USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 26
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Although Morton was given its present name in 1882, the postoffice continued to bear the name of Birch Cooley until Oet. 1, 1894. when, under Postmaster W. C. Keefe, the name was changed to Morton.
OLIVIA VILLAGE.
Nature has done much for Olivia, and to nature's gift has been added man's industry. It is a thriving eity, in the center of the richest and most populous farming and dairying sections of the entire country.
Olivia has beautiful, well-shaded streets, a fine drainage sys- tem, beautiful homes, well-kept lawns, a fine system of water- works, a fairly well equipped fire department, and an excellent market for the buying and selling of everything needed. It has an excellent farmers' co-operative creamery, besides two prod- uce stores, a farmers' elevator and four other elevators. a ean- ning faetory, a sash and door factory that turns out high-elass work, a bottling works where sodas are manufactured from dis- tilled water and ice cream manufactured for the trade in all the neighboring towns, a military company with headquarters in a new $25,000 armory, a live commercial club, fine schools and churches, a public library, one pool and billiard hall, a bakery, a tailor, one men's clothing and furnishing store, one furniture store, one plumbing shop, an orchestra, five good general stores, a variety store, three restaurants and confectionery stores, two blacksmith shops, two garages, two livery barns, two meat markets, two millinery stores, a good jewelry store, an up-to-date drug store, two hotels, five real estate offices, four lawyers, two doctors, one veterinary surgeon, three eivil engineers, a dray line, three dentists, a flour and feed store, two harness shops, two good hardware stores. three banks, a shoe store, two lumber yards, a good flour mill, a new automobile supply store, three barber shops, one moving picture theatre, one photograph studio and a number of contractors, carpenters, painters and masons. A good electric light plant furnishes electricity for a day and night service and is owned by the village.
There are five churches: Catholie, Swedish Lutheran, German Lutheran. Methodist Episcopal, Episcopal and the Evangelical Association.
Among the fraternities may be mentioned the Masons, Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen, the United Workmen, the Cath- olie Foresters, the Modern Brotherhood, the Bohemian Workmen and others.
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Originally known as the "station on section seven," Olivia gave little promise of becoming the leading village of Renville eounty. Too near the already developed village on the east with its elevators, stores, bank, shops, making an easily accessible mar- ket for the neighboring territory, the station on section seven was doomed apparently to remain always an obseure eross-eorner. Bnt Fate smiled upon the little hamlet, and its ultimate prosperity exceeded the most sanguine hopes of its friends and promoters.
Among the earliest settlers in this vicinity were Charles Waldo, who came in the spring of 1872 and settled on section 24, township 115, range 35; John Nestor, who settled on section 18. township 114, range 35. at the same time : George Miller settled here in the fall of that year together with his brother Steve Miller; JJerome Bosley on section 30: Jim Kearns. Dennis Haley, seetion 26; Wil- liam Morse and Jos. Hodgson-all in the year 1872. In the next few years the following appear among the names of the new set- thers: Thomas Flanagan, section 26,; James Flanagan, his son; Michael Glenn : Chas. Ihumboldt : John E. W. Peterson, who settled on a timber claim : R. P. Peterson ; H. S. Atchley, who settled on what is now known as the Windhorst farm : Lib. White, on a tim- ber claim ; Perry Burch and George Burch; John Buxton on the present John Kuske farm : Ira Everson ; James L. White : William Warner, on the farm just north of the village known as the Denn- stedt place: John Miller: John Barker, and Byron Gates. The land in the vicinity is of a gently rolling nature and appealed strongly to the early settlers as witness the large number that rushed in within the brief space of a few years. The judgment of the homeseekers has proved sound as the land chosen is now the highest priced in the county.
But as is usual in such cases the development of the farmning community depended largely upon the development of a good trading center with its facilities for marketing produets ; mer- chants, alive and progressive, and able to extend the needful credit to the new settler, as well as religious and educational ad- vantages-all of prime importance to the development of a sue- cessful agricultural community. In the course of time they were all supplied and flourished in the midst of abundant harvests ; and the settlers on the land prospered in their close contact with the advantages of the trading center.
Olivia was surveyed in September, 1878, for the Hastings & Dakota Railway Co.
