The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 86

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 86

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).

The first class confirmed in Wang's church consisted of Adolph Borstad. Gil- bert Hougen, Knut O. Holien, Lonise Dal- ager. Marit Soine, Susie Haugen and bertha A. Ellingboe. This was in October, 1894. Adolph Borstad is a farmer in Tioga, North Dakota. Gilbert Haugen is a phy- sician in Battle Lake, Minnesota. Knnte O. Holien is a farmer in Erickson town- ship. Louise Dalager is married and lives at Granite Falls. Marit Soine married T. S. Strand, a farmer in Wang township. Bertha Ellingboe married G. T. Strand of Tioga, North Dakota. Susie Haugen mar- ried and moved away.

( Note- The above history of Wang town- ship has been prepared with the assistance of A. T. Ellingboe and John 1. Johnson, and edited by both of these gentlemen. In some cases there is a difference of opinion as to when certain families ar- rived, some of the representatives of vari- ous families themselves being of varying opinions about their date of arrival. It is believed, however, that the foregoing dates are approximately accurate. )

WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Wellington township embraces township 113-32. It is bounded on the north by Martinsburg township, on the east by Sib- ley county, on the south by Cairo town- ship, and on the west by Bandon township.

The first settler in Wellington township was William Chalk, who came in 1868 and settled in the south half of the southwest quarter of section 32. Mr. Chalk was born in Ireland, had served in the Civil war and came here from lowa, bringing his family. Alter living here some twenty years lie went to Nebraska, where he died.

The next settlers were John Garrally and Dennis Cready, brothers-in-law, who arrived in July, 1868. Garrahy settled in the north half of the sontheast quarter of section 32. His family did not come until the next year. ('ready brought his wife.

He settled in the northeast quarter of section 30.

Garrahy and Cready were natives of Ireland. They had come to Massachusetts in 1865, and there Garrahy left his wife and children. The two men, with Cready's wife, then came to Waseca county in this state, and while working on the railroad secured a tract of eighty acres of timber land. Coming from a country where the poor people owned no land, this seemed to them like great possessions, but after they had lived here for a while they found that they could not make a living on eighty acres of timber. So they traded their interest in the eighty acres for a yoke of oxen, and in the spring of 1868 started for Yellow Medicine county, Upon reaching the vicinity of Waverly in Wright county, they seenred employment for a while. They soon began to realize, however, that if they were to locate on a claim for the winter, they must do so soon in order to gather winter hay for their oxen, So they started out to the westward. It is inter- esting to note that after reaching Renville county they camped in the timbers of what is now the village of Bird Island. They had no intention of locating in Ren- ville county, but the pioneers whom they met persuaded them to take up their home in Wellington township. They lived in a dugout on Cready's land, and Garrahy occupied a part of his time in constructing a dugout on his own land ready to welcome his family in the spring. Grady is now in the St. Alexander Hospital in New Ulm. Garrahy died January 13, 1905.

John Garraby, a pioneer, was born in Ireland, and came to Massachusetts in 1865. There he left his wife and children. and in 1867 came to Waseca county, this state. From there, with his brother-in- law. Dennis Grady, he came to Wellington township, stopping awhile in the vicinity of Waverly in Wright county. By his wife, Bridget Kearn, whom he married in Eng- land, where as a young man he spent eight years, he had four children: Kate, is the widow of John Smith of Nicollet county; James died many years ago: Mary is Mrs. Alois Kachelmeier of Nez Perc, Idaho: and P. W. lives on the home farm.

The first birth in Wellington township was that of John Chalk, July 3, 1870. The first death was that of Mrs. Margaret Murphy, Jnly 3, 1870. A daughter of John Fahey was killed by the cyclone of July 15, 18S1. The first school was taught in 1877 by Solomon Demmings.

Wellington township was organized June 4. 1873, and an election held June 17, at William Carson's house. William Carson was elected Chairman and Henry J. Bar- ton clerk. The early records are lost. The present records date back to March S, 1881. The officers now are: Supervisors, Herman Schmechel, Michael Ruddy and E. A. Fritz; town clerk. Henry Clobes;

1339

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

treasurer, Anton Garey: assessor, Ernest Ludtke. The town hall was built about 1893. It is located in the center of the township. The town is named from the Duke of Wellington, the hero of Waterloo.

