USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 51
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Bill, under which the State, in 1858, unwisely pledged its credit to the railroad companies, and entailed a debt which, just or unjust, threatens a burdensome taxation, or the stigma of repudia- tion. To the credit of Freeborn county, be it. said that she saw the danger, and opposed the measure by a negative vote of 455 to 18.
We have yet to learn what became of those eighteen. If. indeed, they still survive, there are none among them who now refer with any degree of pride to that ill conceived ballot, and long before this would gladly bave obliterated the record.
We will next call in review our
COUNTY SEAT CONTESTS.
The act of March, 1857, organizing the county, authorized the commissioners appointed by the Governor, to select a temporary county seat until the question should be determined by a vote of the people. Under this authority, the Board, on the second day of its session, March 4th, 1857, called up the question, and Mr. Frisbie moved to make Bancroft the seat of honor. Mr. Stacy pro- posed an amendment striking out Bancroft and inserting St. Nicholas ; lost. He then moved to insert Geneva, which was also defeated. Mr. Andrews then moved toinsert Albert Lea in place of Bancroft, and this carried unanimously. In this, we are free to say that we think the Commis- sioners acted wisely and well; but it will always remain a mystery, what inspiring light concentra- ted them so suddenly upon a point which seems to have escaped their notice in the first instance.
On the 19th of May following, a special session of the Legislature passed an act incorporating Bancroft, and a proviso was sandwiched into the bill making that town the county seat. The bill passed in this shape, apparently without being understood by a majority of those who voted for it; for it appears that the members having been apprised of what they had done, recalled their their votes and expunged the objectionable pro- viso on the same day.
At the general election in October of that year the question was submitted to the people. Four towns entered the contest, viz: Shell Rock, Ban- croft, St. Nicholas, and Albert Lea, which resul- ted in favor of the later, by a majority of 165 over all, on a total vote of 642.
The next contest was in 1860. In September of that year, a petition was presented to the
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County Board, asking for another vote. A. S. Everest appeared for the petitioners, and Aug. Armstrong opposed their prayer. The decision was postponed until the 22d of October, at which meeting the petition was granted, and a vote of the people followed. Itasca alone entered the arena with Albert Lea, resulting again in favor of the latter, by 198 majority, on a total vote of 770.
Passing from this, we will next notice our
JUDICIAL RECORD.
Under the Territorial Government,. Freeborn county, with fifteen others. constituted the Third Judicial District, and Judge Flandreau, after ap- pointing Ang. Armstrong clerk, which he did in the summer of 1857, advertised to hold court at Albert Lea in October following; but as there was no business at that time, the announcement was only formal, and no court was in fact called.
By the constitution of 1857, the district was changed in form and size, so that Freeborn, with eight other counties, became the Fifth Judicial District, and Hon. N. M. Donaldson, of Owatonna, was elected in the fall of that year, presiding Judge. In the fall of 1871, the Hon. Samuel Lord, of Mantorville, was elected Judge in place of Donaldson, but his association with our people was of short duration, for in 1872 the Legislature created a new distriet called the Tenth, composed of Freeborn and all the counties in the southern tier, east of it. Over this District, Hon. Sherman Page, of Austin, was called to preside, and then J. Q. Farmer, who still holds that position.
Under those organizations, courts have been held twice a year regularly, with one or two ex- ceptions.
Among the important cases disposed of, was that of Henry Kregler, who was charged with the murder of Nelson Bonghton, near the State line. in September. 1859, and tried in Steele county. under change of venne, in January, 1861. He was convicted, bronght back to this county and executed at Albert Lea, in March following, being about one and a half years after the offense was committed.
LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM.
No county in the State. if indeed in the coun- try, has displayed a greater loyalty, or a truer patriotism. In the first year of its organization. when settlement was in disorder, weakness, and
poverty. the people, though few in number, did not forget the noble example of their ancestry. and on the first return of this Anniversary of their National holiday, the 4th of July, 1857. they as- sembled enmasse, at Shell Rock, to celebrate this time-honored event. At that celebration, Samuel Batchelder delivered the address, being the first oration ever made in the county. From that year to the present, nearly every return of the day has been marked by some appropriate honor.
