USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, Minnesota > Part 41
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the northern side of the city in a curvilinear way, and with its graceful foliage, at various points coming down to the water's edge, presents one of the most pleasing views to be found in all southern Minnesota.
Early Settlement. The early settlement of the town and vil- lage are treated under the chapter found elsewhere, entitled "Early Albert Lea." The history of the founding of St. Nicholas, and the settlement in the southern part of the township are also given in another place in this work.
Organization. The first town meeting of Albert Lea was held May 11, 1858. No record appears in the town archives as to the results of this election, but from the subsequent minutes, it would appear that the officers were: Supervisors, Dr. A. C. Wedge (chairman), Bernard McCarthy and Charles T. Knapp; justices of the peace, Julius Clark (resigned same year and re- turned to his home in Ohio), H. D. Brown; town clerk, Daniel G. Parker. It would appear that the chairman had the custody of the town funds. Leander Cooley was probably the first assessor elected by the town, although previous to that there had been district assessors.
Among those prominent in township affairs in the early days may be mentioned : A. C. Wedge, William Kellar, D. G. Parker, John Brownsill, Bernard McCarthy, Luther Parker, H. T. Smith, T. J. Sheehan, Chauncy Cooley, Thomas Smith, Reuben Williams, H. D. Brown, A. B. Webber, Joseph France, E. C. Stacy, J. D. Dudley, Samuel Eaton, George Thompson, Francis Hall, John Wood, A. Armstrong, Charles T. Knapp, James E. Smith, William Morin, Reuben Williams, O. P. Kenfield, J. G. Godley, H. M. Manley, W. J. Martin, A. W. St. John, George Whitman, D. K. Stacy, A. M. Tyrer, John Ross, F. B. Fobes, Charles Kittleson, William Hazelton, Ole I. Ellingson, Joseph Green, G. D. Ball, Lewis Hagen, M. M. Luce, A. E. Johnson, W. C. Lincoln, Joseph P. Greene, D. N. Gates, C. G. Jonsrud, and D. R. P. Hibbs. At one time in the history of the town, the powers of the town board were enlarged by the legislature, and numerous ordinances were adopted to be in force in the village. October 8, 1864, the town voted $25 to each volunteer duly credited, and $225 was paid on that account.
Town Hall. On the incorporation of the city of Albert Lea in the spring of 1878, those town officers residing in the city, which included all but John C. Ross, a supervisor, resigned, and the vacancies were filled by appointinent. The general elec- tion in November, of this year, by special law, was held in the court house, where all town elections had previously been held. The first annual town meeting after the incorporation of the city, was held March 11, 1879, at the home of Mrs. E. Wanna-
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maker, on section 20. At this time, by resolution, the board was directed to procure a site, and build a town hall at a cost not exceeding $500.00. A lot was procured of C. M. Hewitt, at the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 17, and a suitable building was erected at a cost of $300.00. This building is still used for town purposes.
Blackmer Bridge. What is today known as the Blackmer bridge, on Lake boulevard, now in the city of Albert Lea, but for many years in the township, was first built in May, 1863, Franklin Blackmer, Daniel Hurd and S. S. Sutton being the contractors. It being so near the Blackmer home, Dr. Blackmer naturally took much interest in having it a substantial bridge. Splendid large timbers were framed, but instead of driving piles, bents were framed, resting on the bottom of the lake. In a short time muskrats undermined the bents, and soon the bridge leaned over to one side, making it impassable for teams. In 1877 the town made an earth filling, and it has been a substantial affair ever since. It was originally a frame structure, twelve feet above the water, about twenty rods long. Dr. Franklin Blackmer was the first to propose the Lake boulevard, which was com- pleted about Fountain lake in 1880.
An Interesting Tradition. In telling the story of Albert Lea township, it is interesting to note that it is a generally accepted fact among Norwegian historians, that a party of Norwegians made plans for settling near or on the present site of the city of Albert Lea, early in 1855. The story is that Klemet Stabeks and a party of Norwegians, came through this county from a settlement on the Rock river, in Illinois, very early in 1855. They saw the beautiful prairie upon which the city of Albert Lea is now situated, and decided to locate here later. Then they con- tinued on a trip to the northward to visit friends who had set- tled elsewhere, and also to see if any better site than that of Albert Lea presented itself. In the fall they started back to their home in Illinois, determined to bring their families to Albert Lea and locate. But they found here George S. Ruble and his men, and so gave up the projected settlement. One of this party, Halvor K. Wastad, by name, brought his family from Illinois the following year, and settled near Lyle, where he became a prominent and respected citizen.
