USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 72
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WILLIAM KELLAR, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on the 24th of December, 1820. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Edgar county, Illinois, where he resided until 1842, when, through publie excitement, he was attract- ed to the lead mines of Wisconsin. In 1844, he , returned to his old home in Illinois, where, on the 15th of February, he was married to Miss Eliza- beth C. Kies, which union has been blessed with three children. He immediately took up his resi- dence in Grant county, where he remained until the spring of 1856, when he took a elaim in sec- tion seventeen in this township, erecting a log dwelling. The first religions meeting ever held in this vieinity took place in his honse in May, 1857, conducted by Rev. Mr. Phelps, a Methodist. In 1864, Mr. Kellar enlisted in Company C, of the
First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, serving until the close of the war.
W. H. LOWE, one of the early settlers of this eonnty, is a native of the Empire State, born in the eity of New York on the 16th of October, 1832. When he was four years old he moved with his parents to Huron county, Ohio, and in 1851 went to Lawrence, Kansas. He soon returned to his home, and in a short time eame to Hastings, where he learned the carpenter's trade and resided two years. In 1854 he settled in this place and work- at his trade. He was united in marraige on the 4th of November, 1860, to Miss Rhoda A. Baker, and the result of the union is five children. Mr. Lowe enlisted in 1862, in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company E, and served three years, the two latter as First Sergeant. After his discharge he returned to Albert Lea, and worked at his trade until 1867, then bought a farm and has sinee devoted his time to its cultivation.
ISAAC W. MCREYNOLDS, one of the pioneers of the county, is a native of North Carolina, born on the 4th of February, 1806. In 1816 he moved with his parents to Jefferson county. Indiana, where they resided on a farm three years, then went to Bond county, Illinois. In 1827 Isaae came to Grant county, Wisconsin, and was engaged in farming and mining there until coming to this place in 1856. He took a elaim in section seven, and has sinee made it his home. The maiden name of his wife was Naney Sparks, who has borne him seven children, four of whom are living.
OLE O. STIVE was born in Norway on the 7th of May, 1842. He came with his parents to America in 1850, settled in Dane County, Wisconsin, until 1853, then moved to Winineshiek county, Iowa. They came to this county in 1857, and located in Baneroft, where Ole resided with his parents until 1859, when he returned to Wisconsin and worked in the pineries. On the 13th of May, 1861, he enlisted in the Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served four years and three months. He then returned to his home and lived with his par- ents until 1868, when he married Miss Ingeborg G. Bottolfson on the 20th of December. They have had seven children, six of whom are living. In 1873 they bought a farm in Albert Lea town- ship, and have sinee made it their home
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ALDEN TOWNSHIP.
ALDEN.
CHAPTER LV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT- TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT-STATISTICAL-POST- OFFICES-EDUCATIONAL-ALDEN VILLAGE-BIO- GRAPHIOAL.
This lies in the western tier of Freeborn coun- ty's towns, and is separated from Iowa by one town. Its contiguous surroundings are, Carlston on the north; Pickerel Lake on the east; Mans- field or the south, and Faribault county on the west. It is constituted as originally surveyed by the United States officers, of thirty-six square miles, and contains 23,040 acres, of which the greater portion is under a high state of cultiva- tion, being one of the richest farming towns in this part of the State, and containing as much real value.
It is a prairie town, containing little if any timber of any kind within its borders. In the central and southeastern part we find some marsh land, but this is all valuable, if not for tillage purposes, for hay and grazing, while it is all most valuable meadow land. The farmers are so ad- vanced in their modes and procedures of agricul- ture that those lands, formerly too wet for raising grain, has, by the use of drains and ditches, all been brought under the plow, and is now among the best of farming land. There are but few streams in the town, and no lakes.