At the first call for troops when war broke out, men left their farms, their shops, their stores, and their otlices, to engage in the defense of their common country, leaving scarcely any but old men and boys to care for and defend their homes against the Indian outbreak, which threatened the entire State.
Two companies, made up almost entirely from this county, constituted some of the best fighting stock of the 4th and 5th Regiments of Infantry, while the third, in their zeal to get into service. accepted the first opening and joined a Wiscon- sin brigade.
Other detachments of men connected them- selves with commands in this, or in other States, as duty dictated or fancy led them. Although this scattering of individuals or squads renders it ditlienlt to determine the number exactly, a rea- sonably correct approximation will fix it about 400 persons, which, as an act of patriotism, to fully appreciate, it is necessary to bear in mind our sparse settlement and limited population.
To place the matter in a still clearer light, it is only necessary to state that the quota assigned to the county at the last call for troops by the Ad- jutant General in 1864, was 273, and that we had already furnished and received credit for 292, be- ing an excess over all demands upon us, of 19 men, besides an estimate of 100 who are known to have gone into commands of other States, for which the enlistment otlicers gave us no eredit. I sub- mit that a fairer or more creditable record cannot ยท be produced by any county, sharing the fortunes of the late war. Nor were the ladies less true to the interests of their country. On every occasion which presented itself, they encouraged enlist- ments, and cheered their brothers on to the con- fliet. The silken banner carried by company F. of the 4th Regiment throughout their long and faithful services, upon which is inscribed the memorable name of many a bloody battle field,
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was presented by these noble women, as the ap- propriate offering of anxious and sympathizing mothers, wives, and sisters, and will ever be sac- redly preserved and treasured as a lasting memo- rial of their patriotic devotion.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
This county has shared its full benefit of the liberal public provision made for fostering the common school system. Nor have the people been less enterprising in their efforts to encourage public education. In fact, the greater part of our taxation has been for the erection of new schoolhouses, and the employment of qualified teachers. In 1858 there were but two school- houses of any character in the county. There are now 100 districts, 74 of which can boast of fine frame or brick houses, while in nearly all, the buildings are good and substantial. In Albert Lea there is a graded school which ranks among the best in the State, while a seminary of learning at this place and at Alden are also mantained a part of the time by private contributions. In addition to this, there is a charter which was early granted by the Legislature, creating a Col- lege Board at Albert Lea, and which will doubt- less be revived in due time. The first enumera- tion was made in January, 1858, and showed a total of 222 scholars. The last, taken in the fall of 1875, gives 5,136, being an increase, in 17 years, of 4,914, or at the rate of about eight per cent. per annum.
The churches are well represented and liberally sustained, nearly every town in the county having one or more organizations for public worship. These societies do a creditable mission work, and sustain 23 Sabbath Schools through the summer months, while about half of them are continued the year through.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
A Masonic Lodge, nearly as old as the county, is established at Albert Lea, which enjoys a membership in good standing of 74 persons. Growing out of this is a Royal Arch Chapter of 15 members.
Twenty-four Granges, with a membership of about 960.
One division of the Sons of Temperance, having about 30 members.
There are eight Good Templar's lodges in the county, with an aggregate membership of over 700.
NEWSPAPERS.
The history of our newspaper interest is a checkered one, and has often been referred to. Of the five that have had an existence, two, the first and the last, remain, apparently well sup- ported, and offer their weekly budgets to an appreciative public.
TAXATION.
In March, 1857, the first board of Commis- sioners divided the county into three assessment districts, as follows:
The first was composed of Newry, Geneva, Bath, Hartland, Freeborn, and Carlston, over which J. M. Drake was appointed assessor.
Second, Moscow, Riceland, Bancroft, Manches- ter, Oakland, London, under the charge of John Dunning, as assessor.
The third was composed of Hayward, Shell Rock, Freeman, Pickerel Lake, Nunda, Alden, Mansfield, and Albert Lea, with Walter Scott, as assessor.
In July following these officers completed and returned their rolls, the aggregate of which footed up, $212,088. Spon this was levied a tax for school, county, and Territorial purposes of $4,449, or 20} mills on each dollar valuation.
