History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 87

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1110

USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 87

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"At Birch Cooley a general election was held in the house of a half-breed, and we were invited to attend. One of the citi- zens approached us with tickets and asked us to vote. We protested on the ground that we were not residents, and therefore not entitled to vote. The other party in- sisted that this was a free country and everybody had a right to vote on election day. To please this party, who was very much in earnest, we voted." Voting regu- lations were very loose in those days, and it seemed to be generally understood that any adult male present at an election was entitled to cast a vote.

The first public meeting held in the township was of the nature of a council of war. In the month of January, 1866, a re- port having spread that the Sioux Indians had again broken out and were advanc- ing on the settlement, a meeting was held at the house of John U. Anderson and all but one of the male inhabitants attended. Halvor Halvorson did not be- lieve the report and stayed at home. Those who attended drew up a petition and for- warded it to the authorities asking for the protection of soldiers. No soldiers came and no Indians molested the settlement.

The first child born of white parentage was Nels K. Strande, born in 1865. The first marriage was that of Nels Helleckson and Gunhild Johnson, both residents of the township, who were married in the fall of 1866 at St. Cloud by John Zapp, a jus- tice of the peace. The first marriage cere- mony which took place within the town was in 1870, the parties being Mr. Gunnuf Evenson Vig and Randi Thompson. The marriage was performed in a dugout built by Erick Evenson, who had sold the claim to Gunnuf Evenson Vig, the Rev. L. J. Markhus officiating.

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Among other early births were those of Nels Halvorson, Peder H. Heieie, Edward Baalson, Peder Pederson, Erick Levorson, Marten N. Nelson, Christine Nilson, Olava Haftorn, Ole O. Teigen, Tollef H. Olson, John H. Hellekson, Syver C. Anderson, Halvor Lee, John Erickson and Stengrim Bergrud. Among other early marriages were those of Kittel Halvorson and Geo- line Anderson, Olaus Torgerson and Anna Kyllo, P. O. Heieie and Thore Halvorson, Andres N. Moen and Torbjor Vig, Ole Sather and Ragnhild Thompson, Herman Knutsob and Oline Strande, Ole Herbrand- son and Helga Levorson.

The following were buried in the old cemetery located on edge of Big Grove on N. E. 14 Sec. 28, where the log chapel was started in the latter part of the sixties. Halvor Halvorson, who died from a wound received in the war; Syvert C. Larson, killed by lightning in his own house while asleep; John U. Anderson, Mrs. Reier Lia- braaten, Mrs. Ole Liabraaten, Christian Nelson, Andrew Erickson's mother, two children of Reier Thostenson, two children of Ole Liabraaten, one child of Reier Lia- braaten .. The bodies of Halvor Halvorson, Syvert C. Larson, John U. Anderson and Christian Nelson were later moved to the new cemetery on N. W. 14 N. E. 14 Sec. 22.

The first buried in the new cemetery were Thomas Aane, Mrs. Peder Pederson (Mathismoen), and two sisters, Rangde and Astri Thompson.

The territory forming the present town of North Fork was formerly a part of Ver- dale, organized in 1858. North Fork was organized in 1867. The township of North Fork is located on the north branch of Crow river, hence its name. The first of- ficers were:

Supervisors, Ole O. Ruud (chairman), Ole Halvorson, Nils Hellekson; clerk, Em- brick Knudson; assessor, John U. Ander- son, and treasurer, Nels Olson (Strande- moen).

The Flood of 1867 .- In the summer of 1867, about the middle of July, a cloud- burst occurred which caused the greatest flood since the settlement of the township. Those settlers who happened to have journeyed to St. Cloud for supplies were unable to get home for several days, as the flood carried away the bridges. Some few started afoot and were rowed across some

of the water courses in rude boats. One tells of being rowed across a tract of flood- ed land this side of Richmond in a trough hollowed out of a big tree, with a stick of timber across each end which was then again connected with another timber, this framework keeping the trough from tip- ping. This rude boat carried only one passenger besides the party at the oars. The charges were 25 cents for carrying one person across. The charges at Rich- mond were 50 cents for crossing the Sauk river. Some of the settlers had several tons of hay standing in cocks on the river bottoms. The hay that was cut was car- ried away and the standing grass was ruined for hay. In 1914 there was another severe flood, the most serious that has taken place since 1867.

