USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 74
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The first death of a matured person was the de- mise of Margaret Horning, in April, 1859. Her remains were deposited in the graveyard at Al- bert Lea.
OAK HILL RELIGIOUS SERVICES .- Meetings of various denominations have been held in this lo- cality ever since its early settlement, in private houses and the schoolhouse. In 1858, services were held by an itinerant preacher, Rev. Mr. Adams. Rev. Mr. Lowry, or, as he was usually called, Father Lowry, held services here at an early day also.
ITASCA CEMETERY .- This burial ground is locat- ed in the southwestern part of section thirty-one,
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
on the farm of A. M. Burnham. In 1861, Samuel Henderson, a resident of Piekerel 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. Buruham, and the site does jus- tice to her taste, as it is a beautiful spot. She also selected the last resting place that her re- mains now occupy.
OAK HILL GRANGE .- This society was instituted on the 7th of July, 1873, with the following char- ter members:
Messrs. Geo. H. Prescott, M. Frost, J. C. Frost, Asa Ward, William H. Long, D. Prescott, H. R. Loomis, Hans Nelson, J. Ward, Clark H. Dills, Peter Peterson, Charles Peterson; Mesdames Fan- nie M. Prescott, Nancy Frost, H. E. Prescott, Jen- ny M. Frost, Helen E. Ward, Eliza Long, E. H. Prescott, Nancy Loomis, Emma Ward, and Maria Dills.
The first officers elected were as follows: Henry Loomis, Master; George H. Prescott, Overseer; William H. Long, Lecturer; Charles Dills, Stew- ard; J. C. Frost, Assistant Steward; Asa Ward, Chaplain; Clark H. Dills, Secretary; Hans Nelson, Treasurer; Harriet E. Prescott, Ceres; Nancy Frost, Flora; Emma Ward, Pomona; C. S. Pres- cott, Gate Keeper.
The onler is now in a flourishing condition, having abont twenty-seven members. During the summer months meetings are held the first Satur- day in each month, and in the winter once every two weeks, in Frost's hall in section eight.
On the 7th of March, 1876, a corporation was formed and shares of stock issued at $5 each, for the purpose of establishing a grange store. The undertaking was a success, and a store was started with about $500 capital, and continued under the management of directors until 1881, when Daniel Prescott purchased the establishment and still runs it. The dividends declared, while under the managemant of the grange, amounted to 10 per cent. upon the capital invested.
The present officers of the order are as follows: Clark H. Dills, Master; J. C. Frost, Overseer; H. E. Nielson, Lecturer; H. Ward, Steward; Daniel Prescott, Assistant Steward; Fannie Prescott, Chap- lain ; Charles Dills, Treasurer; George H. Prescott, Secretary; H. Frost, Gate Keeper; Mary Dills,
Ceres; Naney Frost, Pomena; Anna Nielson, Flora; Adella Dills,
OFFICIAL RECORD.
The first meeting in the township for the pur- pose of effecting the organization of Bancroft, was held on the 11th of May, 1858, at the house of Ole Olson. The meeting came to order by the appointment of N. H. Elliekson, Chairman; W. N. Oliver. Moderator, and J. M. Clark, Clerk. E. D. Porter and Gardner Frost were elected over- seers of roads, and a resolution was then adopted declaring that all cattle, mules, and horses, except stallions 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; Overseer of Poor, Henry Loomis; Justices of the Peace, S. Hansen and S. S. Watson; Constables, H. Bedells and R. G. Franklin.
For several years the annual meetings were held at the store in Bancroft (now the county Poor Farm); at present they are held in the residence of Ole Gulbrandson, in section sixteen.
The present officers of the township are as fol- lows: Supervisors, M. E. Hewett, Chairman, Ole Narveson, and Andrew Barlow; Clerk, Eriek Johnsrud; Treasurer, N. Sandburg; Assessor, A. O. Moen; Justices of the Peace, E. K. Pickett and C. Nelsen: Constables, C. H. Dills and T. B. English.
EMBRYOTIO VILLAGES.
BANCROFT VILLAGE .-- In the fall of 1856, a vil- lage was platted under this name in sections twenty-eight and twenty-nine, which figured high in the contest for the county seat, as narrated elsewhere.
Thomas Edgar erected the first store. in the spring of 1857, and put in a stock of goods. This building was removed to Austin in 1859.
