USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The history of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 38
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The History of Minnesota Valley, published in 1882, says: "Lyman Walsh, who came in the summer of 1872. and located in the southwestern part of the town, was the first settler. Soon after Mr. Walsh, Albert Devreaux came in and settled where he now lives. Archibald Stewart came the following fall."
DELHI TOWNSHIP.
Delhi township is located on the north-central border of Red- wood county, and comprises Congressional fractional townships 113-36 and 114-36. It is bounded on the north by the Minnesota river, on the east by Honner, on the west by Kintire, and on the south by Redwood Falls, and half a mile of Sheridan, due to the irregularity of half a mile in the survey. Ramsey creek crosses it on the southern side, and Rice creek flows northeast in the northwest part of this township. The surface is rolling and well-watered. The Pacific division of the Minneapolis and St. Louis passes through the center from east to west. The only village is Delhi with a population in 1910 of 174. The trading
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centers are Delhi and Redwood Falls. There are three school- houses. The predominating nationality is American and Scotch, the township being the center of the Scotch settlement in Red- wood county.
The original survey of 113-36 was begun Jan. 10, 1858, and finished Oct. 10, 1858, by W. R. McMahan, U. S. deputy sur- veyor. He described the surface as rolling and well-watered, and the soil, generally, first rate. He found some fine groves of timber along the river bluffs and bottom. Among the kinds of trees were cottonwood, bur oak, willow, timber oak, ash and elm. The road to Yellow Medicine entered this township near the southeast corner and passed out at the northwest corner. An Indian trail passed across the southern part of this township. A lake was found in the southwest corner in sections 29, 30, 31 and 32.
The original survey of 114-36 this township, was begun Oct. 20, 1858, and finished Oct. 24, 1858, by W. R. McMahan, U. S. deputy surveyor. He described the surface as high and rolling. The Minnesota river bottoms and bluffs were covered with small groves of timber including maple, hackberry, elm, willow, red cedar, bur oak, cottonwood, and white oak. The soil was first rate.
Beginning with the organization of the county, Delhi was considered a part of Redwood Falls. Delhi township was created February 1, 1878, and consisted of all of township 113-36 in this county. Fractional township 114-36 (which since September 4, 1872, had been a part of Swedes Forest) was added to Delhi, May 11, 1880, thus giving it its present boundaries.
The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1881 says : "The first town meeting was held at Worden & Ruter's mill in section 36, February 19, 1876. Officers elected : Thomas H. King, chairman, George Stronach and John Anderson, supervisors; James Anderson, clerk; Daniel McLean, treasurer; Alex Mc- Corquodale, assessor; Isaac Leslie and Exra Ticknor, justices ; George Gaffney and John Whittet, constables, and David Whittet, overseer of highways. The first settler was Carl Simondet, who came in 1865 and settled on section 13, where he lived until 1880, when he died. His son, who also took a claim in 1865, now lives on the old homestead. There appeared no settlers until 1868, when John and James Anderson and Alex. McCorquodale came in. The first birth was that of Christina, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret Leslie, January 18, 1873. The first marriage was that of Andrew Stewart and Miss Kate MeLean in December, 1872. John McLean died June 20, 1877, and was buried in the cemetery at Redwood Falls; the first death in the town. The first school was taught by Miss Thora MeNiven, with seven pupils, in section 20, during the summer of 1873; there are three organized dis-
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
tricts in the town and but two school houses. In the summer of 1870 religious services were held at the home of John McLean by Rev. R. G. Wallace, Presbyterian minister. During the winter of 1870-1871, an organization was effected by the Rev. J. L. Whitta, with thirteen members. They now have a membership of twenty-eight."
HONNER TOWNSHIP.
Honner township is located on the north side of Redwood county and embraces the Congressional fractional township 113-35 and fractional section 31, township 113-34 and east by the Minne- sota river on the west by Delhi, and on the south by Paxton, also Redwood Falls there being a variation of half a mile made in the survey. Little Crow creek crosses it on the eastern side and empties into the Minnesota river. The Redwood river crosses the northwest corner of it and also empties into the Minnesota river. The Pacific division of the Minneapolis and St. Louis crosses this township passing in a northwesterly direction. The surface is partly rolling and partly level. The northeast part of Redwood Falls city is located in this township. The village of North Redwood is located near the place where the Red- wood river joins the Minnesota. The trading centers are Red- wood Falls, in Redwood county, and Morton in Renville county. There is one school house. The predominating nationality is German and American.
