History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 86

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

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ELLING REIERSON was born on the 25th of March, 1845, in Norway. He residec' on a farm with his parents, and in 1861, came with them to America, locating in this town. Elling engaged in farming during the summer months and in the winter attended school. For two years he was in the Norwegian Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa; also attended the high school at that place, after which he continued his studies at the Wis- consin State University. He then taught school in this State, and subsequently near Decorah, Iowa, in which place he was married to Miss Chresti Myrand. In 1876, they came to Spring Grove, and Mr. Reierson formed a partnership with Dr. T. Jenson in the drug business. Mr. and Mrs. Reierson are the parents of four children, two boys and two girls.

REV. STYRK S. REQUE is a native of Voss, Nor- way, and dates his birth the 27th of November, 1836. At the age of eight years he came with the family to America, locating near Leeds, Colum-

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bia county, Wisconsin, and three years later in Dane county, where he continued his education at the Madison High School and the State Univer- sity. He afterward attended the Lutheran Theo- logical Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri; then re- turned to Wisconsin, where he was ordained and placed in charge of a field, including churches at Roche-a-Cris, Kilbourn City, Lemonweir, Lewis- ton, and Greenwood. He remained in this charge about six and a half years, in the meantime making a short missionary tour through Texas, and one through this State. In 1871, he received and accepted a call from his present congregation, where he has since labored. Besides the Spring Grove Church, he has charge of churches in Black Hammer, Wilmington, and Riceford, the latter society having been organized and a church edifice built under his ministration. He also holds occa- sional services at Caledonia. He is assisted in his ministerial labors by Rev. E. P. Jensen, who resides about five miles from the village, and has separate charge of a congregation at Newburg, Fillmore county. The church at Spring Grove numbers about 600 communicants, making, with the other societies under his charge, 1,175 com- municants, or 2,250 souls, as shown by the last annual report. On the 2d of July, 1865, Mr. Reque was joined in wedlock with Miss Cecilia Anderson, by which union eight children have been born, seven of whom still enjoy the shelter of the parental roof; the other, a son and the first born, is with relatives in Iowa. Mrs. Reque is a daughter of Bjorn and Abel Katherina Anderson, the formor of whom died in Wisconsin during the cholera plague of 1850. The latter, who was the first white woman in Albion, Dane county, Wis- consin, is now a member of her daughter's family, and remarkably active, though well advanced in years. Prof. R. B. Anderson, of the Wisconsin State University, author of "Norse Mythology;" "America Not Discovered by Columbus;" "Viking Tales of the North," and a number of other works, is her son.

J. H. SMITH, a native of Centre county, Pennsyl vania, was born on the 24th of November, 1843. His parents removed to Stevens county, Illinois, when our subject was three years old, and in 1855, to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he assisted his father on a farm, and also clerked in stores at Lan- sing. On the 23d of December, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Goble. In

1871, he bought a harness shop which he carried on until 1878; then went to Kansas and spent a year at his trade. Mr. Smith came to this town in 1879, and opened his present shop, in which he does a good business. He has one child, Laura Bell.

STONGRIM STONGRIMSON was born on the 6th of February, 1836, in Sigdahl, Norway. He re- mained with his parents engaged in farming, un- til coming to America in 1854. After a residence of about a year in Iowa county, Wisconsin, he went to the State of Iowa, and in 1856, came to Spring Grove, locating a farm on section twenty- three. Martha Peterson became his wife on the 25th of March, 1861. She has borne him seven children, six girls and one boy. In 1871 they re- moved to their present farm in section thirteen; it is situated only half a mile from the church of Spring Grove, and is in a good state of cultiva- tion.

D. A. SHERWOOD, one of the early settlers of this place, was born in Franklin county, New York, on the 15th of November, 1826. He came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1848, and after a residence of five years there came to Spring Grove and located a farm in section seven. He soon gave up farming, and for a number of years devoted his time to hunting and trapping in this vicinity, and finally on the Sioux and Des Moines rivers. At the time. of the Indian Massacre, he was near Spirit Lake and assisted in the pursuit of the Indians. In 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company F, serv- ing until July, 1864, when he was discharged for disability. He then returned to this county and was engaged in farming, and later, at the mould- er's trade in Hokah, and Lansing, lowa. Mr. Sherwood opened his present foundry in 1869, in connection with which he now carries on a black- smith shop.

