The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 52

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246

USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 52

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tion for a brick church building was begun, and the walls well up, when they were unfortunately blown down, which added ma- terially to the future cost of the building. Work, however, was immediately resumed and the building completed that summer at a total cost of about $3,000. The house was built through the efforts of Rev. W. M. Soules, at that time in charge of the con- gregation. Rev. E. R. Lathrop was another early pastor. The present pastor is E. H. Bedford, of Brownsdale.

Catholic Church. The first services of this church in the town- ship were held at the house of Thomas Gibson, in section 12, in the fall of 1859. Through the efforts of A. Brown, of Austin, John Digman and Thomas Gibson, the services of Father Pendergast, of Winona, were procured, who held services as above stated. He also held services during the summer of 1860. Father Kellar, from Faribault, held occasional services at the house of Mr. Gib- son until the fall of 1867, when Father John McDermot was located at Austin. He held occasional services in the township until the spring of 1869, when he was succeeded by Father Jen- nis. Members of this church in the township, now attend church at Austin.

Baptist Church. The first proceedings in the organization of this church was a meeting called by members of the church, who had settled at Lansing and vicinity, at the house of N. S. Dorwin, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. At this meeting Milton MeCall was chosen moderator, B. D. Sprague, clerk. The meeting resulted in the organization of the church, at the school- house in Lansing, January 19, 1862. Those who were present at this meeting were Milton MeCall, Edward Bassett, B. D. Sprague, P. G. Lamoreaux, N. S. Dorwin and wife, Lou A. Sprague. Rev. M. Craven, from High Forest, helped in the organization. The church held communion services December 21, 1862. The first Covenant meeting was April 5, 1862. The first baptism was April 12, 1863. The candidates were Mrs. Julia A. McCall, Betta Vaughan, and Ellen Page. The first minister was Rev. H. I. Parker, who had charge of the church ten years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Amus Weaver, from Wisconsin, but formerly from New York. He remained with the church about three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. R. Sadick, from England. Serv- ices are now held every other Sunday in the Methodist church, in charge of Rev. C. D. Belden, of Austin.

Congregational Church. This church was organized August 23, 1867, Rev. Mr. Morse presiding. The first officers were D. M. Evans, S. HI. Smith, deacons; George W. Robinson, clerk. Rev. Philo Canfield, from Albert Lea, took charge of the church Octo- ber 1, 1867. After remaining six months he was relieved by Rev. Mr. Booth, he by Rev. George B. Nutting, he by Rev. J. D. Todd,

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he by Rev. Mr. Toby, and he by Rev. Mr. Rounse, who served until 1881, since which time there has been no regular service.

RAILROADS.

The old Minnesota Central, now the Iowa and Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company, in Octo- ber, 1867, built its road through the township, entering the town in section 3, passing through sections 19, 15, 14, 23, 26, 35, from which section it passes into Austin.

The Southern Minnesota railroad, now owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, was built through the township in 1869-70. The road enters the town at the southeast corner of section 13, and runs in a southwesterly direction through sections 24-23, in which latter section it forms a junction with the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul railroad, and proceeds on its course through sections 22, 27, 28, 29, 31, from which section it enters Freeborn county.

A special vote was taken at the general election held April 7, 1882, to vote aid to the Austin, Mankato & St. Cloud Railway company. Four thousand dollars was voted, there being 71 votes in favor, to 35 against. The line now known as the Chicago Great Western was completed through the township in 1885.

MILLS.

Ramsey Mill. This mill is located on the west bank of the Cedar river in section 23, near Ramsey Junction. Mathew Greg- son, the proprietor, commenced the erection of the building and dam in October, 1872, working on the foundation and dam that winter, completing the mill the next summer in time for the next crop. The mill was supplied with four run of buhrs, which are run by water power. In the summer of 1884 rollers were added and a fine grade of flour was manufactured under the roller proc- ess. This mill is still in operation.

Lansing Flouring Mill. Lansing Flouring Mill was located on the west bank of the Red Cedar in section 2. The mill was originally built by Higley & Richards, in 1877. The building was burned in March, 1883. The site was then purchased by Simon Alverson, who rebuilt the mill on the site of the old one that summer. The ruins of the dam is now the only reminder of this mill.

