Bisby he and John C. Smith started home to the village. A severe thunder storm came up, but the men continued on their way. Smith stopped in a house for a moment to get a gun which he had left there and
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Eidam continued on toward his home, watched by his wife from the front window. Suddenly there was a blinding flash of light- ning which revealed him to his wife, and then a second flash which showed that he had disappeared. Investigation showed that he had been instantly killed. Mr. Smith's life had been saved by a trifling errand. The widow of Mr. Eidam afterward married Lionell C. Long and lives in St. Paul.
Various Events of Interest. In the fall of 1854 R. M. Foster was married to Elizabeth Renslow by I. S. H. Hayes. The first death of a citizen was that of Owen Riley in 1856 of a sudden case of enteric inflammation. The first child born was Emma Renslow in July, 1854. The first death in town was in the fall of 1853 when there died the child of a family passing through the town. The whole settlement turned out to the funeral.
YORK TOWNSHIP.
York was an original government township, and is second from the western line of the county on the southern tier, with Forestville on the north, Bristol on the cast, Iowa on the south and Beaver on the west. It may be said to be a prairie town, although in some parts it is quite hilly, particularly in the north- eastern and southeastern portions, where there are some quite abrupt bluffs. The soil is loam, varying from a light sandy to a dark clayey variety, with a large amount of moisture and usually a porous limestone foundation. Some of it, however, has a clay subsoil. There are no large water courses in town and the streams that do exist are peculiar, sometimes being a raging torrent and then coming down to be a little rivulet, to disappear altogether. There are numerous springs in various parts of the town. Unlike many other towns in the county, wells are easily sunk from ten to fifty feet, and an abundance of water procured. There is a stream that starts from a spring in section 35 and flows in an easterly direction, to leave the town near the south- west corner. Other streams come from toward the west, to be lost near the central portion. Another little creek cuts across the southwest corner, making for the Iowa river, and one also starts from section 15, to be joined by a branch or two in its course toward the Root river. In the western part of the town the land is inclined to be flat and to secure the best results the natural drainage should be stimulated by artificial methods. When the pioneers arrived there were some groves of fine timber, consisting of burr, red and white oak, which have dis- appeared, but there is a vigorous growth of wood now where was formerly scattering brush. The town has a good soil so
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situated as to be most valuable for agricultural purposes, includ- ing tillage and stock raising.
Early Settlement. This town is reported as having been first settled in 1854. Knud Olson and Even Knudson, natives of Norway, came here from Iowa in that year in the month of August. Mr. Olson took his land in sections 24 and 25 and Mr. Knudson in sections 23 and 26. The same month Ole Kettleson, who had been stopping in Bristol, settled in section 3. Mr. Knudson lived on his farm until 1867, when he sold out and removed to Redwood county. Mr. Olson moved to section 14 and Mr. Kettleson to section 15.
In 1855 there were several arrivals, among them Peter McCracken, a native of Scotland, who came here from New York State, and placed his sign manual on some land in sections 3 and 10. He was a very prominent man, identified with the interests of the county and held various public offices. Ira Hen- derson, who was born in Erie county, New York, made a claim on section 4 June 4, the same day that Mr. McCracken did. A. S. Adams had a place in section 9. Osman Olson came here from Wisconsin, and claimed a farm in sections 15 and 16. Knud Anderson came in November and claimed the southeast quarter of section 11. Frank Olson, who had made a brief stay in Wisconsin, took a place in section 15. Joseph Betts came from Wisconsin and occupied the northeast quarter of section 15. Ole Tistleson, who afterwards moved to Iowa, located in section 25. Henry Shadwell, a native of England, settled on section 3, but moved to Otter Tail county. Halver Burgess, from Nor- way, came by way of Wisconsin and secured a farm in section 11. In 1861 he went to Dakota. Torge Torgeson, a Norwegian, came here from Iowa and was on section 34, and in 1859 went to California, dying there in 1863. John Thorson, of Norway, came here from Iowa and took a farm in section 24.
In 1856 there was quite a list of arrivals, among them should be recorded: David Ingalls, from Vermont, who had stopped a while in New York state as a pioneer there, surrounded a claim in section 4. William Boland, from Holland, found a home embracing the northeast corner of the town. L. Aslackson came here from Carimona and went on section 2, but moved to section 14. K. O. Wilson had lived a while in Wisconsin on his way from Norway and found a place that filled his idea of a farm in section 28. James Hipes, a native of Virginia, had a farm in section 35. In 1866 he sold his place and went to Carimona. Thomas Armstrong, of England, came in the spring from Granger and lived on section 35, but in 1869 sold out and went to Mitchell county. His brother, E. Armstrong, came from Canada and bought the north half of his brother's claim. Orville F. Mann,
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a native of New York state, came from Michigan and settled on section 5. Robert Love, a Scotchman, came from Iowa and staked out a farm in section 14. He died in 1876. His son, now Mayor George A. Love, M. D., came with him. Oel Bacon, a native of Massachusetts, who had been sojourning in Wisconsin, secured a home in section 21.
