USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 41
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first to settle in the township of Red Rock were three families of Norwegians, Gunder Nereson, a man named Olson and one other, who came here in the spring of 1855. Nereson and Olson settled in section 3, and the other on section 10. They joined teams and broke across the three claims that season. Their cabins, about 10x12 feet, were built of small poles, covered with prairie sod. They remained here until the spring of 1856, when Hilliard Tilton purchased Nereson's claim, together with
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forty acres of timber land, for which he paid $300, $100 for the claim and $200 for the forty acres of timber. Olson sold his claim to John L. Johnson, and the other Norwegian sold to Charles F. Hardy. Having thus disposed of all their land they left the township, going across the country to the Minnesota river. They were well to do for new settlers. They took with them when they left the township, seventy head of cattle. Gunder Nereson and a daughter of Olson, were the only ones among the Norwe- gians who could talk English. They are remembered as being very hospitable.
John L. Johnson came to the town of Lansing in company with A. B. Vaughan, in 1855, when he took a elaim and did some breaking, after which he returned to Rock county, Wisconsin, for his family. On his return to Lansing he found his elaim had been jumped. He then came to Red Roek township and built a shanty in Red Rock grove in seetion 4. The name of the grove was sug- gested to Mr. Johnson by a large red rock in the grove, the only one of the kind to be found for miles around. His family moved into the shanty the last of November, and the following spring moved from the grove into a shanty on the land in section 10, purchased of a Norwegian. In this shanty in August, 1856, was born the first white child in the township, Minna, a daughter of John L. Johnson, her name being given in honor of the territory where her parents had so lately found a home. The family remained here until 1876, when they removed to Washington. Martin B. Johnson came to Red Roek with his brother, John L., October 18, 1855. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in 1862, serving until the close of the war. Hilliard Tilton, Elijah Sanborn and Hilliard S. Brown, came from Fremont, New Hampshire, to Decorah, Iowa, where they formed the acquaintance of Charles F. Hardy. He had lately returned from Minnesota, and being somewhat familiar with the country they induced him to accompany them here. When they reached Jordan, Fillmore county, they hired him to act as guide to the belt of timber in Red Roek township, where they arrived March 7, 1856. Mr. Tilton purchased land in section 3. Elijah Sanborn preempted land in seetion 3, in the spring of 1856. The first death in the township was that of his daughter, Calista Sanborn, who died of fever early in December, 1856. His wife died of consumption in August, 1857. They were both buried on the farm near the house. In the summer of 1863 their remainy were disinterred and buried in Greenwood cemetery. Mr. San- born returned to New Hampshire. Rev. Milo Frary, a Baptist clergyman, eame here from North Stonningham, Connecticut, in the fall of 1856. The house he built and occupied on Main street,
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Brownsdale, has been torn down. He preached quite regularly in the school house in the village. He remained here until after the death of his wife, when he returned to Connecticut. Freeman M. Brown was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, came to Mower county in October, 1856, and settled in section 27, in Red Rock township. H. S. Brown also took a claim in section 3, adjoining that of Mr. Sanborn. On this he built a log house, which he occupied until the summer of 1870, when he exchanged his land for a building in the village of Brownsdale, where he opened a hotel, in which business he continued until the spring of 1884, when he removed to Grand Meadow. John Setzer and family came from Shenandoah county, Virginia, to Red Rock township, in 1856, locating on section 3, where he resided until his death, July 17, 1863. His wife died February 22, 1875. Nehe- miah Woodward came from Vermont in the spring of 1856, loeat- ing on the southwest quarter of section 3. He died in April, 1870. Rudolphus Heath came here in the summer of 1856, from Mar- quette county, Wisconsin. He established the first nursery of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs in the township. He also built a large house on Main street, used for a time for a hotel, called the Heath House. He moved to LaPorte City, lowa, in 1865. John L. Lishen, a Free Will Baptist clergyman, came from Marquette county, Wisconsin, in 1856, preached here for a few years, when he moved to Iowa. N. R. Hoadly came from near Binghampton, New York, in the summer of 1856, preempted land and remained here two or three years, when he returned to his former home. In the spring of 1871 he came back with his wife. was here about two years when he returned to New York state. Leland B. Lewis came from New Hampshire, in the spring of 1856. He settled on section 27, remained here until 1880, when with his family he moved to Martin county. Abram E. Howard came from Iowa, in 1856, and located a claim in section 2. He was a surveyor, having been in the employ of the government. HIe remained here two or three years and then went to Colorado.
