USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 81
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First personal property assessment of Flora township (113-36 and 114-36) was made in 1869. Those assessed were: John Ahrens. Joachim Ahrens. John Beckendort, Chas. Beckendorf, Peter Binger. S. Burch. David Brown, Henry Braley, Andrew Brau- don, F. M. Crawford, R. W. Davis, M. Dun- nigan. Henry Dreyer, Henry Engeman. Jacob Fritz. John H. Frieke, Henry Frieke, James Gaffney, Chas. Heineck, Christ Heineck, Herman Hackmau, Henry Kuck, John Larkin. Bert Nichols, James O'Brien, John O'Brien. Bartlett Quigley, James Stewart, John Smitz, John Shafer. Francis Shoemaker, N. S. Satterlee, Christian Sperber, Wm. Sperber, Fred Strukman. Henry Shafer. Frederick Schmidt, Louis Shafer, Christian Shafer, Henry Timms. E. T. Tillotson, G. S. Williams, Philip Wil- liams, Hannah Williams.
On August 18, 1915, a monument was erected on section 33 in memory of the Schwandt family, who were killed by the Indians on August 18. 1862. This monu- ment was erected by the state and is the only monument of the kind of Flora. Fol- lowing is the inscription on the monument: "Erected by the State of Minnesota, 1915.
In Memory of Martyrs for Civilization, Johan Schwandt, Christina Schwandt, and their children, Frederick and Christena; John Walz, Karolina Schwandt Walz; John Frass; Murdered by Sioux Indians, Aug. 1S. 1862."
Vicksburg village in section 19, was one of the earliest villages in the township, and for a time was quite important. Wil- liam T. Baade located there in the fall of 1870, and much of the village lore is asso- ciated with his name. He was born in Brandburg, Germany, February 15, 1841. and after coming to this country lived for a while in Winona, this state, before locat- ing at Vicksburg. He moved from Vicks- burg to Renville after the railroad came through. Peter Pacquett, also called Peter Perqueth, but better known as Peter Peck, had a blacksmith shop at Vicksburg. He inoved it nearer to Renville. about half way between the sites of the two villages. Muller Hummell kept a wagon shop at Vicksburg. He moved his shop to Beaver Falls. George A. Reed operated a saw- mill. This he continued.
Robert W. Davis lived south of Vicksburg and operated the ferry where the bridge is now located. North of the village at the top of the hill was the Disciples of Christ church, the cemetery, and the public school.
The village of Vicksburg was first as- sessed in 1871. Those owning lots there at that time were: George A. Read. J. D. Levi, Peter Perqueth, Wm. T. Baade, Mul- Jer Hummel, John Tramm. In 1874, the following were added: Frank Bowman, Wm. C. Worden, - Earl. The village of Vicksburg disappeared from the assess- ment books after 1877.
At one time there was a store and creamery at Florita,
HAWK CREEK TOWNSHIP.
(Edited by John Bakke.)
Hawk Creek township embraces the greater part of township 115, range 38. and a fractional part of township 114, range 38. It is bounded on the north by Wang town- ship, on the east by Sacred Heart town- ship, on the southwest by the Minnesota river, and on the west by Yellow Medicine and Chippewa counties. It is crossed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail- road.
The first settlement of Hawk Creek, like that of the other Minnesota river town- ships in this county, is somewhat shrouded in mystery. With the establishment of the Sioux Indians at the Upper and Lower agencies, a number of Frenchmen and French half breeds settled on the north bank of the Minnesota. Among the Frenchmen who located in what is now Hawk Creek township were Magloire Robideaux, Louis La Belle and Alexander Guertin. It was probably about 1859, the year after the land north of the Minnesota was relinquished by the Indians. that these
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men settled here. Louis Robert, pro- nounced and sometimes spelled Louie Robaire, an early steamboat captain, and the man from whom Roberts street in St. Paul is named, is believed to have had owned a store on the west bank of Hawk Creek near the mouth, some time before the massacre. He had an important store at the Yellow Medicine agency, usually called the Upper agency, and the post on Hawk Creek was probably merely a tem- porary branch. After the massacre Mr. Robert established a store on the west bank of Hawk Creek in section 28, near the place where Magloire Robideaux lived after the massacre. This store, operated by various clerks, was kept open well into the seventies and then discontinued. It is also said that in his extended wander- ings, Joseph Schaffer stopped in Hawk Creek in 1861 long enough to select a piece of land to which he returned after the massacre.
