USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 22
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There has never been a town platted within the limits of this township although there were three postoffices in the southeastern part for a number of years, namely. Hastov, Squier and Littemore, but these have been taken over by rural routes and abandoned.
The present township officers are as follow: Lars Simonson, A. F. Soliah and A. P. Haarstad; clerk, John Thorson ; treasurer. E. H. Bergerud; assessor, Iver Haarstad ; justices, M. E. Bergerud and O. T. Hole; constables, Gust Anderson and Theodore Thoresen.
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HOBART TOWNSHIP.
The beginning of Hobart township dates from July 10, 1871, at which time it was organized as Rose Lake (township 137, range 40). On Septem- ber 5, 1871, congressional township 137, range 39, (now known as Gorman township) was attached to Hobart for all township purposes. Among the early settlers of Hobart township may be mentioned the following: Austin Corbin, F. Meyer, L. Weymouth, John Lick, John L. Johnson, John Bates, James Brompton, William Hecker, Richard Sharp. G. F. Hamilton, Samuel Clary, L. D. Hendry, M. B. Hendry, J. M. Butler, R. L. Frazee, D. D. Cune, E. H. Foster, W. H. Patten, Leonard Ashley. Michael . McNulty, John Smith, James Nash and D. Wellman. The latter owned the townsite of Hobart.
The first election in this township was held at the home of N. Henry on July 22, 1871. Hobart is the north central township of the county. It lies on the borders of Becker county and is in the center tier of sections. It is bounded on the west by Candor, on the south by Edna, and on the east by Gorman. This was the seventeenth township organized in Otter Tail county. Hobart lies wholly in the basin of the Red river system. The latter stream enters the township from Becker county on the north in the northeastern corner of section 3. It then flows through section 2 and south through sections 11 and 14 into Rice lake. It then leaves the lake on the southern side in section 23 and courses eastward through section 24 and leaves the township on the line between sections 13 and 24, flowing due east. There are more than twenty lakes in this township, all of which have out- lets into Red river. The largest of these are Rose and Long lakes, both of which lie in the central part. Rice, Five, Scalp, Wimer, Graham, Six, Sybil, Gray, Fairy, Jim, Keyes, Gertrude and Mud lakes follow in their order of size. This township bears the distinction which only two other townships in the county can boast of, namely, that of having two railroads within its limits. The Northern Pacific which passes through sections 13, 13. I and 2 of this township was built in 1871 and in all probability is responsible for the early settlement of Hobart. The Soo line also came through this section in 1901 and runs through sections 32, 31 and 30.
The present township officers are as follow: Supervisors, A. E. Antonsen, Frank Pfeiffer and C. F. Katzke: clerk. George Reff ; treasurer, A. M. Mayfield; assessor, H. C. Antonsen; justice, Charles Thomas; con- stable, A. Pfeiffer.
Hobart.
Hobart is located in the northern part of the county in Hobart town- ship, section 2, township 137, range 40. It was platted by A. A. Wilcox for David Wellman and recorded June 3, 1873.
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Wimer Lake Resort is located in this township and county in section 3. on the shores of Wimer Lake. It was recorded September 11, 1907, and platted by O. G. Molden for Solomon F. Anderson.
SCAMBLER TOWNSHIP.
The county commissioners organized Scambler township on August 8, 1871, in response to a petition signed by a majority of the legal voters of township 137, range 43. The record states that the name Scambler was given the township according to the request of the petitioners. The first election was held at the house of R. Scambler in whose honor the township was named. Congressional township 137, range 42 (now known as Dunn township) was attached to Scambler on September 4, 1873, and remained a part of this township until it was created as an independent civil township on March 16, 1880. The reasons given by the legal voters who petitioned the commissioners to attach township 137, range 42, to the township of Scambler are given verbatim: "That township 137. range 42, does not contain legal voters enough to be organized and is also principle timber and lakes and without the prospect of being settled for sometime so as to be organized separately." The following is a list of the petitioners: O. A. Burdick. S. C. Hyde, F. T. Hardison, E. Stockwell, Sr., John Wood, C. P. Hyde, Isaac Johnson, Isaac D. Johnson, James Mathewson, S. Swetland. A. R. Baker, I. G. Dean. N. A. Hoyt. William Beaver. C. W. Hunter, Henry Beaver, R. W. Bordson, John Knutson, T. Slatt, O. R. Thompson. Erik Arubbsen, Amund Olsen, Thor Helgesen, Mantor Binhein. James T. Thorn, Hiram Thorn, O. B. Todd and T. B. Connish.
