USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Volume 1) > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Abraham Rexford came from Loraine county, Ohio, in 1856, and settled on section 23. His wife, Susan, who came with him, is now in her eighty-third year and lives with her son, Samuel, on the original homestead.
Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Carimona 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. August 17, Martin Kingsbury, 23; August 17, Robert S. Warren, 23; August 17, William Reynolds, 13; August 24, Daniel Hurl- but, 24; September 5, Joseph Pickett, 5; September 5, William C. Pickett, 4; September 8, Martin Henderson, 10; September 8, Edwin Pickett, 4; September 9, John Ingbrightsen, 18; Novem- ber 1, Sylvester Benson, 25.
Those who secured land in 1855 were as follows: March 24, Philo F. Pickett, 3; March 31, George H. Fremire, 25; March 31, William Hurlbut, 26; March 31, Esekiel Thomas, 24; April 12, George Drury, 26; April 12, John Jubb, 26; April 17, Joseph W. Brockett, 9; April 18, James M. Munday, 1; May 22, George W. Horton, 35; June 4, George P. Babcock, 10; June 4, Joseph R. Colburn, 25; June 4, Everett E. Newcomb, 2-11; June 14, Everett E. Newcomb, 3; June 27, John W. Jones, 8-9; July 7, David Pickett, 4; July 27, Alexander Wight, 3; August 8, Patrick Agan, 3; August 10, Joseph Bisby, 7; August 11, Joseph Bisby, 7; August 20, Benjamin Philbrick, 5; August 23, John M. West, 25;
Digitized by Google
1
343
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
August 24, Alexander Holton, 10; August 24, David Holton, 9; August 25, Joseph W. Crees, 11; August 25, George L. Day, 2-11; September 5, Whitman S. Ford, 22-27; September 25, IIenry A. Lewis, 13; October 12, William Meighen, 18; October 17, Lorenso Luce, 25; October 17, Joseph Stevens, 24-25; November 24, Mar- tin Regenold, 15; November 24, Alfred Ward, 14-15; December 29, Martin Mulroy, 2-3.
Early Events. In 1856 Wm. Rendals took a claim in section 31 and engaged in business in section 24, in Buffalo Grove. In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Rendals both died of typhoid fever, and a supposed partner in the business in which they were engaged, which was the manufacture of coin, came up from Iowa and secured the machinery, molds and a certain amount of fifty and twenty-five cent pieces. For the convenience of the mill an ostensible blacksmith shop was erected, and in this place the counterfeiting was carried on, but how extensively will never be known, as, if any of the spurious coin was passed, it was taken into a neighboring state and never issued near home. It is said that a case was being tried before a justice in town at one time, and the magistrate was found to be fast asleep when J. R. Jones, one of the attorneys, adjourned the case until the court should awake. Orissa C. Kingsbury, a daughter of Mar- tin and Caroline Kingsbury, was born June 19, 1854. In the spring of 1856 John Warner and Lizzie Rendals were united in marriage by Rev. John L. Dyer, at the residence of the bride's parents. In the spring of 1855, John Woolsley died of overheat while at work. At the time of the Indian panic, about Septem- ber 1, 1862, E. McGowan suddenly started off with the rest of the people for Preston, leaving his pocket book, containing $800 in cash, and on his return he found that some one had taken care of it so effectually that he never saw it again.
Township Organization. The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858. The officers of the election were: Chairman H. R. Wells; clerk, J. T. Nickerson; judges, Samuel Hull, Abraham Anderson and W. T. Little. The officers elected were: Super- visors, William H. Strong (chairman), J. H. Kegan and Daniel Garrison; justices of the peace, E. Pickett, J. W. Brackett and W. H. Wilbur; clerk, Abram Kalder; assessor, S. R. Ellis; con- stable, B. B. Strong ; collector, B. B. Strong ; overseers of the poor, W. C. Pickett and Joseph Bisbey. The first meeting of the board of supervisors was on May 28, when the road business received attention, the districts having been at that meeting des- ignated and the overseers appointed.
In the War of the Rebellion. It is said that almost every able bodied man in town enlisted to serve their country in its hour of peril, and that the Union sentiment was well nigh universal.
Digitized by Google
844
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
The Indian Scare. On that terrible occasion the panic in town was almost universal. The fighting material being away at the front, those that were at home felt that they were at the mercy of the bloodthirsty savages, and every soul left, as is reported, for Preston, to escape impending destruction.
