USA > South Dakota > Minnehaha County > History of Minnehaha county, South Dakota. Containing an account of its settlements, growth, development and resources Synopsis of public records, biographical sketches > Part 92
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STOUT, JONATHAN, was born in 1822, in Ohio. He lived in that state and in In liana, Illinois and Iowa, prior to his coming to Dakota. in 1873, when he settled in this county. He took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 23, in the town of Burk, where he still resides.
STOUT, JAMES, was born in 1849, in Illinois. He removed with his parents to Iowa, and from there he came to Dakota in 1873, and has been a resident of this county since then. He resides upon the homestead taken up by his father, having sold his homestead, which he took up on the southeast quarter of section 21.
STOUT, FRANKLIN, is a brother of James Stout, and was born in 1857, in the state of Illinois, where he lived until he removed with his parents to Iowa; from there he went to Nebraska, and came to D.1- kota in 1873. He then secured land in the same section as his father, and located on the northeast quarter, where he still resides. They are all three good farmers and have good farms, and are well-known citizens of the county.
THOMPSON, THOMAS, was born in Norway May 17, 1828, and was reared on a farm. In 1850, he emigrated to the United States and located at Racine, Wisconsin. In 1853, he removed to Lincoln, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1874, when he came to this county. He settled in Burk, taking up three- fourths of section 27, as a homestead, timber claim and pre-emption. He has since bought the balance of this section, and has erected his
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
buildings in the center of the same. Mr. Thompson has in addition to his farm of 620 acres a few acres of woodland, and is considered
FARM RESIDENCE OF THOMAS THOMPSON.
one of the best farmers in the county. He has held school and town offices, and is a highly respected citizen.
WALTERS, DENNIS, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1847, and moved with his parents to Iowa when six vears of age. On the 22d day of October, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany K, 15th Iowa Infantry, and served through the remainder of the civil war. After the war he engaged in farming in Iowa until the spring of 1874, when he removed to Dakota, arriving in Sioux Falls on the 1st day of April. He soon after took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 28 in Burk township, where he lo- cated and engaged in farming. In May, 1875, a post office was estab- lished in Burk called Geneseo, and Mr. Walters was the first post- master, with the post office at his residence. He held the office for about two years. In 1879, he was again appointed postmaster and held the office until 1888, when he removed to Dell Rapids, where he has since resided. While a resident of Burk he held school offices, was assessor two years, and one of the town supervisors several years. In January, 1870, he married Caroline Stout, daughter of Jonathan Stout, then of Iowa, but now a resident of Burk.
TAOPI TOWNSHIP.
(104-51)
This township is bounded on the north by Lake county, on the east by Burk, on the south by Grand Meadow, and on the west by Buffalo townships. The township lines were surveyed by W. J. Neeley in August, 1859, and the subdivision was made by H. T. Austin in July, 1867. The township contains 22,234.96 acres of land. At the time the subdivision was made there was a body of water comprising 146.20 acres in the north half of section 3, and a small body of water covering 37.10 acres in the northwest quarter of sec- tion 5. There was a small lake called Boot Lake in sections 4, 8 and 9 comprising 258.20 acres. Its form is similar to that of a boot and it is probable that its name was the result of its peculiar formation. Clear Lake, at the time referred to, covered 550.80 acres, 133.85 of which was in section 31 in this township. There were also three small streams having their source in this township, which flowed in a southeasterly direction.
George Aker and Charles T. Austin settled in the township in 1876, and after this time the land was gradually taken up by actual settlers. In May, 1878, J. B. Goddard settled on the southwest quarter of section 20, and the following December a post office was established at this point. Mr. Goddard was appointed postmaster, and has retained the office since then. He also opened a general store, and has continued the business down to the present time. Early in April, 1897, the Taopi Creamery Company was incorpor- ated. Its capital stock was fixed at $4,000, divided into one hundred and sixty shares. The incorporators were J. E. Colton, John An- drews, W. O. Colton, Austin Thompson, George Aker, C. B. Hunte- mer and Andrew B. Lemme. A creamery was soon constructed and fully equipped, and opened for business June 16, 1897, and has been in successful operation since then. It is located on the northeast corner of section 27.
The location of a creamery at this point, with its large patron- age, made it a desirable location for other business enterprises. In July, 1898, a post office was established, and H. Lovald appointed postmaster. Colton has already two stores and a blacksmith shop, and is rapidly putting on the appearance of a lively little village.