Lansing Mill. A steam mill was built at Lansing village in 1857 hy A. B. Vaughan. the engine of which was hauled by teams from Wabasha, Wabasha county, Minnesota. It was run as a saw mill until 1860, when it was converted into a grist mill and run as such about three years, when the engine was sold and taken

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to Osage, in Mitchell county, Iowa. In the winter of 1866-67 the building and machinery were repaired and a wind mill put up for furnishing power. It was run with varied success until 1869, when the wind mill was taken down and the buhrs sold. The building was sold to L. Hawley, who removed it to his farm and converted it into a barn.

Turtle Creek Cheese Factory. A joint stock company was organized in the fall of 1874, under the laws of the state, with a capital of $2,000. There were forty shares issued at $50 a share. The stockholders were S. N. Frisbee, John Van House, Granville Kearn, Jerome Rodgers, Jonas Haney, A. P. McBride, Daniel E. Bero, James M. Cook, N. S. Hardy, Israel Pace, Michael Teeter, Merrick Knok, H. W. Page, Oliver Shaw, Solner & Mor- gan, A. Harwood, R. O. Hall. The business is under the control of a board of five directors, elected annually. The first directors were S. N. Frisbee, John Van House, Jerome Rodgers, Jonas Haney, E. McBride. The cheese factory building was commenced in the fall of 1874. When nearly completed it was blown down. It was immediately rebuilt. It is a two-story frame building, 26x52 feet. Cheese making commenced June 10, 1875. The cheese manufactured was of a high quality and won many prizes. The business was closed up many years ago.

CEMETERIES.

Lansing Cemetery. Is located on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 11, the ground being donated by A. B. Vaughan, and is incorporated under the laws of the state. The first burial was that of Gardner Mitchell. He came from Wisconsin here, but formerly lived in Rhode Island. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. He made his home with the Vaughans until his death.

Oakwood Cemetery is located in this township. Its history is related elsewhere.

LANSING VILLAGE.

Lansing is a lively village of some one hundred inhabitants, and is noted especially for the creamery which is operated by the Lansing Cooperative Dairy Association. It has a railroad station, an elevator, a public school, a hotel, a postoffice and a Methodist church. It was at one time incorporated but gave up its charter.

This village clusters around the corner stake of sections 2, 3, 10 and 11. It was surveyed and platted in 1858, by Charles Carter, for A. B. Vaughan, the proprietor. The first building on the site was a log house erected in 1855, by A. B. Vaughan for a residence. The first building for business purposes was erected

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by P. D. Vaughan in the fall of 1858. He rented the building to John Clark, who put in a small stoek of goods. In the fall of 1859 this building was burned. In 1860 Clark elosed out the business.

EARLY BUSINESS.

The first blacksmith in the village was Alfred Clough, who located here in the summer of 1857. He remained here until 1866, then returned to Wisconsin. Later eame Sidney Fuller.

P. D. Vaughan opened a store in the fall of 1864, putting a small stock of general merchandise into a small building on the north side of the creek. The same fall George Wood purchased an interest in the business and they moved to more commodious quarters on the south side of the creek. In the spring of 1866 they sold to A. B. Vanghan, who continued in the business until 1868, when he closed out. During the fall of 1867 there were two warehouses built here, one of them by a Mr. Eames, from Lake City. In 1868, Bassett, Huntting & Co. erceted a warehouse, and in 1870 O. C. LaBar erected one. Wood & La Bar were also early buyers. The Huntting Elevator Company still operates here. The first lumber yard was established in 1867 by Vaughan & Wood. They continued in the business until 1870, when they closed out.

The store of P. D. and W. B. Vaughan, general merchants, was commenced in the fall of 1875, by Warren B. Vaughan, when he had just received the appointment of postmaster. He put in a stock of groceries, drugs and stationery, valued at $1,000. He conducted the business alone until the fall of 1877, when he formed a partnership with his father, P. D. Vaughan. Charles E. Payne now conducts a general store in the village.

H. M. McIntyre, general merchant, commenced business in company with John Bartlett, under the firm name of Bartlett & MeIntyre, in the store building known as the Weller building. In November, 1880, Mr. McIntyre purchased his partner's interest, and is still in business.

Among early physicians at Lansing were Josef Alloys, R. Soule, a Dr. Lafayette, and W. L. Hollister.

The first station agent at Lansing was Charles Linton. He remained in the office about two years, when he went to Medford, in Steele county, Minnesota. The first express agent was A. B. Vaughan, which office he held until 1872.