Carimona Village. The location of this historic spot is on the south branch of the Root river, on the southern line of section 4. It was first indicated as a village in 1853, but was not platted until the following spring. Edwin and William C. Pickett were the proprietors. Carimona being one of the four center towns of the county, it was judged that if a village could be created there, that it would be an object for the county to establish it as a county seat, and the idea was reinforced by the subsequent action of the voters.
In the summer of 1854 William H. Strong built a two-story frame building, the lower part he used as a dry goods and grocery store and the upper part for a residence. In 1855 he built a two and one-half story hotel, and occupied it as such for a year or 80, until he built the brick building, the second story of which was intended for county purposes. This building is still standing.
In 1854 or 1855 William Fairbanks opened a blacksmith shop which had been built by E. & J. Pickett.
In 1856 Gilbert & Pickett started a hardware and tinsmith shop. A shoe shop was opened in 1857 by William Taft. D. Holton built a wheelwright shop in 1858, and it was occupied by Mr. Chamberlain.
Some time in 1857 William Holton opened a sample room in Mr. Taft's building, and different parties engaged in the busi- ness up to the year 1864, when it was closed out.
Postoffice. In 1854 a post-office was established in the village with William C. Pickett as postmaster, and he was succeeded by the following gentlemen: William H. Strong, E. T. Nelson, J. M. Howe, A. King, and William K. Read. The last postmaster was O. L. King. Mail is now received by rural route from Preston.
Waukokee Village. This is a locality on section 25 in the Willow creek valley, and the land was at first pre-empted by Daniel Hulburt and others. The name was derived from an Indian chief, who used to have a fishing and hunting camp at this place. Milton West built the first house, in 1853, and opened a small grocery store, and in 1857 there were seven houses in the village, and a post-office was established, with Mr. West as post- master, but he was soon succeeded by Mr. Wilbur. In 1868 the office was discontinued and about that time B. Larkins opened a dry goods store, which was soon transferred to Joseph Colburn, but the business did not continue for a great length of time. As
Digitized by Google
345
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
early as 1855, Martin Kingsbury organized a Sunday-school in the house of Sylvester Benson. On October 7, 1855, Rev. John L. Dyer preached the first sermon, as is supposed, in the Willow creek valley. His well remembered text was, "I Am hath sent me unto you." On January 27, 1856, Mr. Dyer organized a Methodist Episcopal society with six members. Services were held from time to time in the schoolhouse. The village now exists only as a recollection. Oren West built a hotel in Waukokee in an early day. He and his wife died on their first location in section 25.
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP.
Bristol was an original government township, and is one of the southern row of towns bordering on Iowa, and is the fourth from Houston county on the east, and third from the western boundary. It is contiguous to Carimona, Harmony, York and Iowa state, on the north, east, west and south, respectively. On the margin of the upper Iowa river, which impinges upon the southern part of the town, there is considerable bottom land, and back of this it becomes more broken and hilly. At first along the river there was a fine growth of timber. Back from the river is Bristol prairie with its rich dark loam. At the west of this prairie is Bristol grove, or "Verpe" grove as the Nor- wegians call it. The land in the northern and eastern part is somewhat uneven. The south branch of Willow creek arises from the north center of the town, and flows east and north into the town of Carimona. The middle branch of Root river is another stream with like characteristics. In the northern part of the town there were some fine groves of timber at an early day, but most of it has fallen before the woodman's ax, while new woods are springing up in the vicinity. In the southeastern part, where the first claim was laid, there was at first some fine timber land.
Early Settlement. The first claim known to have been made in Bristol was in the fall of 1852 by Samuel Drake, in section 36.
In July, 1853, M. C. and L. G. St. John, the first actual set- tlers, put in a personal appearance and bought Mr. Drake's claim, which was timber. M. C. located in section 36 and his brother, L. G., in section 35. These young men were natives of New York, but had been living for eight or nine years in Wisconsin, from whence they came here. William A. Nelson, another young man, was along at the same time, and he selected a quarter in sections 34 and 35, which he afterwards sold to Granger & Lewis as a part of Granger village. Mr. Drake was from Iowa, and did not remain. During the same year D.
Digitized by Google
346
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
Crowell, a native of Boston, came up from Illinois, and he staked out a farm in section 32. It is thought that there were no more settlers that year.