ALDEN TOWNSHIP.
Alden township lies in the western tier of Freeborn county's towns, and is separated from Iowa by one town. Its contiguous surroundings are. Carlston on the north; Pickerel Lake on the east ; Mansfield on the south, and Faribault county on the west. It is constituted as originally surveyed by the United States
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officers, of thirty-six square miles, and contains 23,040 acres, of which the greater portion is under a high state of cultivation. The soil throughout the entire township is a rich dark loam, of from three to four feet deep, which is underlaid with a subsoil - of clay. Alden village is located in the northeastern part of the township.
Early Settlement. The early development of this sub-division of Freeborn county commenced a little later than the average of towns in this part of Minnesota. As to who the first settlers were, there are different opinions, and the means with which to prove any of the statements are limited. A short sketch, purporting to be the history of the township, was published in 1877, which is as follows: John Houck entered this town in the spring of 1858, and is supposed to have been the first settler. He also erected the first house in the summer of that year. John Tirrel was the first merchant and commenced business in the win- ter of 1869-70. Mr. Miller, a blacksmith, was the first mechanic; M. W. Green the first lawyer, and a Mr. Barber the first doctor. The first school was taught in the Russell district, but when, or by whom, I have been unable to ascertain. The first religious service is said to have been held at the house of William Humes, but authorities differ regarding the officiating clergyman; the conflict laying between Rev. D. P. Curtis and Rev. A. P. Wolcott. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1867, and in the same year the Free Will Baptists effected the first church organization. A. G. Hall served as chairman of the first board of supervisors and E. P. Clark acted as clerk."
It is fairly certain that the first farm settled upon in the town was in section 2, by Walter Scott Russell, in the spring of 1858. He was a young man who came from Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen, and the same summer broke three acres of land, and in a dug-out in the side of a hill he took up his abode. In a short time he returned to Wisconsin for his father and family, whom he had left there, and brought them back with him. He remained but a short time, then sold his claim and removed to parts unknown. John Houck made his appearance in the summer of the same year, and took a farm in the northern part of the township, in section 1, where, it is said, he erected the first house and opened a farm. He remained a few years and then removed. A. G. Hall later purchased the farm.
In October, 1860, the next pioneer to make a claim was James Rundel, who located in section 2, and died not long after his arrival. Elisha Davis came by team from Wisconsin, and arrived here in 1862, building a sod house on the claim which he selected in section 5. He remained here until the year 1877, when he sold out and went to Valley county, Nebraska. Joseph W. Har-
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rington, a native of Illinois, came to Alden in 1863, and in the spring of that year took a homestead in section 12, where he remained. until 1873, when he removed to the village and remained there until the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. He was among the prominent men of this locality. Moses Cheese- brough, late of Wisconsin, made his appearance in this township in the fall of 1864. He came with teams, driving several head of stock, and went to the big woods, thirty miles away, to get lumber with which to erect a frame dwelling. He remained on the homestead, which he took in section 7, for a number of years, but finally went to Nebraska. William B. Humes came to Min- nesota in 1864, locating first in Pleasant Grove, where he remained for five years; then came to Alden township and homesteaded a place in section 1. He was the first justice of the peace elected in the township. James Whitehead was another arrival in 1864, coming from Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen and locating in section 3, where, in the spring of that year he erected a sod habitation. He remained until 1866, when he left the county. George W. Sanders also came in the spring of 1864, from Wis- consin, with a team of horses, and settling in section 9, erected a house. He remained here for about seventeen years, after which he removed to other fields. A. G. Hall arrived in 1865, in the spring, coming from McGregor, Iowa, to Alden, with horse teams, the trip taking twenty-four days. Shortly after his arrival he bought out the claim of John Houck, in section 1, where he remained until the village of Alden was projected, and then went to that place and erected the first building there. He was the first chairman of supervisors of the town, and became a prominent man in public affairs. In 1865 the Rev. O. P. Hull made his arrival from Wisconsin and secured a home in sections 8 and 17, where he erected a house and barn and remained a number of years, then returned to Wisconsin, where he lived until death called him. Russell Maxson, a native of New York, who had for a time been stopping in Wisconsin, came in about 1863, and secured a claim, which he held for several years, when he left.
