History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 81

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 547

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JAMES MCLAUGHLIN is a son of J. Mclaughlin, who was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1847, locating in Steuben county, New York. He had a family of six children, five of whom are liv- ing; James, William, John, Mary, and Linsley.

James, the subject of our sketch, was born in Steuben county, on the 4th of October, 1853. He came with his parents to Mound Prairie in 1857, and when about seventeen years old began learning the blacksmith trade. He was engaged in that oc- cupation at Hokah, then in La Crosse a short time, but afterwards opened a shop in the former place. He now lives on a farm, having moved here in 1878, and in the same year was married to Miss Elizabeth Rowe, who has borne him two chil- dren, Catharine M., and Vida A.

OLAUS OLSON was born near the city of Chris- tiania, Norway, on the 28th of July, 1829. When quite young he became proficient as a violinist, to which he still devotes some attention. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native country, and in 1854, came to Canada. The following year he re- moved to New. Hampshire, remained one year and came to Mound Prairie, which has since been his home. He is a member, and one of the Trus- tees of the Lutheran Church of Houston. His children are, Oliver, Gustav, Eliza, Amelia, Anna, Julia, Henry, Otto, Christian, and Dena.

LOUIS VIX was born in France, in 1841, and came to America with his parents and other rela- tives when four years old. They located in the then territory of Wisconsin, in Watertown, Dodge county. In the spring of 1854, they moved to Minnesota, settling in Mound Prairie, Houston county. In the spring of 1860, Mr. Vix made a trip to Kansas, pre-empted land near Lawrence, but sold a month later, and went to Kansas City. He then went, in the employ of the government, through the Indian Territory to the Arkansas river; thence to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and back to the Arkansas river up to El Paso and Canon City; thence up the Platte river to Fort Kearney and back to Leavenworth, Kansas, St. Louis, Mis- souri, and finally to Minnesota. In 1863, he made a claim in Blue Earth county, upon which he made some improvements, but on his return, after a visit home, found it jumped. He then came to this place and purchased land in section twenty-nine where he now lives. In 1865, he enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, Company L; was in several battles, and mustered out the 31st of October, 1865, at Selma, Alabama. Mr. Vix was united in marriage with Miss Arvilla Edmonds, in 1876- Of four children born to them, but one, Lulu, is living. The three eldest died of diphtheria, all within eighteen days. Mr. Vix has held the

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offices of Treasurer and Town Clerk, and was Su- pervisor four years.

LOUIS P. RASSE was born in Kanawha county, West Virginia, the 27th of June, 1857. He at- tended the schools near his home, and completed

his education at the State Normal school in Hunt- ington. He taught school in his native State until 1879, then moved to McPherson county, Kansas, and in 1881, came to this place. Mr. Rasse is now teaching his third term in this district.

SHELDON.

CHAPTER LXII.

DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT -- VILLAGE OF SHELDON-RELIGIOUS-SCHOOLS-BIOGRAPHICAL.

This is a government township, with the excep- tion of the first six sections, which are in Houston, the town to the north.

It is one of the four interior towns in the county. Union is on the east, Caledonia on the south, and Yucatan on the west. The South Fork of Root River crosses the northwestern part of the township, and Badger Creek runs from near the center of the southern border almost due north to join the Root River, which runs near the northern border, and Beaver Creek runs north in the western part of the town. These rivers have the characteristic valleys, bordered by the bluffs and ridges, and with another valley on the ex- treme east, makes the town sufficiently uneven to gratify the most variegated taste as to hill and dale. The township is quite well settled, and has many fine farms.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first claim taken was probably by a native of Norway, named Gutorm Guttarsen, who located 160 acres on sections seven and eight. He came here in June, 1853, from Rock county, Wisconsin, where he had lived since 1846. Michael Michael- son and his brother, Andrew, and Andrew Jer- · monson, arrived about the same time, or within two weeks, and selected their respective claims while sitting on top of the bluff east of Badger Valley, Michael taking the one furthest toward

the opposite bluff, which, when it was surveyed, proved to be in section twenty-one. This hardy pioneer was born in Norway, in June, 1827. He came to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1850, where he bought 40 acres of land, and on his coming here realized $110 for it. He was married to Miss Haya Halverson in 1847. He had the contract for the carpenter work on the schoolhouse in district No. 3, now No. 23. He also helped raise the first mill ever built in town, that of Brown's, at Sheldon. He still makes his own shoes from leather tanned by himself, by a process he learned in his own country. He first claimed 160 acres but a part of it was "jumped" two years afterwards.

