Blue Earth County, Minnesota - Chapter 23: Mankato's Golden Jubilee - Eb Cent Events - in Conclusion, 1901 (part 4 of 4)

The first saw mill in the town was built in 1854 by Isaac Lyons on Minneopa Creek. The first saw mill in the village was put up by D. C. Evans and E. D. Price in the fall of 1855. A year or two later a run of stones was attached to this mill for grinding corn. In 1858 Rev. Eichard Davis and John P. Williams erected a second saw mill in the village. In 1860 McCauley & MciSTamara built a large stone grist mill, which tiiey operated for two or three years. In 1802 Louis Seppman began the erection on his farm of a stone windmill, which was completed in 1864. It was constructed of boulders and other native stone and is circular in form. It is thirty feet in diameter at bottom and twenty feet at the top. It 's thirty-two feet in height from the ground to the eaves and the walls are two feet thick at the base and one and one-half feet thick at top. The roof is doomshaped and hung on a center shaft, so it can be turned clear around, that the sails might be shifted to face the wind in any direction. The arms of the mill were wooden frames covered with sail cloth, each thirty-five feet long, making with the diameter of the hub a spread of seventy-five feet. For sixteen years Mr. Seppman used the mill to grind flour, and many of the old settlers testify to its excellent quality. It had a capacit}' of 150 bushels per day. June ", 1873 lightning demolished two of the arms, but they were replaced next year. In 1880 a big wind storm again carried off two of the arms and as modern invention rendered the making of flour by this primalive method unprofitable, they were never re- :^tored. The mill was used to grind feed until the summer of 1890, when the two remaining sails were wrecked in another storm. The old tower, however, still stands like an ancient seniinel on the hill, as strong and sturdy as ever - the most picturesque of all the ancient landmarks of the county.

About 1860 South Bend had the distinetion of being the home of D. A. Allen (Tom Thumb ISTo. 2), who was then reported to be tlie smallest man in the United States. He was at that time twenty-two years old and only thirty-one inches in height, half an inch shorter than Barnum's famous Tom Thumb. His weight was only thirty-five pounds, much less than the great showman's prodigy-. Mr. Allen's parents lived in those days upon a farm, just west of Minneopa Creek on the Mankato and New Ulm road.

A number of stores and shops were built at South Bend village during 1856 and 1857. Pi'ominent among the stores in the fifties, were those owned by Eckstrom Bros, and Brown, Wm. Hewitt, McGibbon and Purnell, W. W. Davis and Lnrs Lee. During the same period A. K. Dahl had plow works; E. D. Price, D. D. Evans and E. K. Bangs had blacksmith shops; Peter Potts sold ready made clothing, Jonas Mohr (who in 1862 was killed by the Indians in Butternut Valley) had a hardware ; John D. Evans ran a =hoemakers shop ; Cake had a cooper shop ; Dr. Geo. W. Havens looked after the sick; Daniel Buck, the well known lawyer and jurist, and B. Parke Dewey, son of Judge Dewey, for many years on the Supreme bench of Indiana, assisted people in their legal quarrels; Geo. McGiviiey ]]ad a harness shop; And. Johnson conducted a tailor shop; Ever Severson had a cabinet shop; Joe -Barker, Hans Peter Olson, Joe Miller and Everett & Wright, (vi'ho were in the Lake Shetek massacre in 1862), helped to relieve the thirst of the pioneers; Horton W. Nelson, John IT. Goodsell, Wm. J. McCauley and J. T. Williams looked after the real estate booms of the growing metropolis; while Hon. D. C. Evans was General in Chief. In those early days. South Bend was a busy, bustling, trade center, full of hope and promise. It contained in its j)almy period nearly a hundred houses of all Irnds, and a population of 200 to 300. It continued to flourish until about 1868, when it was dealt a mortal blow by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railway Co. in its refusal to make it one of its stations. From that day forward it went down hill rapidly. W. W. Davis maintained a s-tore there off and on until May 1, 1896, when he sold, out to A. Lincoln, who was burned out in October, 1897. D. P. Davis and son conducted a store there continuously from the summer of 1867 until October, 1900, when he sold out to one Dethier and on the 11th of that month, this store and the old hotel building were burned to the ground. Since which time South Bend lias been a truly deserted village. The school house, the old Congregational church and the ancient stone building of Eckstrom Bros., which of late years has been transformed into a town hall, with a few scattered dwellings are all that remain of the town which once rivaled Mankato. South Bend postoffice was established in February, 1856, with Matthew Thompson as postmaster. He was succeeded by Daniel Buck, who lield the office until November, 1861, when Lars Ijce was appointed under the Eepublican administration. Paul P. Eckstrom in September, 1864, became his successor, and held the office until his departure from the village about 1870, when Wm. E. Price was appointed. March 19, 1878, David P. Davis, Jr., became postmaster, and was succeeded in 1885 by David P. Davis, Sr. W. W. Davis was appointed to the posifon in July, 1889, and in May, 1896, A. Lincoln succeeded him as postmaster and owner of the store. The store and postoffice were burned out in October,

1897. After this catastrophe G. A. Hultengren took the office. He was followed by H. D. Burnett, and he in turn, by James Steele. While held by the latter in 1900 the office was abolished and the free delivery system inaugurated.

The first toA¥n meeting was held at the village. May 11, 1858, when the officers elected 'u'ere: Supervisors, Lyman Matthews, (Chairman), Luther G. Barrett and John A. Jones; Clerk, Edmund Purnell; Assessor, David J. Lewis; Collector, Lars Lee; Justices, Elijah K. Bangs and L. Abbott; Constables, Lars Lee and W. P. Goodell.

The first school in the town was taught in the summer of 1855 by Mrs. Joshua Barnard, at her house in the village of South Bend. A log school house was built there in the fall of the same year, which stood near the present residence of D. P. Davis. The town now has four good frame school houses.

