USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 78
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
ORVILLE S. GILMORE was born in Ripton, Addi- son county, Vermont, on the 17th of February, 1844. He resided at home until the age of eighteen years, then enlisted in the army and served six months. In the fall of 1865, he came to Dane county, Wisconsin, from whence he soon
441
FREEBORN TOWNSHIP.
after came to Freeborn county, and located in Freeborn township. In 1871, he came to the vil- lage of Freeborn, and for two years clerked in the store of T. A. Southwick, then bought out the business of A. A. Munn, deceased, and has since conducted it, having a good trade. On the 29th of September, 1874, Mr. Gilmore was married to Miss Jennie E. Leonard, and they have three chil- dren. He has held several local offices and is now Treasurer of the town and also of the school dis- trict in which he resides. He is a member of the M. E. Church. His father was born in Bristol, Vermont, in 1802, and now resides with him.
JASON GOWARD was born in Croydon, New Hampshire, on the 19th of November, 1820, and lived with and worked for his father on his tarms until arriving at the age of twenty-one. He then began for himself, working at different occupa- tions for two years; then went south to Acton, Massachusetts, where he engaged to carry on a sash and blind factory, buying the same after three years. In 1849, he married Miss Charlos Dean, who bore him five children. In 1852, he sold out his business in the latter place and made a trip to California where he oengaged in mining two and a half years. He experienced all kinds of luck, at some times being worth several thous- and dollars and at other times several hundred worse than nothing, the latter being occasioned by a protracted illness. On his return to his native State, he located on a farm which he purchased previous to going west. In September, 1857, he sold his lands and the following spring came to this section of the country. After a two weeks sojourn at McGregor, Iowa, he started for the northern part of that State and southern Minne- sota and while at Brownsdale in Mower county, he made the acquaintance of a Mr. Bigelow and his son-in-law, in company with whom he bought a yoke of oxen and wagon, supplied themselves well with provisions and started west with high hopes of future success. They drove to Freeborn, a distance of thirty miles, in four days, and Mr. Goward staked out a claim in section twenty-five. He immediateiy erected a small frame dwelling and then returned for his family. In July, 1858, he opened a store which he carried on for ten years, during all of which time he was Postmas- ter. He now owns about eight hundred acres of farming land in the county and is also interested in the coal and gypsum mines. He was one of
!
the leading men in the organization of the first schools in this place, and has held nearly all the local offices, having for the past eight years filled the office of Town Clerk. Many of the old set- tlers remember Mr. and Mrs. Goward ( the latter of whom is lying in the Freeborn cemetery, hav- ing died on the 29th of March, 1882) with grati- tude for the aid rendered by them during hard times in 1859.
JOHN G. HARRISON was born in Derbyshire, England, on the 18th of March, 1827. When he was an infant his parents moved to Liverpool and in 1837 came to America and located in Canada West, Durham county, where they were pioneers. They returned to England in 1840, remained four years and then came to this country, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1851, Mr. Harrison was joined in marriage with Miss Mary J. Pierce and they have six children. He became one of the pioneers of this place in 1857, having been to the State two years previous residing one of the years in Iowa. Immediately after coming here he staked ont a claim in section twelve, which has since been his home.
NELS HANSON, a native of Denmark, was born on the 11th of January, 1845. When twenty-two years old he joined the army and served eighteen months, receiving at the end of time, an honor- able discharge. In 1870, he came to America and located in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was engaged in the blacksmith trade for about ten years. He was married in 1874, to Miss Christina Hanson, also a native of Denmark. The result of the union is two children. They came to this place in 1880, and own a farm in section twenty- six.
JAMES HANSEN, one of the first Danish settlers of this place, dates his birth the 7th of January, 1837. At the age of nineteen years he came to America and resided in Wisconsin until 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighth United States Infantry, Company D, and served three years. He then returned to Wisconsin, and in 1867, came to Minne- sota and bought a farm in this township, remain- ing three years. He returned to Wisconsin and Miss Angusta Dorn, a native of Germany, since which time his farm has been their home. They have a family of five children.
OLE JOHNSON was born in Norway, near Bergen, on the 4th of October, 1835. He reached his
442
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
majority in his native country, and in 1849, mar- ried Isabelle Johnson and the issue of the union is eleven children. They emigrated to America in 1861, and first settled in Dane county, Wiscon- sin, where he carried on a farm for ten years. In 1871, he moved to Minnesota and has since been one of the respeeted and industrions farmers of this place.