The soil, as a rule, and in fact almost through- out the entire town, is a rich dark loam, of from three to four feet deep, which is underlaid with a subsoil of clay. It is very rich and well adapted to the crops of this latitude, such as wheat, corn, oats, barley, and all cereals. The abundant growth of indigneons grasses which covers the broad expanse of prairie, makes stock raising not only an inexpensive but very profitable business, and already many of the farmers are turning their attention from grain, and making stock their prin-
cipal industry. The creameries, which are spring ing into existence all through this part of the State, serve to encourage and make this change more universal. It has already been demonstrat- ed, as an article published elsewhere will show, that the hopes and expectations of those who thus change from grain to stock are not unfounded; but that there is a great deal more money made with less risk of capital, and one-half the work in taking care of stock, than is required to raise grain at customary prices.
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, but the changes wrought have been equal to any and surpassed by none; for, we find the township, by a glance at the statistical returns, as productive and rich, agriculturally, as the best.
As to who the first settlers were, there is some dispute here, and the means are not easy of access with which to prove any of the statements. A short sketch, purporting to be the history of the township, was published in 1877, which we here- with present. It is as follows:
"John Hauek entered this town in the spring of 1858, and is supposed to have been the first set- tler. He also erected the first house in the sum - mer of that year. John Tirrel was the first mer- chant, and commenced business in the winter 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
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
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 Super- visors, and E. P. Clark acted as Clerk."
The above, it is said, was gathered by corres- pondence, and as stated, errors are liable to creep in, so we do not vouch for it, but give it just as received by us through the newspapers.
It is pretty certain that the first farm settled upon in the town was in section two, by Walter Scott Russell, in the spring of 1858. He was a young man, coming from Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen, and the same summer broke three acres of land and "erected" a dug-out in the side of a hill, in which he took up his abode. In a short time he returned to Wisconsin for his father and fam- ily, whom he had left there, and brought them back with him. He remained upon his second trip only a short time, when he sold his claim and removed to parts unknown.
John Hanek (or Houck ) was the next arrival, making his appearance in the summer of the same year, and taking a farm in the northern part of the township, in section one, where, it is said, he erected the first house, and opened a farm. He remained a few years and then removed, his where- abouts at present being a mystery, to us at least. Mr. A. G. Hall purchased and still owns the farm.
With this the settlement of the town remained rather quiescent for a time, and the next pioneer to make a claim was James Rundel, in October, 1860, in section two, but we cannot find where he came from, as he died not long after his arrival. The place he took is now owned by a Mr. Dunning, of Chicago, Ill.
Elisha Davis came by team from Wisconsin, and arrived here in 1862, building a sod house on the claim which he selected in section five. He remained here until the year 1877, when he sold out and went to Valley county, Nebraska.
Joseph W. Harrington, a native of Illinois, came to Alden in 1863, and in the spring of that year took a homestead in section twelve, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to the vil- lage and remained there until the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. He was among the prominent men of this locality.
Moses Cheesebrough, 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 seven, for a number of years, but finally went to Nebraska.
William B. Humes came to Minnesota in 1864, locating first in Pleasant Grove, where he remain- ed for five years; then came to Alden township and homesteaded a place in section one. He was the first Justice of the Peace elected in the town- ship.
James Whitehead was another arrival in 1864, coming from Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen and locating in section three, 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 Wisconsin, with a team of horses, and settling in section nine erected a house of two logs and a pile of sod. He remained here for about seventeen years, when he removed to other fields.
A. G. Hall arrived in 1865, in the spring, com- ing from McGregor, Iowa, to Alden, with horse teams, and being twenty-four days on the road. Shortly after his arrival he bought out the claim of John Houck, in section one, where he remained until the village of Alden was projected, and then went to that place and crected the first building there. He was the first chairman of Supervisors of the town, and is now a prominent man in pub- lic affairs.
In 1865, the Rev. O. P. Hull made his arrival from Wisconsin, and secured a home in sections eight and seventeen, where he erected a house and barn and remained a number of years, then returned to Wisconsin, where he lived until within a few years, when the grim messenger of death called him hence.
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.
In earlier days the township of Alden was con- nected with adjoining townships for local govern- mental purposes, and therefore, as a separate organization, its era does not commence until late in the sixties.