Andrew's claim fell on section sixteen. He also took 160 acres and lived on it nine or ten years, when it was sold and the family went to Dakota. Andrew Jermonson took 160 acres and lived on it two years, when he died.

In the spring of 1854, Ole Targeson with his family came over from Dane county, Wisconsin, to which place he had come the year before from his native Norway. Two of his sons had preceded him to this country. He was born on the 4th of September, 1794, and died in March, 1881, 87 years of age. His wife had gone before on the 16th of September, 1870. All the children of this aged couple, except a daughter who married Mr. B. Swan, one of the early settlers in Sheldon who afterwards moved to Iowa, are still living in the vicinity. Levi Oleson occupies the old homestead.

In the southeast part of the town, the first man to surround a claim was John Brown, and then

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HISTORY OF HOUSTON COUNTY.

Benjamin Swan, in 1854. Brown's timber abode was planted about thirty rods northeast of where Mr. Neubury's house now stands, and was really the first house in the village of Sheldon. He was an enterprising man and put up a saw-mill on the present site of Schneider's flouring mill. This was a single verticle saw, and the very first in the town or village of Sheldon.

Mr. Brown, who was a Scorchman by birth, came here from Wisconsin and remained until about 1874, and went to the Red River, where he remained until his death, which happened iu 1880, as the result of a runaway accident, throw- ing him from his wagon and breaking his neck.

Mr. Swan opened his farm just north, and his local habitation was where John Roup now lives. He remained on this spot up to 1873 or '74, and then removed to Iowa, where he still resides. He married a daughter of Ole Targeson. She is a sis- ter of Levi and Henry Oleson. In 1857, a Mr. Seeley built a grist-mill near the saw-mill. Mr. John Phelps assisted in its construction and was afterwards owner of the mill for several years. These mills were both purchased by Joseph Schneider in 1868, and in 1875, they were re- placed by the mill now standing, which contains four run of stones with the middlings purifiers, smutters, and other machinery now used in a first- class mill.

The year following Brown's arrival, a Mr. Cook meandered around this way and built a house which has since been enlarged, and is now occu- pied by Mr. Martin Neubury as a' hotel, and it is now the only one in town.

In 1856, Mr. Moses Woods, a miller by trade, put in an appearance and erected a small slab house in which he opened up a stock of goods. this was the first store in the place, and was kept running for about a year when Mr. Woods with- drew from the trade, which was never very ponder- ous in his little warehouse.

In 1857, Mr. John Paddock, from Illinois, ar- rived with a good assortment of merchandise. About this time the Post-office was established and kept at this store, with Mr. Paddock as Post- master. The first religious service was held at his house, and he was also the first Justice of the Peace. He remained in trade about two years, and was at that time an important citizen. His daughter, Adeline, was married to Mr. Lewis Herring about 1856, it must have been in the fall of that year.

For a time Mr. Paddock kept a hotel, and he con- tinued in town for about ten years, when he re- turned to Illinois, and eventually broke his neck by a fall from a load of hay. George Brenneman also kept a store here at an early day.

The first death must have been the child of this family, which was on the 29th of September, 1857.

Some time in 1856, Mr. John E. Homme, a Nor- wegian, established himself on section eighteen, taking 120 acres, to which he has since added 175 more. Mr. Homme was left fatherless when ten years of age and has since fought his way through the world. He learned the carpenter's trade by the time he was nineteen years old, and first came to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1854. One of his sons, E. J. Homme, is an eminent Lutheran min- ister, an editor of a periodical, and the founder of a Home for the Friendless, in the interest of Lu- theran Societies.

Another prominent citizen and old settler is Henry Wilson, a Norwegian sailor, who, from the age of sixteen until coming to America and loost- ing here in 1855, followed the sea, visiting various ports in Europe, America, Spain, and Russia, doubling Cape Horn, and up the Pacific coast as far as Oregon. He also visited other places in- cluding the Atlantic American ports. On com- ing here he bought 160 acres on section nineteen. He has held various town offices and is a highly respected citizen.

