Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 47 of those read), 1882

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 47 of those read)

The town with this Saxon name was an original government township, and is second from the western line of the county on the southern tier, with Forestville on the north, Bristol on the east, Iowa on the soutb, and Beaver on the west. It may be said to be a prairie town, although in some parts it is quite hilly, particularly in the northeastem and southeastern portions, where there are some quite abrupt bluffs.

The Hoil is loam, varying from a light sandy to a dark clayey variety, with a large amount of hnmus and usually a porous limestone foundation. Some of it, however, has a clay subsoil.

sometimes being a raging torrent and then coming down to be a little rivulet, to disappear altogether. There are numerous springs that start up with a copious flow of water which may continue on the surface for quite a while, to finally dive down into some subterranean passage and perhaps reappear aa another spring, it may be outside the limits of the town.

Unlike many other towns in the county, wells are easily sunk from ten to fifty feet, and an abundance of water procured. There is a stream that starts from a spring on section thirty-five and creeps along in an easterly direction, to leave the town near the southwest comer. Other streams come from toward the west, to be lost near the central portion. Another little creek cuts across the southwest comer, making for the Iowa River, and one also starts from section fifteen, to be joined by a branch or two in its struggles toward the Root River.

iDclined to be flat, aDd to secure the best results the natural drainage should be stimulated by artificial methods. When the pioneer arrived there were some groves of fine timber, consisting of burr, red and white oak, which have disappeared, but there is a vigorous growth of wood now where was formerly scattering brush. The town has a good soil so situated as to be most valuable for agricultural purposes, including tillage and stock raising.

Early Settlement

This town is reported as having been first settled iu 1854. Knud Olsox and Even Knudsou, natives of Norway, came here from Iowa in that year, in the month of August. - Mr. Olson took his land in S3ction8 twenty-four and twenty -five, and Mr. Knudson in sections twenty-three and twenty-six. The same month Ole Kettleson, who had been stopping in Bristol, settled on section three. Mr. Knudson lived on his farm until 1867, when he sold out and removed to Redwood county. Mr. Olson now lives on section fourteen, and Mr. Kettleson is on section fifteen.

In 1855, there were several arrivals, among them Peter MoOracken, a native of Scotland, came here from New York State, and placed his sign manual on some land in sections three and ten, where he yet remains. He is a very prominent man, identified with the interests of the county, and has held various public offices.

David Ingalls, a New Euglander from Vermont, who had stopped a while in New York State as a pioneer there, surrounded a claim in section four, which he still occupies.

K. O. Wilson had lived awhile in Wisconsin on his way from Norway, and found a place that filled his idea of a farm in section twenty-eight.

Thomas Armstrong, of England, came in the spring from Granger and lived on section thirtyfive, but in 1869, sold out and went to Mitchell county. His brother, E. Armstrong, came from Canada and bought the north half of his brother's claim.

Robert Love, a Scotchman, came from Iowa and staked out a farm in section fourteen. He died in 1876, and his widow still occupies the homestead.

Reuben Wells, one of the prominent men of the county, came here this year. He was bom in Washington county, New York, on the 17th of November, 1802. His early life was spent in farming in Luzerne county in that State. He took 160 acres of land here, and at an early day, with a pocket compass, and by pacing olF the distance, he would help the settler in finding the corner stakes. In 1863, he moved to Preston. It is probable that he has as large a circle of acquaintances as any man in the county.

Simeon H-imblin, of New England, came here and died one week afterwards. His widow located in section eight. She died in 1874. A son, Samuel Hamlin, was also in. section eight, but he lost his life in the service of his country.

Owen D. Owens, of the same nationality, bought land in Bristol and lived with his sister, Mrs. J. J. Jones, who had secured a place in section thirtysix. He now lives in section thirteen. These were the earliest among the Welsh people of which thero are quite a number in town.

After 1857, the immigrants were more of a scattering character, but some of the most prominent men and valued citiztms were among these later comers, and mention will be made of them elsewhere.

Political

The organization of the town was effected on the 11th of May, 1858, soon after Minnesota became a State. The primal town meeting was at the house of Gel Bacon, on section twenty-one.