The original survey of this township was started September 15, 1858, by W. R. McMahan, U. S. deputy sheriff. All of the sur- vey was done during 1858. The land was rolling and level, about the same amount of each. The soil was first rate. The Minne- sota river extending along the north and east boundary of this township. There was quite a good deal of timber and many kinds of trees such as hurr oak, ash, elm, boxelders, and hack- berry. Toward the west and south were a few trails and Indian fields. A stony ridge was found in parts of sections 33 and 28.
Beginning with the organization of the county, Honner was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Before Honner was organized several attempts were made to organize Black- wood. On petition, May 3, 1872, the commissioners created Blackwood, consisting of township 112-35 and all of 113-35 in this county. But the action was reconsidered and laid on the table until a future meeting. June 4, 1872, Blackwood was created, consisting of township 112-35 and all of township 113-35 in this county except sections 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32. Pax- ton was created July 30, 1879. Honner was created by the county commissioners, Jan. 10, 1880. It then consisted of all of township 113-35 in this county, and was named Baldwin. Feb.
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
10, 1880, the name was changed to Honner. On March 17, 1881, fractional section 31, township 113-34 was added to Honner township.
The first settler in Honner township was George Johnson and his son, Marion, who came to Redwood county in 1864, and settled on the south shore of Tiger lake. The next year, Hugh Curry took a claim in the township. J. S. G. Honner, for whom the township was named, was one of the first settlers of Redwood Falls, and later took a claim on the Minnesota river in what is now Honner township.
The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1882 says : "A village was laid out partly in each of sections 20 and 29, on land owned by E. B. Daniels, about 1876, and called Riverside. A store, an elevator, a hotel, a blacksmith shop and a few other buildings were put up; a post-office was also established. The town was not a success; the hotel and elevator were moved into Redwood Falls, and there remain but two small buildings on the site. In 1869, E. Birum & Brother built a water-power saw-mill in section 30 on the Redwood river. It continued in operation as such until 1879, when it was changed to a grist-mill. It now has two run of stone, and is operated by E. Birum, the present proprietor. The German Evangelical congregation held services at the house of Bernhard Kunzli in section 29, in 1867, conducted by the Rev. Hillscher. An organization was effected by the Rev. Schmidt in 1880, with seventeen members.
"A school was taught in 1876, in an old building in section 21, by Alice Patton; she had about twelve pupils. This was the only school taught in town as it was divided into joint districts, one part going to Redwood Falls, and the other to District 2, in Paxton township. The first birth was that of Frederick, a son of J. S. G. Honner and wife. He was born Oct. 24, 1868. The first death was that of a little daughter of George and Mary E. Johnson, who died in October, 1868. The first marriage was that of William Davis and Mahala Johnson in the spring of 1867.
"The first town meeting was held at the house of David Wat- son, in section 31, Jan. 24, 1881. The officers elected were: Super- visors, Henry Birum (chairman), Marion Johnson, Stephen Rus- sell; Clerk, J. K. Deming; assessor, J. S. G. Honner; treasurer, R. W. Rockwell; justice, David Watson; constable, G. B. Dove."
Honner township now has from 28 to 32 voters. Shoemaker's hall is the voting place. The supervisors are M. Anderson, A. H. Seebeck and F. J. Hoepner. H. R. Simondet is the clerk. The justice of the peace and the constable have not qualified. The early records of the township have not been preserved, the present records in the possession of the clerk dating back only to 1905.
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
UNDERWOOD TOWNSHIP.
Underwood township is located in the northwest corner of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 112-39. It is bounded on the north by Yellow Medicine county, on the east by Vesta township and on the south by Westline township, and on the west by Lyon county. The Redwood river flows in an easterly direction through the central part. The surface is high rolling prairie. There are no railroads passing through the township and the township has no villages. The trading centers are Vesta, Milroy and Redwood Falls in Redwood county and Marshall and Cottonwood in Lyon county. There are four school houses. The predominating nationalies are German, Scotch and American.
