USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 25
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The settlements in the township are at Hader. Wanamingo, Aspelund and Norway.
225
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
WANAMINGO VILLAGE.
In 1855 a small building was erected by W. Wright between sections 25 and 26 of Wanamingo township and in this shack were sold some of the necessities of life to the pioneers of those days. This store was sold to P. Miller, who again sold to Smith & Lamberg. Their successor was John Kempe and later A. Urness. Before the sixties another store had been erected by C. Dirstine, whose business was later bought by Hermund Serum. Failing in health Serum sold to Martin Halvorson, who continued the business until his death, nearly thirty years.
In those early days Wanamingo was the only trading point for the entire surrounding community. The marketing of grain and other business matters had to be done at Red Wing, Fari- bault or Hastings. About 1856 a postoffice was established and received the name of Wanamingo. Later a blacksmith shop was erected by Chrislock & Gunderson. This shop was later bought by J. J. Tiller. Another shop was erected by C. R. Chrislock, a cobbler shop by Hans Isackson and a harness and boot and shoe shop by Melchior Munson. A schoolhouse was built and a hotel erected by Wm. Miller. Every little while surveying crews were out in the neighborhood and rumors had it that one or more rail- roads were going to build through. Meanwhile a thriving little inland town sprung up and a townsite was platted by private parties.
In 1857 or 1858 one Clark built a small mill nearly one mile further east on the Zumbro river. This mill was bought by Nel- son & Norby and a larger mill was erected on the south side of the Zumbro river on the town line between Minneola and Wana- mingo townships. Later Norby assumed full ownership until one-half interest was bought by Fordahl Bros. At present A. J. Fordahl is the owner. In 1889 Ole Sletten erected a store just opposite the mill. Shortly afterwards a cheese factory was built and started in operation by the farmers. This was sold to R. O. Lund, who again sold to Gutzler Bros. of Kenyon. The factory was remodeled for a creamery. The company failing, the patrons again assumed charge of the creamery in proportion to the amount due them for cream delivered.
September 9, 1893. the first steps were taken for the organi- zation of the Diamond Co-operative Creamery Company, which name his sinee been changed to Minneola Creamery Company and has become one of the most successful co-operative creamery or- ganizations in the state.
In 1904 the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company broadened the narrow gauge track from Wabasha to Zumbrota and extended the track to Faribault, at which time the present
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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
townsite of Wanamingo was platted by the Milwaukee Land Com- pany. The village has experienced a steady growth since the townsite was first platted and at present has a population of about 200 or more inhabitants. That the place has become one of the busiest little villages in southern Minnesota is but a reflec- tion on the farming community in which it is located. Wana- mingo township was, according to the census of 1900, the richest agricultural township in the United States and there is very little if any difference in the adjoining townships surrounding the village. A genial spirit has existed between the business of the village and the farmers of the vicinity. Business enterprises are controlled by local capital. the farmers holding a good share.
The following are business enterprises represented in the vil- lage at present :
The Farmers State Bank of Wanamingo, with a capital of $10,000. was organized in 1904 through the efforts of Henry M. and Martin Halvorson. The bank received its certificate of or- ganization December 2. 1904. and commenced doing business February 1. 1905, in their banking house, which had been erected during the previous fall. Their banking house is a one-story brick building, handsomely erected and well equipped with mod- ern furniture and fixtures. The stock was subscribed and is held by farmers and business men of the community. The bank's busi- ness has been guarded by a careful and conservative management and has had a marvelous increase until the deposits have reached $220,000 and loans $185,000. The bank has a permanent surplus fund of $3.500. The directors are: O. Follingstad. N. J. Olness, Chas. O. Roe, E. B. Lunde, T. Thompson, Hon. C. L. Brusletten, IIon. A. J. Rockne, Martin Halvorson and Henry M. Halvorson. The officers at present are: O. Follingstad, president ; Henry M. Halvorson, vice president and secretary; N. J. OIness, vice presi- dent ; Martin Halvorson, cashier.