Louis La Belle before the massacre lived near the mouth of Hawk creek. Not far away was the ford across the Minnesota on one of the trails between the Upper Agency and Fort Ridgely. Several of the escapes from the Upper agency during the massacre were made across this ferry and past La Belle's house, through what is now the southern part of Hawk Creek township.
After the massacre, possibly in 1865, the French and half breed settlers began to return to Hawk Creek. Magloire Robi- deaux settled on section 28. Peter Cas- tine, known to the early settlers as "Big Peter," settled in section 35. Antoine Young settled in section 2S. Louis G. Bris- bois settled in section 35. David Carpen- ter and Francis Stay settled in section 1.
After the close of the Civil war, probably late in 1865 or early in 1866, Joseph Schaf- ter, Lonis Kope and Joseph Marsch came together and settled here, Schaffer on sec- tion 16, Kope on section 20, and Marsch on sections 21, 22 and 27.
Joseph Schaffer was a notable pioneer. He traveled extensively in various parts of the United States, served four years in the Home Guards, and was wounded in bat- tle. the bullet entering his back and being taken out of his right side. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Battery and served until 1865, after which he located in Hawk ('reek. He was married Novem- ber 14. 1868, to Julia Mutta, daughter of Ifalvor Halvorsen Mutta, who had arrived that spring. The ceremony was performed at Yellow Medicine. This was the earliest marriage in Hawk Creek.
Early in 1866, Frederick W. Brasch set- tled in section S. He and the three men- tioned are said to have been the only per- sons, with the exception of the Frenchmen, then living in Hawk Creek township. On June 21, 1866. when the Thor Helgeson party arrived and settled in Sacred Heart, Paul Peterson settled over the line in sec- tion 1, Hawk Creek.
A number of settlers came in 1867. Isaac S. Earl settled in section 20; Joseph Meyer in section 17. A number of people settled in the Hawk Creek valley in Wang town- ship, and with them came Christina Olson, who settled in section 5, Hawk Creek town- ship. Christina Olson sold her claim to Torger Olson Skrukrud in 1868, and died shortly afterward. Henry Wilson also set- tled in section 5. The Hanson family, con- sisting of the father, Hans Hanson, and a number of adult sons, including Hans, Olaus and Thorwald arrived. The father, and the son Hans, settled just over the line in Chippewa county, Olaus settled in section 19, Hawk Creek; and Thorwald in section 18, Hawk Creek.
Some time before the spring of 1868, Halsten H. Ottos settled in section 22; Ole H. Ottos in section 35; and Jesse Wynn in section S.
In 18GS there was quite an influx of new settlers. Those who are believed to have arrived that year are: Haaken Olson Agre, section 10; Karinus P. Agre, section 10; Martinus O. Agre, section 4; Simon John- son, section 4; Tollef Johnson, section 4; Knute T. Rude, section 20; Peter Erick- son, section 24; Torger Olson Skrukrud, section 5; Ole P. Sheggeby, section 26; Ole Holton. section 35; Ole Evanson Limbo, section 22; Halvor Halvorsen Mutta, sec- tion 22; Hans Hanson Sagness, section 22; Ole Fugleskjel, section 10; Kettle O. Ber- gen, section 26; Halvor Helgeson Goli, sec- tion 24; Helge H. Goli, section 24; Peter Erickson, section 24; Mons Anderson, sec- tion 14; Anders Johnson (father of Carl Anderson), section 26; Ole H. Skalbeck, section 24; Peter Simonson Kolebekken, section 8; Anders Johan Petterson, section 6; Anders Sandstrom, section 6.
