USA > South Dakota > History of southeastern Dakota, its settlement and growth, geological and physical features--countries, cities, towns and villages--incidents of pioneer life--biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with a brief outline history of the territory in general > Part 13
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131
FLANDREAU.
Secretary-T. E. Carter.
Treasarer -- William Jones.
Marshal -- Claus Junge.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Attorneys-H. A. Williamson, George Rice, R. J. Simenson, A. D. Bubb.
Physicians -- J. A. Scaman, F. J. Fluno, H. Goetting.
General Merchandise-Landon Nelson & Co., Wm. Jones & Co., Neperud Bros., I. F. Winnek & Co.
Boots d' Shoes-J. E. Thiban, A. Higgs.
Shoemaker-Lewis Hackett.
Hardicare-R. L. Brown, C. C. Martin. Dickson & Few.
Agricultural Implements-T. E. Carter, 1. B. Taylor, F. J. Shields.
Groceries-Geo. H. Few, Charles Hall, A. Moulton.
Furniture-A. Moulton.
Harness and Saddlery-W. A. Clark, S. A. Heath.
Saloons-Thomas Collins, P. E. Davis, Ole Erickson, A. Seaman.
Druggists-D. S. White, James Bray.
Barber-H. A. Bates.
Hotels-Flandreau House, M. D. L. Pettigrew; Sioux Valley House, C. H. Gardner; Central House, Thomas O'Neill.
Restaurant-A. S. Frink.
Bakery and Notions-Mrs. E. Close.
Lirery-T. J. Haxton, Frank Willard.
Blacksmiths-Wm. Dunn. Dahl & Holden.
Flouring Mill-Bates & Lindsay Bros.
Coal and Wood-Lindsay & Bates, Cargill Bros.
Elevators-Cargill Bros .. W. R. Hyde, Agent: Hyde. Hodges & Co., J. H. McMillen. Agent.
Contractors and Builders-Mac Simpson, M. P. Lower.
Lumber-C. A. Coleman, L. K. Knudson, Agent; John Paul, P. E. Minier, Agent.
Millinery-Mrs. D. Mason, Mrs. D S. White, Mrs. A. Higgs.
Merchant Tailor-T. Freeman.
Newspaper-Moody County Enterprise. H. M. Williamson, Editor and Pro- prietor.
Binks-Bank of Flandrean. C. E. Thayer. Cashier; Moody County Bank. T H. McConnell, Cashier.
Meat Markets-M. McDonnell. A. Schilling.
Jeweler-H. B. Wood.
Postmasters-M. Morse. M. M. Jones, Assistant.
Real Estate and Loan-F. W. Pettigrew. E. Huntington.
EGAN.
The prosperous and enterprising town of Egan is a worthy illustra- tion of the astonishing rapidity of growth which characterizes the communities of Dakota. At the date of the first publication of the
132
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
Egan Erpress. May 27th, 1880, there was but one building other than that of the Express office, within a radius of one mile and a half, viz: the residence of Mr. Alfred Brown, about one-half mile from the location of the venturesome newspaper man. At date of this writing (autumn of 1881) Egan contains a population of nearly 500 souls, with business houses, churches, schools and all the evidences of a thrifty civilization.
The town was platted in April, 1880, by Alfred Brown, J. H. Eno and John Hobart, and was incorporated under special Act of the Legislative Assembly in April, 1881. H. A. Leinbach has re- cently platted an addition north of town. Egan contains within its limits the geographical center of Moody County. The town- site is located in section 7, township 106, range 49, the excellent judgment displayed in the selection being apparent even to the casual observer; its environs are pleasing and attractive, and the location itself is advantageously situated with reference to the main arteries of trade on either hand. The town is above high water mark, a fact which cannot fail to command favorable atten- tion, since during all former floods, by which other places suffered more or less, the townsite of Egan rested complacently above the limits of danger. Another advantage which may be mentioned is the abundance of excellent water and the facilities for reaching it. On digging from four to five feet a coarse gravel is reached, and at a depth of from sixteen to twenty-four feet, the sparkling liquid is invariably found in almost unlimited quantities. The eccentric waters of the Big Sioux, with its unforeseen bends and unexpected curves, flow along the eastern side of the town.
