History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 88

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

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THE CROPS RAISED .- In relation to the agricul- tural products, it may be said that after the first efforts to procure a subsistence, the farming grad- ually drifted into wheat as a staple crop to be raised for market, but for various reasons, which are under- laid by the pecuniary one, there has been another change going on,and corn is now extensively raised and transmuted into pork, which has for several years been bringing remunerative prices. There has been some hog cholera, as it is called, due to a disremembrance of the fact, that a hog is not exclusively a granivorous animal, but is omnivor- ous, feeding, in a natural state, on animal and veg- etable food as well. So that a prevention of this

dread disease can be effected by feeding a variety of food until the animal is well grown, when corn can be used to complete the fattening, without danger of an attack from this fatal malady.

The town of Wilmington has many fine houses, barns, and out-buildings, and well cultivated farms scattered over the hills and valleys. The citizens are certainly entitled to credit for what has been done to produce homes for themselves and their families; for the amount of labor required in a new country to make the permanent improvements, in addition to the every day work and the annual crop-raising, is most enormous. And when we remember that the settlers in a new and untried country had to feel their way as to the crops that could be successfully raised, we can appreciate what has been accomplished by these sturdy pi- oneers.

TOWN ORGANIZATION.

The first town meeting was held on the 11th of May, 1858, in what was known as the Norwegian schoolhouse, the present dis- trict No. 58, located near the center of section twenty-eight. Mr. M. Glanville was chosen Mod- erator, and John G. Cook and Silas Perry, Clerks of election. The following officers were chosen: Supervisors, A. Batchellor, Chairman, Jeremiah Shumway, and Herman Peterson; Clerk, John Mc- Nelly; Assessor, Asley Swanson; Collector, G. Pope; Overseer of the Poor, C. F. Albee; Justices of the Peace, J. G. Cook and Silas C. Perry; Con- stables, J. M. Paine and Peter O. Quarle.

At this meeting the town was subdivided into nine ward districts, with the following overseers: Mike McGinnis, G. Anderson, H. Peterson, G. Gilbertson, Knud Severson, Knud Anderson, Alex. Batchellor, A. Swanson, and T. Oleson.

A resolution that hogs should be permitted to run at large was unanimously adopted. The meeting then adjourned.

And thus the town of Wilmington was started on its career as a municipality. The present town officers are: Supervisors, Ole Onsgard, Chairman, E. H. Ellestad, and Andrew Bye; Clerk, Ole O. Myhre; Treasurer, Swan Asleson; Assessor, John McNelly; Justices of the Peace, Jacob Johnson and Wm. McNelly; and Constable, Swan Asleson.

RELIGIOUS.

Early in the history of the town, an agent of the Sunday School Union opened a Sunday school, which was held from time to time in private houses

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on Portland Prairie, in the southeastern part of the town. These meetings were patronized from quite a distance, children and adults coming from Iowa and the neighboring towns, regardless of their religious belief.

METHODIST .- Like all frontier towns this place was at first a missionary field, and itinerants from various denominations prospected here, but the Methodists seemed to secure a lead, and obtained a foothold, and in 1876, a church was erected just across the Winnebago line, and although, perhaps, a majority of the members reside in this town, its complete history is given in the sketch of Win- nebago.

NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- Among the first meetings held in town were those of this de- nomination; they have the only church, and a very large congregation. The first service of this character was held by Rev. Mr. Koren, at the house of Gjermund Johnson, located on section seven. This was in 1855 or '56, and about that time occasional meetings were also held at various houses, and in 1857, after the completion of the old schoolhouse on section twenty-eight, a meeting was convened by him there, which was made an interesting occasion by a large attendance from miles around, and the baptising of fifteen children. As a general thing, the Norwegians in this local- ity are devout Christians and members of the Lu- theran Church. After a few years Mr. Koren was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Clauson, who held not very regular service in the schoolhouse for several years. Finally, in 1868, the church now in use was erected near the old schoolhouse on section twenty-eight. Rev. S. T. Reque, of Spring Grove, is the pastor, and service is held every two or three weeks.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- The meetings of this denomination are held across the line in Win- nebago, where the church is located, and as there are but comparatively few of this class in town, there is no separate organization. Rev. Mr. Clau- son used to preach in German for them as long ago as 1863, when the first efforts were made in this interest.