Of the beginning of religious services in the town we have spoken elsewhere. The first church was organized on August 1, 1855, by Eev. Eichard Davis at his own house in the village. It was a Welsh Union church with forty-three members. Its officers were Evan H. Evans, Evan Evans (Pant), William E. Price, William J. Eoberts and Edward Thomas, Sr.

September, 1856, the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church of Zion was started. A church building was erected near Minneopa Creek in the spring of 1858, wh'ch was dedicated July 11, of that year. The present fine building of this church was erected in 1883 and dedicated February 6, 1884.

The South Bend Congregational Church was organized December 11, 1859, in a vacant log cabin, belonging to Evan Evans (Pant) in South Bend village, by Eev. Jenkin Jenkins, assisted by Henry Hughes, who was then lay preacher. The charter members were: W. W. Davis and viie, Griffith Eoberts and wife, Thomas W. Evans, Edward Thomas, Sr. and wife, Edward Thomas, Jr., Mrs. John A. Jones, Mrs. D. C. Evans, Griffith Williams and wife, John G. Eoberts and wife, and Mrs. Jennette Jones, the latter being then received on confession of faith. In 1861 the present house of worship was erected and dedicated in June, 1863. Eev. Jenkins conlinued as pastor until March, 1870, when Kev. Griffith Samuel was put in charge. In 18 iG the church was joined to the Cambria church under the pastorate of Rev. T. G. Jones. This union continued during the pastorates of Rev. Wm. Powell (1881-5) and Humphrey Jones (1889- [Ki). The Sabbath School was kept up under the superintendency of W. W. Davis until his departure in 1895. In the meantime the Welsh membership had moved away or died and a new population that knew not the old Cambrian tongue liad taken their place.

In August, 1895, W. A. Whitcomb, a young theological student, had gathered to an English service the parents and children of the neighborhood, and on the 24th of that month he organized an English church with sixteen members, i^evs. F. M. Washburn, Wm. Griffith, E. L. Ileermance and Messrs. Roerback, Baldwin and J. A. Clark have each taken part in the work t.ince. The old church was repaired in 1904 under the energetic leadership of Mr. Baldwin and Rev. Ileermance and a reopening service held on August 6, 1904.

October 19, 1856, a Wesleyan Methodist C^hurch was organized at South Bend village by Kev. E. D. Price, which continued its service until the Indian outbreak.

About 1860 a Welsh Cal. Methodist Church was organized in the village, but after a few years it disbanded. In 1865 a Welsh Presbyterian Church was started and Rev. James M. Price ministered to it for a few years, when it, also, disbanded.

A Sunday School and preaching service have been maintained off and on for many years in the Spring Island neighborhood. There the renovraed pioneer M. E. preacher, Rev. J. W. Powell, spent the declining years of his life.

In South Bend is found the famous Minneopa Falls, which have been a noted pleasure resort for the past fifty years. Minneopa townsite was laid out beside it in 1870 by D. C. Evans and T. P. Gere. A depot, warehouse, store and lumber yard were conducted here for a few years. The store which was owned by Eev. Daniel Rowlands, burned March 2, 1881. During the seventies the place was noted for the great

M. E. camp meetings conducted there in June of each year. Rev. Powell was the main instigator of these meetings, some of which were attended by 4,000 to 5,000 people.

In 1888-9 the big artesian well on the farm cf Wm. R. Williams was sunk by a company, who were prospecting for natural gas. In April, 1905, the Legislature passed a bill establishing a state park at the picturesque falls, and in 1906-7 seventy acres of land on which they are situated were bought by the State, and several thousand dollars spent in improvements. J. B. Hodge was appointed its first keeper, and in 1907 he was succeeded by Wm. R. Williams. In 1S59 Miner Porter built a summer hotel on his farm adjoining the village of South Bend, which he called "Llinneineopa." In 1868 Mr. Porter greatly improved and beautified both hotel and grounds. Planting trees, shrubbery and flowers, building arbors, swings and artistic walks, and surrounding all with a tasty fence, v.ith high arching gateways. In the nineties the farm was purchased by W. W. P. McConnell and Mrs. D. A. Swan, who conducted thereon for several years a fine dairy of high bred Jersey cattle. The old house burned February 1, 1906. in 1857 LeHillier was platted as a townsite and a stone hotel and about two dozen houses built thereon. In 1889 Samuel C. and Geo. Pond laid out Riverside Park Addition adjoining LeHillier on the west. A brick yard was started here by 0. R. Mather, I. K. Flanagan, E. A. Gibson and S. C. Pond. This yard for many years has been owned and operated with good success by F. G. Pannenberg & Co. Excellent cement stone in inexhaustible quantity is iound underlying the tableland, which lies just i-ast of the old village of South Bend. This for some years has furnished all the material use3 by Mr. Carney in the manufacture of the well kno^^Ti Mankato Standard Cements. In South Bend is, also, found the famous blue and green clay, used as a pigment by the Indians, and mistaken for copper by the French, and from which is derived the names "Mankato" and "Blue Earth." In 1869 Buck, Sowers and Co. started the manufacture of stoneware at South Bend village from the clays there found, and it is very probable that the future will see the clays

