The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 75

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 75

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).

During these years that the congrega- tions were united the services were held more and more in the English language. In the fall of 1913 a movement was started to have the congregation transferred to the English conference. At the annual conference which met the following fall a commission was appointed from both the Northern German Conference and the Min- nesota Conference. This joint commission arranged terms upon which the congrega- tion should become a part of the Minne- sota Conference, and it is now under this supervision.

The pastors who have served the con- gregation since its union were : W. H. Miller, 1907 to 1909: Jacob Berger, 1909 to 1913; J. A. Rinkel, 1913 to the present time.

The old parsonage, originally the Mc- Bride property, was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1895. A new parsonage was erected on the old site under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Borchardt. This property is still used as a domicile for the pastor.

The present membership numbers 275. Besides this there is a Sunday School in each of the churches on the charge with a total membership of 330. The Epworth League numbers 45 young people. The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has 30 members. The King's Herald Society for the children bas 15 members and has in the last three years established 15 life memberships by paying $10.00 each to the Foreign Missionary Society. The congre- gation maintains a missionary in India. Besides this they are active in many lines of local work.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Olivia .- ( By Rev. J. W. Heard.) The first services of the Methodist denomina- tion held in the northern part of Renville county were at Bird Island, by a local preacher named Rev. Nathan Tainter. He held meetings in his farmhouse and con- tinued this work during the years 1874-

1288

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

1879. His successor at Bird Island was Rev. J. W. McDonald, and he is said to have been the first to hold services at Olivia, the meetings being held in the small school house. Then followed a num- ber of ministers who lived at Bird Island. where there was a parsonage, but had Olivia on the circuit. In 1882 there ap- pears on the board of trustees of this cir- cuit the name of P. W. Heins, who for many years was one of Olivia's foremost citizens. Others on the original board of trustees were J. E. W. Peterson and G. G. Depew. In 1884 the circuit was Olivia. Renville and Bird Island. Up to 1886 the meetings were held in the school house. but that year a building committee was appointed at Olivia, and a gift of $250 was obtained from the Board of Church Extension. The committee was composed of P. W. Ileins. J. E. W. Peterson and B. F. Byers, who became a trustee at about that time. The church was incorporated July 8, 1887. by Thomas MeCleary, presid- ing elder, and Frank Rich, secretary of the quarterly conference. The lot upon which the present church stands was bought and the first church dedicated Oct. 28, 1888, by Presiding Elder Rev. Thomas MeCleary. At this time the congregation consisted of nineteen members. B. F. Byers was elected Sunday school superin- tendent and has held that position for over twenty-five years. The beautiful church now standing on this lot was built in 1903-4, during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Spyker. the old church being worked into the new so that ample Sunday school room was given and so arranged that all could be opened into one large audito- rium. The church cost $12,000 and was dedicated in 1904 by Rev. Robert Forbes, D. D. The parsonage was erected over twenty years ago and was rebuilt in 1909. being considerably remodeled under the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Heard. During his pastorate considerable filling and grad- ing was done on the church property. The church property now consists of an entire half block with a church valued at $12.000 and a parsonage valued at $3.000. The en- tire indebtedness was cleared off under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Nobbs. The membership of the church is 108 and the Sunday school has an enrollment of 175.

The following is a list of the pastors including those who lived at Bird Island as well as those who later served at Olivia: Rev. Nathan Tainter, 1874-79; Rev. J. W. McDonald, 1879-81; Rev. H. Erwin, 1881-82; Rev. Mr. Fenlason, 1882-83; Rev. J. S. Bean. 1883-84; Rev. Mr. Wolf, 1884-85; Rev. P. J. P. Heany. 1885-86; Rev. E. M. Himes, 1886- S7; Rev. W. L. Tandy, 1887-SS; Rev. D. E. Wilson, 1888-90; Rev. J. (. Handy. 1890- 91: Rev. S. D. Kemerer, 1891-94; Rev. Harry W. Knowles, 1894-99; Rev. G G. Val- lentyne, 1899-1901; Rev. W. H. Easton, 1901-1904; Rev. J. A. Spyker, 1904-05: Rev. C. F. Sharp, 1906-07: Rev. Henry Nobbs,

1907-08: Rev. 1. N. Goodell, 1908-09; Rev. J. W. Heard, 1909-15, and Rev. W. S. Em- ery, 1915.