The Southern Minnesota branch of the C .. M. & St. Paul R. R. has established at Egan the largest coal house on the line west of LaCrosse, and is building an extensive depot, and otherwise invest- ing in profitable improvements. A number of the Company's em- ployes already have their residences in Egan. The first train reached Egan August, 1880.
As stated above, the Egan Erpress was started in May, 1880, being removed thither from Roscoe by J. H. Eno. The Express came into the possession of Messrs. Lanning & Shelden, the pres- ent proprietors, in May, 1881, and is a very creditable publication. Geo. R. Lanning is the editor.
At present there are two church edifices. the Methodist Episco- copal and the Baptist, both of which congregations are in a pros-
133
EGAN.
perous condition. There are also a Congregational and a Catholic Society, each of which expects shortly to erect suitable places of worship.
The school building is well adapted to educational purposes, and the district is the only independent school district thus far estab- lished in Moody County. Miss Ella Waite is the Principal.
The Bank of Egan was established in October, 1881, by Melvin Grigsby, Esq., and Geo. M. Smith, of Sioux Falls, and is a much needed addition to Egan's commercial facilities. Mr. Smith is the efficient manager.
The business and professional interests of the community will be found to be well represented in the biographical sketches of its citi- zens which elsewhere appear. The following is the
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY:
President of the Council .- E. G. Boynton.
Corneilmen .- E. G. Boynton, H. A. Leinbach, J. D. S. Smith, W. G. Ken- aston.
Recorder .- W. S. Cobban.
Treasurer .- Dwight Ilsley.
Justice of the Peace .- W. T. Brown.
Marshal .- Chas. Pettit.
Street Commissioner .- Alfred Brown.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Attorneys .- Geo. M. DeGroff, J. H. Eno.
Physician .- J. H. Schneider.
Hotels .- Taylor House, S. Taylor; Ida House, Smith & Tuttle.
General Merchandise .- D. Bidwell & Son, R. Ilsley.
Hardware .- John Hobart, C. F. Rathman.
Druggist .- O. E. Schneider.
Restaurant .- W. E. Gessell.
Grocery .- W. G. Kenaston.
Wagon Making .- A. J. Vallier.
Blacksmith .- J. M. Runyon.
Saloons .- P. Jordan, B. B. Skinner.
Livery .- Pettit Bros.
Newspapers .- Egan Express, Lanning & Shelden, Publishers; Geo. R. Lan- ning, Editor.
Shoemaker .- W. T. Brown.
Postmastsr .- S. R. Moore, Geo. E. Bidwell, Assistant.
Notion Store .- Geo. E. Bidwell.
Lumber .- John Paul, E. G. Boynton, Agent; Drew Bros.
Depot Agent .- W. H. Nichol.
Real Estate .- Geo. M. DeGroff, J. H. Eno.
Insurance -- Lanning & Shelden, Geo. M. DeGroff.
Carpenters .- O. D. Fuller, A, S. Summer, L. C. Payne, J. H. Tupper, R. C. McGregor.
Stone Mason .- Geo. J. Rose.
Meat Market .- Enos Karn.
Bank of Egan .- Grisby & Smith, Geo. M. Smith, Cashier.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
BROOKINGS COUNTY.
The primary facts concerning the organization of this rich and promising county elsewhere appear. The top-soil is a rich loam, varying in depth from twelve to thirty inches, containing, more- over, a fine quality of sand, thus making it rapidly productive. Gool erops result with a comparatively small rainfall. The sub- ¿ oil is of clay. which holds water nearly as well as an earthen vessel - the best of all combinations, according to authorities-doesn't beco e soft or mirey. The top-soil rapidly absorbs moisture; the subsoil retains it-thus forming a supply for vegetation to draw from, by capillary attraction, in a dry time. The dews are very heavy. The land lies in long, gentle slopes, making perfe & dram- age, and not washing by reason of heavy rains-all of which pre- sents most favorable conditions for large wheat raising.
