USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 49
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Prairie View Cemetery. This cemetery was laid out in 1881 by John Merrill. It is situated on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 25, in Windom township. The first burial was that of Amos Hickok, April 1, 1882.
SOCIETIES.
Three fraternal societies are in a flourishing condition at this point. They are: The Catholic Order of Foresters, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
The Rose Creek Catholic Order of Foresters was organized January 10, 1898, and the first officers were: C. R., A. C. Schot- tler; V. C. R., C. A. McBride; treasurer, Thomas Cronan; re- corder, E. C. Keefe. The present officers are: C. R., George Landherr; V. C. R., Henry Lux; treasurer, E. C. Keefe; recorder, L. P. Albrecht.
The Rose Creek Modern Woodmen of America was organized May 15, 1896. The officers are: Council, C. A. Carlson ; advisor, William Evanson ; clerk, E. C. Keefe; banker, J. Hawkins.
The Rose Creek Ancient Order of United Workmen was or- ganized February 25, 1895, and the first officers were: M. W., H. F. Goode; past master workman, C. A. McBride; foreman, H. P. Cronan ; overseer, E. C. Crane; recorder, Thomas Cronan ; financier. A. P. Rounce. The present officers are: Master work- man. A. S. Wheelock; past master workman, Thomas Cronan; foreman, H. P. Cronan; overseer, A. W. Rankin; recorder, E. C. Keefe ; financier, H. L. Jensen.
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
CHAPTER XXXIV.
LODI AND TAOPI.
Location and Area-Soil and Waters-Early Settlement-First Events-Organization-Immense Farm-Village of Taopi- Taopi in 1875-Taopi in 1884-Modern Taopi.
This township is situated in the southeastern part of the county and comprises all of congressional township 101, range 15. It is a beautiful rolling prairie, watered only in the north- eastern part by the Little Iowa river and its tributaries. The main stream has its source on section 9 and runs in a south- eastern course, cutting off the northeast corner of section 16, and then runs nearly east, touching sections 10, 15, 11 and 14. It then passes across the northeast of section 14, in a southeasterly direction, passing through section 13 and cutting the corner of section 24, when it leaves the township. A branch of this stream rises in a small lake on the northwest corner of section 1, thence passing southeast, making confluence with the main stream on section 13. The soil in the western part of the township is a dark, black loam and in the eastern part it is a black loam with a light clay subsoil. The soil is very deep and productive, grow- ing all kinds of grains, grasses and roots. There is but a small amount of timber of native growth within the township, and this is along the banks of the Little Iowa river, on sections 14, 13 and 24.
Lodi is bounded on the north by Clayton township, on the east by LeRoy township, on the south by Mitchell county, in Iowa, and on the west by Adams township. On section 5 of this township, which is in township 101, range 15 west, there exists the highest point in Mower county. That particular location is four miles north of the head waters of the Wapsapinnican river, three miles southeast of the head waters of the east branch of the Little Cedar river; two miles from the head waters of the Little Iowa river; four miles from the head waters of Deer creek; and five miles from the head of Rose creek, which enters the Cedar river below Austin.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first act toward effecting a settlement in Lodi township was brought about by Almond Fryer, in 1855. His brother ac- companied him to the county. He came from New York and settled on the banks of the Upper Iowa, on section 14, where he
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
erected the first cabin in the township; it was constructed of poles and covered with wild hay and prairie sod. He remained until the time of his death.
A. and R. Billings settled on section 15, in 1863, and erected the second house in the township. It was constructed of logs that were hewn square, and it was always known as the "block house," and was for years a stopping place for emigrants. Elia- cum Morse came at about the same time as the Billings. Jack- son Tabor settled on section 14 some time during 1863. In 1868 he sold to Thomas Kough, an Englishman. In 1869 came O. Hutchins, W. P. Davis and L. Wierd. Wierd settled on the southwest quarter of section 24. Hutchins located on section 10, remained till 1882, when he sold and removed to Dakota. During 1870 the following came in for settlement: James Brown, Knute Iverson, Iver Hendrickson and Nels Nelson. John Burns came in 1875 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 34. Iverson and Hendrickson bought the south half of section 26. Nels Nelson bought the north half of the southwest quarter of section 27.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first settler within the township was Almond Fryer, who came in 1855. The first child born in the township was Almond Morse, born July, 1859. The first marriage was that of Miss Carrie E. Billings and W. H. Culton, August 17, 1868. The first Sunday school was held in 1873, organized by M. H. Triggs, who also preached the first sermon.