Rev. J. W. Heard holds the record for the longest pastorate, namely six years.

Rev. Nahum Tainter, born in 1821, was a native of Massachusetts. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist church, and after leaving school entered the ministry. In 1856 he settled near Chatfield, Olmsted county. Minnesota, but in 1871 selected a homestead near the village of Bird Island. Rev. Tainter preached at his house in 1874, the first sermon delivered in the town.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Buf- falo Lake. (By William H. Douglas.) The first religious meetings in Preston Lake township were held by the Methodists in 1860; a society was organized and serv- ices held semi-monthly. In the winter of 1904 the old Quaker church of Brookfield was purchased and moved on huge sled runners a distance of sixteen miles by twenty teams of horses to the present lo- cation on First Avenue. Rev. E. D. Face. pastor of the church at that time, was largely responsible for the successful com- pletion of this work and was ably assisted by William H. Douglas. E. W. Rebstock and George Field. Some of the people who gave liberal donations to this work are: Mrs. Sophia Antonsen. Wm. H. Douglas. E. W. Rebstock. George Field, John San- der. F. G. Nellermoe, H. Eiselein. F. O. Gold. L. A. Little, V. P. Goodnow. E. J. Stearns. William Reichow, John Steinkoff, C. Steinkoff. O. T. Ramsland, J. R. Landy, Fred Fischer, R. H. Adams, A. L. Rich- ardson, Rev. E. D. Face, John Borden. Rev. Potter, Mrs. R. Donaldson. Mrs. Hubbard, Mr. M. B. Foster, Thomas Simmons, Mrs. L. L. Bottomley, Fred Macheledt, William Houck, B. J. Butler. Thomas Richards, Mrs. Jacob Beck. Richard Fischer, William Jak- obitz, Emanuel Theiling. Among the lead- ing members may be mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Gustave King, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. John Sander, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hanson. Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Macheledt, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Marquardt. Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Rebstock, Mr. and Mrs. V. P. Goodnow. and Mr. and Mrs. John Borden.

The following pastors have served the congregation : Rev. E. D. Face, 1904-1907; Rev. J. S. Kettelwell. 1907-1910: Rev. Law- rence Radcliffe. 1910-1912; Rev. C. A. Blanchette, 1912-1913; Rev. Abraham Hop- kins, 1913-1915: Rey. Joseph Adair, 1915 to the present time.

The following have served as Sunday school superintendents: E. W. Rebstock, Henry Eiselein. Mrs. V. P. Goodnow and W. L. Townsend. The church finances are in a flourishing condition and the member- ship is increasing steadily.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Brookfield. (By Mrs. B. J. Butler.) Meth-

12×9

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

odism was established in the early seven- ties on this great prairie which was then but sparsely settled. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Pierce were among the first pioneers and many of the early meetings were held at their home. The members of the church in those days had to come a long distance. Later the meetings were held in the school house. Meetings were also held at Boone Lake, which had been settled earlier than Brookfield. Sunday school work was begun early and exerted a great influence not only in the church but also in the com- munity. The church is located at Church Hill, seven miles northeast of Hector, and stands on a corner. The pastor, who also has charge of the lector church. resides in Hector and preaches at Brookfield every Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, the serv- ices being held right after the close of the Sunday school session. Very little is re- corded of the early history of this church. The first preacher appointed to this place by the presiding elder was Rev. John N. MeDonald in 1876. He was a local preacher and also preached at Boon Lake, in the Russel schoolhouse. Other pastors of Boon Lake were Rev. G. D. Potter, who was the first local preacher there and who remained for two years, and A. A. Ken- nedy, who remained for three years. Later the members who lived near enough to attend united with the Brookfield church.