Numbered among these is quite a colony that came from Freeborn county in the spring of 1868. The colony consisted of Halvor Helgeson Goli, wife and child, sec- tion 24; Peter Erickson (a brother of Mrs. Halvor Helgeson Goli), wife and family, section 24: Halvor Halvorsen Mntta and family, section 22; Hans Sagness and fam- ily, section 22; Mons Anderson and wife, section 14; Peter G. Goli came with this colony but settled over the line in Sacred Heart township.
The poll list of April 6, 1869, gives the names of all the voters then living in Hawk Creek. It also includes the voters that lived in Wang.
The list is as follows: Henry Wilson, section 5; Magloire Robideaux, section 28; Theodore Rongerud (32, Wang township) ; Louis Kope. section 20; Joseph Schaffer, section 16; Knute T. Rude, section 20; Peter Simonson ( Kolbakken?) ; Peter
Erickson. section 24; Mons Anderson, sec- tion 14: Halvor Helgeson Goli, section 24; Theodore Behnert, section 20: Peter Jan- sen, section 6 or 26; Halvor Halvorson (Mutta ?), Hans Gunderson (28, Wang town- ship); Josepli Marsch, sections 21, 22 and
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27; Hans Olson Grotvet (32, Wang town- ship); Christian Ingebretson (33, Wang township) ; Hans Hanson (over The line in Chippewa county); Christian O. Narvestad (21 and 28, Wang township); Thorwald Hanson, section 18; Nels Olson (Ellef- son?), section 8; Ole Hanson (Skalbeck?), (Possibly this should be Olaus Hanson, section 19); Hans Thorson, seetions 18 and 19; H. H. Ottos, section 22; Ole H. Ottos, section 35; Paul Peterson. section 1; F. W. Braseh, section 8; Isaac S. Earl, section 20; Peter Castine, section 35; Jesse Wynn, section 8; G. R. Mulford, sec- tion S.
In 1869 and 1870, the land in Hawk Creek township was well taken. Those who ar- rived about this time were: Nels John- son Bakke, section 10; Andrew Anderson · Tolander, section 26; Jolin Christopherson (Big John), section 14; Lars Hendrickson, section 2; Hendrick Anderson, section 2: Ole Hendrickson, section 2; Olof Erickson' Kringsberg, section 2; Hendriek Erickson (father to Ole Hendrickson), seetion 2; Anders G. Rude, section 2; Christian Frederickson, seetion 18; Nels Anderson Thorstad. seetion 10; Peder J. Myra, see- tion 1; Halvor Gregerson, section 15: Ole Aslakken Odegaard, section 25; Johanna Hanson Listerud, seetion 22; Hans C. Listerud, section 22; Erik Synnes, section 4; Engebret Hanson Dokken, section 8; Nels Olson Ellefson, section 8; Ole Ger- hartsen Rösaasen, section 12; Gustav Olson Rosaasen, section 12; M. Ekboni, section 12; Andrew G. Ilanson, section 12; Arndt Johan Arntzen, section 12; H. H. Skogberg, seetion 10; Paul Gulbrandson Berg, sec- tion 10: Berndt Hoganson, section 24; Hendrik Eliasson, section 24; Andrew Carlssen, section 12; Andrew Hendrikson Tomti, section 12; Halvor Hendrikson Tomti. section 12; Carl Johnson, seetion 6; Adolph Jacobson, section 14; John Lof, seetion 14; Magnus Anderson, section 6; Carl Janson, section 6: John Ringberg, section 14: Elias M. Lindquist. section 6: Jonas Peterson, section 6: John Roste, section 13; Andrew Anderson Wigland (moved next year to Sacred Heart) ; Paul G. Berg, section 10; Ole Oppegaard and mother, section 24; Bertha Olson Johnson (widow of Anders Johnson, mother of Carl Anderson), section 26: Lars Johnson, section 14; Elias Erickson, section 14; - Bockman, section 20, a single man who died in the early days: J. Goddard. sec- tion 20.