The great snow storm of Jan. 6, 1873, is one that will long be remembered. One Rasmus Bottolfson perished in the storm. Nils N. Slenta, Levor Olson, Peder Peder- son Mathismoen, Herbrand Olson, Syver C. Medboen, who had gone to Sauk Centre, had to stay there several days before the storm subsided enough to enable them to venture on their way home, the trip tak- ing all day. Peder Thompson and son, Hans Bergrud, Ole Hanson Kaste and fam- ily were caught in the storm and reached the farm of Levor Olson, where there hap- pened to be a straw shed where the teams were sheltered. The storm was so bad that the people were unable to carry hay to the horses for three days.

Aside from the first settlers already mentioned, there are a number of other citizens who have been prominent in the township. Edmond Nugent homesteaded the N. W. 14 of Sec. 18. After proving up he divided this farm between his two sons, Michael M. and John. Michael M. Nugent homesteaded the S. W. 14 of Sec. 7. Ed- ward Meagher homesteaded the S. W. 1/4 of Sec. 6. He came from Sibley county. Mr. Meagher taught school; his son Sam- uel and his daughters, Katie, Hannah and Maggie, also taught school. Edward Meagh- er was the assessor for some time. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years. Robert Miller, a native of Pennsylvania but reared near Ottawa, Canada, homesteaded the N. E. 14 of Sec. 7. Edward Grady homesteaded the N. W. 1/4 Sec. 6. He sold this tract to J. J. How

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and moved to Sibley county. Frank Wil- son located on the N. W. 14 of Sec. 5. Timothy Weston Wilson owned in early days the S. W. 14 of Sec. 6 and S. W. 1/4 S. W. 14 and N. 1/2 of S. W. 14 and N. W. of S. E 1/4 Sec. 5, but never settled on it. These Wilsons were relatives of Mr. Wil- son, the well-known pioneer of St. Cloud. Henry Sanders homesteaded the S. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 and N. 1/2 of S. W. 14 Sec. 2. He came from near Ottawa, Canada. He was poisoned and died at Brainerd in the early eighties. Michael Rooney home- steaded the S. 1/2 N. W. 14 of Sec. 1 and the S. 1/2 of N. E. Sec. 2. William Mar- tin lived on that place from the last part of the seventies to the early eighties. His wife was a sister to Rooney. Mr. Martin taught several terms of school under Supt. Gorman. Peter Flynn came to North Fork July 12, 1879. His family came in Octo- ber. He rented the farm of J. J. How for 20 years. He purchased the N. W. 14 of Sec. 5, one of the Wilson places. He also purchased the land in Sec. 5, owned once by Timothy Weston Wilson.

Centennial year was duly celebrated by the pioneers. On July 41, 1876, they gath- ered in a grove of poplar trees where Sy- ver Evenson some years before had built his cabin. Speeches, music, marching, horse races and other races made up the programme. Refreshments were furnished by the ladies. It is one of the memorable events of the settlement.

Like the rest of this vicinity, North Fork was ravaged by the grasshoppers in 1876. On July 16, that year swarms of grasshoppers began to settle on the ground. The air was so full of them that looking against the sun they appeared like a cloud; by evening the ground was liter- ally covered. The grasshoppers not only fed on the crops, but gnawed the walls of the houses, giving them a spotty appear- ance. The crops of 1876 were badly dam- aged and those of 1877 were a total loss.

The town has five public schools, located as follows: Schoolhouse of District No. 66 located on S. E. 14 S. E. 14 Sec. 11; No. 67 located S. W. 14 N. W. 1/4 Sec. 8; No. 83, located S. E. 14 S. W. 1/4 Sec. 20; No. 109, located N. E. 14 S. E. 1/4 Sec. 26; No. 191, located N. E. 14 N. W. 14 Sec. 10.