Official Record. The records show that the first town meeting was held at the house of E. P. Clark, in section 4, April 3, 1866. The meeting came to order by the selection of A. G. Hall, chair- man, and proceeded to business. It was then resolved, by unan- imous consent, that $100 be raised by tax to defray town expenses for the ensuing year. It was also resolved that the sum of $30 be appropriated for the purpose of building a pound, and George W. Sanders was elected poundmaster. Balloting for town officers came next in the program, and the following officers were declared elected : Supervisors, Albert G. Hall, chairman; Nathan
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L. Bassett, and Washington Sanders; clerk, Edwin P. Clark; assessor, Russell Maxson; treasurer, Charles H. Clark; justices of the peace, Elisha R. Davis and William B. Humes; constables, Ebenezer Brown and Henry S. Davis. The number of votes cast. was twenty-two.
BANCROFT TOWNSHIP.
Bancroft township is one of the center. subdivisions of Free- born county, being separated by one tier from the north, and an equal distance from east and west county lines. Its contiguous neighbors are Bath township on the north, Riceland on the .east, Albert Lea on the south, and Manchester on the west, embracing the territory of town 103, range 21, containing thirty-six sections, or 23,040 acres, of which there are very few unsuitable for agri- cultural purposes, and the greater part is already under a high state of cultivation. The township has no lakes and no streams of importance. Bancroft creek is the principal one; rising in the northwestern part of the town, it takes a southerly course and finally enters Fountain lake. A small body of water, known as Itasca lake, covers a few acres of land in the southwestern portion of section 31. The general makeup of the locality would be called prairie and oak openings. The early settlers say that originally at least three-fourths of the area of the town was covered with a growth of burr and jack oak and other timber of the smaller varieties, interspersed with natural meadows and prairie. The greater part of the former growth of timber has been removed, and the rich country transformed into beautiful and productive farms. There are, however, a number of groves left which mark the remains of former miniature forests. A strip' of valuable prairie, known as the Paradise or Itasca prairie, enters the town in the southwestern corner and extends north- easterly almost across the entire town, gradually disappearing towards Clark's grove. The locality known as Oak Hill is the most elevated tract of land in the township, taking its name from the variety of timber with which it was formerly covered. It makes itself visible on the surface in the northwestern extrem- ity of the town, and extends easterly across the entire township, embracing the northern tier of sections. The soil on the prairie is mostly a rich dark loam underlain with a rich sub-soil of clay ; while in the timber, or oak opening, it is of a lighter nature, with a marked tendency to clay and a sub-soil of sand and gravel.
Bancroft township has a Norwegian Lutheran Church and cemetery in the central part of section 20, and another Nor- wegian Lutheran Church and cemetery in the northern part of section 25. Itasca and Bancroft villages, now extinct, were located in this township, as is the county alms house and poor farm at
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the present time. A feature of the horticultural development of the county is the Wedge nurseries in this township.
Early Settlement. The Colby family, the members of which arrived in Freeborn county in 1855 and 1856, were interested in the village of Itasca, in Bancroft township, but their home was in section 6, Albert Lea township.
The township of Bancroft was settled by Norwegians at a very early day, a few arriving in 1855, and more in 1856. When Vegger Gulbrandson, who has thoroughly investigated the early Norwegian settlements, arrived in Hayward, in 1856, there was already a large colony in Bancroft, among whom may be men- tioned Christopher Mikkelson and wife, Lars Mikkelson and wife, Andrew Olson, Guttorm Botolfson and wife, Endre Botolf- son, John Hermanson and wife, Daniel Peterson, Peter Clausen, Charles Peterson and Charles Olson, as well as several others. Several of these, while belonging to the Bancroft colony, lived over the line in Albert Lea township.
