USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Volume 1) > Part 39
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
In 1855 James Martin, an Englishman, settled in sections 4 and 9. Henry Jones, the same year, from Illinois, took a claim in section 9. G. W. IIammer, from Illinois, secured a site for a farm in section 22. John Ellsburg secured a place in sec- tion 22. Isaac Dickinson, of New Jersey, found a home in sec- tion 6.
In 1856 Terrence Dolan, a native of Ireland, came here from Chatfield and located in section 7. Peter and Seger Berg came from Norway the same year and took land in sections 24 and 26. James McKeown, of the Emerald Isle, secured a place in section 10. He had lived one year in Jordan in this county.
Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Pilot Mound township were issued by the government in 1854. Those who obtained land that year were as follows-the date of issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely located: Septem- ber 23, Arthur Bowe, 7; October 21, Havans Newman, 19; Octo- ber 31, Nelson Frost, 7.
Those who secured land in 1855 were as follows: May 11, Christian Olson, 31; June 23, George W. Hammer, 21; June 23, Jacob Oleson, 30; July 17, Cornelius Crowley, 26; November 7, Isaac Dickisson, 6; November 7, Thomas Doland, 6; November 7, Eben C. Richards, 9; November 13, David J. Newman, 21;
Digitized by Google
363
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
November 19, Jacob R. Ames, 11; November 19, Truman A. Brownell, 28.
Those who secured land in 1856 were as follows: April 9, James Martin, 4; April 11, Jesper Pitcher, 22-23; April 17, James Garden, 4; April 17, Henry Jones, 9; April 22, Charles M. Foot, 6; April 22, Sidney B. Hawley, 6; April 22, James Martin, 9; May 7, James F. Fullerton, 26; May 10, Otis F. Chase, 20; May 14, William S. Hall, 3-4-10; June 16, Eunice Curtis, 14; June 17, Augustus Birge, 2; June 18, Allen Smith, 27-34; June 18, Mary S. Friend, 27-33-34; June 20, Isaac Julian, 8; June 23, Richard Carr, 8; June 24, Jeremiah Harvey, 27; June 26, Chester B. Gifford, 14; June 27, Ole Knudson, 30; July 2, Ever Everson, 18; July 8, Mary Vanburen, 10; July 9, Francis Packer, 11; July 9, Merri- dith Pitcher, 11; July 9, Samuel L. Pitcher, 14; July 9, Spencer Pitcher, 15; July 10, William Vanburen, 19; July 11, Isaac Ham- mer, 10; July 17, Andrew Olson, 25; July 19, Wentworth Little- field, 4; July 19, Barney Myers, 19; July 28, Isaac F. Morgan, 8; August 22, William Martin, Sr., 9; August 23, Thomas Hughes, 17-18; August 25, Thomas Hughes, 18; August 30, Limuel Cotton, 3; August 30, Benjamin F. Whitney, 10; September 3, Mitchell D. Meadows, 20; September 3, Steven Trindal, 4; September 5, Martin Youngbower, 21-23; September 9, Milton M. Morgan, 20; September 10, Harvey Lampman, 22; September 10, Milton M. Morgan, 17; September 10, Newell Tilton, Jr., 1; September 11, John McBurney, 7-18; September 18, Nicholas Grant, 13; Sep- tember 18, Peter Scranling, 27-28; September 18, Stephen Thorn- ton, 14; September 23, Chalmers H. Noyes, 12; September 23, Homer H. Sheldon, 12; September 27, Lafayett Allen, 10; Sep- tember 27, Amos C. Sheldon, 2; October 6, Thomas Lane, 15; October 27, Otis Haven, 21; October 29, Ansen Engreen, 19-30; October 29, John H. Bonesteel, 29; October 31, Spencer Hitch- cock, 9; November 5, Daniel Scanlon, 25-26-35; November 18, James Davis, 28; November 18, William Roberts, 21; November 20, Patrick Leonard, 18-19; November 26, William Martin, Jr., 15; November 27, Lucas Morgan, 6.
General Remarks. The first white child known to be born here was William Henry Martin, March 26, 1856. The first death was that of Marie Anna Frost, daughter of Nelson and Anna Frost, in May, 1855. Under the territorial government Henry Rouse was justice of the peace, and a case was once tried before him where both parties were so obviously at fault that he fined both, the complainant and the defendant dividing the costs. The popular verdict approved the sentence and the men went home satisfied.