An old school register of District No. 83 shows Narve Erickson as first pupil reg-

istered; age 45, attendance 4 days. The second and third are Barbar Erickson and Runnug Erickson, age respectively 12 and 10. The last named are daughters of pupil No. 1. Among others named are Olaus Torgerson, aged 26 years; attendance 121/2 days. He became the husband of the teacher, whose name was Anna K. Kyllo. She taught school for three months in the log cabin of Ellen Baalson, who received the sum of $28.00 for furnishing the room and boarding the teacher. The teacher re- ceived $12.00 per month besides her board. The town of North Fork has a public hall located about one-half mile east of the center of the town on the N. W. 14 N. E. 14 Sec. 22.

The Grove Lake Academy was founded by the Rev. D. J. Cogan, who bought five acres from Michael Nugent, and estab- lished a school for young men. It was not located on Grove Lake, as its name might indicate, but on a small lake known in early days as Prairie Lake. For a short time there was a postoffice there by the name of Prairie Lake. This lake has since been drained by the Silk fami- ly, the present owners, and the lake bot- tom is now under cultivation. Professor Cogan moved his school to Sauk Center. The Grove Lake Academy building was sold with the farm, and was later de- stroyed by fire. Persons now prominent went to this academy. Among them is the Hon. Geo. R. Smith, now member of Con- gress from Minneapolis. Among other stu- dents were M. J. Nugent, for several years a merchant at St. Cloud, now of Milwau- kee, Wis., where he is the proprietor of a Murray Institute; his brother, Ed. Nu- gent, a merchant of Maple Lake; and James Nugent of Murray Institute, St. Paul.

North Fork Insurance Company .- On Feb. 11, 1882, a meeting was held at the Big Grove store to consider a proposition to organize an insurance company. The constitution of the Manchester Insurance Company of Freeborn county and of Edda Vernon Insurance Company were consid- ered as proper models for the proposed organization. After due consideration it was decided to adopt the Manchester con- stitution with a few changes. Among the resolutions passed at the meeting were these: "Resolved, that all persons speak-

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ing any of the Skandinavian languages be eligible to membership, Resolved, that the name be 'SVEA NORDEN.'" The fol- lowing directors were chosen: Soren Hal- vorson, Narve Erickson, Frank A. Swen- son, Kittel Halvorson, Peter O. Roe, John P. Quistberg, Ole O. Liabraaten, Ole Vig and Henry Hendreckson. Henry Hend- reckson was president of the meeting and Peter O. Roe was secretary.

A meeting was again held on Feb. 25, 1882, the same parties, Henry Hendreck- son and Peter O. Roe, were again presi- dent and secretary .. It was decided to have the office of the company in the town of North Fork. The following offi- cers were elected by ballot: K. Halvor- son, president; Ole E. Vig, secretary, and Henry Hendreckson, treasurer. The treasurer's bond was placed at $500.

In the minutes of the first annual meet- ing held Jan. 2, 1883, in T. J. Anderson's house, the name appears as "Farmer Asur- ance Selskab af North Fork." The report of Jan. 8, 1884, shows 50 members. Total receipts, $124.51; expenses, $58.00; bal- ance in treasury, $66.51. The secretary submitted to the members the question of whether a loss payable clause of one Jonas J. Smith should be endorsed. It was decided not to endorse it. The pa- pers were all in the Norwegian language, but translated, and a copy filed with town clerk. The constitution in English was filed in North Fork in January, 1886.

Members Jan. 6, 1885, 53; cash on hand, $73.94; expenses, $22.00. Dec. 31, 1913: Policies in force, 658; amount, $1,530,822; losses paid, $5,539.87; expenses, $976.65; total disbursements, $6,516.52.