The meetings were at first held in the school house and the church was built under the pastorate of lev. Thomas Bil- lings, and dedicated September, 1901, by Presiding Elder Joseph B. Hingely, Among the official members of the church, from earliest years down to later days. may be mentioned: A. A. Gale, recording secretary ; G. A. Gifford, T. J. Stevens, Wm. S. Pierce, Robert Lorre, G. D. Potter, Chas. Newcomb. H. C. Roberts. John Kunie, David Graham, Oscar Hodgdon. John Borden, Hiram Davis. Jane Carpenter, William Simmons, Neil McCall. Nelson Shafer, Charles Porter, Frank Headley. W. E. Shepard, Joseph Westover, H. B. Palms. H. D. Countryman. J. S. Moss, N. C. Potter, B. J. Butler. F. W. Baker. Thomas Simmons, Elmer Hodg- don. T. E. Richards, Gibson Richards, and Mrs. Hoagland. The following pastors have served this congregation: J. W. MeDonald, Oct. 1876-Oct. S. 1879; F. I. Fisher. Oct. S. 1879-Sept. 1880; M. W. At- kinson, March 1881-Oct. 1883; George Geer, Sept. 29. 1881-October 1883: George Mer- rit, Oct. 8, 1883-Oct. 14. 1884; J. H. Snell, Oct. 14, 1SS4-Oct. 1887; John Morgan, Oct. 1887-Oct. 1888: J. P. Neary, Oct. 1888-Oct. 1889: S. D. Kemerer, Oct. 13, 1889-Oct. 1891; S. T. Show, Oct. 13, 1891-Oct. 1892; G. W. Burteh, Oct. 13. 1892-Oct. 1893; C. F. Davis, Oct. 1893-Oct. 1895: H. C. May- nard, Oct. 1895-Oct. 1896; J. R. Davies, Oet. 1896-Oct. 1898: E. H. Nicholson, Oct. 1898-Oct. 1899; Thomas Billing, Oct. 1899- Oct. 1901; J. F. Pickard, Oct. 1901-Oet. 1903; L. L. Tower, Oct. 1903-Oct. 1904;

Henry Nobbs. Oct. 1904-June 1907; James Orrock, Oct. 1907-Oet. 1909; Jesse T. Dodds, Oct. 1909-Oct. 1910; J. D. Manley, Oct. 1910-Oct. 1911: 1. N. Goodell. Oct. 1911-Oct. 1914; Lawrence Radcliffe, Oct. 1914 to the present time.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of

Renville. (By Rev. J. R. Davies.) In 1869 a Methodist "class" was formed at Three Mile Creek, then known as Ron- ville Post Office. A Sunday school, with a library of 100 volumes donated by L. A. Brooks and H. E. Wadsworth, was organ- ized at the same time and place. This was the beginning of Methodism in Ren- ville county.

The Methodists held meetings in Emmet township in 1871 at private houses and in 1875 a society was organized. Later serv- ices were conducted weekly by Rev. J. Lamberson in the schoolhouse in the vil- lage of Renville. In 1884 Renville and Olivia formed a "circuit" under the pre- siding eldership of Rev. Thomas M(- ('leary, and Rev. P. J. P. Neary was placed in charge as pastor. Under the direction of these men a board of trus- tees, consisting of B. F. Heins, S. D. Childs, F. M. Rich, S. M. Mcintosh, L. A. Brooks and W. D. Spaulding, was elected Jan. 23, 1885. At once steps were taken for the erection of a house of worship. and early in December of the same year the church was dedicated free of debt by the presiding elder, Rev. McCleary. S. D. Childs was the contractor, and the building cost $1,012.12.

In a short time the society outgrew its home and in 1901, under the leadership ot Rev. F. W. Hart, a new and commo- dious building was erected at a cost of $18,000. This is the present "home" of Renville Methodism.

Methodism in Renville now consists of a Sunday school numbering, all told, about 200; a young peoples' society, Epworth League, of 65 members: a ladies' aid so- ciety of 55 members, a woman's home missionary society of 21 members, a Queen Esther society of about 20 members.