Some of these people came in groups and some came singly. One of the largest groups came in June, 1869, from Olmsted county, with oxen, goods and eows, cross- ing the Minnesota at New Ulm. In this group were: P. C. Brevig, wife and one child, section 4; Benjamin Nelson Bjorra, seetion 4: Christian Bjorra, wife and two children, section 4; Hans Berg, single, sec- tion 4; Christopher Anderson Setra, wife and one child, section 6; Iver Mattson,
single, section 6; Edward Mattson, single, section 6; Erick Synnes, single, section 4; Nels M. Lien, wife and children, over the line in Chippewa county.
Hawk Creek was organized April 2, 1867. It then embraced everything that is now in Renville county west of the range line be- tween seetions 36 and 37. Isaac Earl and Peder Pederson were appointed judges of the election which was to be held at the home of G. P. Greene. The meeting was not held and G. P. Greene was appointed assessor. Land to the west not now in the county was attached to Hawk Creek, July 17, 1868, and the following officers ap- pointed by the county board: Supervisors, C. C. O'Brien, William T. Dugn and Thomas Olson Kolien; assessor, Ole O. Enesvedt; clerk, G. P. Greene. There is no record that any town meetings were held until 1869. On March 22 of that year, Darwin S. Hall as county auditor issued a call for all voters of the county living in range 38, to hold an election on Tuesday, April 6, 1869. The order to eall the meeling com- manded by the commissioners Mareli 9, and obeyed by Mr. Hall on March 11, as well as Mr. Hall's call for the meeting dated March 22, are still on record in the township books, having been copied by the town clerk, G. B. Mulford, on July 5, 1872. The meeting was held as ordered on April 6. 1869, at the home of Henry Wilson. That there had been some previous organization is shown by the notation in the minntes: "The meeting was called to order by J. S. Earl, the town elerk." On motion of Jesse Wynn, Henry Wilson was chosen moder- ator. Magloire Robideaux was appointed assistant clerk and Theodore Rongerud and Jesse Wynn judges of election. It was ordered that the next election be held at the home of Joseph Schaffer (spelled in the records Shaffers). The officers elected for 1869-70 were: Supervisors. Louis Kope (chairman), Theodore Rongerud and Peter Erickson; clerk, J. S. Earl; assistant clerk, Paul Peterson; treasurer, Lonis Kope; jus- tiees of the peace, T. W. Brasch and J. S. Earl: constables, Jesse Wynn and Lonis Brisbois. In 1906 a town hall was ereeted in section 14. The present officers are: Supervisors, John Bakke (chairman ), Julius C. Hanson and H. H. Eliason; treas- nier, S. O. Odegard; assessor, Olaf Fager- lie; clerk, E. O. Oppegaard; justice of the peace, E. O. Oppegaard; constable. H. W. Golie.
The first services in the western part of Renville county were held at the home of Peter Simonson Kolbakken in section 8, Hawk Creek township. The Rev. Nels Ulvesaker presided. Later services were held in the home of Christian Ingebretson, in Wang township. Still later services were held at the home of P. C. Brevig. When the log schoolhouse was built on the southwest quarter of the northwest quar- ter of section 4, services were held there until the church was erected. Mrs. Eliza
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
Mulford, the wife of G. R. Mulford, had taught school in a private house before the schoolhouse was erected. After the schoolhouse was erected T. Simpson Nor- gaard taught school there. Near the schoolhouse a cemetery was started. At that time it was planned to some time build a church in the same locality, But later the cemetery was abandoned and most of the bodies have been removed. The schoolhouse and cemetery were lo- cated on the land of P. C. Brevig.
Hawk Creek postoffice, also called for a time Jeanetville, was established about 1869 by J. S. Earl. Later postmasters were G. B. Mulford and F. W. Brasch. The last postmaster was Ole Fugleskjel, who kept it at his place in section 10 until it was discontinned.
The old lime kiln was an important fea- ture of lawk Creek life in the early days. It was located near the center of section 35, about half a mile below the mouth of Hawk Creek.
An important school district in the town is that of district 41. The first officers were: Director. Ole Hendrikson; clerk, Haagen O. Agre; treasurer, Ole Fugles- kjel. The first teacher was Nellie Enest- vedt. The present officers are: Chairman, John Bakke; clerk, C. O. Anderson; treas- urer, C. A. Jacobson.