Brooten Farmers' Co-Operative Cream- ery Association .- In the early nineties pro- moters came along and prevailed upon the farmers to take shares in a creamery proposition. An organization was perfect- ed and a creamery was built. Several at- tempts were made to operate it, but all failed. After several years of litigation, the promoters dropped out and the share- holders sold the building to Soren Halvor- son, who sold it to a new organization. The building was moved to a place near the south bank of Crow River, a little west of the town line road, between Lake George and North Fork. It was operated a short time by the farmers, but is now

shut down. The Brooten Farmers' Co- Operative Creamery Association was or- ganized in 1911 by Gustav Levorson, Ole H. Olson, Endre Thorson, Peter Pletchett, F. W. Silk, Math. Majerus, E. E. Baalson, Gust. Herbrandson, A. E. Baalson, H. J. Sandvig, and Nels Nelson. The first of- ficers were: President, H. J. Sandvig; vice-president, Nels Nelson; secretary, Gustav Levorson; treasurer, A. E. Baalson. Other members of board of directors: Math. Majerus, Endre Thorson, Chas. Kit- tilson. The report of the year 1913 shows the following: Amount of butter fat, 136,- 517 pounds; total cash receipts, $47,635.52; butter made, 164,145 pounds.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church .- The first religious services in this vicinity were held at the house of Nels Strandemoen, in the summer of 1866, by the Rev. Thomas Johnson. The fami- lies that attended were those of Nels Strandemoen, John U. Anderson, Andrew Erickson, Kittil Strande, Ole O. Ruud, El- len Baalson, Hans P. Heieie and Guberud. The church was organized in 1867 by the Rev. Abraham Jacobson, at the home of Reier Thortenson (Skort). The first pastor was the Rev. John Moses.

The first confirmation was held in Nels Strandemoen's house June 13, 1869. The following were members of the class: Geo- line Anderson, Oline Strande, Thora Hal- vorson, Helga Levorson, Maria Nubson, Margit Thompson, Maret Skorta, and two girls from Douglas county, Thone and Mar- git, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Haugan. Knud E. Knutson and his brother, H. E. Knutson, were also of this class. At these services the Rev. Nils Brant of Decorah, Iowa, was present. A log chapel was part- ly erected in the edge of the grove on the N. E. 14 Sec. 28. Before it was completed it was decided to change the site to the N. W. 14 N. E. 1/4 Sec. 22, and the chapel was moved to that place and completed. This was under the pastorate of L. J. Markhus. The chapel was never dedicat- ed. In 1880 a commodious frame church ninety feet long was built. The old chapel was sold at auction to Ole Halvorson and by him resold to Ellen Baalson who tore it down and re-erected it into a barn, which is still standing on the old homestead. The frame church was dedicated on June 28, 1894, by Rev. K. Bjorgo. This church was

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destroyed by a cyclone July 4, 1913. The next Sunday the congregation met at the ruins of the old church and decided to re- build. A structure partly brick 44 feet wide and 90 feet long, full basement, now marks the place where the log chapel once stood.

This structure, when completed, cost about $20,000. The cornerstone was laid July 4, on the date of the anniversary of the destruction, and the structure was ded- icated July 5, 1914. The pastors have been: Rev. J. O. Moses, 1868-1869; Rev. L. J. Markhus, 1869-1883; Rev. Nils Giere, 1883- 1899; Rev. T. O. Tolo, the present pastor, from 1899. The congregation has a resi- dent parish school teacher who is fur- nished with a residence located on the church property, which consists of a forty- acre tract, of which the teacher has free use.

BROOTEN.

