USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 18
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1874, January 7-Leaf Mountain (Dovre Fjeld until March 18, 1874) ; January 6, Friberg (Florence until March 18, 1874).
1875, May 10-Compton (Grant until July 29, 1875) ; July 29, Eastern. 1876-None organized.
1877, January 2-Oak Valley ; January 2, Woodside ( Wrightstown until March 22, 1877) ; March 22, Newton ( New York Mills until July 26, 1883.)
1878, March 18-Sverdrup (Norman until July 17, 1878) ; March 18, Inman; July 17, Henning ( East Battle Lake until August 1, 1884) ; July 17, Bluffton.
1879, March 18 Lida; March 19, Amor; July 22, Dora; July 22, Everts; July 22, Leaf Lake.
1880, January 18-Candor; January 18, Star Lake; March 16, Elmo; March 16, Dunn; July 26, Maplewood (St. Agnes until May 2, 1882) ; July 26, Homestead (Runyon).
1881, February 24-Carlisle; February 24, Folden.
1882, March 21-Edna (Cuba until May 2, 1882) ; March 21, Girard; March 21, Paddock.
1883, January 5-Pine Lake; March 22, Otter; July 26, Butler.
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1884, January 3-Corliss; March 20, Blowers.
1886, July 27-Orwell ( Liberty until November 3, 1886).
1897, March 24-Dead Lake.
CLITHERALL TOWNSHIP.
The first and, in many ways, the most interesting settlement made in Otter Tail county was that known as the Mormon settlement, near Clitherall lake, in what was later included in Clitherall township. This settlement was made in 1865 by a little band of Mormons from lowa. The violent breaking up of Brigham Young's church at Nauvoo, Illinois, had scattered the adher- ents of that faith in search for a more safe and pleasant abiding place. The greater part of the band journeyed toward the far West, making temporary stops in Iowa and other parts of the country, in search of a desirable habi- tation. It was in May, 1865, when a little band of this wandering tribe, composed of seven families, left the main body and turned their faces toward the Northwest. They had heard of the beautiful prairies and fertile lands of Minnesota and they determined to find a location and found a colony in this state.
It was a long journey and many hardships were endured. There were also many discouragements and friendly warnings from the less adventurous settlers whom they met on the way. This was but a few years after the Sioux Indian war, when many white inhabitants had been killed or driven in terror from the state. The settlers who had ventured to return were still in a state of dread, apprehensive of another outbreak of the savages who were roaming through the country. But this little band of brave and cour- ageous Mormons disregarded the friendly warnings of settlers whom they passed on their journey. They found a delightful location bordering on this beautiful lake and there they encamped, taking possession of lands in the midst of the half-savage redmen, and in the heart of their choicest hunting and fishing grounds.
In the following month of August they were joined by ten families from Crow Wing, their old friends and neighbors of the same faith. They located their homesteads, each with a frontage of forty rods on the lake, and gave their attention to farming and stock raising. They endeavored to be inde- pendent and self-supporting, manufacturing most of their agricultural machinery, and most of their household furniture. By treating the Indians humanely and kindly, aiding the deserving and firmly refusing assistance to the unworthy, and by means of friendly councils with the chiefs, they were able to live in peace with their half-savage neighbors. Industrious, temper- ate and law-abiding, this little pioneer band of Mormons enjoyed the fruits of right living, increasing in flocks and herds and in the abundant products of cultivated lands. The knowledge of the success and prosperity of this
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little community spread abroad and brought other settlers into this section, and the population of what is now Clitherall township increased more rapidly than any other part of the county.
Organisation of Clitherall Township.
The township took its name from the lake of that name, and the lake took its name from Major George B. Clitherall, who was register. of the United States land office at Otter Tail City from 1858 to 1861. Whether Clitherall saw it first and honored himself by giving his name to this beau- tiful lake, or whether somebody else conceived the idea of doing him this honor, is not a matter of record. It is a matter of record that, a few years later, Clitherall emulated the example of several others connected with Buchanan's administration by aiding the cause of the Southern Confederacy.
('litherall was one of the three townships first organized in Otter Tail county ; according to the records it was undoubtedly the first township to have a separate existence. At an extra session of the county commissioners, October 24, 1868, a petition was presented asking for the organization of township 132, range 40, by attaching township 133, in ranges 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and township 132, range 41, to be known by the name of Clitherall. The record fails to state whether the petition was granted, but it evidently was, since, at the March session of the board of commissioners, 1869, the town- ship Clitherall was mentioned in such a way as to make it certain that it was a political entity. The petition of October 24, 1868, carried the following names: S. J. Whiting. C. Whiting, C. Sperry, Joseph Fletcher. F. L. Whiting. L. Fletcher, Leyman Murdock, Isaac Whiting. Hyrum Murdock, Thomas Mason, Marcus Shaw. C. G. Fletcher and J. Burdick.