In 1856, Benjamin Frost and a large family settled in section 19, Bancroft township, and Chas. B. Matthews located just over the line from Albert Lea. In the meantine the northern part of the town began to receive the attention of the early comers; but claims were getting scarce, and in the same ratio that they were scarce, so they became valuable. The settlement north of the center of the town was more universally known as the "Oak Hill" neighborhood. A. C. Hall, a native of Maine, was the first to make his appearance, and he selected his domain in sections 5 and 8, in the middle of September, 1856, where he put up a shanty and made some improvements; but was not really an actual settler, as he soon sold out and removed to Iowa. Andrew Barlow was the next to arrive; making his appearance in Sep- tember. He walked from McGregor, Iowa, and took a claim on Pickerel Lake. While he was in Albert Lea after supplies his claim was jumped and he came to Bancroft. In the winter he went back to Iowa, but this claim also was jumped, and when he finally returned with his family, in the spring of 1857, he purchased the farm back for $20. H. R. Loomis, from Erie county, Pennsylvania, came by stage from Dubuque to near Merry's Ford, on the Cedar river, Iowa, and from there he walked to Bancroft, arriving and selecting his place on the first day of November, 1856. He erected a small shanty and made some improvements and bought a yoke of oxen. December 26 he started with his oxen to Delaware county, Iowa, and remained there until February, 1857, when he returned, bringing with him his sister, Louisa Loomis, and Oscar and Fannie Ward. The last two named were aged twenty and fifteen years, respectively. The entire party came in a sleigh, camping out on the way, finally
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arriving at Benjamin Frost's house, in the southeastern part of town, where the manager of the party, Mr. Loomis, left them and proceeded to his selected home in section 8, where he made a fire and prepared to entertain his guests. The balance of the party, whom he had left at Frost's, followed on foot, on the top af the snow, there being a heavy crust. They arrived in safety, and William Oscar Ward selected a farm for his father, a most prom- inent and popular man. Early in the fall of 1857, Jeremiah Ward, a native of New York, father of Oscar and Fannie, arrived and located upon the place selected for him, and lived upon it until 1879, when he passed away. About this time Ole Hanson came to the township. Early in the spring of 1857, Albert Loomis, from Erie county, Pennsylvania, came to the home of H. R. Loomis and immediately took a claim adjoining in section 9, where he made his home for about ten years, when he went back to Pennsylvania. About a week later, Cyrus Prescott, a native of Maine, who had made his home from childhood in Ohio, made his appearance in the town, coming by way of Hastings; and making a claim in section 5, he took up his abode with H. R. Loomis' people while he improved his property. Later in the season Cyrus' father, Daniel, joined his son, and made him a home in section 4. In June, 1857, the next pioneer drifted in, in the person of William H. Long, a native of Newark, N. J., who located on a farm in sections 5 and 8. In the spring of 1882 he removed to the city of Albert Lea. Nicholas J. Sandburg also came in 1857, as well as Ole I. Ellingson, Andrew J. Luther and Ole O. Styve.
In the spring of 1858, Charles Dills, a native of the Empire state, came and purchased a place in section 9, of Charles E. Teneycke, who had previously secured it. Ere this time nearly two-thirds of the land in this locality was taken up by actual settlers, and already a stride in the advance of civilization was perceptible. Among those who had arrived a few more will be chronicled. George H. Prescott, who located in section 4; G. Thompson, who took land in section 8; Andrew Knudson took land in section 9. Messrs. Wells and Clark took land, but soon left.
Jeremiah Ward was another pioneer. He was a carpenter and stone mason by trade. Ole Midthun also came in 1858. Others who were associated with the early history of the town- ship were: Henry N. Ostrander, who came in 1859; E. K. Pickett and Erick Johnsrud, in 1860; H. P. Jensen, in 1864; Peter Fin- ton, in 1875; A. N. Rice, in 1877; Tom Oleson, in 1879; Eugene Chamberlain and Rev. Johan T. Ylvisaker, in 1881.
Early Events. The first marriage within the boundaries of Bancroft took place the spring of 1858, the contracting parties
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being John Raiser and Margaret Baker. The event took place in the "old-time" village of Bancroft, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. S. G. Lowry, a Presbyterian minister. The first death of a matured person was that of Margaret Horning, in April, 1859. Her remains were deposited in the graveyard at Albert Lea. Martin Mikkelsen was the first white child born in the township.