The first officers were: Supervisors, Reuben Wells, Chairman, Halver Burgess, and Benjamin Palmer; Assessor, David In galls; Collector, Abner S. Adams; Clerk, S. G. Cantield; Overseer of the Poor, James Hipes-; Justices of the Peace, Peter McCracken and Thomas Armstrong; Constables, Henry Y'"arnes and Willard Lester; Surveyor of roads, Andrew Weaver. The moderator of the meeting was Abner S. Adams, and the clerk was Reuben Wells.

The administration of town affairs has left no opp<jrtunity for unfavorable comment, as the leading men have been entrusted with town matters, and the management has been devoid of extravagance on the one hand or parsimony on the other. The officers for 1882 are: Supervisors, John S. Thomas, Chairman, Michael Thorson, and Lewis Ojnklin; Clerk, Knud O. Wilson; Treasurer, Ole Arneson; Assessor, William Cr Love; Justices of the Peace, V. M. Fairbanks and Even R. Morris; Constables, H. E. Cheney and Henry Boland.

There is no Town Hall and the town meetings have usually been in schoolhouses, but for a few years past they have been held in the store at Canfield.

Post-Offices

The first to be established in the town of York was in the fall of 1857. S. G. Canfield was the Postmaster and the office was in his house on the southwest quarter of section twenty-one. In about one month it was removed to the place where it is now kept. In March, 1882, Mrs. S. G. Canfield was appointed Postmistress. The mail service is a daily one between Lime Spring, Iowa, and Spring Valley, Minnesota, a cross line. At first it was a weekly mail.

The Post-office at Greenleafton was established in June, 1874. J. Huetink was Postmaster. A mail is served four times a week by a cross line from Cresoo to Preston.

The Cherry Grove Post-office wa« located here in 1869, having been moved from Forestville township, a mile distantf and D. J. In galls was selected as Postmaster. It was at his house, on section four, until February, 1882, when it was returned to Forestville.

DisTBiOT No. 86. In 1861 this district was organized, and during that summer a school was kept by Mrs. Lucy Canfield in her house on section twenty-one. In 1862, the schoolhouse was got up, 18x24 feet, on section twenty-nine. It was afterwards enlarged by the addition of twelve feet to the length. As originally formed the district had eleven and one-half sections. In November, 1881, it was subdivided by a special act of the legislature leaving tbe east half of the district with the schoolhouse and a new number.

The new district thus formed from the western portion held a meeting at the house of Oren Louden, on the 29th of April, 1882, and elected officers as follows: Director, L. Conklin; Treasurer, Moses Gue; Clerk, O. Louden. A tax of $450 was voted to build a schoolhouse on the northeast quarter of section thirty.

District No. 87. This was organized about 1860, at the house of E. Armstrong. A house was built of hewn logs supplied by members of the district who turned out to lay them up. The school was started that same summer, and it is beheved that Miss Mary Burgess was the teacher. The building was located on the northeast quarter of section thirty-four. In May, 1880, a frame build ing was put up about seventy rods north of where the old one stoo d. In the new house, Arne Grundyson inaugurated the school business.

DisTRicfT No. 88. An organization was effected in 1860, and the farmers supplied the logs and then helped put up the structure on section twenty-four; the house still remains. Miss Mary Black was the first teacher.

District No. 89. The first schoolhouse here was. erected in 1857, on section ten, by the usual method of contribution in material and work, and that winter a school was opened and Miss Mary Black was the first to handle the ferule. In 1870, the old building furnished food for the flames.

Then the school was kept in A. S. Adam's granary and in a house where Mr. Adams formerly lived. In 1872, the tidy building now standing was erected. In the new house George J. Sandersou was the first instructor. When first organized it was known as No. 54.

District No. 134. The first school taught in this district was in John Boland's house in secticm one, in 1860, by Miss Nettie Terljest, a subscription school for small scholars. In 1865, it was organized and a house put upon section eleven. Miss Maria Flynn was the first teacher in the schoolhouse. The present buUding was erected in 1876, at a cost of SI, 300, and a school was opened by Harris Merrill.