The Minneola Creamery Company was organized December 26, 1893. The first set of officers were : President. J. B. Locke; treas- urer. O. T. Berg : secretary and manager, Edw. G. Hammer. The directors were : Henry Weiss, Henry James, N. J. Olness and R. O. Lund. J. B. Locke, who probably did most to promote the organization of the company, served as president until his death. O. T. Berg has served as treasurer of the company since organiza- tion. R. O. Lund served as secretary and manager from 1894 to 1900. Carl Fossum has served in the same capacity since 1900 The present officers are: President. L. H. Ofstie; secretary and manager, Carl Fossum : treasurer, O. T. Berg. The directors are Sam O. Aslackson, Osear Steberg, O. R. Reberg and O. T. Teigen. The company manufactured last year over 550,000 pounds of but- ter. which sold for over $125,000., Business has outgrown the
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IIISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
present plant and a new building is under construction, which will be one of the most modern creamery buildings in the state. The building is being erected from concrete blocks and tile bloeks with cement Hoors and ceilings and the building is arranged so that the products shall be handled to the best advantage and labor brought down to the minimum cost. M. A. Swee is the present buttermaker.
The Farmers Elevator Company was organized JJuly 8, 1905. The first set of officers were: President, L. J. Gjemse ; vice-presi- dent. H. O. Naeseth ; secretary, J. A. Norstad; treasurer, Henry M. Halvorson. The directors were A. T. Tongen, O. S. Haugen and Alfred Steberg. The company has a paid capital of $4,200, owns two well equipped elevator buildings and has a surplus fund of $2,500. Chas. O. Roe served as manager from organization until July, 1909. At present H. O. Naeseth is manager and E. G. Rosvold assistant manager. The officers at present are: Presi- dent, L. J. Gjemse : vice-president. T. B. Tunks; secretary, P. L. Paulsness. and treasurer, E. I. Morkri. The directors are: F. R. Miller, A. A. Steberg and Nels Nerison.
Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Goodhue County was organized in 1903. Hlas 200 phones and is having a steady growth. The officers are: President, O. T. Teigen; vice-president, P. L. Paulsness ; secretary, A. Fordahl; treasurer, Martin Halvorson ; directors, P. L. Ulstad. O. R. Reberg and L. L. Romo.
Wanamingo Flour Mills, fifty barrel capacity and feed mill in connection ; A. J. Fordahl, proprietor. Milwaukee Elevator Com- pany, August Moses, agent. Wanamingo Lumber Company, deal- ing in all kinds of building material and coal; H. S. Swan, man- ager. Myron & Olson, hardware and machinery; A. O. Berg. manager. Syverson Bros., hardware and farming implements ; Martin Syverson and Adolf Syverson, individual partners. Rom- ness Bros., general merchandise. Nels O. and Halvor O. Romness are the individual partners. J. A. Norstad & Co., general mer- chandise ; J. A. Norstad. Wanamingo Restaurant, Il. N. Setran, proprietor. Ree Restaurant, B. M. Ree, proprietor. Johnson Telephone Exchange; L. J. Johnson proprietor. Harness, Shoe and Repair Shop ; A. Brislance, proprietor. Dealer in Live Stock, A. A. Steberg. Meat Market, Paul Jacobson. Livery and dray, Richard Tiller. Blacksmith Shop, John Wolf. Photograph Gal- lery, C. E. Pearson, who is also postmaster. Weekly Newspaper, Wanamingo Progress, Edw. Oredalen, editor.
The village has a first grade school and a church is being erected by the Lutheran Evangelical denomination. The village furthermore has good railway, passenger and freight service and receives its mail twice daily. The citizens are enterprising and progressive. Good business blocks are being erected, beautiful
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
homes are built and fitted with modern conveniences, and cement walks are being constructed. There is no reason why the village should not continue to be the common trading point of the sur- rounding community and grow as the farming community de- mands it .- By Henry Halvorson.