A year or two after that, each organized town became a district, and has steadily shown an increase of wealth. The last assessment reported, that of 1875, aggregated a valuation, of $3,183,822, with a tax for all purposes of $65,602, showing an increase of property at the rate of about 16 per cent. per annum, and a marked decrease in the rate of taxation, when we consider that rail- roads, bridges, and other matters, have increased the objects for which we are taxed.
RAILROADS.
In 1859, the Southern Minnesota railroad was built through the county, in a westerly direction, touching the towns of Moscow, Oakland, Hay- ward, Albert Lea, Pickerel Lake, Alden, and Carlston, an I establishing, then and subsequently, four stations, viz: Oakland, Hayward, Albert Lea, and Alden. This enterprise has had a marked influence upon the property and growth of the county, and while its management has been gener- ally satisfactory to our people, that of the present period is so in the highest degree.
Crossing this line at Albert Lea, is another survey, termed the North and South Road, which
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is designed to connect Minneapolis with St. Louis, and when built will touch Shell Rock, Albert Lea, Manchester, and Hartland. Still a third com- pany, under the auspices of the Central Railroad of Minnesota, acting in connection with the Burlington & Cedar Rapids Line, have already graded from Albert Lea to a point near the State line, and it is only a question of time, when the iron will be laid thereon.
COMMERCE.
Another evidence of our prosperity as a coun- ty, may be seen in its rapidly inereasing produc- tions.
The first three years of settlement, say from 1857 to 1860, was an era of importation of food, and marked the most trying times. From 1860 to the elose of the war, little, if anything was raised beyond home needs ; so that really the last ten years cover the period of prosperity. How rapidly that has been, is seen in the reports of last year, which show that, in addition to feed- ing our population, we exported 1,099,986 bushels of wheat, besides a fair proportion of other products. The freight reports of our station agents show that these exportations are increasing at the rate of about 20 per cent. per annum.
The richness of this, as a grazing county, was early recognized and is now duly appreciated. The area and luxuriance of our nutritious grasses have encouraged our people to deversify their in- dustry, and to make stock growing not only one of the leading. but a very profitable branch. A number of buyers make this a purchasing point, and thousands of cattle are driven to the Chicago and other markets spring and fall. Nor do our people show less sagacity in the improvement of of quality, many of the growers already dealing in none but the finest strains of blood,
Wool is becoming a highly important article of export, while in the matter of dairying, some estimate may be formed of its value from the fact that one shipper, at Albert Lea, alone sends off about 200,000 pounds of butter per annum.
POPULATION.
A census of the county taken in November, 1857, showed the population to be 2,486. That of 1875, the last wheih has been taken, aggregates our population at 13,171, showing a gain of about 47 per cent. in every five years.
TOWNSHIP RECORDS.
We have spent too much time in reviewing mat- ters pertaining to the county at large, to justify a critical examination of township organization and early settlement. The record, however, incomplete at best, could not be satisfactorily closed, without presenting a few of the prominent facts connected with their history.
At the Jannary session of the County Board, in 1858, London, Moscow, Newry, Carlston, Rice- land, Bath, and Manchester, were organized, though most of them under other names. Whether any official action was ever taken in re- gard to Albert Lea, Nunda, Shell Roek, and Geneva, is not clear, but it seems that their politi- cal status as towns was recognized even previous to this, and their representatives occupied promi- nent places in the couneils of the County Board. Various changes were made, and towns organized from this time until January, 1866, when the last one, Mansfield, assumed an independent govern- ment.
London was onganized under the name of Asher, thus conferring an honor upon one of her citizens of that name, now deceased. In June, 1858, the town was attached to Shell Rock for township purposes. In October following, it again assumed an independent organizetion, and changed its name to London, The first election was held at the house of H. B. Riggs.
Shell Rock occupies a high post of honor in many of the events of our early settlement. One of the first Commissioners, Wm. Andrews, was appointed from this town, and he became the first chairman of the County Board. It was here that the first schoolhouse was erected, June, 1857, in the district now known as 49. The building was a frame, also the first of the kind put up. Although the records do not support it, it is nevertheless believed that the first title to land was acquired in this town, by Clark Andrews, which occurred November 3, 1855. We have already mentioned the fact that here the first pat- riotie demonstration was made, as early as 1857, and we may add, that here also, the first suit was tried, being a ease of one Boulton against C. 'T. Knapp, before justice Andrews, in the spring of 1857, in which A. H. Bartlett appeared as attor- ney for both parties, and, as he admits, was beaten at last.