HENRY S. OLIN, one of the early settlers of Freeborn, was born in Chenango county, New York, on the 12th of July, 1829. When but twelve years of age he began to learn the carpen- ter and joiner's trade which he followed in his early life. In 1852, he moved to Illinois, and in November, 1856, to Wisconsin, in both of which places he worked at his trade. He was joined in marriage in 1856, with Miss Annie P. Crandall, who was born in Madison county, New York. They have a family of three children. Mr. Oliu came to this place in 1857, and has a good farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He has been Justice of the Peace and held other town and school oflices since his residence here.
THOMAS W. PURDIE, a native of Scotland, was born near Glasgow, on the 3d of September, 1828. When he was five years old his parents moved to -- America and settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, where he reached his majority. In 1848 he : came to Wisconsin, aud in 1857 to Minnesota, tak- ing a claim in section twenty-five, Freeborn town- ship. He was married in 1860 to Miss Tilley L. Crandall, a native of New York. Mr. Purdie was one of the first County Commissioners, first Town Clerk, and in 1859, and again in 1877, was elected to the State Legislature. He is the father of four children.
1
JOHN B. PURDIE was also born near Glasgow, Scotland, his birth dating the 24th of March, 1830. He came with his parents to America, resided in St. Lawrence county, New York, and afterward iu Wisconsin where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he made a trip to Kansas, remained a short time, and returned to Wisconsin and two years later came to Minneesota, locating a claim in section twenty-five, in this township. He was married in 1865 to Miss Amanda C. Aug- trendaveb, a native of Pennsylvania. The issue of the union is one child. Mr. Purdie was the first constable of this place and has filled other offices of trust.
NOYES P. STILLMAN was born in Cattaraugus county, New York. When he was an infant his
parents moved to Michigan, and three years later to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they were en- gaged in farming. They came to Freeborn township in 1862, where Noyes was engaged with his father on a farm until he became of age, then returned to Wisconsin and entered Albion Acade- my, from which he graduated in 1869, and after- ward taught in the institution. He returned to this place in 1871, and has since taught twenty terms of school, at the same time carrying on his farm, which is in section one. In 1874, Miss Em- ma Benjamin, of Newport, Vermont, became his wife. She has borne him two children; Gertie Mand and Edith May.
JOHN A. SCHOEN, an early resident of this place is a native of Germany, born on the 2d of Jannary, 1829. He came to America in 1852, and for five years lived in New York City, marrying, in 1856, Miss Caroline Herold, a native of Switzerland. In 1857, they came to Minnesota, and took a claim in this township but after two years returned to New York. He subsequently resided in Wisconsin, and in 1865 enlisted in the army, went south and joined the army of the Potomac, receiving an honorable discharge after a service of six months. Mr. Schoen always takes an active part in school and local matters. He is the father of five chil- dren.
GEORGE SEATH, one of the old citizens, is a na- tive of Scotland, and dates his birth the 15th of October, 1833. When he was quite young ho came with his parents to America, and for one year lived in New York City. The family theu moved to Delaware county, and on the 9th of February, 1858, George married Miss Phoebe Lar- ribee. He came to this township in 1861, taking a claim in section twenty-seven, which has since been his home. Mr. and Mrs. Seath have five children.
FRIETZ TACK was born in northern Prussia, on the 15th of April, 1849, and arrived at manhood's estate in his native country. He was joined in wedlock, in 1867, with Miss Mary Shodenberg. The issue of the marriage is two children. In 1869, Mr. Tack emigrated with his family to Amer- ica and was a resident of Milwaukee eleven years, engaged in the lumber business. In 1882 he came to this place, where he resides with his wid- owed mother, his father having died a year prev- ions to their coming. They have a good home, the farm being located in section twenty-six and is well cultivated.
443
FREEMAN TOWNSHIP.
FREEMAN.
CHAPTER LX.
TOPOGRAPHY AND LOCATION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-
DECEASED PIONEERS - OFFICIAL RECORDS- STATISTICS - RELIGIOUS -SCHOOLS -- BIOGRAPHI- CAL.
This one of the southern tier towns of Freeborn county, lying contiguous to Iowa on the south; and the townships of Albert Lca, Shell Rock, and Nunda, respectively, on the north, east, and west. It is a full congressional township, the greater part of which is under an admirable state of cnl- tivation, as a glance at the statistics will show.
