USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 92
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in February, 1877, and his father still lives in the latter place. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
W. C. NORTON was born in Chicago in 1834, and when fonr years of age removed with his family to Burlington, Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated. He was also married there to Bell Bradshaw, a native of Vermont. In the fall of 1858, they removed to Pickerel Lake, and located a farm in section thirteen which is now their home. They returned to Wisconsin after living here four years, and remained six years, since which time this place has claimed them as residents. They have had four children, three of whom are living; Eva C., twenty-three years of age; Cora A., eighteen; Willie A., thirteen ; and Mattie C., died at the age of one year and and eight months. Mr. Norton has been Chair- man of the board of Supervisors for several terms, Town Assessor, and a member of the school board several terms.
JOHN RUBLE is one of the early settlers of the county, and a pioneer of this township, hav- ing come in the spring of 1856, and is now one of the most extensive farmers in the county. He is a native of Mitllin county, Pennsylvania, born ou the 15tlı of September, 1827. When he was an infant his parents moved to Ohio where his father died and the sons carried on the farm for many years. Mr. Ruble was married on the 20th of August, 1849, to Miss Harrietta Fleck, and the same year came to Rock county, Wisconsin, where they resided on a farm nntil coming to Pickerel Lake. He first took one hundred and sixty acres about three miles from Albert Lea, and it has since been his home, but is at this period greatly changed. The homestead now contains six bun- dred acres with fine buildings and a beautiful yard; our subject also owns a farm and milling interests in Martin county. In an early day Mr. Ruble commenced the sale of agricultural imple- ments, in which business he lias been quite suc- cessful, having an office and warerooms in Albert Lea. He has a family of ten children.
CHARLES H. RUBLE, a son of John Ruble, was born in Wisconsin on the 13th of July, 1852. He came with his parents to this township when four years old and has since made it his home. He was elected Town Clerk in 1879, and is school Director in District No. 39. He was united in marriage on the 29th of of November, 1881, with
524
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
Miss Eliza Heising. Their farm is in section two and is one of the finest in the township.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER was born in Germany in 1833, received a common school education and learned the cabinet maker's trade in his native country. In 1853 he came to America and worked at his trade for two years at Batavia, New York, then came to Farmington, Iowa, and resided six years. He was married in 1860 to Julia Bruman, who was born in New Orleans, where her father was the first German Methodist preacher. She came to Iowa when young, and there received her education. Her father died when she was three years old, and her mother now lives in this State. In 1861, Mr. Schneider enlisted in Company B, of the Third Iowa Cav. alry, and served sixteen months; was then dis- charged in Memphis, Tennessee, for disability, and returned to his home in Iowa. After a short time he removed to Pickerel Lake, and located in section seven, where he now resides. He owns three hundred and sixty-five acres of land, with two lindred improved, and has a new large brick house and a good barn. He has held every local office except constable, and is now clerk of his school district. He organized the first Sab- bath school in this part of the town, himself and wife being members of the German Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have had nine children, seven of whom are living; Emma H., aged twenty years; George A., eighteen; Matilda, twelve; Sarah C., ten; Willie K., eight; Walter S., six; and Edward H., four. Annie J. died at
the age of one year, and William F. at the age of one year and four months, and both are buried in the cemetery near their liome. Emma, the oldest child became deaf from the effects of scarlet fever, and when ten years old entered the Fari- bault institute, and in seven years graduated.
JOHN GEORGE WIDMAN, is a native of Germany. born in 1844 and reared on a farm. He emigra- ted to America in 1863, located in Wisconsin and engaged in farming there nine years. He was married in 1869, to Annie Lampert, a native of that State. They came to this township in 1872, and settled in section twenty-three, which is still their home, having a farm of two hundred and ten acres. They have seven children; Margaret, aged twelve years; Katie, ten; George, eight; Annie, six; Lizzie, four; Frank, two; and Lida, an infant. Mr. Widman has been Chairman of the board of Supervisors, and a member of the school board six years. He and his wife are members of the German Methodist church.
AUGUST YOST, a native of Germany, was born on 11th of February, 1849. He emigrated to America when seventeen years old, and directly to Minnosota, locating in this township. He was employed on farms. and made his home with Christian Pestorius, until buying his present place in 1876. He was married on the 1st of De- cember, 1869, to Mary, daughter of C. Pestorius, and they have a family of five children. Mr. Yost's farm contains two hundred acres, situated in section nineteen, and has a good frame house and barn. He is Clerk of school district No. 69.