The Wanamingo, Cherry Grove and Minneola Mutual Fire In- surance Company was organized May 27, 1876, in accordance with chapter 83 of the general laws of the state of Minnesota, approved March 9, 1875. The following named gentlemen signed the articles of agreement : Ole P. Floan, N. J. Ottum, Henry Nel- son, O. J. Wing. Ole R. Lund, Peder N. Nesseth, Ole J. Romfo, Ole T. Berg, Rognald Olson, John A. Borstad. Ellef Haugesag, Ole .J. Kvittem. Haagen Nelson, Swen Olsen, Tosten Kleven, Ole Aufinson, G. H. Stuvrud, Iver Iverson, Gunder Bremseth. Lars J. Romo, N. A. Stageberg, Peder N. Lerfald, John J. Lilleskov, Hans Isackson, Nils O. Nordly, Thosten Thompson, Haagen Thoreson, R. II. Chrislock. Samuel A. Holland. John O. Baar, Johanes J. Marejeren, Lasse N. Morken, Nils K. Fenne and A. J. Barsness. The first officers were : President. Ole P. Floan ; secretary, N. J. Ottum; treasurer. Nils O. Nordby. The board of directors con- sisted of these three gentlemen and Elling Albertson, Ole J. Romfo. Ole T. Berg, Ole R. Lund and Peder N. Nesseth.
During the year 1885, the company enlarged its territory. ad- mitting the following towns: Roscoe. Pine Island. Zumbrota, Belle Creek, Leon. Goodhue, Kenyon, Holden and Warsaw, so that it now comprises a territory of twelve townships. It has grown steadily until at the present time it has a total of 1,150 persons. holding over 1,200 policies, covering an insurance of $2.500.000. The company has, during the time of its existence, sustained and paid 563 losses amounting to $48,227.92. During the year 1906 a special meeting was held to prolong the com- pany's existence for another term of thirty years. At this meet- ing all the then existing by-laws were repealed and a new set enacted, one more director being added. The present officers are : President, O. J. Wing, Wanamingo; viee president, O. T. Berg. Cherry Grove (Mr. Berg has been a director thirty-three years, since the organization of the company) : treasurer, N. A. Stageberg. Wanamingo; directors, P. O. Finstuen, Roscoe; O. O. Nordvold. Zumbrota; O. F. Kalass, Minneola; Oliver Berg, Pine Island; Edward Rowles, Belle Creek. The company has two spe- cial agents. H. O. Oakland, Wanamingo; O. I. Morkri, Cherry Grove. The headquarters are in the township of Wanamingo, and the annual meeting is held in the village of Wanamingo on the third Saturday of January. The company is now doing an immense business of over half a million dollars insurance annu- ally. In 1908 it was $546,635, and has been as high as $576,825
THE NEP 11: 4 PUBLIC LIBGAPS
ARTUR LINUX TILDEN FOUND A.
MARTIN HALVORSON, SR.
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HISTORY OF GOODHICE COUNTY
in one year. The yearly expenses are very low compared with other companies of about the same size. During 1908 it amounted to only $596.21. This shows that the company has accomplished its object of being a money-saving institution. The insurance rate prior to 1906 in this company was three mills on the dollar for five-year terms, but this rate proved to be inadequate to de- fray expenses to pay the losses, so the rates were raised to five mills, and as since January 11, 1906, no assessment has been made, it appears that the present rates are sufficient. The following report furnished through the kindness of A. H. Tongen, seeretary of the company, shows the great amount of business done since May 27, 1876. The policies issued have amounted to 5,513, and have covered an insurance of $9,272,364. The policies cancelled have amounted to 4,319 and have covered an insurance of $6,871,- 771. This leaves in force 1,194 policies, covering an insurance of $2,400,771.