The settlement of the "Ridge," in the eastern part of the town was initiated by Jerry Cunningham, a native of the "Emerald Isle," who landed in New York in 1851, and procured work where he could find it, in New York, Virginia, Ohio, and in the Lake Superior copper mines, where he wrought eighteen months. He finally came here, arriving the year of the first land sale, 1854; and bought 160 acres in section thirteen. A few years after- ward he constructed one of those unimposing resi- dences so fashionable at that time, of unhewn logs, in which he lived with his family for several years, when he put up the house he now lives in, which is in accordance with the later fashions. In 1857, he was married to Miss Ellen Haggerty. They have seven living children. During one of those early years another emigrant from the "Ever green isle," came upon section thirty-six. This was John Mur- phy, who came to America as early as 1836, and for a time worked as a "long shoreman," and was married in Boston in 1840. He remained here up

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to 1869, when, selling his property he went to Da- kota and still remains there. It is said that he penetrated the earth to the extent of 140 feet, without reaching water.

POLITICAL HISTORY.

The town of Sheldon was organized on the 11th of May, 1858. The town meeting was held in the village of Sheldon, and the following officers were elected: Supervisors, John Brown, Chairman, Steiner Knudson, and Henry Olson; Town Clerk, James. Patton; Assessor, Michael Ryan; Collector, Lawrence Lynch; Justices of the Peace, Lyman B. Jefferson and Ch. Fetsan: Constable, Bartholo mew Henry; Overseer of the Poor, John Paddock.

The present officers are: Supervisors, J. Schnei- der, Chairman, Edward Crotty, and Ben. Benson; Clerk, W. H. Murphy; Treasurer, J. B. Williams; Assessor, T. O. Findreng.

VILLAGE OF SHELDON.

Sheldon is beautifully ensconced in the valley of Beaver Creek, surrounded by high bluffs on either side, and is built on a broad bench of land run- ning back from the creek, u pon which it is situated, to the extent of a mile in width, generally level, though sufficiently undulating to increase the beauty of the place without subjecting it to any heavy grading. This bench contains some 600 or 700 acres, and, though surrounded by bluffs, the entrances, to it from the various roads which connect it with other towns, and an excellent farm- ing country, are generally most picturesque and beautiful, at the same time rendering it easily ac- cessible, when the roads are kept in proper condi- tion, from almost any other point in the county. Beaver Creek furnishes one of the most copious water-powers in the West; it is formed from large springs and has a western and southern branch which unite and form a single stream at a distance of a mile from the town. Either of these branches is amply sufficient for supplying water for first- class mills of any description, and their banks are well situated for the required buildings. The stream varies in width from twenty to twenty-five feet, has a depth of eighteen inches, and empties into the South Fork of Root Biver about two miles distant from the confluence of its two branches. It has a fall of about two feet to the mile, and is filled with fine trout, affording end- less sport to the angler, besides supplying the table with a luxury ever envied by the epicure.

In the early days of Sheldon it had greater preten- sions than it now has. One of its old-time pro- prietors, and from whom it derived its name, Mr. Julius C. Sheldon, formerly a resident of Suffield, Connecticut, had great anticipations of the future growth of the town, and through his enterprise, together with other old-timers, the town made wonderful progress, and bid fair to rival any town in the southern part of the State. Certain causes, however, put a check to its progress, the construc- tion of the Southern Minnesota railroad, six miles or so away, with the warning bell of the locomo- tive, proved to be the curfew that tolled the hour to extinguish its light, as it has many another promising village, to cause others, however, to ap- pear in unexpected places, and thus to fulfill the law of compensation.

The trade of the town having been diverted to other points, the limpid waters of Beaver Creek, its splendid water-power, and the beautiful town site of Sheldon, lost their magnetic power, and it has since philosophically settled down, perfectly contented with being a quiet and comfortable farmer's town.

The village, as laid out, had sixteen blocks, with eight lots in each, and cross alleys. The east and . west streets, beginning on the north, are North Street, Foss Street, Broadway, which has a plaza in the center, Suffield, and South Streets. The streets at right angles with these, commencing on the west, are Mound, Wall, Main, Otter, and Beaver. The Caledonia road comes in on the southeast angle of the village, and leaves it for Houston through Broadway. The village is in the valley, nestling between the hills on the left bank of the stream that finds its way into the South Fork of Root River, in section eighteen.

RELIGIOUS.