Among others who came in 1856 were: L. J. Ellsworth, Henry C. Rogers, H. A. Brown, George M. Cameron, J. Y. Gilmore, Wil- liam O. Palmer, from Nova Scotia; Henry Shook, from Ohio: James Stewart, from Ohio ; E. J. Stimson, J. D. Rugg, from New York; J. B. Wright, George Colby, from New Hampshire, who located in section 5 for a short time, and J. D. Lean, from New Hampshire, who settled in section 28.
I. N. Hine came in 1857, and that same year came Harvey E. Anderson, Alden Petty, Orrin J. Hills, Zalmnon Ames and others. Ebenezer E. Tanner and De Los Tanner came in 1857, and Samuel Dodge came at about the same time.
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FIRST EVENTS.
The first marriage in the township was that of Hilliard Tilton and Miss Mary E. Setzer, at the residence of the bride's parents in Brownsdale, October 1, 1857, by Charles F. Hardy, a justice of the peace. Both came to Red Rock in 1857. The first birth was that of Minna, daughter of J. L. Johnson. The first death was that of Calista, daughter of Elijah Sanborn.
ORGANIZATION.
The first election within the present limits of Red Rock was held in the house of John Anson, in Brownsdale, in the fall of 1856, sixteen votes being cast. At that time Red Rock precinct extended over a considerable territory. The town was organized May 11, 1858, but no records have been preserved of the first town meetings. Various townships were attached to it for government purposes, as related elsewhere. The town owns a fine town hall in the center of the township.
BROWNSDALE.
The village of Brownsdale was laid out in sections 9 and 10, township 103, range 17, in the summer of 1856, by A. D. and H. A. Brown and John L. Johnson, who had M. K. Armstrong survey and plat about 160 acres. Brown Bros. soon purchased the inter- est of J. L. Johnson, and became sole proprietors. The village grew rapidly for a year or two, and then remained nearly sta- tionary until the advent of the Southern Minnesota in 1871. It is now a flourishing village.
INCORPORATION.
The village of Brownsdale was incorporated by an act of the legislature, in February, 1876. By this act O. A. Sleeper, J. C. Sanborn and A. D. Brown were made judges. The first election was held at the store of A. L. Sleeper & Sons, on March 14, 1876. At this meeting C. S. Barbour was chosen moderator and W. S. Woodard clerk. The officers elected at this meeting were as follows: Councilmen, H. H. Shook (president ), H. J. Sprague, B. F. Bacon; recorder, O. A. Sleeper; treasurer, E. J. Stimson ; justice of the peace, A. D. Brown; assessor, Stephen Ives; mar- shal, J. N. Priest.
EARLY BUSINESS.
The first store in Brownsdale was opened by John L. Johnson in the summer of 1856, in a small frame building at the corner of Main and Mill streets. He kept a stock of groceries and such
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merchandise as is usually found at a country store. In the spring of 1857 he took H. E. Anderson as a partner, enlarging his stock and increasing his business. The partnership continued for a year or two, when the building was purchased by Barney Devclin, and by him converted into a residence, which he occupied only for a short time, when it was removed to the town of Waltham for a farm house.
