Fillmore County, Minnesota - County Government, 1912

County Government

Pirst Officers Appointed By Governor Gorman - Acts of the Early Boards - Territorial Commissioners - Supervisor System - Commissioners Since 1860 - List of County Officers - County Seat Changes - County Property - Court House - Jail - County Poor Farm - Kdited By Samuel A. Langum.

The history of the government of Fillmore county begins with the spring of 1853 when Gov. Willis A. Gorman, second territorial governor of Minnesota, appointed officers lor. the county as follows:

Registrar of Deeds, Henry UW. Stoll, of Minneowah; treasurer, Erwin H. Johnson, of Winona; judge of probate, Andrew Cole; sheriff. John Iams; commissioners, Henry C. Gere, of Winona; Myron Toms, of Minneowah, and William T. Luark, of Minnesota City.

The first board of county commissioners, consisting of Henry C. Gere, Myron Toms and William T. Luark, met af the Winona Hotel, in Winona, May 28, 1853, and appointed Henry C. Gere chairman. H. B. Stoll was clerk. Thus organized the board proeeeded to business. John Iams presented his bond ag sheriff, with O. M. Loard and E. B. Drew as sureties. Grand and petit jury hsts were drawn, and three assessors, 8. A. Hawk (Huyck), John C. Laird and Jeremiah Tibbetts were appointed assessors **to fill vacancies.'"' The meeting then adjourned to meet at the home of John Burns. Thus were the wheels of county government set im motion.

The second meeting was held at the home of John Burns, in the mouth of Burn's Valley, June 4, 1853, the clerk and two commissioners being present. Henry C. Gere was absent. The bond of 8S. A. Huyck, as assessor, with William T. Luark as surety, was accepted.

Owing to high-water, it was impossible for Messrs. Luark and Gere to get to Mimneowah, which had been selected for the next meeting place, and consequently, on July 4, Myron Toms, commissioner, and H. B. Stoll, elerk, adjourned the session to meet at Winona the next day. But they were unable to get there, so on July 5 the other two members, Messrs. Gere and Luark, met at the Winona Hotel in. Winona, and after approving the bond of Erwin

Top Row - Register of Deeds, A. P. Nelson; Coroner, Dr. W. B. Grinnell; Clerk of Court, Heury AS. Larson; County Superintendent, Osenr Carison. Lower Row - County Ureasurer, E. A. Highum: Judge of Probate, D. K. Miehener; Sherif, he. ¥ jexridl; County Auditor, George 1, Weatherill; County Attorney, John W. Hopp.

Johnson as sheriff, adjourned until July 9, 1853. On that date the meeting wus held at the Winona Hotel, Winona, and all the members were present. At this meeting various election districts were designated, the first being the Root River district, which was established at the request of ten legal voters living in Pleasant Valley. The judges of election were to be John S. Looney, Joseph Brown and G. W. Gillfallen. The election was to be held at the home of John S. Looney. The first school district, that of Minnesota City, was also established. The first road petition was also granted, its route to be from Minnesota City to Winona, with Harvey [fubbard and E. B. Drew as examiners. ©. R. Corriell was appointed county surveyor. Further meetings were held at the Winona [otel, July 22 and August 27, 1853. At the latter date the bond of C. R. Coryell (Corriell), as county surveyor, was accepted.

The meeting of December 27 was held at Chatfield, with Commissioners Henry C. Gere and Myron Toms, and C. W. Willis, clerk pro tem, present. At this meeting the county seat was Jocated at Chatfield, although this board never again met there, their subsequent meeting being held at the home of W. 3. Bunnell in the Minneowal district.

The board of commissioners elected Oetober 11, 1853, consisted of Robert Pike, Jr., John C. Laird and Willard B. Bunnell. This board met at the home of Robert Pike, Jr., in Minnesota City, January 2, 1854, with W. B. Gere as clerk. W. B. Bunnell was made chairman. At this mecting the seal of the county was adopted.

Assessment districts were created at this meeting. The First district was all of the county north of the north line of township 106, the Second district lay between the north line of township 106 and the north line of township 103, the Third district was the three southern tier of townships in the county. Thus the northern tier of townships in what is now Fillmore county would bave been in the Second distriet, and the three southern tiers of townships in what is now Filhnore county would have been in the Third district. S. A. Houck was the assessor assigned to the First distriet; Hamilton McCollum to the Second, and Edward Thompson to the Third.