HOUSTON SOCIETY OF THE NORWEGIAN EVANGEL- ICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH .- Not unlike almost all other new settlements, occasional religious services were held at various places, mostly in the primi- tive private residences about this region. The first remembered being at the houses of J. M. Matson and Andrew Michaelson about the year 1855. One of the early preachers was the Rev. B. Koren, from Looking Glass prairie, who is now a Bishop and still residing there. Not long after this, the above mentioned society was formed in connection with like societies at Highland prairie and Rush ord, and they connectedly employed

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HISTORY OF HOUSTON COUNTY.

Rev. N. E. Jenson, who thus became the first pas- tor. The society was made up of about sixty fam- ilies. The earliest trustees were: Christof Even- son, Steiner Knudson, Seigurd Anderson, and Ole Ornott; T. A. Grover was the Clerk, and C. Even- son the Treasurer, the latter serving about eleven years. The first services after Rev. Jenson was installed as pastor, were held in a blacksmith shop in Houston, and afterwards in private houses, but finally the erection of a church was begun in 1865, and completed the succeeding year. It is situated on the line between Houston and Shel- don on the Houston and Caledonia valley road. The structure is of stone, except the porch, and is surmounted with a bell-tower and spire of wood. In size it is 60x35 feet, and the cost was $5,500. The bell cost $500, but in 1880, it was unfortu- nately broken, and has not yet been repaired or replaced.

The Rev. N. E. Jenson remained at his post until 1870, when he was succeeded by Rev. Kr. Magelssen, who faithfully gave spiritual encour- agement to the church for three years, and when he left, the society bestowed upon him a valuable testimonial as a token of their appreciation of his services. The ministrations are now by Rev. E. Jaastad, who resides in Rushford.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL .- In 1858, there were a sufficient number of adherents to this sect to form a society, and an organization was effected, which flourished for a time, and got together fifty mem- bers. But neglecting the opportunities which that flood tide presented, the ebb which followed left the society stranded on the shore.

While the society formed a part of a circuit and had a regular supply, various clergymen attended to its spiritual necessities, among them are re- membered, Rov. Mr. White, Rev. Mr. Taintor, Rev. Mr. Quigley, Rev. James Condon, and Rev. Mr. Klepper, who was the last of the list. No church building was ever erected, and the meetings were held in the most available places that could be procured.

PRESBYTERIAN .- Not long after the Methodist denomination had assumed form, the Presbyterians also organized a society, and succeeded in build- ing a neat frame chapel 30x40 feet, in 1860. Rev. Mr. Frothingham was the first resident pastor, and be had engagements at other places. After him the Rev. Mr. Hendricks was then here for a time, when Rev. Mr. Brack came and remained eight

years, officiating at the same time in Yucatan and Houston. The last regular pastor was Rev. J. Westervelt, who lived in Caledonia. Since 1879, there has been no service, except in the case of a funeral. Deaths and removals have so depleted the ranks that, to use a military term, hardly a corporal's guard could now be mustered, even for an emergency.

SCHOOL8.

DISTRICT No. 23 .- This was formerly No. 31, and is located in the Badger Valley, as it is called. The first English school taught here was in 1856 or'57, by Wm. H. Murphy, in private houses about the neighborhood. Previous to this time there had been a Norwegian school for a few months by Mr. Gunder Jermondson.

DISTRICT NO. 26 .- This is the village school, and there is a good schoolhouse.

DISTRICT No. 22 .- The location of this school- house is on section nineteen near the north line.

DISTRICT No. 25 .- This building is on section thirty-four.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

GEORGE BRENNEMAN, one' of the pioneers of Sheldon, is a native of Clarion county, Pennsylva- nia, where his birth occurred on the 11th of June, 1825. His father was a farmer and inn-keeper, and George remained at home until the age of twenty-four years when he was married to Miss Ebeline Campbell. He was then for several years engaged in building freight boats on the Clarion River, and also did some freighting. In 1857, they came to Sheldon, and Mr. Brenneman pur- chased the house in which he now resides. Until 1875, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, since which time he has given his attention to agriculture. Mrs. Brenneman died in 1873. She was the mother of seven children; Amanda, Mary Ann, John Henry, Jane, Margaret, Barbara Eliza- beth, and David Clinton. Mr. Brenneman subse- quently married a lady whose maiden name was Miss Hannah Gordon, also a native of Clarion county. An infant son is the result of this union. Mr. Brenneman has held a number of local offices, such as Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, Con- stable, etc.