The county is well watered by streams and lakes, and contains about 1,500 acres of timber. The towns are Medary, Oakwood, Brookings, Elkton, Aurora, and Volga. The town of Fountain, auspiciously begun, was subsequently abandoned in consequence of the suddenly appearing importance of the new town of Brookings.
Fountain was situated eight miles northeast of Brookings, on section two, in town 110, range 49, and was started in April, 1878, by Dr. Kelsey and J. O. Walker -- the latter gentleman being the present proprietor of the Brookings House in Brookings. G. W. Hopp, the present proprietor of the Brookings County Press, came first to Fountain in February, 1879. The town soon contained a two-story printing office, a hotel, two blacksmith shops, a school house, and dwelling houses, besides a Baptist Church organization. Mr. J. O. Walker was the first proprietor of the Fountain Hotel. The town was named Fountain from several natural fountains, or springs, owned by Mr. Walker, and subsequently sold with his claim by him to A. A. Stevens. Although the exigencies of pio- neer growth demanded a different municipal location, yet the country, in and about Fountain, has in no wise suffered from the removal of the projected town, being well settled, well improved, and in every respect a desirable portion of a justly appreciated and richly endowed county.
A well known, and thoroughly reliable money dealer does not put the general condition and prospects of Brookings County any too strongly, when in a business address to his "constituency" he observes:
135
BROOKINGS COUNTY.
"Impressed by a firm belief in the wonderful development now taking place, and still more largely to be realized in Dakota, our resident partner, before locating in Brookings, made an examina- tion of the southeastern tier of counties-the older and more thickly populated-commencing opposite Sioux City, Iowa, and going up the valley of the Big Sioux River, extending his trip over a range of two and three counties west of the Iowa and Min- nesota State lines.
"Everywhere farm houses dotted the landscape. Towns and villages are springing into being with a rapidity unparalleled; the larger, with populations varying from 800 to 2,500, forty to sixty miles apart, and interspersed between, at distances of six to fifteen miles, smaller hamlets and villages. On the rich bottom lands the grass, swaying in waves, reached above the backs of the horses, and the farmers were busily at work with mowers cutting it by the hundreds of tons, while in the higher portions immence fields of wheat, cut and shocked, awaited the threshers.
"Brookings County is justly called the 'Banner County of the Sioux Valley.' Situated in the central belt of Southeastern Da- kota. it reaches west thirty-six miles from the Minnesota State line, across the fertile valley of the Big Sioux, and extends twenty- four miles north to south. Its surface, in general, is a gently rolling prairie, sloping down to broad and level meadow lands along the streams and river bottoms; nor is it anywhere so much broken as to render it unfit for agricultural purposes. The drainage is perfect everywhere, and such a spot as waste land is unknown. The soil is a rich, black alluvial loam, eighteen inches to five feet in depth. with a clay subsoil on the higher portions, and a gravel subsoil on the bottom lands. The population is from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and Massachusetts, interspersed with a few Norwegians, an enterprising, industrious, temperate people. The rapidity with which they are settling and improving, independent of the actual value of the land, makes the security of- fered for small loans, absolute.
"Three years ago all was government land, and not 250 settlers in the county. The census of 1880 gives the county 6,200, and it is safe to estimate it now at 8,000. The Chicago & Northwest- ern Railroad gives us a through line from Fort Pierre, on the Mis- souri river, two hundred miles west, to Chicago, dividing the county from east to west in two nearly equal sections. while
136
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA
branching off to the north, two lines are now being built, one near the eastern and the other the western boundary, reaching further up the valley to the counties north, and ultimately to connect with the Northern Pacific Railroad. What, therefore, does all this in- dicate? It means that that unbroken law of settlement which landed first at Plymouth Rock and New Amsterdam, the Virgin- ias and the Carolinas, and which, as new States sprang into being, settled first their eastern boundaries, is but being repeated in Da- kota.