Political. The town was regularly organized May 11, 1858, at the schoolhouse in district 63. H. R. Rouse called the meeting
Digitized b Google
364
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
to order. The moderator was Charles E. Rockwell; Clerk, J. H. Roberts; judges, E. C. Degrush and H. A. Rouse. It was decided to call the township Pilot Mound by a vote of 36 in favor to 22 for the name of Clinton. The whole number of votes cast at that election was 58.
The result of the election was as follows: Supervisors, C. N. French (chairman), E. C. Degrush, a vacancy ; clerk, J. II. Rob- erts; assessor, S. A. Woolcott; collector, T. J. Hammer; overseer of the poor, Nelson Frost; constables, James A. Newman and Lafayette Allen; justices, H. R. Rouse and W. Wendall. This year $200 was raised to defray expenses for the ensuing year. On May 29, 1858, it was decided to divide the township into four districts and appoint a road overseer for each district.
At an election held March 12, 1912, there was voted for cur- rent expenses $1,600. Officers were elected as follows: Super- visors, Alex. McConochie, M. O. Skrukrud, E. A. Moen; town clerk, Edwin P. Thompson; assessor, Elias A. Mess; treasurer, Henry P. Christopherson; constable, Christ Hermanson; justice, J. M. Houghtelin. The town is very prosperous and has done much in building and caring for roads. Within the past few years two large bridges have been built across the Root river under a plan whereby the county pays for half and the town- ship for half. The town hall is located in section 10.
In the War. This town furnished 103 men for the Union army, as is claimed, and paid $8,000 in bounties to the soldiers.
Early Events. About the year 1855 there were two black- smith shops started in town, one by Elling Miller, in the south- west part of the town in section 32 and the other by John Ells- bury in section 2. The first sawmill in town was built in 1858 in section 4 by Charles Rockwell on Trout run. It was a vertical saw, and was driven by water with a head of eight feet. In 1864 Mr. Rockwell sold to Lewis Foss and Brother for $1,000. They conducted it two years and then transferred the property to A. Currie for a like sum. After a time the mill went into disuse and the dam washed away. In 1874 the mill blew down, and thus passed away this relic of early days.
Pekin Village. The first attempt at keeping a store was by William Van Buren, a shoemaker, who kept a small stock of goods in the shop where he worked at his trade. This was in section 10. He kept this running for about two years and then removed to Troy. The next to go into merchandising was the firm of Jones & Hitchcock in May, 1867, starting at first with a stock of $600, in section 10, at the "Four Corners." In 1869 the business was transferred to Hammer & Newman. It changed hands several times previous to 1881, when it was secured by Isaac Jackson. A postoffice was established in 1856, with David
Digitized by Google
365
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
Billings Smith as postmaster. It was kept in section 12 at first, and afterwards, about 1860, removed to Pekin. In 1861 E. D. Hammer was postmaster, serving till 1867. George Gould was the next, and then Spencer Hitchcock was appointed. Several others followed and the office is now discontinued, the last post- master being H. Christopherson. The office was known as Pilot Mound. The patrons now receive their mail in Chatfield.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XXXI.
FOUNTAIN AND FILLMORE.
Fountain Village-Fountain Township-Early Settlers-Pioneer Events-Fillmore Township-Fillmore Village-Wykoff Vil- lage-Municipal History-Prominent Citizens.
Fountain is a flourishing village in Fountain township, on the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road. It has good schools, three churches, two hotels, two general stores, a drug store, a bank, a newspaper, street lights, water works, two restaurants and grocery stores, two blacksmith shops, a hardware store, an implement store, a lumber yard, two elevators, and the usual business and professional activities.
Early History. The land upon which the village of Fountain now stands was first taken by a company of speculators, who held it for a few months. The first actual settler upon the land was Patrick Mangan, who arrived early in the fifties and com- menced improvements, building a log hut on section 10, south of the present site of the village. When the Southern Minnesota began pushing its line into Fillmore county, a townsite company was formed between H. W. Holley, D. J. Cameron, and Mr. Wykoff, and the interest in the land was purchased of Patrick Mangan. This was in 1870, and when the railroad passed through the place in November, the village was platted and recorded by the above mentioned firm. The name of the village was derived from the same source as that of the town-the Fountain spring in section 4.
The first building erected for business purposes was put up in the summer of 1869, when the railroad grading commenced, by John Dahl, who came from Lanesboro, and opened a saloon. The Arkle brothers were the first to go into general merchandise trade. They put up a building shortly after Dahl's was com- pleted, and placed a stock of general merchandise upon the shelves. D. Wilson arrived shortly after and put up a restaurant, which he afterwards ran as a tavern. Patrick Ferris put up a hotel in the village.