February 20, 1854, the county assumed its present boundaries with six townships in Olmsted county added and, consequently, the board which met April 7, 1854, consisting of Robert Pike, Jr., and W. B. Bunnell, had many new conditions confronting it. One of the first acts was to establish election precinets.

new board of commissioners was appointed July 18, 1854, although who made the appointment does not appear. The new board, consisting of T. B. Twiford, Elijah Austin and Hi. S. H. Hayes met at Chatfield July 18, 1854, and devoted its time to appointing officers and establishing preeincis. H. 8. H. Flayes was appointed chairman of the board.

The assessors who took office Jannary 1, 1835, were: Chatfield District, Benjamin Bear; Warpeton District, Joseph Bisby; Elliota District, Warren J. Howell.

Although previous to July, 1855, the commissioners had several times defined assessment districts and appointed assessors, nevertheless the first county tax was not laid until July 4, 1855. On that date it was reported that the amount of taxable real and personal property in the county aggregated $355,889, of which $123,591 was in the First District; $130,565 was in the Second District, and $101,733 in the Third District. On this amount was laid a county tax of one per cent ($3,558.89), a school tax of two and a half mills ($889.72) and a territorial tax of one mill ($355.88).

January 12, 1856, the treasurer's report was issued. It showed that school taxes had been collected to the amount of $349.69. Fines had been collected to the amount of $64.60 for trespass on school lands. This deducting the treasurer's per cent left $406 to be used for school purposes. It appeared that there was $540 school taxes not collected. Territorial taxes had been collected to the amount of $135.43. This deducting the treasurer's percentage left $132.73. The territorial tax not col- lected amounted to $230.45. The county tax collected amounted to $2,072.31, and this, deducting the treasurer's percentage, left $2,030.87, which amount had been paid out to cancel outstanding eounty orders. Orders to the amount of $2,060.91 were issued during the year 1855, and orders to the amount of $1,343.16 were issued previous to that date. It was found that the expenses of the county before Houston and Winona were eut off were $1,280, and accordingly a bill for $450 was presented to the authorities of the newly created Winona county, and a bill for $400 to the authorities of the newly ereated Houston county. The account with Winona connty was settled October 19, 1858, at $408.50.

Trritorial. The commissioners of Fillmore county, since its organization, have been as follows, the first named under each year being the chairman:

Supervisor System. In 1858, Minnesota being provided with a state constitution, there began an era which in this state econtmued but a short time, that of county government by a board of supervisors consisting of the chairmen of the different townships and representatives from the incorporated settlements.

1858 - The first board of county supervisors, consisting of one member from each of the towns then organized, and an extra member from Chatfield village, met September 14, 1858, at the office of the register of deeds. Reuben Wells, of York, was elected chairman, and C. M. Colby, clerk. It was decided to hold the meetings in the Stanwix Hotel (now the Tibbetts Honse), to which the meeting at onee adjourned. Those present were: Beaver, Peter N. Glathart; Bloomfield, 0. B. Bryant; Spring Valley, W. T. Wilkins; Sumner, C. D. Sherwood; Jordan, J. M. Gillis; Fillmore, T. G. Pond; Forestville, Forest Henry; York, Reuben Wells; Union (Bristol), M. C. St. John; Carimona, William H. Sirong; Fountain, Thomas C. Watson; Chatfield, A. Haven and A. Fiteh; Pilot Mound, C. W. French; Carrolton, G. W. Eddy; Preston, S. B. Murrel; Harmony, Franeis J. Craig; Elyria, Joseph Woodie; Amherst, C. C. Onstine; Douglass, G. J. Onstine; Rushford, Henry Mead; Preble, Thomas G. Hall; Newburg, A. H. Butler. October 9, 1858, Edward Dexter took the seat of A. Ilaven, of Chatfield. He in turn was replaced on January 3, 1859, by H. B. Morse. Glathart was replaced January 3, 1859, by B. F. Holman, of Beaver.

1859-60 - The second board of county supervisors assembled May 10, 1859. A. H. Butler was appointed chairman, and HU. D. Bristol, the county auditor, sat as clerk. Those present were: Beaver, B. F. Tolman; Bloomfield, Warner; Spring Valley, W. T. Wilkins; Sumner, C. D. Sherwood; Jordan, T. C. Linton; Fillmore, E. H. Shaw; Forestville, William Meighen; York, Reuben Wells; Carimona, William H. Strong; Fountain, R. L. Fleming; Chatfield, C. G. Ripley and Levi Bemis; Pilot Mound, C. W. Freneh; Carrolton, James Thompson; Preston, T. J. Eames; Harmony, Daniel Dayton; Elyria (Canton) W. J. Howell; Amherst, C. C. Onstine; Douglass, G. J. Onstine; Rushford, G. G. Stevens; Preble, T. G. Hall; Newburg, A. II. Butler; Union (Bristol), Chester Andrews. The new members seated January 2, 1860, were: York, Thomas Armstrong; Forestville, F. Henry; Harwony, William Stork; Newburg, E. F. West. At this meeting, T. J. James was chosen as chairman.