Medary, the pioneer settlement of the county, is located on the east bank of the Big Sioux, one mile from the south county line. Brookings County contains 518,000 acres of land, which, at an average of twenty bushels to the acre, would produce 10,368,000 bushels of wheat annually. The winters, as elsewhere in Dakota, are dry, steady and clear, with good roads and a bracing atmos- phere. The clay subsoil is filled with a deposit of lime, that gives great strength to the straw and hardness to the wheat berry. Bar- ley grows remarkably, some fields having yielded fully sixty bushels to the acre. Oats yield profitable crops. The kind, quality and quantities of corn raised would do credit to Iowa and Illinois Potatoes are raised in great quantities on sod-lands, and winter wheat does well. Timothy and clover are successfully grown. Wild grass grows largely-blue-joint, where the fire is kept out, and the best of hay and pasture are afforded. Oxen, cows, cattle and horses have wintered on hay alone. The amount of meadow land is small, in proportion to the rolling prairie; but is fine, smooth and dry, and cuts from two to four tons to the acre. h some places, the grass can be tied over an ordinary-sized. horse's back, and is so thick that, when cut with a mowing machine, it leaves a "swathe" as thick as that left by a seythe in ordinary grass. The water is pure, and the supply is unlimited.
A Mr. Trygstadt, in the spring of 1869, with his sons, Ole, Mar- tin, Cornelius, Erick and Michael; Ole Gjermstad, and Christopher Ballmeder, of Salem, Minnesota, settled in Brookings County. Two years afterwards, they were joined by Olans Peterson, Oliver Egaberg, Magnus Nacttins, James Hagan and Joeum Olsen. For two years, their postoffice was at Sioux Falls, sixty miles away; but, in about two years, an office was established at Flandreau, twenty miles from their location; and six months later, Martin Trygstadt received a postmaster's commission-and thus was organ-
137
BROOKINGS COUNTY.
ized the first postoffi ; in Brookings County. For the first year. the nearest trading point was New Ulm, and in the fall, a trip was made to New Ulm with oxen, in order to obtain winter supplies. Thus the hardy pioneers underwent hardships and privations-the extent of which can hardly be appreciated at this day-in order that "civilization should blossom as the rose," in Dakota.
The first business establishment in Brookings County was started by James Natesta in the autumn of 1873. He commenced the mercantile business in a little log house near Erick Trygstadt. His entire stock invoiced fifty dollars. He occupied with his bus- iness one corner of the room, the remainder of which was used as a bed-room, kitchen and parlor. The cracks between the logs were not plastered, and it was "nice and cool;" but when the pro- prietor of this extensive business establishment awoke one cold winter morning, and found two inches of snow on his bed, he con- cluded about as judicious a thing as could be done, was to "cork up the cracks." The house was some distance from neighbors. and as our merchant was not then blessed with a "better-half," a local chronicler has it that he used to go out doors for amusement, of evenings, and shout with all his might and main, in order to break the painful stillness of his surroundings. In the fall of 1874, Mr. Natesta removed to Medary.
A terrific tornado visited Brookings County on Sunday, August 3d, 1879, at about 10:30 o'clock of that night. The track of the storm was about one and one-half miles in width. Great quantities of rain fell, and in some localities, hail. At Fountain, and elsewhere, houses were blown down, grain damaged, property of all sorts strewn about, and a number of people were injured, but, fortu- nately, none fatally.
A letter From Charles E. Simmons, dated September 30, 1879, to William H. Skinner, contains the information that " The town on range 46 is 'Verdi;' the one on 49, 'Aurora;' the one on 50, 'Brook- ings;' the one on 51, Volga;' the one on 53, 'Nordland;' one on 56 ' DeSmet;' the one on 58, ' Iroquois;' the one on 60, ' Cavour,' and the one on 61 and 62, ' Huron."" Mr. Simmons was Land Com- missioner of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company.
The County Officers of Brookings county at the time of writing are: Commissioners-Martin Trygstadt, Frank Pound, D. S. Bone- steel. Sheriff-T. G. Risum. Treasurer-H. T. Odegard. Regis- ter of Deeds- James Hauxhurst. Judge of Probate-L. L. Jones.
13S
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
Superintendent of Schools-W. E. Hendricks. Surveyor -- F. H. Newton. Assessor-P. J. Hagerman. Jr.
BROOKINGS.