ROMAN CATHOLIC .- As far as known, the only services ever held in town was at the house of Charles McGinnis, in February, 1864, by the priest from Caledonia. There are but few fami- lies in town with this faith, and no organization

has been attempted, as its adherents go to Caledo- nia to receive the ministrations of the church.

SCHOOLS.

The town is well supplied with schools, and a history of each will be here presented.

DISTRICT No. 58 .- This was the first district in which a school was held, and it was in a private house, before a schoolhouse was erected. It was Norwegian in its attendance and teaching, and was sustained by subscription. It was migratory, being kept at the houses of Thomas Anderson, A. Swanson and others, until 1857, when the Nor- wegian schoolhouse was built, each settler having been put under contribution for two logs; all turning out to assist in putting it up, and it con- tinued as a schoolhouse, church, and public hall until 1878, when the present building was con- structed, on section twenty-seven, where the school now is kept.

DISTRICT No. 59 .- This is on Portland prairie, and is an American district. The first school was in the house of Mr. T. Aldrich, on section twenty- five, in 1857, where John McNelly now resides, and was taught by Mary Ann Cook, now Mrs. Amos Glanville. The first schoolhouse was erected, not unlike the one above described, on the community principle. This was in 1858, and on the farm of Mr. T. Aldrich, on section twenty-five. Schools were kept, and religious services held there. In 1868, the old schoolhouse was replaced by the present frame structure, which occupies the same site.

DISTRICT NO. 53 .- This was also one of the original districts. The first school was taught in a building owned by Mr. A. Gilbertson, in 1857. In a year or two a stone schoolhouse was put on section six, which served for school purposes until 1872, when the present frame building went up.

DISTRICT No. 66 .- This was, in 1866, set off from district No. 59, a schoolhouse was soon erected on section twenty-four, and was first taught by Ellen H. Cass.

DISTRICT NO. 67 .- The first school was held in a shed attached to the house of Mathew McGinnis, in 1865, and was taught by Miss Dora Quinland, now Mrs. Wm. Murphy, of Caledonia. The school was also held in Mike McGinnis' house. In 1867, a schoolhouse was built on section thirty, and in 1880, it was moved to its present location on the south line of the same section.

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WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

DISTRICT No. 70 .- In 1867, this district was set off from No. 59, and the next year a house was built on section thirty-one. Ellen Healy was the first district teacher here, although a private school had previously been taught in settlers' houses by Norwegians in their own tongue, by the use of their own text books.

DISTRICT No. 77 .- This district was first or- ganized and a building erected on section eighteen, about the year 1870, and a school has been held there ever since.

DISTRICT NO. 85 .- This district was instituted in the spring of 1873. A house was at once put up on section twenty-one, and David I. Vinge led off as the first teacher.

There is a mill and a store, a blacksmith shop and a Post-office, just on the Iowa line, and if the citizens there were not required to vote in Iowa, they would not know that they are not Minneso- tians. The mill and store were built in 1872, by Joseph Schwarzhoff, the present proprietor. He has a good stock of goods. The mill has two run of stones propelled by water from Waterloo Creek, which here flows between high bluffs. The place is called Bergen.

The Post office was established in 1872, and Mr. Schwarzhoff was appointed Postmaster. It is a great convenience to the people of the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

GILBERT ANDERSON, a native of Norway, dates his birth on the 14th of December, 1827. His younger days were spent in farming, and in 1852, he came to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed in the pineries one winter. Since 1854, Mr. Anderson has been a resident of Wilmington, where he owns a fine farm of four hundred acres. He was united in marriage with Miss Melinda Olson in 1856. She has borne him fourteen chil- dren, twelve of whom are living. Mr. Anderson was one of the first trustees when the Spring Grove Lutheran church was organized and has taken a prominent part in rearing the two church edifices there.

