USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 83
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RICHLAND.
CHAPTER LVI.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - EARLY SETTLEMENT - EVENTS OF INTEREST -POLITICAL-RELIGIOUS- SCHOOLS --- BIOGRAPHICAL.
In the southeast corner of Rice county, with its thirty-six sections as designated by the gov- ernment survey, lays the town with the above name that so well describes the character of its soil. Goodhue county is its neighbor on the east, Dodge county touches its southeast corner, Steele county is on the southi, the town of Walcott on the west, and Wheeling on the north.
It is a prairie town, somewhat rolling, and re- markably well watered by small streams which coalesce in the interior of the town to form the north branch of the Zumbro River. It seems quite unnecessary to describe the course of these rivulets, except, perhaps, to say that they are but. two or three miles apart at the widest point, and this part of the topography leaves nothing to be desired.
Section twelve, through which the river leaves the town, was rather of a timber section, having more than all the rest of the township, and early received the name of "Norwegian Grove," as the people of that nationality secured possession of it when first in the market. There were smaller groves on sections sixteen and thirty-one. The character of the soil is variable, being in places a
loam with a sand mixture, and in other places what may be called black muck. It is everywhere deep and very productive.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The year 1854 was the first to witness the ad- vent of the westward bound emigrant. Four sturdy Norwegians who had stopped long enough in Wisconsin to learn the pioneering trade, so to speak, came here in the spring of this year with ox teams, which, at that time, was by all odds the most sensible way to come to this new country. Their names were Halver Halverson, Erik Gun- derson, Ole Larson, and Osten Oleson.
Gunderson staked out the first claim on the southeast quarter of section twelve, near the Zum- bro. He put np a hay shanty and made himself comfortable while getting up a log shelter, which he lost no time in doing, and lie has still a home on the same spot.
Halverson claimed three forties in section eleven and one in section twelve. He started life in a tent which he improvised, using his wagon cover for the top, then cut and cured some hay and soon had a fashionable residence, and afterwards his regular timber abode like a high-toned frontiers- man. He may now be found on section twelve.
Olson also secured his acres in section twelve, which he cultivated until 1863, when his mortal remains were deposited beneath the sod. His
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widow occupies the homestead with her only daughter, whose husband carries on the farm.
Ole Larson went into section ten and succeeded in getting up the first house in town, which he moved into in September, 1854. In 1856, he went to Winona on some business with the land office, and never returned. What became of him is still a mystery most profound. The conjecture at the time was that he was murdered. His son, Ever Oleson, still lives on the place.
In the fall of this year there was quite a little party came together and selected claims in section thirty and the vicinity. Among this number were F. W. Frink, J. Kinnison, Ozro Carter and Willard Carter, two brothers, whose claims fell in the township of Walcott. These people returned to bring their families the following spring.
Other comers were Edward and Sumner Beach, father and son; H. F. Smith; H. M. Beardsley; George M. Smith; and Ahner Beardsley; who located in that neighborhood.
In 1855, there was a party who came from Wis- consin, some of whom had stopped a while there to create homes for themselves,and others came direct- ly from the eastern States. Arriving here they were so well pleased with the country that some of them at once proceeded to locate their claims in this town, and brief sketches of these men are here given.
J. M. Strunk was from Chautauqua county, New York; he selected a place in section seven and lived in his wagon for a while, then in a bark shanty until he could get up his log cabin.
Mr. Barlow settled in section seven, where he lived making improvements for several years. At present he is keeping a hotel in Medford.
Edwin Wheeler found a place in section eighteen.
William Close, a native of Ohio, came here - from Indiana during the summer of 1855, and se- cured a foothold in section thirty-one, where he remained until 1875, when his place was ex- changed for city property and he removed to Fari- bault where he has since resided.
F. Herrington, whose birthplace was Delaware, put in a personal appearance in the fall of this year and boarded with H. M. Beardsley through the winter, and in the spring he bought a claim in section twenty-nine where he may still be found.
During the year 1856, the accessions to the colony in this township were quite important.
John Close, from the Buckeye State, came up here from Iowa, where he had remained for a year. He came across the country with an ox team, a distance of more than three hundred miles through a trackless, and of course bridgeless country, and such a trip, it seems almost needless to add, required great good judgement as to the direction to take and as to how to compass the various difficulties being constantly met. He se- cured the northeast quarter of section twenty- nine.