In 1872, a fire destroyed the greater portion of the business part of the town, but it was rebuilt and the traces of the catas-
366
Digitized by by Google
B. O. BOLLES AND FAMILY
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
-
367
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
trophe obliterated. J. P. Tibbetts put in the first drug store. D. D. Farrell shipped in lumber on the first freight train, and put up a hotel opposite the Case House, but only conducted it as a hotel for one or two weeks. Mr. Farrell afterwards erected five buildings in Fountain.
Municipal History. The village of Fountain was incorporated by an act of the legislature passed in 1876, and Patrick Ferris, A. Ferguson and D. D. Farrell were appointed judges of the first election. The first village meeting was held upon the 14th of April, 1876, and the following officers elected: President, A. Ferguson ; trustees, J. W. Reedy, H. Thompson, and A. Benson; treasurer, W. R. Ellsworth; recorder, A. W. Powers; marshal, D. J. Driscoll; justice of the peace, O. H. Case.
The early records of the village have been lost or mislaid. Since 1893, the presidents and clerks of the council have been as follows: 1893, D. D. Farrell, A. W. Powers; 1894, John Johnson, William A. Herniman; 1895, E. K. Blexrud, E. J. Keenan; 1896, E. K. Blexrud, E. J. Keenan ; 1897, A. W. Powers, G. E. Mckeown; 1898, A. W. Powers, G. E. Mckeown; 1899, J. H. Mooney, A. H. Norton : 1900, John Johnson, A. H. Norton; 1901, G. E. Mckeown, C. H. Nehrhood; 1902, D. J. Danielson, J. A. Newman; 1903, M. McDermott, E. J. Keenan; 1904, D. D. Farrell, C. C. Pickering ; 1905, A. W. Powers, C. C. Pickering; 1906, A. W. Powers, C. C. Pickering; 1907, Brady Olson, E. J. Keenan; 1908, A. W. Powers, C. C. Pickering; 1909, 1910 and 1911, the same. The village hall was built in 1894 at a cost of $2,000.
The officers for 1912 are: President, A. W. Powers; trustees, J. O. Sollie, C. E. Foss, E. A. Danielson ; recorder, D. J. Danielson ; treasurer, Hiram Johnson; justices, B. J. Bowers, L. E. Bostian ; constables, T. G. Parker, James Daugherty.
Water Works. In 1906 and again in 1907 bonds were voted to install a water works system. The water was first turned into the mains January 7, 1907. The mains cover about one and a half miles, and power being obtained from a pressure tank into which the water is pumped by a twenty-five horse power gasoline engine.
FOUNTAIN TOWNSHIP.
Fountain Township is bounded by Chatfield, Carrolton, Cari- mona, and Fillmore, on the north, east, south, and west respect- ively. The regular government thirty-six sections make up its territorial area. Watson creek is the largest river, and this runs across the southern part of the town, and has numerous branches joining it from the right and left. Winslow creek rises in section 7 and leaves the town in a northeasterly course. Big Spring, the third or fourth with this name, rises in section 3, and sends a
Digitized by Google
368
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
good sized rivulet into the last mentioned creek in section 4. The west half of the town may be called a rolling prairie, and was, when first entered upon by white settlers, covered with brush which has disappeared as the cultivation of the soil has been carried on. The soil is of a light clayey character and very productive.
Early Settlement. The first settlers in this town arrived in 1853. Abram Kalder was the first and he took the northwest quarter of section thirty, near a beautiful spring called after- wards "Kalder's Spring." He is a native of New York, remained a few years and moved to Preston. George Kalder was also owner of land in section thirty, but he died in Michigan soon after the war.
Hosmer H. Winslow, a native of Vermont, came here from Illinois in 1854, and his land was in section five. He died in 1874. Enoch Winslow took his farm in section four, but removed to Kansas in 1878. Henry Winslow located in section five, but removed to Olmstead county in 1859 and afterwards to Kansas. These men were brothers and came about the same time. S. T. Bagley, of New York, came from Wisconsin and went onto section five. In 1865 he went to Mower county. Edward Stevens came by the way of Wisconsin and located in section fifteen. Nicholas Wallrod, of New York, who had stopped a while in Illinois, secured a farm in section thirty. Abraham Finch, also of New York, came here and settled on section nineteen. Carl Boyer also came this year.