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RICELAND TOWNSHIP.
RICELAND.
CHAPTER LXXII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-ITEMS OF INTEREST-POLITICAL-STATISTICAL-EDUCA- TIONAL FACILITIES-BIOGRAPHICAL.
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Riceland is one of the eastern towns of Freeborn county, lying in the second tier from the north, as well as the eastern county line. Its contiguous surroundings are as follows: Geneva township on the north; Moscow on the east; Hayward on the south; and Bancroft on the west. It is a full con - gressional township of 36 sections or square miles, containing about 23,040 acres.
The western part of the town is what would be called burr and jack oak opening land, which is interspersed with natural prairies and meadow land. The general inclination is to rolling, and here and there are many egg-shaped mounds cov- ered with timber. At one time the lake was bordered with a heavy growth of timber, but these miniature forests have been greatly reduced. The heaviest timber at present is located in sections twelve and sixteen, which is cut up into timber lots and owned by various parties. The north- eastern part of the town is marshy and not subject to cultivation. A large marsh extends across the southwest corner, which the Indians claim was originally a lake of great depth and large. It is also said that the water, or the greater portion of it, suddenly ebbed away and disappeared, leaving boats and canoes on dry land, as if by magic. There are several places in this slough where it is claimed no bottom can be found to the water sink holes.
The soil of the town is generally dark loam; but on the knolls there is a marked tendency to clay- eyness. A good acreage is under a high state of cultivation; yet it is somewhat below the average of the townships. The low lands are brought into excellent use as hay land and the crops raised are as abundant as valuable.
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Rice Lake is one of the larger lakes of Freeborn county, and we are in doubt as to whether the name of this suggested the name for the town or vice versa; but it is certain the name originated among the Indians from the abundance of wild rice in this locality. The lake lies in the north- eastern part of the town, and several small streams find their way from it through the marshy tract to the east.
EARLY DAYS.
We here with present a sketch of the early events of the town, which about covers the ground we should have filled had it not been for this. It was prepared by D. G. Parker, and read by him to the old settlers at their annual re-union in 1877, as follows:
"Ole C. Olson and Ole Hanson first settled this town in Angust,1856. The former put up a log house in the same month, and opened the first farm in the latter part of that season. Samuel Beardsley, a blacksmith, commenced business in the same year, and was the first mechanic. George P. Bracket was the first merchant, and opened business in 1857. In 1859 Amy Baker taught in a private house the first public school. The first school- house was built in 1864. In 1858 the Rev. Mr. Mapes held the first religious services. The Methodists, in 1859, established the first organiza . tion. Stephen Beardsley and Sarah Croy were the first parties married, George P. Bracket per- forming the ceremony. In April, 1858, the first child was born, in the person of Caroline Olson. The first death was that of Mr. Shortledge, who was frozen in April, 1857. Isaac Baker was the first Chairman of Supervisors, and a Mr. Snyder the first Clerk. In regard to the first acquired title to land, there is some question whether it was Amy Beardsley or Victory B. Lossee. The evi- dence seems to be in favor of the latter, who se- lected a tract upon section twelve, and proved up
526
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
May 7, 1856. The town was organized at the Jannary session of the county board in 1858."
While the above is in the main correct. yet many points will be found correeted in another column. The statement as to the first settler is especially eritieised, and many, in fact alt, say it is wrong, and that the Beardsleys were the first set- tlers. Among others who were prominent early settlers the names are remembered of a few who will be briefly mentioned.
Samuel A. Beardsley and John Hull, his son-in- law, together with their families, came by ox team from Illinois, brought considerable stock, and set- tled on the south side of Rice Lake. Beardsley remained until about 1860, when he removed to Wisconsin, and from there went to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he yet is. Hull re- mained a short time and went to Wisconsin where he has since died. through an accident with a gun.
Ole Halvorsen, Hans Larson. and Ole Christian- son were the first Norwegians to settle in the town.
In 1858, we find a number of Americans had settled in the township , among whom were Charles Williams, Brackett, Joseph Neil. Nels and James Snyder, Niek and John Reims, and Thomas Walaska, who have all long since gone to more eongenial elimes.
In 1858, quite a family of pioneers put in an appearance in the persons of Deacon Isaac Baker. his good wife Phobe and their children, William H., Charles E., Margaret N., Amy .J., Rhoda, and Sarah E. Baker. They settled upon section twenty, and in abont seven or eight years the father re- moved to Austin, where he has since passed away. The two boys, William H. and Charles E., still live in Riceland, and are among its most prominent and intelligent citizens.