During the first two or three years of the early settlement of the township there were quite a number of the sons of the "Emerald Isle" who se- cured homes here, and some of the original comers still remain where they were first planted.
John G. Miller, of Germany, came here in 1856, and worked a farm on the school section, thirty- six, for two years, and then traded some land he had acquired in Iowa before coming here for a farm in section twenty-nine, where he still resides.
Nathan S. Wheeler and his son George H. came here from Illinois, being natives of the Empire State; the father pre-empted a place in section one, and the son staked out some land in section thirteen. In the fall they returned to spend the winter in Illinois. The young man came back in the spring and he now lives in section twenty-one. The old gentleman visited the town again in the summer of 1858, but returned to remain in Illi- nois.
The year 1857 saw fresh arrivals, among them John A. Mather, and his position was in section twenty-six. He improved that place for awhile, then sold out and bought in section twenty-seven, where he lived and wrought until his earthly sojourn was ended, in 1875.
Frank Gowen, of Maine, started a farm in sec- tion twenty-six, but after a time moved on to Nebraska.
During this year several Massachusetts men ar- rived, among them Andrew and Enoch Story and Washington Tarr.
Mr. Tarr took a claim in section three; Enoch Story took his slice from section two, and in the fall they both returned to the old Bay State.
Andrew Story bought the east half of the south- east quarter of section two, but at that time re- mained but a few weeks. In 1861, however, he returned and permanently located on the claim
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
first taken by Washington Tarr, and he may yet be found on the claim.
Harvey Y. Scott, of New Jersey, came to Fari- bault in 1854, in the month of June, where he remained until 1860. In 1863, he came to Rich- land, having secured a place in section four where he still abides.
EVENTS OK INTEREST.
One of the earliest marriages was Henry M. Beardsley and Ariminta Newcomb, by Rev. B. F. Haviland in 1857. Knud Finset was married to Bess Berget Halverson about the same time.
On the 2d of January, 1857, Capt. John Hanson was nuited to Lena Halverson. They were mar- ried in Faribault.
Earlier than any of the above was the union of E. L. Beach and Elizabeth Beardsley, in the year 1856. They have both passed to the great be- yond.
Columbia Adams, a lady of sixteen years of age, was struck by lightning late in June, 1855, and instantly killed. Mrs. Tew was injured by the same bolt, and never recovered from the shock, but passed away a few years afterwards. This mis- fortune made a wonderful impression on the settle- ment, and one that will never be forgotten. In the absence of anything more suitable, a dry goods box which had been used in bringing F. W. Frink's furniture and goods, was split up and made into a coffin. One peculiar incident connected with the melancholy event was that the bolt of lightning entered the victim's head just back of the ear, and passing the entire length of the body made its exit through a nail hole in the toe of the shoe.
John Wesley, son of John and Susan Close, was born on the 4th of June, 1857. He now lives at Little Falls, Morrison county, where he is engaged in business as a druggist.
Richard, a son of Richard and Bridget Leonard, was born on the 10th of May, 1857. He now re- sides with his parents.
Halver Austin, son of Osten Olson, was born on the 14th of January, 1856. He was removed to his eternal home on the 10th of April, 1876.
Richland cemetery was laid out in 1873, and the mortal remains of Herbert Stickney were the first to be deposited there, early in December of that year. It embraces one acre of land which was purchased of Alonzo Stickney, and is in section thirty.
The Catholic cemetery was platted in 1874, and embraces three acres of land donated by S. G. Nolan on section sixteen.
The first Postmaster was T. Larson. The pres- ent incumbent is James Nolan, who was commis- sioned in August, 1881.
A store was opened by T. Larson in 1878, in 1881, he sold to S. G. Nolan, the present pro- prietor, who still does business there in section twenty-one.
A store had previously been started on section thirty-six in 1875, by Nils N. Kvernoden, which he sold to Hagan O. Naeseth in 1879, and he sold to Mr. Lund in 1881, who is the present proprietor.
A Post-office had been established bere while " Kvernoden was proprietor, and he handled the mails, but it was discontinued. In June, 1882, a re- establishment of the office took place, with Peter Lund as Postmaster, under the name of Maylaud. The mail is delivered twice a week. It formerly came from Dodge City once a week.