ANDREW BYE has been a resident of this place since 1853, his parents coming in August of that year and locating in section thirty-two. His mother died the same summer, which was the first death in the place. The subject of this sketch was born in Norway, on the 5th of January, 1839. He made his home with his father until coming to

his present farm in section seventeen. In March, 1857, he married Mrs. Caroline Sennes, it being one of the first marriages in the town. In 1864, Mr. Bye enlisted in Company B, of the First Minne- sota Heavy Artillery, and served till the close of the war. He has since held the offices of Town Clerk, and Supervisor, and in 1878, was elected to the House of Representatives. Mr. Bye's children number six, and Mrs. Bye has one by her former marriage.

JOHN ENGEBRETSON is also a native of Norway, and was born on the 1st of March, 1832. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and remained with his parents until coming to Pine Creek, Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1855. On the 5th of March, 1854, he was married to Miss Caroline Hanson. They came to this place in 1856, and have since made it their home. Eight children have been born to this union, all of whom are living.

SVEN H. ELLESTAD, the founder of the "Spring Grove Posten," the only newspaper ever published in Spring Grove, was born in Wilmington on the 20th of October, 1859. He received an education in the common schools, and attended the Caledonia Academy for one term. He has always lived with his parents assisting in the farm labor, and in 1879, taught one term of school. The "Posten" was a weekly folio sheet of small dimensions, pulished in the Norwegian language, the first issue appear- ing the 12th of April, 1880. It was received with general appreciation by the public, and especially by those personally acquainted with the editor. After about a year, during which time it made many friends, and was an extraordinary proof of the ability, enterprise, and genius of the young editor, Mr. Ellestad concluded to discontinue its publication. He has since worked at the printers' trade and taught school, besides working on his father's farm.

AUGUST HANEBUTE was born in Hanover, on the 29th of December, 1844. When he was quite young his parents came to America and located in Illinois, where August remained till 1862, when he enlisted in the One hundred and fifth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, Company I, participating in the battles of Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek and others; in 1866, after being discharged, he came to Wilming- ton township, purchased his present farm and has since lived here. He married Miss Hannah Was- kon on the 14th of February, 1868. They have three children; Laura, born on the 2d of May,

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1870; Annie, on the 30th of March, 1872; and Ju- lius, on the 6th of August, 1874.

WILLIAM HARTLEY was born in 1815, in Cam- bridgeshire, England, where he was reared on a farm and remained until 1848. He then came to America, locating in Evansville, Indiana, which was his home for seven years, devoting his time to various occupations. Then, after a residence of several years in Allamakee county, Iowa, first on a farm and afterwards in the hotel business, Mr. Hartley came to this place, arriving in April, 1864, and has since labored in the cultivation of his farm.

ANTHONY HUYCK, a pioneer of Caledonia, and one of the most successful farmers of this region, is a native of Albany county, New York, his birth dating the 4th of January, 1828. His home was with his parents until he came to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, in 1848. After a residence of about four years in the latter place he removed to Cale- donia, then to Mayville, and thence to Crooked Creek, remaining till 1858, when he came to his present farm, which contains two hundred and forty acres. On the 5th of June, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Emily Colby of Freeborn county. They have had four children, three of whom died of scarlet fever during the year 1870. In 1877, Mr. Huyck was elected to the House of Representatives. He is one of those genial men, whom every one is glad to meet, and with whom it is pleasant to spend an evening, lis- tening to his many incidents of the early settle- ment.

GJERMUND JOHNSON LOMMEN, one of the first settlers of this town, is a native of Norway, born on the 21st of December, 1824. He was reared on a farm, and came to America, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1849. He remained there until coming to this place in 1853, first settling in section sixteen, but a few months later, removed to his present farm in section seven. On the 15th of November, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Olson. Of eight children born to them but three are living; Mary, Sarah, and Isabel G. The family are members of the Norwe- gian Lutheran Church, at Spring Grove.

OLE P. LANSVERK was born in Wisconsin on the 18th of June, 1850, of Norwegian parents. When Ole was about six years o.d they came to this place, locating in section eighteen. The subject of this sketch assisted his father on the farm and

attended school until 1872, when he, in company with his brother, purchased land in section nine- teen. He was married to Miss Caroline Nelson on the 3d of July, 1873. They have had four chil- dren, three of whom are living. In 1875, Mr. Lansverk purchased his brother's interest in the farm, and has since made it his home.