Steeling

This town is located in the center of the sunthern tier of townships and is flanked by two large lakes^ which take up nearly 1,900 acres of its territory. On its eastern flank lies Lake Jjura, so designated, ft is said, by one of the early settlers from the name "Lura" being carved on a tree upon its shore. The name was probably taken from "Lura" township in Faribault County. It had two Indian names, "Tewapa (Water Lily) and "Ata'kinyan" or "Ksanksan'^ (crooked or irregular). Tewapa is a species of water lily having an edible root very abundant in this lake, and which roots were much used by the Indians for food. The other name of the lake was probably applied to it from its very irregular outline, or maybe from the crooked shape of its outlet. Rice Creek. Sometimes the two names were combined "Tewapajta'kinyan" (The Crooked lake of the water lilies). On the western flank of the town in found Jackson Lake, so called after Norman L. Jackson, the first settler of Shelby, who located upon its banks. Its Indian name was "Sinkpe" (Muskrat), from the fact that the southern half of its bed, being shallow, was thickly populated by these animals, whose rush-built homes literally covered that portion of the lake. The spot was noted among both the Indians and pioneers for trapping these fur bearing rats. Independence Creek, the outlet of this lake, and Rice Creek, the outlet of Lake Lura, flow through Sterling and empty into the Maple River, which passes through the northeast portion of the town. As stated elsewhere in this volume the first settlers were, Vespucius Highland, Horace -M. DeWolfe, and Dr. Hiram Harrington. In 1856 came the Mapleton Colony, the majority of whom made claims in this town. Among these were Robert Taylor, Wm. Wilde, Alexander Graig, Joseph Dobie, James G. Morris, Gilbert Webster, John Johnston, Dr. C. F. Francis. James Cornell, Artemus Stephens, John Dixon, John Mound, and R. A. Judd. Other early settlers were: Ezra Annis, James, Levi and Robert Boyer, Rev. Jacob- E. Conrad, George Clark, Robert Curry, A. J. Ellis, William Ellis, S. M. Kieth, Chas. H. Roberts, A. B. Re^d, M. M. Pratt, W. H. Johnston, Luke A. Cornell, Chas. Jones, Abram Moses, Wm. Randall, Alpheus M. Hewitt, Wm. Webb, John Price, Levi Lamp. Eev. N. A. Hunt, Wm. N. Bissell, Sylvanus E. Hicks, John J. and Henry J. Lewis, Stenor Olson, Wm. Russell, Josiah Russell, Bendt Pedcrson, Geo. Conrad, Andrew Anderson, Wm. S. 'ildredge, Aslec Torstensen, M. Munson, Solomon Harriman, Hiram Roberts, G. L. Rinehart, John Buel, Benjamin Stoner, Hugh Hazel, and Gideon B. and Geo. W. Doty. The present towns of Sterling, Mapleton and Danville were created into one election precinct under the name of "Mapleton" on July 9, 1856. The first officers were: Judges of election, Vespucius Highland. James Cornell and 0. B. Marsh; Justices, Robert Taylor and Albert A. Wessells; Constables,

Residence Of A. 0. Eberhart, Lieut. Governor

John Dixon and James Dobin; Eoad Supervisor, Wm. Wilde. The same territory was on the same date created into a new school district designated No. 5. When the towns were created and named in April, 1858, Sterling was called "Mapleton" and the present town of that name under the appellation of "Sherman"' was joined to it for administrative purposes. At a meeting held in December, 1859, it was decided to change the name to "Sterling." Eobert Taylor first suggested the name "Stirling" after the Scotch patriot, and urged it in this meeting; but Wm. Eussell contended for the name "Sterling"' an more appropriate and expressive of the quality of the soil and people, and the majority sided with him. The name is common as a place name in a number of the eastern states and this may have influenced the selection. On April 3, 1860, Sherman was detached and made into an independent town under the name "Mapleton." The first store was probably conducted by A. Wessells for the Mapleton Colony. The next store was started by Wm. Eussell, Sr., early in the sixties at his home on Eice creek. In fall of 1865 G. B. Doty built a two story frame building on the present site of Sterling Center. The lower story was occupied by Wm. Bissell with a store, while the upper story was used for a public hall and school room. He was succeeded by Henry Brink and he by Joseph Eusho.

In 1864 Eussell removed east of Eice creek and next year built a store a few rods still further east, near the present CongTCgational Church, and took his son into partnership. In October, 1867, Mr. Eussell bought three-fourths of an acre on the present site of Sterling Center and built thereon a store building which he occupied with his stock of goods and the postoffice. It stood nearly opposite the present town hall. In the fifties Middlebrook Bros, had built a saw mill on the Maple just beyond the east ]ine of Sterling. This mill burnt in Juno, 1863. Later McCormick and Smith put up a saw mill near the same place. Smith sold his interest in :\Iay, 1869, to Wm. McQueen. In 1868 Thomas Eandall built a store two miles southvs'est of this mill. A congregational Church had been erected in the summer of 186T at the same location. A school house and blacksmith shop were, also, located in ll:e same vicinity, and Dr. C. L. Francis, the pioneer physic;an of the town, resided here. All this gave the place a little prominence as a center, and it was designated "iliddletown." On the Maple at the outlet of Independence Creek in Section 9, Geo. W. Doty had built a mill and a few rods up the creek Gideon B. Doty had built another mill. Between the two mills was the old Bissell store building. In February, 1866, Geo. W. Doty sold his mill and site to Ezra Fuller and Allen Miller, who in turn disposed of it i;o Henry Spickerman, who operated it for many years. In August, 1860, Sterling postoff'ce was created with Wm. Eussell, Sr., as postmaster. At the close of the war, Josiah Eussell was appointed, but in December, 1866, he resigned and Wm. Eussell was reappointed. The office was first kept at the Eussell home, but after the store was started it was transferi'ed thereto and followed its migrations. When the store and office were located finally near the Spickerman and Doty mills, Mr. Eussell had the postofl'ice name changed to "Sterling Center," which became the name of this business point. Quite a rivalry occurred for some years between "Sterling Center" and "Middletown," and the t'lrmer was nicknamed "Gougeville" by its rival. In 1869 V\'m. Eussell sold his store to his sonin-law, Eev. E. 0. Burnham, father of Cap't Fred M. Burnham, the noted British Scout. In June, 1870, the store burned. The Eusho Bros, about this time opened a store in the old Doty building, which was now owned by the school district, and in March, 1871, they sold their stock to Thos. Eandall and Wm. Ellis, who for two and a half years conducted the business under the firm name of Eandall & Ellis. In the fall of 1873 Mr. Ellis sold out to his partner and in the spring of 1874 built a new two story building, 18x24. a few rods southeast of the old site, and started therein a second store. Eandall had succeeded Eussell as postmaster in 1871 and continued in business at the old stand until 1880, when he removed to Amboy. In 1875 Wm. Ellis was appointed postmaster and held the office in connection with his store until the fall of 1903, when he sold to Geo. H. Perry. He was succeeded by W. Barnes, who in turn sold the business in July, 1905, to M. B. Mandell, who removed it to Mapleton in the spring of 1908.