The first school was taught in district number 62, during the summer of 1880, in an old sod house located on the northeast quarter of section 26, where the present school house is located, and Mrs. Ellen Colton was the teacher.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
MINNEHAHA NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. - This church which is connected with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod of America, was organized February 28, 1879, by the Rev. O. O. Sando. In 1881 a church building was erected on the northeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 35 in Taopi, at a cost of $700, which was paid for by the members of the church. The Rev. O. O. Sando has remained its pastor since its organization, and services are held once in two weeks. It has one hundred and five communicants, and the congregation is so large that the erection of a more commodious building is contemplated in the near future. There is a Ladies' society and a Young Girls' society connected with the church, which are in a flourishing condition.
ST. ANSGAR NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. - This church was organized August 22, 1887, by people residing in the townships of Taopi and Burk, with a membership of sixty. In 1889, a church building was erected on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 13 in Taopi, at a cost of a little over $3,000. It is located on the farm of C. A. Grinde, and presents a fine appearance. Services are held every third Sunday, and at the pres- ent time there are two hundred and seventy persons connected with this congregation. Three Ladies' societies have been organized in aid of the church work. Its first pastor was the Rev. A. O. Berge, who officiated until 1891, and since then the Rev. C. C. Moe has been its pastor.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .- This church was organized in 1838, by the Rev. Father Flynn of Madison, South Dakota. Ser- vices were held in a school house until the spring of 1889, when a church building was erected on the southeast corner of the south- east quarter of section 2, in Taopi. The cost of the church was about $1,500, which has been all paid by subscription among the members, except about $200 given by outsiders, and the building is a commodious and appropriate house of worship. Services are held once or twice in each month. The Rev. Fathers Flynn, Maher, Wise, Zink, Gavin, Grabig, Hogan, Mentzing, O'Hora and Feinler have had charge of the church, and the Rev. Father M. J. Martyn, who resides at Dell Rapids, is the present pastor. The congrega- tion consists of about fourteen families. There is also a Sunday school connected with the church with about twenty scholars.
TAOPI TOWNSHIP BOARD.
At the first general election held at the residence of J. B. God- dard on Tuesday, November 2, 1880, the following persons were elec- ted town officers: J. E. Colton, C. T. Austin and James Murphy supervisors; Ebenezer Kilburn and Peter J. Bardell justices of the peace, A. G. Birum and E. S. Grinde constables, Frank Stowel clerk, W. O. Colton treasurer, L. L. Willard assessor, J. B. God- dard poundmaster, Adolph Klein overseer of the highways. It was voted that the township be called Taopi. W. C. Rowland was clerk of election, and J. B. Goddard one of the judges.
1881. January 10, the board met at the post office. J. B. God-
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
dard was appointed town clerk to fill vacancy in place of Frank Stowel. C. F. Heberlein was appointed supervisor in place of James Murphy, and Geo. O. Goddard in place of J. E. Colton. C. T. Aus- tin was chosen chairman. The first warrant was issued in favor of John Paul for $10, on the 1st day of October, 1881.
1882. Supervisors, B. C. Baarson chairman, E. Kilburn, J. E. Colton: clerk. J. B. Goddard; treasurer, W. C. Lovering. February 11, C. T. Austin was appointed assessor.
1883. Supervisors. W. C. Lovering chairman, J. E. Colton, B. C. Baarson; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, George O. Goddard; justice, E. Kilburn. December 31, E. Kilburn was appointed chair- man of the board, Mr. Lovering having removed from the township.
1884. Supervisors, E. Kilburn. W. O. Colton, C. A. Grinde; clerk, B. C. Baarson. September 22, the resignation of B. C. Baar- son as clerk was accepted and J. B. Goddard was appointed to fill vacancy.
1885. Supervisors, E. Kilburn chairman, W. O. Colton, C. A. Grinde; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, G. O. Goddard; assessor, C. T. Austin.
1886. Supervisors, L. L. Willard, E. Kilburn, C. A. Grinde; clerk, W. O. Colton; assessor, Tom Larson; justice of the peace, Zadock Clark. The equalized value of property assessed in the township was $104,895.