During the year 1854 there were quite a number of acquisi- tions, among them James Springsteel, a native of the Buckeye state, arrived from Illinois and took his land in section 33. Torger Tollefson and Ole Flatastal came from Wisconsin and secured farms in sections 1 and 11. Thomas Drury and Charles Bellingham, Englishmen, located in sections 3 and 11. Mr. Bel- lingham moved to Lyon county in 1871, and in 1878 Mr. Drury died. With them came two other English families. Ole Skra- beck and Gunder Jurgenson settled on sections 1 and 12. Knut Halverson Verpe claimed large tracts in sections 18 and 20 and lived on a tract in section 17 until he sold his home in 1870. On June 7, 1878, he died at the residence of H. Halverson at the age of ninety-five years. Samuel Bowden, from England, who had been living in Wisconsin, secured a homestead in section 1, where he surrendered his life in 1862. William B. Hutchison, James Springsteel and George Drury also came this year.
The year 1855 brought quite a number. John Rice, a Cana- dian, came here direct from Michigan and planted a homestead in section 13. O. Chase, from Ohio, stopped a short time in sec- tion 25. N. Boice came from New York State to section 25 and remained a few years. Thomas Armstrong, also from New York, secured a claim in section 34, which, the next year, he disposed of to Jason Damon. John and R. Sims came from England and procured farms in sections 29 and 32.
Edward Burnham, a native of Franklin county, Massachu- setts, arrived here on June 9, 1856, and selected land in sections 14 and 23. Henry Mark came from Pennsylvania and his place was in section 11, but he went to Guthrie county, Iowa. Halver Halverson found a stopping place in section 18. In 1857, while attempting to cross the Root river in a boat, he lost his life. In 1856, a few other settlers arrived. Henry Achatz, a Prussian, found a resting place in section 24. Orson Thacher, of the Green Mountain state, made a sojourn on section 2 until 1871, when he died. William McGowen, from Scotland, settled on a place in section 13. Isaac Campbell was on section 33 and Widow Myers on section 34. W. E. Adams and Michael O'Conner also came this year.
John Black, a native of Scotland, came in 1857, from Wis- consin, where he had been living, and found a place that met his requirements in section 30, where he lived and wrought up to the time of his death, May 1, 1874. James Arnst came with Mr. Black, and from that time the filling-up process was rapid.
Digitized by Google
MR. AND MRS. D. B. OGG AND FAMILY
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
347
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
The story of the Holland and Bretheren settlements is told elsewhere.
Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Bristol town- ship were issued by the government in 1855. The one who obtained land that year was 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 : November 30, Nelson Boyer, 13.
Those who obtained land in 1856 were as follows: February 9, Robert Burnap, 1-2; March 3, William A. Nelson, 34-35; March 3, Libeus G. St. John, 35; March 3, James Springsteel, 33-34; April 17, Thomas Drury, 3; June 13, Michael O'Connor, 3; June 18, Orson Thatcher, 2; June 23, Isaac Farnworth, 4; June 23, Nathaniel Ogg, 7; June 23, Peter Zebaugh, 7; July 2, William K. Cutter, 17; July 8, Connor Carroll, 6; July 10, Ole Oleson, 1-2-18; July 23, Johanes Knudson, 18-19; July 28, Joel Califf, 6; July 30, William E. Adams, 35; July 31, Betsy Long, 11; August 4, Tallman Whipple, 7; August 7, James Thorpe, Jr., 7; September 15, Andrew J. Whitney, 8; October 1, Anond Ole- son, 19-20; October 2, Olciabiades Whittier, 22-23; October 3, Benjamin F. Brown, 22; November 7, Ole Oleson, 11; November 13, Thaddeus P. Chase, 15; November 14, Joseph Kinney, 25; November 18, Janson Damon, Jr., 34; December 3, Joseph Ogg, 5-6; December 9, Charles Bellingham, 10-11; December 13, Levi C. Howard, 28; December 13, George K. Sabine, 20-29.
Early Events. Emma and Effie Rice, twin daughters of John and Matilda Rice, were born April 18, 1856. Effie died in infancy, Emma married M. N. Bradley. Charlie Vail, son of John Vail, was born on May 31, 1855. The very earliest birth must have been Rose, daughter of L. G. and Annie St. John, in September, 1853. Aaron Ludden and Sarah Nelson were united in marriage in August, 1854, by Elder Bly. In 1855, by the same gentleman, John McQuary and Catharine Nelson were married. George Drury and Catharine Phfremmer were married in July 1858. Samuel R. Thacher and Mehitable D. Page, in January, 1859.