The first boot and shoe store was built for Thomas Alred, in 1857. He occupied it as a place of business for several years, when he removed with his family to Winona, and the building was moved out into the country. Mr. Alred did not remain long in Winona. On his return he erected another store on Main street. He was in business here until the spring of 1871, when he moved to Nashua, Iowa. William F. Smith came from Dunkirk, New York, to Brownsdale, sometime in 1856, when he engaged in mercantile business. He served through the war in the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In the summer of 1857, L. J. Ellsworth had a frame building erected on the corner of Market and Main streets, where he kept a stock of groceries and provi- sions. He continued in business but a short time, disposing of his stock to Jolin Dunton, who was in business but a few months, when he sold out to W. F. Smith, who kept a general grocery store. IIe continued in business until 1861, when he was suc- ceeded by C. H. Coates, who kept a general stock of merchandise, dry goods, groceries. etc. In the spring of 1866 he entered into partnership with H. E. Anderson. This continued until the spring of 1868, when they sold out to L. J. Ellsworth, who occu- pied the store until 1871, when it was purchased by V. Richards, of Austin, Mr. Ellsworth moving his goods into a larger and more commodious store he had erected in the same block. Mr. Rich- ards used the store as a harness shop, also as a residence for his family. It was destroyed by fire on New Year's Eve, 1873, the family being absent at the time.
One of the first buildings erected in Brownsdale was a steam saw mill, built by A. D. and H. A. Brown, the necessary machin- ery being shipped to Homer, a small place just below Winona, on the Mississippi river. From there it was brought by oxen, under as discouraging circumstances as one could well imagine-no roads, no bridges, the ground soft and streams swollen from frequent and heavy rains. The mill was soon in running order and furnished the people for miles around with lumber to com- mence building their homes. It was run for several years, until timber began to grow scarce, when it was sold and taken to some place in the western part of the state. Nearly all the first build- ings erected in the town were built of hard wood lumber sawed in that mill.
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The first cat that ever was in the village was bought in Winona and rode across the prairie in the boiler of that mill.
The first hotel in Brownsdale was erected in the fall of 1856, by H. A. Brown, the lumber being sawed at the mill of Brown Bros. It was mostly built of hard wood, oak, ash and walnut. The building was inclosed, and John L. Johnson opened it as a hotel about December the same year. He occupied it until the following spring, when he was succeeded by E. J. Stimson, who was followed by C. H. Coates, and later by Andrew D. Brown, and others. The present hotel proprietor in Brownsdale is C. D. Hollbrook.
Thomas Alred came to Brownsdale in 1856, and entered into the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes. He was justice of the peace for several years.
Benjamin F. Bacon commenced trade here in 1865, keeping a stock of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, etc. His store was lo- cated on the northeast corner of Main and Mill streets. He con- tinued in business until December 24, 1872, when the building was destroyed by fire, a small portion only of the contents being saved. Mr. Bacon had a fine brick building erected on the site of the other, in which he carried on the mercantile business until 1880. His store was rented for a short time only to I. C. Thatcher. In the spring of 1870 Messrs. Bacon and L. J. Ellsworth were the only merchants in the village. The S. M. R. R. was built through the town that summer, and Herman Gunz, of Austin, rented the new and until then unoccupied store of L. J. Ellsworth, stocking it with general merchandise. Mr. Gunz remained in business only a few months, moving his goods to Wells.
The first hardware store was built on Mill street, for H. J. Sprague, who came here from Bellevue, Iowa, in the spring of 1871. He kept a large stock of hardware, and had an extensive business until failing health obliged him to relinquish it. He sold the store and contents to Ira Jones, of Austin, in the summer of 1872. In 1873, about a year later, the stock was sold to Rufus Kimball, and the succeeding summer was sold to Stimson & Woodward. They were in business but a few months, when in 1875 they sold the stock at about $1,800 to T. K. Dahle, of Ro- chester, who also purchased the building they occupied of Ira Jones.