1887. Supervisors, C. A. Grinde chairman, L. L. Willard, J. O. Reed; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, Geo. O. Goddard; assessor, Tom Larson; constable, Elias Larson. May 25, J. O. Reed resigned as supervisor and C. H. Reed was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1888. Supervisors, C. A. Grinde, L. L. Willard, C. T. Austin; clerk, J. B. Goddard; treasurer, G. O. Goddard; assessor, Tom Lar- son; justices, J. E. Colton, C. B. Huntemer; constables, W. O. Col- ton, Alfred Stenson. March 12. George P. Aker was appointed jus- tice in place of C. B. Huntemer, who failed to qualify. March 31, E. Kilburn was appointed justice to fill vacancy,
1889. Supervisors, L. L. Willard chairman, C. T. Austin, Tom Larson; clerk, J. B. Goddard; assessor, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Geo. O. Goddard; justice, E. Kilburn. November 6, contract was let to J. E. Colton for grading road on south line of section 4, across Boot Lake, and on December 3, an order was drawn for the grading, for $205.50. At the end of the year there was a balance on hand in the treasury of $5.53.
1890. Notwithstanding there were quite a number of meetings of the board during the year, it is impossible to ascertain from the records the names of the officials. March 25, E. A. Seaman was ap- pointed justice of the peace for one year.
1891. Supervisors, J. E. Colton chairman, A. G. Birum, A. Stinton; Clerk, A. Huntemer; treasurer, C. B. Huntemer; assessor, Eli Larson; justices, E. A. Seaman, E. Kilburn; constable Ole P. Olson.
1892, Supervisors. J. E. Colton chairman, George Aker, J. M. Berdahl; clerk, A. Huntemer; treasurer, C. B. Huntemer; assessor, Elias Larson; justice, E. Kilburn; constables, A. G. Birum, C. R.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Stondahl. It was ordered at this meeting that "the noxious weeds on the highways be destroyed by the road overseers."
1893. The records are silent as to who were elected at the an- nual town election, but it appears on March 28, that A. E. Willard was appointed town clerk, and that C. B. Huntemer treasurer, W. O. Colton assessor, E. Kilburn justice and C. Kilburn constable gave their official bonds. Several meetings were held during the year and routine business was transacted.
1894. Supervisors, G. O. Goddard, Martin Thompson, L. L. Willard; treasurer, C. B. Huntemer; justice, Peter P. Bowen; con- stable, C. K. Stondahl. April 17, the board decided to give notice through the Dell Rapids Times for the destruction of the Russian thistle.
1895. Supervisors, Geo. O. Goddard, C. B. Huntemer, Austin Thompson; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson.
1896. Supervisors, George O. Goddard chairman, C. B. Hun- temer, Charles Thompson; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson; assessor, M. T. Austin.
1897. Supervisors, L. L. Willard chairman, Charles Thomp- son, C. B. Huntemer; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson; assessor, M. T. Austin.
1898. Supervisors, George O. Goddard chairman, Iver I. Eit- reim, C. T. Austin; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, Nels Baardson; assessor, M. T. Austin.
1899. Supervisors, George O. Goddard chairman, Iver I. Eitreim, C. T. Austin; clerk, C. A. Grinde; treasurer, W. O. Colton; assessor, C. H. Reed; justices of the peace, C. H. Reed, Louis Clarke.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AKER, GEORGE, was born in Norway in 1858; emigrated to the United States and lived in Iowa until 1876, when he located in this county, where he has since resided. He took up a homestead on the southeast quarter of section 24 in Taopi, and has a good farm. He has been justice of the peace, and supervisor of the town board, is an industrious farmer and a respected citizen.
AUSTIN, CHARLES T., was born in Norway in 1850; came to the United States when only ten years of age, and his opportunities for an education in his native country and in this country were so broken up that most of his attainments may be considered self-acquired. He went to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1865, lived there a few vears, and then removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1876 he came to Minnehaha county, where he has since resided engaged in farming. He secured a homestead on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 35 in Taopi, to which he has added by purchase the east half of the southwest quarter of section 36, and has a comfortable and well improved farm. He has been an active participant in all public affairs in his township and county; was elected member of the house of representatives of the state legislature in 1890, on the Republican ticket, and again in 1895, during which term he served on the judi- ciary and other important committees. In 1898 he was elected to the
CHARLES T. AUSTIN.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
same office on the fusion ticket. He is deservedly popular with all who know him.