The Lansing Hotel was built as a private residence by Patrick Eagan in 1860. It was first kept as a hotel by Benjamin Carll in the fall of 1864. He continued to act the part of jolly host until the spring of 1867, when his son-in-law, William Brown, took charge. In the fall of that year he was succeeded by Chauney

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Maxfield, who purchased the property. The hotel is now kept by John E. Chaffee.

Incorporation. The village was incorporated by an act of the legislature, and approved by the governor, February 17, 1871; was witnessed by the secretary of state, March 30, 1881. Georg! Wood, C. J. Ricker and J. W. George were designated commis- sioners to call an election. The first eleetion was held at the post- office March 10, 1881, and the following named officers were elected : President, W. H. White; trustees, John Watkins, George W. Williams, J. G. Vaughan; recorder, H. McIntyre; justice of the peace, J. E. Robinson; treasurer, John Bartlett ; assessor, Il. Rowe; constable, John Thompson. At this meeting John J. Guthrie was clerk, P. D. Vaughan and J. H. Watkins, judges. The charter was surrendered some years since.

Lansing' Lodge No. 72, A. F'. and A. M. An informal meeting was held at the schoolhouse, and a petition sent to the W. G. M. of the grand lodge of Minnesota, signed by the following named : W. L. Hollister, P. D. Vaughan, George W. Robinson, J. F. Smith, William M. Evans, John McCall, J. W. George, T. B. Morrill, A. B. Vaughan, S. R. Gunn, J. B. Graves, E. J. Stimson-asking that a dispensation be granted. On April 10, 1868, a dispensation was received. W. L. Hollister was appointed W. M .; P. D. Vaughan, S. W .; George W. Robinson, J. W. The first meeting was held at Willis hall, April 13, 1868. A charter was granted January 4, 1869, and the following members elected: W. L. Hollister, W. M .; P. D. Vaughan, S. W .; G. W. Robinson, J. W .: J. F. Smith, T .; A. B. Vaughan, S.

RAMSEY JUNCTION.

Ramsey Junction is a station at the junction of the Iowa and Minnesota and the Southern Minnesota divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. It was platted November 18, 1873, the proprietor being D. J. Cameron. At one time an effort was made to have the county seat located at this point. Until 1887 stages were run from Austin to this point and a number of eating houses flourished. With the building of the "Y" to Austin, the importance of Ramsey ceased. The first station agent was Harvey Coleman.

CORNING VILLAGE.

Corning Village, located in the extreme northwestern corner of Lansing township, and the southwestern corner of Udolpho township, is a thriving little settlement with a general store, a creamery and a near-by Lutheran church. The postoffice at this point has been continued.

The Corning Creamery Company. This concern has a thriving

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business, and is well conducted. The officers are: President, C. B. Christianson; secretary, O. A. Ulland; treasurer, O. G. Anderson.

The Corning Farmers' Telephone Company has a large patron- age. The officers are: President, C. B. Christianson; vice presi- dent, Nels Goodwin; secretary, O. A. Ulland; treasurer, S. S. Ulland ; directors, G. Tollefson, Albert Ulland and Thomas Dowd.

The Lansing Co-operative Creamery Company was incorpo- rated February 15, 1894, with a capital of $2,500. The first officers were: President, H. S. Hammond; vice president, John Mathieson ; treasurer, O. C. LeBar; secretary, H. W. Melntyre; directors, E. H. Wells, O. J. Rhoades, H. B. Roe. The company commenced business on the present site, section 11, township 103, range 18, in a building purchased from the Lansing Cheese & Butter Manufacturing Company. A new building was erected in 1906 and the capital stock increased to $6,500 a year later. In 1894 $6,779.17 was paid for butter; in 1910, $49,698.29 was paid. The present officers are: President, H. S. Hammond; vice presi- dent, P. G. Peterson; treasurer, A. J. Pollock ; secretary, H. M. McIntyre; directors, R. A. Carll, Ferd. Schutt, Anton Sehradle.

CHAPTER XL.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.

Location and Advantages - Early Settlement - Organization - First Events-Religious-Frozen to Death-Village of Adams.

The town of Adams embraces congressional town 101, north of range 16 west of the fifth principal meridian, and is bounded on the north by the town of Marshall, east by Lodi, south by Mitchell county, Iowa, and west by Nevada township. The sur- face of the town is quite undulating, the soil being of a dark, rich loam, with a clay subsoil. The soil is very productive, and grows all kinds of grain, vegetables and grasses. The township is well watered and drained by the Little Cedar river and its tributaries. The main branch enters the town in section 12, running in a westerly course through sections 11, 10, to the center of section 9, where it bears south and passes through sections 16, 21, 28, and leaves the town in section 33. One of its branches enters the town from the town of Marshall, in section 4, passes in a southerly di- rection, making a confluence with the main branch in section 9. Another branch also enters the town from Marshall in section 2, and forms a junction with the main branch in section 11.