AVm. R. Johnston had a blacksmith shop at Sterling Center during the seventies, but sold out in March, 1886, to Chas. Troy. He was succeeded b}' Joe Latourell. The Present blacksmith is Richard Koul.

In January, 1880, W. G. Furnham bought the Spickerman mill at Sterling Center, and ran it ofE and on for a few years. Mrs. G. W. Rima opened a millinery at the "Center." January 1, 1867, a contemporary wrote: "Sterling has about 120 voters, all Americans except 31. Of the latter 10 are Norwegians, 4 Scotch, 3 English, 3 Canadian, 2 Irish. It has five school houses, three of which have had eight months school each, last year. There are two good Sunday schools and preaching at two school houses nearly every Sunday. The Baptist, Congregationalists and Methodists have church organizations, and the Congregationalists have just enclosed a new large building to be completed in the spring. This is the oldest religious organization in the town, dating almost from the first settlement. The town contains, also, one store, and two mills."

Jacob C. Morris was the first white child born in the town, his birth occurring in the winter of 1856-7. The first school was taught by Elisha Horton at the cabin of Joseph Dobie on Section 5, in the summer of 1857. Tuition was charged to pay the teacher. At the same time another private school was conducted at the home of James Little in Section 10 with Isabella VcinNice as teacher. The first settlers of this town were mostly of the best American stock and above the average in intelligence and culture. Good schools were started by them early, and literary and religious societies organized. The educational atmosphere, which gave tone to Ihe town from the beginning, has resulted in Sterling furnishing the largest quota of young men for the professions of any town in the county. As early as 1880 the town had produced forty-three teachers. It has given the ministry five or six prominent clergymen. Among whom are Rev. A. Z. Conrad, D. D. of Boston, Mass., Rev. W. 0. Conrad of Harrisville, N. H., Rev. Eugene P. Hunt of Maynard, Mass., Rev. W. Sherman Hunt of Pocattello, Ida. To the medical world it has given Dr. Wm. Morris of

N. Y., Dr. D. Winslow Hunt of Glendale, Cal., and Dr. Fred N. Hunt of Blue Earth City, Minn. Others have taken up legal and educational work. During the eighties there was special activity along the line of literary and debating societies. In school house No. 30 the "Y. P. M. I." society held forth. At the Sterling Center school was organized the "S. C. M. L. Society." "The -Lura literary Society," "The Ridge Lyceum" and "The Old Mapleton Literary Society," furnished opportunities for literary and forensic culture in their several localities. The societies sometimes met each other m debating contests. Monthly papers were issued, such as the "Sterling Chief," "The Torpedo," "'The Lura Lake Echo," etc. Among the leaders were: EUiam Johnston, Jud. Cornell, C. L. Benedict, Manfred Benedict, Wm., John, and Geo. Johnston, Allie and Mary Roberts, Chas. and Geo. Stevens, Byron Mitchell, A. J. Hollenbeck, Robert Taylor, A. J. and Robert Ellis, Harry and Geo. Ackerman, James and Andy Howieson, J. L. Stevens, John Drews, Wm. Roberts, Geo. Conrad, 0. T. Oleson, Alice Benedict, Emma Lewis, Emily Cornell, Nellie and Lizzie Johnston, Sarah Stevens, C. D. Geddes and H. J. Lewis. There are now four public school buildings in the town, besides the Parochial school house of the Norwegian Lutherans. The now famous "Blue Earth Valley Burns Club," was started by Joseph Dobie at his own home in Sterling township, on December 35, 1866. Mr. Dobie was president of the club for many years and it usually met at his home or at the home of James Ellis. The club generally met at Sterling until within the past ten years, when for convenience it has been removed to Mapleton.

Fourth of July celebrations, church, Sunday school and lodge picnics have frequently gathered on the banks of Lura Lake, and for some twenty years or more a public Christmas tree function was observed at the halls in Sterling Center. It originated with the local grange in 1875. In 1385 a town hall was built, which was destroyed by fire, and the present town hall erected in 1892.

ganization reads as follows : "The "undersigned met at the Franklin School House on July 12, 1857, and made request to be organized into a Congregational church. On August 4, 1857, they met and after adopting rules and articles of faith they were duly organized into a Congregational church by Eev. Eichard Hall and Egv. Jacob E. Conrad.

In 1863 Eev. Nehemiah A. Hunt became the pastor of this church. A church building was firocted in 1867 at Middletown, which was dedicated on January 10, 1868, Eev. Huiit preaching the dedication sermon from 1 Kings 7 : 51 and 8:27. May 13, 1882, under the pastorship of Eev. 0. 0. Eundell the church was made a legal body with the following trustees: Wm. McQueen, James Morris, James Ellis, John Johnston and Abraham Moses, and John Taylor as clerk. July 23, 1882, it celebrated its twentyfifth anniversary, Eevs. Conrad, Hunt and Pratt officiating. These men had all ministered to the church, and the first two were residents of Sterling for many years. The church was, also, served for several years by various pastors from Mapleton and Amboy. In time, however, its membership became so diminished by death and removals that the church disbanded for a time and sold the building. It was first sold to Eev. Parr of Mapleton on June 18, 1897. To save it from being removed from the neighborhood or destroyed, John T. Morris purchased it in 1902 and in 1904 it was repurchased by the com- .mmity, removed to its present location on the farm of Geo. B. Lamp, and rededicated to its original divine purpose. Union services are now regularly held therein. At Sterling Center the >I. E., Presbyterians and other denominations have maintained Sunday schools and preaching .-ervices at the hall off and on since the earliest period.