Scambler township is the extreme western township of range 137. The excellent farming land to be found in the township was responsible for its early settlement and today it has some of the best improved farms in the county. The largest lake in the township is Pelican, about half of which is in Dunn township to the east. Other lakes in the township are Tamarack. Sand, Pete, Harrison, Rankley and Grove. The surface of the township is rolling, but not so broken as to render much of the land unfit for cultiva- tion.
The first approach to a village in the township was made in the north- ern part of section 2. where an embryonic village by the name of Pelican Lake was flourishing in the latter part of the seventies. Here were clus- tered some dozen buildings, including a store and a blacksmith shop. For several years a postoffice was maintained here, but it was discontinued in 1905 when the rural free delivery. was established out of Pelican Rapids. There was another postoffice at Bangor in section 34 which was main- tained until the free delivery caused it to be discontinued in 1903. At the
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present time there is not a store at either place and the township is not able to boast of a village of any kind.
There have been been two summer resorts platted on the north shore of Pelican lake, Clear View and Pelican Beach. The former is located in section I and was platted by Martin Aalberg for Jennie M. King in the fall of 1900, the plat being recorded on August 4 of the same year. Pelican Beach is in section 2 and was platted by O. C. Molden in 1912 for O. M. and Cora E. Carr. The plat was recorded on August 19, 1912.
The first church was established in the township in the seventies and stood in section 33. A cemetery was maintained in connection with the church, and another burial ground was located in section 27. Today there are two churches in the township, both being in section 33. The town hall is in section 22.
The present township officers are as follow: Supervisors, H. J. Han- son. P. E. Reynolds and John Sim; clerk. W. W. Sherman; treasurer, Simon Olson; assessor, S. A. Syverson; justice, Ole T. Berg.
MAINE TOWNSHIP.
The township of Maine (township 134, range 41) was organized by the county commissioners on September 5, 1871. The first election was held at the home of R. F. Adley. father of county superintendent Adley, on September 23, 1871. The township was named Maine at the request of Mr. Adley, a native of that state, and one of the earliest settlers within the present limits of the township.
The petition for the organization of this township was dated Septem- ber 4. 1871, and contained the following names: A. Scribner, Joseph Nagle, Hug. Hunter, Allen Young, William McCall, William Turville, David F. Spalding, B. I .. Bull, John Braun, Peter Peterson, L. H. Barry, G. A. Clark, Ole Olson, H. W. Putnam and N. Huse.
Maine township is fairly well supplied with lakes, the chief ones being Dead. Lost, Twin, Pickerel, Round. Peterson, Mud, Leon and Duck. Red river flows through the southern part of the township from east to west and an enlargement of the river in the southwestern part of the township is known as Lost lake.
Maine township was settled early in the history of the county, but so far it has never had a village platted within its limits. Three places, have served as postoffices in the past, but all of them are now discontinued. The first postoffice was known as Maine and stood in the northwestern part of section 23. This little settlement came as near being a village as any place in the township and at one time boasted of a store, blacksmith shop and cemetery, all three of which did a flourishing business. Long ago this store and blacksmith shop died a natural death and the only thing which is still
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in business at the erstwhile hamlet is the cemetery. Forty years ago there was a rural department store on the shore of Lost lake in the southeastern corner of section 19, but this too has passed into oblivion. As long ago as 1880 there was a store and blacksmith shop at Monitor Falls, section 35, along the banks of the Red river, and for many years a postoffice was main- tained at this place. There are three churches in the township, located in sections 15, 23 and 32, respectively.
The present township officers are as follow: Supervisors, Charles Johnson, Bat Moore and A. O. Christianson : clerk, James Burns; treasurer, August Sandberg; assessor, H. Muse; justices, P. R. Sande and . August Sandberg; constables, H. A. Northup and W. Dinsmore.
NIDAROS TOWNSHIP.
Nidaros township first made its appearance among the townships of Otter Tail county on September 5, 1871. The first election was held at the house of Mathias Oleson on the 23rd of the same month. The petition for the erection of this township was dated September 1, 1871, and contained the names of fifteen legal voters, every one of whom was a native of Nor- way. The list follows: Mekal Amunson, Ingebrit Hogenson, Petter Pet- terson, Peter Albert, Mathias Olsen, Andrias Olsen, Haagen Peterson, Ole Jorgensen, Hans Mikelsen, Roland Haagensen, Iver Anker, Bernt Bersen, Seffenias Borsen, Andrias Maalson and Thon Hartvik.