1860 - In 1860, the state returned to the commission systein of county government whieh has since been in vogue. Fillmore county was divided into five districts, as follows:

These districts have since remained the same, with the exception that on January 9, 1869, Fountain was taken from the first district and added to the seeond district.

1865 - B. F. Holman, Mf. Seanlan, J. 2B. Fraser, William Carpenter and G. A. Hayes. The latter resigned April 14, and his place was taken by H. 8. H. Hayes.

1866 - B. F. Holman, J. B. Fraser, William Carpenter, H. S. EH. Tlayes and R. L. Fleming. Wiliam Carpenter resigned May 25 and Orrin Elolmes was appointed in his place.

By an aet of the legislature of 1885 the terms of all county commissioners expired on the last day of Deeember, 1886. In the fall of 1886 the people of Fillmore county elected five commissioners, Who took office January 1, 1887. Those from the first, third and fifth distriets were to serve two years and those from the second and fourth districts were to serve four years. At the expiration of the three short terms, all commissioners were to serve four years. Under this plan, which is still in vogue, the make-up of the county board ean change but once in two years, except in eases of death, resignation or removals.

1887 - 5, J. G@. Mimer (chairman); 1, Ole C. Swenson; 2, Levi Ober; 3, Fred Wendorf; +, G. Vander Bie. February 6, 1888, W. A. Pease was appointed to fill the vacancy eaused by the death of Captain Levi Ober.

1889 - 4, G. Vander Bie (chairman); 1, Niles Carpenter; 2, W. A. Pease; 3, John Aslakson; 5, G. M. Graham. April 3, 1890, N. O. JIentdlerson was appointed in place of G. M. Graham, resigned.

1893 - 5, N. O. Henderson (ehairman); 1, C. H. Schansberg; 2, W. A. Pease; 3, L. M. Ashley; 4, A. IT. Daniels. September 7, 1894, W. L. Kellogg was appointed for the remainder of the year in place of L. M. Ashley, deceased.

County Officials

The principal officers of ithe county, since May 28, 1853, are given in the list which follows. In a few instances the compilers have omitted the names of those appointed for a very short time to fill vacancies caused by illness, death or removal, their official service being so short as to be foreign to the ground which this history aims to cover. The list has been compiled with great difficulty, as the election returns have not been preserved, and no such list has hitherto been published.

Auditor. Until January 6, 1859, the duties of auditor and clerk of the county commissioner were performed by the registrar of deeds. The first auditor was H. D. Bristol, who presented his bond January 6, 1859, and took his seat at once. Ie resigned January 1, 1861, John S. Marsh was appointed and served at one meeting, after which Niles Carpenter was appointed, serving from January, 1861, to the close of 1866. Since then the auditors have been: 1867-72, C. H. Conkey; 1873-76, Aldis Bartlett; 1877-82. George W. Hard; 1883-88, G. A. Hayes; 1889-92, T. A. Sorenson; 1893-1900, John C. Mills; 1901-08, J. F. Jones; 1909, George C. Weatherill, to the present time.

Treasurer. The first treasurer of Fillmore county was Erwin H. Johnson, who took his office May 28, 1853. It is apparent that a treasurer was elected October 11, 1853, for on April 7, 1854,

James McClellan, Jr., was appointed ''to fill a vacaney."? J. W. Sturges took office January 1, 1855, and eight days later, January 9, 1855, William Chalfant assumed the duties of the office. The records are very vague as to the territorial treasurers of the county. Luther Preston presented his bond as treasurer, January 6, 1859. January 3, 1860, IH. S. Griswold presented his bond as treasurer. Ile resigned June 4, 1860. In the meantime the affairs of the treasurer's office were in the hands of N. P. Colburn, who was appointed temporary treasurer, and Elias Lint; Luther Preston, ihe treasurer, having been involved im finaneial difficulties. The tangle was straightened out, and Ephraim MeMurtie was appointed June 4, 1860, to serve for the remainder of the year. Since then the treasurers have been: 1861-65, 8. B. Murrel; 1866-69, A. H. Butler; 1870-73, A. J. Stevens; 1874-81, W. W. Braden (Braden resigned, to take effect January 1, 1882, and W. A. Nelson was appointed); 1882-88, W. A. Nelson; 1889-92, T. Sanderson; 1893-1906, Lars O. Hamre; 1907, E. A. Highum, io the present time.