OLE CHRISTENSON STENERODER, who located in section twelve, Spring Grove, as early as 1853, is a native of Norway, born near Christiania, on the 22d of April, 1824. He is a blacksmith, at which occupation he was employed in his native country until coming to America in 1851. Just before leaving home he was united in marriage with Miss Betsey Erickson. After a short residence in Rock county, Wisconsin, he came here and opened a blacksmith shop, the first in this region, which he still continues, although the last few years he has

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given some attention to farming. He owns the southeast quarter of section twelve, and has over a hundred acres under cultivation, with good build- ings and a fine orchard. Although Mr. Stenero- der has never taken an active part in politics, he has been elected to different local offices. Mrs. Steneroder has borne him eight children, only four of whom are living. Their first born died on the journey here from Wisconsin, and was buried near Decorah, Iowa. The other three are buried in the cemetery at this place.

LEVOR TIMANSON (QUARVE), a son of Thideman Olson Eidahl and Kjevsti Jorgenson Gavnaes, was born the 27th of December, 1830, in the parish of Naes, Hallingdal, Norway. He was reared on a farm, spending most of his time herding cattle in the mountains. His father had a large family of children whom he endeavored to bring up practical men and women, but in those mountainous dis- tricts their school advantages were very limited. The instructions imparted to Levor were at home in a catechism, his school days being but three, writing and arithmetic being learned after he at- tained manhood. In 1848, the family emigrated to America. The journey was long and weari- some, attended by many hardships. The father was removed by death soon after landing in New York, and a month later the family came to Rock county, Wisconsin, where they were welcomed by a few countrymen who had come the year before. Levor found employment as a carpenter, mason, and farm laborer. In 1853, in company with some friends, he made a trip to Southern Minnesota and Iowa, in search of good farming land. The fol- lowing spring Mr. Timanson located two miles west of Spring Grove, where he still resides en- gaged in farming and stock raising. Having thus procured himself a home he married Miss Kresti Knudson Berg in May, 1856. The result of this union was eleven children, seven of whom are liv- ing. Mr. Timanson now owns land to the amount of eight hundred and forty acres, five hundred and fifty of which are under cultivation. He has taken a prominent part in building and supporting schools and churches, and during the war contrib- uted largely and spent a large amount of time in obtaining volunteers. He is an exemplary hus- band and father, and bore his full share of trials during his pioneer life. For a time he stood alone in politics, being the only republican in the town, His mother died in her ninety-first year, in the fall

of 1881, at the residence of her son, Levor. At the time of her husband's death, while in a foreign land among entire strangers, she was driven nearly to despair, but bore her lot patiently, placing her trust in the Guardian of the widow and fatherless. Before her death her faith was amply rewarded by seeing prosperity smile upon the homes of her children and children's children. .

GEORGE TIMANSON, deceased, was one of the pioneers of this place and a prominent politician. He was born in Norway on the 14th of November, 1826, and came to America, locating in Wiscon- sin in 1848. He came to Spring Grove in 1853, and immediately commenced making improve- ments on land in section fifteen. His house be- ing one of the largest of the first settlers, it be- came the place for holding religious services, Mr. Timanson taking an active interest in the organi- zation and maintenance of the church. Beside filling many local offices he was a member of the State Legislature from this district. His death occurred on the 17th of January, 1878. He was the father of fourteen children, nine of whom are now living.

GUNDER G. TRAAEN was born in Norway, on the 24th of June, 1831. He came to America in 1853, and in November of the same year was mar- ried to Miss Annie Erickson. They resided in Rock county, Wisconsin, till 1854, when they came to Spring Grove. Mr. Traaen first took one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, but has added to his estate until now he owns about three hundred acres, on which is a fine brick residence, good barns, etc. Of seven children who have been born of this union, only three are now living. Mrs. Traaen also died on the 5th of December, 1881.

ERVIN WAIT is a native of New York, born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, on the 23d of Au- gust, 1829. His parents came to Chicago,Illinois, in the fall of 1834, thence to Racine county, Wis- consin, in the spring of 1838, where they were among the pioneers of the county. The subject of this sketch married Miss Mary Ann Gilmore, on the 19th of October, 1851, and two years later they removed to Lansing Iowa. After a residence of one year in the latter place they were unset- tled for a year and a half, coming to this place in the spring of 1856, where they now own a fine farm. This union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are living. Though hav- ing lived mostly a frontier life they have gener-

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ally enjoyed peace and plenty in this land of abundant harvest.