The records show that the first town meeting was held at the house of E. P. Clark, in section four, on the 3d of April, 1866. The meeting
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ALDEN TOWNSHIP.
came to order by the selection of A. G. Hall, chairman, and proceeded to business. It was then resolved, by unanimous 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 build- iug 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 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; Consta- bles, Ebenezer Brown and Heury S. Davis. The number of votes cast was twenty-two.
The official business of the township has been conducted in a frugal and business-like manner, with no jars to disturb the usual tranquility of such matters, and uo useless waste or expenditure of public funds. The officers elected and serving _in 1882 are as follows: Supervisors, Thomas Dunn, chairman, S. S. Skiff, and A. H. Stevens; Clerk, J. T. Johnson; Assessor, J. W. Peck; Treasurer, T. W. Wilson; Justices of the Peace, H. Babbitt and A. G. Hall; Constables, O. M. Woodruff and W. A. Hart.
STATISTICAL.
We have here grouped together, from various sources, a complete crop cultivation and produc- tion report of Alden, together with various other items that will be of interest and value to those who wish to know the extent to which the rich and productive soil of the prairies is utilized; and while it will be undoubtedly dry to those who are reading for pastime rather than information, we hope it will interest a majority sufficient to repay us for the labor incident to collecting such mat- ter.
FOR THE YEAR 1881 .- Giving the acreage and the amount produced, of the various crops in the township of Alden:
Wheat-3,659 acres, yielding 38,791 bushels. Oats-959 acres, yielding 26,497 bushels.
Corn-1,226 acres, yielding 34,530 bushels. Barley -- 210 acres, yielding 4,095 busbels. Rye-3 acres, yielding 35 bushels.
Buckwheat-10 acres, yielding 102 acres. Potatoes-35 acres, yielding 4,381 bushels. Beans-314 acres, yielding 14 bushels.
Sugar cane- 634 acres, yielding 699 gallons. Cultivated hay-32 acres, yielding 29 tons.
Flax-259 acres, yielding 2,359 bushels.
Total acreage cultivated in the town in the year 1881, 6,401.
Wild bay gathered-2,359 tons.
Bushels of timothy seeded, 70.
Apple trees-growing, 1,368; bearing 81,
yielding 11 bushels.
Grape vines -- 3, yielding 40 pounds.
Sheep-205 sheared, yielding 1,198 pounds of wool.
Dairy-259 cows, yielding (about) 23,000 pounds of butter and 4,000 pounds of cheese.
FOR THE YEAR 1882 .- It being at this writing too early to get returns as to the amount of pro- ductions, we are only able to give the acreage for 1882, with other information, as follows:
Wheat, 2,732 acres; Oats, 1,183; Corn, 2,059; Barley, 298; Buckwheat, 16; Potatoes, 85}; Beans, 23; Sugar cane, 534; Cultivated hay, 81 ; Flax, 306. Total acreage cultivated in 1882, 6,7683.
Apple trees-growing, 1,521, bearing, 96.
Grape vines bearing, 3.
Milch cows-296.
Sheep-242 head, yielding 1,261 pounds of wool.
Whole number of farms reported for 1881, 102.
Forest trees-planted in 1882. 103 acres; num- ber of acres planted and growing, 20212.
POPULATION .- The census taken in 1870 gives the township a population of 381. At the last census, taken in 1880, the village of Alden is re- ported as having a population of 235, and the town 475; total 710.
POST-OFFICES.
The first Post-office established in the township was called Buckeye. It was originally in the township of Manchester, with James E. Smith as Postmaster, and named in honor of the pet cogno- men of the native State of the Postmaster, at whose house, in section thirty, in Manchester, the office was kept. In 1860, S. B. Smith was ap- pointed Postmaster, and the mail came by way of the Mankato and Otronto, Iowa, route, under the supervision of A. L. Davis, who carried the mail by team. In 1866, the office was removed from Manchester to Alden township, and A. G. Hall was made mail handler. In 1870 the office was
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
discontinued, having been removed to the village while Mr. Hall was awaiting the action of the de- partment upon his resignation.