ORGANIZATION.
The survey name of the township was Lodi, but when it was organized in February, 1874, at schoolhouse No. 67, it was named Belleview, as the station established by the railroad company was originally called. The name Lodi was soon resumed. At the first meeting for organization J. M. Paul was chosen mod- erator, Thomas Kough clerk, R. Billings, J. B. Godard and Thomas O'Harra judges of election. The first officers elected were: R. Billings, chairman, J. B. Goddard, Knute Iverson, sul- pervisors ; Thomas Kough, clerk; A. Billings, treasurer; Thomas O'Harra and J. M. Paul, justices of the peace; P. P. Cavanaugh and Henry Thompson, constables. At the first annual meeting held in March, 1874, the name was changed to Lodi, at the sug- gestion of Thomas Kough.
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
IMMENSE FARM.
The Taopi Farming Company was the title of a corporation, incorporated in the year 1875, which owned and occupied 5,200 aeres of the choicest land in the state, 4,000 acres of which were under cultivation, 2,000 acres of the cultivated lands in tame grass and the balance in corn and small grain. The village of Taopi was located on the farm. The corporation afterward went out of business and the great farm has gradually been divided into smaller tracts. A few years ago G. W. Pitts purchased 2,500 acres of this farm, which he is gradually selling in quarter section farms.
VILLAGE OF TAOPI.
This place is located on section 9. It derived its singular name from the celebrated Indian chief, "Taopi," who befriended the whites at the time of the New Ulm massacre. It was plat- ted in 1875 by a corporation, made up chiefly of the Taopi Farm- ing Company, in the name of John W. Wood. They purchased forty-eight acres of land on the south half of section 9 and plat- ted the same into lots and commenced building.
EARLY BUSINESS.
The first move toward business at this point was effeeted in the fall of 1875 by the Mill company, composed of H. Snider, Charles Whipple and the Taopi Farming Company, who erected a fine large steam flouring mill, which was propelled by a 125- horsepower engine. It contained eight run of stone and for a time did a large business; but through various circumstances the mill was removed to Jackson, Minn. The same season this mill was built the following business houses and firms were estab- lished : J. Martz built a two-story frame furniture store, which was used for that purpose until the mill was removed. Oscar Olburg built a frame business house and opened a stock of gen- eral merchandise. Christian Alleman put in a stock of drugs and in 1882 sold an interest to Charles H. Webber. Charles Smith & Son started a hardware store. L. M. Tubbs opened an exclusive grocery store, continued five or six years. M. Krebs- bach & Co. built a frame business house and put in a general store, which in 1877 they sold to George W. Corbitt. A boarding house was opened by L. D. Sergeant the fall the village was commenced. A little later in the season M. O'Brien built the two-story frame hotel known as the "Taopi House." A. B. Woodard also built a commodious hotel, which a year later was sold to William Hahn. W. B. Mitson & Bro. started a harness shop in the fall of 1875. A postoffice was established at Taopi
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in 1875. W. P. Brainerd was postmaster. The grain business of the place was large. At the time the steam mill was built the same company who erected that also built, in connection with the mill, an elevator having a capacity of 45,000 bushels. The next elevator was built by George W. Corbitt in 1879. He had operated in grain prior to this date, in a small warehouse, which was built in 1877. W. P. Brainerd built a warehouse in 1876 and a year later sold to Bassett & Huntington, and they, in 1880, erected an elevator holding 15,000 bushels. The first practicing physician of the village was Dr. William Edwards, who located in 1876. He only remained a year or two and moved to Wis- consin and from there to Dakota. He was succeeded by Dr. O. M. Landon, who remained until the spring of 1883. A Pres- byterian church was organized by Elder E. W. Raymond, of LeRoy, soon after the village was started. He preached for this society once in two weeks until 1884, when they had no services.
TAOPI IN 1875.
In October, 1875, the then new town of Taopi was in a flour- ishing condition. A new mill and elevator had been completed by the Taopi Mills Company, C. D. Harn, president ; George E. Skinner, John W. Wood and C. H. Whipple, directors. Messrs. . Skinner and Wood owned near by a farm of 3,640 acres, the largest in the county. New buildings were going up in every direction. L. D. Sargeant had erected a general store building, and was boarding the men working in the mill. J. Martz was building a furniture store. C. Alleman had opened a drug store. Smith & Co. had under way a building for a hardware and farm machinery store. Irgens, Knutson and Olberg were about to open a general store. Jacobson & Co. had opened a drug store. David McKenzie was the village painter. Albert Amsen was doing a flourishing blacksmith business. Joseph Frasier was a mason. M. O'Brien was building a hotel and blacksmith shop. N. S. Brown was building a restaurant. A temporary station had been erected and U. P. Brainerd was the agent.
