The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 55

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 55

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

512

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Mr. MeCall returned to his home in New York, and April 20 started for his new home in Minnesota, with his eldest son, leav- ing his wife behind. After leaving Chicago, his son, while asleep, as supposed, walked off the ears and was killed. Mr. MeCall returned with the dead body of his son to his old home, which he had so recently left, so full of hope for the future. After the burial of his son, Mr. MeCall immediately returned with his family to Mower county, and lived several years on their old homestead, after which they removed to Lansing village, where Mr. McCall died. Andrew Ingleson, came in June, 1856, and set- tled in the northeast quarter of section 4, in the town of Udolpho. He erected a small log house, in which he lived ten years, wheni he built a good log house on the southeast corner of the same seetion. He is now dead. A Mr. Ells located in seetion 35, where he lived about two years, when he left the country. A Mr. Big- ley settled in section 26. He had a family, and lived in the town- ship until 1863, when he removed to Lansing township, where he died the next year. His wife, with the family, returned to New York state. Benjamin Vaughan, a brother of Alanson A. Vaughan, came in August, 1856, and lived in the township until 1872. He moved away and is now dead.

During the fall of 1856 there arrived a party of nine men, some of them with their families. One family was from New York state, and the others from Iowa. C. N. Stimson was a native of Vermont, moved to New York, married, and with his wife and son and daughter started for the west, bringing a span of horses and their family goods. They arrived in Chatfield, Minn., in the spring of 1856 and there spent the summer. In the fall they were joined by a party from Iowa, and all came to Udolpho. C. N. Stimson settled on seetion 25. Burt E. Stim- son, his son, afterward a prominent eitizen, was then a boy of twelve years. Albert Stimson, a brother of Charles N., also set- tled in section 25. He afterward sold out to E. J. Stimson, en- listed in the war, served his term, was taken ill, and was lost sight of in New York. It is believed that he died in a hospital. George Pierson, another of the party, lived here a short time and then went back to Iowa. Nathaniel Reed also settled in seetion twenty-five. H. C. Rogers, whose biography is found elsewhere, settled in seetion 24. Durand settled in section 25, and afterward went back to Iowa. Roe settled in seetion 11 and afterward went back to New York state.

Churchill settled in seetion 12 and later went back to Iowa. Pratt settled in section 13, later started for Pike's Peak, and was never heard of afterward. During the same year, but not with this party, Charles Day eame in and took up a claim. Later Henry and E. J. Stimson came to this vieinity. C. N. Stimson

513

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

and his family first lived in a sod house. Three years later they erected a plank house and this stood as a residence until 1886. Timothy B. Andrews also came in 1856.

The Nellers came in June, 1856, and consisted of Francis A., and son, Sebastian, Francis Neller, a nephew, Joseph Neller, another nephew. They are of German descent. They came here from Jefferson county, Wisconsin. Francis A. Neller, Sr., pre- empted the southwest quarter of seetion 14, Sebastian the north- west quarter of the same section. Francis. Neller settled in section 15. Joseph Neller settled in section 23.

Seth S. Washburn came in 1857 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 17. Henry Dennis came about this time and settled in section 12. Edward Bassett came in 1857, went back after his family, and in 1858 located in section 21. Edson Bas- sett was brought here with his parents as an infant. John Tuck- erson came in 1858 and settled in section 30.

Others prominent in the affairs of the town in the early days were: Sever Ingoalson, Ingval Ingoalson, Edwin Richards, Peter A. Peterson, Orlando C. LaBar, Peter Larson, N. N. Hagna, Buxx Maxwell, Robert Lee, Nels K. Goodwin, F. A. Carll and Knute Olson.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first couple to be married in the township was Ed. Sperry and Polly E. Andrews. They were married about 1857. They lived together but a short time. The first birth was that of Nancy, third daughter of Thomas R. Richardson. She was born June 10, 1855. She became the wife of Robert Lee. The first death was that of Mrs. Mark Green, who died in June, 1856, and was buried under a burr oak tree on the Green place. Another early death was that of the wife of Mr. Caton, an old settler of the township. She died in the winter of 1856. She was buried in section 23.

The next death in the township was a brother of Ed Sperry, who had traded guns with an immigrant. He had it laid away in the bottom of his wagon. While pulling it out to show his brother, it was accidentally discharged, the shot taking effect in his thigh, which cut an artery. Not being able to stop the flow of blood, he soon bled to death.