POLITICAL.
The first town meeting was on the 11th of May, 1858, at the house of R. W. Mathews. John A. Mather was the moderator and Samuel Gowen was clerk.
The officers to inaugurate the town government were: Supervisors, Lafayette Barlow, Chairman, John A. Mather, and E. S. Stafford; Town Clerk, F. Mathews; Assessor, George W. Fox; Collector, William Close; Justices of the Peace, J. M. Strunk and Josiah H. Gale; Constables, Charles Birge and James Stevens.
Town affairs from that time to this have been in good hands, and everything in this line has run on in the even tenor of its way.
PRESENT TOWN OFFICERS .- At the town meeting convened at the schoolhouse in district No. 24, on the 14th of March, 1882, the following officers were designated for the eusuing year: Super- visors, J. B. Johnson, Chairman, August Weshoe, and Charles Egenbrod; Clerk and Assessor, John Murphy ; Collector, James Mather; Justices of the Peace, Albert Zigler and John Close; Constables, William Hildebrand and C. E. Engle.
RELIGIOUS.
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- As early as 1855, meetings were held in the house of Halver Halverson on section thirteen, Rev. Nils Brandt was the missionary. Meetings were continued in
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private houses for some time, but they now wor- ship in a church in Goodhue county.
NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGRE- GATION .- The first meetings were at the school- house in district No. 51, in 1878. Rev. Mr. Muus was the minister. The next year an organization was effected with about two score menibers. Rev. M. O. Bockman was the pastor appointed by the synod, and is the present incumbent. Part of this congregation comes from Steele, Dodge, and Goodhue counties, and meetings are held once in four weeks.
BETHEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- In 1868, this society was established, and the meet- ings were held in the schoolhouse in section twenty-six. Rev. Mr. Richardson was the first preacher, and when the Grange Hall was built tbat became the meeting house. The last minister was J. Milton Akers. In 1881, the meetings were discon- tinued.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- In the winter of 1856, Rev. William McKinley preached the first sermon here in the residence of John Close. In the spring of 1857, Rev. Aaron Matteson or- ganized a society with Mr. Close as class leader and seven members; Jolin Close and wife, William Close and wife, Mrs. Paul Williams, and Calvin Frink and wife. The membership increased quite rapidly until there were about one hundred. Meetings were afterwards held in F. W. Frink's log house, and also in the schoolhouse in district No. 21. Meetings were kept up here until 1873.
Soon after the formation of the society, a Sun- day school was started, and it has since been kept up; T. B. Brown is the present superintendent.
Rev. J. Milton Akers is the present pastor. This church is connected with the Minnesota Confer- ence, and is a part of the Faribault circuit.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION - EBENEZER. CHURCH .- The first meeting by this denomination was held in Mr. Jenkins' house on section three, in 1863, Rev. William Stegner officiating, and meet- ings continued to be held here for four years, and a year or so in other houses of the members. In 1870, the congregation succeeded in building a church, which is situated on section four, where H. Y. Scott donated two acres of land. There is a cemetery near the church, and the first burial was in 1870.
CATHOLIC CHURCH .- Mass was first said in Mr. Moore's house on section twenty-two, in Decem-
ber, 1858. Father G. Keller was the otliciating priest, and services were held in various houses until 1874, when a church was built on section six- teen. Father Genis is the present pastor.
SCHOOLS:
DISTRICT No. 12 .- This was first organized in 1856, and a school was opened and presided over by Mrs. Edwin Wheeler at the house of her hus- band. The schoolhouse was built the same year on section twelve, where it still stands and is yet used for school purposes; when it was resolved to build, the farmers all turned out bringing logs and material and soon completed the structure. This was the first district organized in this part of the county.
DISTRICT No. 16 .- A part of this district is in the town of Wheeling, and it came into existence in 1856. The next year the shoolhouse was got up on section four. Miss Ella Evans had the honor of teaching the first school here,
DISTRICT No. 80 .- This was outlined in 1859, and a school started at Roland Fairfield's house, his wife wielding the rod of authority. This was in section twenty-three, and early in 1860, a log house was rolled together on section twenty-four. This was used up to the year 1877, when a new and better one was provided on section twenty- three.