The surface of the township is considerably broken and inclined, in places, to be very hilly although there are no bluff's, and but few places so abrupt as to be detrimental to agriculture. There are also numerous sloughs dotting tlie prairie, which form the only obstruction to culti- vation to be found, and many of these are valu- able for hay and grazing ;. A good deal of small timber is found, and it might be said the greater part of the area is jack and burr oak opening land, although very open, with prairie and natur- al meadows interspersed. The main body of tim- ber is in the central part.
The soil is variable, but in the greater portion of the town is of a rich dark loam, although not unfrequently a locality is passed where the sand and clay are visible.
The water courses of this town are all sluggish and small affairs, there being only one which is as yet dignified upon the map with a name. This is Goose Creek, which rises west of the boundary and enters by way of section eighteen, then taking a southeasterly course passes through Grass Lake and leaves for Iowa. Another small stream rises in the northern part and flows south- easterly across the northeast corner of the town. Several small streams flow into Grass Lake, but have no names, and in the low country are liable to change their courses.
Grass Lake is a body of water located in the corners of the four southeastern sections in the township. It is a sloughy concern, and is sur- rounded by such a low, wet and marshy country, that it is impossible to get to it; in fact, it is said that the entire southeastern part of Freeborn lias never been explored!
Therere are no villages in the township. The Minneapolis and St. Louis railroad enters and crosses the northeastern corner, and the B. C. & N. railway line crosses the northwestern corner.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The early settlement and initiatory steps which led to the founding and subsequent development of this thriving township, in common with the majority of Freeborn county's subdivisions, dates back well into the fifties. Its early pioneers and hardy civilizers were not adventurers who came here merely tor speculation, nor were they men who expected or even hoped to accumulate a for- tune in a day; but men who knew there would be trials and hardships to endure, while the first few years of their existence here must be almost a her- mitage. And they were not mistaken, as those who can retrace the steps of memory to actual experience will testify, while those without having passed through it can never know.
It is claimed that Freeman township had received a settler as early as 1854; this statement is made in a sketcli of the history of the township published in the Albert Lea papers in 1877, and prepared by Mr. Parker, president of the Old Set- tlers' Association, and Mr. Botsford. But for the edification of our readers we will publish the sketch verbatim, to-wit:
"The first settler in this town was Ole Olen- house, who made his claim as early as the summer of 1854, and was probably the first settler in the county.
Jacob Hostetter acquired the first title to land, which occurred on the 19th of June, 1856. He
444
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
was the first mechanic, and worked as a earpen- ter.
Sarah White, in 1859, taught the first scheel, the same being held in the dwelling-house of Joseph Shaw. The first parties married were Louis B. Probetin and Libbie Banning, in 1857, the ceremony being performed by William An- drews, Esq. The first child born was in 1857, and connected with the Olenhouse family. The first death was that of Mrs. Wadsworth, who died in 1860 .**
Where the above information came from we know not, and. therefore, will make no comment upon it; but will commence the story of early set- tlement, as we get it from the most reliable and oldest settlers now living.
Among the early settlers, not the first in the township, was John Freeman, in whose honor the town received the name it bears. He was born in Northamptonshire, England, in the year 1805. In 1855, he came to Minnesota, and direct to this township, where he secured, under the pre-emption Jaw, the whole of section fifteen for himself and three sons. After living in a tent for several months he erected the log house in which he now lives, the logs being cut from poplar trees. and covered with what was termed a "shake roof," i. e., clapboards cut from oak timber. The log house is in a good state of preservation, and under the third roofing. Three of Mr. Freeman's sons are yet in the town. and one is on the Pacific coast.
The above statement is disputed hy some, as to his being the first. and we give all sides a hearing by producing the statement. John Oldinghonse [or Olenhouse] was a native of Germany, having lately sojourned for a time in Wisconsin, rrrived in Freeman township in the summer of 1855, with his family, and squatted upon section twelve, where he dug a hole in the ground and covering it with poles and hay, spent the winter here. The follow- ing ycar he pulled up stakes and removed to section twenty-four, and this point is probably the hinge leading to the error into which many settlers have fallen in thinking the date of his settlement in section twenty-four was identical with that of his arrival; for in early days, his original place in section twelve was considered in the town east of this, or the Shell Rock settlement.
Olenhouse erected a shanty upon his new farm and made improvements, remaining there about two
years, when he with his family removed to Kansas, where he died soon after his arrival, from the etlects of an exposure which affected his brain.
