Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 49, 1882

Chapter 49

This township is on the northern tier in Fillmore county, the second from the eastern boimdary, and separated from it by Rnshford. The town of Holt is on the south, Pilot Mound on the west, and Winona county on the north. In size and form it is identical with the original government survey. Boot River cuts across the southeast corner of the town, involving sections twenty - five, twenty-six, thirty-four, and thirty-five. Along this river extends its valley, and back, at I varying distances, are the bluffs.

The town is diversified with prairie, timber, hill and dale in picturesque variety. It is quite well settled with a thrifty class of farmers. There are two principal branches of Root River coming in from the northwest. A little stream from Winona county dips down into sections two, three, and four. The uplands require deep wells to secure water from the ground, and cisterns are resorted to, and surface po^ds, which are made by excavating cavities to retain the water between rains. There are exceptional cases where shallow wells can be successfully sunk. This is the case on the farm of Mrs^ John Currie, on section eight, where there are three wells of a moderate depth. Another well near these is 176 feet deep. Mr. J. Ferguson Jias a well only fourteen feet deep, while j Mr. Alexander Ferguson has one 237 feet, and Mr. D. Currie one 267 feet. So that it can be seen that any prognostications as to the depth required to sink a well to secure a supply of water, is like guessing on the weather, decidedly imcertain.

somewhat rough and rather lightly wooded. Along the Root River, as already intimated, it is quite uneven, and there are few settlers, except those who have lately arrived from Norway and cannot yet speak English. The whole town is mostly occupied by Norwegian settlers, who are well situated financially, and are industrious and intelligent, forming a desirable community.

Early Settlement

Asleck Anderson seems to be entitled to the distinction of being the first Caucasian to locate within the territory of Arendahl. His birth was in Norway, and he came to Illinois in 1835, and the next year removed to within about fifteen miles ' southeast of Beloit, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1854, he came to this town aud secured a local habitation in section twelve. A part of his farm was sold to P. P. Peterson, and a part to Even Olson, his sons-in-law, and about 1873, he removed to Peterson, where he still lives in an enfeebled condition.

Osmund Rolufson, also a Scandinavian, came here from Highland Prairie in 1855, and planted himself on section five. He died ten years afterwards.

The same year, 1855, quite a party arrived from Wisconsin, who had previously come from the **old country,'' the particular part of which will be recognized by their names, which were as follows : Andrew Olson-Olnestad; Andrew Olson-Lodahl; Lars Olson-Lrjdahl; Hans Augundson, and An- 1 drew Ericson. This quintette will be traced briefly as to their first location and subsequent movements as far as it may be of public interest.

The first, A. O. Olnestad, located in section twenty -nine, and in 1867 or '68, removed to Iowa, and from thence to Washington Territory about four years ago, where he still lives.

Lara Olflon-Lodahl was bom in Norway on the 3d of March, 1829. In 1852, came to Dane county, Wisconsin, and bought a farm which he disposed of two years later, and in the spring of

1855, came and took 160 acres in section thirty. He had been married in the spring of 1854, to Miss Anna Nelson, and they have ten children, some of whom are married and live in Dakota. The eldest, Ole, has a store at Wahpeton. A daughter lives with her husband in Iowa.

Hans Augundson was bom in Norway on the 24th of June, 1824. Was clerk in a grocery store for three years, and in 1853 came as far as Dane county, Wisconsin. On coming to this town he took 160 acres in sections thirty-one and thirtytwo. In 1853 he was imited in marriage with Martha Ludvig. They have seven children.

Knud Thorwaldson, another early settler, was bom in Norway in 1828, came to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1852, and in 1854, took 160 acres in the town of Norway in this county, remaining one year, when he secured a claim in this town, in section five, which he has recently sold preparatory to removal to Dakota, where a number of his children have preceded him.

1856, with his family, pre-empted a place in section nine. He named the town in remembrance of old associations, secured a Post-office and was the first Postmaster.