Brooten village, with a population of 562 persons, is located on the "Soo" line, in the southwest corner of the town, and was started with the building of that line through this locality in 1886. It was or- ganized as a village several years later. In 1907 the Duluth branch was built into Brooten. It had in 1914 nine stores-a harness shop, a drug store, a bakery and confectionery, two meat markets, two ho- tels, four restaurants, a barber shop, an auto repair shop, a garage, a livery, a printing office, a foundry, four grain ele- vators, one of which is farmers' co-opera- tive elevator. It has two banks, two im- plement houses, two real estate offices, two lumber yards, two blacksmith shops, and two churches, a Catholic and a Lu- theran. The public school grounds of this village are one of the most beautiful in the Northwest. The public school has a full high school course; a course in agri- culture was added during the school year of 1913-14. Other public buildings are, an electric plant and the waterworks, also a Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery located in the east part of the village. Brooten has been "dry" for a number of years and is one of the leading business places on the "Soo" west of Minneapolis.

(Note .- The above articles regarding North Fork and Brooten were prepared by Gustav Levorson and by the Hon. Kittel Halvorson.

OAK TOWNSHIP.

Oak township, located in the center of the second northern tier of townships in Stearns county, is well favored for agri- cultural purposes. Through its extreme western part flows the Sauk river, Stearns county's most important stream of fresh water, which enters the Mississippi near Sauk Rapids. Through its eastern, south- eastern and southern part flows Getchell"s creek, and it is along Getchell creek val- ley that some of the choicest and most fer- tile soil is found-soil that still produces excellent wheat crops, the raising of which has to be abandoned in many other locali- ties of the county. But not only in the production of cereals does the town excel; it has also excellent grazing and meadow lands, so that three creameries are operat- ed within its boundaries, while thousands of pounds of cream are annually shipped away from the numerous cream stations. Cattle, poultry and eggs are shipped away at regular intervals from its shipping points, Freeport and New Munich. The population of Oak, according to the census of 1910, was 721.

The earliest settlers in the town of Oak chose the Sauk river valley as their home. As early as 1855 a Mr. Burns and Mr. Sutton built dwellings a few miles south of where the village of New Munich now stands. Mr. Burns conducted somewhat of a "Wayside Inn," and it was at his place that the stage, which carried the mail north and south through the western end of the county, put up for lodging and feeding. A few years later other settlers selected the region in and around the pres- ent village of New Munich as their choice tor an abode, among the earlier ones be- ing Henry Hoppe in 1857, and Crist. Bor- gerding, a Mr. Matto, the Uhlenkotts, Mr. Moritz, Wm. Bohmer, the Vogts, and many others who came in 1858.

A short contest ensued when the select- ing of a place for the proposed church was to be made, whether the site should be on the Uhlenkott homestead north of the present village or on the Moritz land south of it. The controversy was settled by choosing a place between the two, this being the present townsite of New Mu- nich. A burial had already been made on the Moritz land, the deceased being a

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member of the Uhlenkott family. The body was later removed to the site of the present New Munich cemetery.

The name of Oak township originated from the joint name Oak Grove, the two towns of Oak and Grove originally consti- tuting one town under the name of Oak Grove. Later, when this town was divided the eastern part assumed the first part of the name Oak, while the western part re- tained the name of Grove.

The early history of the town of Oak clusters around the village of New Mu- nich, Wm. Bohmer, during the latter part of the fifties, operated a blacksmith shop in the place as soon as it became the ac- knowledged center of the settlement. He soon after opened a business, which, from its small beginning developed into one that in the early days, and up to the pro- prietor's death, was known as one of the most prosperous in the county, thereby laying the foundation of a comfortable for- tune now enjoyed by the surviving mem- bers of his family. A man prominent in the early affairs of the town of Oak was Hubert Rieland, who served as town clerk, assessor, supervisor, and as a member of the state legislature. Among other promi- nent early settlers in the town were Frank and Henry Benolken, the Hiltners, John Rose, and the Froehler and Frevel fami- lies.

"A former history gives the following ac- count of the early days in Oak. The first man to make a claim within the present limits of Oak township, was Henry Over, who settled on section thirty-one about 1856. Henry Hoppe was probably the sec- ond settler, in 1859. Almon Sutton came the same year and settled on section thir- ty. Hubert and Antony Rieland came to Stearns county in 1856, and to this town- ship in 1859. Antony Le Vogt settled here in 1861. The town was organized in 1860, and the first election held at the residence of Almon Sutton. The records were not preserved, but the following is a partial list of the first town officers: Supervisors, Almon Sutton (chairman) and John T. Pe- terson; Mr. Sutton was also justice of the peace and assessor.