In 1867 Alden Post-ofliee was established with E. P. Clark as Postmaster, and office upon his farm. When the village of Alden commenecd building up it was removed to that point, and in 1870, A. G. Hall, who had removed from his farm to the village, was appointed to handle the mails, and continued in this capacity for about four years, when L. S. Crandall was commissioned and held it until 1877, when L. T. Walker received the appointment and is still the incumbent, with the office at "Walker's Store."
EDUCATIONAL.
DISTRICT No. 40 .- Effected an organization in 1867, and in 1868 erected a schoolhouse in the southeastern corner of section ten. The first ofli- cers were: William Townsend, Clerk; George Lar- man, Treasurer; and Harrington Austin, Director. The first school was taught by Miss Maxson, for $15 per month. and boarding "round." with eleven scholars present. The last term of school was taught by Miss Lena Patrick, with about twenty- three scholars to answer the roll call; her com- pensation was $25 per month, and board, the lat- ter to be received among the scholars' parents.
DISTRICT No. 70 .- A meeting was held on the 28th of March, 1865, at the house of O. T. Hull, at which the organization of the district was effected by the election of the following othicers: Director, N. L. Bassett; Treasurer, O. T. Hull: Clerk, E. F. Clark. The first school in the neigh- borhood was taught at the house of Mr. Russell Maxson in the fall of 1868, by Ada Bassett, with nine scholars present. The first instruction given in the schoolhouse was by Angelia Langdon, in the spring of 1869, with eightcen scholars pres- ent, and for $12 per month. The house was erected in the winter of 1868-69, size 18x26, at a cost of $600, in the northwest corner of section seventeen. The last term of school was taught by Isabella Bickford; attendance, twenty-three pupils.
DISTRICT No. 80 .- Embraces as its territory the northeastern part of Alden, and extends over the town line into Carlston. The first and organizing meeting was held at the residenee of Ira Russell, on the 24th of Angust, 1866, and the following were the first officers elected: Director, Ira Rus- sell; Treasurer, William B. Humes; Clerk, James
H. Whitehead. In 1869 their schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $600, in the northeastern corner of section two, being a neat frame build- ing, 16x24, with patent seats. The first school in this house was taught by E. J. Russell, with nine scholars present; the last was taught by Emma Allen to an enrollment of twenty-three pupils, for $25 per month.
DISTRICT NO. 81 .- The first meeting was held at the house of S. T. Brown, on the 26th of March, 1869, at which the district was organized and the following officers elected: A. H. Stevens, Direct- or; I. A. Blackman, Clerk; F. F. Blackman, Treas- urer. The sum of $400 was voted for the purpose of constructing a schoolhouse, and the following summer it was erected at a cost of $500, size 22x28 feet, in the southwestern part of section twenty- seven, being equipped with patent seats and all necessary apparatus. The first school was taught in a sod house in section twenty seven, in the summer of 1869, by Olivia Burdick. and after this there were three terms taught in the same primi- tive structure.
DISTRICT No. 89 .- Embraces the territory in the southeastern part of the town, with its school- house in the southwestern part of section twenty- five. The district etfeeted an organization at a meeting held at the residence of H. Babbitt, in the winter of 1869-'70. In the following spring a honse was erected, size 16x20 feet, in which Dette Stillman taught the first term of school as soon as completed, to an attendance of twelve pupils, for $12 per month. In 1874, the school structure now in use was built, at a cost of $250. The last term was taught by Chester Maywood, for $23 per month, and an average attendance of twenty- three juveniles.
DISTRICT No. 93 .- This district embraces the territory known as the Alden District, with a schoolhouse in the village of Alden. The school- house was erected in the summer of 1875, size 20x40 feet, two stories high, with two rooms, and cost about $2,300. The first school was taught by George Miller in 1876, for $45 per month, with fitty-seven scholars in attendance. The last term was taught by L. W. Bassett, with forty-one scholars present, and the teacher received $50 per month as compensation for his services.