Soon after this party had got settled. Nathan P. Amy and Charles Bartlett, from the eastern States. arrived, the former bringing the first team of horses. They have both left.
William L. McNish was another early settler, and still lives in the township.
About 1860 the Norwegians began erowding in, as the Americans crowded out, and now there are only three of the latter in the town.
DECEASED.
DEACON ISAAC BAKER .- On the 24th of Novem- ber, 1879, this estimable man closed the book of
natural life. at the age of 73 years. His first apppearance on this stage of action was at Wood Creek, Washington county, New York, on the 24th of December, 1806. At the age of six his father's family moved to Pennsylvania. When 22 years of age his marriage took place with Mrs. Phoebe Beardsley. In February, the year of his death, the golden wedding was observed. In 1843, he removed to Shirland, Winnebago county, Wis- eonsin, and from thence to Riceland, where he re- 1 mained until 1870, when he removed to Austin. Mr. Baker and his wife were two of the six con- stitnent members of the Baptist church at Shell Rock.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The first birth in the township took place on the 23J of April, 1858, and Caroline Oleson came into existenee. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole C. Oleson, who lived upon a farm in section thirty, and the child yet lives.
The earliest marriage of which there is any rec- ord, took place on the Ist of January, 1858, and joined the future destinies of Stephen Beardsley and Sarah Croy.
It is claimed, and is undoubtedly a faet. that the first death that occurred within the limits of Rieeland, was that of Martha Hull: aged about 16 months, in October, 1857, of Searlet Fever.
The next was the demise of Miss Sarah Baker, on the 18th of July, 1859, from a stroke of light- ning. It seems that two sisters, Amy and Sarah, were sleeping near a stove, and toward morning a thunder-storm arose, which scattered its bolty messengers with a profusion that was terrific, and a bolt struck the house, ran down the stove pipe and glaneed aeross the room, striking the girls and instantly killed Sarah, severely wounding her sister, Amy. The bolt then passed through the floor and down a studding into the ground.
The first school taught in the district, was held at the residence of Harry Beardsley in section sixteen, in the summer of 1859, Miss Amy Baker being the instructor.
The first religious services held in the township were presided over by the Rev. Mr. Phelps, in the spring of 1857, at the residence of Samuel Beardsley.
The township of Riceland originally bore the name of Beardsley, in honor of an early and prom - inent pioneer; but it was finally changed by the
527
RICELAND TOWNSHIP.
residents to Riceland, suggested by the name of the lake.
BLACKSMITH SHOPS .- The first blacksmith shop in the town was opened in the fall of 1857, in a little log hut in the northern part of section fifteen, by Samuel A. Beardsley.
John Peterson, a Norwegian, in 1880, erected a one story, 18x20 foot, frame building in section eighteen, and opened a shop for shoeing, repair- ing, and blacksmithing generally, which he still continues.
SAW-MILL .- In 1857, buildings were erected on the south shore of Rice Lake, or rather a shanty, by Samuel A. Beardsley, who moved ma- chinery from Rice county and commenced operat- ing a steam saw-mill. The establishment continued turning out Inmber for about one year when it was removed to Itasca, When the machinery was first moved from Faribault, Rice county, it was placed upon a wagon, with shelves or runners placed underneath to prevent the load from drop- ping out of sight in the deep mud, and in this shape, behind a big yoke of cattle, the trip was made.
WIND-POWER MILL .- In 1880, N. P. Bartelson, a native of Denmark, erected a structure, put in two run of stones, and attaching it to a sixteen toot winged wind-mill, commenced grinding feed, etc. The stones are what is here termed hard- heads, and were dug from the ground in the vicinity of the mill, and manufactured into hnhrs by Mr. Bartelson. The establishment cost about $300.
FAIRFIELD VILLAGE .- A village under this name was platted by Samuel Beardsley, on the south shore of Rice Lake in section fifteen, on a pro- posed road from Fairfield to Shell Rock. A Post- office was established and a regular mail ronte; it was on the same section as was the saw-mill, and everything looked lovely for rapid growth; but that looked for railway never came and the village became a thing of the past.