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EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first to settle in Adams township was Thomas Knudtson. He came in June, 1855. He settled on his claim, which consisted of the south half of the northwest, and the north half of the southwest quarter of section 2. He there erected the first house in the town. It was built of logs, 18x18, and eight feet high, covered with hay and prairie sod, with puncheon floor. The next year he put on a shingled roof. He lived in this house about seven years, when he built another log house 16x18, 12 feet high. He lived in that house about nine years, when he disposed of his farm and moved to section 35, in Marshall township. In July, 1855, Reynold Olson, John D. Olson, J. H. Johnson, Stephen Olson, Ole Johnson and Stephen Christianson, natives of Norway, came together from Dane county, Wisconsin. R. and J. D. Olson settled in section 12. J. H. Johnson settled in Clayton township, but later came to the township and settled in section 2. Ole Johnson settled in the northeast quarter of section 12. Christian- son and S. Olson made their homes with R. and J. D. Olson. They were frozen to death in December of that year.

Among the settlers of 1856 were John Leisenfelt, Peter Leisen- felt, Michael Bowland. John Q. Olson settled in section 12, where he lived until 1884, when he went to Dakota. Those that came later are John Heimer, Mathias Cary, John Webber, Patrick M. Rooney, William Madden, M. Krebsbach, C. Krebsbach, Michael Smith. John Heimer settled on the southeast of section 32. John Webber settled in section 32, in 1857. Nels Rierson, from Norway, settled in section 16, where he lived until 1860, when he left his improvements and moved to LeRoy township, where he improved a farm upon which he lived until his death in 1883. Rasmus Rasmusson also came in 1857, and settled in section 4, where he lived a few years, then moved elsewhere in the county.

ORGANIZATION.

The town of Adams was organized in May, 1858. The first town meeting was held in section 16,. on the open prairie. At this meeting the following officers were elected, viz .: For town- ship hoard, Mathias Rooney, chairman; Mathew Carey, Reynold Olson ; treasurer, P. F. Rooney ; clerk, Wm. Madden; justices of the peace, William Madden and Stephen Heimer; constables, Ole T. Jacobson and John Sanders.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first couple to be joined in the holy bonds of wedlock was M. Krebshach and Susan Bandes. The great event took

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place in September, 1858. The first birth in the township was a daughter of Stephen Olson, born in December, 1855, a few days after the death of her father. She lived to be about two years of age, when she died, and was buried in section 11. Mathew Heimer, son of Stephen Heimer, has the credit of being the first male child born in the township. He was born March 29, 1858. The first secder, moving and threshing machines were brought to the township by M. Krebsbach. He also owned the first span of horses in the township. J. S. Irgens was the first postmaster in the town. The office was kept at his house, in section 8. The office was established in 1859.

RELIGIOUS.

(By Rev. O. C. Myhre.)

Little Cedar Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. The first settlers of Norwegian descent who located in this part of the county came originally from Dane county, Wisconsin, in the year 1855. Having been brought up in a Christian home in their native country and taught that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," the yearning for the sanctuary and the administration of the means of grace soon manifested itself. Before the organiza- tion of a congregation could be effected services were originally held in the private homes of some of the settlers. The first services of which there is any record were conducted in the home oï Stephen Olson and Stephen Christianson on section 12, in June, 1856. Rev. C. L. Clausen, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, the first pastor who visited this section, conducted these services. He was also present at the meeting on November 26, 1859, in the home of Halge E. Flocu, on which date the Little Cedar Lutheran Congregation was organized. The name "Little Cedar Lutheran Congregation" was adopted because of the river by that name running through the southern part of our county and because the Lutheran banner of confession was to float over it. Among other pastors who also visited the pioneers before the organization of the congregation were Rev. A. C. Preus, of Koshkonong, Dane county, Wisconsin. The original founders of this congregation were: Ragnald and John Holstad, Tidemand and Eric Asberg, John and Harold Irgens, John Osmundson, John O. Heyedahl, Simon Knutson, John O. Quale, Hendrick Benson, Helge Floen, Ole Guliekson Tildem, Gulick and Tollef Tildem, Anders O. Alreck, Ole J. Holstad, Rasmus Wigness, Nils Finkelson, etc. Among the first trustees only the following can be mentioned. because the records of the first meeting are very incomplete : Ragnald Olson and John Olson. The first church-a very primi-