Nidaros township is bounded by Girard on the north, Folden on the east, Leaf Mountain on the south and Clitherall on the west. Parts of two large lakes are to be found in the township, Stuart and Clitherall. Other lakes within the township are Syverson, Brederson and Bull Head. The surface of the township is rolling, but most of it is under cultivation.
The township was greatly benefited by the building of the Northern Pacific branch through the northern part in 1882. This brought the town- ship in touch with the county seat and afforded a better market for farm products. The old paths through the woods and around the lakes have given way to good roads and in this way the farmers have been enabled to reach the railroad with their products. Early in the history of the town- ship a Lutheran church was built on the western end of Syverson lake, in section 21, and this is still the center of an active religious life.
There are two flourishing villages in Nidaros, Clitherall and Vining, both being located on the Northern Pacific.
The present township officers are as follow :: Supervisors, T. B. Duhn, Christ Johnson and J. A. Anderson : clerk, O. C. Ukkelberg; treasurer, O. E. Herbranson; assessor. C. H. Leth; justices, O. F. Erickson and F. R. Moulton; constables, Arthur Anthony and Isack Olson.
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Clitherall.
The village of Clitherall is the oldest village in Otter Tail county, although it was not platted until several years after it became a thriving little trading center. It was settled in 1865 by the non-polygamous Mor- mons, who were the first settlers in the county. The Whitings were among the first settlers in the village and it was on the land of Lucius A. and Diademma Whiting, that the village was platted by George A. Burbank. in the fall of 1881. The original town stood on section 6. The plat was recorded in the office of the register of deeds on October 17, 1881.
According to the petition asking for incorporation which was presented to the commissioners on September 1. 1898. the village covered about one hundred and twenty acres and contained one hundred and seventy-six inhabit- ants. The following legal voters signed the petition asking for an incorp- oration: G. W. Whiting. S. N. Lundquist. J. S. Kotschaver, K. H. Rob- bin, I. E. Larson, S. Halverson, Jul. Morstad. J. T. Bjerkvedt, Tom Torn- quest, Ed. Johnson, A. Taylor, J. E. Curtis, Martin Iverson, B. Otterdahl, W. Smith. Lars Assleson. A. M. Bader, A. Wilson, E. E. Whiting, L. I. Langness, R. H. Smith, A. L. Fletcher, Alonzo Whiting, Lin Lundquist. J. B. Hoff, Ben Whiting. E. Fletcher, B. J. Hoff, Bert Whiting, Andru O. Moe, Chancey Whiting, Albert Rots and Robert Halvorsen.
The petition was granted by the commissioners on September 1. 1898, and an election ordered for the fourth of the following month. Of the twenty-seven votes cast all but one were in favor of incorporation.
The present village officers are as follow: President, A. Gustafson; trustees, L. I. Langness, R. T. Robinson and H. A. Gosslee : clerk, A. Lar- son ; treasurer, J. Severson ; assessor, L. C. Whiting; constable, H. O. Saetre. Vining.
The village of Vining is located in the northeastern part of Nidaros township on the branch line of the Northern Pacific running between Wadena junction and Fergus Falls. It was laid out by L. R. Lathrop in the fall of 1882 for Ole and Anna Johnson. J. F. and Johanna Geysler and Andrew T. and Anna K. Lund. When a number of citizens, interested in having the town incorporated, took a census on March 17. 1909, they found two hundred and ten inhabitants scattered over the seven hundred and sixty acres which they asked to be included within the incorporated village. A petition was presented to the commissioners on March 23, 1909, asking for a special election on the question of incorporation. This peti- tion was signed by the following legal voters of the proposed incorporated village : Charles A. Lund. Ole T. Nyhus. O. A. Lund. Andrew T. Lund. Ole C. Olson, Lander Manson. Harry Olson, T. H. Froslie, G. Gulbranson. Edward Lund, Carl F. Berg, Christ F. Berg. A. B. Trana, Andrew Wal-
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seth, George Monson, H. R. Hogenson, Andrew Gunderson, John Funde- rud, Jr., Richard Haugenson, Nils N. Kloystad, Hans Christenson, William Timroth, John A. Timroth, M. S. Nyberg, J. F. Olson, H. A. Lund, John O. Hoff, and Oscar Anderson. The petition was granted and the election set for Tuesday, April 20, 1909. The vote showed that there were only nine voters in the village out of forty opposed to incorporation.