Judge of Probate. Andrew Cole was appointed judge of probate by Governor Gorman and took office May 28, 1853. January 30, C. F. Buek, who bad been elected October 11, 1853, took his seat. The first to have done active service seems to have been Hon. Forest Henry, of Forestville, a man of great kindness of heart, of liberal mind, of striet integrity of character, and of practical judgment. He was succeeded by Dr. William C. Pickett, of Carimona, elected in the fall of 1857, - a man of independent opinion, upright as a judge and as a citizen, and fearless in the discharge of his duties. William C. Pickett was the last territorial and first state judge of probate in this county. J. F. Marsh served from January 4, 1860, until his resignation October 10, 1862. May 6, 1863, A. 8S. Lindsey, the judge of probate, being absent from the county, Dryden Smith was appointed. Smith served until the close of 1869. The judges of probate since that date have been: H. R. Wells, 1870-71; IL. 8. Bassett, 1872-1881; E. V. Farrington, 1882-1907; II. S. Bassett, April, 1907, to 1909 {named by Governor John A. Johnson to fill unexpired term of KE. V. Farrington) ; D. K. Michener, 1909, to the present time.

Sheriff. John Iams was the first sheriff of Fillmore county, taking office hy appointment May 28, 1853, and being elected to sueceed himself. James Munday was appointed April 7, 1854. Isaac Day became sheriff August 28, 1854, resigned April 2, 1855, and was at once reappointed. He was followed by William H. Strong and Henry C. Wheeler, the latter of whom was serving when the state was admitted. Since then the sheriffs have been: 1859, William Pickett; 1860, S. O. Thayer; 1861-62, E. IJ. Shaw; 1863-66, William D. Lipe; 1867-68, Leroy L. Streeter (Streeter

School Superintendent. Up to 1864 no well defined management of schools existed. In speculating on the best system, the legislature created first a town superintendency, then an examiner for each commissioner district, and lastly one general superintendent for each county. Under this E. J. Thompson was appointed June 10, 1864, at a salary of $800. September 9, of the same year, 4200 was added. <At the time Mr. Thompson was appointed, 187 school districts had been created in the county. OF these, however, it is evident that only sixty-six were conducting schools at that time, for that is the number appearing in the county financial report of that year. Mr. Thompson's salary was raised from $1,000 to $1,300 and then to $1,350. Tle resigned April 3, 1867, and G. J. Sanderson was appointed at a salary of *1,000, In 1869, Rev. D. L. Keihle was appointed. At first the commissioners determined to pay him by the day and allow him a certain sum for each mile traveled. Later his salary was fixed at $1,200 a year. Rev. Kiehle served from April 1, 1869, to July 1, 1875. When he resigned D. W. Sprague was appointed. He served until the close of 1877. John Brady was superintendent from January, 1878, to January, 1887. Emma Allen, now Mrs. John C. Mills, the only woman superintendent of the county, served from January, 1887, to January, 1891. Then K. W. Buell served until January, 1907, followed by Osear Carlson, the present superintendent.

Clerk of Court. W. B. Gere appears to have heen clerk of court which convened at Winona May 28, 1853. Grove W. Willis took office about July 15, 1853, and served until May, 1861. John §. Marsh appears to bave done service a few months. succeeded by H. A. Billings, who served from 1862 to 1867. J. C. Braden served in 1867 and 1868, after which I1. A. Billings again appears to have become the clerk and served until 1878. A. D. Gray was elerk from January, 1878, to January, 1891. D. W. Baeon served from January, 1891, to January, 1898. L. H. Prosser served one term, from January, 1899, to January, 1902, and on January, 1902, Henry A. Larson, the present clerk, assumed the duties of the office.

County Attorney. N. P. Colburn was probably the first regularly constituted county atiorney of Fillmore county. Andrew Cole served as district attorney before Judge Andrew G. Chatfield at Winona, June 28, 1853. Jannary 30, 1854, M. Wheeler Sargeant was appointed ''to fill a vacaney.'' April 4, 1855, the commissioners decided that H. B. Morse had been illegally elected and at once appointed him. H. C. Butler appears to have taken the office sometime before June, 1856. In 1857 Grove W. Willis and John R. Jones each received pay for services as district attorney. JI. C. Butler seems to have been the last district attorney before the state was admitted, and Samuel Cole the first one afterward. In 1860, the commissioners appointed a committee to ascertain if the office existed. ©. G. Ripley and N. P. Colburn both appear to have drawn pay for services as district attorneys in 1860. Since 1861 the list of county attorneys has been preserved as follows: 1861-62, N. P. Colburn; 1863-64, Reuben Wells; 1865- 66, N. P. Colburn; 1867-68, Abram Bergen; 1869-71, J. D. Farmer; 1872-76, N. P. Colburn; 1877-80, J. D. Farmer; 1881-84, N. Kingsley; 1885-1890, Burdett Thayer; 1891-96, G. W. Rockwell; 1897- 1902, John W. Hopp; 1903-08, R. J. Parker; 1909, John W, Hopp, to the present time.