The first building put up on the village site was a shanty erected just previons to the store, in 1857, by W. N. Oleson. He had first lived in a "dug-ont," to which he brought his wife, but finally gave up this mode of life and became civ- ilized. Oleson brought his wife from Shell Rock on a hand sled, as the snow was so deep.
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BANCROFT TOWNSHIP.
A steam saw mill was moved to the village from Hastings by the Town Site Company, which was set up and operated by B. F. Ross and Addison Caswell. The cost of the mill was about $2,500, it occupying a building 20x40, and for two years the mill kept piling up the sawdust of hard wood: but, alas! the entire concern was finally, in 1859, sold for taxes.
The Town Site Company commenced, soon after, the erection of a hotel, by digging a cellar; but this was a failure and was given up.
A saloon was started by a Swede named Peter- son, which had a brief existence.
A newspaper was next started by David Blake- ly, under the flaming banner of the "Bancroft Pioneer," which, for a few short months, distribu- ted its newsy wares among its limited number of subscribers. Mr. Blakely is a native of Vermont, and is now the Minneapolis editor of the "Pioneer Press."
A Post-office was also established, which has since been removed to Itasca, although it still bears the name of Bancroft.
When the county seat matter was settled, all hopes of the village amounting to anything van- ished, and the lots which were purchased were afterward sold for taxes, and in 1870, Freeborn county bought the entire property, and it is now used as the County Poor Farm.
ITASCA VILLAGE .- The land where this village had its rise and decline was taken under the gov- ernment laws. in 1855, by C. C. Colby and Samuel Batchetder. In the winter following the idea of a village was conceived and carried out by the platting and recording of Itasca, C. C. Colby be- ing the surveyor. The scene was laid in section thirty-one of Bancroft, about the little body of water called by the same name as the village.
A newspaper was started here by Dr. Burhnam, with a finely equipped office, and the doctor en- gaged a man to run it for him.
Soon after the preliminary steps were taken, a man named Dunbar, started a store by putting in a very limited stock of goods. A Fost-office was established with C. C. Corby as Postmaster, and mail wss received regularly. The name of this ollice was "Freeborn Springs" and prior to its es- tablishment the citizens were obliged to go as far as Osage, Iowa. for mail matter. After a time the office was changed to Bancroft, and Mr. Josh.
Dunbar was made Postmaster. The store was continued for many years.
In 1857 Pres. Hall and James Longworth star- ted a store which they ran for a few years, making a profit, such as buying calico for 11 cents and selling it for 63 cents per yard.
Dr. Burnham arrived at an early day, got & large farm and erected thereon a $7,500 house, hauling the tumber by water from Shell Rock; coming up the Shell Rock river and thence by way of the lake. The energetic doctor had a little brig, called "Itasca," built, which continued to ply up and down the water for a number of years. Through him a number buildings were erected, and his energy enbued life into the whole locality; but all was of no avail.
As soon as the county seat was settled the inter- est in the village began to wane, the stores pulled out one by one, for pastures green, and the village now lives only in the memories of those who were connected with it in its brief career.
EDUCATIONAL MEDIUMS.
DISTRICT No. 20 .- Was originally organized in 1857, as a part of District No. 9, and a log house was soon afterwards erected in which Mary Pres- cott taught the first school to an attendance of about twenty-five pupils. The first officers were Messrs. Ole Stuga, Daniel Prescott, and A. Loomis. In 1859, it was made a part of District No. 2, and three years later, in 1862, it was reor- ganized under its present number. The school- house now in use was erected in 1875, in the south - east corner of section five, size 24x30, furnished with patent seats, and cost about $1,000. The present officers are: Director, Asa Ward; Treas- urer, G. H. Prescott; Clerk, W. H. Long; the lat- ter officer having held that position for twenty years. The last term of school was taught by Miss Eva Loomis, with an an attendance of forty- four scholars.
DISTRICT No. 24 -Effected an organization in 1862, the first meeting being held at the residence of Knute Tolloftson, on the 19th of April of that year, and the following officers were elected : Direc- tor, Lars Johnson : Treasurer, G. J. Johnson ; Clerk, Knute Totloftson. A log house was at once erec- ted, 16x16 feet, at a cost of $150, which lasted until the year 1881 when the present school struc- ture was built, occupying a place in the north- western part of section twenty-six, size 20x26 feet,
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
at a cost of $600, being supplied with patent seats and improved furniture. The first school was taught in 1863, by Lida Hewitt. it is elaimed with thirty pupils in attendance. and she received the sum of $45 for her services for two months.