TAOPI IN 1884.
The business of the village was spasmodic. While the flour- ing mill was in operation, and before the "boom" had passed over, it was indeed a busy mart, but in 1884 it was not as good. In the month of August, 1884, the following comprised the busi- ness of the place: General stores, George W. Corbitt, and Brad- bury & Strong; hardware, Charles Smith & Son ; drugs, Alleman & Webber; harness shop, W. B. Mitson ; shoe shop, P. Peterson ; blacksmiths, George Campbell and P. Midock ; postoffice, kept by
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C. Alleman; grain buyers, George W. Corbitt, Taopi Farming Company, and Bassett & Huntington.
MODERN TAOPI.
Taopi has a population of 140 persons at the present time. At this point are located a bank, a hotel, two elevators, a church, a city hall, a public school, three general stores and various busi- ness houses. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago Great Western lines cross at this point.
The village was ineorporated in 1875. The present incorpo- ration dates from 1909. The present officers are: President, W. F. Jorden ; recorder, N. L. Weigen ; James Gager, A. Waldron. The fifth place on the board is vacant. A village hall was built in 1907. The village sehool, with two rooms, was erected the same year. The members of the school board are: Clerk, N. L. Weigen; treasurer, G. S. Pitts; trustee, Mrs. W. F. Jordan. The postoffice was rebuilt a year ago. In 1907 when so many build- ings went up, the village experienced a boom. The Taopi Co- operative Creamery and Mercantile Company was also organized that year and an excellent creamery erected. The creamery closed some time ago, but has now been leased to the Free- born County Creamery Company.
CHAPTER XXXV.
WALTHAM TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
Location and Area-Early Settlement-Organization-Religious --- First Events-Old Waltham House-Cemetery-Old Wal- tham Village-New Waltham Village-Modern Waltham- Business Interests-Church-School and Creamery-Edited by Lorenzo S. Chapman.
This is one of the five townships in the northern tier of Mower county and comprises congressional township 104. range 17. It is bounded on the north by Dodge county, on the east by Sargeant township, on the south by Red Rock township. and on the west by Udolpho township. The north branch of Roberts creek rises in section 24, and runs in a southwesterly direction, and enters Red Rock township from seetion 32. A small stream rises in section 19, flows nearly south and enters Udolpho from section 31. There is some timber found along Roberts creek, in
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
the south part of the township. The township is mostly com- posed of a nice rolling prairie of a productive, dark loam, which is as well suited for agriculture as any part of Mower county.
The name of Waltham was given at the suggestion of Charles F. Hardy, a native of Waltham, Massachusetts, who lived mostly in the town of Red Rock, but a short time at an early date in Waltham, and who later was county commissioner, justice of the peace and judge of probate in Mower county.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settler in Waltham township was Nels Johnson, a Norwegian, in the summer of 1855. His claim was the south half of the southwest quarter of section 22. He built a log house, 16x16, which was built on the north bank of Roberts creek. It had a board roof, the lumber of which was sawed at the Browns- dale saw mill. Mr. Johnson deeded his land and remained in the township until the spring of 1863, when he sold to George John- son, and went to Udolpho township, and from there to the monn- tains. George Johnson was from Marquette county, Wisconsin ; was formerly from Leicestershire, England. He lived in the township until his death in 1872. Barney Develin, an Irishman, settled in section 28, in the summer of 1856. 'He lived in the town but a few years when he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A Mr. Bemis, a shoemaker, settled in section 34 in 1856. He sold out te Eri Colby. Charles F. Hardy was an early settler of the township, remaining only a short time, when he moved to Red Rock, from whenee he came.