The first breaking was done by Thomas R. Richardson in 1855. On this breaking he raised about three hundred bushels of corn, and some potatoes. Ile sold what corn he had to spare, measuring it in a common tin boiler; for each measure, he received $1. He was not so fortunate with his potatoes. When he supposed they were large enough to use, on going for a mess found that they had been dug by Indian squaws. Mr.

514

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Richardson complained to the chief, who said they (the squaws) had done wrong. Later in the fall Mr. Richardson was sent for by the chief to visit his camp. On his arrival was shown fourteen elk, and was told to take his winter's meat, in payment for his potatoes, which offer Mr. Richardson was glad to accept.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services held in the township were held on the east side of the Cedar river, at neighboring houses, and at the old log schoolhouse, until after the new schoolhouse was built, when Rev. George Stokes, an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, organized a class. He was a resident of the township, an Englishman by birth. He lived in the town- ship until about 1877, when he went to Utah territory. Rev. Mr. Stokes was the first to hold services in a number of towns in the county. He was well liked by those who knew him. He died in the town of Udolpho, at the home of O. C. La Bar, October 27, 1885.

Free Will Baptist church was organized in the spring of 1858, by Rev. Hiram Miller, from Chautauqua county, New York. He remained here a short time, when he went to Dodge county, and afterwards to Olmsted county. Meetings were held at the house of O. D. Rhoades in section 22. The members of this organ- ization were Benjamin Vaughan and wife, Charles Hunter and wife, John Dunton and wife, Mrs. O. D. Rhoades. Meetings were held once in two weeks for about a year, when the organiza- tion was removed to Lansing.

The story of the Red Rock settlement is told elsewhere.

ACCIDENTAL DEATHS.

This accident was related by John L. Neller: George Chap- man came to Minnesota in the summer of 1856 and settled in the town of Udolpho, residing with his father-in-law on section 16 for about two years, when he purchased the east half of the southeast quarter of section 8, of that township. On April 14, 1859, he went up the Red Cedar river, which at that season was very high. He went for the purpose of killing ducks. He crossed the river at or near Mr. Iverson's house, on foot logs, there being no wagon bridges at that early day. While coming down the stream on the east side, he was overtaken by a terrific snow storm of a severity since unknown in this latitude. As he did not reach home that day a party of his neighbors went out in search of him. I was among the number. We found his dead body where least expected, about fifty or sixty rods from his father-in-law's house, the river being between the house and

515

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

the spot where he was found. His limbs were badly frozen, but his breast was still warm with his life's blood. He had eight ducks in his hunting pouch. We found where he had undertaken to build a fire by placing some dry weeds in the hollow of an old basswood stump and discharging both barrels of his shotgun. But it had failed to ignite and he then placed the gun on one side of the stump and sat against the opposite side of the stump himself, as if for shelter and rest. It was the opinion of those who were knowing to the facts that he was not fully dead when first found, and that had proper care been exercised he might have been restored. He left a wife and small children in destitute circumstances.

F. A. Carll and wife, living just above Lansing, were burned to death in their home on Saturday night, March 15, 1890. Mr. Carll settled on section 34 in Udolpho township in 1865 on a farm he purchased of Milton McCall, at which time there was a small log house on the farm, in which the family lived about five years, after which Mr. Carll built a commodious frame residence in which he was burned. Mr. Carll was a native of Maine, born in May, 1814.

ORIGIN OF NAME.

Udolpho township was named at the first town meeting by Col. Henry C. Rogers, the circumstances of which were as follows: The voters of the township were composed of several nationali- ties, each expressing themselves in their own language, no two agreeing, until the question of name came up when they were as far apart on this as on other things. It was finally left to Colonel Rogers, who said call it "Udolpho," which was done. The name was suggested by reading a work entitled "The Mysteries of Udolpho."

CEMETERY.

Udolpho cemetery is located in the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 21. It was purchased in February, 1862, by Francis A. Neller at the time his wife died. Hers was the first burial. Later the people of the township took an interest in the cemetery, and each paid a pro- portionate share of the cost. The land was purchased by Mr. Neller from Soloman Wilcox, and Mrs. Wilcox, who signed the joint deed, was the second to be buried in the cemetery, her death taking place in March, 1862.

MADISON.