A portion of this thriving town, and County Seat of Brookings County, was surveyed and platted on the 3d and 4th of October. 1879. six blocks being " laid off" into lots. Mr. Hopp moved the Brookings County Press to Brookings from Fountain on the 18th of the same month, and a general migration to the new town from Fountain began. The town of Brookings is only four miles south of the geographical center of the county. The question of the loca- tion of the County Seat came up at the election in November, 1880. the seat of the county government being as a result removed from Medary to Brookings. On the 2d day of October, 1879, the first railroad train-under the proprietorship of the Winona & St. Pe- ter Railroad Company-crossed the line into Brookings County. The first issue of the Press at Brookings was under date of Oeto- ber 28, 1879. On the 17th, of November. 1879. the first car load of lumber arrived at Brookings. The town is located on section 26, town 110, range 50, and was incorporated under special act in April, 1881. G. W. Pierce, Drs. Kelsey and Higgins. G. W. Hopp, G. L. Smith, W. H. Skinner, R. H. Williams, W. H. Shortley and others, were among the first to select business locations.
The Sioux Valley Journal was established at Brookings in March, 1880, by J. M. Miles and W. H. Skinner, the latter gentleman re- tiring in January, 1881. Mr. Skinner now occupies the responsi- ble position of Clerk of the Courts.
Business of all kinds is well and extensively represented, the buildings being exceptionally creditable in appearance. The pri- vate residences and hotels are also attractive in appearance, and aid materially in making up the tout ensemble of a prosperous, pro- gressive and beautiful little city.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the autumn of 1879, its first pastor being the Rev. Mr. Dibbles. Rev. J. Jeffrey is the pastor in charge. As yet the Baptist Society has no regular supply. Both church organizations have handsome and commodious church edifices. The large and well furnished school building was erected in the spring of 1880. Miss Van
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BROOKINGS.
Dusen is the Principal. Both the religious and educational inter- ests of Brookings are well attended to, thus forming an element of attraction for the most desirable class of immigration.
The Legislative Assembly, at its last session, passed an act locat- ing a Territorial Agricultural College at Brookings, provided that the citizens donate eighty acres of land to the Territory for such purpose; which provision was duly attended to in September last, the designated number of acres being purchased by private sub- scription at a cost of $600, the land adjoining the town on the northeast-and, it is hardly necessary to state, the forthcoming appropriation is now confidently awaited. This will add greatly to the Territorial importance, as well as to the educational and financial prosperity, of this very enterprising town.
Brookings Lodge, A. F. and A. M., was instituted in the autumn of 1880, under dispensation from Grand Master George H. Hand, of Yankton. The Lodge's first officers were: George W. Pierce, W. M .: J. J. George, S. W .; W. G. Lockhart, J. W .; A. J. Dox, Secretary; George Morehouse, Treasurer; E. B. Hart, S. D .; J. O. Walker, J. D. The present officers are: George W. Pierce, W. M .; A. J. Dox, S. W .: W. H. Roddle, Secretary; George More- house, Treasurer; E. B. Hart, S. D .; J. O. Walker, J. D. The condition of this Lodge is excellent, and its prospects unusually flattering.
A Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was expected to be organized during the season just ended, which organization has doubtless ere this been perfected.
The Brookings Cornet Band, although organized as recently as June of the present year, has made remarkable progress, and is a credit to the community, as is also the Brookings Dramatic Club, which afforded entertainments of a high order during the winter of 1880-81.
The Brookings County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute was organized in June, 1880, the first annual fair having been held in September of that year. The second annual fair was held September 28, 29 and 30, of the present year. The grounds are extensive and convenient of access, a number of substantial buildings having already been erected. The officers of the Asso- ciation are: President-T. Q. Loveland. Vice-President-Robert Hughson. Secretary-J. M. Miles. Treasurer-George W.
Pierce.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
Greenwood Cemetery Association was chartered June 10, 1881. The Directors are: L. L. Jones, C. W. Higgins, Knud Thompson, W. H. Roddle, T. R. Qualley. George W. Pierce is President; R. H. Williams, Secretary; George Morehouse, Treasurer.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
Mayor .- R. S. Hadley.
Recorder-P. C. Johnson.
Treasurer-Geo. Morehouse.
Justice-R. S. Hadley.
Marshal-Orin Walker.