The first real estate assessment of Wel- lington, 113-32, was made in 1874. Those assessed were: Dennis Cready, section 30; Wm. Chalk, section 32; Willis W. Country- man, section 32; F. J. MeCanna, section 32; Gust Grams, section 36. (Danford N. Barney is given as owning about 16 or 18 sections in this township.) In 1875, there were added to this list: Marschall Blod- gett, section 2; Wm. Fahey, section 18; John Garrahy, section 32. In 1876 there was added to this list: John Murphy, sec- tion 34. In 1877 there were added to this list: John Hurst, section 4; Michael Murphy, section 28; Ellen Malone, section

30. In 1878 there were added to this list: Patrick White, section 34: James Larkin, section 28; Edward Hanna, section 6.

The first personal property assessment of Wellington township, 113-32, was made in 1874. Those assessed were: Aug. Borth, Henry Barton, Wm. Borth, Michael Coleman, Dennis Cready, Wm. Carson, Aug. Fritz, Wm. Fahey, Pat Fahey, John Fahey, Gus Grams, Ferdinand Herman, Ed. Hanna, James Hanna, Wm. Hawkins, Al- bert Ricker, Julius Ricker, Aug. Lindorf, James McKanna, Fred Schwarz, Julius Sell, Emil Rassel, James Ruddy, James Smith. Thos. Smith, Jas. Tompkins, John Tompkins, Patrick White, Martin Walsh, Charles Wyland, John Burgerson, John Blodgett, Frank Blodgett, Jolin Garrahy, John Hurt, James Larkins, Patrick Lovell, John Murphy, Wm. Murray, Michael Murphy.

CHAPTER XLII.

PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

Formation of the Renville County Pioneer Association-Successive Meetings - - Officers-Compiled from the Association's Records.

The Renville County Pioneer Associa- tion was organized in 1902 and the consti- tution adopted June 2S of that year. Its objection is to perpetuate the memory of the settlement of Renville county and the strenuous times ot those primitive days by frequent social reunions: to preserve the history of those early days and the persons who bore the hardships and priva- tions of that wild frontier life; to cultivate the spirit of good fellowship; and to hallow the memory of those early pioneers who blazed the way to civilization. The meet. ings were held annually on the second Tuesday of June or at other times at the call of the president. Any person who has lived in the county twenty-four years is eligible to membership.

L. A. Brooks was the first president and F. C. Greene the first secretary.

The officers for 1903 were: President, L. A. Brooks; secretary. David Benson; treas- urer, N. G. Poore; historian. Mrs. J. S. Baker: executive committee. Henry Ahrens. D. S. Hall, A. V. Rieke, P. O. Dosseth and C. H. Sherwood.

At the annual meeting of 1904 a commit- tee was appointed to locate the lost graves of old settlers who were massacred in 1862. This committee consisted of Henry Ahrens. William Wickman and Millard N. White. The officers and executive com- mittee for this year were the same as the year before with the exception that D. S. Hall became the historian.

The meeting of 1905 was an interesting one. The committee appointed to discover

the forgotten resting places of people mur- dered during the massacre reported five such graves and Millard White was ap- pointed a committee to solicit aid from the Minnesota Historical Society and from the Renville county commissioners to suitably mark these hallowed spots. Charles Ken- ning, James McCormick and H. V. Poore were appointed a committee to secure appropriate badges for the association. A committee of three was appointed to act with the executive committee in gathering as much information as possible concern- ing the early settlers of Renville county. The records do not state who were ap- pointed on this committee or what they ever did about the matter. The officers were the same as for the previous year.

The annual meeting for 1906 was held at Morton. On the opening day an address was given by State's Attorney E. T. Young at Riverside park, and the rest of the time was spent in social and athletic diversions. The second day an address was delivered by J. F. Jacobson of Lac qui Parle county. and then a business meeting was held. In the absence of the president. Brooks Henry Alırens of Beaver Falls, presided. A com- mittee was appointed for the purpose of locating more graves of massacred victims and to consider the matter of procuring means for marking them simply. The president in his message said: "1 again take the liberty to urge that Renville coun- ty, which contributed such a large share to the history, not only of Minnesota, but especially of Minnesota valley, would be

1340

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

fully justified in appropriating the means needed to mark the resting places of those who sacrificed life and all, to lay the foun- dation for the blessings and prosperity now enjoyed by the younger generation and a few pioneers, who are still left. It would seem though, that our state, which is spending so much money to perpetuate patriotic and deserving deeds in the past, could well afford to concede a trifle for the purpose of showing future generations where those early martyrs sleep." Wil- liam Wichman succeeded L. A. Brooks as president; the other officers and executive committee remained the same.