Character and Faith of These Pioncer Settlers.
It will be of interest in this connection to give a brief statement regarding the character and religious belief of this community of Mormons who founded a colony in Otter Tail county, braving the dangers and enduring the privations incident to early times, and who have contributed so large a part in the development and civilization of the county. The material facts upon which this statement is founded are obtained from an article in the Fergus Falls Journal, June 23, 1876, written by Chancy Whiting, the leader of the Mormon colony at that time.
It is stated in that article that, although this colony accepted the Mormon faith and doctrine as taught in the Book of Mormon, and the doctrines and covenants by Joseph Smith, they do not believe in nor practice polygamy, but denounce the ultra-polygamists as having grossly violated the teachings of their founder, and having gone utterly astray after strange gods. They also hold the Christian Bible to be equally sacred with the Mormon Book, and contend that there is no variance nor contradiction between these two
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books. Their belief is that the latter contains a fuller and later revelation of God's will concerning men. These people are intensely spiritual, with unlim- ited faith in God's promises, believing that He bestoweth the gift of prophecy upon man now, as well as of old; that He gives them power to work mira- cles and to heal the sick by the laying on of hands, as it was given to the disciples in the time of our Savior. They also believe in baptism by immer- sion and in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In government the church is republican, electing its own leader, council and trustees by ballot or stand- ing vote, and removing them if desired in the same manner.
This colony has prospered to the extent of enjoying without molesta- tion their peculiar religious belief; of earning by honest labor a comfortable living; maintaining good schools and stated religious worship, both public and around their firesides. In this latter respect, especially, they put to shame many of other religious beliefs who are wont to denounce the Mormons. Judged by their fruits, these people are deserving, at least, of our respectful consideration and commendation. Possessing but a moderate worldly ambi- tion, not proselyting in spirit, they have sought rather to dwell together in unity and simplicity than to grow in riches and numerical strength and power as a community.
It was the practice of this community to so distribute the returns of the harvest and the increase of the flocks that the poorest and most unfortunate among them should never want for the common necessities and comforts of life. Governed by this practice and controlled by a sentiment of unity and harmony, living for the most part in humble and homely log cabins, with few of what are called the luxuries of life, living without strife or contention or threatening ambition, this little Mormon colony planted by Lake Clitherall in 1865 has been recognized as the model community of Otter Tail county.
The present township officers are as follow: Supervisors, William Lundstrom and T. Moher; clerk. E. N. Swenson; treasurer, Christ Jenson ; assessor, John J. Franze; justice, E. K. Evanson and T. S. Mokley; con- stables, Nels Scott and Frank Nelson.
ST. OLAF TOWNSHIP
St. Olaf township (township 132, range 41) was organized by the commissioners on March 20, 1869, in response to a petition signed by the following legal voters residing in the proposed township: Michael Cald- well, Frank Caldwell, William Martin, S. A. Wolcott, Edward J. Lacy, Theodore Anderson, Peder S. Penn, Jacob Turtlson, Lewis Anderson, Andrew Lewison, Andrew R. Roberts, Frank Demoss, Alick Johnson, Erick Erickson, Carl Blyberg, Mons Bothun, Thomas H. Birge, J. E. Lacy, Richard M. Gordon, W. Hammer, Torkel Engebritson, Engebret Torkerson, James H. Sackett, Salvage (?) McBerge (?), Ole H. Herneys, Thomas Olason,
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John Baardson and Knut Olson. (Some of these Norwegian names are written in such a manner that they are difficult to decipher. )
The first election was set for April 6, 1869, at the house of S. A. Wolcott. The township was organized as Oxford in accordance with the wish of the petitioners, but a year later ( May 10, 1870) the name was changed to that of St. Olaf by the commissioners. St. Olaf was organ- ized as a civil township the year following the organization of the county and was the second township organized, being officially formed by the com- missioners just five months after Clitherall. This township lies on the south- ern border of the county and borders on Grant county. It is bordered on the north by Tordenskjold, on the west by Tumuli and on the east by Eagle Lake. It was settled by Norwegians, as were most of the southern town- ships of the county. The early settlers to this county came from the south and settled along the southern border first, although some of the townships through which the Northern Pacific railroad was built were among the earliest.