During the last two years 45 have been added to the membership of the church. making a total membership at present of 198.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hec- tor. Methodism was first introduced into Hector in the year of 1876 by J. N. McDon- ald, a local preacher, this place being one point on a very large circuit. From 1876 to 1886 the place was visited nearly every week by a Methodist preacher, and the fol- lowing labored in this field during that time: F. J. Fisher. M. W. Atkinson, G. R. Geer. Geo. Merrit and I. H. Snell. A church was built in 1887 under the leadership of John Morgan, and it was dedicated on July 1, 1888, the cost being $2,000. The same church is being used today, and will have served a good purpose when it is vacated next October, From 1889 to the

1290

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

present time the following pastors have served this field: J. P. Nary, S. D. Kenner, S. T. Show, O. W. Burtch, C. F. Davis, H. C. Maynard, J. R. Davies. E. H. Nicholson, Thos. Billing, J. F. Pickard, L. L. Tower, Henry Nobbs, James A. Orrock. Jesse T. Dodds, R. C. Manly, 1. N. Goodell and Law- rence Radcliffe. During the past ten years the church has made great progress and the membership has steadily grown. Every organization in the church is alive and doing great work. The Sunday school is the largest branch of the church, and at present has nearly 300 members. It is an organized Sunday school using the graded system, and at present there are abont ten organized classes. Geo. M. Berry was superintendent of the Sunday

school for eleven years, and for the past two years E. W. Nobbs has held this posi- tion. In order to accommodate all who attend the sessions, it is necessary to have two divisions, one meeting in the morning at nine-thirty and the other at eleven-forty- five.

In the spring of 1915 the official board decided to build a modern church, and this new structure is now (1916) in the conrse of construction. The new building will be modern and up-to-date in every particular, and suitable quarters will be provided for every department of the church. The cost will be $13,000, and it will be ready for use by the middle of October, this year. (By E. W. Nobbs.)

CHAPTER XLI.

TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.

Story of the Settlement and Growth of Renville County Townships-Location- Boundaries-First Settlers-Early Tax Lists-Thrilling Incidents-Remi- niscenses-Stories Told by Early Pioneers.

Renville county has twenty-seven polit- ical townships. They are Wang, Ericson, Crooks, Winfield, Kingman, Osceola, Brook- field. Boon Lake, Hawk Creek, Sacred Heart, Emmet, Troy, Bird Island, Melville, Hector. Preston Lake, Flora, Henryville, Norfolk, Palmyra, Martinsburg, Beaver Falls, Birch Cooley, Bandon, Wellington, Camp and Cairo. Some like Wellington and Emmet take their names from great heroes; some like Ericson, Crooks and Henryville take their name from early set- tlers or prominent county officials: some like Birch Cooley, Beaver Falls, Hawk Creek, Preston Lake, Boon Lake and Bird Island take their names from geographical features: many like Hector, Wang and ('airo take their names from older local- ities; one, Flora, takes its name from a borse: some, like Sacred Heart and Camp, take their names from early historical in- cidents.

BIRCH COOLEY TOWNSHIP

Birch Cooley township is located in the southern part of Renville township on the Minnesota river, and embraces congress- ional township 113, range 34, and a part ot township 112, range 34. It is bounded on the north by Norfolk township, on the west by Bandon and Camp townships, ou the southwest along the course of the Minnesota river by Redwood county, and. on the west by Beaver Falls township. The eastern boundary is not a continuous line, the range line breaking between township 112 and 113, in such a way that the western boundary of Bandon is a short distance further west than the west- ern boundary of Camp township.

The name of the township should be Birch Coulee, that being the correct ren- dering of the name. Coulee is a French word meaning the bed of the stream, even it dry, when deep, and having inclined sides. The original name of the stream in the Coulee was La Croix creek, but the vicinity was known from the early days as Birch coulee, and this was finally corrupted to Birch Cooley, now the official name of the township. In order to avoid confusion. the name in this history is spelled Cooley. though there are many places, especially in the Battle of Birch Cooley, where it should more properly be spelled Birch Coulee.

The story of the early settlement of the La Croix family. the first permanent set. tlement in the county, the gradual coming of other families to this locality, and the terrible devastation of the Indian outbreak has already been told. After the Massacre there were no settlers in Birch Cooley township for several years. Scouts passed through here. a few trappers ventured into the region. Some cabins which the In- dians had not destroyed were burned by these trappers, and it has even been said that the trappers did everything possible to keep the fear of the Indians alive in order that settlers would not come in and cultivate the land and thus diminish the supply of fur-bearing animals.