DISTRICT No. 51 .- In the house of Roland Fair- field, in 1859, a school was opened, and in 1864, a division was made and No. 80 set off. The south part kept the old number and built a house that year on section thirty-five, and Miss Nellie White took charge of the school. In 1870, the house now existing was constructed on section twenty-six.
DISTRICT No. 88 .- The year 1868 saw this dis- trict formed, and the schoolhouse was built that same year. Mrs. Jeffers was the first to attempt to teach the young idea how to shoot, in William Sawyer's granary.
DISTRICT No, 21 .- The district with this num- ber was created in 1857, and the earliest school was in F. W. Frink's log house in the summer and the following winter. In the spring of 1858, the district, with commendable energy, got up a frame building for school purposes on section thirty, which served until the building of the present structure. Sarah Campbell was the first teacher in the new house, and William Bentley in the old. The first schoolhouse was put up at the expense of Calvin Frink, father of the present County Audi-
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
tor, and he afterward received the tax levied in return for his money.
DISTRICT No. 24 .- School was first taught in a private house on section sixteen in 1859. The schoolhouse is on section twenty-one, and was built at an early day.
DISTRICT No. 102 was instituted about 1875, and a schoolhouse put up on the north line of sec- tion sixteen.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM W. BEARD was born in Kennebec county, Maine, where he attended school and lived on a farm. When twenty years old he went to sea and was a sailor five years. He then engagel in farming in his native State, and in 1854 Miss Betsey W. Gowen became his wife. They came to Waushara county, Wisconsin, in 1855, where he staked out a claim, improved it, and built a house and barn. In 1858, Mr. Beard came to Minnesota on a pros- pecting tour, and in 1862, sold his farm in Wis- consin and came to Richland, where he bought a farm on section twenty-six. He improved his place and has since purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. They lived in a log house until 1868, then erected their present frame house. He is the father of seven children. Mr. Beard has been elected to offices of trust in the town, and is a man that is well known in this section of the country.
JOHN CLOSE was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 6th of October, 1825, and removed with his parents to Indiana when seven years of age; first settled in Cass county and then assisted his father in clearing a claim in Miami county. The latter died in September, 1845. On the 8th of January, 1846, John married Miss Susan Fickle who bore him ten children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Close was born in Pennsylvania on the 15th of December, 1828, and died the 24th of March, 1870. The maiden name of his present wife was Miss Martha J. Ernsperger whom he married on the 4th of February, 1871. They have one child. He purchased a farm in Kosciusko county, In- diana, where he lived one year then sold out, in 1854, and purchased land in Greene county, Iowa. He was sick the first summer there and the next year came to Faribault, but returned in about six weeks, then worked in a grist-mill. In the spring of 1856, he sold his land and came to this county, settling in Richland on a claim in section twenty- nine. He first built a log cabin and engaged in
improving his land. He spent one winter in Wal- cott, and in 1866, built a barn, 32x42 feet, and two years later built their present frame house. Mr. Close has been a member of the Methodist church since sixteen years of age.
LEANDER EASTMAN, a native of Maine, was born on the 11th of March, 1836. He was reared on a farm, and when sixteen years old went to the pineries, where he was engaged in lumbering for twelve years. In 1854, he married Miss P. A. Brackett, and they have had six children, four of whom are living. Mr. Eastman came to Dakota connty, Minnesota, in 1861, and remained there until 1863, when he came to Richland and bonght a farm in section twenty-six, improved it, setting out a grove, and in 1863, built a dwelling house. In 1865, he enlisted in the first Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, Company H, went sonth and joined Thomas in Alexandria, Virginia, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, on the 14th of July, 1865. He then returned to this place, bought a farm in section twenty-seven and built a granary, in which they lived until 1869, then erected their present dwelling.
ERIK G. GUNDERSON was born in Norway, on the 24th of March, 1828. His younger days were spent at school, and in 1849, he came to America, landed at New York and proceeded directly to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. He was joined in matrimony in 1852, with Miss Helena Hanson, and two years later, in company with a few others, came to Minnesota. He pre- empted land in Richland township, this county, and it was the first claim made in the town. He first built a hay shanty, then a log house, and in two years another one of logs, to which he has put an addition. On the 24th of July, 1860, his wife died, leaving five children. The maiden name of his present wife was Miss Astre Asle, whom he married in 1865. They have five children.