The first settler in Olivia was G. J. DePue, who met the first primitive needs of the settler by establishing a blacksmith shop in 1878. He also built a hotel known as the DePue House. His name is preserved in the designation of the principal residence street of the village. Isaac Lincoln and brother soon followed with the building of the first "Hathouse" or elevator for storing
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grain. In the same year P. W. Ileins, of Beaver Falls, opened up a mercantile store and P. Berndgen a general store where the Grand Central hotel now stands.
Isaac Lineoln was appointed first postmaster and had his office located at the elevator. The next postmaster was W. P. Christen- sen. The Lineolns also built the first lumberyard, in 1878, and the following year erected a steam flour mill with a capacity of abont eighty-five barrels a day. This mill was later sold to John Meldahl, finally passing into the hands of William Windhorst. Destroyed by fire it was not rebuilt. Another general store was opened within a few years by Nahum Stone, who later became the first village treasurer, and a fourth by W. P. Christensen on the spot where now stands a brick residence across from the State Bank. Peters and Kromer were among the first engaged in the blacksmith's trade. George Cadwell was the first station agent for the new railroad and was followed by C. HI. Spencer. John Morgan opened a saloon in 1879. Lib. White opened a drug store in the early eighties.
Village lots in Olivia were first assessed in 1880. Those who already owned lots were : I. & E. B. Lincoln, lots 1, 2 and 3, block 1 : C. Blume. lots 1. 4 and 5, bloek 2: T. H. Risinger, lots 8, 9 and 12, block 2: Peter Berndgen, lots 1, 4 and 5, block 3: P. W. Heins. lots 8. 9 and 12, block 3; lohn Been, lots 1 and 4, block 6; 1I. S. Atchiley, lots 8 and 9, block 6; Wm. Warner, lots 12 and 13, block 6: Mrs. Mary Hodgdon, lot 1, block 7; Jerome Balsley, lots 2 and 3. block 7; Fred Williams, lot 4. bloek 7 ; H. E. Daniels, lot 4, block 7 : Ryan & Morgan, lots 6 and 7, block 7; J. Leeson, lots 1 and 4, block 8; T. S. Christianson, lots 2 and 3. block 8: James Williams. lot 6, block S.
In 1882 the village contained only a handful of people mim- bering in all about 80, and continued to grow but slowly. There were four general stores, one hardware, one drug store, black- smith shop, wagon shop, tailor and shoe shop, one hotel, one saloon, one lumber yard, two elevators, one mill. Bird Island was already a thriving little city of 500 people and the county metropolis; Renville had a population of 275 and Ileetor 250. By 1890 Olivia had 263; during the next ten years it more than trebled in number, arriving at the centennial with a population of 970.
In 1889 the Peoples Bank was established by P. W. Heins and six years later the State Bank was organized. The same year the Olivia Bottling Works opened up for business.
The first church services were held at different homes by Nahum Tainter, Methodist minister from Bird Island. A church was built a little later in 1888; this was partly torn down a few years ago and the rest of the building framed into the pretty church of the present day. Father Koher of Bird Island read
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mass at Olivia for the Catholies and Father Plint was the first resident pastor after the church was built in 1889.
In 1880 the first publie school was built. This building is now the (old) Swedish Lutheran church. Frank de Camp was one of the first teachers.
At about the same time a new flour mill was built with modern machinery by Kubesh and Brown. It is running today and is an important factor in the industrial life of the community, now owned by D. L. Simons.
In 1898 the Northwestern Telephone Company was granted a franchise and in 1905 a loeal telephone exchange was established. The latter has recently been purchased by the Tri-State Company and the two give Olivia and vicinity excellent service.
In 1899 the village purchased lots for the establishment of a waterworks and lighting system. The village now has an ample supply of water and mains to serve the needs of its people. The water tank of 47,000 gallons capacity, completed in 1901, is placed upon a ninety-foot tower and produces a 40-pound pressure. There are 11,000 feet of mains and 24 double hydrants. The fire de- partment consists of 22 volunteers and is supplied with 1.500 feet of hose, 2 carts, one hook and ladder truek and one Waterons steamer in reserve. Electric power is now secured from the Ren- ville County Electric Company.
The large are lights installed in 1899 did much to add beauty to the streets. On June 29, 1914, the village signed a contract with the Renville County Electrical Co., at Bird Island, by which the plant at Olivia is supplied with power from the plant at Bird Island. The village still owns its own electric light plant, in good working order. ready at any time to supply "juice" if nec- essary.