The original survey of this township was begun July 20, and completed August 16, 1867. The work was done by Richard H. L. Jewett and George C. Home, U. S. deputy surveyors. They described the land as high, rolling prairie with soil of the first quality growing lighter and more sandy as approaching the river while along the line between the prairie and bottom land the soil became gravelly and second rate. There were two small lakes in the northwest part. There was but little timber. A road was found running through the central part of the township in a westerly direction.
Beginning with September 4, 1876, Underwood township was a part of Yellow Medicine township, and after Yellow Medicine county was organized March 6, 1871, was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Underwood was created with its present boundaries April 13, 1876, and an election ordered to be held at the home of Levi Ten Eyck, May 2, 1876.
The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1882 says: "Levi Ten Eyck, who located on section 20, in August, 1869, was the first actual settler. George and Charles Mead, Archie and William Stewart, John Noble, Archie McLean and R. H. Mc- Kittrick came the next year. May 2, 1876, the town was organ- ized; the first officers were: William Cahoon, chairman, Malcom MeNiven and A. H. Morgan, supervisors; Daniel MeNiven, clerk ; R. H. McKittrick, assessor; Levi Ten Eyck, treasurer; Archie Noble and James McKay, justices; Collin Mattheson and James Gilkey, constables. There was no school till the winter of 1879, when Mrs. William Simmons taught at home. Box Elder post- office was established in 1879, and Eben Martin appointed post- master. The first marriage was James McKay and Anna Monroe, by Rev. Mr. Simmons, 1877. The first birth was Van Dyke, son of Levi Ten Eyck, born March 20, 1870. A son of Henry Johnson died in 1877, the first death."
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
VESTA TOWNSHIP.
Vesta township is located in the northwestern part of Red- wood county, and embraces Congressional township 112-38. It is bounded on the north by Yellow Medicine county and half a mile of Kintire, due to the mistake in the survey; on the east by Sheridan, on the south by Granite Rock, and on the west by Underwood. The Redwood river flows eastwardly through the central part of it. The surface is generally rolling. The Sanborn- Vesta branch of the Chicago and Northwestern enters it on the east side and passes in a northwesterly direction to the center of the township, stopping at Vesta. The only village is Vesta. The trading centers are Vesta, Echo, Seaforth and Redwood Falls. There are six school houses. The predominating nationality is Bohemian and German.
The original survey of this township was begun August 15, 1859, and finished August 23, 1859, by Mahlon Black, U. S. deputy surveyor. He described the surface as generally rolling and marshy. The soil, where it was not marshy, was of a first rate quality. The land was all prairie with no timber. A wagon road passed east and west through the center of this township.
Beginning with September 4, 1866, Vesta was a part of Yellow Medicine township, and after Yellow Medicine county was or- ganized March 6, 1871, was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Vesta was created with its present boundaries, May 11, 1880.
The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1882 says : "The first claim was taken by William Smith in the fall of 1868 on section 14. He was followed by Mathias and Hubbard Burgess, Hiram Eldredge, George and Albert Dunning, in May 1869. The town was set apart for organization May 11, 1880, and the first election was ordered held at the house of Sarah McIntosh, May 29 following. The name was given by Commissioner Hotchkiss after the goddess Vesta. The first school was taught by Mrs. Mary Reed in 1872, at the house of Hubbard Burgess; schools are still conducted in private houses. Religious services have been con- ducted by the Methodist society for several years at private houses. The first marriage was that of S. Holson and Eliza Bur- gess in the winter of 1873. The first death was an infant daughter of William Smith, that died in November, 1870, and was buried on the farm.
SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP.
Sheridan township is located in the north-central part of Redwood county and embraces Congressional township 112-37. It is bounded on the north by Kintire and a half mile of Delhi, on the east by Redwood Falls, on the south by Vail, and on the
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
west by Vesta. Redwood river flows through its central part in an easterly and north easterly direction. The surface is rolling prairie. The Vesta-Sanborn branch of the Chicago and North- western crosses its southwest corner. Its only village is Seaforth with a population in 1915 of 146 persons. The trading centers are Seaforth, Redwood Falls, Vesta, and Belview. There are eight school houses. The predominating nationality is German.