As already noticed, Shell Rock was the scene
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of the first election, November 4th, 1856, when the whole county constituted but one precinct, and 44 votes indicated nearly the total strength of our adult male population. George Gardner, William and Madison Rice, and Gardner Cottrell, were the first settlers and date their entry on the ' 9th of June, 1855.
Freeman, after its organization, was divided; the east half being attached to Shell Rock, aud the west half to Nunda, for township purposes. It was named in honor of the Freeman family. who were the first to move into the central por- tion of the town. In December, 1860, it was granted a separate organization, and the name changed to Green, but it nevertheless continued to be called by its first title and has ever been known as Freeman. This town is supposed to have re- ceived the first settler of the county, in the per- son of Ole Olenhouse, as early as the summer of 1854, who, also, is claimed to have erected the first house, in the same season.
Nunda was first known as Bear Lake, but was afterwards changed at the suggestion of Patrick Fitzsimmons, who was anxious to honor a favorite town in McHenry county, Ill. This town is watered by three important lakes. The first settler was Anthony Bright, who made his claim in the spring of 1856.
Twin Lake village, in the northern part. is a thriving town, having a mill, store, Post-office. hotel, etc. It was surveyed iuto lots as early as 1857. The long legal controversy between Wm. Banning and a Mr. Forbes, growing out of claims of each upon the millsite, will long be remembered by some of the old settlers.
Mansfield was early attached to Nunda for township purposes, and was the last in the county to ask for a separate organization. Its name was suggested by Geo. S. Ruble, now of Chattanooga. Tenn. John and Henry Tunell entered upon their claims in June, 1856, and were the first settlers.
Oakland was divided in Jan., 1858, and the north half attached to Moscow, while the south half was assigned to London for township pur- poses. In June following, when London became attached to Shell Rock, the County Board ordered that the whole of Oakland be attached to Moscow. then known as Guildford. In September, 1858, the town was granted an independent organiza-
tion. fts large area of oak openings suggested the name.
Hayward, so called in compliment to one of her citizens of that name, was, in January, 1858, divided into three parts. The northeast quarter of the town being assigned to Riceland, then known as Beardsley; the northwest to Albert Lea, and the south half to Shell Rock. In Sep- tember following, the town was granted a separate orgamzation. At a subsequent session of the County Board, the name was changed to Dong- lass, in honor of the distinguished Illinois Senator, of that period. At the same meeting the southern tier of sections was set off to Shell Rock for township purposes.
In September, 1859. these sections were set back to the control of the town, and the name again changed from Douglass to Hayward. The first settler was Wm. Andrews, who located in the summer of 1855, but afterwards moved across the line into Shell Rock.
Albert Lea is the shire and central town. It is located between two picturesque lakes, and was named in honor of the distinguished explorer previously mentioned. It was first settled in July, 1855, by Lorenzo Merry, who took the first claim, did the first breaking, erected the first house, and opened the first hotel. St. Nicholas, in the southern part of the town, was at one time a village of considerable importance, and aspired to the county seat. Nothing now remains of the village, and the land has been converted into a stock farm.
The report of the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company for 1875, shows that the revenue of this station, as well as the amount of freight received and forwarded, is largely in excess of any other town upon the entire line of the road.
Pickerel Lake was attached to Albert Lea for township purposes, in 1858. In the following year, it was voted a separate organization. In October, 1860, it was attached to Manchester for election purposes, but afterwards became a part of Albert Lea, and remained so until September, 1865, when the citizens petitioned for an inde- pendent government, which was granted. The name of the fine lake within its borders, first suggested that of the town. Charles and William +Vilder and A. D. Pinkerton located in the summer of 1855, and were the first settlers.