Political. The organization of the town which, while under a territorial form of government was merely a part of a voting precinct, took place May 11, 1858, when the first town meeting was held at the house of J. P. Howe. The town officers elected were: Supervisors, M. C. St. John (chairman) and George Hor- ton; J. J. Jones was subsequently appointed to fill the vacancy ; town clerk, Charles Lewis; assessor, Charles Roberts; collector, Daniel Thacher ; constable, L. G. St. John; justices of the peace, George Knox and M. C. St. John; overseer of the poor, E. Burn- ham. The judges at this election were William E. Adams, J. P.
Digitized by Google
348
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
Howe and J. J. Jones. The clerks were David Seeley and H. L. Vosburg. The first tax levied was $650.
Postoffices. The first postoffice in town was established in 1855, and was named Alxbridge. Daniel Crowell was postmaster and mail carrier, going to Elliota, twelve miles, once a week. The office was at his house in section 32. In 1857 it went to Granger. Vailville postoffice was established late in the fifties on the southeast quarter of section 15. T. P. Chase was the first to handle the mail key, then Alanson Andrews, who moved the office to his house in section 24. He kept it for about three years when he was superceded by Edwin Teel, who moved the office to his house on the northeast quarter of section 21, and it was called "Bristol Centre." Sometime in the middle of the sixties it was discontinued and the citizens procured their mail matter from the most convenient office for the several parts of the town. In October, 1876, a postoffice for the town was established with Owen R. Morris as postmaster, and it was opened at his resi- dence in section 8. Bristol postoffice also flourished for a while, James Berning being the last postmaster. For a while after the office was discontinued the patrons received their mail from Greenleafton, but they are now served by rural route from Preston. Prairie Queen postoffice flourished for a number of years in section 4. E. N. W. Shook was the last postmaster. The patrons now receive their mail by rural route from Preston.
GRANGER VILLAGE.
Granger is a hamlet in the southern part of Bristol township. While not enjoying the benefits of a railroad it is a flourishing trading place, and has the business and professional activities usually found at such points. Florenceville, which is really a part of Granger, is just over the line in Iowa.
Early History. The village of Granger was surveyed in 1857 by Brown L. Granger and C. H. Lewis, both being engineers, and the former a graduate of West Point. They came from Boston and were agents for a firm of capitalists under the name of Burgess & Greenleaf. The plat contained all but eighty acres of section 34, and eighty acres were in section 35. It was divided into 166 lots, 50 by 100 feet, except those made fractional by the Upper Iowa river, that sweeps up into the village. The streets are from 60 to 80 feet wide, and the alleys 12 feet, and the whole village was laid out in accordance with metropolitan ideas. Granger & Lewis opened a store and a postoffice was established. The same firm began the erection of a flourishing flouring mill of stone, but when nearly completed the west end fell out. Discouragement settled on the project and there it stood until
Digitized by Google
349
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
1864, when W. H. Wayman took it in hand, and during the winter got it in operation. The material for the building was taken from a quarry near by. In the fall of 1857 Ed. Slawson opened a hotel and kept it for about four years; then, for a time, there was no public house here, but in 1865 Dr. Lewis Reynolds built the State Line House and sold it to H. Slawson, who, in 1870, transferred it to S. Brightman. Dr. Rey- nolds was the first resident physician. A distillery was started by Mr. Wyman in 1865 in a building 32x80 feet, but in a few months it was closed by the internal revenue officers. He also started a vinegar factory. In 1859 Hiram Beebe started a blacksmith shop. In a few years he sold to S. Van Loan, who continued it but a short time. In 1864 John Finckh started a blacksmith shop. In 1865 John Hebeg opened a wagon shop. Haskins & Halstad introduced a drug store in 1870, but in a year or two it was closed. In 1872 Dr. D. J. Lathrop opened a drug store.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XXIX.
NORWAY AND PREBLE.
Norway Township-Names of the Sturdy Norsemen Who Settled Here-Events of the Early Days-Preble Township-Early Settlement Written by William Willford-The Indians- Political History-Postoffices.
Norway Township is the second township south of the northern county boundary, with Rushford between, and next to the eastern boundary, with Preble on the south and Holt, with which it was formerly associated, on the west. The town is quite well elevated and the small streams that arise within its borders run off in various directions. There is very little land in its territory that is incapable of cultivation and it is very well settled, mostly with immigrants from Norway, who are thrifty and industrious.
Early Settlement. In March, 1854, John Olson Overland and his three sons, Ole, Steiner and Knud, and a brother-in-law, Halver Erickson, with Harold Olson and Hans Franson, came to this township from Winneshiek county, Iowa, selected claims and provided for their families by putting up a residence 14x18 feet, then went for their families, and returned May 18.