The village of Madison was located on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21. Below is given a sketch

516

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

of Madison, written by E. Bassett some years ago: "The village of Madison was platted by Warren Brown, a former resident of Baraboo, Wiseonsin, in the fall of 1856 or spring of 1857. He built a fair-sized building and put in some $1,500 worth of goods. He did a fair business for nearly a year. In that time he built a house to live in, established a postoffice and was made postmaster. He sold several lots and bloeks, but finally branehed out too far and lost all, after which he went farther west. During this time four men, under the firm name of Moody & Co., built a large house, 28x40, with an addition fourteen feet wide the whole length of one side. They used the building for a hotel. They did a livery business for a short time. They had the postoffice reestablished, and boarded a large lot of railroad hands. They were finally left without pay, which left them in a hard spot. The company broke up. The town a failure, Moody took his family and went baek to Massachusetts. Others left in various ways. My place lying alongside of the town plat, the postoffice was thrown into my hands. I kept it for twelve years and a half. When the railway was built, the company would make no arrangements to stop. I became wearied with going to Lansing to supply the office, and threw it up. The vacated buildings went to raek and ruin, and were sold for any sum that was pos- sible to get. The buildings were all taken away and the village plat converted into a wheat field." Madison was platted, aecord- ing to the records, September 3, 1857, in seetion 21, township 104, range 18, the proprietors being Warren A. Brown, Quincy A. Truesdell, David S. B. Mollison and Albert Galloway.

Samuel Hatley eame to Madison in the spring of 1857, from Indiana. He built a log house for a residence, also a shop, in which he worked at blacksmithing. He worked at his trade here about three years, when he removed to Lansing, where he re- mained until about 1872, when he went to the northern part of the state, where he died.

RED OAK GROVE.

(By L. O. Aldal.)

Red Oak Grove is a name which has been applied from the earliest days to the country in the southwest part of Udolpho township, the name originating from a fine grove of red oaks which was a conspicuous feature of the landscape in that loeality. The earliest settlers in this vicinity were Norwegians who came in 1855. The list of these pioneers as gathered by L. O. Aldal, is as follows: Christian Rukke, Knut Rukke, Nels Iverson Venaass, Guttorm Hillson, Thore Bergo, Anders Melhovd and Guttorm Olson Engen. In 1856, according to the same authority, eame

517

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Tollef Sommerhaugen, Ole Sommerhaugen, Christian Johnson Rukke, Helge Dokken, Jens Bodalen, Knut B. Bakken, Syver B. Bakken, Bennet B. Benson, Ole Trondson, Erik E. Basness, Jo- hannes T. Opstedal, Simon Olson and others. The following his- tory of the Red Oak Grove church is from the pen of L. O. Aldal, who is secretary of that body.

Red Oak Grove Congregation. This congregation receives and adheres to the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed word of God, and the only rule of faith and life ; and to the confession of the Evangelical Lutheran church; the Old Symbol; the Apostolical, Nicean and Athanasian creeds ; the unaltered Augsburg confession and Luther's small catechism as a correct and faithful exposition of the divine word of God. The congregation belongs to and is connected with the United Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of America. That denomination was organized in 1890, and it aims to include all Norwegian Evangelical Lutherans of America, as the name indicates.

The Norwegian settlements and church work in this vicinity, including Mower, Freeborn, Winnebago, Faribault and Waseca counties, are a direct result and extension of Claus Lauritzen Clausen's colony of St. Ansgar, Iowa. The Norwegian Evan- gelical Lutheran church work and history in America start with Pastor C. L. Clausen. He came from the old country when about twenty-three years old, to Muskego, Wisconsin, August 8, 1843. He was ordained to be a minister, October 18, 1843, by a German pastor, organized a congregation in Muskego, and held services in Even Heg's new barn, where he confirmed the first elass, and married the first two couples. In 1844 he helped to build the first Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Amer- ica. This building, which was of logs, was the first Norwegian church in America. That church was later on moved to St. Anthony Park, St. Paul, Minnesota, to the campus of the United Church Seminary. The next year, 1845, a church was built on Rock Prairie, the next oldest Norwegian church of America, and Clausen was called to be pastor. In the spring of 1849 Clausen made a trip to St. Paul, Minnesota, on the first steamboat up the Mississippi river. That steamboat brought the first message to St. Paul, that Minnesota was organized as a territory.