In the fall, a man named Mr. Oliver Diamond, arrived and constituted the next settler. He was a native of Vermont, and located in the same see- tion with Oldinghouse (24,) where, among other improvements, he ereetod a log house, 16x22 feet, which still stands. although rather delapidated and unoccupied, a remembrance of 'ye olden time', Diamond did not remain long and sold to Charles Grim who still lives on the place.
About the same time in 1855, Jacob Hostetter, a Pennsylvania German, who came direct from Ohio, via Wisconsin, settled with his wife, four daughters, and two boys, upon section one. He erected a log house and commenced improvements which he continned for fifteen or sixteen years, and then sold to Mr. Nelson who is yet on the place. Mr. Hostetter now resides in the township of Albert Lea.
The spring following the arrival of Hostetter, in March, 1856, Christian Blas, a German, arriv- ed, and being a single man, commenced keeping "batch," upon the claim he secured in section twenty-two, the present Joseph Lang place, and remained here for a couple of years when he returned to Illinois from whence he came.
William Edwards, from England originally, but late from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, arrived on foot in Freeman township on the 20th of September, 1856, and took a claim in section twenty-four, where he commenced improvements, boarding in the meantime with Oliver Diamond. His claim was jumped shortly afterwards by a Mr. Finch, and he took a place in section twenty-two; but finally, in 1857. sold that and took the place he now occupies in section three.
Just before Christmas, in 1856, a couple of Ger- mans, Charles Bessinger and Phillip Herman, late from Canada, made their appearance and selected homes. Chas. Bessinger selected his domain in section nine and lived there several years, when he sold to his brother, Morris Bessinger, who yet owns the place. Phillip Herman planted his stakes upon a fine track of land in section thirteen where he yet holds forth.
The first of that small but determined army of the natives of Norway, arrived shortly afterward in the person of Lars Nelson, who declared hin-
445
FREEMAN TOWNSHIP.
self at rest upon a farm in seetion twenty-three, and he has since been joined by enough of his conntrymen to deelare a majority of the inhabi- tants of the town.
PIONEERS DECEASED.
JOSEPHE LANG was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 25th of July, 1799. When 23 he married miss Jeannette Lockhard, and seven years thereafter came to Canada, and in 1856 to Freeborn County, and planted himself in the township of Freeman where he spent the remainder of his life until final- ly transplanted to the mystie realm on the 11th of April, 1875. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church and left a wife and seven children.
MISS JOSIE LANG came with her parents when they settled iu Shell Rock, and afterwards removed to Freeman. She was a dutiful daughter, affee- tionate sister, and a worthy member of society, and her name should have a place among Free- man's honored dead. The future life, with its hopes, promises, and possibilities, was opened up for her on the 10th of June, 1881.
PARTON GREENE was born in Rhode Island on the 15th of May, 1795. His parents removed to New York State in 1805. In 1817, he located in Erie county, and remained there until 1855, when he came and proenred a farm in Freeman where, at the age of fonr seore and three, he, on the 15th of May, 1878, was gathered as a sheat fully ripe. He never married, but was industrious, sober, and enjoyed uniform good health, always preferring to walk rather than ride, having thus made a journey to Albert Lea a few days before his death.
EARLY EVENTS.
FIRST BIRTHS .- The first event of this kind to transpire occurred in 1857, and ushered into this reputed world of sorrow, Matilda Oldinghouse, whose parents resided in the town. Another early birth was that of a son of Oliver and Emily Dia- mond, it is elaimed late in 1856.
FIRST MARRIAGE .- This took place in March, 1858, and joined by the holy ties of wedlock, Mr. W. Wadsworth and Miss Sarah Freeman.
DEATH .- It is claimed that the first death in the township carried away George W. Wadsworth, a son of the parties who were first married in the town. The child was nine months old,
OFFICIAL RECORDS.
This town effected an organization as a local government at a meeting held on the 2J of April, 1861, at the house now occupied by William Free- man, by the election of the following officers: Supervisors, B. H. Carter, Chairman, William H. Mooie, and Lars Nelson; Clerk, W. Wadsworth; Treasurer, Henry Eiton; Assessor, William Eaton; School Superintendent, J. E. Marvin. After this meetings were held for four years in the same house, and then the schoolhouses were brought into requisition.