The original survey of this township was made during 1864 by Charles Davis and James Webb, Jr., U. S. Deputy surveyors. The work was started on August 13, 1864. The township had very few wet marshes or swamps. The land was rolling prairie and meadow. The soil was first rate. The Redwood river ran through the township, but owing to the dry season was very low. The banks were for the most part from four to six feet high and therefore were not likely to overflow. There was no timber excepting small clusters of cottonwood and willow along the Red- wood river. The Sioux Indian reservation line extended through sections 12, 11, 2 and 3 of this township. A road ran nearly straight east and west in the south of the township through sec- tions 25 and 30 inclusive.
The west part of Sheridan township was included in Yellow Medicine township by act of the county commissioners March 2, 1868, and the east part was considered a part of Redwood Falls township beginning with the organization of the county. January 4, 1870, the commissioners created Holton, with the present boun- daries of Sheridan. A change of name to Sheridan was authorized by the commissioners September 8, 1870.
The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1882 says : "The town was organized January 22, 1870, at the house of George Reiber. The names of Holton, Bath and Sheridan were voted upon as the name for the town, and the result proved in favor of Sheridan. The following officers were elected : George Reiber, chairman, Chester Fisk and George G. Sandford, supervisors ; D. V. Francis, clerk; Daniel Thompson, assessor ; John Holton, treasurer; Edwin Payne and Thomas Barr, justices; Adolph Leonard and Robert Thompson, constables. In May, 1868, Charles Holton came in, bringing his wife, a daughter and four sons. Mr. Holton selected a claim in section twelve. The two oldest sons, John and Laurence, took claims in section fourteen. A house was built on Mr. Holton's claim, where they all lived during the first winter. Mr. Holton died in December, 1878. In the fall of 1868, George Reiber located on section 10, followed in 1869 by Robert Thompson. The first school was taught in the summer of 1874, in a building on section 6, erected for the purpose ; there are now three school-houses. Weldon post-office was established in 1873, with Thomas Barr, postmaster ; the office was discontinued after a few years. The first marriage was Adolph Leonard and
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
Bertha Holton, in 1872. Albert E. Clark, born September 26, 1872, was the first birth. The first death was Annie, wife of Laurence Holton, who died August 29, 1872."
REDWOOD FALLS TOWNSHIP.
Redwood Falls township is located in the northeast central part of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 112-36. It is bounded on the north by Delhi and half a mile of Honner, caused by the variation in the survey, on the east by Paxton, on the south by New Avon, and on the west by Sheridan. The Redwood river crosses its northern part, flowing in a north- easterly direction and passing out through section 1. The Sleepy Eye-Redwood Falls branch of the Chicago and Northwestern enters it in section 1 and stops at the city of Redwood Falls. The surface is level in the southern part and rolling in the northern part. The trading center and only city is Redwood Falls. There are six schoolhouses. The predominating nationality is American.
The original survey was made by James L. Nowlin, U. S. deputy surveyor, who started September 3, 1858, and finished September 8, of the same year. He described the surface as level or rolling. The soil was generally of the best quality. He found a little timber in this township, including oak, ash, maple and elm. A wagon road crossed in the northeast and southwest direction through the northern part of the township. An Indian trail was also found in the northern part of the township.
From the organization of the county, the whole county was considered a part of Redwood Falls township unless definitely created into another township. The township however had not been definitely created by the commissioners, and to remedy this defect, the commissioners created it on Jan. 7, 1880, and ordered an election held at the Court House, Jan. 22, 1880. Town meet- ings were regularly held in the township from April 3, 1866, and an act of the legislature later legalized all acts between that date and Jan. 22, 1880.
The early history of Redwood Falls township is identical with that of the village.
PAXTON TOWNSHIP.
Paxton township is located in the northeast central part of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 112-35. It is bounded on the north by Honner, on the east by Sherman, on the south by Three Lakes, and on the west by Redwood Falls. Little Crow creek runs in a north and east direction in the north- ern part of this township. The surface is level in some places and
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
rolling in others. The Sleepy Eye-Redwood Falls branch of the Chicago and Northwestern crosses it diagonally from the south- east to the northwest corner. Its only station is Gilfillan, con- sisting of a few houses. The extreme eastern portion of Redwood Falls is also in this township. The trading centers are Morgan and Redwood Falls, in Redwood county, and Morton in Renville county. There are five schoolhouses. The predominating na- tionality is American, many being of eastern and Scotch-American ancestry. The Indian agency with its school, church and colony is in this township.