In the spring of 1871, John Aten, of Bellevue, Iowa, built a store on the lot adjoining H. J. Sprague. He occupied one half as a grocery store, renting one half to A. L. Sleeper & Sons, for the sale of drugs. Mr. Aten did a large and successful business. In the summer of 1876, he associated with himself John Muncey, of Bellevue, under the name of Aten & Muncey. The new firm
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extended their business, building a warehouse for the purchase of grain, hides, etc., and opened a lumber yard near the rail- road depot. In the summer of 1876 their warehouse was destroyed by fire. This they at once replaced by building a fine elevator. They continued their business until 1878, when Mr. Aten sold his store to A. H. Marsh, and in 1880 sold his elevator to Cargill Bros., of LaCrosse.
The first furniture store was built by Jas. N. Priest, of Preston, Minnesota, who occupied it until the winter of 1872, when, becom- ing dissatisfied, he disposed of his stock and rented his store to the firm of Warren Bros. They continued business but a few months, selling out in the spring of 1873 to A. L. Sleeper & Sons, who removed their drugs from the store of John Aten, thus adding groceries to their former business.
A. L. Sleeper came from Vermont to Brownsdale in 1862. His sons became associated with him in business in 1871. The story of the Sleeper enterprises is told in their biographies.
John C. Sanborn opened the first butcher shop in Brownsdale in 1871. He sold out to Billings & Robinson and then for some time engaged in the sale of agricultural implements.
In the spring of 1872 Samuel Dundee, of Belfast, Ireland; Herman Gunz, of Austin, and Harvey E. Austin, of Brownsdale, entered into a partnership known as the Brownsdale Bagging Company, their object being the manufacture of coarse cloth from flax, suitable for encasing cotton bales. For this purpose a large stone building was erected, called the "Brownsdale Bagging Com- pany," the stone being brought from Fountain for its construc- tion. The machinery, which was quite intricate, was brought from Belfast, where Mr. Dundee had been engaged in similar business. For a time the enterprise promised success. Many of the farmers in the vicinity pledged themselves to raise flax, an amount being contracted to the company sufficient to supply all demands. But a poor crop of flax, together with the removal of the duty on jute, so disheartened the company that they aban- doned operations after sustaining no small pecuniary loss. In the spring of 1875 the mill was sold to "Marston Bros. & Law- rence," the firm consisting of Frank Lawrence, of Vermont, and his stepsons, George Marston, of Cincinnati, and Edwin Marston, of Austin, by whom new machinery was purchased, converting it into a flouring mill. This did not prove a financial success and the mill was sold by them a year later to H. E. Anderson and A. I. Brown, who manufactured flour for a year or two. It was used as a flouring mill by various persons with varied success until 1882, when the machinery was sold to S. Alderson, of Austin, and removed to Hampton, Iowa.
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SERIOUS WATER SPOUT.
A water spout occurred three and a half miles east of Browns- dale, June 20, 1874. About fifteen inches of water fell in a short time, washing away one of the abutments to a railroad bridge. A passenger train passed over the bridge safely, but a freight train was not so fortunate, and the engine and nine ears broke through. The engineer, J. D. Brown, was badly injured, and the fireman, M. J. Cummings, was killed.
BROWNSDALE IN 1871.
In 1871, Brownsdale had the following improvements : Twenty- five dwellings, ineluding three boarding houses, and five portions of stores used as dwellings; eleven buildings used for mercantile and manufacturing purposes, including one flax factory, one wagon shop, one hardware store, one grocery store, three of gen- eral merehandise, one harness shop, one boot and shoe and mil- linery shop, one butcher shop, one saloon, and a postoffice build- ing; five buildings for the handling of grain, including one ele- vator, and four warehouses-two of these, however, having been destroyed by fire during the winter-a church and public school house ; two lumber yards and a flax factory were also in operation.
BROWNSDALE IN 1885.