RICELAND LODGE OF GOOD TEMPLARS .- This society was organized in the spring of 1871, at the house of Frank Ross in section twenty-eight, by members of the Moscow Lodge. The society con- tinued here until December following, when the base of operations was changed to what was then the village of Sumner; but the following year, the interest waning, the charter was surrendered.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS .- The first preach-
ing to the adherents of this faith took place in 1865, at the house of Nels Hanson, with the Rev. John Mateson as minister; and after this, services and Sabbath school have been held regularly in private residences and schoolhouses. In 1880. the church was erected, size, 20x30, at a cost of $500. At the time of organization the society had about thirty-five members. Regular quar- terly services have been held since October, 1865. The present elder is Hans Rasmusson, and the Sunday school Superintendent and Class Leader is Hans Johnson. The Sunday school now con- sists of about forty members. Preaching is held about once each month by itinerants.
There is a burial ground in connection with the church, which was laid out in 1872. The first burial here was of the remains of Andrew Pe- terson.
POLITICAL.
As stated elsewhere, this township was origin- ally known under the caption of Beardsley. The first town meeting was held at the residence of Samuel A. Beardsley, but as the records for the early years are entirely destroyed, or effectually misplaced, any statement we might make as to their proceedings would be merely "hearsay." It is claimed the first officers were: Supervisors, Isaac Baker, Chairman, Charles Williams, and James Harris; Clerk, James Snyder. The names of the balance of the officers have been for- gotten.
The matters pertaining to the town have always been in capable hands and have been attended to with commendable zeal and honesty. The last town meeting was held at the house of N. P. Bartelson, on the 14th of March, 1882, and the following township officials were elected and are now serving: Supervisors, John J. Jerde, Chair- man; P. Iverson, and William H. Baker; Town Clerk, Knud Ingebretson; Treasurer, C. Jacobson ; Assessor, B. K. Winjum; Justices of the Peace, L. T. Bell and O. O. Bagaason; Constable, C. E. Baker. The gentleman named as Justice of the Peace, L. T. Bell, has just been nominated by the Republican County Convention for the position of representative of his district in the lower house of the Minnesota Legislature.
STATISTICAL.
THE YEAR 1881 .- The area included in this re port takes in the whole town as follows;
528
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
Wheat-4,384 acres; yielding 55,376 bushels. Oats-686 aeres; yielding 24,101 bnshels. Corn-699 acres; yielding 29,867 bushels. Barley-130 acres; yielding 3,146 bushels. Potatoes-49 acres; yielding 3,735 bushels. Sugar Cane-6 acres; yielding 511 gallons. Total acreage cultivated in 1881-5,626 aeres. Apples-number of trees growing-1086; num- her bearing-399; yielding 92 bushels.
Grapes-15 vines; yielding 30 ponuds.
Sheep-243 sheared; yielding 948 pounds of wool.
Dairy -- 417 cows; yielding 34,750 pounds of butter.
THE YEAR 1882 .-- Wheat, 3,557 acres; oats, 732; corn, 230; barley, 144; rye, 6; buckwheat, 2; potatoes, 57; sugar cane, 9; total acreage cul- tivated in 1882-4,327.
Apple trees-growing, 874; bearing. 419.
Grapes-vines bearing, 30.
Mitch cows-337.
Sheep-214; yielding 836 pounds of wool. Whole number of farms cultivated in 1882- - 106.
POPULATION .- The census of 1870 gave Rice- a population of 633. The last census, taken in 1880. reports 783 for this town; showing an in- crease of 150.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
DISTRICT No. 25 .- The first board of school offi- cers in this distriet was as follows: Clerk, H. Ing; Treasurer, O. Henry; Director, John Johnson. In 1872, the first schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $700, size, 18x20 feet. which answered the pur- pose for about ten years, when it was dispensed with, and the present neat frame building was erected, size 26x36 feet, at a cost of $800, the lo- cation being in the sontheastern part of section seven. The present officers are: O. Henry, J. Ja- cobson, and John Johnson.
DISTRICT No. 26 .- The first school taught in this district was by Miss Williams, with twenty- five pupils present. In the summer of 1861, the citizens of the district were called out, and the firsl schoothouse erected in section twenty-nine, by subscription, size, 16x22, of logs. A new frame building is now in process of erection in section twenty-nine, which will be 18x28 feet. The last school was taught by Mr. Arthur Grow, with thirty-nine pupils present.
DISTRICT No. 27 .- This is one of the younger
districts of the township, and embraces the terri- tory south ;of Rice Lake. The present school- house was ereeted in 1878, a frame building, located in the northeastern part of section twenty- seven.