At that time Minnesota had about 4,000 inhabitants, and St. Paul consisted of about thirty houses, mostly occupied by French half-breeds. Clausen did not like the land there and went east to St. Croix and Pierce counties and made a Nor- wegian colony there. On his search for land suitable to colonize he came to Cedar river, northern part of Iowa, in 1852. He liked the land, took a claim and then went home to Rock Prairie. The

518

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

next spring, 1853, he and some of the first settlers went to Cedar river and his claim is situated on what he later on called St. Ansgar (named after St. Ansgar, Norden's apostle). Clausen issued the first Norwegian church paper of America, "The Evan- gelical Lutheran Kirketidende," which is still published at De- corah, Iowa. He was the first chairman both for the Synod and Conference. He was in one person, pastor, doctor, lawyer, jus- tice, storekeeper, miller, publisher, colonizer, farmer, and a leader loved by all.

When and where the first meeting or sermon was held in this vicinity there is no record to show. But in 1859 Rev. C. L. Clausen, from St. Ansgar, Iowa, visited the settlement and organ- ized Red Oak Grove congregation, which at that time also included what is now called Blooming Prairie Lutheran church. Rev. C. L. Clausen continued to visit the settlement and held ser- mons in the farmers' small log houses, but when the war broke out he enlisted in the army as chaplain. During the time of war the sermons were few and far between.

In those days the settlement was sometimes visited by A. S. Frederickson. His territory was from Fillmore county east to Brown county west. He preached, baptized and called himself minister, although he was not ordained. He is best known by the name "Skinbrokapresten" because for every-day use he made his clothes of sheep pelts and sometimes had to take pelts, wool and fur for his salary. It is said that he preferred to do so, and when he had gathered a good load he went to Winona and sold it and found the deal profitable.

Old folks can tell that the children sometimes were quite large before baptized, so they either were ready to run away or take the book out of the minister's hand during the act of baptism. October 12, 1867, a new and quite extensive pastorate was formed, consisting of St. Ansgar, Six Mill Grove, Little Cedar, Rock Creek and Red Oak Grove.

December 7, 1867, Red Oak Grove approved to this pastorate and elected and called Rev. C. L. Clausen to minister, and he accepted the call. Up to that time the congregation belonged to and was connected with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod (called the Wisconsin Synod). But on account of some disagreement (for example, negro slavery, observance of Sunday, and of the conduct and maintenance of schools, and controversy concerning some religious doctrines; absolution, the justification of the world, the call, penitence, and selection of grace), sepa- rated from that body July 26, 1868. It continued to be inde- pendent until May 25, 1871, when the congregation joined. the Norwegian Dane Evangelieal Lutheran Conference and worked with that body until the United church was organized in 1890.

519

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

The conference was a part of that union. February 2, 1867, the first action was taken to erect a church building. The building committee was elected and the place for the building agreed on. Guttorm Olson Engen donated the lot. The times were hard and the settlers were poor, but the will was good, and they strug- gled and saved and gathered means and materials and finally were able to erect the first church building, 40x30x18, in 1869. December 5, 1870, Rev. C. L. Clausen introduced Rev. P. G. Ostby to the congregation as his assistant for his growing and extensive work. A new pastorate was formed, consisting of Red Oak Grove, Little Cedar, Austin, and Blooming Prairie. May 19, 1871, Rev. Paul G. Ostby was elected to its pastorate and he accepted the call. In 1875 it was decided to build an addition to the church, and February 26, 1876, the church building was finished and the members were rejoicing because they had a place in which to worship God. To crown the work, the congregation invited the Conference to hold its annual meeting in the church. The invitation was accepted. The annual meeting commenced June 14 and closed June 22. During that meeting, June 18, 1876, the church was dedicated by Professor Swen Oftedal, assisted by the present ministers. Rev. P. G. Ostby resigned and held his farewell sermon Good Friday, April 19, 1878.

Then the congregation again called Rev. C. L. Clausen from Virginia, where he had attempted to start a Norwegian Dane colony, an undertaking which had proved to be a financial fail- ure. He responded to the call and resumed the work and held his first sermons again May 26, 1878. Rev. Clausen was then an old man and not very strong. His salary was increased so as to make it possible for him to call an assistant. January 15, 1879, Rev. Sven Strand was called to assist him. Rev. Clausen and Strand worked together until July 1, 1885. Clausen resigned, December 31, 1884, and the congregation was obliged to accept his resignation on account of his failing health.