KNUD OLSON WOLD was born in Christiania Stift on the 22d of December, 1830. He came to America soon after his father's death, arriving in 1850, and settled with his brother in Wisconsin. In 1852, he moved to Iowa, spent a few months and came to what is now Spring Grove, marking

out a claim near the present village site. It was afterward "jumped," and Mr. Wold moved to Wi- nona county where he located a farm and built a log house, making some improvements on the land. This too was "jumped," after which he at- tempted to locate near the scene of the Inkpaduta massacre, but finally abandoned the effort. In 1859, he came to this place and purchased his pres- ent farm, which has since been his home.

UNION.

CHAPTER LXIV.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION-INDIAN SPRING-EARLY SETTLEMENT-VARIOUS EVENTS-TOWN ORGANIZA- TION-MANUFACTURING-SCHOOLS-RELIGIOUS- BIOGRAPHICAL.

Union is the northeast of the four central town- ships of the county, and its neighbors are Mound Prairie on the north, Brownsville on the east, May- ville on the south, and Sheldon on the west. Its contour is of the most regular irregularity, being very evenly divided between hills and valleys.

It is evident that these valleys, which have been scooped out or worn away, have supplied material to make up, perhaps, the state of Louisiana. Had this country remained as it was when first lifting its broad acres above the bosom of the deep, it would have been all ridge land, exhibiting vast plateaus, all unbroken by the deep gorges now everywhere visible. But this seems not to have been the order of creation, and so we are con- fronted with these mighty bluffs rising several hundred feet above the water bed below.

Union embraces most of a township of govern- ment survey, but some of the northwestern sec- tions go toward making up the town of Mound Prairie. The northern line of the town runs due west along section one to the middle of the north- ern boundary of section two, when it turns south-

ward and passes through sections ten, sixteen, sev- enteen, and eighteen.

Crystal Creek rises in the northwestern corner of the town and flows in a northwestern direction; Indian Spring Brook runs from section twenty- eight in a general northeastern direction, and leaves the town from section twelve; and another branch of this stream springs up in section twenty-six, and joins the main channel in section twelve. The town may be said to be well wa- tered, although not with well water, for here, as is the rule in the county, digging a well is very often an unsuccessful operation. There may be adven- titious circumstances which will permit a well at a reasonable depth, but the only way to be positive in this matter is to try the experiment. Most of the residents have cisterns, which really furnish the best water.

INDIAN SPRING.

This is a fine clear fountain bubbling up from under the edge of a bluff near the highway in section twenty-eight. At this point there used to be a regular encampment for Indians while on hunting and fishing expeditions. This spring also gives the name to the rivulet already de- scribed. When the white settlers arrived, the evi- dences that this was a grand rendezvous for their noma dic predecessors were scattered around to a

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wide extent, and the idea was confirmed by the Indians themselves.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

David House came from Illinois in 1853, and located a claim in what is called Hokah valley, on section fourteen; with him was his father who re- mained a few years, and then went to Kansas. A log dwelling was their first abiding place, but after awhile a more comfortable house was erected. A few years ago Mr. House, who was one of the leading and most enterprising citizens, removed to Hokah, where he is still engaged in trade. Mrs. House was the first white woman to live in town.

Edwin Butterfield looked at a claim on section fourteen, in the early spring of 1853. He did not stop to make any improvements, but pushed on further west on a prospecting tour. On his re- turn he found David House on his quondam terri- tory, and as Mr. House had already begun im- provements, the unwritten squatter law deterred Mr. Butterfield from any rights in the premises, and he thus narrowly escaped being the first ac- tual settler. Mr. Butterfield then did the next best thing by going on to section thirteen,to which he brought his family in September, and opened a farm.

He was a native of New York State, and came to Union from Illinois. He remained up to the vear 1868 when he was carried by the emigration tide to Dakota, and has since joined the great ma- jority.

Frank J. Kitzinger seems to have been the next man to start a home in this then western wild. He planted his boundary stakes in section fifteen, and opened and kept the first hotel, but now resides in Hokah.

In 1853, not long after the previous arrivals, Mr. Marcus Sammons arrived and selected five forties in the northeastern part of section twenty- nine. In a few years he was absorbed by the vil- lage of Hokah, where he died just before the war.

In 1854, Henry Snure, Sr., dawned upon the scene and also took land in section twenty-nine. It is gratifying to know that his lamp still holds out to burn. With him came William Henry Snure.