The town began to be settled late in 1865 and early in 1866. The exact chron- ology of the arrivals is not at this time known. John Buerry, who had been here before the Massacre, came back, and with him was John Vogtmann. John Kumro, who had been here before the Massacre,

1291

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

came back. The La Croix family and their relatives, including David Coursoll, re- turned to their former location. D. D. Frasier and his son-in-law, William Post, settled not far from the Minnesota river. Thomas F. Miller settled on the prairie on the west side of Birch Cooley creek and northwest of D. D. Frasier. Holger Jacobus settled in the eastern part of the township. Peter Lahti also came into the southeastern part of the township, built a warehouse and established quite a Fin- nish settlement.

Before the fall of 1866 quite a few settlers had come in. Among them may be mentioned :

Alexander McConnell settled in the north half of section 33. This land had been taken before the Massacre by his brothers, Joseph and David. Joseph Preston, a bachelor and an old soldier, settled in sec- tion 28, and erected a log cabin. George Bowers settled first in the center of sec- tion 32. He later found that he was on the Kumro claim, and moved to another location on the creek. Patrick Ryan set- tled on the northeast quarter of section 28. Patrick Foley settled on the northeast quarter of section 22. Mathias Bogema, after spending the winter of 1865-66 in Camp township, settled in section 1, Birch Cooley township. Thomas Hill settled in the north half of the north half of section 29. James Keyes settled on the southeast quarter of section 15. Henry Witcher lived for a while on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 22. where Patrick Foley afterward lived. Later Witcher moved to the west half of the southeast quarter of section 18. Robert W. Davis settled on the southwest quarter of section 15. John R. Wimer first settled on the southeast quarter of section 15. and lived there for a short time before Keyes moved thereon. John and William Tracy each secured claims. John Tracy was on the northwest quarter of section 28. William Tracy settled in the west half of the southwest quarter of section 34.

In the fall came Willard Drury, two adult sons. Wesley and John; and Owen T. Tubbs, and John Edgett. All the people previously mentioned were here when this group arrived. Wesley Drury settled on the northwest quarter of section 12. John Drury settled on the southwest quarter of section 11. Willard Drury settled on the southeast quarter of the same section. Darwin S. Hall, later so prominent a man. came through here in 1866 and secured land, but did not locate in the county at that time.

The town was gradually settled up. Among the early settlers whose names are still remembered are: James and Thomas Leary. John Delaney, John Delany, uncle and nephew, John and Wesley Drury, Robert Baker, John Killmer, Jerry P. Pat- ten. Samuel Sands, Patrick Foley, Charles Eldridge, Clemens Tretbar, Ed. Welnitz, R. M. Simmons, George McCulloch, Henry

Homeier, Albert and John Dagen, William Brennan, E. Ward Hall, Charles S. Hall, James Head, Frederick Blume and John Landy.

In addition to these, W. C. Keefe gives the names of the following who were liv- ing in the township when he arrived with his parents in 1868: Magnus Johnson, sec- tion 2 (fractional township); Dr. T. H. Sherwin (fractional township); Wolfgang Wise, section 20; Terrance Brazil, 21; R. T. Richardson, 22; W. H. Jewell, 23; Clark Greenfield, 23; Michael Reagan, 24; John Desmond, 24; and Daniel Traey.

The first real estate assessment of Birel Cooley township (112-34 and 113-34) was made in 1868. Those assessed that year were (112-34): John Anderson, section 13; Joseph Coursall, If; Nelson C. Frazier, 4; Jane Faribault, 24; Henry Graff, 13; Robert McPhea, 4; Mary S. Robertson, 6; Louisa Roy. 3, 10; Joseph Roy, 11; Sam H. Sands, 4; Randall Simmons, 5; Lucy Medewakan- tonwan, 6; Isabella Yonng, 5; Vascal Young, 5, 8.

(113-34): George Bowers, 20, 29; Michael Brazil, 29; Joseph Conrsall, 2; Samuel H. Canfield, 15; John Doran, 2. 11; Patrick Foley, 22, 33; Nelson C. Frazier, 33; Wm. Fox, 33; D. S. Hall, 27; W. H. Jewell and S. H. Canfield, 33; Lonis LaCroix, 32; D. 33; McGowan, 28: Joseph McConnell, Thomas O'Connor, 33; Michael Reagan, 33; Sam 11. Sands, 33; Wm. Tracy, 34; John Tracy, 34; Philip Vogtman, 30; John Zim- merman, 31, 32; Patrick Ryan, 33.