HENRY LUEHE dates his birth the 4th of April, 1851, in Hanover, where his early days were spent, engaged in farming. He came to America when sixteen years of age, and located in Wisconsin, re- maining one summer; then to Dorchester, Iowa, where his father resided. In 1874, he purchased his present farm, but still resided with his parents. On the 11th of July, 1878, Mr. Luehr was married to Miss Louisa Deters, who bore him one child, Otto, who died in infancy. They moved to their farm in this place in 1878, and have since made it their home.

JOHN McNELLY, a prominent man of this coun- ty, and also one of its pioneers, is a native of Down county, Ireland, born on the 25th of March, 1830. He came to America when about eighteen years of age, and located in Norwich, Connecticut, where he was employed as clerk in a store for a time, and afterward as traveling salesman. In 1855, he came to this place, and resided on a farm in section thirty-six about ten years before pur- chasing his present home. Mr. McNelly was elected Town Clerk on the organization of Wil- mington, and has held the office of County Com- missioner and various local positions. From 1874 to 1876, he was a member of the House of Repre- sentatives from this district, and then elected State Senator, which office he held two years. He now resides on his farm devoting his time to its culti- vation.

OLE O. MYHRE, a native of Rock Run, Ste- phenson county, Illinois, was born on the 26th of January, 1851. When he was quite young his parents moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, and two years later to this place where our subject has since resided. On the 24th of March, 1876, he was married to Miss Margaret O. Engen. The same year he purchased his present farm which has since been their home. Mr. Myhre has held the office of Supervisor and Treasurer, and is at pres- ent Town Clerk.

KNUD OLSEN is a native of Norway and was born on the 14th of April, 1849. He came with his parents to America in 1852, locating in Illinois

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where they remained two years, and then came to this place. He resided with his father until 1873, when he purchased the homestead and carried it on alone, his parents still making it their home. Mr. Olsen married Miss Julia Hefte, who has been a resident of this place since 1854. They have three children.

OLE OLSON was born on the 29th of March, 1827, in Norway, where he was reared on a farm. For eight years he spent a portion of each as fish- erman on the coast of Norway. He came to America in 1860, and the same year purchased land in this town. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and also some timber land in Iowa. In March, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Knudson. Of ten children born to this union, six are living.

JOHN OSTENSON is also a native of Norway, and dates his birth the 22d of November, 1829. He learned the shoemaker trade in his native country, and in 1852, came to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged at farming. He came here in 1855, purchased a farm which contains one hundred and sixty acres and is well improved. On the 12th of July, 1857, Miss Maria Brown be- came his wife. They have had three children, only one of whom is living. Mr. Ostenson has held the office of Supervisor for about ten years.

CHRISTIAN O. OFSTEDAHL was born in Norway on the 15th of September, 1819. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and came to America in 1850, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained two years. Then, after living in Winneshiek county, Iowa, for a short time, he came to this place in 1851, purchased the farm of Ole Bye, one of the early settlers, and has since devo- ted his time to its cultivation. In July, 1860, Mr. Ofstedahil married Miss Torby Peterson, who has borne him eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Ofstedahl has filled the office of Su- pervisor for a year.

LOUIS M. QUENNILL is also a native of Norway, born on the 1st of March, 1836. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and when twenty-two years of age was employed in a blacksmith shop. In 1860, he came to America, locating in Hudson, Wisconsin, and the following year engaged in rafting on the Mississippi river. In 1862, he en- tered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. as ship carpenter, and also with the La Crosse Packet Company several years, and in 1866, came to this

town. He has since been engaged in farming and stock raising, and has also given some attention to his trade, having a blacksmith shop on his farm. He was married to Miss Annie Quennill in January, 1867. They have had eight children, only two of whom are living, a boy and a girl. Mr. Quennill has served the town as Supervisor six terms, and is now President of the Wilmington Fire Insurance Company.