In the fall of 1855, George Snure, a son of Henry Snure, Sr., Walter Krick, Jacob Becker, and Daniel Klein, a desirable quartette, arrived from Upper Canada, about twelve miles from Niagara Falls. George Snure remained with his

father until the rebellion broke out, when he went to the front. Walter Krick put himself on the northeast quarter of section thirty-one, and he re- mains there still. Jacob Becker also established himself on section thirty-one, and in about 1869, went to Hokah. Daniel Klein, who married Kath- erine, a daughter of Henry Snure, located on sec- tion thirty. He also had the Hokah fever, but after a residence there for a time it subsided, and he returned, but whether a sadder or wiser man is not recorded. Jacob Klein married Agnes Snure and he may still be found on section thirty, an in- dustrious and thriving farmer.

Simeon Snure was another of those early com- ers, he went on section twenty, where he may still be found.

Mr. Hiram Griffin was the first settler on section twelve, but after a time he went to Iowa. Clark W. Thompson, of Hokah, was more or less inter- ested in the early settlement of Union. Charles Klein was in town for a time, but finally made his home in Mayville. John Klein came to Hokah as an early settler, but he now lives in Union on sec- tion four.

Among other early comers should be mentioned W. H. Younglove, James Franklin, John Hur- ley, and Edward Null. Quite a uumber of land speculators came in; watching opportunities to get something for nothing. But such adven- turers did not meet with great success here.

After this, for a few years, the eligible loca- tions were rapidly taken, and the territory of the township was covered by local claimants, who have proved to be au industrious class of people.

To show how the enterprising people of those primitive times executed public works, which were of great magnitude, considering the re- sources at command, an account of the building of a "school meeting house," in District No. 44, will be here presented: A subscription paper was duly drawn up, in which the articles oppo- site the names were pledged to the object in view. This was handed around, with the following re- sult:

John Snure, one quarter of an acie of land on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section twenty-nine.

Jacob Klein, four 20 foot logs, and 100 feet of boards.

Edmund Null, six 18 foot logs and one square of shingles.

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Henry Snure, four 20 foot logs, one square of shingles, 100 feet of boards, 300 lath, and one window.

James Franklin, four 20 foot logs and eight beams.

Martin Younglove, four 20 foot logs.

Daniel Klein, four 20- foot logs and twenty . pounds of nails.

John Hurley, four 18 foot logs and one square of shingles.

John Roach, three 18 foot logs.

John Hyke, four 18 foot logs and one square of shingles.

Jacob Baker, four 18 foot sleepers and fifteen pounds of nails.

Benjamin Franklin, three 18 foot sleepers. Thomas White, one 12 light window, 8x10. Walter Krick, two windows, 12 lights, 8x10. Henry Scure, Jr., one window of 12 lights. George M. Snure, eight pairs of rafters. W. Younglove, fifteen one inch boards.

All the material was to be on the ground by the first of March, 1859. The first trustees of this school were, John Hurley, Henry Snure, and J. H. Huyck. Edward Null was the clerk. Of course co-operation like this would promptly put up the building, which the specifications demand- ed should be 18x20 feet.

VARIOUS EVENTS.

In the absence of any record evidence, it seems impossible to determine the exact date or the name of the first white person to pass over the unknown road to the other side. It has been said, that time and space are but appearances when viewed in connection with the boundless creation, and if so, after all it matters little as to tlie first event, al- though there is always an absorbing interest in this regard, which may only be equaled by the solemnity always enshrouding the last of anything.

Without attempting to be positive on the point raised, it may be recorded that Samuel Hall, the grandfather of the present David House, was quite likely the first to cross the unknown stream. James Kyle died in July, 1855, and John Franklin lost a child in the fall of that year.

The earliest religious services must have been by Mr. John Hooper, the Methodist Missionary.

Joseph Phillips had five sons in the Union army.

The men from Union who had successful tickets in the draft to fill the quota of the town, were , Bernsdorf & Semling.

John Roach, Benjamin Franklin, Edwin Butter- field, Jesse Doers, Frank Kitzinger, James Frank- lin, David House, Daniel Klein, James McMillan, George Kyle, Timothy McKenney, Henry Snure, Thomas White, and Walter Krick. Some of these reported in person to the Provost Marshal, and some of them paid the $300 commutation or pro- cured a substitute.

THE FIRST HOTEL .- The first public house opened within the limits of the town was the Union House, by Frank J. Kitzinger, who now resides in Hokah. The house was burned and afterwards rebuilt.