Vining is now a village of about two hundred and twenty-five. There are two Norwegian Lutheran churches in the village. There is at present a bank, hotel, creamery, but the chief industry of the town is the buying and selling of the grain and the trade along this line has risen to such propor- tions that it requires three elevators to take care of the season's crops. This is also good evidence that the farms are very productive. The elevators are owned by the Andrews Grain Company, the Farmers Elevator Company and Thowald H. Froslie. A. B. Trana is the present station agent.
In addition to the two villages, there are four summer resorts which have been platted since 1902, namely: Sunny Side, Nirvana, Fox Park and Camp Idlewood.
The great poet, Shakespeare, has said "What's in a name," and he who named the attractive summer resort in the northwestern part of Nidaros township with the bright name "Sunny Side" must have had a hearty appre- ciation of what it takes to attract the wayfarer. It was platted by Martin Aalberg for Andrew T. and Anne K. Lund and the plat was recorded August 26, 1902.
One of the most pleasant summer resorts of Otter Tail county rejoices in the name of Nirvana. Located in the northern part of Nidaros town- ship, on the east bank of Stuart lake, it occupies a picturesque spot pleasantly suggestive of the poetic name which it bears. It was platted by J. Q. Bur- bank for Charles G. Bade in the fall of 1904, the plat being recorded in the register of deeds office on September 15.
The plat of Fox Park was recorded June 20, 1905. by J. Q. Burbank for John N. and Mildred M. Fox. It is located in section 4, on the shores of Stuart lake.
The plat of Camp Idlewood was recorded November 16, 1907. It was laid out by Martin Aalberg for H. L. and Bertha L. Shirley. It is located in section 4 on the western shores of Stuart lake.
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CHAPTER XI. TOWNSHIPS OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY, 1872-73.
PERHAM TOWNSHIP.
The petition for the erection of Perham township was dated February 17, 1872, and contained the names of the following legal voters of the town- ship: Peter Mohr, Frederi Santebin, John Rocke, Friedrich Mohr, John Kahler, Lorenz Rush, Michel Schmitz, John Berens, George Seifert, Charles Graety, Jacob Iverson, Joseph Lein, Balthason Fuchs, Jofan Lorbift Lungen, Andrews Liblum, John Leukof, William Harrles, Joseph Tim, Adam Gerber, George Allsbredt. Johan - , Albert Wilerof and I.ewis Everling. There were three names among the list of original signers which could not be deciphered, as they were written in Ger- man script and very illegible.
The beginning of Perham township dates from March 19, 1872, at which time it was organized under the name of Marion Lake township (township 136, range 39). The first election was held at the house of B. Fuchs on April 6. 1872. On the same day it was organized the territory comprehended within Dead lake (township 135, range 40) was attached to it for all township purposes. The name of Marion lake was changed to that of Perham by an act of the Legislature which reads as follows: "That the name of the town of Marion Lake, in Otter Tail county, he and is hereby changed to the name of Perham." ( Approved March 1. 1877).
This township lies in the Red river basin and is drained by the waters of that river. Mud lake and Little Pine lake, both forming part of the sys- tem of the Red river, extend into this township on the north in sections I, 2 and 3. The Red river enters this township on the east in the southeastern part of section 13 and meanders south through sections 24, 25 and 36 where it leaves the township in the extreme southeastern corner. This system proves an excellent drainage for this region and makes the land exceptionally good for farming purposes. The farms rank with the best in the county and are kept in excellent condition. The farm buildings are modern and add to the natural beauty of the country. There are several large dairies in this township which are modern in every respect. The Northern Pacific passes through this township, running through sections 24, 23, 25, 10, 9, 4 and 5. This road was completed in 1871 and is undoubtedly responsible for the early settlement and organization of this township. This village, Perham, is the only station on the Northern Pacific in this township.
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The present township officers are as follow: Supervisors, John Kar- sina, George Alstadt and John Buechler: clerk, F. G. Wasche; treasurer, Louis Huss; assessor, P. Wasche; justice, Joseph Gerber; constable, John Hoffman.
Perham.
The village of Perham was platted and surveyed by Joseph E. Turner, March 6, 1873, for the Lake Superior & Pugit Sound Company of Maine. Thomas H. Canfield was the president of this corporation at that time. It was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, approved February 14, 1881 (Special Laws, 1881, pages 222-227). The act vests the government of the corporation in three trustees, two justices of the peace, treasurer. assessor, marshal and recorder. Officers were to be elected annually and the first election was set for the third Monday of March, 1881. The act named Henry Drahman, Louis Struett and S. Caughey as judges of election and A. S. Wimer as clerk at this first election. The act covers seventeen sec- tions and provides in a general way for the government of the village and the management of such various municipal affairs as were liable to arise. The growth of Perham has been rather slow and yet it must be said that it has constantly grown.