HENRY ROBINSON, who made the first improve- ment in this town, is a son of James Robinson, who was born in 1797, in Antrim county, Ireland, which is also the native place of our subject. In 1840, the family came to America, and the follow- ing year his father died in New York City. Henry came to Wisconsin with his mother in 1845, and a few years later they located a farm on the boun- dary line between Minnesota and Iowa, the house being just south of the line. Mr. Robinson took a claim in Wilmington, in 1851, on which he erected a shanty, but made his home with his mother most of the time. They have resided on their present farm since 1861.

JACOB JOHNSON RAMSTAD, was born on the 8th of August, 1842, in Norway, where he was reared on a farm. He came to America and directly to this place, in 1862, remaining here, however, only a few months. He resided in Lansing, Iowa, then La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and on the 11th of March, 1864, enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and on receiving his discharge returned to this town. In February, 1868, Miss Martha H. Syl- ling became his wife, and they have lived on this farm ever since. Since his residence in the town, Mr. Ramstad has been honored with the positions of County Commissioner and Town Supervisor, and is now Justice of the Peace. He was also President of the Wilmington Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company, and is now serving his second term as its secretary.

ARNOLD STONE is a native of Rhode Island, where his birth occurred on the 25th of May, 1821. His father died when the subject of this sketch but four years old, and three years later he went to Douglas, Massachusetts, remaining until twen- ty-one years of age. Then, after residing in Con- necticut a short time, he returned to his native State, and for two or three years lived on the old farm. His wife was Philinda Aldrich, whom he married on the 13th of November, 1844. After

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again living in Douglas for some years, Mr. Stone came west, settling in Winnebago, Houston county, in 1856. Two years later he came to Wilmington, and for a time lived on a rented farm, then,in 1860, came to his present place in section twenty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of seven chil- dren.

JOSEPH SCHWARZHOFF, one of the pioneers of this section, is a native of Westphalia, Germany, where he was born on the 5th of March, 1838. He came with his parents to America in 1853, and located in Waterloo, Allamakee county, Iowa. He was married in the latter place to Miss Elizabeth Pieper, the event dating the 21st of October, 1862. Mr. Schwarzhoff erected a brewery at Dorchester, in which he did a very successful business till 1868, when he rented it and moved to Highland, Winne- shiek county, remaining until his removal to his present home, which is situated but a few feet south of theState line. When first coming here he erected a store and grist-mill, which he still operates. Ber- gen Post-office is located at his store, and he has always filled the office of Postmaster; has also been County Commissioner of Allamakee county for the past three years. In 1877, he opened a twelve hundred acre farm in Dakota, which he has Bince carried on in addition to his other business. He has two children.

FREDERICK THIES was born in Hanover, Ger- many, on the 19th of June, 1836. He received a limited education in his native city, and also ob- tained some experience in farming. In 1854, he came to America with his parents, they settling in Dupage county, Illinois. Mr. Thies came to Min- nesota in 1861, and purchased land in this town- ship. He enlisted in Company G, of the Second

Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in 1864, and served till the close of the war. Then returning to Wilmington, he purchased the farm on which he has ever since resided.

PETER H. TORGUNBUD was born on the 19th of May, 1830, in Norway, where he was reared on a farm. His mother died on their voyage to this country, in 1852, and was buried at Quebec. The family came to Racine county, Wisconsin, re- mained about two years and moved to this town. In 1856, Mr. Torgunrud purchased a farm in sec- tion sixteen, and with the exception of two years spent upon one of his farms in Spring Grove, he has since resided here. In 1861, he was married to Miss Caroline Johnson, who has borne him five children.

CHARLES F. WRIGHT, whose ancestors were among the pioneers of Vermont, was born in that State on the 7th of October, 1831. His parents removed to Massachusetts when Charles was quite young, and afterward to Providence, Rhode Is- land, where our subject received his education, graduating from the high school in about 1847. Two years later he entered a mercantile establish- ment in Blackstone, Massachusetts, where he re- mained till 1858. During his residence in the latter place he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary M. Metcalf, the event taking place on the 7th of October, 1856. He opened a store in 1858, and continued in business until his removal to this place in 1863. He has since devoted most of the time to the cultivation of his farm. Mr. Wright is a great lover of music, to which he has given considerable study. Four children, three boys and one girl, gather around the family hearth- stone.

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 88

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

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