JAMES GREELY, one of the pioneers of Minne- sota, was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, on the 23d of February, 1826, and removed with his parents when one year old to Maine, and lo- cated in Waldo county. When fifteen years old he went to sea and was a sailor eleven years on merchant vessels between the United States and the West Indies. He was married in 1849, to Miss Sarah J. Rand. When twenty-six years old le retired from sea life and bought a farm in Waldo county, which he carried on till 1856, then sold
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and removed to Steele county, Minnesota, took a claim and built a house. In February, 1865, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, went to Fort Wadsworth, then returned to Fort Snelling where he was honorably discharged in November, 1865, then returned to his farm. In 1866, he sold his farm in Steele county, and bought in Rich- land in sections thirty-one and thirty-two, having since devoted his time to its cultivation, building a house, and in 1875, bought land adjoining his first purchase. Mrs. Greeley died in October, 1868, leaving four children. The maiden name of his present wife was Miss Augusta Parshal, whom he married in 1869.
JOHN B. JOHNSON was born in Montgomery county, New York, on the 23d of June, 1834, and obtained an education at the district school, and later worked on a farm, On the 4th of January, 1856, Miss Anna E. Schuyler became his wife. In 1870, they removed to Minnesota and purchased a farm in Richland township, in section nineteen, where he may still be found. Mrs. Johnson was a native of Montgomery county, New York, born in May, 1831, and died in 1875, leaving three children. In 1875, he was joined in marriage with Miss Mahala Swanger, who has borne him three children. He has held a number of local offices, and is at present Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
JOHN G. MILLER, one of the pioneers of Rich- land, was born in Germany in March, 1825. He attended school, and when fourteen years old learned the shoemaker's trade, serving an appren- ticeship of two years, besides paying $42 for the privilege. In 1845, he emigrated to America, landed at New York, where he worked one month at his trade, then in Genesce county two months. He found farming more profitable, engaged at it two years in the latter county, and removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, where, in 1850, he was married, Miss Susan Burtman becoming his wife. In 1851, he bought a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, where he remained until 1856, then located in Walcott, Rice county, Minnesota, and lived two years on section thirty-six. At the expiration of that time he traded his land in Iowa for a farm in section twenty-nine in Richland township, to which he moved the same year. He lived in a log house until 1868, then built a frame honse in which he now lives, and in 1880, erected a barn 24x30 feet. He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living.
MOSES C. PEASLEY, deceased, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in New Hampshire in 1831, and both of his parents died when he was but eight years old. When a young man he went to California where he spent five years in mining, then returned to New Hampshire and in a short time came to Minnesota. He pre-empted land in Richland, in section twenty-six, then sold it and bought ou section sixteen where he lived a few years; disposed of that and purchased three hun- dred and twenty acres in sections twenty-two and twenty-seven. On the 7th of September, 1859, he married Miss Martha C. Finlayson, a native of Canada. Mr. Peasley enlisted on the 13th of August, 1862, in the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company A, served till the close of the war and was honorably discharged on the 7th of July, 1865, when he returned home and devoted his time to the improvement of his farm until his death in February, 1879. They had a family of six children, four of them now living. Mrs. Peas- ley lives on the homestead and carries on the farm.
ANDREW STORY was born in Hamilton, Essex county, Massachusetts, on the 16th of November, 1812. He acquired an education at the district school, and in May, 1829, engaged in the village of Essex to learn the trade of shipbuilding, serving three years. He worked as a journeyman for a time, then started in business for himself, and while in the business built as many as thirteen schooners in one year. In November, 1838, he married Miss Lucy A. Story. In 1857, he came west on a prospecting tour with two young men who were in his employ. During that summer Mr. Story purchased land in Richland in section two, and the other two men made claims in sec- tions two and three, which claims he afterwards purchased. He returned to Massachusetts and in May, 1861, launched his last vessel, then, with bis family removed to a place on section three, this township, where he has a farm of four hundred acres. In 1869, he built a barn and in 1878, an- other one, which is connected with the first by a shed. Mr. and Mrs. Story have had seven chil- dren, six of whom are living. Lucy Ellen, the eldest, died on the 7th of September, 1842.
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