CASSIUS S. CRANSON, M. D., is a native of Michigan, born in the town of Sandstone, Jackson county, on the 8th of April, 1844. He received his education at the College of Adrian, and after-

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ward studied with Dr. Hanlon, at Middleville, where he commenced his practice. Miss Ella E. Keeler, of Saratoga county, New York, became his wife on the 30th of April. 1867. Dr. Cranson has been a resident of Sheldon only since July, 1880, but has already won the confidence of the people for many miles around, where he has an extensive practice, which speaks stronger than words of his ability and success as a physician.

LEANDER C. CARPENPER, a resident of this county since 1869, has become quite noted for his great muscular strength, and is considered the best chopper in this region, and an expert lumberman, having devoted the past nine winters to that occu- pation. He is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, where his birth occurred on the 15th of April, 1846. His father died when Leander was but three years old, and four years afterward his mother again married and moved to Pennsyl- vania. Leander soon returned to New York and lived with an uncle, with whom he moved to Oak- field, Kent county, Michigan, and when fourteen years of age took upon himself the duty of sup- porting his mother, who was again a widow. On the 24th of December, 1863, he enlisted in the First Michigan Light Artillery, but was soon after taken sick, and the following fall transferred to the Invalid Corps. Was stationed first at Nash- ville, then at Indianapolis, from which place he was discharged on the 30th of June, 1865. On the 1st of January, 1874, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Jennie Lind Wood, by whom he has four boys; Lutie C., Edwin J., Bertie D., and Lynn. His mother is now married to her third husband, and lives in Oakfield, Michigan. She has had thirteen children, eleven of whom are liv- ing; four of these were born of the first marriage, five of the second, and four of the third.

MIKKEL EASTONSON was born in Norway in May, 1830. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits, remaining at home until seventeen years of age. In 1858, he was joined in marriage with Miss Annie Johnson. They came to Canada in 1860 and located in Quebec, remaining until com- ing to Sheldon in about 1863. Mr. Eastonson purchased a farm in section twenty-seven, and has since devoted his time to its cultivation.

CHRISTOF EVENSON dates his birth in Norway, on the 1st of January, 1823. He was engaged at farming and lumbering in his native country, and came to America in 1851. For five years he worked

in the pineries of Wisconsin, then moved to Good- hue county and purchased a farm, but sold in the same year and came to Sheldon in the fall of 1857. He married Miss Birgit Anderson on the 11th of February, 1862. Their children are, Edwin, An- drew, Gilbert, Tilda, Bertina, Christopher, and Annie.

G. GUTTARSEN is a native of Norway, born in April, 1812. In 1846, he came to America, loca- ting in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Louisa Evenson in 1848. On his arrival in this country, Mr. Guttarsen had very little money, but by economy and good man- agement soon found himself the owner of forty acres of land. He came to Minnesota in 1853, and took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in sections seven and eight, which was probably the first land taken in Sheldon. His wife died a few years after coming here, leaving four children, Gutorm, Even, John B., and Erie. In 1862, he married Miss Isabel Emmons, who has borne five children, Eliza, Isabel, Osa, Julia, and Ole.

HANS HOGENSEN dates his birth the 26th of January, 1820, in Norway. He was married in 1861, and came to America in 1863. For five years he was engaged in mining in the copper re- gions of Lake Superior, after which he came to Minnesota and located a farm in section twenty- six, Sheldon, which is still his home. Mr. and Mrs. Hogensen have one child, a daughter, named Annie.

JOHN N. INGMAN was born in Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, in the year 1828. In 1850, his father was drowned in one of the great lakes,and in 1856, John came with his mother to Sheldon. He served in Company H, of the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1861, and taking part in a number of important battles, among which were Pittsburg Landing, Pea Ridge, and Vicksburg, in the latter of which, he received a severe wound in the leg, shattering both bones. The wound be- came gangrenous, a large portion of the heel crumbling away, leaving the foot nearly useless. After remaining several months in the hospital at Memphis, on the 7th of November, 1863, he was discharged and started home, but an attack of erysipelas obliged him to remain at the Soldier's Home, in Chicago, until the following February. During his absence his mother died, and for about four years after his return, Mr. Ingman was en- gaged in school teaching in Fillmore county.

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 81

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 547

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 547