Receipts-Membership and policy fee, $36.081.05 : assessments, $23.284.00; interest. $507.51; borrowed, $795.54; other sources, $10.33; total receipts, $60,678.43.
Disbursements-Losses caused by lightning (444), $20,170.88; losses caused by fire (88), $24,833.80; losses caused by steam thresher (19), $967.71; (total losses, $45,972.39) ; paid back bor- rowed money. $795.54; other expenditures, $12,912.17; total paid out. $59,680.10; credit balance, December 31, 1908, $998.33; total, $60,678.43.
Martin Halvorson, Sr., now deceased, was a pioneer merchant of Wanamingo. Quiet in his manners and disposition. he never sought public life or office. but his many good qualities endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He was born in Nor- way in 1842, and came to America in 1866, locating in Wana- mingo township. Soon after arriving in this county he entered the employ of H. C. Serum, who kept a general store in Wana- mingo village. In 1872, Mr. Halvorson purchased the establish- ment and one year later was appointed postmaster. a position he held until 1898. His store was a great success. and not only did the farmers for miles around seek his place to purchase goods. but also to ask advice and to secure Mr. Halvorson's opinions, which were always sure to be sound and good. Mr. Halvorson was married in 1873 to Greatha Bjornethun, also a native of Nor- way, by whom he had seven children : Henry. Lena (deceased). Rev. Jens, now of Ashland, Wis. ; Lena. now Mrs. (Rev.) M. Bjorn- son, of New Folden, Minn .; Martin, Frederick, who is on the old homestead, and Gustav, a student in the law department of the state university at Minneapolis. Mr. Halvorson died in 1899. and his widow still survives.
230
HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
WARSAW TOWNSHIP. .
Warsaw lies on the eastern border of Goodhue county and comprises township 11, range 18. It is bounded on the north by Stanton, east by Leon, south by Holden and west by Rice county. The Little Cannon river passes along the eastern border, and in the valley of this river appears some timber, particularly notice- able in the southeastern portion. The larger part of the surface, however, is rolling prairie, with deep soil, and consequently many fine farms.
"Ilappy is the land that has no history," says an ancient writer. This is true of Warsaw. Agriculture has been the impor- tant industry in the township, and from the earliest settlement the story of Warsaw has been one of increased cultivation, where the people live in peace and contentment. free from the disputes and stirring events which, while they made interesting reading. do not always tend to the real benefit or growth of a locality. In June, 1855, the northern part of this township was settled by a party of Americans consisting of the brothers, Moses. William and Edwin George. Robert Mccorkle (some- times given as MeCoskel). E. H. Sumner, Washington King, R. B. Wilson. J. E. Wright and Francis McKee. These men at once started farming. and while they endured the hardships always incident to pioneer life. their first erops were good, and from some of the worse privations they were spared. In 1856 a child was born to Washington King, a truly important event, and duly celebrated by the pioneers, who all wanted to take a peep at the little stranger. The following year, 1857. John Chambers died and the funeral was attended by the entire population of the settlement. In the summer of 1858 Rev. Isaac Waldron con- ducted the first religious services, in a room of a house owned by Alex MeKee. In the same room Emma Babcock kept the first school. in the summer of 1859. Mr. Johnson built the first blacksmith shop in 1864. and later others were added.
The settlement in the southern part of the township was started in 1856, by Anders Anderson, Nils Gunderson, Ole and ITagen Knutson. Andrew Thompson and others. Soon a Nor- wegian colony grew up around them.
The township was organized in 1858. with N. B. Townsend as chairman and J. E. Wright as elerk. Other early chairmen were Samuel Carpenter. Abram Towne. J. L. Wells, Riee, R. B. Wilson and Chris. Loehren. Among the early elerks were William George. Edwin George. T. Bowman, Chris. Loehren and George Sheets.