January 21, 1885, Rev. S. Strand was chosen as Clausen's successor. The same day a mutual agreement was made to leave Austin out of the pastorate. December 14, 1892, it was decided that the pastorate hereafter consist of Red Oak Grove and Bloom- ing Prairie. December 31, 1893, Rev. Strand read his resigna- tion, but the majority of the congregation did not like to receive it. Several able candidates were nominated and voted on Janu- ary 10, 1894, but defeated, and Strand was reëlccted with an over- whelming majority. But all in vain. He resigned again January 25, 1894, and the congregation had to accept his resignation, but urged him to continue his service until his successor was elected and qualified. June 25, 1894, Rev. Iverson was elected and took charge of his office in November. 1894. June 25, 1895, a meeting

520

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

was held of the members of said church for the purpose of the incorporation under the laws of the state of Minnesota relating to religious corporations. The meeting proceeded to organize and chose Rev. Nels Iverson chairman and L. O. Aldal clerk and elected three trustees : Helge Evenson, Christoffer Lunde, Simon Thompson. February 9, 1898, Rev. Nels Iverson found it neces- sary to resign from his duty in order to recover and restore his health. Neighboring pastors filled the pulpit until his successor was chosen. Our present estimable pastor, Osmond Johnson, was unanimously elected at a special meeting called for that purpose May 12, 1898. Rev. Osmond Johnson assumed the pastorate and held his first sermon October 2, 1898. In May, 1907, Blooming Prairie and Red Oak Grove congregations bought a parsonage situated in Blooming Prairie, which from that time was occupied by the pastor and his family. Present officers (1911) : Trustees, Henry Hellickson, L. O. Hanson and Gullick Tollefson; dea- cons, Knut K. Lestrud, John Syvrud, O. A. Ulland and Ben K. Benson ; treasurer, Helge Peterson ; secretary, L. O. Aldal ; paro- chial school teacher, Julia Boraas. Societies connected with the church : 1-Ladies' Aid Society, of which the minister is the chief leader, although they yearly elect from the members a president, a treasurer and a clerk. The proceeds are divided between the home and the foreign missions, 2-Temperance So- ciety, Olaf Grant, president. 3-Young People's Society, leader, Julia Boraas.

The congregation at present (1911) has about six hundred members, of which over three hundred are confirmed and admis- sible to the Lord's Supper. The growth is gradually increasing, although some, especially young people, are moving out every year, as the situation is in all rural distriets. Last year twenty- six children were baptized and a class of eighteen was confirmed in the holy covenant of baptism. Generally every other Sunday and Holy day in the year service is held in the church by the minister. To instruct the young in the Christian doctrine accord- ing to the tenets of the church, Sunday school and parochial school are taught. To prepare for confirmation it is customary in this congregation that the children at the age of thirteen or fourteen years, meet the minister in the church one day every other week, and continue for two years before confirmed.

The congregation aids to maintain, conduet and promote schools for instructing and training ministers, missionaries and teachers, and also to promote other religious and charitable work, such as orphans' homes, homes for old people, hospitals, and work for the missions, both home and foreign, as in Madagascar and China. The work is going on in good harmony and is fulfilling that Godly aim for which it was started.

521

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Rev. Osmond Johnson, the present pastor (1911), assumed the pastorate of the congregation, October 1, 1898. Born on a farm in the neighborhood of Cambridge, Story county, Iowa, he received his early training in the parochial and public school of that locality. On November 29, 1879, he was confirmed in the Lutheran church by Rev. J. H. Myhre. Shortly after he was confirmed, he was urgently solicited by Rev. H. C. Holm to enter Augsburg Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota. This institution of learning he attended, with but little interruption, from January 1, 1881, to April 1, 1884. He spent the balance of 1884 and all of 1885 on the farm. In the spring of 1886 and the winter of 1887 he taught English school in the immediate neighborhood of his home. In the fall of 1887 he entered the Iowa State Normal school at Cedar Falls, Iowa, at which institution he graduated in June, 1892. In the fall of this year and the winter of the fol- lowing one he was a student of the Chicago Theological Sem- inary. Entering the United Church Seminary, September 10, 1893, he finished the theological course of this school, May 2, 1896. July 23 of the same year he was ordained to the Lutheran ministry by Bishop Hoyme at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He served the congregations at South Superior, Wisconsin, and Iron River, Wisconsin, from September 1, 1896, to August 1, 1898. October 1 of the same year he moved to Blooming Point, Minne- sota, to take charge of the Lutheran church of that place, and of the congregation of, whose history this sketch forms a part.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 55

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