The western end of Sterling is occupied by a very thrifty Norwegian settlement. They are an excellent class of people - industrious, honest, and religious. They belong to the Lutheran faith. The first two settlers' were Andrew E. Anderson and Abraham Estvold, who came from Keokuk, iowa, and located on the banks of Jackson Lake in 1857. In 1859 they were joined by Bendt Pederson and Andrew A. Dahl from Hesbor, la. From the same place came in 1861, Stenor 01- i;(:n, Ole Jorgeson, Bendt, Eilef and Johannes Lief. In 1862 came Aslak Torstenson and Aslak Storkeson from Dane Co., Wis. The first Norwegian sermon was preached by Eev. Frederickson in Bendt Pederson's log cabin in 1859. Eev. B. J. Muus preached at the same cabin in 1360 and Eev. L. M. Bjorn in 1861. May 25, 1862, the Congregation was organized by Eev. MuuB at the home of Kute Thomson, over the line in Delevan Township. Stenor Olson was chosen the first delegate from the church to the "Norwegian Lutheran Synod of America." The legal organization of the church occurred March :i5, 1864, by the following corporate members.

The three last being trustees. The organization was named "The Jackson Lake Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church." Eev. Muus and Eev. T. L. Johnson of Nicollet County continued to serve the church as pastors off and on from its organization until 1867. December 8, 1867, Eev. T. H. Dahl began his labors as the first settled pastor, and continued until 1876. May 21, 1871, the corner stone of the present house of worship was laid, but the superstructure was not completed until 1879. The dedication service was conducted by Eev. Muus on July 8, of that 3'ear. A number of young men connected with this church had just organized themselves into what was called the "Jackson Lake Band." This band added to the joy of the occasion by its music.

Early in. his pastorate, Eev. Dahl started a parochial school in the parish at a farmer's log cabin. This school continued at private houses until District No. 32, built a frame school house, when the old log school house was purchased by the Norwegians for their church school. In 1891j the present frame structure was built for this school. May 30, 1902, the fortieth anniversary of the organization of the church was celebrated with great rejoicing in the grove by Mrs. Mary Anderson's home on Jackson Lake. Since the departure of Eev. Dahl in 1876, the church has been yoked with the Norwegian church at Mankato in its pastoral supply. The names and dates of the pastors are as follows: Eev. M. Borge, 1876-'84, Eev. K. G. Fagre, 1884-'87, Eev. A. G. H. Overn, 1887-'92, Eev. H. Allen, 1892-'94, Eev. B. Hove, 1894-'01, Eev. J. E. Ingebritson, 1901-'04, and Eev. Nils Norgaard, 1904, to present time.

Veenon Centee

The first white man to settle in Vernon Center was isreal \iing, who located in Section 26, m the spring of 1855. Other settlers of that 3'ear were: Kobert Marley, James Taylor, Thos. JJoak, Joseph McClanahan, Alexander Arledge, ijarcus L. Elumb, Marcus L. Johnson, John Darling, (Jyrus i'oot, Geo. Keenan, Eobert Hopper, Asa Barney, Chas. liarney and Matthew Gallager. In 1856, came Christian Detamore, Elnathan Kendall, Horton W. Nelson, David Carpenter, C. C. Washburn, Malon Warren, Lory and Solomon Harriman, Lucian, Nathan and Wm. Bass, Harney G. Browning, Geo. W., Eichard M., Martin V. and Lewis C. Johnson, Solomon Halmick, John Miller, Jonathan Leavitt. Among the settlers of 1857 were Col. B. P. Smith, Benjamin McCracken, Thos. Ha\e, Ezra Cooper, Franklin Barnes, Elias Carpenter, Levi Cord, Elkanah Davis, Edward Dolan, John P. Dooley, Ed. and Peter Webber and Chas. W. Beckwith. Other early settlers were: Theodore Sowers, Hon. E. T. Champlin, Peter Mertesdorf, John and E. C. Wilber, E. D. Cornish, S. H. and S. E. Grannis, L. S. Terry, A. M. Hannay, Martin Conroy and S. J. Nimms.

For about a year the town formed a part of Shelby precinct. In the winter of 1856-'57 a townsite company was formed at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, called "The Blue Earth Company." Two of its most active promoters were Col. Benjamin F. Smith and Benjamin McCracken, and its object was to start a town on the Blue Earth river in our County. To this end McCracken came to Blue Earth County early in the spring of 1857, as agent for the company and bargained for a section of land in Sections 26, 27, 34 and 35 of Vernon. In June, 1857, he had M. B. Haynes survey and plat a townsite on this land. About this time Col. B. F. Smith arrived on the scene to aid in developing the new enterprise. He brought with him the machinery for a saw mill, which the company had purchased at Mt. Vernon, il. B. Haynes and his father, Eeuben Haynes, were induced to buy a half interest in the mill, which was erected in the fall and winter of 1857, and operated by Smith and Haynes until about the time of the Indian outbreak.