DISTRICT No. 58 was organized in 1863, and on 10th of April, that year, the first meeting was held, at which officers were elected as follows: Clerk, Andrew Bottelson; Director, B. Frost; Treasurer, John Hermanson. This meeting was held at the residence of Benjamin Frost in section nineteen. The first school commenced on the 9th day of May, 1863, with sixteen scholars present, in the back room of A. Bottelson's house, with Miss Mary Frost teacher, she receiving $1.50 per week. The log shoolhouse was finished in 1864. The present officers are: Director, Erick Attleson; Treasurer, O. G. Bottelson; Clerk. A. Bottelson. The schoolhouse is located in section twenty.
DISTRICT No. 22-The first school in this dis- triet was taught by Mrs. Margaret Fitzgerald, in her husband's house in section twenty-six in the summer of 1860, for $1.50 per week. The dis- trict was organized at a meeting held in the spring of the year at the same place. The first office.s were Ole Narveson, J. Fitzgerald, and D. N. Ostrander. A log schoolhouse was rolled to- gether by subscription, which lasted until 1872, when the present schoolhouse was erected in the northwestern corner of section twenty-six, being a frame building. 20x30 feet, and cost about $700.
DISTRICT No. 23 .- Effected an organization in 1861, the first meeting being held at the house of William English, in the fall of 1860. The same gentleman donated a site, and a schoolhouse was secured and moved upon it in 1862. The present schoolhouse was ereeted in 1874, on the southeast quarter of seetion two, at a cost of about $1,200, size 18x26 feet, equipped with patent seats for sixty pupils. The last term of school was taught by Anna English for $25 per month, with thirty - five scholars present. The officers at the present writing are Thomas D. English, H. L. Oleson, and O. Nelson.
DISTRICT No. 107 .- Is one of the younger dis- tricts of the county, having effeeted an organiza- tion in 1878. The first meeting was held at the residence of Daniel Peterson, and officers elected as follows: John Slater, Director; I. Hammer, Clerk; and O. O. Styve, Treasurer. A school- house was soon afterward erected in the southern
part of seetion thirty-three, at a cost of $770. The first school was taught in the winter of 1879, by Ella Slater. The last term was instrueted by Grace Slater, with thirty-one scholars present, and her compensation was $25 per month.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ANDREW BOTTELSON, one of the first settlers in this place, was horn in Norway on the 22d of May, 1833. At the age of twenty he emigrated to America, residing in Illinois for one year, and in November, 1855, eame to Bancroft, pre-empting one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty- nine. He devotes his entire time to the cultiva- tion of bis farm; has been a member of the board of Supervisors four years, and is a member of the Freeborn ebureh. He was united in marriage on the 22d of March, 1860, to Miss Irene Iverson, and they have four children.
EUGENE CHAMBERLAIN is a native of New York, born on the 25th of December, 1857. He eame west with his parents when seven years old, and they located in Manchester, where Eugene run a ditehing machine for some time after reaching maturity. He was married in 1880, to Miss Fan- nie Reynolds, and the following spring came to Bancroft, having sinee devoted his time to agricul- tural pursuits.
JACOB C. FROST was born in Ohio on the 9th of April, 1841. He removed with his parents to Walworth county, Wisconsin, when six years old. and in 1856, eame to Itasca, in this township. Jacob resided with his parents until 1861, when he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry under Captain White; was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and participated in twenty battles, receiving his discharge after a service of three years and ten months. After his return to this place he purchased a farm in section nine, which contains two hundred and eighteen aeres; built a residenee, and has sinee made it his home. He was married on the 17th of Mareb, 1864, to Miss Jennie Gibson, and the issue of the union is five children.
MAHLAN L. FROST, one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of Ohio, born on the 20th of September, 1838. He came with his parents to Baneroft in 1856, and took a claim in section thirty, but resided with his parents until enlisting on the 9th of October, 1861, in Company F, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was in the army three years and three months,
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BANCROFT TOWNSHIP.
coming home on furlough in 1862, and then married Miss Nancy E. Ward, daughter of J. Ward, one of the pioneers of the place, and formerly from Pennsylvania. After Mr. Frost's return from the army he bought land in section eight, and now has a well improved farm of three hundred acres, with good house, barn, ete. He has three chil- dren.
