USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 32
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1878-The twentieth state legislature assembled January & and adjourned March 8. The Thirty-fourth district was repre- sented in the senate by Henry Ahrens and in the house by Sumner Ladd, Jacob Klossner, Jr., and J. M. Bowler.
Henry Ahrens was born in Germany, August 2. 1835; landed in New York in November, 1853, and worked at his trade, lock- smith, there one year : farmed in Illinois until 1861. then soll out and settled in Renville county in the spring of 1862; lost most of his property that year by Indians, and barely escaped with his life: returned to Illinois: in 1865 eame back to this county and was elected its first treasurer, and held the office six years. besides farming extensively. In 1873 he bought an interest in a saw and flouring mill at Beaver Falls. He was a state senator, 1878. Ile was married in Illinois in 1860.
1879-The twenty-first state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 7. The Thirty-fourth district was repre-
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sented in the senate by II. C. Miller and in the house by Ed. O'Hara, C. Amundson and W. J. Bean.
1881-The twenty-second state legislature assembled Jamary 4 and adjourned March 4. The Thirty-fourth district was repre- sented in the senate by 11. C. Miller and in the house by T. M. Cornish, C. Amundson and Jacob Klossner, Jr.
An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the legislation at the regular session relating to the state rail- road bonds, which were declared unconstitutional by the supreme court. The session commenced October 11 and closed Novem- ber 13.
By the apportionment of 1881. Renville county for the first time constituted a separate distriet. It was designated the Forty- seventh district and was to have one senator and one representa- tive.
1883-The twenty-third state legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The Forty-seventh distriet was repre- sented in the senate by W. P. Christensen and in the house by Henry Paulson.
1885-The twenty-fourth state legislature assembled JJanuary 6 and adjourned March 6. The Forty-seventh district was repre- sented in the senate by W. P. Christiensen and in the house by Lewis L. Tinnes.
1887-The twenty-fifth state legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. The Forty-seventh district was repre- sented in the senate by D. S. Hall and in the house by D. F. Walstrom.
1889-The twenty-sixth state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 23. The Forty-seventh district was rep- resented in the senate by D. S. Hall and in the house by C. 11. Davis.
By the apportionment of 1889 Renville county was placed in the Forty-second district, having the same representation as before.
1891-The twenty-seventh state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 20. The Forty-second district was repre- sented in the senate by Ferdinand Borchert and in the house by H. A. Peterson.
1893-The twenty-eighth state legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. The Forty-second district was repre- sented in the senate by Ferdinand Borchert and in the house by C. D. MeEwen.
1895-The twenty-ninth state legislature assembled JJanuary 8 and adjourned April 23. The Forty-second distriet was repre- sented in the senate by James Hanna and in the house by O. L. Brevig.
1897-The thirtieth state legislature assembled January 5 and
.
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adjourned April 21. The Forty-second distriet was represented in the senate by James Hanna and in the house by J. A. Bergley.
By the apportionment of 1897 Renville county became the Twenty-second distriet, to be represented by one senator and two representatives.
1899-The thirty-first state legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. The Twenty-second district was repre- sented in the senate by Charles 11. Nixon and in the house by Gunerns Peterson and A. Engene Kinne.
1901-The thirty-second state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 12. The Twenty-second district was rep- sented in the senate by Charles Il. Nixon and in the house by Gunerus Peterson and M. J. Dowling.
An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the report of the tax commission created by the act of 1901. The extra session convened February 4, 1902, and adjourned March 11, 1902.
1903-The thirty-third state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 12. The Twenty-second district was repre- sented in the senate by A. V. Rieke and in the house by William Wichman and A. H. Anderson.
1905-The thirty-fourth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned April 18. The Twenty-second distriet was rep- resented in the senate by A. V. Rieke and in the house by William Wichman and O. T. Ramsland.
1907-The thirty-fifth state legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned April 22. The Twenty-second distriet was repre- sented in the senate by D. S. Ilall and in the house by John A. Dalzell and N. J. Holmberg.
1909-The thirty-sixth state legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned April 22. The Twenty-second distriet was repre- sented in the senate by D. S. Ilall and in the house by John A. Dalzell and N. J. Holmberg.
1911-The thirty-seventh state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 19. The Twenty-second district was rep- resented in the senate by Frank Murray and in the house by N. J. Ilolmberg and Frank Hopkins.
An extra session was ealled for the purpose of enacting a state- wide direct primary law applicable to all state officers, a corrupt practices aet and a reapportionment law. The extra session con- vened June 4. 1912 and adjourned June 18, 1912.