Sylvester A. Dennis came in 1857, located in Red Rock town- ship, and in 1865 settled on section 19, Waltham township. Purdy Launsbury came in 1864 and located in section 22. Moses Boliou came to Brownsdale in 1864 and to section 9, Waltham, in 1865. In 1865 Alfred Launsbury settled on section 22. E. P. D. Kimble came to Mower county in 1866 and settled on section 5, in Wal- tham township. B. T. Walker came in 1866 and settled on sec- tion 30. Isaac Dennis came in 1869 and settled on his father's homestead. Charles Gage came in 1871 and purchased a farm in section 23. George Townsend came in 1875 and settled in section 33. Others prominent in township affairs in the early days were John Iloy, Eri Colby, W. Hall, J. J. Hunt, A. McGowan, C. E. Nichols, F. J. Hill, A. Colby, J. Muncy, G. R. Church, George W. Hunt, C. G. Clark. John C. Mason, of Worcester, Mass., acquired from the land warrant speculators more than a quarter of the township, principally in the northeast part of the town. Early in the spring of 1865 his agent, A. J. Burbank, came, plotted a village near the west line of section 15, erected a three-
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
story hotel, surveyed the whole traet into forties and sold off the land rapidly. The nearest boarding place was Purdy Louns. bury's, till the hotel was finished. A plenty of help was engaged for hauling lumber and surveying. In the course of a day, two or three would come across a quarter section or eighty that pleased them, buy it, and their places in the surveying party be taken by other land lookers. Those who came in at this time and have since been prominent in town affairs were Moses Boliou, A. J. Hunt. Captain George and Henry Edwards.
Killed by Lightning. While fighting prairie fire on the night of October 8, 1871, Ira P. Launsbury, a son of Purdy Launsbury, was struck by lightning and killed, his dead body being found on the prairie the next morning. It is said that it rained very hard. The most singular thing about it was that only one very loud clap of thunder was heard, that which killed Mr. Launsbury.
ORGANIZATION.
The township of Walton was organized in June, 1866. The first election was held on June 4 at the house of A. J. Burbank, known as the "Waltham Hotel." The call for a meeting was signed by Alanson Beach, Charles F. Hardy, William E. Hardy, county commissioners. At this meeting H. L. Collins was chair- man, A. J. Burbank, eleck, and J. W. George, Henry Edwards and John Steen were elected judges. There were sixteen votes east and the following officers elected, viz .: Supervisors, H. L. Collins (chairman), HI. Edwards, A. Launsbury; clerk, J. W. George; treasurer, Eri Colby; assessor, Moses Boliou; justices, P. Launsbury, H. L. Collins ; constable, John Steen.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services in the township were held in the hall of the Waltham House, in January, 1866, by Rev. George Stokes, of Udolpho township. IIe held services onee in two weeks.
Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church, U. A. C. The history of this congregation dates back as far as 1874. Several German. Lutheran families, who for a while had come together privately to worship in this year, ealled upon Rev. E. Johl, of Havana, Dodge county, Minnesota, to minister unto them the word and the sacraments. Publie services were at first held in private houses. When in 1877 several other families following the die- tates of their conscience separated from a congregation of the Buffalo Synod joined them and organization became desirable and was effected August 25, 1877, in the presence of Rev. E. Johl
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
and the following members: Conrad Fett, Johann Boelk, G. Faber, Julius Froreich, William Meyer, H. Pesch, August Jaeger, Albert Pesch, August Fraederick, Carl Wresch, F. Boelk, II. Kickhoefer. In 1879 Rev. E. Rupprecht, of the Lutheran church at Pleasant Valley, took charge of pastoral affairs. In this year the congregation also joined the then Northwest District of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, and erected its first house of worship, a frame structure, 20x30 feet, situated on a two-acre lot in the northwest quarter of section 19, which site at present is used solely as a cemetery. The building was dedi- cated in July, 1879. Rev. E. Rupprecht taking another charge, Rev. W. V. Schenk, of Rochester, Minn., served the congrega- tion for a while, when charge was transferred upon Rev. E. Buer- ger, of Hart, Winona county. In 1882 Rev. A. Dubberstein, of Wykoff, took the charge and served until July, 1884. A parson- age being erected, Rev. J. C. H. Martin, of Cook county, Illinois, was called as settled pastor. This year also marks the beginning of Trinity Parochial school; until then children had been sent to Havana and Pleasant Valley congregations for religious in- struction and confirmation. Rev. Martin accepting the charge at Pleasant Valley, Rev. F. Boesch was called and arrived in Octo- ber, 1889, and served until spring of 1893. Rev. Herman Meyer, of South Dakota, was then called. In spite of much strife within and without, the congregation steadily gained in membership and the erection of a new church became a necessity. Not being able to enlarge the then site by purchase or other legitimate means, the congregation accepted favorably the offer of Herman Meyer, namely, a four-acre lot on the northwest quarter of section 29 as a donation. Uncertainty regarding the incorporation act and other unforeseen events arising, the erection of the church was postponed until 1895. In the spring of that year the cornerstone of the present church building was laid on the new site. The building is a frame structure, 36x60 feet, with 12x18 altar niche and 105-foot tower, in which is hung a 1,500-pound bell of real bell metal. The whole cost with interior furnishings was approxi- mately $3,500. William Dulitz was the bidder. The dedication was October 13, 1895. In 1897 the old church was removed to the new site to be used as a schoolhouse. A new modern par- sonage was erected in 1898. July 15, 1900, Rev. H. Meyer re- signed to take a charge in St. Paul, Minn. Rev. C. A. Affeldt, of Litchfield, Neb., was called and installed October 6. In 1905 extensive interior improvements at a cost of $1,000 were made by putting in steel ceiling and sidewalls. January 1, 1911, the congregation numbered 347 souls, sixty voting members and 225. communicants. Present officials: C. A. Affeldt, pastor; Her- man Beneke, J. N. Wuertz, elders; August H. Wollenburg, treas-
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
urer; George Miller, secretary ; Herman Meyer, F. Naatz, H. Dam- merow, trustees .- Written by Rev. C. A. Affeldt.