Duncan McConochie, a Highland Scotchman, came ma Upper Canada and fixed himself in section eighteen. In 1877, he removed to Pilot Mound. He was a leading citizen.

Harold Olson, came to Wisconsin in 1847, from Norway, where he was bom in 1814, and kept a tavem for eleven years. In 1857 he arrived in this town and bought 160 acres in section three, where his son Ole now resides. In 1868, he purchased for himself the placQ where he still lives.

Holver Olson, in 1825, was bom in Norway, and in 1850, arrived at that relay county in Wisconsin, and stopped over for about three years, or long enough to be married, when he went to Green county, Wisconsin. In 1855, he came and secured a claim in Winona county. In 1856, he sold this and bought a claim in section eight, in Arendahl, and the next

In the fall of 1855, another quintette of Norwegians dawned upon the scene to secure homes in this new Territory and to grow up with the country. They were Svend Thompson-Hustoft and his son Lars, Christian Johnson, Nels A. GuUickson, and Harold Olson. They came together and bought land and returned, to come back in the spring of 1856. Thompson and his son will be more fully mentioned in the regular biographies.

Christian Johnson, who appears among the early records as Johan, was bom in Norway, and came to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, in 1848, and to Minnesota as above stated, and purchased a place in section thirteen, 120 acres. He was married in 1852, to Miss Betsey Thompson. He died some time in the sixties. Was a very prominent man, and one of the first town officers. His widow subsequently married Lars Knudson.

Nels A. Gullickson, was bom on the 20th of August, 1826, and came to America in 1846, and brought his aged father, along with his two brothers and one sister. The old gentleman^s name was Gullick Gullickson. Nels A. was married to Miss Sarah Thompson in 1855, and they had thirteen children, of which nine are now living. They came to Wisconsin in 1854, and in 1856, to this town, where 120 acres was secured in section two, where he still resides. In 1864, his house was burned. Has been town and school treasurer.

One of the first in the southeast part of town was Michael Mead, a son of the Emerald Isle, who reported here in person from Galena, Hlinois, in 1857, and located in section twenty -six. In 1864, he disposed of his place and removed to Winona county, and has since transplanted himself in Dakota.

Andrew Ellingson-Bothun was introduced into this world in Norway in 1834, came to Wisconsin, in 1860, and pushed on to Arendahl and procured 160 acres of land in section thirty-one. He died on the 9th of December, 1881.

Andras G. Mai an, arrived in Columbia county, Wisconsin, in 1848. In 1854, was united in marriage with Miss Bertha E. Boyum, a sister of Rev. A. E. Boyum. Came to Arendahl hi 1860, and procured 120 acres of land in sections four and nine. Has been a successful farmer and owns several hundred acres.

Duncan Ferguson, a native of Scotland, born in 1796, was a farmer and fisherman. In 1824, he came to Canada, and in 1862, with his wife and youngest son, Alexander, found his way to Arendahl. His other sons had secured a farm for him in section seven. He was an active old gentleman in church matters, being of the Presbyterian faith, but paid little attention to town affairs. He died on the 3d of January, 1881, and his wife died on the 19th of April following.

M. W. Dodd. This man came from Wisconsin, in .1861, and secured large tracts of land in the northwestern part of the town. He was an extensive wheat grower during the war, and afterwards sold the land to various parties. In 1867 or '68, he removed to Chatfield and afterwards to Freebom county. His residence was where John Peterson now lives, who bought of him 280 acres on section nine.

Eric E. Torsnes arrived in 1857, and at first made his home with Lewis Tverson, but in 1869, got on to section twenty -nine, where he now lives.

Albert Anderson arrived here in 1857, after a sojourn of a year or so in Wisconsin. With his father he procured school land, 160 acres, in section sixteen. He married Martha Thompson on the 24th of June, 1865.

This quite extended list embraces most of the early settlers, but of course it is not intended to be a complete roll of all the pioneers, for only a census taken at the time and carefully preserved could do that.