The Olivia postoffice was established in 1879 and the post- masters have been as follows: 1879, Ike Lincoln: 1880. William P. Christensen : 1884, Lib. White; 1886, Daniel Haire; 1890. Wil- liam II. Schmitt : 1894, William P. Christensen : 1896, J. M. Peekin- pangh : 1906, Il. H. Neuenburg : 1914, W. J. Heaney. It was made a money order in 1880, an international office in 1894; was ad- vaneed from fourth to third class in 1896 and was given a postal savings department in 1911. During the term of Lib. White as postmaster the office and all its records was burned. Ike Lincoln kept the first postoffice in his elevator office. William P. Chris- tensen during his first term had the office in his store and during his second term kept it where the plumbing shop is now located. Daniel Haire and W. H. Schmitt kept the office in their respective store buildings. L. M. Peckinpangh kept the office in the Heaney building, and there II. 11. Neuenburg likewise kept it until 1912. when it was moved to its present location. William J. Heaney is the postmaster, Wilfred Heaney the assistant, and Marguerite and
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Ralph Heaney the clerks. There are five rural rontes, Nos. 1 and 2, established July 1, 1902; No. 3, established Sept. I, 1904; and Nos. 4 and 5, established Jan. 16, 1905. The present carriers are William E. Burt, William Moran, Henry A. Kobler, Leigh HI. Wilson and James P. O'Neil. Norfolk, Winfield and Lake Lillian postoffices have been discontinued into this one.
The Grand Central hotel was built about twenty years ago by Neuenberg and Company. It is a substantial brick building with modern conveniences and serves well the needs of the trav- eling publie. The proprietors are Mr. and Mrs. Fred MeIntyre.
The location of the county seat at Olivia in 1900 brought a splendid addition to the village in the form of a fine brown stone courthouse, of pleasing architectural style, and modern appoint- ments. It sits alone in the center of a full block, with a beautiful lawn and buckthorn hedge along the border to set off its beauty. It is a fitting monument to the progressiveness of the county's. citizens, in accord with its wealth, and an appropriate situation for the seat of law and local government. Nearby is the sightly and sanitary jail.
The long struggle for the possession of the county seat left the community in a fit of exhaustion and the period of great de- velopment which had been predicted failed to appear. Except for the building operations on the courthouse and the coming of the families of county officials to Olivia, there was but little dif- ference from its previous state.
Marked improvements, however, were gradually taking place which have developed within the last few years into a veritable "boom" and have made Olivia one of the prettiest, most pro- gressive and substantial little cities in Southern Minnesota.
The summer of 1915 was marked by a period of unusual busi- ness activity. The old Ryan hotel building was removed from the downtown location and is being remodeled as a hotel. On the old location a fine set of brick business blocks have been erected. These six new buildings together with the new armory, the Swan- son block, and the remodeled garage mark great changes in the business aspect of the village.
Two of the most important societies in this community are the Commercial Club and the Ladies' Improvement Club. The l'ormer is a live organization, with commodious quarters in the New Armory, whose members take keen interest in any matter for the benefit of the community. Their activity has resulted in securing many improvements that would otherwise have been lost. Darwin S. Hall is president and A. N. Nelson is secretary.
Olivia has never been visited by a serious fire. The citizens, however, believe in adequate protection and maintain a fire de- partment which holds fire drills at stated intervals. The equip- ment consists of hose pumps. carts, bell, and fire extinguishers, all
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kept at the engine honse. which is a sightly structure, well adapted to its purpose.