St. Michael's German Lutheran Church. This congregation has enjoyed a long period of both material and spiritual pros- perity. The congregation had its real beginning when Michael Matter, a native of Germany, came from Waukesha county, in May, 1869, and settled in Waltham township. Being of a relig- ious nature, he greatly desired the spiritual comfort of religious services, and accordingly invited the Rev. Mr. Wier, from Lake Elmo, Washington county, Minnesota, to preach in his house from time to time. On June, 23, 1873, the church was formally incorporated, this being the first religious organization in the township. On the formation of the congregation Michael Matter gave sixty acres of land, reserving the use of same for five years, after which the tract became the property of the congregation. This land was located in the north half of the southwest quar- ter of section 20. On it a church was erected gratuitously by the members of the church in the summer of 1874. The Rev. J. J. Meissner came as first pastor in 1876 and served until 1880, when Rev. J. Haack became his successor until the fall of 1884. In December, 1884, an event took place which had an important bearing on the future of the church and community. This event was the arrival of the Rev. Frederick C. Milius as pastor. Rev. Milius is still in charge of the congregation. In 1890 under his direction a new church was built, a beautiful structure, both useful and ornamental. Later a comfortable parish house was erected. In 1899 was built a parochial school. Before this the old church served as such. This school is one of the finest in the county. The usual branches of learning are ably taught here and in addition to this the children receive instruction in Ger- man, religion and right living. All of these various lines of en- deavor are in charge of Rev. Milius, who is nobly upheld by an intelligent, progressive and devout congregation.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first couple said to have been married in Waltham town- ship was James Perry and Arvilla Brown, of Red Rock town- ship. The ceremony was performed by H. L. Collins, a justice of the peace. The notable event took place in the Waltham House in November, 1869. The first white child born in Waltham town- ship was John, a son of Nels Johnson, the first settler in the township. He was born in about 1854. The first death was Elizabeth II., a daughter of George and Dorothy Johnson. She died October 1, 1867.
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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY
OLD WALTHAM VILLAGE.
The village of Waltham was platted by J. C. Mason, of Massa- chusetts, who owned large tracts of land in the township. He started a colony in 1864 and 1865, and through his representa- tions induced several families from Massachusetts to settle in the township. The townsite was located in the northwest quar- ter of section 15. It was laid out in lots of an acre, as an in- ducement to settlers. Any one who would build a house was given one acre on which to build. This village has long since passed out of existence.
OLD WALTHAM HOUSE.
John C. Mason built a commodious hotel, which was called the "Waltham House." The building was frame and cost $4,800. It was erected under the management of Col. A. J. Burbank, from Illinois. He was in the employ of Mr. Mason, as well as landlord, and, it is said, spent his money, put on style and lived in fine shape. The Waltham postoffice was first kept in this building, with the colonel as postmaster. In the hall of this building were held the first religious services in the township. The first marriage ceremony was also performed here. The hall was also noted for its dances. The hotel did a big business un- til the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, when the travel changed, when the hotel was closed as a public house, after being run as such for only four years. For several years it was used for renters and transient people in the neigh- borhood, until the fall of 1883, when the building was sold to Moses Boliou, who had it torn down and removed.
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