Surveyor. C. R. Corvell was appointed surveyor of Fillmore county, July 8, 1853. Robert Pike, Jr., was appointed January 3, 1854, and H. L. Edwards was appointed August 28, 1854. In 1855, E. J. May and Y. P. Ropes were appointed. Charles M. Colby appears to have taken office in 1857. He was followed by G. D. Hawkins, who in turn was sueceeded by D. C. Wilson on June 6, 1860. E. MecMurtrie served from January, 1861, to the close of 1867, although O. H. Case did considerable of the county work during this period. John Gregor took office in January, 1869, and served until 1877. In 1877 and 1878 Saniuel Freeman occupied the office. From 1879 to November 22, 1881, O. H. Case served. After his resignation, William Thatcher was appointed and served until the close of 1882. C. H. Brown served a term in 1883 and 1884 and was followed by L. B. Carpenter. Carpenter took office in January, 1885, and resigned April 24, of the same year, his unexpired term being filled by Samuel Freeman. In 1886 William Thatcher again beeame surveyor for the county. L. B. Carpenter again took ithe office and served in 1891 and 1892. O. H. Case again served from 1893 to 1900. lL. H. Osterud assumed the duties of the office in January, 1901. In January, 1905, O. II. Case again beeame county surveyor and has served to the present time.

Court Commissioner. G. E. Dexter beeaine court commissioner in January, 1864, and served until January, 1870. Reuben Wells then took office and served until January, 1888. A. R. Holman was elected for one term and served from January, 1892, to January, 1896. C. H. Conkey was elected in 1896, and re-elected in 1900 and 1904. The present court commissioner is A. W. Thompson.

charge of the poor of the county in various localities. September 9, 1864, an effort was made to systematize the business of looking after the poor by appointing a poor master at a salary of $100 a year. G. W. Eddy was appointed to this position. The present system of overseeing the county poor by providing them a home at the county farm was inaugurated in 1868, when J. H. Tedman was appointed overseer of the poor, he and his wife to receive $800 a year. Tecdman served from 1868 to January, 1870. G. R. Cooley took office in January, 1870, and served until January, 1873. O. D. Hicks served one term, January, 1873, to January, 1875. A. French served in 1875, and a part of 1876. Avery Herrick took the position in March, 1876, and served until Mareh 1, 1887. Horace Kingsbury then served one year. A. C. Seelye served three years from March 1, 1888, and was followed by W. C. Seelye, who served nearly two years. Hans Olson took the office January 5, 1893; Edward Erickson, October 1, 1897; Halvor Johnson, January 7, 1902; Tobias Alfson, January 6, 1903; Halvor Johnson, January 1, 1907, and Albert Ielgeson, January 1, 1909.

Coroner. R. M. Foster appears to have been the first coroner of Fillmore county. J. M. Wheat who was elected to serve in 1862 refused to qualify, and Williain D. Lipe was appointed in his place. J. B. Fraser, who was elected to serve in 1863, refused to qualify and J. W. Crees was appointed. In 1868 the coroner was O. A. Case. Following him, from 1870 to 1880, came R. L. Moore, J. G. Beemis, H. ©. Grover and Henry Jones. J. H. Phillips became county coroner in 1880. He served until 1887 and was succeeded by H. HEI. Ilaskins. Since then the coroners have been: 1889-90, H. Jones; 1891-92, H. C. Grover; 1893-96, J. H. Phillips; 1897-98, A. W. Powers; 1899-1901, E. EH. Campbell; 1903 to the present time, W. B. Grinnell.