In the fall of 1885, Brownsdale had two churches, Baptist and Christian, a well laid out cemetery, a postoffice and a school. The following were the business men of the village at that time: G. W. Gray, F. M. Johnson, physicians ; A. J. Hunt, attorney and real estate ; E. J. Stimson, postmaster ; A. L. Sleeper, B. F. Bacon, W. H. Lawrence, merchants; T. K. Dahle, hardware dealer; R. W. Stowe, dealer in farm machinery; Ole Hanson, Peter Stendel, blacksmith; Jens Jepsen, wagon maker; Chas. L. Knox, meat market; P. L. Kramer, furniture dealer; Paul Hinze, boot and shoe store ; W. D. Miner, hotel and livery ; G. E. Rolph, J. Winans. refreshments; C. L. Colman, Hodges & Hyde, Cargill Bros., Wig- ins & Davis, grain dealers; Charles Gage, insurance agent; J. B. Graves, Steve Ires, J. N. Thatcher, A. Swift, contractors; Mrs. V. A. Lamb, dressmaker; Mrs. Susan L. Foward, Mrs. Jane San- born, milliners; Prof. W. G. Elliott, Helen S. Wilder, teachers; Albert Swift, barber; A. D. Wilson, station agent; J. H. Wide- man, hay dealer; M. B. Johnson, drayman; S. Peek, shooting gal- lery ; Fred Hatch, restaurant; Caroline Cassedy, laundry ; Sleeper & Sons, creamery and stock yards.
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MODERN BROWNSDALE.
Brownsdale is a prosperous and busy village on the Southern Minnesota railroad, and contains some three hundred souls. It is well laid out, presents a busy appearance and has a number of prosperous business concerns. Here are found Baptist and Meth- odist churches, a hotel, an opera house, elevators, a creamery, fly paper factories, general stores, a school, a cornet band, a tele- phone exchange and a number of comfortable residences. One of the features of the landscape is the verdure which furnishes a refreshing shade in the summer months. These trees were planted from seed gathered by H. A. Brown on the banks of the Cedar river. These trees are of ash and elm, and many are now six feet in circumference. There is a fire water supply system and a pumping station also.
SOCIETIES.
Prominent among the fraternal organizations of Brownsdale are La Fayette Lodge, No. 116, A. F. & A. M .; Mizpah Chapter, No. 36, O. E. S .; and the Henry Rogers Post, G. A. R.
La Fayette Lodge, No. 116, A. F. & A. M., of Brownsdale, was organized under dispensation March 5, 1874. The first officers were Stephen Ives, W. M .; O. R. York, S. W .; E. W. Connor, J. W .; N. A. Sumner, secretary; John Steen, treasurer; H. Hons- man, S. D .; A. McGowan, J. D .; L. L. Lamb, tyler. The lodge worked under dispensation until January 13, 1876, when a char- ter was issued by the Grand Lodge, under which the lodge has since been working. The charter members are Stephen Ives, O. R. York, John Hoy, A. McGowan, J. B. Graves, E. J. Stimson, A. Lonsbury and L. L. Lamb. All of these have joined the Grand Lodge above except J. B. Graves, A. Lonsbury and O. R. York. The lodge, in its first days, held their meetings in the second story of a house belonging to E. J. Stimson. They now own their large two-story building, 30x74. The upper story is used for a lodge room and dining room and the lower room for opera house. The lodge room is well equipped with furniture, carpets and organ. The dining room is furnished with dishes and silverware, due to the management of the ladies of the Eastern Star. The present membership of the order is sixty-eight. The Past Masters are Stephen Ives, N. A. Sumner, J. B. Graves, L. Kirkland, O. A. Sleeper, Charles Gage, D. L. Tanner, C. Erickson, G. W. Gray, Geo. Foster, T. F. Bacon, A. B. Warren, J. N. Thatcher, F. O. Tanner and M. J. McGowan, all of whom are alive but Stephen Ives. The lodge, since it was organized, has made 129 Master Masons. The present officers are: W. B. Sleeper, W. M .; Henry Stephenson, S. W .; S. K. Dahle, J. W .; N. K. Dahle, treasurer ; J. N. Thatcher, secretary ; A. B. Warren, S. D .; O. D. Lambert,
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J. D .; T. F. Bacon, S. S .; U. S. Gillette, J. S .; E. P. Merrill, chap- lain; C. F. Hoy, tyler.