July 8, 1857, the town was made into a separate election precinct called "Vernon'' at the instigation of Col. Smith and i\Ir. iVicCracken, after iMt. Vernon, Ohio. The first election was held at McCracken's house, and Horton \V'. jS;elson, C. C. Mack and T. B. Northrup were the Judges of election. The townsite was, also, called " V ernon" and the plat made by Mr. Haynes was executed on May 5, 1858, by B. F. Smith, as agent of the company, Henry Shaubut, James Connell, as secretary and Benjamin McCracken as trustee of the company. Early in the spring of 1858, Col. Smith erected, from the first lumber sawed at the mill, a fair sized frame hotel, of which he was the first landlord. The same year a postofiice was created, with John P. Dooley as first postmaster. The first school was taught in a small building built by James Connell for an ofiice, by Miss Henrietta Smith in the fall of 1868. The spring of 1859, a frame school house was built and during the summer Miss Phoebe Haynes taught the first school therein. For the first year of its existence, Vernon yillage had a formidable rival located upon the Blue Earth about two miles above, on Section 34 and called "Montevideo." This townsite was started in July, 1857, by Horton W. Nelson, Jonathan Leavitt and others. A mill was erected there by Caleb Leavitt, and Jacob L. Taylor in the fall of that year, which was operated until November, 1858, when it was removed to Madelia. Horton W. Nelson began the erection of a hotel, but after the removal of the mill, it was abandoned,, and the town fell through.

The Smith and Haynes saw mill at Vernon was operated until about 1862, by its owners. About 1859, B. F. Smith purchased of A. N. Dukes at Mankato, a stock of goods which he took to Vernon and opened a store there, which he put in charge of his son, John S. Smith, who in November, 1861, succeeded Mr. Dooley as postmaster.

Col. Smith continued to run the hotel until the fall of 18()3, when for two or three years it became a soldier's barracks. In 1860, Wm. and David Post opened a store which was run by Wm. Post until his death, during the Indian trouble. In 1863, Theodore Sowers was appointed postmaster and held the office for about three years, durmg which period his home on top of the blutt south of the village was a stopping place for the Mankato and Blue Earth stages, as well as for the traveling public. A. 0. PerJdns succeeded Mr. bowers as postmaster and was sacceedeU by Mrs. Elizabeth JL)rake.

\\'m. McCracken was the first blacksmith in the village, having a sliop there prior to the Sioux outbreak. in 186?, J. i). Blanchard opened a blacksmith and wagon shop there, which he still conducts, being now sole business occupant of old Vernon. About 1865, Mason and Perkins started a general store at the village. About the same year Franklin Barnes leased the old \ ernon hotel. A. D. Mason then took charge of it for a short time, and in July, 1867, was succeeded by E. F. Beebe, who in turn was succeeded in April, 1868, by A. 0. and T. L. Perkins, who as early as 1866, had succeeded Mason & Perkins In the mercantile business, and A. 0. Perkins had been made postmaster. In 1869, John Morrow took charge of the hotel. After his death in the fall of that year, the old hostelery was kept by various parties until about 1883. After standing vacant for a number of years, it was finally sold to Deforest Carpenter, who removed it to his farm and fitted it up for a barn. Its massive frame of solid oak is still good for a hundred years.

In April, 1863, Captain Sullivan's company of the 10th Minnesota, while stationed at Vernon during the Indian outbreak, fitted up the Smith-Haynes saw mill and out of the hundreds of logs piled in the yard about it, sawed a large quantity of timber, eight inches thick, wherewith they built a good stockade around the hotel and store. Much of the timber was of the finest black walnut and oak in the country. The stockade was used by the settlers as a place of refuge during the Indian scare.

That Minnesota was truly the Gopher state, the annuals of Vernon in 1864, well attest, for it is recorded that on May 20, of that year the inhabitants of the town held a big gopher hunt and 1276 of the pests were slaughtered. The hunters were divided into two companies, each with a captain, and the company which brought

May 18, 1885, the Smith-Haynes mill, which had been leased by AVm. Reed, burned. During the summer of the same year, Mason and Reed built a new saw mill just above the present wagon bridge. In the spring of 1867 G. W. Doty built a new water power grist mill on the .^ite of the old Smith-Haynes mill, and the following December sold a half interest to Alex. AVestover. The following August, R. Hoover purchased this mill. In April, 1868, Franklin }>arnes purchased the interest of Wm. Reed in the lower mill and the firm became "Mason and Barnes." These mills changed owners about every year for a time. In 1882 Cap't J. R. Randall became proprietor of the grist mill. During the winter of 1885-6 the flour mill was ]'cbuilt as a roller mill of seventy-five barrels capacity by Randall and Kimble. The next spring C. M; Green bought Randall out and completed the improvements and the firm of Green and Kimble ran the mill for some years.

In the spring of 1866 Thurston & Schuler had a store at old Vernon. In 1867, Henry Schuler sold his interest to G. G. Young. At the same time A. 0. and J. B. Perkins ran a store there. In 1868 B. Sherwood opened a small store. From 1873 to 1879, E. W. Washburn was engaged in mercantile business at the old town, and was appointed postmaster there in March, 1876, to succeed Mrs. Drake. On his removal to the new town in 1879, A. 0. Perkins succeeded him as postmaster.

When the Blue Earth branch of the C. St. P. M. and 0. Ry. was built in 1879, it passed by Vernon about half a mile to the east, and a new townsite was laid out on the north side of the river by Elnathan Kendall in August, 1879, called "Vernon Center." The railway company laid out another small townsite adjoining the Kendall town called "East Vernon." The new station and town were at first called "Edgewood." For two or three years there was a warm contest between the two towns. But the railway station gave the new town the sure advantage, which in a short time made it the vicior. In March, 1881, Edgewood won from old