The first personal property assessment of Birch Cooley township (112-34 and 113- 34) was made in 1869. Those assessed were: Halleck Anderson, George Buerry, George Bowers, M. Brick. James Brown, A. Bruce, R. H. Baker, Terrence Brazil. Sr., Perry Birch, Christian Bloom. Fred Bloom, Thomas Brady, David Culver, R. C. Cooper, S. D. Child, S. H. Canfield, Daniel Cum- mingham, Wesley Drury. John Delany. K. Donaldson, William Drury, Joseph Dean, J. R. Deming. John Desmond. Michael Duly, Patrick Delany, John Edget, Pat Foley, John Foley, D. D. Frazier, William Fox, N. C. Frazier, George Fry, Michael Gleeson, W. F. Grummons. Thomas Gilroy, S. A. Greenslit. James Head, Iver Iverson, Sevil Iverson. Evan Trana Iverson, Holger Ja- cobus. Magnus Johnson. Ole Johnson, Rob- ert Jones, Hobert Jackson, W. H. Jewell, A. Jackson, Mary Keeland, Wm. Kilmer, John Kumro, John Kluster, Edward Klm- smidt, James Leary, Peter Lahti, John Landy, Lonis Lacroix, Jr., Fred LaCroix, Thomas Miller, Jerry O'Shea. Enbert Ol- son, J. P. O'Shea, Adelmer Price, Joseph L. Preston, D. W. Panl, Joshna Post, Wm. Post, Matis Peterson, John Quinlin, Patrick Quick, R. T. Richardson, John Reagan, Michael Reagan, Patrick Ryan. Phiney Raynold, J. H. Reagan, T. Il. Sherwin, A. J. Sherwood, C. H. Sherwood, John Stone, R. M. Simmons, S. H. Sands, Henry Sheer, Clemans Tretbar, John Tracy, Henry Tis-

1292

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

del, O. T. Tubbs, Daniel Tracy, Wmn. Tracy, Daniel Tripp, John Vogtman, Jolin R Winier, Henry Whitcher, Patrick Williams, Warren Wilkins, Wolfgang Wise, O. T. Warner, Fred Vager, Peter Murphy, George McCullonch, Alex. MeConnell, John Manly.

Madaline Buerry, the daughter of George Buerry, was born Nov. 16, 1861. This has been given as the first white birth in the township, but this is an error, as several of the La Croix children were born in the township many years before. An early marriage after the Massacre was that of William Tracy and Mary Kilmer. Early priests brought the consolations of the Roman Catholic church to the La Croix family and their relatives in the earliest days. The first Protestant services were by Rev. Henry Singenstrue, of the German Methodists, in the summer of 1860.

The first school in the vicinity of Morton was taught by Laura Simmons in the home of L. D. Griffin some two and a quarter miles east of Morton.

Birch Cooley township was organized on April 2. 1867. and then embraced all the county lying in range 34. It has had its present boundaries since July 29, 1874. The first election was held the fall of 1867 at the home of Joseph L. Preston in charge of George Bowers, Henry J. Witcher and Terrence Brazil. Sr. The records of this first meeting have been lost.

Birch Cooley, the first village platted in Renville county, was surveyed in June. 1866, by David Watson on lands owned by Louis La Croix. It had a store, blacksmith shop, warehouse and a few residences, but there being no other village in the county to awaken in the foolevites the spirit of rivalry, no progress was made. The village was burned in 1871.

When the M. & St. L. Railroad was projected the township of Birch Cooley voted bonds of $5.000. Upon reaching Morton, a rocky formation near the river and the tracks ended some 400 feet from the river bank. They were not extended westward until some two years later. Tak- ing advantage of the technicality of the 400 feet unfinished, the township refused to pay the bonds. In the litigation which followed the township woll. For some years the bonds were alleged to be lost, though the money was ready for their pay- ment. Of this money, the townshop lost some $3,300 when the Farmers Bank of Beaver Falls failed.

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 Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 75

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 986

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Renville County Pioneer Association
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 986