Warsaw's contribution to the Civil War consisted of: John A. Bond, Cyrus Bondurant. Ulrich K. Burk. Joseph E. Charles,
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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY-
Swen Christopherson, Clinton L. Babcock. Ole Christopher, Lyman S. Kidder, Lot Heustis, William McFall, James C. Rhodes, Thomas II. Dailey, Clark Schellenberger, Hiram C. Smith, H. Zimmerman, Calvin Daniels, Samuel Eldredge, C. R. Eldredge, Levi King, George MeKinley, Silas Mills, Ole Nelson, Francis J. Ridgeway, Benjamin II. Ridgeway, James II. Wright, Joseph E. Charles, Herman Scherf, Swan Halling, John N. Morrell, Andrew Swanberg, Morris Tracy, Ole Torgeson, John Johnson, Ole Ilendrickson, Andrew Sanborg, Benjamin O. Bong, Osten Anderson, Lewis Koek, Ernest Zahn, Daniel F. Dibble, Patrick Gribbin, Edwin R. Nafry, Alfred Alphinson, Augustus Houghton, William Mills, Henry Martin, Ole Larson, Walter L. Winton.
There are three small settlements in the township, Dennison in the west, Wangs in the center and Sogan in the eastern part.
Beautiful, well furnished and well appointed homes, commo- dious barns. sleek livestock, rich acres, an educated and cultured people, tells the story of Warsaw of the present day.
Dennison is a village of 170 souls situated on the. western boundary line of Warsaw township, being about one-third in Rice county. The name is derived from an early settler who originally owned considerable land where the village is now located. The population of the village is about three-fourths Scandinavian. The first men to start in business in the village were Karl A. and Gunder Bonhus, who conducted a general store. After eight years they were succeeded by A. K. Lockrem. The Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1883, blown down in 1885 and rebuilt the same year. The railroad came through in 1884, and was operated by the Minnesota & Northwestern. The line was then sold to the Chicago. St. Paul & Kansas City, and subsequently passed into the hands of the Chicago Great Western. The first blacksmith was J. W. Downing. The first hardware and implement store was that of Bunday & Ferguson, established March 10, 1887. The school house is a comfortable building. 42x45 with four rooms, built of brick. It provides for the chil- dren living in the incorporate limits. the districts having origi- nally been 34 and 155. respectively, in Rice and Goodhne counties. The village now has a bank (branch), one hardware store. one lumber yard, three general stores, a harness shop. a postoffice with two rural rontes. a barber shop, two blacksmiths. one meat market, one farmers' elevator, a pastuerizing milk plant. a Methodist church and a public school.
The Dennison State bank is a thriving institution with a capital stock of $15,000. The officers are: President, J. C. Sehmidt; vice-president, W. T. Schmidt; eashier. W. W. Wescott ; assistant cashier. O. R. Bolen.
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.HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
WELCH TOWNSHIP.
Welch includes the east half of government township 114 north of range 16 west, and the whole of township 113 north of range 16 west, except that part which lies south of the Cannon river. It is bounded on the north by the Mississippi river, on the east by Burnside, on the south by Vasa and on the west by Dakota county. The surface is much broken, but rarely rocky except along the immediate bluffs. The valleys are generally rich alluvial, but in the northern part of the town the valley which is tributary to the Mississippi at Etter is gravelly and sandy. with terraces scantily clothed with crooked oaks and bushes. A magnificent view is afforded from the high land near the church on the northwest corner of section 15. The mounds south of Hastings can be seen distinctly. also the smoke from Ilastings and the high land above Hastings on each side of the St. Croix valley. The middle of the township is rolling prairie, the northern portion consists of a large part of Prairie Island, bordering the Mississippi and the Vermillion rivers.
Those interested in the story of Welch should read the early history of Burnside, the record of the early days being identical, owing to the fact that they were under one government. The Indian settlement on Prairie Island is also treated of under the head of Burnside in this history.