1913-The thirty-eighth state legislature assembled Jannary 7 and adjourned April 24. The Twenty-second district was repre- sented in the senate by Frank Murray and in the house by Frank Ilopkins and N. J. Holmberg.
At several successive sessions of the legislature prior to that of 1913 attempts had been made to secure a new apportionment.
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The last had been in 1897 and a great change in the population had taken place in the meantime-the northern part of the state having increased while in the southern part the gain had been slight, in some counties an actual loss having taken place. At the 1913 session, after a protracted struggle, a compromise bill was agreed upon, by which the number of senators was increased to sixty-seven, and the number of representatives to 130, although the legislature was already one of the largest in the United States and altogether ont of proportion to the population. By this apportionment Renville county was designated the Twenty-third (listriet, with one senator and one representative.
1915-The thirty-ninth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned April 22. The Twenty-third district was represented in the senate by N. J. Holmberg and in the house by Carl F. Neitzel.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
Renville county has been represented in congress since Minne- sota became a state, as follows: W. W. Phelps, Democrat (Good- hue county). May 12. 1858 to March 4, 1859; Cyrus Aldrich, Republican (Hennepin county), March 4, 1859 to March 4, 1863; Ignatius Donnelly. Republican (Dakota county), March 4, 1863 to March 4, 1869; Engene M. Wilson. Democrat (Hennepin county), March 4, 1869 to March 4, 1871 ; John T. Averill, Repub- liean (Ramsey county), March 4, 1871 to March 4. 1875; H. B. Strait, Republican, March 4, 1873 to March 4, 1879; Heury Poehler, Democrat, March 4, 1879 to March 4. 1881 : H. B. Strait, Republiean, March 4, 1881 to March 4, 1887; John L. McDonald, Democrat, March 4. 1887 to March 4, 1889: Darwin S. Hall, Republican, March 4. 1889 to March 4, 1891 ; O. M. Hall, Demo- erat, March 4, 1891 to March 4, 1895: Joel P. Heatwole, Repub- liean. March 4, 1895 to March 4, 1903; Andrew J. Volstead, Republican. March 4, 1903 to March 4, 1917.
By the apportionment of 1872 the state was divided into three congressional districts. Renville county was constituted the Second district, with Wabasha, Goodhue, Rice, Dakota, Seott, Le Sueur. Nicollet, Kandiyohi. Brown. Sibley, Carver, MeLeod, Redwood, Lyon, Swift and Chippewa.
The apportionment of 1881 divided the state into five districts. Renville county was in the Third distriet, with Goodhue, Rice, Dakota. Scott, Carver, Meleod. Meeker, Kandiyohi, Swift and Chippewa.
The next apportionment. that of 1891. increased the number of congressional districts to seven. Renville county was still in the Third distriet, with Carver. Dakota, Goodhne, Le Sueur, Mehrod, Meeker, Rice. Scott and Sibley.
In 1901 the state was divided into nine congressional districts.
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Renville county was placed in the Seventh district, with Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandivohi, Lae qui Parle. Lincoln, Lyon, Pope. Redwood, Stevens, Swift. Traverse and Yellow Medicine.
The federal census of 1910 gave Minnesota an additional mem- ber of Congress, who was elected at large at the election hell November 4, 1912.
In 1913 the state was divided into ten districts. Renville county was retained in the Seventh district, with Grant, Douglas. Traverse. Stevens, Pope, Big Stone, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Chip- pewa, Yellow Medicine, Kandiyohi, Meeker and Lyon.
U'ntil Minnesota became a state it had only one representative in congress, a territorial delegate, who was not allowed to vote. The first territorial delegate from Minnesota was Henry H. Sib- ley, who was first sent ostensibly as a delegate from the territory of Wisconsin, though living on the present site of Mendota. at the month of the Minnesota river. Ile sat as a territorial delegate from January 15, 1849. to March I, 1853. Ile was succeeded by Henry M. Rice, who served from December 5, 1853, to March 4. 1857. W. W. Kingsbury was elected to succeed him and served from December 7, 1857, to March 3, 1859. As has been noted, the United States senate. February 23, 1857, passed an act anthoriz- ing the people of Minnesota to form a constitution preparatory to their admission to the Union. In accordance with the provisions of this enabling act, a constitutional convention was held luly 13. 1857, at the territorial capital. October 13. 1857. an election was held, when the constitution was adopted and a full list of state officers elected. Three congressmen were also elected at this time. George L. Becker, W. W. Phelps and J. M. Cavanangh. But it was afterwards found that Minnesota was entitled to only two congressmen and the matter was amicably adjusted by the with- drawal of Mr. Becker. By this election the Messrs. Phelps and Cavanaugh became the first members of congress from the state of Minnesota.