Religious

Holland Presbyterian Churcu. - This denomination has an edifice on seeticm seven, and near it a parsonage, both of which were erected in 1878, at a cost of $2,200.

The persons who were interested in this form of belief held a meeting on the 2l8t of November, 1876, and a church was organized by Rev. R. B. Ablx>tt from Albert Lea, assisted by Elder H. Frederick, of Austin. Seventeen members were admitted by letter at that time. The first ordained minister was Rev. J. W. F. Roth, Sen., wlio was installetl in July, 1877. In October he returned to Holland where he is supposed to be now. On the 7th of May, 1879, Rev. J. W. F. Roth, Jr., was installed as pastor, and he still breaks the bread of the word to the little flock. Previous to the construction of the church the meetings were held in the various houses where it would be most convenient.

Norwegian Evangelicai. Lutheran Church. As early as 1855, meetings were held in the house of K. Olson; Rev. V. Korcn coming from Iowa for that purpose. When the schoolhouse in district No. 88 was built, meetings were held there. The formal organization was on the 24 tl; of November, 1864. The trustees were Knud Kniidson, and Ole Anderson. In 1872, a neat frame structure for church purposes was built on section twenty-four at a cost of $1,500. The pastor is Tobias Larson, who was installed on the 8th of August, 1865, and services are held monthly.

Dutch Reformed Church. - At quite an early day meetings were held in the house of John Boland by an itinerant preacher. In 1869, Rev. R. Peters came here and organized the society, and meetings were held in the schoolhouse until the church could be built, which was in 1869. The earliest minister here was Rev. Peter Lepeltak, who remained about eight years and then went to

Michigan. Rev. Herman Vanderplorg was the next comer, and he still remains. The church is on section one and is reported to have cost $3,600, all but SI 00 of which was donated by Mary Greenleaf, of Philadelphia.

Methodist Episcx>pal Church. - Methodist meetings were held in the house of S. G. Canfield, ill 1857. Father Best preached a few times and Elder Dyke was here several times in 1858. In 1859, a class was organized with Harry Yarues as leader. Rev. Mr. Ellin gwood and others were here, the last being Mr. Bunoe.

Presbyterian Church. - This is called the Bethel Church of Canfield. Meetings were first held in the schoolhouse on section twenty-nine. Rev. J. W. F. Roth, Jr., was one of the preachers. In the fall of 1879, an organization took place with ten members, and Mr. Roth became the pastor. Meetings are regularly held on Sunday afternoons, and a Sunday school used to be held during the available season. As yet there is no church edifice.

Various Events

Among the early marriages, or rather marriages at an early day, were Mr. Thomas Lewis and Miss Elizal^eth Brown, on the 24th of December, 1857. The ceremony was performed by Peter McCracken, Esq., Justice of the Peace, the happy couple making their bridal excursion for three miles in an ox cart.

The patrons of husbandry, which had such a fiourishing existence at one time had a Grange organized in this town in 1873. The meetings were at first in the schoolhouse No. 89, and afterwards in No. 86.

This little hamlet nestling down in the northeast corner cf the town, was named in honor of Miss Mary Greenleaf, of Philadelphia, who generously gave three thousand five hundred dollars to build the Dutch Reformed Church edifice. It has two stores, a Post-office, a blacksmith shop, a church in the village, and another not far away, and is certainly a nucleus with room for consolidation and expansion, and who knows what a view we should behold here if we could look down the vista of coming time for a hundred years.

Canfield

This is another embryotic vilUage, on the line between sections twenty-one and twenty-two, with a Post-office and other possibilities which cannot be conjectured. S. G. Canfield opened a store here in 1876, under the auspices of the local Grange, and G. H. Sherwood joined him in 1878. The store is now managed by Messrs. Somsen & Vaughn, who purchased it in the early spring of 1882, and they carry a good stock of general merchandise.

Cherry Grove

This is another of those villages made up of hopes imrealized, and expectations unfulfilled. Its location may be found in section four. Its designation as a village was on account of its Postoffice, which being gone the Ipcation continues as a remembrance, and the name will remain on the maps long after what usually distinguishes a village from the country has been obliterated. .