VILLAGE OF ALDEN.
This is the only village in the town, and is among the prosperous "villas" in the county. It
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ALDEN TOWNSHIP.
is located in the northern part of the town whose name it bears, on the southern Minnesota branch of the C., M. & St. Paul railroad, about ten miles from Albert Lea, the county seat, and is surround- ed by the most valuable farming land in the coun- ty. A small body of water covering about five acres of land lies adjoining the town, but there is no stream or, in fact, any water, near the village, as the water mentioned is merely a pond.
EARLY SETTLEMENT .- In this line the village has not a history like the other villages in the county ; no fighting or jobbery for the county seat; nor any squabbling for railway connection with the outer world, as it came into existence after the railroad had passed through.
It was laid out and platted by William Morin and H. W. Holley; the former of Albert Lea and the latter of Winnebago City. After a short time Mr. Morin purchased the interest of Mr. Holley, and still retains the greater part of the property. The first business of any kind opened on the vil- lage site was the Post-othce, which A. G. Hall moved from his place in section one. This was only con- tinued for a short time, while the Post-master was waiting for his resignation to be acted upon by the department.
The first actual business establishment was started about the time of the arrival of the rail- road, in 1869, by a Mr. Terrill, who opened a stock of general merchandise, together with hot drinks, beer, etc. He shortly after took into partnership J. H. Sherwood, who, in a few months, purchased the entire establishment, and continued it until he failed, about two years later.
A. G. Hall erected the first residence in the vil- lage, just prior to the opening of this store.
The station was commenced by the railroad company, and by the first of January, 1870, the track was completed to the village.
Next came the business house of George Whit- man. Holley & Morin erected a store building, which was rented to Mr. Whitman, and he moved a stock of general merchandise in the building and placed the same in charge of Joseph Green and Victor Gilrnp. This store was finally moved to Delavau and succumbed to financial difficulties.
Dell Miller fell into the line of progress, and erecting a suitable shop, commenced blowing the bellows and hammering the anvil. He ran the shop for about a year, when he was called away to the eternal shore.' The shop has been used for vari- 1
ous purposes, but is now in use as a dwelling house.
Arthur Grigg came about the same time and opened a blacksmith shop, which he continued for some time, and finally it beeame the property of the present manipulator of the iron, N. S. Cromett.
Soon afterward, L. T. Walker and a Mr. Ken- yon started a general merchandise store under the firm name of Walker & Co. Mr. Kenyon died a few years afterward, and Mr. Walker for a time was in partnership with a Mr. Paulson, under the same firm name; but, financial difficulties, in the hard times, involved the firm, and business was finally discontinned. It was, however, afterwards re-opened, and now carries a light stock, with the Post-office in connection.
About the time that the above establishment originated, A. G. Hall, who is mentioned as really having been the first resident of the village, erect- ed a store building in connection with his dwell- ing house, and opened up a large stock of general merchandise, which he still continues, with a large and increasing trade. A few years after this es- tablishment was started, Mr. Hall took into part- nership with him, his son, and in this manner the firm continued until 1877, when the sad death of the young man occurred, and the father continues it alone.
Shortly afterward, H. N. Burnham purchased the old Whitman building and opened a general merchandise store, which herun for two years and then closed out, Later on Charles Pfeffer started a store in the same building which he still con- tinues.
Armstrong & Wheelock opened a store here, but were finally closed out and they disappeared.
H. B. Collins was the first lawayer in the village, and about one year ago opened a general mer- chandise store, which he still continues with a good trade add heavy stock.
At an early day a man named R. D. Barber, calling himself a doctor, located in the village and commenced "peddling pills." He remained less than a year, as he was very unpopular, and then left, locating at some point in the southwestern part of the State, where he again made himself odious by transporting an own brother, whom he insisted was crazy, to the Insane Asylum, and then charged an enormous bill for the labor of so doing. The bill was paid but gave him the reputation he deserves. His whereabouts at pres-
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