Vernon the distinction of being the place for holding future town elections by a vote of 94 to 48. The same year it secured the site for the new Baptist church. September 30, 1883, the old school house in Vernon burned and Edgewood was successful in having the new school house built in her borders. In July, 1883, a new postofEice called "Edgewood" was created with E. W. Washburn as postmaster. In 1885, J. B. Pierce, who had been the main champion of the old town and its only storekeeper, moved his stock to the new town, and the two postofiices were consolidated under the name of "Vernon Center" with Mr. Pierce as postmaster. This practically ended the fight. The name of the new village had been changed first in October, 1881, to "Vernon Center," but the name "Edgewood" was not entirely dropped until 1885. Among the first merchants of the new town besides E. W. Washburn were Franklin Barnes and Hiram R. Barnard. In 1885, H. W. Thew ' opened a hardware there. Another hardware was opened soon afterwards by Ira Warren. A. W. Petrich,' also, built a store, occupying the first story with his merchandise and using the upper fiory for a hall. July, 1886, E. W. Washburn sold out to C. M. Lathrop. About the same time Jklward Kendall had a harness shop, George Halverson, a shoe shop and Frank Bosh, a blacksmith shop. Dr. Oliver H. McMichaels ij'rst located in old Vernon in May, 1871, and later moved to the new town. He still continues The beloved physician of the community. In 1894, Barnes, Morrow & Morrison built a new general store. Warren & Kendall had a general store about the same time. In February, ]899, E. W. Washburn bought out Kendall. In 1896, Porter Bros, purchased the Thew hard- ^^'are business, which they sold later to Faley. Hiram E. Young for many years has had a blacksrjiith shop. Cooper and Day started a hardware and farm implement store. Babcock, Robinson and Cornish have each served as village innkeepers. S. H. Grannis did much in developing the creamery and grain markets, having started about the first creamery in the county. In Au- 1 gust, 1889, A. W. Petrick was appointed postmaster to succeed J. B. Pierce. He was in turn succeeded by Dr. 0. H. McMichaels in May,

On May 20, 1897, the "Vernon Center News" was started by M. H. Galer, who has conducted ihe paper to the present time. In August, 1900, a rural free delivery was established from Vernon. In August, 1899, the mill owned by Mrs. Green was struck by lightning and burned, and in 1906 a new mill was erected by Lawrence W. Kimball of which he is still manager. The Vernon Center State Bank was incorporated _ December 12, 1904, with a capital of $10,000.00. F. H. Barnes was its first president and A. E. Quimby its first cashier. In October, 1899, Warren & Washburn built their brick block. In January, 1900, Vernon Center was made an independent school district and a fine new brick school house was completed in the fall of 1902 at a cost of about $18,000.00. Some say Eev. J. W. Powell conducted the first religious services in the town in 1857, others say Eev. C. L. Taylor of Shelbyville, preached the first sermon. About 1858, the United Brethren began holding services at the home of C. C. Washburn under the auspices of Eev. Joseph Cassellman. Later Revs. Clow, Gardner and Boolrwalter continued ihe work, and a church was organized and a parsonage erected in 1868, when the board of trustees comprised the following persons: C. C. Washburn, Isaac L. BookTi-alter, Geo. Harriman, A. Webster, and A. Robinson. Nov. 23, 1872, the church was legally incorporated by the appointment of the following trustees: C. C. Washburn, A. 0. Perkins, I. H. Gardiner, Geo. Harriman and C. Lewis. After a few years the church disbanded. About 1867, a Congregational church was organized by Eev. N. A. Hunt, comprsed of six members as follows: Geo. Boler and wife, M. B. Haynes and wife and Eonald Morrison and wife. In a few years this church ceased to exist.

The M. E. Church started very early in Vernon. January 13, 1866, it became a legal body under the pastorship of Eev. S. A. Chubbuck, l)y the selection of the following trustees: Wm. Bead, Samuel H. Grannis, Benoni Farley, Horton W. Nelson and Wm. M. -Buck. In 1866, a c'lurch building was erected at a cost of about

$1,200.00, which was completed and dedicated in March, 1867. All the denominations had really united in the building of this house of ^'orship, and for a time it was used as a union church. In the summer of 1887 a new church vvas built at A'ernon Center, the strong oaken frame of the old church being used in construction of the new. March 21, 1896, the society incorporated as "Grace M. E. Church of Vernon Center" and the following trustees were appointed by Presiding Elder John Stafford : J. H. Thew.' S. W. Snyder, W. H. Horton, E. L. AVarren, H. W. Thew, H. H. HoUister, F. E. Lovell, G. F. Grannis and F. H. Barnes. The church is still doing good work.

The Baptist Church was organized November 14, 1868, by Eev. A. Case and Eev. C. A. Stone. The society was incorporated at a meeting held at the house of D. G. Wilworth on April 19, 1880, when the following persons were chosen trustees: A. C. Wilber, Geo. Green and E. W. 'Washburn. A church building was erected in 1881 and dedicated on October 8, 1882, when Rev. J. W. Whitney of Mankato preached the sermon. This church is, also, a live religious body, doing faithful work. The village of Vernon Center was incorporated on August 2, 1899, by a -(-ote of 42 to 34. A census taken March olst that year showed the population to be 2o^. In 1907 a system of water works was constructed at a cost of $9,000.00. The village now has four grain elevators, one flour mill, one lumber yard, one bank, one hotel, two churches, one newspaper and numerous stores and shops.

The temperance sentiment of the village has always been quite strong, and with the exception of two or three years, no saloons have been allowed.

The town has five good school houses outside of the village, which have sent out a number of young men and women, who have made their mark in the professions. Among these are Geo. "^V. Champlain and Francis V. Cornish, both prominent attorneys and Dr. Edwin Cornish.

County Commissioners

Elijah K. Bangs, appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation of D. C. Evans July 7, 1856, held office until January 1, 1857. Served again from January 1, 1858 to May, 1858.

When the State law first went into effect the Board of County Commissioners was done away with and u. Board of County Supervisors substituted. The latter board was composed of the chairmen of the various boards of town supervisors.

"We have given a list of these elsewhere in this history. January 1, 1860 this board was abolished and the Board of County Commissioners restored.