Some of the arrivals in 1855 are mentioned in the following paragraph :
James Scott, a native of Indiana, who came from Iowa, bought a place in section four. He died in 1875. J. W. Hagerty, of Pennsylvania, came from Illinois in May and procured a farm in section eight. J. L. Bolles was here the year before and selected land which he occupied this year. George Kenney had land in section seven. He died the next year. Thomas Shipton had a place in section seventeen. William Stevens, from Ireland, came here from New York after tarrying a while in Illinois and Wis- consin. James and Martin Mulroy located their farms in section nine. Robert Splainer came from Massachusetts and in about ten year returned. William Maus, of Indiana, came in October and took a claim in section thirty-one. D. D. Farrell and father arrived in 1855 and pre-empted a claim upon section three.
In 1856 there were quite a number of newcomers, and a dozen or so will be mentioned. Walter Staplin, of New York state, arrived here in June. He first held a claim in section seventeen, but moved to section seven. Patrick McCardle settled in section eighteen. Joseph Means had a place in section twenty-eight.
Digitized by Google
369
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
Martin Newcomb, of Ireland, came here from Illinois and bought a farm in section nine. Gibson Essington, of Ohio, came here from Indiana. His land was in section thirty-one. Whitney Jewell, of New York, came from Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and got a place in section thirty-one, where he remained about eight- een months and sold out and moved to Pine Island. Valentine Woodburn, of Pennsylvania, came and secured a home in section nineteen. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Minnesota regiment, Company C, and was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro, Octo- ber 4, 1863. William H. Shipton came here from Pennsylvania and settled in section twenty-nine. James Earley, from Virginia, came from Ohio, where he had been living, and planted himself in section nineteen.
Another among the earliest settlers was J. T. Mulvihill, who came at an early day and located in the northeastern part of the town. P. J. O'Shaughnessy came about the same time and pre- empted a claim adjoining Mulvihill's. Patrick Mangan was among the first to put in an appearance, and located in section ten. He afterwards sold out his claim there and secured another on section twenty-four.
Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Fountain 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: September 5, William Chalfant, 33; September 8, Hiram John- son, 33; September 8, James Watson, 28; September 8, Thomas Watson, 28; October 11, Hosmer H. Winslow, 5; November 20, Henry H. Winslow, 6.
Those who obtained land in 1855 were as follows: April 9, Jacob Hostetter, 6; May 23, Herman Pederson, 3; July 19, William B. Norman, 28; July 19, William Wimmer, 34; July 27, Alexander Wight, 34; August 8, Patrick Egan, 34; August 17, Jacob Annis, 27-34; December 17, John Johnson, 10-14-15; December 29, Martin Mulroy, 35.
Early Events. Susan C., daughter of Gibson and Sarah A. Essington, was born November 15, 1857. She married Cassius Wilson. Euphemia, daughter of William and Sarah Norman, was born in February, 1857. John Hagerty and Malvina Wins- low were married on November 7, 1855. James Watson and Sarah A. Maus were united in marriage December 7, 1856. Caro- line, daughter of Henry and Louise Winslow, died in January, 1855, at the age of fifteen years. Avery Kinney was born in April, 1855, and died three days later.
Political. As with other subdivisions of the county, this town was organized in 1858, the first town meeting being held at the
Digitized by Google
370
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
house of Edward Cummings on May 11. The judges of the first election were Thomas Watson, J. L. Bolles and Hiram Johnson; clerks, J. W. Hagerty and Martin Mulroy. The following were declared elected by the judges, and all served, to-wit: Super- visors, Thomas C. Watson (chairman), H. T. Trumbull and James Healy ; clerk, Hiram Johnson; collector, S. F. Stilson; assessor, P. McCabe; overseer of the poor, Jacob Hostetler; constables, James Watson and R. W. Staplin. The board then proceeded to dispose of such business as should come before it, dividing the township into four road districts and appointing road masters. They also passed a resolution to the effect that the next meeting of the board would be held at the residence of James Healy.
On August 29, 1864, a special town meeting was held for the purpose of raising a bounty for volunteers to fill the town quota, and after some discussion a bounty of three hundred dollars was voted to every man who should volunteer and serve.
Postoffice. A postoffice was established in the last half of the sixties. A petition for an office was circulated by G. Essington, which was favorably considered, and J. V. Sharpe received the commission. The office was opened at his house and kept until he moved away in 1871, then Chester Clark took it. T. Wallrod was the next in charge. The Watson Creek office, as it was called, was discontinued about 1890.
FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.
Fillmore township has Jordan on the north, Fountain on the east, Forestville on the south, and Spring Valley on the west. Bear creek, Deer creek, and Spring Valley creek, or, as it is commonly known, Middle Branch or Root river, and their tribu- taries are in the northwestern part of the town.