The association held its 1907 meeting at Olivia. A committee appointed two years before al Morton reported that they had not been able to agree for a design for a suitable badge. Thereupon a design submitted by Charles Kenning was adopted as the sign and uniform badge of the asso- ciation. It was reported by William Wich- man that through the efforts of John A. Dalzell the legislature appropriated a small sum for the marking the graves of mas- sacred victims, and a committee consisting of William Wichman and Charles Kenning was appointed to go before the county com- missioners and arrange the matter with them. The officers remained the same and the executive committee remained the same with the exception that Charles Ken- ning succeeded David Benson as secretary and David Benson succeeded P. O. Dos- seth as a member of the executive com- mittee. At this meeting the members of the executive committee were first desig- nated in the minutes as vice presidents in accordance with the original constitution. Up to this date the minutes referred to them as the executive committee.

The 1908 meeting was held at Sacred Heart June 18 and 19. The first day ad- aresses were delivered by Assistant At- torney General Geo. W. Peterson and by Michael Dowling. Music was furnished by the Sacred Heart band and a game of baseball was enjoyed. The second day the business meeting was held in the fore- noon. The committee on monuments re- ported that monuments had been placed to mark the graves of Mrs. R. S. Hender- son and two daughters, Johial Wedge, Eugene White and Radner Earle. A manu- script prepared by Dr. E. W. Earle relating experiences during the Sioux massacre was presented by President Wichman. This was later printed for the old settlers' association under the direction of Asa M. Wallace of the Fairfax Standard. A re- production appears elsewhere in this work. The officers and vice presidents were re-elected. After the business meet- ing addresses were delivered by J. F. Jacobson, then candidate for governor, and George Welch, state immigration commis- sioner.

The people of Fairfax entertained the association June 18, 1909. Charles Lam-

mers, who as a child was captured by the Indians, presented the association with a beautiful bouquet, and George Rieke, one of the few living persons who were adults at the time of the massacre, read some verses appropriate to the occasion written by himself in the German language. The same officers were elected, with the ex- ception that A. V. Rieke was elected his- torian, with Asa M. Wallace as assistant. Addresses were delivered by A. V. Rieke, L. D. Barnard and others. Dr. Earle's pamphlet was reported finished and was distributed.

The 1910 meeting was held June 18 at Renville. The same officers were con- tinued, with the exception that Charles H. Sherwood succeeded N. G. Poore as treas. urer, and A. D. Corey succeeded Charles H. Sherwood as vice president from the fourth district. A. V. Rieke and Asa M. Wallace as historians presented a report. They declared that they had made every effort to get the pioneers to send in short sketches giving the data concerning their birth, marriage, size of family, time of locating in the state and county, important positions held if any, and such other mat- ter as would be of interest to future gen- erations. The report says: "We are very sorry to report that the request was not liberally responded to. Even the officers of the association have been negligent in their duty in this respect." Those who responded to the request sent out by Messrs. Rieke and Wallace in 1909 were A. D. Corey, B. C. MeEwen, E. J. Butler, James Drake, Gunerus Peterson. These sketches are preserved with great care in the records of the association where they will be available for future generations.

The 1911 meeting was held at Bird Island June 2. An important feature of this meet- ing was the question raised by H. V. Poore and Charles H. Sherwood as to whether carnivals should be a feature of the old settlers' meetings and a committee was appointed, consisting of Charles Kenning, A. D. Corey, Charles H. Sherwood, Hamlin V. Poore and Darwin S. Hall to consider the matter. Darwin S. Hall was elected president and C. H. Nixon succeeded Mr. Hall as vice president from the first dis- triet. A committee consisting of J. Scho- regge, Hamlin V. Poore, Charles Kenning, Charles H. Sherwood and A. D. Corey was appointed to consider places for future meetings. Stories of old times were told by the members.