County Seat Changes

As before stated, the act creating Fillmore county was vague as to its exact boundaries. But generally speaking the original county may be said to have contained the counties of Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted and Winona. A elose study of the boundary lines as described in the act of creation would lead to the econclusion that parts of what are now Winona and Olmsted counties were included in what was then Wabasha county; parts of what are now Olmsted and Fillmore counties were ineluded in what was then Rice county; aud parts of what are now Mower and Steel counties were included in what was then Fillmore county. As the line on the west was described as running due northwest from the Iowa line, whereas the present western boundaries of Fillmore aud Olmsted counties are at right angles to the Iowa line; and as a northern boundary running on a straight line and taking in all of Olmsted and Winona counties would also have to take in a portion of Wabasha, county, it will readily be seen how inaceurate is the oft repeated statement that the original Fillmore county took in the entire area of what are now Winona, Fellmore, Houston and Olmsted counties. As the surveys were made this year (1853), and the boundaries accurately described the next year (1854), the exact extent of this original Fillmore county is not of vital importance.

The first board of commissioners of what was then Fillmore county met at the Winona Hotel, Winona, by common consent, May 28, 1853. The meetings immediately following were held as follows: June 4, 1853, home of John Burns, at the mouth of Burns' valley; July 4, 1853, Minneowah; July 5, 9, 22 and August 27, 1853, Winona Hotel, Winona.

It is now necessary to discuss the movements which led up to the taking of the county seat away from the Mississippi river, and finally in the dismemberment of the eounty.

In the fall of 1853, T. B. Twiford came into Fillmore county from Lansing. Iowa. In his prospecting exenrsions and explorations, he discovered the present site of Chatfield, in the northern part of what is now Fillmore county. and coneeived the projecet of making it a town site. At Winona he formed the acquaintanee of Grove W. Willis, and a scheme was concocted to form a stock company and make Twiford's newly discovered townsite the eounty seat of Fillmore county.

The plan proposed was to divide the stock into twelve shares. The shareholders were T. B. Twiford, G. W. Willis, H. C. Gere, Myron Toms, William LB. Gere, Harvey Hubbard, John I. Hubbard, Robert Pike, Jr., James McClellan and W. B. Bunnell. It was designed that each of the members of the board of county eormmissioners would be presented with a share in the new town site - the proposed county seat. Mr. Luark, of the board was absent, from the territory and John C. Laird, of the newly elected board was too strongly interested in Winona to be utilized. Neither of these men were shareholders in the project. Twiford and Willis put up a log shanty on the proposed town site, to which, at the suggestion of Bunnell, they gave the name of Chatfield, in honor of Judge Andrew G. Chatfield, and placed a man by the name of Case in the shanty to hold the locality for the company. It was generally known that the members of the old board of county commissioners, Gere and Toms, whose terms of office expired on January 1, 1854, were in favor of locating the county seat in the village selected by Twiford, but it was considered extremely doubtful if they had any authority to aet iu the matter. The law provided that it should be the duty of the first board of county cominissioners elected, to locate the county seat. The first board was not elected but was appointed by Governor Willis A. Gorman, as provided by the act creating Fillmore county. In furtherance of their plans, however. Twiford and Wills of the appointed board assumed the authority to locate the county seat, although it was generally conceded by everyone that this power belonged to the first elected board.

December 19, 1853, Commissioners Henry C. Gere and Myron Toms, with G. M. Willis, acting as clerk, met at the residence of Mr. Case, in Root river precinet, town of Chatfield, '' pursuant to agreement,'' and selected a county seat, the following entry appearing in the minutes: ''The object of said meeting was to locate the county seat of said Fillmore county. It was then and there resolved that the county seat shall be located at Chatfield in ihe center of section 6, township 104, north, of range 11, avest,''

This board, however, never again met at Chatfield, their succeeding and final meeting being held December 27, at the home of W. B. Bunuell, in the Minneowah precinct.

The commissioners elected Oetober 11, 1853, met Januzry 2, 1854, at the home of Robert Pike, Jr., in Minnesota City. Janvary 3 they met at the same place, with Commissioners Robert Pike, Jr., John C. Laird and Willard B. Bunnell and Clerk William B. Gere present. After transacting various business, "'the board proceeded to ballot for the loeation of the county seat, which resulted in one vote for Winona, one for Chatfield and one for Minnesota City. As the board could not agree on the location they decided that the location be postponed until a future mecting. The next meeting was held at the home of John C. Laird in Winona, January 7, 1854, all being present.

January 30, 1854, the board met at the home of Robert Pike, Jr., in Minnesota City, all being present. Among other business the following motion was passed: ''In purstance with, and in accordance with, the eighteenth section of the eleventh chapter of the Session Laws ot Minnesota, passed by the legislative assembly at the session commencing January 5, 1853, the board of county commissioners proceeded to locate the county seat of Fillmore county. It was decided by the board of commissioners that the county seat of said Fillmore county should be at Chatfield in said county, on section 6, township 104, north, of range 11, west.'"'