The Valley House was kept by Martin Neu- bury, now of Sheldon, who came here about 1859.

TOWN ORGANIZATION.

The organization of the town was completed on the 5th of April, 1859, when the first town meet- ing was held at the house of F. J. Kitzinger, Oli- ver Nelson was Chairman, and Edmund Null, Clerk. The Supervisors elected were: Benjamin Franklin, Chairman, John Hurley, and Henry Snure; Town Clerk, Edmund Null; Justices of the Peace, David House and Simeon Snure; As- Bessor, Edwin Butterfield; Collector, John Culver; Constables, Abner Seaman and James Franklin; Overseer of the Poor, Oliver Moran; Pound Mas- ters, W. H. Younglove and David House.

The present town officers are: Supervisors, Benjamin Franklin, Chairman, Thomas Sheehan, Patrick Toole; Clerk, John J. Sheehan; Treasurer, John Hurley; Assessor, Thomas Hartly; Justices of the Peace, Elijah Bump and Isaac Holliday; Constables, Charles Fitting and Daniel O'Leary.

The town has been carefully governed, and the administration of affairs been economically at- tended to by the various officers who have been from time to time chosen.

MANUFACTURING.

UNION VALLEY MILL .- This was built by Mr. Edwin Butterfield. It is 26x36 feet, with a capa- city of fifty bushels a day. It also grinds feed, and has three run of stones, with smutters, separa- tors, etc., and the power is transmitted by a thirty- six inch turbine wheel. There is a twelve foot fall, but the water is a little scant for the demands of the mill, and usually runs but ten or twelve hours a day. Mr. Butterfield removed to Dakota, where he died in 1879. The mill is now operated by

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POST-OFFICE.

The Post-office was established in 1857, on sec- tion twenty. The first Postmaster was Henry Snure. The office was moved to section twenty- nine, and Edmund Null was Postmaster, but about 1875, it was discontinued.

Union has no village, but is situated between, and about equi-distant from, Hokah, Caledonia, Brownsville, and Houston, and so the people are about as well accommodated, particularly those around the outskirts, as though they had a village in the center of the town.

SCHOOLS.

There are only three districts in town and con- sequently some of the children have long distan- ces to travel.

DISTRICT No. 29 .- A school was first taught in the valley on section twelve, in a house built by Hiram Griffin. Miss Frances Pound was the teacher. Afterwards a log house was put up by contributions of time and timber, Mr. David House furnished logs for one side, Edwin Butter- field for another, and Levi West and others for the rest. The district now has a good stone school- house.

DISTRICT No. 27 .- Was organized on the 28th of July, 1858, and the number of scholars at that time was forty-four. John Hurley, Henry Snure, Sr., and John H. Hyke were the first trustees, and Edmund Null was elected clerk. At that meeting the site for a schoolhouse was selected at the center of section twenty-nine, where the house was built the same fall and stands there yet. Miss Sarah A. Lyon was the first teacher, in an old log shanty first rolled together as a residence by Marcus Sammons. In the autumn of 1859, a log schoolhouse was laid up with a hip roof, which still stands and is the only school building in the north part of the town. It is on section twenty-nine. This district should be divided, for the distance for some of the children is so great that they are practically deprived of school privileges.

DISTRICT No. 28 .- This schoolhouse, which is a neat little affair on section twenty-six in Thomp- son's Valley, was built in 1860.

UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL .- In 1860, a Sunday school was inaugurated in the valley, in number twenty-nine schoolhouse, and it was kept up for many years. Mr. Lewis Pound was the Superin- tendent.

RELIGIOUS.

Like almost all of the newly settled parts of the country, the colonists, coming from divers places, where each had been favored with the opportunity to attend upon the particular denominational teaching of his choice, would naturally become restive under a deprivation of the privilege, and would put in operation such agencies available, as might promise to build up a like society in the new settlement. Representatives of the various sects thus differing, and each seeing no good rea- son why all the others should not unite with them, and very few being prepared to sacrifice their sectarian feelings for the common good; the result was many abortive attempts to build up societies, and many feeble organizations coming to an untimely end from sheer inanition. In many cases, were it possible, a union of the Protestant elements in a settlement, in imitation of their coherent Roman brethren, would build a church and handsomely support a pastor, where now the straggling missionary and the jaded circuit rider makes an occasional call.

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 86

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

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