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tive log church-was built in 1863, on the southeast quarter of section 4. The site and cemetery grounds were bought of Rasmus Wigness. The size of the church was 30x40 and sixteen feet high, Each voting member donated a certain number of logs. Tide- mand Aaberg and Torris Flaten had charge of its erection. During this period the Civil war broke out and several of the men enlisted. Rev. C. L. Clausen, the pastor in charge, also served as chaplain in this war. During his absence the following pastors served the congregation: Tobias Larson and Wilhelm Koren. On October 12, 1867, the following congregations united to form one charge, with Rev. Clausen as pastor: Little Cedar, St. Ansgar, Rock Creek, Six Miles Grove and Red Oak Grove. This organization existed till the spring of 1871. On April 12 of this year Little Cedar, Austin, Red Oak Grove and Blooming Prairie united to form one charge. At this time Rev. P. G. Ostby, who for some time had been Rev. Clausen's assistant, was called as permanent pastor. During his service, which lasted about seven years, the old log church was abandoned and on November 1, 1875, it was decided to put up a new frame building on the old site. The dimensions of this building were: 40x60x20, a vestry 16x24x16, tower 96 feet.

On October 5, 1877, Six Miles Grove, Mona and Lyle and Little Cedar congregations formed a new charge and extended a call to Prof. B. B. Heldaker. He served till 1881, when ill health obliged him to resign. A call was then extended to Rev. J. M. Eggers, of Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin. He was installed January 1, 1882, and served the congregation nineteen years. At the time of his resignation the Little Cedar congrega- tion united with the West LeRoy congregation and extended a call to Rev. W. A. Rasmussen, of Wind Lake, Wisconsin. He served the congregation five years and six months. During his time the parsonage was built. This is a very substantial and modern building. The size is: 28x32-15x26-6x8-two and one- half stories, with basement under the whole structure. In con- nection with this, five acres of land were bought within the corporation of Adams. At a regular meeting May 21, 1906, a call was extended to Rev. O. C. Myhre, of Windom, Minnesota. IIe was installed as pastor of the Little Cedar and West LeRoy congregations September 30, 1906. At this time the members of the congregation who reside in the village of Adams again peti- tioned the congregation to build a church in that place. At a regular meeting on February 13, 1907, it was decided to put up such a church and the necessary committees were elected. This building was completed in 1908. The Adams church is a very beautiful and substantial brick structure, size 74x54, with base- ment under the whole building. The cornerstone was laid by

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Rev. J. M. Eggen, assisted by Rev. M. E. Waldland, of St. Ansgar, lowa, and the pastor loci, September 1, 1907. At a distriet meeting of the St. Ansgar circuit, held in Adams, this church was dedicated by Rev. T. II. Dahl, D.D., October 25, 1908. At a business meeting June 21, 1909, it was also decided to repair the old country church. This reparation was completed before November 26, 1909, on which date the fiftieth anniversary of the congregation was fittingly observed. This church was later destroyed by fire June 21, 1910.

Since the organization of this congregation several societies have been working in its midst: Three Ladies' Aid societies, the Busy Bee Society, the Little Cedar Young People's Society and Little Cedar Total Abstinence Society. All these societies have worked faithfully and accomplished much good in the Lord's vineyard at home and abroad.

The present officers of the Little Cedar Lutheran Church are: Pastor, O. C. Myhre; trustees, B. P. Haugen, N. Gravdahl, A. Amble, Eric Weness; deacons, John Matteson, H. J. Hanson, P. J. Sathre, S. K. Hegge; organist, Ida Anderson; secretary, H. J. Hanson. The congregation has a membership of about 500 and is connected with the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

FROZEN TO DEATH.

Stephen Olson and Stephen Christianson, spoken of as settlers of July, 1855, were frozen to death December 8, 1855. They started on the morning of that day, with ox teams, to go to the Norwegian settlement at Six Mile Grove, in Nevada township, to procure provisions, in which the settlers were in much need. They procured provisions and started home. A severe snow storm set in and they evidently got lost. The team found their way home that night. One of the men's hats was found attached to the yoke. The next morning a party started in search. Their dead bodies were found three days later, in Lodi township. Each left a wife and one child. They were buried in section 11.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 52

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 1246

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246