Poor Farm Overseers

*The office of County Superintendent of Schools was rreat<>d by an Act of the Legislature approved March 3d, 1864, wliich left the matter of coming under the law at all optional with the commissioners of each county. The office was to be filled by appointment of the Board and the salary fixed by it. Our County Board voted to adopt the provisions of the law on Jlay 3d, 1864, and fixed the amount of the salary

NOTE: - Prior to the Census of 1870, Cambria was enumerated with Butternut Valley, Lincoln with Ceresco, Pleasant Mound with Shelby and Decoria with Beauford- In 1860 Winnebago A gency was counted with Mankato Towship. and Sterling with Mapleton. In the foregoing table, where no figures are given for any village, it is enumerated as a part of the township wherein located. According to a census taken in October 1867. preparator.y to the admission of Minnesota as a state. Blue Earth County had a population of 3.629; of whinh 922 were in the village of Mankato, 632 in Mankato township and Winnebago Agency, and the remaining 2,075 in the rest of the counts. In 1860 there were 1,137 families in the county, in 1865, 1,706; in 1875, 3,899; in 1886, 4.913; in 1890, 5,806, and in 1900. 6,779. Prior to 1875 two-thirds of our population lived on farms. By 1891 not more than one-half lived on farms- In 1905 there was about one-fourth more in the Cit.v of Mankato and the villages than on the farms. In 1900 there were 3.171 farm homes. 1,526 of which were free from encumbrance and occupied b,y their owners, 926 were encumbered and occupied by their owners, 649 were occupied by tenants, and 70 were unknown. The same year there were 3,553 other than farm homes; 1,449 of which were occupied b.y their owners and free of encumbrance. 476 occupied by owners and encumbered, l,4l9 occupied by tenants and 183 unknown. In 1905 there were 3,247 farmers in the county and 6,291 engaged in other occupations as follows: Skilled laborers - 1,473; Common laborers - 2,687; Lumbtrmen - 4; Merchants - 416; Kailroad emplo.vees - 262; Liquor dealers - 87; Clerks, Agents and Salesmen - 705; Professional men - 237; Teachers - 407 : Capitalists - 4; Unclassifled - 109. Of those enumerated in the last Cen.sus 18,787 were born in Minnesota, 6,043 in the other states of the Union. 3-02S in Germany, 817 in Norway, 783 in Sweden, Wales 352. Canada 310, Ireland 252, Denmark 220, England 177. Austria 88, Scotland 62. and all other countries 309. The birthplaces of the fathers of those enumerated in the last census were: United States - 14.440, Germany - 7,562. Norway - 2,519, Sweden - 1,828. Wales - 1,241, Ireland - 1,142, Canada - 598, EDgland-587, Denmark-462, Scotland - 275 and all other countries - 571.

Under date of May nth, 1865, our County Commissioners passed the following Kesulution : "Eesolved that the County of Blue Earth will pay the sum of two hundred dollars for each and every Sioux Indian hereafter killed within the limits of the County until this resolution shall be recinded, said sum or sums to be paid to the peison or persons killing the same, in the orders of said County, upon the production to the board of County Commissioners of said County at any meeting thereof the scalp of said Indian and proof to the satisfaction of such board that such Sioux Indian was killed b.v the person or persons claiming pa.y thereof within the limits of this County and after the passage of this Resolution."

It may be hard to distinguish the foregoing resolution from such a one as might have been passed b.v a council of Little -Crow's select Warriors - especially that portion, which requires the claimant to scalp his human victim, and bring the grewsome, gory trophy in his belt to feast the e.ves of the County's angust representatives therewith It certainl.y shows how near of kin we, with all our boasted civilization, are to the savage, when really put to the test- But the resolution was passed in very trying days - at the close of a terrible Indian massacre, attended with all the diabolical torture of innocent women and children, and immediately after the atrocious murder of the .lewett family in our own County, No application was ever made of the resolution and its very exist ance was soon forgotten, and for that reason remained unrepealed until March 20, 1872. This is the only page in the long annals of the doings of our County Commissioners which Is soiled with an unchristian spirit, while the pages devoted to deeds of kindness, in ministering to the poor and unfortunate are without number. More than half a million dollars has been paid out b.v our County to public charity during its history, and about as much more has been distributed by our churches, lodges and private charities.

Total School Houses

NOTE: - Tn the above table, while separate sets of figures are given for certain items opposite some years for winter and summer terms and opposite others for independent and common schools, under other items opposite these same years but one set of figures is given. Tn such cases the one set of figures are intended to cover both summer and winter or independent and common as the case may be. The Cit.v of Mankato is a special school district but for brevit.v in above table it is classed among the independent districts. The Independent School IJistricts are: Ambo.v, Garden City, Lake Cr.vstal and Mapleton. It will be noticed that in 1861 there was but one frame school house in the count.v. In 1869 the frame and log buildings were about eaual, and with 1888 the last log structure disappeared. It, also, appears that there has been a decided falling off of late years in the number of male teachers, though wages have gradually advanced. It further appears that since the seventies the number of persons between five and twent.v-one .vears of age in our county has not kept pace with the increase of our population. Families of eight to ten children are becoming less common, while families having no children and those having but two or three are more frequent in both town and country. Hence in the countr.v districts, into which there has been but little immigration, the number of children of school age have decreased considerably. To show the great increase in e.xpenditure for school purposes we select a few ave-t age years; I861 - $1,282.00; 1868 -$';4.45i.78; 1872 - $58,603.98; 1875-$67.502.15; 1883 - $67,416.24 ; 1895 - Independent Districts; .'648,124.00. Common: $.56,973.01. Total $105.097 01: 1900 - Independent: $43,553.05, Common: $.52,686.6i, Total $96,239.67; 1905-Independent: $50,777.20. Common: $6-;.- 000.34, Total, $112,777.64; 1908-Independent: $66,802.01; Common; $61,7«8.15, Total, $128,570.16.