The present officers are as follows: Supervisors, Ole Op.lahl, Chairman, Robert Freeman, and Ole Anderson; Clerk, W. Wadsworth; Treasurer, O. K. Flaskeru 1; Assessor, E. K. Flaskerud; Justice of the Peare, Andrew Ling. Another Justice was elected, but he stubbornly refused to qualify or have anything to do with it, so, as expressed by a citizen, "luis place was easily filled by leaving it vaeant."
The matters pertaining to the publie welfare have been well and ably managed, nothing having transpired to disturb the usual tranquility of such business.
STATISTICS.
From various reports we have compiled the following statistics. showing the agricultural resources, the values, and the products of the township:
FOR THE YEAR 1881 .- Showing acreage and yield in the township of Freeman for the year uamed :
Wheat-4,090 aeres, yielding 48,160 bushels. Oats-70734 acres, yielding 23,239 bushels. Corn-785 acres, yielding 27,409 bushels. Barley ---- 50 acres, yielding 951 bushels. Potatoes-5534 acres, yielding 3,603 bushels. Sugar cane -- 1 acre, yielding 117 gallons. Cultivated hay-67 aeres, yielding 38 tons. Total acreage cultivated in 1881, 5,730 aeres. Wild hay gathered-2,695 tons. Timothy seed-15 bushels.
Apple trees growing -1,317. Trees bearing-117. Apples-179 bushels. Grape vines bearing-5. Grapes-50 pounds. Sheep sheared-107. Wool-481 pounds.
446
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
Milch cows-398, yielding 27,115 pounds of butter.
Hives of bees-5.
FOR THE YEAR 1882. - Wheat, 3,371 acres; oats, 849; corn, 1,21912; barley, 88; potatoes, 5812; beans, 112 : sugar cane, 134; cultivated hay, 6912. Total acreage cultivated in 1882, 5,668 34.
Apple trees-growing, 1,198; bearing, 449; grape vines bearing, 53; milch cows, 384; sheep, 124, yielding 457 pounds of wool.
Forest trees planted and growing-3 acres.
POPULATION .- The census of 1870 gave Free- man a population of 604. The last census, taken in 1880, reports 772 for this town. Showing an increase of 168.
RELIGIOUS.
Freeman has two church organizations. each having neat and valuable buildings. The total cost of church buildings in the town amounts to alont $2,750. The total number of members of the two organizations is about 350. The churches are about one mile apart.
The first religious services were held on the 8th of October, 1861, by Rev. Walter Scott. It was beld at the house of Mr. W. Wadsworth, upon the occasion of the obsequies of his deceased son.
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- This is loca- ted in the northeastern part of section twenty-one. It was erected ia 1874 at a cost of $1.350, but in the summer of 1880, it was reduced to an almost entire wreck by a severe wind storm which did considerable damage throughout this county. It was rebuilt, however, the same year, and now stands on the old site, in good condition, a monu- ment to the public spirit and enterprise of the builders. The first pastor of this temple of wor- ship was Rev. T. A. Torgeson, and through the earnest efforts of this good and sincere gentle- man, prosperity shed its bright rays upon the small band of worshipers, until its membership in - creased to two hundred. After about two years a change of pastors was made and Rev. J. Mosby was installed. The present pastor is Rev. S. B. Hustuet.
There is a cemetery ground in connection with the church of this society, which was laid out about the time the building was erected.
LUTHERAN CHURCH .- Belonging to the Norsk Dansk Conference, is located in the northwestern part of section sixteen. It was erected in 1878 at a cost of $1,400, being a neat and commodious
building, equal to any in this part of the county. The church society has been very successful and efficient in its labors, for it now numbers as fol- lowers of its faith about one hundred and fifty members. There is also a cemetery ground con- nected with this church.
SCHOOLS.
Educational facilities in Freeman are at least at par with a majority of the towns, both in numeri- cal strengeth and in etliciency. The territory of the town for this purpose is divided into five dis- triets, which, if divided equally, would give an area of a little over six square miles to each* dis- trict. The numbers and location of schoolhonses in the various districts are shown in the short sketch of each which is below presented.
DITTRICT No 46 .-- Effected an organization in 1862, and the first term of school was taught by Orta Skinner at the residence of William Eaton, with seventeen scholars present. Shortly after- ward a schoolhouse was constructed in the sonth- ern part of section three at a cost of $600, equip- ped with common furniture and the necessary apparatus. The attendance has grown from the first, and at present, instead of seventeen, the rolls show about thirty.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.