Early Settlement. The early settlement and initiatory steps which led to the founding and subsequent development of this thriving township, in common with the majority of Fillmore county's subdivisions, date back well into the fifties. Its early pioneers and hardy backwoodsmen were not men who came for speculation, nor were they men who expected or even hoped to accumulate a fortune in a day; but men who knew there would be hardships and trials to endure, and they were not mistaken. One without the experience cannot realize the tribulations inci- dent to such a life.
In the year 1853, Walker & Foote, the renowned stage men, were operating an extensive stage line through Fillmore county, and this township lay directly in its path. As early as 1853 the site of the village of Fillmore was one of the points made by the stages, and it is claimed by a few that as early as that time there
Digitized by Google
-
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE M. FARRINGTON
Digitized by Google
1
Digitized by Google
371
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
was a little hewn log hut on that site, in which was kept a limited stock of dried meats, bacon, crackers and provisions, and a stock of whisky to cheer the weary traveler. But this is uncertain, as the time of its coming and the date of its departure are a mystery. During this year, while a few passed through the town on the stage line, there were no settlers, and none who examined the surrounding country with a view to settlement.
In the year 1854, while the autumn leaves were falling, in the month of August, a party of three pushed their way into this township with a view to establishing a home. They were John Crain, his son, Charles W. Crain, and Jacob Ham, all having made their way from McHenry county, Illinois, by way of Iowa. They settled near one spot on section thirty-three in the southern part of the town, and commenced putting up huts. The first year was spent by them in almost entire solitude, it only being inter- rupted by the arrival of John K. Ells, who came in the same year and settled in section twenty-five. In the meantime the northern part of the town was making evolutions toward civilization. Paul Jones and son and son-in-law, Beverstock, had arrived early that year and located and platted the village of Fillmore on section three. With this scanty settlement the progress of the town remained at a standstill until the following spring.
In 1855 many acquisitions were made to the settlements, which began to embrace all parts of the town. P. M. Mosher and father arrived in the spring and planted their stakes in section three. Isaac Decou put in an appearance and located in the northern part of the town, but he remained only a few years. E. S. Smith came and located near Fillmore village and com- menced the erection of a sawmill. A number of others also put in an appearance, some to file on land for homes, but mostly transients who remained at the village. This was a very trying period for the settlers. Their nearest market was Winona, and supplies were brought from Iowa. In getting provisions it be- came customary among the settlers to club together and hire a man to ride down into Iowa and obtain supplies for the entire settlement. The year 1855 opened the era of immigration to this town, and the following are among those who came to prepare those already here for the rush of the following year. O. O. Wallace arrived and settled on section twenty-six. E. D. Kellogg, from New York, put in an appearance and located on section one. M. Garry brought his family, consisting of his wife and twelve children, and commenced calling section two his home.
In 1856, F. H. Bartlett, from New York, accompanied by his wife and two children, arrived and laid claim to one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-two. With Bartlett came A. Clifford and William Odell, both of Wisconsin. Clifford located in section
Digitized by Google
372
HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY
twenty-one and remained until late in the sixties. Odell became disheartened and returned to Wisconsin, where he died. W. H. Prosser arrived in June and made himself at home on section thirty-three. Thomas Pulford arrived in the summer and now occupies a farm on section sixteen. Daniel S. Hoff, a native of New York state, arrived in the fall and commenced managing a hotel in Fillmore village. J. A. Pulford arrived and located on section fifteen. George Sheppard, formerly of Germany, put in an appearance and, after drifting around a time, located on sec- tions nine and ten.
The year 1857 dawned upon the settlers and during the first few months subjected them to the most severe hardships yet experienced. The month of January opened with a very heavy snowstorm, which continued, with renewed fury and violence, for about a week, filling the ravines, crevices and roads, and leaving the level prairie covered with a heavy bed of snow. This was followed by a slight thaw, which immediately froze very solid, making a crust that would bear the weight of a man. Most of the settlers were left without hay, as their supply was out on the prairie, and it was impossible to drive a team over the crust. Thus few of the settlers who had stock escaped loss of part of their herds, and today there are many settlers who tell of how they had dug for three and four days through this heavy crust and deep snow, hunting for hay. But as the season moved on the snow disappeared, and in the fall an abundant harvest re- joiced and made hopeful the heart of the pioneer. Among others who had arrived ere this time may be mentioned the following : George and James Stewart, Michael Lewis, Robert Crowell, James Kelly, James Bowers, H. Hall, James Sheppard, Thomas Davis and others.
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.