Official Record. The first meeting in the township for the pur- pose of effecting the organization of Bancroft, was held May 11, 1858, at the house of Ole Olson. The meeting came to order by the appointment of N. H. Ellickson, chairman; W. N. Oliver, moderator, and J. M. Clark, clerk. E. D. Porter and Gardner Frost were elected overseers of roads, and a resolution was then adopted declaring that all cattle, mules, and horses, except stal- lions over two years of age, could run at large. The election of officers was next taken up, and the following gentlemen for the various positions of trust were declared elected : Supervisors, D. Blakely, chairman ; J. M. Clark, and C. C. Colby ; clerk, G. M. Frost; assessor, Daniel Prescott; treasurer, Ole Ellingson ; over- seer of poor, Henry Loomis; justices of the peace, S. Hanson and S. S. Watson; constables, H. Bedells and R. G. Franklin. For several years the annual meetings were held at the store in Ban- croft.
Itasca Cemetery. This historic burial ground is located in the southwestern part of section 31, on land originally owned by A. M. Burnham. In 1861, Samuel Henderson, a resident of Pick- erel Lake, died, and was the first person buried here. Others' remains were also deposited here, and about the year 1870 the grounds were regularly arranged, platted, and set aside for the purpose. This location was selected by Mrs. Burnham. She also selected the last resting place that her remains now occupy. The cemetery, which is now practically abandoned, was surveyed in 1873, by H. C. Lacy, whose burial there, at his own request, some ten years ago, was the last interment in the grounds. The original trustees of the cemetery were: A. M. Johnson, A. M. Burnham, Isaac Botsford, and Hanibal Bickford.
BATH TOWNSHIP
Bath is the center of the northern tier of towns in Freeborn county. Its contiguous surroundings are as follows: Waseca county on the north ; Geneva township on the east ; Bancroft town- ship on the south; and Hartland township on the west. It con- tains thirty-six sections or square miles, comprising the territory of town 104, range 21. In early days the most of the township was covered with a growth of burr oak. This was interspersed with meadow or small patches of prairie land. There is a prairie
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
of about 2,560 acres, located in the southwestern part of the township. The timber has been removed to a great extent, and the rich land been converted into valuable farms. The surface is rolling, and in places the undulation is so abrupt as to be called . ridges, which are not subject to cultivation. The soil is a dark sandy loam, underlain with a subsoil of clay. The town is not so well watered as its neighbors, has no stream, and only one lake wholly within its borders. An arm of Geneva lake extends from the town bearing its name into section 25 of Bath, and covers a few acres of land. Lake George is the only body of water wholly within the boundaries, lying in the southern part of section 22. It was named in honor of George Skinner, Jr.
Bath township has two villages, Clark's Grove and Bath. A Catholic church and cemetery are located in the western part of section 8. The Advent church is in the eastern part of section 17. The Norwegian Lutheran church and cemetery are in the south- western part of section 21. The Danish Baptist church and cemetery are east of Clark's Grove.
Early Settlement. The earliest infringement by settlers, upon the territory of this town, commenced in the spring of 1856. The first parties to arrive and secure permanent homes were the Brooks brothers. The party consisted of Edward D., Dwight E., and Henry L. Brooks, with their sister Augusta, and mother. They were originally from Massachusetts, coming by way of Pennsylvania, and arriving in the spring of 1856. They settled in and about section 24, where the brothers joined interests and erected a log cabin 14x26 feet. Edward took a claim just over the line into Geneva township, and remained until 1866, when he went to Faribault county. Dwight E. remained until 1868, when he followed his brother, and they were subsequently joined by the other brother, Henry L. In May of the following year, 1857, John Kelly, a native of Ireland, who had stopped for a time in Iowa, came with his family, in an ox cart, and settled in section 11 or 14. Soon after his arrival he erected a 14x18 foot log house, which he covered with sod and slabs. Soon afterward John Harty and Martin Sheehan, of the same nationality, came and secured places. Harty became satisfied with a farm in section 4, where he remained until the time of his death, which occurred in the latter part of the sixties. Sheehan secured a farm in the northeastern part of the town, where he remained until he died in 1857. E. D. Porter came this year and settled near Clark's Grove.
In the summer of 1857, a party of Norwegians, consisting of Hans Peterson, Ingebret Erickson, and Nels Nelson, came with teams, bringing their families, and settled upon claims. Erickson left in 1880 for the Red River country; Nelson died during the
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