The first real estate assessment of Hawk Creek township. 114-38 and 115-38, was made in 1869. Those assessed were: (114-3x) Peter A. Oslie, section 1; John Hough, section 1; David Carpenter, sec- tion 1 (note to effect that this was trans- ferred to Geo. Carey and F. Girard). (115-38) Olson Haagen, section 21; Mag- loire Robideaux, sections 27, 28; Peter C'astine, section 28: Anton Young, ser- tion 2S.
By 1871, quite a number of people had acquired property in Hawk Creek, 114-38 and 115-38, the real estate assessment that year being as follows: (114-38) Lillie LaCroix, section 2; Louis G. Brisbois, ser- tion 2; Hendrick Peterson, section 2; Hel- gar Hanson, section 2; Ole Oleson, section 2; H. Hendrickson, section 2; Ole Hen- drickson, section 2: Ole H. Skalbakken, section 2; llalvor ('hristianson, section 2; Martin Larson, section 2. (115-38) Lillie LaCroix, section 35: Louis G. Brisbois, sec- tion 35; Lonis Roberts, sections 27, 28; Frank Girard, section 28; Peter Castine, section 28; M. Robideaux, sections 27, 28; H. Hendrickson, section 27; H. Erickson. section 27; Holston H. Ottos, section 27; Ole Hendrickson, section 27; Haagen Olsen, section 21; Ole H. Ottos, sections 34. 35.
The first personal property assessment of Hawk Creek township (115-38) was made in 1869. Those assessed were: Mons Anderson, Andrew Anderson, George Bach- man, Louis Brisbois, W. F. Brasch, Thor Christoferson, Peter Castine, Isaac S. Earl, Peter Erikson. Hans Grotvet, Hans Gun-
derson, Bernt Hagenson, Halvor Helgeson, Hans Hanson, O. Hanson, Thorval Hanson. Ole Hendrickson, Ole Holtan. Simon John- son, Tollef Johnson, Nels Johnson, Chris- tian Ingebretson, Louis Kope, Joseph Marsch, Joseph Meyer, Halvor H. Mutta, H. H. Ottos, Kettel Olson, Christian Olson, Martinus Olson, Karenus Olson, Ole H. Ottos, Christin Olsen, Paul Peterson, Knud T. Rude, Theodore Rongerud, Magloire Robideaux, Louis Roberts, Joseph Schaffer, Peter Simmonson, Amos F, Stone, O. P. Sheggeby, Andres Tollander, Hans Thor- son, Jesse Wynn, Henry Wilson.
Spring Farm, with its stretches of fer- tile lands and forests, its blooded stock, abundant crops, wild game, and natural beauties is one of the notable places of the county. The farm was purchased by Edward O'Connor in 1893, and was the original Joseph Schaffer claim in section 16, Hawk Creek.
Soon after Mr. O'Connor acquired the farm, he decided to find the true spring. being convinced that the place which the previous occupants had used as the spring was in fact merely a place where the water seeped from the impregnated soil. Consequently he had his men start excava- tions. After they had dug for a while they were successful in their quest, for there came a sudden gush of water which car- ried everything before it, washing out a considerable area of boggy ground. In this boggy earth vere found complete skeletons of buffaloes and deer, many antlers, and vast quantities of fossils, as well as petrified frogs, snakes, turtles, leaves, twigs and the like. The find was of such importance that Dr. Birke of the University of Minnesota came to the place to investigate. He could find no reason for the petrifications, lle expressed the opinion, however, that the place had been a buffalo wallow, and that the skeletons were of buffaloes and deer which had been mired in the wallow and were unable to make their exit.
The water of Geyser Spring, from which the farm takes its name, is sold for medi- rinal purposes throughout the United States and also in many foreign countries. The water is bottled and marketed by the Myrrhmuese Co., Ltd., of New York, Chi- cago and St. Paul.
After the spring was cleared out it still exhibited many interesting characteristics. One of these peculiarities was its inter- mittent flow. For many years it flowed eleven minutes and stopped one minute, then flowed another eleven minutes and rested a minute, continuously and without variation. But since the reservoir was put in and the water piped it no longer shows this remarkable quality.