Councilmen-R. H. Williams, Geo. A. Mathews, Horace Fishback.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Attorneys-Mathews & Scobey. Natwiek & Diamond, R. S. Hadley.
Agricultural Implements-Kelsey Bros., Thompson and Odegard, V. C. Dillingham.
Boots and Shoes-T. R. Qualley.
Barber-L. Chapman.
Books and Stationery-C. W. Higgins, E. E. Gaylord.
Banks-Bank of Brookings, Geo. Morehouse, Cashier; Brookings County Bank, Olds & Fishbaek.
Blacksmiths-Ed. Williams, M. B. Runyon.
Boarding Houses-S. J. Severson.
Contractors and Builders-R. W. McIntyre. L. L. Jones, A. H. Wellman.
Druggists-G. L. Smith, C. W. Higgms.
Drayage-A. A. Robinson.
Depot Agent-H. G. Smith.
Elerators-Van Dusen & Co., H. G. Lawshe agent; Winona Mill Co., C. W. Williams agent.
Furniture-E. E. Gaylord.
Flour and Feed-R. M. Crawford.
Fuel-Thompson, Odegard & Co .. Van Dusen & Co.
General Merchandise-R. H. Williams. C. G. Leyse & Co., Olds & Fishback, Magnussen & Oefstos, John Olson.
Groceries-G. W. Pieree, C. Garlick.
Horse Market-Lawshe & Pool.
Hotels-Brookings House, J. O. Walker; Commercial House. A. A. Aikin; Christiania House, Geo. G. Rude.
Hardware -- A. J. Dox, P. C. Johnson, W. H. Rod lle.
Harness and Saddlery-Adams Bros.
Insurance-Mathews & Scobey. Natwick & Diamon.1, Olds & Fishbaek.
Jewelers-Chas. Gagel, P. Hansen.
Lumber-Laird, Norton & Co., O. C. Johnson, Agent; Youmans Bros. & Hodgins, W. G. Lockhart, Agent.
Lirery-W. J. Pool, Howard & MeMurphy.
Meat Market-Mudget & Roddle.
Millinery-Mrs. V. C. Dillingham, Mrs. R. S. Hadley.
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VOLGA.
Newspapers-Brookings County Press. Geo. W. Hopp, Editor and Proprietor; Sioux Valley Journal, J. M. Miles, Editor and Proprietor.
Photographer-E. E. Gaylord.
Physicians -- C. W. Higgins, G. J. Colla".
Real Estate and Loan-Mathews & Scobey, Natwick & Diamond, Wilson, Toms & Co., W. H. Skinner.
Masons -- R. P. Child, Olin & Dufoe.
Painter-W. J. Tucker.
Saloons-Deeth & Russell, William Madlen.
Undertaker-E. E. Gaylord.
Veterinary Surgeon, S. N. Blair.
Wagon Making-Daniel Doughty.
VOLGA.
The beginning of this prosperous and promising town substan- tially dates from September, 1879, in which month Volga was platted by Col. Jacoby, the platting agent of the Chicago & North- western Railroad Company. The land on which the townsite is located, was owned by Nicolai Evenson, Hans Terkelsen, Alex. Johnson and Lewis Johnson, who each donated forty acres of land for townsite purposes, making these relinquishments as an induce- ment to the Railroad Company to locate a station at that point. For some time-from November, 1879, to May, 1880-Volga was the terminus of the road, and under the stimulus which this fact gave toit, its settlement and growth during this period were as- tonishingly rapid. The end of the railroad track reached Volga about the 15th of November, 1879. The agents of the Company until late in the winter, transacted business in a box car on a side track, and a number of the employes boarded and lodged in a boarding car. The first hotel was the "Pioneer," the construction of which was begun by Johnson Harris in September, 1879. For the time the accommodations at this hostlery were sufficiently rude, the partitions consisting of army blankets. Miller Willson built the second hotel, forty or fifty boarders taking lodgings therein long prior to its completion. I. P. Farrington built the present Farrington House in the winter of 1879-80, but the house was not fairly opened for business until the spring of the latter year. Norton Bros. were the proprietors of the Railroad Boarding House.
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