An Indian Village

When the white settlers arrived, they found a deserted Indian village, made up of about forty houses, quite well and comfortably constructed of Elm bark, and secured by cords made of the inner part of the same material. Some of them were as large as 60x40 feet, and some 20x20 feet. It was located on section thirty-five, on a table near the river, on the north half of the southeast quarter.

Some or the settlers utilized the best of the bark of which these lodges were composed, to construct their own dwellings, and some of this material is still in use. The name of this village, or who occupied it, is unknown here, but the tribe must have been the Winnebago, and not the Sioux, because in those times the tepee, or wigwam of that hunting tribe, was covered with skins, and not vnth bark. This being one among the few relics of the people who were here only a few short years ago, as the immediate predecessors of the present occupants of their old hunting grounds, it indeed seems sad that the name, even of their abiding place, should be blotted out of existence.

During the early days of colonizing the fibot River valley, when there was a steady oncoming tide of people, mostly from the East, the mania for surveying and platting cities was epidemic all along this frontier, and so a city was prvgected on sections twenty-five and twenty-six, on the banks of the Root River. It was laid out in the most charming way, and given the rich and original name of Wassonid, a compound of an Indian syllable and its ante-penultinates of English origin. The charts that were issued to secure the sale of lots were in a high style of art, the streets and squares, avenues and parks, boulevards and public grounds, were magnificently portrayed. Mills, schoolhouses, churches, and hotels were located at eligible points. A steamboat landing was represented, with a steamer at the wharf, and the concomitants of metropolitan life and splendor were exhibited. Of coarse the lots were sold to eastern men and the title duly conveyed, but they have long since been sold for taxes.

Political

This town started on its career as an independent organization on the 1st of April, 1860. The meeting was at the residence of Isaac Jackson. Rush ford, at first, was included in the organization, and Lars Thompson in this part of territory, was the first Chairman of the Supervisors. The name of the town was given by Mr. Jackson in honor of a Norway locality.

At the first meeting there were twenty-seven votes cast. Lewis Peterson was clerk of the election, and Lars Thompson, Nels GuUickson, and Knud Thorwaldson were the J udges. Lars Thompson, Even Olson, and Halver Olson were elected

Supervisors; Lewis Poterson was the first Clerk. D. McOonoohie, Superintendent of schools; Isaac Jackson and Duncan McConochie, Justices of the Peace; Nels GuUickson and Andrew O. Olnestad, Constables; Knud Thorwaldson, Assessor, and Christian Johnson, Treasurer.

Pkesbnt Officers. - Supervisors, Alexander Ferguson, Chairman, M. O. Olnestad, and P. S. Wangsnes; Clerk, N. K. Boyum; Assessor, John Benston; Treasurer, Jacob Jackson; Justices of the Peace, N. K. Boyum and D. Currie; Constables, P. P. Highum and John Iverson.

The first school in town was in the Norsk language, and was taught by A. E. Boyum, in private houses in the winter of 1857 and '58. The first school in English was taught in District No. 36, as is claimed.

District No. 35. - The earliest school taught in this district was in a log church by Miss Christina Thompson, since married to A. Anderson. In 1867, the present frame building was put up. The room is furnished with a set of maps, globes, and other apparatus, and there is school kept for five or six months in a year.

District No. 164. - ^In 1872, the stone schoolhouse was built at a cost of $500. It is 17x23 feet, and has the regular educational paraphernalia. Mr. Eobert W. Butler was the first to demand of the assembled scholars ^^attention,'* and to break in the new schoolhouse.

District No. 36. - This district was early organized, and in 1862, a log edifice, 18x22, was rolled up and served the purpose until 1873, when the present structure was erected, which is 20x34 feet, and painted white. It has a set of globes, geographical and physiological maps, and charts. For several years this school has had a teacher with a first grade certificate, and the higher branches are taught.