Alden was attached to Pickerel Lake for town-
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ship purposes, in Jan. 1858, but in October, 1860, it was detached, and made a part of Carlston. In September following a singular entry appears upon the record, showing that the Board granted a petition to detach Alden from Albert Lea, and attach it to Carlston. How it became separated from Carlston, after its connection of the previous year, or how it became part of Albert Lea, with Pickerel Lake intervening, the record is silent. In the absence of further light, we presume it to be an error. In March, 1866, the town was granted a separate organization.
The village of Alden is located upon the Southern Minnesota Railroad, ten miles west of Albert Lea, and is second in size in the county. The station reports show, also, that it is second in importanee in the receipt and shipment of freights.
Moscow is one of the towns of distinguished prominence in the settlement, organization, and early political history of the county. S. N. Frisbie was one of the three first Commissioners. Dr. Watson, also a citizen of this town, was not only one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1857, but enjoyed the honor of a seat in the State Senate for the first three terms. The Rev. S. G. Lowry, also of this town, may be regarded as the pioneer elergyman, and for years answered calls, pieking his trackless way to all parts of the county.
A heavy body of timber, on section seventeen, was long previous known as the Moscow woods, and this suggested to the early settlers the name of the town, which so continued until its organiza- tion, when it took the name of Guildford, but in June, 1858, it was again changed to its original title. A colony, consisting of Thomas R. Morgan, Nathan Hunt, Robt. Spear, and Thos. Ellis, made the first settlement, on the 30th of May, 1855.
Riceland was organized under the name of Beardsley, in honor of Sam. Beardsley, one of the first settlers; but in October, 1858, it was ehanged to its present name, at the suggestion of Isaae Baker, who was then on the County Board. Shortly after settlement, a small tract was survey- ed into town lots, under the name of Fairfield, but it never acquired the dignity of a village. Ole C. Oleson and Ole Hanson located in August, 1856, and were the first settlers.
Baneroft village had its origin in what was known as the St. Paul Land Company, of which
W. N. Oliver was agent. Afterwards, by gener- al eonsent, the name was applied to the whole township. To far as we can learn, this town has the honor of having ereeted the second school- house in the county, which was done in the fall of 1857, by the district now known as No. 20.
The village of Baneroft was a sharp rival for the county seat in 1857, and at that time a place of considerable importanee, having a newspaper. store, saw-mill, and other evidences of busy life, all of which has since disappeared.
Manchester was first known by the name of Oldburg, but was christened Buckeye at its or- ganization. In May, 1858, it was changed to Liberty. Finally, in October fallowing, at the suggestion of Mathias Anderson, it was changed to Manchester, in honor of a place of the same name in Illinois, where Mr. A. had previously lived. S. S. Skitf entered this town in June, 1856 as the first settler.
Carlston was organized in January, 1858, under the name of Stanton, ont of respect to Elias Stan- ton, who had already suffered amputation on ae- count of frost-bitten feet, and who died of the same in the spring following. After its organiza- tion it was attached to Freeborn for township purposes. In June, 1858, the name was changed to Springfield, and in October following to Groton. In September, 1859, the citizens asked for a seperate organization, which was granted, and the name changed to Carlston. This name was finally agreed npon, in respect to the memory of a distinguished Swede of that name, who set- tled in that town in an early day, and who was drowned in Freeborn lake. Robert H. Miller was the first settler, and located in August, 1855.
Newry was first named Seward, as a mark of respect to the distinguished Senator from New York, and at the same time, January, 1858, was attached to Geneva for township purposes. In October following, the name was changed to Union, and the town granted a separate organiza- tion. In the early part of 1859, the namo was again changed to Dover, but from some cause this proved to be unsatisfactory to the State Auditor, and upon his recommendation another change took place, which resulted in adopting the present name.
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Geneva was among the prominent towns in or- ganizing the early affairs of the county. E. C. Stacy, one of her citizens, was among the three
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first County Commissioners, and by them was ap- pointed the first Probate Judge. He was also elected a delegate to the Constitutional Conven- tion, to which we have already referred. It was also upon his suggestion that the town was named Geneva, in remembrance of Geneva, N. Y., for which pleasant recollections were entertained. The village of Geneva, situated upon the bank of a beautiful lake of that name, is a town of consid- erable prominence. Milton Morey was the first settler, locating in the fall of 1855.
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