For a time the two congressmen were elected "at large." though in order to comply with constitutional requirements there was a nominal division of the state into two distriets, one being said to represent the northern district and the other the southern district.
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CHAPTER XVIH.
CREATION OF TOWNSHIPS.
Various Acts of the County Commissioners by Which the Town- ships of Renville County Have Assumed Their Present Boun- daries-Dates of First Elections.
The townships in Renville county have undergone many changes in names and the boundaries have been many times read- justed. These changes make an interesting subject of study. Even the commissioners' records are vague as to some of the early boundaries and the following information has been gleaned only after long research and consultation.
Bandon. January 4, 1871, township 113, range 33, which since April 2, 1867, had been a part of Camp, was set off with its presem name and boundaries.
Beaver Falls. As organized April 2. 1867, Beaver included all of 113, range 35, north of the Minnesota river, and town- ships 114. 115, 116. range 35. This embraced the present town- ships of Beaver Falls, Heuryville, Troy and Winfield. Charles R. Eldridge, James Butler and Henry Ahrens were appointed judges of the election to be held at the store of C. Prignitz. March 16. 1871, the township of Henryville, 114, 35, was created. By the general act of 1875, township 116. range 35 (Winfield) and township 115, 35 (Troy) were attached to Henryville, leav. ing Beaver Falls with its present boundaries. There is no record of the change of name from Beaver to Beaver Falls and the official title is still Beaver though even in the tax lists it is called Beaver Falls.
Birch Cooley. As organized April 2, 1867, Birch Cooley included all township 112, 34, north of the Minnesota river and townships 113, 114, 115 and 116, range 34. This embraces the present townships of Birch Cooley, Norfolk, Bird Island and Kingman. George Bowers, H. J. Whichter and Lorenz Brazil, Sr., were appointed judges of the election to be held at the home of Joseph Preston. Township 114, range 34, now Norfolk, was set off as Honiton, July 26, 1869. July 29. 1874, townships 115 and 116, range 34, were attached to the town of Marschner, now Norfolk, leaving Birch Cooley with its present boundaries.
Bird Island. A petition signed by George H. Megquier and others was presented to the board July 27, 1876, asking that town- ship 115, range 34, be organized as Melville. The petition was granted and an election ordered to be held at the home of N. G. Poor, August 15, 1876. A petition signed by J. S. Bowler and others was presented to the board October 2. 1876, asking that townships 115 and 116, range 34, be constituted as Bird Island
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
township. The petition was granted and an election ordered to be held at the home of Joseph Feeter, October 21; 1876. Septem- ber 3, 1878, township 116, range 34, was organized as Kingman township. leaving Bird Island township with its present boun- daries.
Boon Lake. Township 116. 31, had been a part of Cairo since July 6, 1869. It had been a part of Preston Lake since September 7, 1869. September 6. 1870, township 116, ranges 31 and 32. now Boon Lake and Brookfield, were organized as Boon Lake. In 1874. township 116, range 32, was organized as Brook- field, leaving Boon Lake with its present boundaries.
Brookfield. JJuly 6, 1869, township 116, 32, was included in Cairo township. On March 19, 1870, township 116, 32, was declared to be a part of Cosmos (117, 32). The same township, 116, 32, was on September 6, 1870, organized as a part of Boon Lake and four years later a petition was presented asking that township 116, 32. be created as Brookfield. An election was ordered at the home of Charles Foster April 7, 1874.
Cairo. July 8, 1869. the name of Mid Lake, created April 2, 1867, and consisting of townships, 112, 113, 114, range 32, was changed to C'airo. To it was added townships 115, 116 and 117, range 31, and townships 115, 116 and 117, 32. Thus Cairo then consisted of the present towns of Cairo, Wellington, Martinsburg, Ilector. Brookfield, Boon Lake, Preston and two not now in the county. Boon Lake and Preston Lake were ent off September 7, 1869, and organized as Preston Lake. January 4, 1870, townships 117, ranges 31 and 32, not now in the county, were ent off From Cairo and organized as townships. March 19, 1870, town 116, range 32, now Brookfield, was declared to be a part of Cosmos (117, 32). Township 115, range 32, now Ilector, was ent off as Milford, April 7, 1874.