The meeting of March 14, 1854, was held at the home of John ©. Laird in Winona. Commissioners Pike and Laird and Clerk Gere were present. This was the last meeting of the commissioners of Fillmore county ever held outside of the present limits of the county.

In the meantime, February 23, 1854, Houston and Winona counties had been set off, and Fillmore county assumed its present limits, with six townships in Olmsted county added.

April 7, 1854, Commissioners Pike and Bunnell and Clerk Gere met at Chatfield and transacted the business necessary to meet the new conditions caused by the eurtailment of the lines of the county.

On August 28, 1854, the new commissioners appointed July 18, 1854, namely, T. B. Twiford, Elijah Austin and H. 8S. H. Hayes, met at Chatfield and subsequent meetings were held by the same board at the same place, October 2 and November 7. These meetings were probably held at the home of J. W. Sturges, for on October 2, 1854, the board contracted with Mr. Sturges for a room in his house at Chatfield to be used as a meeting place for the commissioners and as an office for the treasurer, sheriff, register of deeds and clerk of the district court, from July 16, 1854, to January 1, 1855, at $10 for a month. As most of the time contracted for had elapsed before the motion was made, the act was evidently in the way of a technicality in order that Mr. Sturges might collect for the use to which the room had already been put. Mr. Sturges was paid rent from July 16 to November 1, 1854. Thomas B. Twiford was paid rent for office room at Chatfield from November 1, 1854, to January 1, 1855.

The uext county commissioners, George M. Gere (chairman), H. 8S. H. Hayes and E. P. Eddy, met at Chatfield January 1, 1858, and held sessions there January 3, February 20 and March 2.

The records are simply dated ''Chatfield.'? Apyil 3, 1855, ihe commissioners inet, according to the records, at the office of W. B. Gere, register of deeds. The sessions of April 4 and July 2 were also held there. All these mectings during the first five mouths of 1855 were evidently held in a room rented from T. B. Twiford at Chatfield, for on July 3, 1855, Mr. Twiford was voted $10 a month from January 1 to June 1, 1855, for office rent.

Carimona was designated as the county seat of Fillmore county by an act of the Minnesota territorial legislature approved March 2, 1855. The bill was entitled ''A Bill for an Act to Ineorporate the Root River Valley and Southern Minnesota Railroad Company,'' but it carried many provisions not mentioned in the title, including the establishment of the eounty seat of Fillmore county at Carimona.

The first meeting held at Carimona was on July 3, 1855, and the county offices were evidently moved there shortly before that, for on that date, G. W. Willis presented a bill of $17.50 and was allowed $12 for the expense of moving to Carimona, and W. B. Gere presented a bill for 486.75 and was allowed $76.25 for services and for moving records, ete., from Chatfield to Carimona, The county business was then transacted at Carimona until the removal of the county seat to Preston.

The records of July 3 and 4 and October 2 and 3 are simply dated ''Register's Office,'? but this office was evidently in the house of J. W. Brocket, for on October 3, 1855, he presented a bill for $35.10 and was allowed #20 for rent and for repairing the house for a meeting of the court. On the same day the board rented from Ezra Trask, for $75 per year, his ''front room, npstairs."'

The board for 1856 consisted of George M. Gere (chairman), H. 8. Hayes and M. C. St. John, but Mr. St. John was not present at the first meeting, January §. This meeting and those of January 9, 10, 11 and 12 were held at the office of S. B. Murrel, ihe new register of deeds. No location is given for the meeting of January 12. April 7 the meeting was held in the office of the register of deeds. No location is given of ihe meetings of April 8, 9 and 10, but the minutes of April 24 are dated Carimona, and the adjourned meeting of April 25 was of course held in the same place. Probably all these meetings from January 1, 1856, to April 25, 1856, were held in the room rented from Trask.

By an act of the legislature approved March 1, 1856, (introduced by Benjamin F. Tillotson, February 18, 1856), the voters of Fillmore county were authorized to vote for a point at which the county seat of Fillmore county should be located; the election to be held on the first Monday of April, 1856, and the votes to be confined to three points, Forestville, Carimona and Preston.

On the first Monday of April, 1856, the election was held, and resulted in Preston receiving the highest number of votes and the removal of the county seat to thut place.

At a meeting of the county commissioners held at Carimona April 25, 1856, Preston was confirmed as the county seat. The motion was as follows: ''The board ordered that the records and furniture of the county offices be removed to Preston, said point having received the largest number of votes at the election held in said county April 7, 1856."'