The population of Perham is approximately one thousand seven hun- dred. H. Kreuger is the present mayor, with Henry Holt, marshal, and George Young, clerk. There are two Catholic churches, Polish and Ger- man; two Lutheran churches; a Methodist Episcopal and an Episcopalian. The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Columbus, Independent Order of Foresters. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Sons of Hermann all have thriv- ing chapters in the village. The electric light plant is a municipal corpora- tion. The city hall was erected at a cost of ten thousand dollars and for a village of this size it is one of the best in the state. The city has a well equipped fire department with all the necessary paraphernalia for fighting fires.
Perham is accommodated with a high school, which is fully up to the standard. The building, a ten-room, brick structure, was erected in 1899. The St. James Catholic hospital is really a public institution, being main- tained by donations from Catholics and their friends for the benefit of the public generally irrespective of religious beliefs. The building contains seventy rooms and was erected in 1901. It is in charge of the Catholic Sisters and is always filled.
The Perham State Bank and the First National Bank have charge of all the banking carried on in the village. The Merchants hotel and the
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Grand Pacific take care of all the transient trade of the town The largest industry in the village is the Globe Milling Company. This flour-mill runs day and night and its products are shipped to many foreign markets. The Perham Milling Company is a close rival of the former and its products are equally well known. The next industry in point of size is the Schmidt Wagon Works. This company makes wagons and sleighs. August Haut keeps a brick yard. The Marckel Lumber Company and the Dower Lum- ber Company are the two largest lumber yards. The Marckel company's warehouse and implement room is the largest in the state for a town of this size, being three hundred feet long and is constructed of brick. It was finished in 1914. Perham does a large shipping business in grain, flour, potatoes and live stock. The business and professional interests of the vil- lage for the present year follow: Agent, Murtie (directory of Perham) Price; auto livery, Andrew W. Lacking; bakery, Fred H. Davis; barber, Albert G. Henn, Casper W. Lotterer; blacksmith, John L. Sawyer, Henry Schmidt; dentist, Harry Prichett, Benjamin Esser; creamery, Perham Creamery Association, John Stege, secretary; Co-operative Creamery Com- pany; druggist. Michael J. Gans, Bernard L. Kemper; furniture. Herman Koenitzer ; general store, Drahmann Brothers, Perham Co-operative Com- pany. John Stege, president ; hardware, Amos Marckel, Kukowski Brothers, Fred Bauck, Jr., Paul E. Preuss; harness, Jacob Palubicki, Philip Ososki, John Hall; insurance. German Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Frankk Wasche. secretary; jeweler. F. A. Miller, Peter Miller; lawyer, Michael J. Daly ; livery, James B. Miller : meat market, Bever Palzer: mill- iner, Mrs. Olive L. Becker; motion picture theater, Bijou. H. F. Briggs, manager; newspaper. Perham Enterprise and Bulletin, Harvey D. Small; physician, Jacob L. Bethold, Frank J. Brabec. John Esser: photograph sup- plies, Christ Raven, Henry J. Davies; real estate, Charles Pancratz, Perham Land and Investment Company; resort, Grand View Heights (three miles from Perham) ; shoes, Benjamin Lucking; shoemaker, Henry Geitmann ; surveyor, .Charles C. Dirkes; Telephone, Perham Telephone Company; tailor, Frank J. Kalka; veterinary, William P. Newman; wagon maker, Mathias Burelbach : warehouse, Perham Potato Warehouse Company.
The present village officers are as follow: President, John Esser; trustees, John Ladner. Henry Schmidt and A. N. Lucking: clerk. G. M. Young; treasurer, J. H. Shea; justices, M. J. Gans and C. W. Lotterer; constables, John Pockwinski and O. Caughey.
EFFINGTON TOWNSHIP.
The township of Effington (township 136, range 38) was created by the county commissioners on March 21. 1872, and given the name of Arling- ton. The first election was held on the 6th of the following month at the
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house of a man by the name of Sea. At the July session the same year, the commissioners ordered that "The name of the township formerly called Arlington be hereby changed to Affington." Whether the initial letter of the word "Affington" should be "E" or whether it was really called Affing- ton until changed by order of the commissioners is a question which is not solved by the commissioners' records. Apparently the name should have been written Effington when the change was ordered on July 17. 1872.
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