District No. 166. - In this district, teaching began in the Norwegian language in 1864. The ferule was handled as an emblem of authority by Andrew O. Olnestad. In 1871, the schoolhouse was built, L. O. Olnestad being the teacher at that time. The school is supplied with modem apparatus.

evangelicaii lutheran congregation of Arendahii - Hauoes Synod. - The first rememl)ered religious exercises in the interest of this faith was by a missionary in the fall of 1856, at the residence of Ole Peterson. During that same autumn, Ame E. Boyum came here and preached a number of times as a lay preacher at various houses in the vicinity. In May, 1858, the Haugee Synod was requested to have him ordained as the pastor of a church to be organized. In 1860, a log building, 18x34, was erected, which served until 1863, when a frame building was put up 30x40 feet, and since that it has been extended eighteen feet.

The society was not legally incorporated until the 29th of September, 1863. The earliest trustees were: Peter Nelson, Hans Hanson, and Albert Anderson; Clerk, Albert Anderson; Treasurer, Lars Thompson. There are about 200 communicants. In the summer the Sunday school is kept, with a good attendance.

Lutheran. - In 1857, Rev. N. E. Jensen held religious services in the house of Charles Anderson. In 1858, the North Prairie Lutheran Society was organized at the residence of Isaac Jackson. The first; trustees had Knud Thorwaldson as Chairman. The Clerk and Treasurer was Isaac Jackson. Rev. N. E. Jensen served as pastor up to the year 1869, when the Rev. M. Magnus took charge, remaining until 1876, when Rev. J. Krohn came and entered upon his duties, and still remains.

The church is 30x40 feet, and cost $2,500. It was constructed in 1863. About the year 1874, a tower was built from the ground, and it contains a beU weighing about 1,000 pounds, and is surmounted by a spire. The same year that the church was built, a lot was secured just south of it, containing ten acres, and upon this a parsonage was built at a cost, including lot, of about $3,000. Afterwards thirty-three acres more land was bought of John Currie for the use of the pastor This was adjoining the church lot which had been donated by Mr. Currie.

Cemetery. - In connection with the church, which has a two-acre lot, is the cemetery. Mr. I. Jackson had previously offered a lot to the society, in section four, and as the presumption was that it would be accepted, Mr. Toluf Anderson having died, was buried there, but subsequently removed

Some time in the seventies n blacksmith shop was started near Jackson's store by Mr. Osmand G. Vedle, and it afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. J. Jackson, but is now only in operation in an intermittent way. About 1880, another shop was built near the center of section ten by L. Larson.

All the manufacturing in town is of a domestic character. Mr. Svend Thompson once had a feed mill turned by horse-power. The stones were sixteen inches in diameter, and after operating it about one year he constructed a windmill with arms fifteen feet long, overspread with canvass. Unfortunately for this poor miller he had no device for keeping it to the wind in an automatical way, but had to climb up to adjust it by metins of a lever, and a like journey had to be taken to either start or stop this erratic engine. In attempting to stop the affair one windy day, he was knocked off, as is presumed, as he was found at the base of the mill with his skull cnished. The miUstones were sold to Lars Myre, who run them for a tinie, but they were finally transferred to a mill at Peterson.

Post-Office

The Post-office in town was established in March, 1861. Isaac Jaoobson was the Postmaster, and the office was opened at his house on section ten. In 1872, it was removed to the store kept by J. Jackson, and Mr. N. W. Jager was appointed Postmaster. In March, 1874, Mr. Jager sold his interest in the store to his partner, Mr. Jackson, who became Postmaster, and still retains the office.

Store

The first store in Arendahl was opened by John Jackson, brother of the present proprietor, in 1865 at his father's residence. He kept a small stock of goods but had considerable patronage. In about one year the store was closed out. J. Jackson began merchandising with a small stock of goods, about $600 worth, near his present store. In 1871, he took N. W. J ager as a partner, and they bought out R. K. Rolefson who had just opened a stock of goods near the Lutheran church. The building was then moved to its present position on section nine. In March, 1874, Mr. Jager sold his interest to Jackson, who sold to his father, Isaac Jackson, some time during the year. In 1881, J. Jackson again secured possession and he ia still the proprietor. He keeps a general stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, fancy goods and notions, with cigars, tobacco, patent medicines, etc., and receives a liberal patronage.