Settlers came into Welch, both from Dakota and Goodhue counties, in 1855-56, but these settlers left for what to them seemed more desirable locations in more southerly and prairie- like townships. These settlers left no record of their occupancy, and have now passed from memory. The permanent settlers did not come until 1857-58, Welch being the last township to be taken up by the homesteaders. Among these permanent settlers were E. W. Carver, William Boothroyd, Michael Henry, John Bloom, Goheham Esta. D. O. Swanson, Benjamin Beavers and N. C. Crandall.
March 23. 1864, on petition, the board of commissioners divided Burnside by setting off the east fractional half of town- ship 114. range 16, and all of township 113, range 16, lying north of the Canon river and called it Grant. Another township in the state already bore that name, and the state auditor, under date of December 31. 1871, directed a change of name. January 3, 1872. the commissioners took up the matter and changed the name to Welch, in honor of the late Major Abram Edwards Welch, of Red Wing.
The first board of officers, while the town still bore the name of Grant, were: Supervisors. A. Coons (chairman), Joseph Eggleston, Benjamin Bevers; town clerk. J. B. Waugh; treas-
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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY
urer, M. O'Rourke ; assessor, E. W. Carver; justice, J. B. Waugh; constables, P. C. Brown and D. Black.
On September 6, 1864, a special town meeting was called, for the purpose of voting a tax to raise money to pay volun- teers to fill the quota required from the town, at which meeting it was voted to raise $600 as a bounty to volunteers for the Civil War. Another war meeting was held February 11, 1865, for the purpose of raising more bounty money. At this meeting it was voted to raise $700 to pay volunteers, if they could be obtained, and if not, to pay men who stood the draft. E. W. Carver was selected to look after the matter of obtaining men to fill the town's quota. Those who went to the war from this town were; Philo Brown, J. S. Nelson and S. S. Twitchell.
After the name of the town was changed to Welch the first board consisted of: Supervisors, M. Henry (chairman), Thomas Brenner and Michael Hart; clerk, J. S. Nelson.
A Swedish Lutheran church was erected in 1878, at a cost of $4,600. In 1886 a store was built at Welch Mills at a cost of $500. In 1900 an elevator was erected at a cost of $1,500.
The residents of Welch are a happy, prosperous people, who have achieved much success in their farming operations.
Welch Village, formerly called Welch Mills, now has a small flour mill with elevator, two stores, a boarding house, two black- smith shops, a station on the branch line of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul and a station across the river on the Chicago Great Western.
CHAPTER XVI.
ZUMBROTA.
Zumbrota Village-Its Situation and Advantages-Modern Zum- brota-Water, Sewer and Public Halls-Fire Department- Industries-Banks-Hotels-Mills and Elevators-Creamery -Fraternities-Village History and Officers-T. P. Kellett's Speech - Military Company - Village Schools - Public Library-Zumbrota Township-Township Officers Since Early Days-Soldiers from This Township.
Zumbrota Village is rich in historie lore, being one of several settlements, projected by eastern people, and designed to be places to which should be transported with more roomy sur- roundings and wider opportunities, the thrift, education and cus- toms of the thickly populated East. To this day, these sturdy eastern pioneers remain in the township and village, and form the backbone of the community. As elsewhere in the county, the sturdy Scandinavians have had their part in the general growth and development of the community, while in the village itself are many comparative newcomers who have assisted in the mate- rial and business progress of Zumbrota's industrial and commer- cial activity.
The history of this community has been gathered from various sources, assisted by Edward F. Davis, editor of the Zumbrota "News." while the story of the modern village is largely the work of his gifted pen.
Zumbrota village is the trading center for one of the richest agricultural sections of what is acknowledged to be one of the richest agricultural states in the Union. commanding a large part of the trade of the farmers of Roscoe, Minneola, Pine Island and Zumbrota townships, as well as other adjoining country districts. It is admirably situated in the midst of a rolling prairie, on the north branch of the Zumbro river and on the Northwestern, Great Western and Milwaukee railroads, giving it exceptional shipping facilities. while well kept wagon roads extending fan-like in all
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