The original survey of this township was made during the year 1858. It was started by James L. Nowlin, U. S. deputy sur- veyor, on September 9, 1858. The surface was rolling generally but level in some places. The soil was for the most part first rate. No large lakes or streams were found. Several Indian fields were found, especially in the north and east parts. The township was full of trails crossing and joining one another. Only a little timber was found, burr oak toward the east, and both red oak and linden toward the center and west.
Beginning with the organization of the county, Paxton was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Paxton was created by the county commissioners with its present boundaries July 30, 1879, and the first meeting ordered held Sept. 13, 1879, at the school house in District 20. Before Paxton was organized, several attempts were made to organize Blackwood. On petition on May 3, 1872, the commissioners created Blackwood, consisting of township 112-35 and all of 113-35 lying in this county. But the action was reconsidered, and laid on the table until a future meeting. June 4, 1872, Blackwood was created, consisting of township 112-35 and all of township 113-35 in this county, except sections 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32.
The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1884 says: "Paxton was named in honor of J. W. Paxton, who once owned the large tract of land now owned by O. B. Turrell. The first town meeting was held September 13, 1879; officers elected : William Perry, chairman; Z. Y. Hatch and Benjamin Wolf, supervisors; S. F. Cale, clerk; A. A. Wilson, treasurer; D. R. Morrison and W. W. Byington, justices; C. E. Goodwin and Charles Tyrrell, constables. The first settlers were John McMillan, Sr., and son James, Paul Brott, Norman Webster, George John- son and C. D. Chapman. The farm allotted to the Indian Chief, Little Crow, was in this town; a number of buildings had been erected by the government for the Indians, and these the settlers occupied on their arrival. The first school was taught by Mary Bailey in the winter of 1866-7, supported by subscription. The next year a building was erected; there are now two frame school houses in the town. The first religious service was held in the
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HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
fall of 1870, by a Presbyterian, Rev. Lyon. The Advent denomi- nation formed a society in 1876, under the leadership of Elders Grant and Dimmick; the present leader is Elder C. D. Chapman. Paxton village was surveyed in 1878, on section 26; a small store was conducted by the Cale Brothers, a couple of years, the only improvement made. The postoffice was established in 1878 with S. F. Cale postmaster; Harvey Moore now has the office at his house near the station."
SHERMAN TOWNSHIP.
Sherman township is located in the northeast corner of Red- wood county, and embraces Congressional fractional township 112-34. It is bounded on the north by the Minnesota river, on the east by Brown county, on the south by Morgan, on the west by Paxton. Wabasha river flows in a northeasterly direction through the central part of this township. It has no station nor railroad. The surface is level or gently rolling and high. The trading centers are Morton in Renville county and Morgan and Redwood Falls in Redwood county. There are four school houses. The predominating nationality is German.
The original survey was begun August 9, 1858, and finished August 13, 1858, by James A. Nowlin, U. S. deputy surveyor. He described the land as level or rolling and high. The soil was first rate in nearly every case. This township had numerous Indian farms. The timber was scarce except along the Minnesota river, which entered this township in section 6 and passed in a south- easterly direction, leaving the township in section 24. The follow- ing kinds of trees were found: oak, elm, hackberry, ash, willow, burr oak, aspen, lind, cottonwood, maple, and boxelder. The Sioux Agency road extended northwest and southeast through the center of the township.
Beginning with the organization of the county, Sherman was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Sherman town- ship was created by the county commissioners Sept. 7, 1869. The township was described as follows: "All the territory of township 112, range 34, and all the territory of township 113, range 34, lying south of the Minnesota river." This was intended to mean all that part of both townships lying south of the river, but it was held that the words "lying south of the Minnesota river" applied only to township 113, range 34, and that as part of this area lay in Renville county, the creation of the county was illegal. Con- seqnently, on Feb. 10, 1880, the township was recreated, consist- ing of that part of 112-34 lying south of the Minnesota. The boundaries have thus remained to the present day. That part of township 113-34 lying south of the Minnesota (a fractional part of a section) was included in Honner by legislative enactment.
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