St. Olaf lies in the lake district, although it is at the southern border where the lakes are small. There are some thirty odd lakes in this township, but only seven worthy of mention. Lake Johnson is the largest, with Lakes Sewell, Jolly Ann, Vinge, Sonner, Johannes and Lacy following in the order of their size. There are only four sections, namely, 12, 28, 32 and 33, which do not contain a single lake within their limits. Very few of these lakes have outlets. The land in this section of the county is very rolling and broken. The farms are rather small and the township is well populated. There were two Lutheran churches in sections 20 and 21, respectively, as early as 1870. At present there are churches in sections 7. 12 and 21. There are cemeteries located in sections 20 and 23. There are six school districts in the townships with school buildings in sections 7, 11, 18, 20, 23 and 35. The town hall is located in section 21. There was a postoffice, called St. Olaf, located in section 2, for a number of years, but the rural route has caused this to be abandoned. There has never been a village platted in the township.
The present township officers are as follows: Supervisors, T. M. Sal- vevold, chairman; H. H. Berge and Martin Norby ; clerk, N. F. Thormodson ; treasurer, L. A. Boe; assessor, K. N. Sonmor; justices, N. E. Thormodson and E. N. Bystol; constables, Anton Veaasen and O. A. O. Vinje.
TUMULI TOWNSHIP.
Tumuli township was first known by the name of Union, having been established under that name by the board of county commissioners Septem- ber 8, 1869, being the third organized township in the county. The town- ship continued under its original name until May 10, 1870, when it was
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changed to Tumuli by an order of the commissioners. It is not shown in the record when and where the first election was held, but it is presumed that an election was held and officers elected soon after the organization of the township.
The petition for the organization of the township was signed by the following residents of congressional township 131, range 42. From the head- ing of the petition it is evident that some of the voters, or, at least, those who wrote the petition heading, were uncertain as to whether the county was organ- ized at that time. They had an understanding that the county organization had been effected and that "officers were officiating in their several capaci- ties," and so they prepared the following "partition" for presentation to the "humble body of county commissioners." It is here given as it appears in the original document :
"We, the undersigned legal voters of township one hundred and thirty- one (131), range forty-two (42), partition your humble body of County Commissioners for a set-off of our town from the town of Otter Tail, as we understand that the county is organized, and Officers are officiating in their several capacities, and you are satisied by the presentation of this partition that we the legal voters of the above named town did on the 7th day of August assemble and organize by choosing a full set of officers.
"G. W. McComber, Town Clerk."
This petition was signed by the following voters, every one of whom, with possibly one or two exceptions, were native-born Norwegians: Lars Nelson, Ole Simonseen, Butler Olson, Robert Halvor, Erick B. Brakke, Tolleff Nelson, O. C. Torgersen, B. T. Trane, Nels Nelson, Ole C. Dahl, Simmen C. Dahl, Ole A. Oimo, Hans Denesen, John Nitsen, James Wood- wort, Truman S. Robbins, Bjorn Ch. Dahl, Anders Christensen, George W. McComber, Ole Jeorum, Esten Larsen, Lars Johanson, John E. Saternes, Engebret Mortensen, Andrew O. Stavne and Ole Eitensen.
The tax duplicate of 1870 lists the following taxpayers in Tumuli town- ship : Ragnold Onstad, Arthur A. Flom, John J. Holen, John Hansen, John S. Memam, Nels Knutson, Andrew Haldorson, George B. Wright, I. D. Southworth. John Johnson, F. B. Van Hoesen, Louis A. Flom, Knut Paul- son, Thomas C. McClure. Anders Oleson, Nils Cristofferson, Nils Nelson, Lars Nelson, George W. McComber, Truman Robbins, John E. Wedeken, Harold Syverson, Toleff Nelson, Hans Johnson, Lewis Anderson, Osmund Osmundson, John Golden, Patrick I. Kelley, James H. Fretenn, Anders Bjerikes, Ole J. Larson, Charles Wells, Ole P. Buck and Peder Norstad.
The present township officers are as follows: Supervisors, John Ben- son, P. P. Moen and Ole Paulson clerk, L. T. Nelson, treasurer, M. N.
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Rovang; assessor, John Dahlager; justices, W. F. Moebius and M. N. Rovang; constable, A. W. Bye.
Dalton.