Buffalo Lake was the host of the 1912 meeting. The old officers were continued. At this meeting the association was enter- tained by reminiscences by the old set- tlers. A committee appointed at a former meeting declared itself as opposed to per- mitting carnivals with "fake shows, wheels of fortune, other gambling devices, and indecent and immoral vaudeville street shows to appear at the same time and village as the meetings of the old settlers'

1341

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

association." They declared, however, that the members of the association de- sired to "take an active part in all edu- cational matters, including music of all kinds, and such athletic and moral sports that will tend to the general uplift of the members and their families both old and young to the point of education and use- fulness of American citizens, to the end that this association may become a factor for good within the county."

At this meeting Governor A. O. Eber- hart was present and delivered a very interesting address. A large platform for dancing was erected in the open air, the weather was fine, and as a host to the pioneers Buffalo Lake did itself proud.

June 13, 1913, the annual meeting was held at Olivia. The officers were re-elected. with the exception that Martin Matson succeeded A. V. Rieke as vice president from the second district, and Charles Wal- dow succeeded A. D. Corey as vice presi- dent from the fourth district. For the first time in the history of the association there was a contest as to location of the next meeting. Invitations were extended from Renville, Franklin, Hector and Danube. Renville received the most votes. This meeting was well attended. The people of Olivia threw open their homes to the pio. neers, and did much to make the occasion pleasant, interesting and entertaining.

The association met at Renville June 18, 1914. A committee consisting of Darwin S. Hall, William Wichman and J. R. Landy was appointed to solicit data for a history of the early settlers and of the members of the association, who were urged to fur- nish them with information. The officers re- mained the same, with the exception that William Wichman succeeded Henry Ahrens as vice president from the third district. An address was delivered by Judge J. C. Nethway and in the evening a banquet was served by the citizens. A chautauqua was being held at Renville during this meeting. which detracted some from the attendance, but on the whole the meeting was a suc- cess. The opera house was placed at the

disposal of the association, while Mayor W. J. Ashley and Timothy O'Connor were at all times on the alert for the comfort and entertainment of the city's guests.

The meeting held at Hector June 25 and 26, 1915, was an interesting one. The elec- tion resulted in an entire change of ofli- cers as follows: President, William Wich- man of Morton; secretary, F. G. Neller- moe of Buffalo Lake; treasurer, Tim. O'Connor of Renville; vice presidents, William B. Strom of Hector (First dis- trict ) ; E. J. Butler, Hector (Second dis- trict) ; S. A. Greenslit, Morton (Third dis- trict); M. J. Dowling of Olivia (Fourth district ); John Bakke of Hawk Cheek (Fifth district). Addresses were delivered by Governor Winfield S. Hammond and Lieutenant Governor J. A. A. Burnquist. Various committees were appointed: W. B. Strom, Charles N. Nixon, A. O. Allen to thank the speakers; David Benson, F. G. Nellermoe and Charles Kenning to thank the people of Hector; W. B. Strom, E. J. Butler and Charles H. Hopkins to thank the retiring officers, and William Wichman, S. A. Greenslit and F. G. Neller- moe to purchase tent suitable for annual meetings. Another committee consisting of Darwin S. Hall, Charles H. Hopkins and David Benson was appointed to co-operate and advise with the parties now at work in the preparation of a history of Renville county. A large tent, pitched in the prin- cipal street, well ventilated by leaving the side walls low so one could easily look out, was a new feature, introduced for the first time, by Hector, at this meeting. Easy chairs, rockers, lounges, rugs, with tables, lemonade and cigars, made it a cool and comfortable place to rest as well as ideal for talks and business meetings. Mayor A. O. Allen. Hon. C. H. Nixon, W. B. Strom and others made every pioneer and visitor feel that they were welcome and right at home, and it was the con- sensus of opinion of those present, that Hector had discovered numerous satis- factory ways for the comfort and happi- ness of their guests.

1342

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

CHAPTER XLIII.

MONUMENTS AND MARKERS.

Birch Cooley Monument-Birch Cooley Tablets-Redwood Ferry Monument -Faithful Indians' Monument-Captain Marsh Monument-Friendly Chippewas' Monument-Fort Ridgely Monument-Muller Monument- Henderson Monument-Earl Monument-Schwandt Monument-Renville County Martyrs.

Rich as Renville county is in historic tradition, sanctified as her soil has been by the blood of martyrs, notable as her territory is as the scene of some of the most stirring events in Minnesota history, it is fitting that many hallowed spots, here and there, should be marked with pernia- nent marble and granite, suitably inscribed as a memorial to the past and an inspira- tion to the future.