BAARDSON, NELS, is a native of Norway, and was born in July, 1853. He emigrated to the United States in 1874, and located in Iowa. In 1878 he removed to Dakota and settled in this county. He took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 24 in Taopi, and purchased eighty acres adjoining, and has a good farm. He has been town treasurer several years, and is an esteemed citizen.
BELL, ARCHIBALD, came to this country from Glasgow, Scot- land, where he was born in 1830. He lived in Illinois and Wisconsin before he came to Dakota, and settled in this county in 1878. He filed on 160 acres of land as a homestead, sold 80 acres, and of the remaining part, the west half of the northwest quarter of section 28, in Taopi, he has made a good farm, with substantial buildings and resides there at the present time. He enlisted in the army in 1864, served 18 months, and was discharged in June, 1865.
BERGE, OLE A., is a native of Norway, and was born January 30, 1851. He came to America in 1854, and located with his parents in Wisconsin for three years; then resided in Minnesota till 1881, when he came to Minnehaha county and located on his present farm, the southeast quarter of section 7, in Taopi, where he still resides, engaged in farming. He has been school director and road overseer.
BIRUM, ALBERT G., is a native of Baraboo, Sauk county, Wis- consin, where he was born in 1850. He came to Dakota from Iowa in the summer of 1878, and was for several years a resident of this county. He owned a fine farm on the northeast quarter of section 32 in Taopi, where he resided until 1893, when he sold his farm and removed to Sioux Falls, and for about a year was the proprietor of the Phillips House, and then removed from the state. He was one of the first constables of Taopi after the county had been organized into townships, and was a member of the town board of supervisors and also of the school board.
BORVIK, OLE B., was born January 10, 1864, in Norway. He emigrated to the United States when twenty years old, and came to Minnehaha county May 28, 1884. He bought the southwest quarter of section 21 in Taopi, and engaged in farming.
CARSON, MARTIN O., was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, February 4, 1866. He came to this county with his father, Ole J. Carson, of Grand Meadow, in 1884, and has at the present time a nice farm of his own, comprising the east half of the southeast quar- ter of section 36 in Taopi.
CHANDONETTE, JOSEPH, is a native of Canada, and was bor February 23, 1833. In the fall of 1860 he came to the United States and settled in New York. On the 15th day of July, 1878, he came to this county, where he has since resided. He took up a homestead in section 28 in Taopi, and is a good farmer and a good citizen.
CLARK, ZADOCK, was born at Henderson, New York, in 1832. On the 22d day of October, 1861, he enlisted in the army and served until August, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. In 1882 he came to Dakota and located in this county, where he has since re-
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
sided. He bought a farm on the southwest quarter of section 28 in Taopi, and engaged in farming. In 1886 he was elected justice of the peace, and is a good citizen.
COLTON, J. E., was born in Sylvester, Green county, Wisconsin, March 28, 1857. He resided for some time in Iowa, and came to this county in May, 1878, and settled in Taopi, taking up a pre-emption the first year and a homestead and tree claim in 1879. He has a very fine farm, comprising three quarters of section 27, and is a progres- sive, successful farmer. He has held town offices, and was county superintendent of schools from January 1, 1883, to 1887. He made a good superintendent, and performed the duties of the office with great fidelity. He is well informed upon public matters and takes an ac- tive part in politics, and is recognized as one of the most influential citizens in the county. Right or wrong he is always earnest and hon- est in maintaining his views. He is a good neighbor and has a host of friends.
COLTON, W. O., was born in Wisconsin, February 26, 1859, and was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He came to this county in 1880, and took up as a homestead the south- east quarter of section 21, in Taopi, and has since bought the north- east quarter of section 28, in the same township. His large farm is well cultivated, and he has some valuable improvements in the line of buildings. He has held town offices, and was county commissioner from his district for the term of three years, ending January 1, 1895. In November, 1896, he was elected to the lower house of the legis- lature on the Populist ticket. He made a good official, is an upright, honest citizen, and is well liked by all who know him.
EITREIM, IVER, was born in the beautiful part of Norway called Hardanger, June 6, 1862. When twenty years of age he emigrated to the United States, and lived in Minnesota for three years. In 1885, he came to Dakota, and has been a resident of this county ever since. He resides on his farm in section 16, in Taopi, engaged in farming. He is a member of the town board, and is a good citizen.
FISH, JOHN, was born in Iowa, April 5, 1862. In 1873, he located in Valley Springs township, this county, and when of age bought 160 acres of land in section 28, in Taopi, and engaged in farming.