DISTRICT NO. 88 .-- The first schoolhouse was erected in 1867, of logs, in section nine, size, 16x20, and cost $250, the logs being furnished by subscription of the citizens. The last term of school was taught in this district by Robert En- glish. with fifty-two pupils enrolled. A new schoolhouse was completed this year at a cost of $800, size, 20x32 feet, in section nine, although, as yet no school has been held there. The pres- ent school officers are as follows: Clerk, Christian Larsen; Director, Jonas Ingvardson; Treasurer, Christian Hanson.
DISTRICT No. 91 .- Embraces the territory in the southeastern part of the township, with a schoolhouse located in section thirty-five, which was erected in 1872.
NORWEGIAN SCHOOL .- This educational medium originated in 1869, in the spring, when Knud In- grebretson called the first school to order, consist- ing of about forty pupils, and the institution has continued ever since.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM H. BAKER, one of the early settlers of Riceland, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1837. When he was about five years old his par- ents moved to New York. and a year later to Winnebago county, Illinois. In 1857, the family came to Minnesota and settled in this place, Wil- liam taking land in section twenty where he has since made his home. He was married in 1861, to Miss Mary E. Stark, a native of New York. . They have had two children, one of whom is now living; Frank E.
CHRISTAIN ULIRIK CHRISTENSON was born in the central portion of Denmark, on the 15th of January, 1852. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the Danish army, served one year, and then after a period of six months re-enlisted for another year. In April, 1873, he came to America and directly to this county, settling in Geneva. On the 5th of July. 1879, he was joined in matri- mony with Carrie Mary Christenson and they have two children, a boy and a girl. In 1880, they removed to this township and bought a farm in the east half of section ten.
NILS A. NILSON, deceased, one of the pioneers of
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SHIELL ROCK TOWNSHIP.
this place, was born in Norway and brought up on a farm. When first coming to America he settled in Wisconsin, but after a short time came to this place where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1869. He left a wife and four chil- dren; Nils, Bertina, Andrew, and Martin.
BOTLER K. WINJUM was born in Bergen, Nor- way, on the 5th of March, 1833. When he was twenty-one years old he emigrated to America, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years in Dane county, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1858, he was united in wedlock with Miss Maria Bell, and the same year they came to this town-
ship. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are living. Mr. Winjum owns a farm in section thirty-one. He has served as Assessor for several years.
OLE NELSON WIGDAL is a native of Denmark, born in 1853. In 1871. he emigrated to America, landed in Portland, Maine, and came directly to Dane county, Wisconsin. He was married in 1873, to Miss Mary Wigdal, and the result of the union is two children; Susan and Annie Christina. In 1877. they came to Riceland and settled. on the farm which they have since made their home.
SHELL ROCK.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT- EARLY SETTLERS DECEASED-EVENTS OF INTER- EST-STATISTICS-SHELL ROCK VILLAGE-GOR- DONSVILLE VILLAGE-SCHOOLS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
The town bearing this name is one of the southeastern of Freeborn county, lying contigu- ous to Iowa on the south, London township on the east, Freeman on the west, and Hayward on the north. It is a full congressional township, contain- -ing 23,040 acres.
Shell Rock is mostly a prairie town, although in many places is found the oak opening land, so common throughout this region, or in other words, prairie land interspersed with groves of burr, black and scrub oak timber. The surface is gen- erally rolling, but there are no hills or bluffs sufficiently abrupt to be detrimental to agriculture. The soil is a light loam, well adapted to the pre- vailing mode of agriculture. The farmers throughout the town are in comfortable circum- stances, and many fine and costly residences dot the valuable and fertile farming country.
The name of the town was taken from that of
the river, Shell Rock, which flows through the eastern part from north to south.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway also trav- erses the same part of the town, running in the same direction.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
This township witnessed the first actual settle- ment ever made in Freeborn county, and con- tained for about one year the only inhabitant of the same. The settlement first began in the southwestern part of the town, the first man being Ole Gulbrandson, or, as he was often called, Ole Hall, a Norwegian, who, through the influence of a brother in Northwood, was induced to come to this locality in search of a place, arriving in June, 1853, and locating upon a large farm in section thirty-three. He was accompanied by his family, and at once erected a log house, the first dwell- ing ever erected in this then unbroken county. This house is still standing, and at present is, and has been for years, the residence of P. J. Miller, Esq., one of the well-known old settlers of the county.
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