The largest urban center in Tumuli township is the village of Dalton. It is located on the Great Northern railroad, in section II, and is surrounded by a country of fertile farming land. This village was platted for Ole C. Dahl by Robert Miller in 1882, the plat being recorded October 30 of that year. For ten years or more the village struggled along without being incor- porated. January 23, 1905, the citizens of the village drew up a petition and secured a number of signatures, asking for the privilege of voting on the question of incorporation. This petition was presented to the county com- missioners March 21, 1905, and their request was granted. The petition, which stated that the proposed incorporation contained one hundred and sixey-six actual residents, was signed by the following legal voters :
J. O. Hatling, D. P. Thurnau, O. I. Brandvold, Albert Rustad, C .H. Weiby, Eilef Malen, J. D. Cannon, N. J. Larson, O. J. Hatling, M. O. Stangvik, H. O. Dahlen, A. R. Olson, E. Comelius, P. M. Moen, Lewis Hatling, J. A. Stortroen, E. N. Heald, Avle Brandvold, B. Rustad, A. L. Bakke, Alvin Rustad, Olaf L. Olson, N. B. Anderson, Peder J. Udby, L. A. Davis, S. O. Lersland, H. O. Aliverson, John J. Stangvik, J. H. Gregory, George Rustad and Lars Grong.
The commissioners fixed the 2d of May, 1905, as the day for the ques- tion of incorporation to be submitted to a vote of the village legal voters. The result of that election was an almost unanimous vote in favor of incor- poration, only five out of thirty-two votes cast being in the negative.
The present village officers are as follow: President, L. A. Davis; trustees, J. A. Stortroen, Emil Hagen and A. H. Rostad; clerk, J. O. Hat- ling: treasurer, J. P. Brendal; justices, J. O. Hatling and E. T. Risbrudt : constables, J. O. Hatling and Ingvald Hagen.
„ Parkdale.
Parkdale, the only other platted village in Tumuli township, was platted as Hazel Dell in the winter of 1876, the plat being recorded on December 28, 1876. It was platted by C. J. Wright for Henry Oppermann, Otto Kunkel and Eliza Buse. A petition, dated September 20, 1877, was presented to the county commissioners on October 2 asking for the name of Hazel Dell to be changed to Parkdale. This petition was signed by Henry M. Kaus, Jacob Kotschevar, Charles Kretzschman, Ernest Buse, Otto Kaukel, O. N. Hohn- burg and A. Kaus. The board notified the petitioners that they had no authority in the matter and that it would have to be referred to the Legisla- ture. This was done, and the legislative act of February 7, 1878, was the result. This act stated that "The name of the townsite of Hazel Dell, in the
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county of Otter Tail, as the same now appears on the recorded plat of the said townsite, be, and the same is hereby, changed to the name of Parkdale, and the plat of said townsite shall hereafter be known and designated as the plat of the townsite of Parkdale." At the present time the place has nothing but a church, school house, one dwelling and an elevator.
TORDENSKJOLD TOWNSHIP
The township now known as Tordenskjold (township 232, range 41) was organized on September 8, 1869, as Blooming Grove township. The record fails to state when and where the first election was held.
On the same date township 133, range 41 (now known as Sverdrup) was attached to Blooming Grove for civil and criminal jurisdiction. Within less than a year after the township was organized ( May 10, 1870) the heavy immigration of Norwegians to this township brought about a change of name to Tordenskjold, so named in honor of a famous Norwegian statesman. Among the early settlers of this township were Peder Pederson, J. T. Hoff, Lars Christiansen, Peder Hansen, Svend Johnson, Anders Jensen, Ole Jensen, Peter Jensen, Gabriel Stoutland (one of the first commissioners), Mikke Tongerson, Telmer Hoff, Hans P. Bjorge, Knud Pederson (one of the early commissioners ), Tosten Stenersen, Sigrid Svensen and O. H. Ihlseng. This was the fourth township organized in the county. It came into existence at the same time with the township of Tumuli and only eleven months after the organization of the county. The early settlers of this township were all Nor- wegians. Tordenskjold is located in the south central part of the county and is bounded on the north by Sverdrup, on the west by Dane Prairie, on the south by St. Olaf and on the east by Clitherall. This township has several lakes, the largest of these being Lake Stalker, which covers approximately two and one-half acres. There are thirty-five lakes in this township, varying in size, but the greater percentage cover only a few acres. The land in this section is rolling. There has never been a town platted in this township. although the county seat was located at Tordenskjold, then a hamlet of one store, a saw-mill and a residence, by the legislative act of February 28, 1870.