Camp. As organized April 2, 1867, Camp included townships 112, 33, north of the Minnesota river, and townships 113, 114, 115, 116, range 33. This embraced the present townships of Camp, Bandon, Palmyra, Melville and Osceola. Henry Graff, Halleck Peterson and John Anderson were appointed judges of the elec- tion to be held at the home of Henry Graff. This town having failed to hold an election, Halleck Peterson on May 21, 1867, was appointed assessor. He also seems to have served in Mud Lake township. January 4. 1871, Bandon (113, 33) was set off. -January 2, 1872, townships 114, 115, 116, range 33, was set off as Palmyra, thus leaving Camp with its present boundaries.
Crooks. A petition was presented to the board in November, 1884, praying for the organization of township 116, range 36, as Aurora. The petition was granted and the election ordered to be held at the school house. December 9, 1884. In March, 1885, the board was notified by the state auditor that another township
MANY YEARS AGO
L
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEMIX AND TILDEN SOMDATEN
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in the state had been given the name Aurora, therefore named it Crooks. Crooks had been a part of Flora since April 2. 1867, and a part of Emmet, under the general act, since 1875.
Emmet. Emmet, consisting of township 115, 36, was organ- ized September 7, 1870, from territory which had previously been a part of Flora since April 2. 1867. From 1875 to November, 1884, Crooks (116, 36) was attached to Emmet under the general act of 1875.
Ericson. Township 116, range 37, had been a part of Ilawk Creek sinee April 2, 1867 with the exception of a short period between May 18, 1868, and July 7, 1868, when it had been a part of Flora. On January 6, 1874, a petition, presented by the eiti- zens of the township, was granted and January 27, 1874, was appointed as election day.
Flora. As organized April 2, 1867, Flora included all of 113. 36, and 114, 36, north of the Minnesota river, and townships 115 and 116, range 36. This embraced the present township of Flora, Emmet and Crooks. H. Ames, James Graves and J. Gaffney were appointed judges of the election to be held at the home of J. Gaffney. May 18, 1868, all that part of the county west of range 36 was attached to Flora, but this action was rescinded July 17. 1868. Emmet (115, 36) was cut off with its present boundaries September 7, 1870. Crooks (116, 36) was included in Emmet under the general act of 1875.
Hawk Creek. As organized April 2, 1867, Hawk Creek ineluded all of 114. 37: 114, 38, and 115, 38, north of the Minne- sota river; also township 116, range 38, and townships 115 and 116, range 37. This embraced the present townships of Sacred Heart, Ericson, Hawk Creek and Wang. Isaac Earl and Peder Pederson were appointed judges of election and G. P. Greene's home was designated as the place of meeting. The town failed to hold a meeting, however, and May 21, 1867, G. P. Greene was appointed assessor. May 18, 1868, all that portion of the country west of range 36 was attached to Flora township. JJuly 17 this action was rescinded. All the county west of range 38 was attached to llawk Creek and the following officers appointed : Supervisors, C. C. O'Brien, William T. Dugu, Thomas Olson; assessor, Ole Ennesvedt; town clerk, G. P. Greene. Saered Ileart township, 114, 37, was created early in 1869; Erieson town- ship 116, 37, January 6, 1874, and Wang township, 116, 38, July 28, 1875. Township 114. 38, was largely outside of the county. leaving Hawk Creek 115, 38, with its present boundaries.
Hector. April 7, 1874, township 115, range 32, which since July 6 had been a part of Cairo, was created as Milford. The first town meeting was ordered to be held at the home of James Cummings. JJune 30. 1874. July 29, 1874, the name was changed to Heetor.
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Henryville. Township 114, range 35, had been a part of Beaver Falls since April 2. 1867. On March 16, 1871, a petition presented by the citizens of the township was granted and March 28, 1871, was appointed as election day. Winfield (115, 35) and Troy (116, 35) were made a part of Henryville by the general act of 1875, but were ent off again by the organization of Troy, March 21, 1876.
Kingman. A petition, signed by the citizens, was presented to the board September 3, 1878, asking that township 116, range 34. be organized as Kingman township. The petition was granted and an election ordered to be held at the home of H. W. Jones. section 20, on September 20. 1878. Kingman had been a part of Birch Cooley since April 2, 1867, of the present town of Norfolk since July 29, 1874, and of Bird Island township since July 27, 1876.