The Armory is one of the prides of the village. The old ar- mory. a building 80 by 120 feet was erected in 1897, one block north of the railroad station. It was used as an armory, opera house and general meeting place. It has been converted into a roller skating rink. In 1914 arrangements were made by Major I. 11. Neuenburg, of the Third Regiment, M. N. G., and by Cap- tain Alexander MeCorquodale, of Company HI, of the same regi- ment, for the erection of a new Armory to be situated on the cor- ner lot. facing south, and one block west from Main street. It was completed at a cost of about $25,000, of which $15.000 was paid by the state. The building is 65 by 120 feet, of dark pressed brick, trimmed with stone, and beautified by a sightly entrance illuminated with two ornamental electric lights. The main hall is equipped with a stage which will be well furnished for the presen- tation of theatrical attractions. In addition to this, aside from serving its purpose as a drill hall, this auditorium is used for publie meetings, lectures, concerts, dances and the like. The Commercial Club has well appointed quarters on the second floor, supplied with billiard tables, card tables, reading matter, and com- fortable surroundings. On the main floor, in addition to the auditorium, are found the public library, the council chamber and the women's rest room. The rest room will do mueh to add to Olivia's popularity as a farm center, for here amid pleasant surroundings the women from the rural districts can find rest and recreation and comforts while visiting in the village. In the basement are the equipment rooms, the officers' headquarters and the like. with the club rooms of the military company, while space is set off for a target practice room. gymnasium, baths, dining room and similar purposes. The auditorium stage has been fur- nished with scenery and was dedicated in March, 1916, with a local production of George Ade's "County Chairman."
The Public Library of Olivia was organized in compliance with the laws of the State of Minnesota by a resolution adopted by the village council on the fourteenth day of February, 1914. This resolution authorized the president of the council, and his sne- cessor in office to take such steps as the law requires, in perfecting the organization and establishment of a public library.
On March 5, 1914, President M. J. Dowling reported the ap- pointment of a village library board. to serve as follows: For the term ending the third Saturday in July, 1915, Mrs. H. H. Neuenburg, Mrs. G. Il. Mesker and Mrs. T. P. MeIntyre: for the term ending the third Saturday in July, 1916, Mrs. P. JJ. Sehafer, Mrs. L. A. Matzdorf and Capt. A. R. MeCorquodale : for the term ending the third Saturday in July. 1917, Hattie S. Bordwick, Mrs. W. H. Heins. Mrs. Noble Coucheran.
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On July 13, 1915, President D. S. Hall reappointed Mrs. H. H. Neuenburg, Mrs. Geo. II. Mesker and Mrs. T. P. MeIntyre for the term ending the third Saturday in July, 1918; D. S. Hall taking the place of Capt. A. R. MeCorquodale on the library board.
To the Ladies' Publie Improvement society is due much credit for getting the library started up in the first place, and they have taken charge and conducted its affairs from the beginning, dis- playing efficiency and good business management. In starting, many public spirited citizens contributed books; and the village pays the rent, a small salary to the librarian and helps in many ways. The "Library Teas," "Fines" and other resources which the business women of Olivia have worked out, bring in funds with which to supply the library with more books and late publi- cations.
The library is well patronized, and so popular has it become that many of the young and old would hardly know how to get along without it.
The officers of the Olivia Public Library, for the year 1915, are: President, Mrs. Warren H. Heins; treasurer, Mrs. P. J. Schafer; secretary and librarian, Mrs. Noble Coucheron.
The cemetery, about a mile southwest of the village, is well kept and well laid out. It was surveyed Dec. 2, 1884, by C. G. Johnson. and for many years its upkeep was left with private owners. Later the churches and the Ladies' Improvement Society took up the matter. In 1911 the Improvement Society ereeted a retaining wall on the north side of the cemetery, ten feet inside of the highway limit on State Road No. 2.
The canning factory is an important business enterprise. In 1915 over 1,000,000 cans of corn were prepared at the rate of 100 vans a minute. Olivia is situated in the midst of a prosperous farming country. Minnesota is ranking high in corn production and many farmers coming from the southern states are greatly surprised to see the fine corn crops grown in Renville county. Fine erops of corn, yielding from forty to seventy-five bushels per acre are grown every year and seem to be more popular than wheat in this section. The canning factory was built in 1903, with A. A. Chapman as manager: C. A. Heins, president, and H. Hl. Neuenburg, secretary.
Besides corn and peas, kraut, apples, rhubarb and tomatoes are canned. All goods are packed in sanitary cans. The bulk of the goods is sold in Chicago markets.
Such a factory is of value to any community, and particularly to the county and farmers. It has been said that new settlers have considered buying land in Renville county most favorably. on account of the fact that the canning factory would offer special inducements to the farmer for his produce. This, in itself, is an important factor not only for the farmer, but for the community
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at large, as it helps to build up the town and the county. The factory employs 75 to 100 people during the canning season. The output of sweet corn alone last year was more than 1,000,000 cans. The special brands furnished by this company are well known throughout the state.