The Minnesota Valley Historical Society Markers. Charles D. Gilfillan was for many years interested in the history of the great Sioux Outbreak in the Upper Minnesota valley. As attorney for many of the set- tlers that lost property by the Indians he recovered for them from the United States annuity fund large sums. His commissions for this work amounted to some $160,000. He and Major Return 1. Holcombe, the Minnesota Valley historian, were friends since young manhood, and Mr. Gilfillan furnished the historian with desk room in his office. In 1898 the two men discussed the marking of historic sites in the Minne- sota valley, and Mr. Gilfillan declared that he would gladly spend $10,000 to identify and permanently mark such spots. Mr. Gil- fillan then established the Minnesota Valley Historical Association, appointed its offi- cers. and under its name, with himself as president and Return I. Holcombe as his- torian and agent, started to put his plans in operation. The historian got the neces- sary bill through the legislature, selected the sites, let the contracts, prepared the necessary historical material, issued book- lets, and the like. A number of monuments and markers were erected, including the splendid Friendly Indian monument. Mr. Gilfillan's death in December, 1902, stopped the further work he had been contemplat- ing. At the time of his death he had started plans for a monument costing $3.000 or more, a huge granite pyramid. to mark the actnal battle ground of Birchi Cooley.

Birch Cooley Tablets. Upon and about the battlefield of Birch Cooley the Minne- sota Valley Historical Society has placed several monuments or markers, which serve to identify important points of the battle ground. The site of this hallowed ground is about two and one-half miles east and north of the present village of

Morton, in Renville county, on the west side of the great ravine called Birch Cooley.

The proper name of this ravine is Birch Coulee or Birch Conlie, but it has been cor- rupted to Birch Cooley, the official name of the township, and that spelling is used throughout this work.

At the time of the battle the ground was virgin prairie. Half a mile down the coulee was the cabin and claim of Peter Pereau, a Frenchman, who had been killed and his family taken prisoners. A number of other settlers living farther down the stream had been killed and some of their houses burned. The land where the battle was fought belonged to the government and was subsequently entered and occupied by Wm. Weiss, from whom it was purchased by the state, in 1896. When Mr. Weiss entered the land, in the sixties, the rifle pits dug by the beleaguered soldiers, the bones of the horses killed, and other evi- dences of the fight were plainly visible.

A marker indicating the position of Man- kato's band during the battle, stands be- tween the high sheltering banks of the Birch coulee. Another marker indicates the position during the battle of the In- dians under Gray Bird, and also the point where they made their last stand before retreating. West of the former corral or encampment was the mound behind which Rig Eagle's band fought. It has been plowed over so frequently that it has near- ly disappeared.

The Faithful Indians' Monument. In December, 1899. the Minnesota Valley His- torical Society completed the erection of a monument in recognition and commemora- tion of the conduct and services of the In- dians who were truly loyal and faithful to the whites during the great Sioux war of 1862. It is believed that this is the only structure of the kind ever erected in the United States up to that time. This soci- ety resolved to honor the memories and services of the truly loyal Indians by the ercetion of a monument in the country which was the scene of their good deeds and noble conduct. It was concluded to place this commemorative structure on the state's ground whereon the Birch Cooley monument, erected in 1894, stands. The state legislature, in the session of 1899,

1343

HISTORY OF RENVILLE COUNTY

by a special act (Chap, 2, Laws of 1899), gave the required permission and the structure was completed in December of that year. The contractors were Honner. Hosken & Co., of the Redwood Granite Works, Redwood Falls, and the contract itself was most intelligently and artis- tically, as well as most faithfully, executed.

The structure is 52 feet in height and built wholly of granite from local quarries, the greater part coming from the granite quarries at Redwood Falls. An appro- priate inscription tells its purpose. The surrounding ground has been furnished with substantial iron seats for the accon- modation of visitors and the site is a most commanding one, giving a good view for miles up and down the Minnesota val- ley of the historic locality.

The society made three requirements for those whose names were to be cut in the granite die of the commemorative monu- ment. making the list a roll of honor in all respects. 1. The subjects were to be full blooded Indians. 2. They were to have been truly loyal to the whites throughout the entire period of the outbreak, from its inception, on August 18. 1862. until the close of that year. 3. They were to have actually, by personal effort and in a prac- tical manner, saved the life of at least one white person.

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 86

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