Martinsburg. A petition, signed by the residents of town- ship 114, range 32, was presented to the board September 3, 1878, asking that township 114, range 32. be organized as Martinsburg township. The petition was granted and an election ordered to be held at the home of J. B. Mohan on September 24, 1878. Before its creation Martinsburg had been a part of Mud Lake, which was created April 2, 1867, and the name of which was changed to Cairo, July 8, 1869. By the general aet of 1875 it had been attached to Wellington.
Melville. January 1, 1878, township 115, range 33, was created as Melville and an election called for January 21 at the home of Albert Brown. This township had been included in Palmyra. January 2, 1872, and in Camp, April 2. 1867. From July 27, 1876, to October 7, 1876, township 115, 34. now Bird Island, was officially known as Melville.
Mud Lake. As organized April 2, 1867, Mud Lake included townships 112, 113 and 114, range 32. This embraced the present townships of Cairo, Wellington and Martinsburg. Gardner Tih- bitts and Amos G. Bliss were appointed judges of election. May 21, 1867, this township, having failed to hold an election, R. Bar- ton Lee was appointed assessor. Halleck Peterson, however, seems to have served in Mnd Lake and Camp. July 8. 1869, the name of Mud Lake was changed to Cairo. On June 4, 3873, town- ship 113, range 32, was organized as Wellington. September 3, 1878, township 114, range 32, was organized as Martinsburg.
Norfolk. July 26, 1869, township 114, range 34, which had been a part of Birch Cooley since April 2, 1867, was organized as Houlton. The judges of election were E. E. Comstock, James ()'Neil and Thomas H. Barkey. September 6, 1870, the same town- ship was organized as Benton. An election was ordered for Sep- tember 22, 1870. Jannary 4, 1871, the name was changed to Marsehier. July 29, 1874, townships 115 and 116 of range 34
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were attached to the town, Marschner. Township 115, 34, now Bird Island township, was cut off as Melville July 27, 1876, and township 116. 34, now Kingman, was cut off as a part of Bird Island October 2, 1876. This left Marschner with the present boundaries of Norfolk. The name was changed by the legislature of 1874.
Osceola. A petition was presented to the board, July 28, 1879, praying for the organization of township 116, range 33, as Canton, out of the township Palmyra, of which it had been a part since January 2, 1872. The petition was granted and the auditor requested to post the notices of the organization within the time prescribed. Owing to some informality of this act another peti- tion presented to the board, September 10, 1879, praying for the organization of township 116, range 33, as Osceola. The petition was granted and the first meeting ordered to be held at the resi- dence of J. F. Lneas. September 30, 1879. Originally April 2. 1869, the present town of Osceola was included in Camp township.
Palmyra. As organized on April 2, 1867, the township. Camp. included among other townships the present township of Palmyra. On January 2, 1872, townships 114, 115 and 116, range 33, were organized as Palmyra and an election ordered for January 30, 1872, at the home of E. H. Olson. January 1, 1878, township 115. range 33, was created as Melville and an election called for Jann- ary 21 at the home of Albert Brown. JJuly 28, 1879, township 116. range 33, was created as Canton. There was some informality about this aet and on September 10, 1879, township 116, 33, was created as Osceola, leaving Palmyra with its present boundaries.
Preston Lake. September 7. 1869, Preston Lake was organ- ized, embracing townships 115, 116, range 31, territory that since July 8. 1869, has been a part of Cairo. As organized Preston Lake embraced the present townships of Boon Lake and Preston Lake. Hiram II. Davis, George Reeks and M. C. Russell were appointed judges of election. September 6, 1870, township 116, 31, was out off and with township 116, range 32. organized as Boon Lake. thus leaving Preston Lake with its present name and boundary.
Sacred Heart. No record appears in the county commis- sioners' reports of the creation of Sacred Heart. It was, how- ever, created early in 1869, and an election ordered for April 6 of that year. Since April 2, 1867, it had been a part of Hawk Creek, with the exception of the period between May 18, 1868. and Inly 17, 1868, when it was a part of Flora.
Troy. Township 115, range 35, which since April 2, 1867, had been part of Beaver Falls and which under the general aet of 1875 had been made a part of lleuryville, was organized as Troy, March 21. 1876. Under the general act of 1875 Winfield was attached to it from March 21, 1876, to April 17, 1878.
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Wang. Township 116, range 38, which had been a part of Hawk Creek since April 2, 1867 (with the exception of the period between May 18, 1868, and July 7, 1868, when it was attached to Flora), was organized and known as Wang, July 28, 1875. The first election was ordered to be held at the home of Elling John- son, August 16, 1875.
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