The Farmers' Livestock Shippers' Association is a strong, active association, and has been doing big things in Olivia. One of the farmers acts as buyer, with the result that hundreds of dollars that went to the buyers now goes into the pockets of the farmers.
The shade trees of Olivia are an important asset. A recent article written by a man who made an automobile trip through this section of the country pays the following tribute to Olivia's beauty in this respect. The article follows :
"Perhaps the most impressive example of what one man's influence along this line can do, we came across at and around the little town of Olivia, in Minnesota. Here one man. a Scandi- navian, and we regret very much that we cannot recall his name (the name is J. E. W. Peterson), not only put out a beautiful park of trees for the little city, and lined nearly every street in it with a double row of trees, but for many miles into the country in all directions, the same thing was kept up along the highways. Instead of a bare little prairie town, with here and there a few trees set out by an individual lot owner, and approached by dreary stretches of treeless prairie road, the whole town is a beautiful tree-shaded bower, and the drives along the far country roads are made beautiful and full of variety and interest, by shade and protection, and much of the year by tens of thousands of nesting and singing birds. The trees planted by this one man have a money value today of many thousands of dollars, and a beauty value that cannot be computed. On through the coming years. they will continue their mission of blessing and beautifying, though even now the hand which directed their planting is dust beneath their shade." Telephone and electric wires are causing many of the trees to fall, still enough remain for beauty and shade.
Among the many beauties of Olivia is the public park. As early as 1882, the people of Olivia felt the need of a publie park, and the block lying east of the P. W. Heins residence was donated by John Nestor for that purpose. Later the block next east of this block was laid out as a publie park. In 1901, when a site for the courthouse was being discussed, the council conferred with the county commissioners in reference to offering the village park for that purpose. Ilowever, it was not taken for that pur- pose, and public improvements were begun on it. A splendid band stand was erected in the center of the park, flower beds started, walks laid out, and trees trimmed. Lighting the park
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has added to its beauty. The Ladies' Public Improvement So- ciety has been active in the beautifying and upkeep of this park.
The Ladies' Public Improvement Society of Olivia was organ- ized July 29, 1903, for the purpose of improving conditions in and around the village. Committees on park, street, cemetery and entertainment were appointed.
The Park committee has seen that the grass in the park has been kept eut, and the trees trimmed. In the spring of 1909, Henry Dunsmore, under the auspiees of the society, put out the flowers in the park. The cost of this work was $50 of which the society paid half. From year to year flower beds have been added.
The Street committee has looked after keeping the streets clean. Poor crossings have been reported to the council. Rail- ings have been placed on all the bridges in town. This committee has also seen to it that horses were not left standing on the streets umnecessarily long.
The Cemetery committee has worked in conjunction with Cem- etery association, keeping the cemetery mowed and in neat order. In the years of 1912 and 1913, as noted, a retaining wall was built in front of the cemetery grounds, which has added much to their appearance. This wall cost the association $590.
It has been the duty of the Entertainment committee to decide what plays, entertainments and the like should come under the auspices of the society. Some excellent numbers have appeared under their direction. In 1909 the society presented a home talent play. "A Family Affair," the proceeds of which netted $130. This play involved considerable effort, and much eredit is due those who pushed it to so successful a conclusion. The committee having charge of the play were Mesdames L. A. Matzdorff. Noble Concheron and T. P. Melntyre.
In 1912 the society gave a Leap Year ball, which netted $102. During the same year Hattie Bordewich arranged for Maria San- ford to lecture here and gave the proceeds to the society. The lecture was a treat and much enjoyed by all the members. In the fall of 1912 the society all served a banquet for the District Teachers' association, clearing $48. In November, 1913, a play, "As You Like It, " was given. As their share of the proceeds the society received $31. The following year the Eleanor Olson Con- eert company and Dr. Baneroft, psychologieal lecturer, gave two entertaining evenings.
In the fall of 1912 a Library committee was appointed, which was to see what plans could be started for establishing a library. The committee procured Grace Baldwin of the State Library Com- mission. She gave an instruetive talk on the organization of a library before a large gathering of the people interested in the projeet. On hundred books were solicited as a nueleus of a li- brary from the society and later the committee asked each family
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