However, the honor of being the seat of justice was to last for only one year, for the Legislature as its next annual session (February 16, 1871) removed it to Otter Tail City. It is interesting to note that during this year the county commissioners ordered a court house and jail built at Tordenskjold, but the act removing the county seat to Otter Tail City became effective before any work was done toward building. The act establishing the county seat at Tordenskjold located it in the southwestern quarter of section 32. although the postoffice of this name was situated in the southwest quarter of section 29. The advent of the rural route took away the duties of this
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office and it was withdrawn and no other attempt has ever been made to establish a town.
The present township officers are as follows: Supervisors, G. A. Jen- son, Ole Gunderson and A. M. Thoreson; clerk,, H. C. Christensen; treas- urer, H. A. Hanson; assessor, Jens Torgerson; justices, C. E. Olson and E. K. Johnson ; constables, H. J. Nelson and E. J. Hanson.
AURDAL TOWNSHIP
The exact date of the organization of Aurdal township appears to be confused. The commissioners' record under date of November 13, 1869. shows the following memorandum :
"A petition presented to organize township 133, range 42, to be known by the name of Aurdal, fixed the time and place of holding the first town meeting. The above petition granted, the time of holding the first town meeting shall be on the - day of -- at the house of Jonas Hallan. Done by the order of the board of county commissioners, this 9th day of October, A. D. 1869."
Evidently the township was created at the October session, but for some reason not known it was not recorded until the November session. It may also be noted that no definite time was set for the election, a fact which makes it appear that there was no hurry about getting the township organ- ized. In fact, the township was not organized in accordance with the above order of the commissioners, since on January 4, 1870, "a petition was pre- sented to reorganize the township of Aurdal." The petition asked that the first election for township officials be held at the house of Jonas Hallan on the 24th of the same month.
On January 3. 1872, the unorganized lands south of Otter Tail river, in township 134, range 42 (now Friberg township) were added to Aurdal for all township purposes. The petitioners asking for the organization of Aurdal township were as follows: O. Jorgens, Aslag Torgusson, T. Torgusson, A. Annersen, Andru Annersen, Venet Halverson, H. O. Kaigen. Gunder Tor- gusson, Engebret Nelson, Nils Peter, Troud Svenson, Jon Monson, Knut Hendrikson, H. Nelson, N. E. Nelson, John Anderson, F. Anderson, S. Syverson, K. Erikson, C. Erikson, E. Oleson. Jonas Hallan, Ole Hallan and Ole H. Branden.
The township is thickly dotted with lakes, the largest being Fish lake, in the northeastern part of the township. Among the larger lakes may be men- tioned Brekke, Loon, Little, Nelson, Norway. Wall. Bass, Mid, Spring. Aunel and Egg. The Red river meanders through the western part of the township from the north to the south and affords ample means for natural and artificial drainage. Despite the fact that the township has so many
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county of Otter Tail, as the same now appears on the recorded plat of the said townsite, be, and the same is hereby, changed to the name of Parkdale, and the plat of said townsite shall hereafter be known and designated as the plat of the townsite of Parkdale." At the present time the place has nothing but a church, school house, one dwelling and an elevator.
TORDENSKJOLD TOWNSHIP
The township now known as Tordenskjold (township 232, range 41) was organized on September 8, 1869, as Blooming Grove township. The record fails to state when and where the first election was held.
On the same date township 133, range 41 (now known as Sverdrup) was attached to Blooming Grove for civil and criminal jurisdiction. Within less than a year after the township was organized ( May 10, 1870) the heavy immigration of Norwegians to this township brought about a change of name to Tordenskjold, so named in honor of a famous Norwegian statesman. Among the early settlers of this township were Peder Pederson, J. T. Hoff, Lars Christiansen, Peder Hansen, Svend Johnson, Anders Jensen, Ole Jensen, Peter Jensen, Gabriel Stoutland (one of the first commissioners), Mikke Tongerson, Telmer Hoff, Hans P. Bjorge, Knud Pederson (one of the early commissioners ), Tosten Stenersen, Sigrid Svensen and O. H. Ihlseng. This was the fourth township organized in the county. It came into existence at the same time with the township of Tumuli and only eleven months after the organization of the county. The early settlers of this township were all Nor- wegians. Tordenskjold is located in the south central part of the county and is bounded on the north by Sverdrup, on the west by Dane Prairie, on the south by St. Olaf and on the east by Clitherall. This township has several lakes, the largest of these being Lake Stalker, which covers approximately two and one-half acres. There are thirty-five lakes in this township, varying in size, but the greater percentage cover only a few acres. The land in this section is rolling. There has never been a town platted in this township, although the county seat was located at Tordenskjold, then a hamlet of one store, a saw-mill and a residence, by the legislative act of February 28, 1870.
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