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, November 17, 1802. His early life was spent in farming in Luzerne county in that state. He took 160 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. John Boland, a Hollander, came from Wisconsin and established a home in section 1. Moses D. Gue, of New York, had his first place in section 33, but moved to section 32. Austin Tostenson, who came by the way of Wisconsin, located in section 26. Joseph Brown, who was from New York, coming by way of Wisconsin, found a home in section 17, and died in 1882 in Iowa. Widow Espy secured a place, which she soon sold, in section 31. Samuel Louden, a native of New York, located in section 29. Ole Arneson settled in section 34, coming here from Harmony. Simeon Hamblin, of New England, came here and died one week afterwards. His widow located in section 8. She died in 1874. A son, Samuel Hamblin, was also in section 8, but he lost his life in the service of his country. Lewis Conk- lin, of New York, came from Wisconsin to section 20. S. G. Can- field, also of New York, took a place in section 21. After 1857 the immigrants were more of a scattering character, but some of the most prominent men and valued citizens were among these later comers.
In 1858 there were a few settlers: Joseph Richards, of Eng- land, came from Canada and bought land in section 10. John Ellingson, who came by way of Wisconsin, settled in section 22. In 1860 J. R. Williams, from Wales, who had lived a while in Wisconsin, found a place in section 36. 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 36.
Land Office Records. The first titles to land in York town- ship were issued by the government in 1855. Those who obtained land that year were as follows-the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely located: June 23, Dirk Alirk, 1.
Those who obtained land in 1856 were as follows: January
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11, Tistle Oleson, 23; January 22, Ole Kittelson, 3; January 22, Kanute Oleson, 24-25; January 22, Ole Tistle, 23; April 2, Evend Knutson, 26; April 12, Torger Torgerson, 34; June 23, William Boland, 1; June 23, Sjur Tevarsen, 26; July 3, Ole Tarrechen, 25; July 9, Ole Tarrechen, 24; July 8, Ira Henderson, 4; July 9. Abner S. Adams, 9; July 9, David Ingalls, 4; July 14, John N. Eulette, 21; July 23, Ole Tustison, 25; August 28, Philip F. McAuillian, 12; August 29, Julius N. Burton, 21; August 30, George Wightman, 21; September 18, Andrew Knudson, 11; September 19, George L. Butler, 10; September 19, Roger M. Butler, 10; October 8, Holivar Burgess, 2-10-11; October 10, John M. Reas, 4-5; October 10, Addison C. Sheldon, 5; October 10, Rolland F. Sheldon, 6; October 24, Ola Anderson, 27; October 24; James Hipes, 35; October 29, John Oteson, 35; November 17, Isaac W. Lucas, 12; November 20, Ole Bacon, 21; November 20, William F. Cate, 17-20-21; November 20, Andrew Weaver, 20; November 24, John W. Campbell, 22-28; November 24, Sayles R. Green, 22-27-28.
Political. The organization of the town was effected on May 11, 1858. The primal town meeting was at the house of Ole Bacon, in section 21. The first officers were: Supervisors, Reu- ben 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 meeting was Abner S. Adams and the clerk Reuben Wells. The administration of town affairs has left no opportunity for unfavorable comment, as the leading men have been entrusted with town matters, and the manage- ment has been devoid of extravagance on the one hand or par- simony on the other.
Postoffices. 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 21. In about one month it was removed. In March, 1882, Mrs. S. G. Canfield was appointed postmistress. William Plummer, who followed John Lund, was the last postmaster. The people now receive their mail from Lime Springs, Ia.
Various Events. An early marriage was that of Thomas Lewis and Elizabeth Brown, on December 24, 1857. The cere- mony was performed by Peter McCracken, justice of the peace. Willard Lester and Mary Ingalls were united by the same magis- trate on April 24, 1858. Rasmus Erickson and Ann Oleson, according to the record, were married on August 10, 1858. Charles Hanson and Letitia R. Ingalls were married on Novem-
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ber 15, 1858. On June 6, 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 March 2, 1855. The first blacksmith shop was opened by Osman Olson in 1855, on section 16. It was conducted for about eight years and closed up. An early death was Almond, son of Joseph Betts, in 1856 or 1857. He was buried on the farm on section 15, where the cemetery now is. Ole Sampson's wife died in July, 1857. On May 21, 1857, Simeon Hamblin died, and was buried in section 4, but his remains were afterwards removed to Forestville.