PETER FINTON is a native of Ohio, born on the 23d of March, 1830. When young he learned the carpenter trade, and at the age of sixteen years moved with his parents to Indiana, where he was entployed at his trade. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Shaul in 1856. She was formerly from Logan county, Ohio. They moved to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1861. and in 1874, sold their farm there and went to Nebraska, but after a residence of nine months returned to Minnesota. He is the father of seven children. Mr. Finton was elected to the Legislature from Olmsted county in 1871 and '72; was Justice of the Peace fourteen years, and also a member of the board of Supervisors.
ERICK JOHNSRUD was born in Norway on the 27th of March, 1850, and emigrated with his father to America, locating in Green county, Wisconsin, in 1857. They resided in New Albany township three years and then came to this county, being pioneers of Hayward, where they lived three years and then removed to this township, locating in section thirteen. Erick bought the old homestead in 1879, and his parents live with him. He has held the office of Town Clerk since 1876. His brother, G. Johnsrud, was born on the 31st of March, 1841, and lived with his parents until enlisting in Company H, of the Sixteenth Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry. He served until receiving his discharge on the 3rd of March, 1865, after which he located a farm near his father's. He was married in 1866, to Miss Anna Johnson, who has borne him fivé children. He was appointed Post- master at Albert Lea in 1877, and held the office until 1880, since which time he has given his time to agricultural pursuits.
H. P. JENSEN was born in Denmark on the 31st of December, 1828. His father died when H. P. was six years old, and at an early age he assisted in the support of the family. He was converted, and in 1840 joined the Baptist Church. He was married in the fall of 1852, to Miss Christina Olson, who had joined the church in 1847. They
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have a family of five children. In the autumn of 1862, they came to America, located in Wisconsin and remained until the spring of 1864, when they removed to Freeborn county. Mr. Jensen owns a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, all of which is improved, containing a grove of orna- mental trees, and he also owns some very fine cattle and sheep. When the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was organized, in 1878, Mr. Jensen was appointed President, and still fills the office.
H. R. LOOMIS, one of the first settlers in the northern part of the township, is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, born ou the 12th of Octo- ber, 1828. He attended the district school, after which he was engaged in chopping wood in the Southern States for eight winters, returning home and assisting on the farm summers. In 1854, he visited California and worked in the mines two years with moderate success. In 1856, he came to Bancroft and took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which has since been his home, having now a good frame residence and well improved ground. He was married on the 4th of April, 1860, to Miss Mary Prescott. In 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany F, and at the expiration of his term, three years, re-enlisted in the same regiment and served till the close of the war, being promoted to the rank of brevet Second Lieutenant. He participated in nineteen engagements, although in the siege of Vicksburg, on the 22d of May, 1863, he was shot, a ball passing through his body. He is the father of five children.
HENRY N. OSTRANDER, one of the early settlers of this county, is a native of New York, born in Plattsburg on the 15th of October, 1824. When he was an infant his parents moved to Upper Can- ada, and in 1828, his mother died. His father soon after returned to New York, and Henry resided with him until the age of twenty-one years. He then went to Beekmantown and engaged in the coal and lumber business for three years. On the 22d of November, 1846, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Sarah A. Smith, also a native of New York. In June, 1849, they moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin; resided in town about four months and then moved on a farm in the western part of the county. On the 12th of June, 1859, Mr. Ostrander staked out a claim in section twenty-six, Bancroft, and has
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
since made it his home. He came here with four yoke of oxen, meeting with many difficulties. He has been a member of the school board most of the time since his residence here, and was Chair- man of the board of Supervisors five years, also was County Commissioner five years. He has had a family of eight children, six of whom are living; Hannah B., the eldest, was born on the 6th of June, 1852, and died on the 3rd of May, 1856; and the second, Eva E., was born on the 9th of May, 1854, and died on the 20th of March, 1878.
TOM OLESON was born in Norway in 1859, and resided in his native country until the age of eighteen years. He then emigrated to America, and eame directly to Minnesota; made his home in Houston county two years, and in the spring of 1879, found employment on the railroad in this county. He afterward lived in Albert Lea until the spring of 1882, when he came to this township and has since been engaged in farming.