Mizpah Chapter, No. 36, O. E. S., was organized May 22, 1888. The charter members were: H. A. Brown, J. B. Graves, E. J. Stimson, Chas. Gage, D. L. Tanner, J. N. Thateher, John Hoy, A. B. Warren, W. B. Sleeper and the wives of each. The first of- fieers were: Mrs. Mary L. Brown, W. M .; E. J. Stimson, W. P .; Mrs. Aurelia Thateher, A. M .; Chas. Gage, secretary; Mrs. E. G. Tompkins, treasurer; Mrs. Lydia Stimson, C .; Mrs. Margaret Graves, A. C .; Mrs. Emma Tanner, Ada; Mrs. Percival Hoy, Ruth; Mrs. Emma Sleeper, Esther; Mrs. Anna Gage, Martha; Mrs. Emma Warren, Electa ; J. N. Thateher, W .; H. A. Brown, S. Of the charter members, E. G. Tompkins, Mr. and Mrs. Stimson, Mrs. Mary Brown, Mr. Hoy and Mrs. Tanner have been called to the "land where death comes not." The chapter has grown and prospered. There have been 109 initiated, with a present mem- bership of seventy-four. Mizpah Chapter has always occupied the Masonie hall, and has worked in harmony with the brother- hood. The first piece of furniture the chapter bought was the organ, and it is still in use. When the Masons built and moved into their new hall it was the chapter that bought the carpet, curtains, stove and in a few years the new chairs and lamps. There is also a well equipped dining room and kitchen connected with the hall. The chapter has bought fully half the furnishings. The chapter is on a good financial basis, and socially it has been a success. There have been lasting friendships formed, and a true fraternal feeling exists between its members. Mrs. Emma Sleeper is the present W. M .; W. H. Lawrence, W. P .; Mrs. Leota Hoy, A. M.
Henry Rogers Post, G. A. R., was organized February 4, 1882. Commander R. A. Burleson, of Post No. 3, of Spring Valley, Fill- more county, was detailed to muster the new Post. The first officers were: Albert Swift, C .; Alfred Launsbury, S. V. C .; Burr Maxwell, I. V. C .; Henry Harris, S .; C. S. Beaulieu, chaplain ; Charles Gage, O. D .; C. A. Warren, adjutant ; M. B. Johnson, Q. M .; F. A. Carll, O. G .; N. N. Palmeter, sergeant mayor ; George R. Church, Q. M. Sergeant. These, with the following, constitute the charter members : B. M. Carll, A. J. Hunt, W. W. Lamb, John Hedigard, Samuel Church, Alonzo Rose. The Post was named "Henry Rogers" in honor of the gallant services rendered by Colonel Henry C. Rogers during the rebellion, and the noble traits of character exhibited by him in after life, both as a private citi- zen and a publie officer. The story of the monument ereeted to him is told elsewhere.
On February 4, 1911, twenty-nine years after its organization, twelve of its charter members were known to be living and seven
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were still members of the post. Sinee its organization it has mus- tered fifty comrades, but earries on its reports at present only eleven.
Memorial Day and Memorial Sunday are still fittingly ob- served, and as a rule the people generally lay aside their worldly cares on these occasions and mingle with the survivors of the Civil war in paying tribute to the memory of those who struggled and those who fell to continue the life of the grandest country and the best government on earth.
In the summer of 1899 a fire occurred on the corner of Main and Mill streets, by which eight buildings were burned. In that fire the Post record book was burned. In the years following, Albert Swift served as commander until December 8, 1888, when C. A. Warren was elected and served two years. December 10, 1910, Albert Swift was again chosen to command.
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