Greenleafton. This hamlet nestling down in the northeast corner of the town, was named in honor of Mary Greenleaf, of Philadelphia, who generously gave $3,500 to build the Dutch Reformed Church edifice.
The post-office at Greenleafton was established in June, 1874. J. Huetink was postmaster. The three most recent postmasters at the village have been G. A. Nagel, Bennie Benson and Ben- jamin F. Allink, the latter being in charge when the office was discontinued. The people now receive their mail by rural route from Preston.
Canfield. This is another embryotic village also known as York, on the line between sections 21 and 22. S. G. Canfield opened a store here in 1876, under the auspices of the local grange, and G. H. Sherwood joined him in 1878.
Cherry Grove. This is another of those villages made up of hopes unrealized, and expectations unfulfilled. Its location may be found in section 4. Its designation as a village was on account of its postoffice, 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.
The Cherry Grove post-office was located here in 1869, having been moved from Forestville township, a mile distant, and D. J. Ingalls was selected as postmaster. It was at his house, on section 4, until February, 1882, when it was returned to Forest- ville. This was not satisfactory to the people and the office was again established. C. Petenpole succeeded John Riddle as post- master and was the last in charge, the people now receiving their mail by rural route from Ostrander.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
CARIMONA AND BRISTOL.
Carimona Township-Early Days-Carimona Village and Its Blasted Hopes-Waukokee Village-Bristol Township-Land Office Records - Postoffices - Granger Village - Its Early History.
Carimona Township is bounded on the north by Fountain, on the east by Preston, on the south by Bristol, and on the west by Forestville. Its form and size is identical with the original United States survey. The surface is rolling, and the soil on the higher portions is a clay loam from six to ten inches deep, with a yellow clay subsoil, and on the low lands the soil is a black loam from eighteen to twenty-four inches deep, with a blue clay subsoil. The south branch of Root river flows across the town from section 18 in quite a direct channel to section 1, where it leaves for Preston. Willow creek comes from Bristol and flows through the eastern tier of sections to join the south branch in section 1. There are also numerous springs to assist in watering the town. The northern and eastern parts are particularly adapted to stock raising, while the central, south and south- western sections are well adapted to tillage.
Early Settlement. The summer or fall of 1852 is supposed to be the time of the first entry of the vanguard of civilization which so rapidly encompassed this whole region. Edwin, Joseph and W. C. Pickett, with their father, David, natives of New York, came here from Indiana. Martin Kingsbury and brothers, also from New York, came direct from there, and the same year Sylvester Benson, another New Yorker, and William Carpenter, with J. Howel, who located in this town. Some of them came with teams drawn by oxen, in which they encamped until a log cabin could be put up, which was 14x16 feet.
The earliest settlement in town, outside of the village, was that of Martin Kingsbury and brothers, William Carpenter and Sylvester Benson, who came in the spring of 1853, and camped on Willow creek, in section 25. William Wilbur bought one of their claims afterwards. John B. Palmer arrived in the fall of 1853, and secured a claim.
In 1854, George and A. P. Day, natives of New York, Christo-
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pher Fritzsommers, a native of Ireland, Samuel R. Ayer, of Can- ada, Peter Young and Martin Young, of New York, and others came in. W. H. Strong, who arrived in the spring of 1854, at once became a prominent citizen and built a hotel the next year, which did an immense business. William Chalfant came at the same time. The Picketts had two younger brothers, Philo and Alonzo, and their father, as already mentioned, who afterwards died. William Sitler was here a short time and then returned to Pennsylvania. William Holton came as a lad about the same period. Aikin Miner came in the fall of 1853 and settled on sec- tion 24. In the fall of 1854 he moved to Jorden, in this county.
In 1855, J. W. Brockett came here and engaged in trade, but did not remain long. W. H. Roberts was a settler this year in the village. Jacob Diley was another, who came about this time. Robert Broadwater and family also arrived this year. George Babcock and Ebenezer Newcomb, from New England, are also remembered as comers this year. This village was on the great stage route, and when navigation on the river closed there were regular lines of stages, the most prominent of which was M. O. Walker's.
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