The first school was kept by Nettie Sut- ton in 1861. The first white child born in the town, was Mary Over, in 1858. The first marriage was that of Mathias West

and Sarah Over. The first death was Her- man Uhlenkott, whose body was the first to be interred in New Munich cemetery.

FREEPORT VILLAGE.

The village of Freeport is located in the northeastern corner of Oak township, on the line of the Great Northern Railway. It came into existence shortly after the Great Northern, then the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad Co., built its line from East St. Cloud across the Missis- sippi and thence to Melrose.

It was at this point that John Hoeschen, who had shortly before come from Ger- many with his parents, seven brothers and two sisters, opened the first store, while his brother Joseph built the first hotel in the village. The two buildings were the first business houses, but previous to this period several farmers had settled around. The townsite was owned by Henry Wahls, and the east end, which later became the church and school-site, by Frank Benol- ken. Of these Wahls was the first settler. Other farmers that settled in the immedi- ate neighborhood of what is now the vil- lage were: The Borgerding family, Henry Hemker and Herman Nieland. The sec- ond general store was opened by Anton Rieland in 1884 and the third in 1886 by Joseph Hoeschen, who had then disposed of his hotel business to Joseph Buttweiler.

The place was first named Oak Station, but owing to complications arising in the names of Oak Station and Osakis it was changed to Freeport. The new name ap- pears to have been suggested by the Be- nolkens who came from Freeport, Illinois.

Freeport was incorporated as a village in September of 1892. The first officers were: Henry Benolken, president; G. Harren, recorder; Moritz Hoeschen, Frank Borgerding and H. S. Leitch, trustees; John Hoeschen, treasurer; Carl Finken, marshal and street commissioner.

Previous to the incorporation two blocks in the village had been platted, known as John Hoeschen's and Joseph Hoeschen's Block. In order to obtain the population required for an incorporated village the territory had to include several surround- ing farm houses, and the corporate limits of the village contain 755 acres. Shortly after the articles of incorporation had been ratified, Mrs. Mary Micklisch, for-

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merly Mrs. Wahls, had the townsite prop- er platted and laid out in 16 blocks. Later the two additions, Beste's Addition in 1900 and Schoener's Addition in 1912, have been platted. The first sidewalk, an oak plank walk, was laid in 1894 from the Wolking Hotel corner to the church. The village hall was built in 1895. It was originally a frame structure which was later brick ve- neered. The steel jail cells were made by Richter & Sons, who then conducted a large blacksmith shop here, and are still" in use. The waterworks system was in- stalled in 1903, and in 1913 a new electric light system was completed. The popula- tion of the village as given by the census of 1910 was 450.

The railroad station was perhaps the first building in the town proper. The first agent was Mr. Gates, who was suc- ceeded by an agent by the name of Free- tag. In 1885 Henry S. Leitch became the agent and he has now held the office for 28 years.

School District No. 102, comprising the village of Freeport and the adjacent vi- cinity, was organized in 1874. The first schoolhouse, a small log building, was soon replaced by a larger frame structure, to which it was found necessary to build an addition in 1890, so as to afford place for two rooms. Teachers during the early part of the school's existence were: The two Borgerdings, now Fathers Henry and Thomas, O. S. B., Henry Benolken, Mr. Moersch, John Steichen, Joseph Hilt, Louis Wieber and Joseph Heinen. Prof. G. Harren was the first principal after the two rooms had been arranged for, with John A. Maus as assistant. In 1896, a third room was added, and in 1901 the new brick building, which is now the village's school, was erected. It contains four rooms and basement and is attended by about 225 pupils. Prof. G. Harren has been retained as the principal of the in- stitution since 1890, a period of over 23 years.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 87

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper Number of Pages: 1110

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1110