GLENNON, H. P., was born at Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, March 30, 1858. He located in Minnehaha county in March, 1888, and has since resided there. He bought 320 acres of land, comprising the north half of section 10, in Taopi, where he resides and has a fine fårm. He is an enterprising farmer and a good citizen.
GODDARD, GEORGE O., was born in Monona, Clayton county, Ia., March 6, 1856. He removed to Taopi, this county, in May, 1878, and took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 29, and as a tree claim the southeast quarter of section 20, where he resides and has a very good farm. He is engaged in the mercantile business with his father, J. B. Goddard. He has been a member of the town board for several years, the greater part of which time he has been its chairman. He is public-spirited, a good business man, and a highly esteemed citizen.
J. E. COLTON.
68
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
GODDARD, J. B., was born in Rutland county, Vermont, October 16, 1830. He came West, and resided for a few years in Iowa and Minnesota, and removed to this county and settled in Taopi in 1878, securing a pre-emption on the southwest quarter of section 20, where he has since resided. In December, 1878, the Taopi post office was established and Mr. Goddard was appointed postmaster, which posi- tion he has held ever since. For ten years he was town clerk of Taopi. In addition to farming he has been engaged in the mercan- tile business at Taopi since 1878. He is not only a good official, but is a good farmer and a successful business man. His location for country trade is all that could be desired, and "Goddard's store" is known to all the residents of Minnehaha county and vicinity. Mr. Goddard is a strong man with decided views upon all public ques- tions, and is well liked by his neighbors.
GRINDE, CARL A., was born in Norway, January 9, 1857, but his residence in that country was of short duration, as his parents emi- grated to the United States when he was only two weeks old. In June, 1879, he came to this county, and for one year resided in Edi- son; then removed to Taopi and secured by pre-emption the south- east quarter of section 13, where he has since resided. He has a good farm with good improvements. He has held several important town offices, and was a member of the house of representatives of the state legislature in 1893. He has a large family of children of which he is proud. He is well liked by his neighbors, and is highly es- teemed by all who know him.
GUNDERSON, GUNDER, is a native of Norway, and was born in 1843. In 1869 he emigrated to the United States, and lived in Illinois and Iowa until in 1879, when he removed to Dakota, coming, like so many other early settlers, by ox-team. He located in this county, securing as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 22 in Taopi, and engaged in farming.
HATLAND, JACOB, is a native of Norway, and was born March 6, 1866. He emigrated to Dakota, and located in this county in 1887, where he has since resided. He bought the northeast quarter of section 20 in Taopi, and is engaged in farming. He has a good farm, and is a good citizen.
HUNTEMER, CHARLES B., was born in Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, December 29, 1853. He came to this county in 1878, and settled in Taopi on the southwest quarter of section 2, where he still resides. At that time he had $500 in money and a pair of old horses, harness and wagon. He is now the owner of a large farm of about 1,000 acres. He is a good farmer and has made the most of his opportunities. His residence and other farm build- ings are among the best in the county, and their arrangement and completeness for farm purposes is admirable. He keeps a large stock of cattle, horses and hogs. Mr. Huntemer clearly demonstrates what a man can do as a farmer in this county, provided he is indus- trious and attentive to business. He is a good neighbor and a re- spected citizen.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
HUNTEMER, GEORGE VALENTINE, was born at Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, July 10, 1859. He has been engaged in farming in Taopi for several years, and is one of the brothers whose names appear on nearly all the northern tier of sections in Taopi township. He has a good farm of 320 acres, and is a good citizen.
HUNTEMER, FRANK J., was born at Potosi, Grant county, Wis- consin, August 31, 1867. He has lived in this county for many years engaged in extensive farming, and is the owner of about 600 acres of good farm land in Taopi. He is one of the active and enterprising citizens of that township.
HUNTEMER, JOSEPH, was born at Potosi, Grant county, Wis- consin, September 20, 1869. He came to this county and settled in Taopi where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1896, when he sold out and removed to Wisconsin. He was an enterprising young man, and his departure was regretted by his neighbors.
JORGENSON, PETER, was born in Norway, March 29, 1831. He emigrated to this country and lived in Iowa until 1878, when he re- moved to Dakota. On the 19th day of May, 1879, he came to this county and took up as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 17 in Taopi, upon which he resides, and a tree claim on the south- east quarter of the same section, making in all a very fine farm, with substantial buildings and other improvements.
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