E. K. PICKETT, one of the respected and old settlers of this place, was born in Alexander, Gene- see county, New York, on the 27th of September, 1828. When he was four years old his parents moved to Cattaraugus county, where he was brought up on a farm and received his education. He was married on the 4th of March, 1849, to Miss Philena A. Skiff. In 1850, he came to Wis- consin and settled in Sheboygan county, two years later moved to Waukesha county, where our subject worked at the carpenter trade three years. In 1855, he moved to Walworth county and in 1860, came to this township, settling in see- tion thirty-two, having driven the entire distance, bringing two span of horses and two wagons. In 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Minnesota Volum- teer Infantry, Company E; was soon after promoted Second Lieutenant and assigned to Company C, of the Tenth Regiment and served three years, until the close of the war, being with the company in every march and battle. Sinee coming here Mr. Pickett has worked at his trade a portion of the time. Of five children born to him, three are living.
GEORGE H. PRESCOTT was born in Maine on the 20th of January, 1829. He resided with his par- ents until the age of twenty-one years, then en- gaged in the milling business on the Ohio river, owning a saw and grist mill which he conducted five years. In 1851, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Poor, of Utopia, Clermont county, Ohio.
In 1856, they came to this township and was one of the first to open a farm in the place. After a residence of one year here he returned to Hast- ings, and two years later moved to Stearns conn- ty where he took a homestead and engaged in farming seven years. In October 1861, his wife died leaving four children. two daughters and two sons. He then returned to Bancroft end bought the farm his father pre-empted. Mr. Prescott was again married, on the 25th of December, 1870, to Mrs Fannie Ward Frost, widow of the late G. M. Frost, and the mother of two children, Emma and Edward. This latter union has been blessed with one son. Gerald, born in April, 1875. Their farm is well improved, having a good orchard. and Mr. Prescott is also interested in a sorghum factory at Albert Lea. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1871. and held the office two terms.
B. F. Ross is a native of Pennsylvania, born on 27th of June, 1835. When he was three years old his parents moved to New York where he grew to manhood and at the age of twenty mar- ried Miss Jane Starks. Immediately after their marriage they came west, resided one year in Iowa, and then, in 1856, moved to Riceland, where they were the third family to locate, and made it their home several years. They have a family of five children. In 1862, Mr. Ross enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and remained in service till the 29th of August, 1865. After his discharge he returned ta his farm and in 1870 came to Albert Lea, remaining six years. In 1877, he rented the county poor farm which has since been his home.
AI RICE was born in New York on the 18th of March, 1840. When he was but six years old his father died and he has since maintained himself, working at different occupations. When he was nineteen years old he enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin Regiment, Company K, was under Gen. Grant and participated in fifteen battles, receiv- ing an honorable discharge on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1865. He returned to Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business four years, then came to Rochester, Minnesota, and in 1877, married Mar- garet Knapp. The same year he came to Ban- croft and has since devoted his time to farming.
ASA WARD was born in Plainsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, on the 4th of November, 1844. In 1855, the family moved to Iowa, and two years ater to Bancroft, his father taking a claim in see-
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BATII TOWNSHIP.
tion seventeen. Asa enlisted in the Tenth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, Company I, in 1862, and served three years. After his discharge he returned to his home and remained one year, then spent three years traveling. He returned to this place and on the 9th of April, 1868, married Miss Helen Dills. The same year he purchased his present farm in section four and has it well im- proved.
REV. JOHAN T. YLVISAKER, a native of Norway, was born on the 10th of November, 1858. His father was a minister and came to America, locat-
ing at Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1868. He died in 1877, at the age of forty-four years, Johan attended the Norwegian College in Decorah. Iowa, for six and a half years, graduating in the summer of 1877, and then entered the Concordia Theological Seminary at St. Louis, from which he graduated three years later. He returned to his home and in March,1881, came to Bancroft; was ordained on the last day of the same month, Rev. Bishop Koren performing the ceremony. He as- sists the Rev. E. Hulfsbury, having charge of the Norwegian Lutharian Congregation in this place.
BATH.
CHAPTER LVII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT- WAR RECORD-OFFICIAL RECORD-STATISTICAL -ASSOCIATIONS- RELIGIOUS - EDUCATIONAL- BIOGRAPHICAL,
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