The water now furnishes a sixty-five pound pressure. From this pressure is secured power to run the cream separator, the washing machine, the pump which
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HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY
pumps the soft water into the cistern, and the gas plant which manufactures gas for light and fuel. The water is also piped through the grounds, the house and the barns.
On the farm is a curious Indian mound which has never been scientifically ex- plored which presents a rich field of in- quiry to the archaeological investigator. It is located in section 16, and occupies about a quarter of an acre. It is evidently a dome, some ten feet high, about one foot thick, its composition being of cobble stones of various sizes, with a cement-like substance which holds them together, thus forming a half sphere. Several loads of the stone have been removed, but nearly all the formation remains untouched.
The farm consists of three divisions. Wallace P. O'Connor occupies a bungalow near the spring. William E. O'Connor and H. L. Tufte occupy the other two divisions. Each division makes a specialty of full blooded stock, one being given over to Shorthorns, one to Holsteins and one to Herefords. A specialty is also made of Red and Poland China swine. Often as many as 1,000 bronze turkeys are raised, presenting a truly noble sight as the great birds wander about with stately tread. The orchards are large and produce some of the best fruit in the county.
The forests are especially attractive. Along Hawk creek for half a mile a retain- ing wall has been constructed, thus giving the farm the appearance of some old coun- try estate. Mr. O'Connor is a lover of nature, and has imported wild ducks, wild turkeys, Chinese pheasants, wild Canadian geese, black squirrels, wild deer and other birds and animals, while the native animals such as raccoon, gray and red squirrels. foxes and rabbits have flourished and multiplied.
John Bakke, the vice president of the Old Settlers association from the Fifth dis- trict, lias taken more than usual interest in the preservation of the story of the early days in the western part of the coun- ty. His own experiences as a boy were typical of pioneer boyhood throughout the Northwest. John Bakke was but five years old when his parents decided to make the great venture into an unknown land there to seek amid new surroundings to secure a competence for themselves and their families. Nels J. Bakke, Ole Holton and Ole P. Sheggeby and their families all came on the same ship. John Bakke still remembers the pride he took in his new red jacket and the wonderment that stirred him at the strange sights that met his eyes on the voyage and after landing in the new country. He recalls clearly the two years his family spent in Clayton county, lowa, and the trip to St. Peter. the wait there while his father went out to look for land, and his wonderment at the
steamboat, which took them up the Minne- sota river. On the way he heard stories of the indian massacre and passed places where the passengers said people had been killed, but he was assured by his mother that the danger was over and that never again in this county would the Indians be dangerous. The little village of Beaver Falls interested him greatly, and at last he was off for the future home of the family in Hawk Creek township.
During the first summer the family lived in a cabin owned by Ole Evanson Limbo. There were no doors or windows, the spaces between the logs had not been chinked up, and the cabin offered little protection from the elements. The father was away a good deal of the time working for the pioneers along the bottoms or con- structing a dugout on his eighty-acre home- stead in section 10. The family purchased a cow, and this was kept at the claim of Ole P. Sheggeby, a mile away. and the mother walked every morning and night to the place to milk the cow and thus secure milk for herself and children. She also planted a small garden.
The Limbo shack was on the old govern- ment road, and there was an almost con- tinnous string of pioneers passing the house. The neighborhood was fast filling up and many pioneers were settling still further west.
A great annoyance then and for many years thereafter were the mosquitoes which swarmed everywhere. It was im- possible to keep them from the cabin, and one could not sit down in front of the cabin in the afternoon without being im- mediately covered with the unpleasant in- sects. The mosquitoes were especially annoying to the baby.
In the fall the family moved into the dugont on the homestead in section 10. There they spent the winter. This dugout was little more than a hole in the earth, finished on the inside to a certain extent with boards though at first there was no floor except the hard earth. Steps from the level of the prairie led down to the door, a rude contrivance made of boards. There was but one room, and most of the furniture was home made. The children slept in a little bed which in the daytime was slid out of the way under the bed where the parents slept. When the school- masters, in boarding around at the differ- ent homes, reached the Bakke home, they slept with John in the little bed.
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