Hans Franson procured a place in section 15, where he lived up to the year 1881, when he moved to the Red River country. Ole Johnson Overland was born in Norway September 20, 1823, and served three years in the army during the war against Prus- sia. In 1851 came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with his father, mother, two brothers and four sisters. Two years later the party moved to Winneshiek county and, as above stated, came to Fillmore county.
The year before this Ole Johnson and Halver Erickson were through this region looking for lands upon which to locate. They were through the town of Rushford and found two colonists in the valley, Halver Goodrich and Ole O. Tuff. They passed by the place where they finally settled and, finding no water, concluded that it was not a desirable place to attempt to live, but on their second visit, as above mentioned, in 1854, a little digging developed a spring in section 15, and from this supply for the whole party was obtained during the first summer. There was quite a camp the very first season, as many as sixty persons in the colony, the most desirable and fashionable residence being
350
Digitized by Google
1
MR. AND MRS. J. W. BROADWATER
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
351
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
a covered wagon. The Indians were still around and would some- times crowd into any shelter they could find during a shower.
Ole Johnson himself took a claim in sections 15, 16, 21 and 22. He had been married in 1850 to Gunill Franson. He was one of the first supervisors of the town when it also embraced Holt under the name of Douglass, and was also one of the officers of his town after it was divided. He was one of the first trustees of the Highland Prairie Church, and one of the building commit- tee. Halver Erickson was born in Norway in November, 1829. In 1850 he came to Wisconsin, and to Iowa in 1853, and here the following spring, driving his stakes in section 15, where he still remains. In the autumn of 1854 he was united in marriage with Caroline Johnson. He was one of the early town officers. Knud Johnson was born in Norway in 1834 and came with others and took a claim in section 16.
Ole Kettleson came from Norway by the way of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and secured a local habitation in section 7. Ole Carlson Rue began his career in Norway on February 16, 1838. In 1851, with his father, he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin. In 1854 they came here and the father secured a home in section 20. The young man, in 1860, married Kari Ket- tleson and took a homestead on the same section. Peder Erick- son Helgeland located in section 32. In 1854 Knud N. Melve and his father came and took land in section 31. Ole C. Berg came at the same time and died in 1869. Hans Gunderson was born August 9, 1820, came to Wisconsin in 1852, and in 1854 came to Norway, the namesake of his native country, and secured of his adopted government 160 acres in section 18. On January 23 he married Este Johnson. Ole Arneson Grinland was born in November, 1817. In 1851 he transferred himself and family to Wisconsin, and in 1854 to the Minnesota Norway, and secured 160 acres in section 11. Ole Jorgenson, a Norwegian sailor, came to this place in 1854 and settled in section 14, but afterwards removed to sections 23 and 24. John Sanderson came from Wis- consin in 1854. He died in April, 1873. Hagan Olson was from Norway and came to Wisconsin in 1848 and here in 1854. Kittel Olson was an early arrival in 1854 and took a place in section 21, but removed to Becker county early in the seventies.
Thomas Thompson came with his father in 1855, having stopped a while in Illinois. He secured 120 acres in sections 20 and 19. The old gentleman bought land in the town of Holt, but lived with his son, and must have been one of the oldest men in the county at the time of his death at the age of ninety- four years. Simon Thompson came to Dane county in 1852 from his native Norway, and in 1854 to Iowa, and here in 1855, taking a place in section 7 and remained until August 23, 1881, when
Digitized by Google
352
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
he died. Aslack Gunderson arrived in this township in 1855 and secured a stopping place in section 12, where he remained until 1881, when he went to Dakota.
Ole Olson Thorud was among the comers of 1856. He mar- ried Mary Thompson and secured a farm in section 7. Lars L. Humble was among the settlers of 1857 and his local habitation was in section 13. In 1846 he was married to Catharine Jenson, who died early in the decade of 1870, leaving eleven children. John L. Jahr was one of the arrivals in 1857 and the next spring bought a farm in sections 14 and 23. He was a leading man and was in the state legislature, but died on May 28, 1880. In 1857 Even Ellertson, with his sons, Isaac, Elling and Nels, came and took farms in section 11. Mikkel Kittelson came by the way of Wisconsin and placed himself upon section 23. Even Gisleson located in sections 11 and 14. John Larson Stensgaard secured a claim and lived in section 24. He died in 1878. C. Olson and Ole Jacobson settled in section 23.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.