April 26, 1856, the board met at Presion, all the members being present. Block 10 in the town of Preston was selected as the site upon which to erect the county buildings.

After the board had confirmed the action of the voters in designating Preston the county seat. John Kaereher sent a team to Carimona for the records, and W. W. Fife went along to assist in the removal. Ile hought two coffee sacks for 50 eents and these were amply large for the books and documents. With them came 8. B. Murrel, register of deeds, and Grove W. Willis, clerk of court, who seemed to constitute nearly the entire court house personnel. The small frame building now oceupied by Mrs. Car] l'. Krause on Mill street was promptly turned into a court house, and this particular building enjoys the distinetion of having onee had a United States eourt within its walls.

Tle people having dceelared in favor of Preston as a county seat, the people of Carimona, in 1859, tried another method of getting it back. They presented a petition to the supervisors of the county, September 15, 1859, asking that the county seat be established at Carimona. The vote when taken stood eleven for Preston and ten for Carimona.

_ QOnee again the people of Carimona made an effort to have the county seat located in that village. February 20, 1863, the legislature passed an act removing the county seat to Carimona, sibjeet to the approval of the majority of the legal voters of the county, and on the strength of this, William Meighen, William HB. Strong and James A. Rossman gave a $20,000 bond to the county commissioners, pledging themselves, in ease the vote was in favor of Carimona, to convey or cause to be conveyed to the county block 10 in the village of Carimona, and to eause to be erected on or before June 1, 1865, ''complete upon said block and have ready to be occupied as a court house and for other eounty purposes, a brick building two stories high, fifty feet front and sixty feet in depth, according to the specifications hereto annexed, the above mentioned building to be erected and coupleted free of all expense to the said county and the same and said land to be conveyed, erected, completed and finished to said county as au absolute, entire and perfect free gift and donation in every particular.'' The people again, however, deelared in favor of Preston.

County Property

Court House, Various places in Preston were used for oflives for the county officers, for the sessions of court, and for the meetings of the commissioners and supervisors, in the early days, but the eounty headquarters, generally speaking, were in a building whieh oecupied the site of what is now the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank. In September, 1859, the board of supervisors took up the matter of county buildings, and found that there had been placed on tle thirty-three bonds (one withdrawn for eorrection) to support an agreement of free rent of a hall for two vears, and seven deeds conveying 1o the county thirty-six lots and four half lots in the village of Preston. These doeunieuts were al] signed on the condition that the county ereet a eourt house in the village of Preston, at a cost of not less than $6,000 within two vears of September 15, 1859. The documents were aceepted on that condition.

At the same time there had been placed on file a deed from Ti. ©. Butler conveying to the county block 10, in the village of Carimona, and leasing to the county, free of all charges, for three years, the upper story of the bloek built by W. I. Strong.

Court house square was platted for county purposes when the original village of Preston was laid out. The deed conveying the property was formally received by the county commmissioners, April 5, 1863, bearing the names of Barbara Schweitzer and John Kaercher. On ilie same date the commissioners rereived and aeeepted an offer from the County Court House Building Association, through the executive committee, A. 8S. Linsley and Reuben Wells, to erect a court house free of charge to the county.

A meeting having been held by the citizens of Preston. Fehruary 24, 1863, at which it was decided to erect on the publie square a brick court house, fifty feet square and two stories high, a subscription paper was passed, and the signers agreed to furnish, as required, money, labor or material, before Angust 1, 1863. The cash furnished was used to purchase material, whieh was put together by those who had agreed to furnish labor.

The list, found among the papers of the late S. B. Murrel was as follows: Jeremiah O'Brien, material $25, eash $25; Michael Hopp, mason work $50; Joseph Palmer, work $15; A. Rappe, mason work $40, cash $10; William Sawyer, twenty days' work

$30; William M. Taylor, cash $10, work $15; F. M. Knight, cash #10; Menno Eby, work $40; Frederick Whiting, work $25; Andrew Fetch, ten days' work #15; W. Galbraith, ten days' work, $15; William K. Read, work $40; R. F. C. Kent, work $20; Daniel O'Brien, work $25, cash $25; Martin Weybright, work #10; Perry Long, team work #25; Jonas Maust, work $25; Anton Ibach, work $50; Charles Huttig, work $25, eash $10; B. §. Loomis, work $20; John Taylor, work $25; Wiliam Taylor, work 425; 5. M. Shook, fifteen days' work $30; Michael Neuman, work #25; Reuben Wells, cash $30; W. R. Underwood, work $25; Thomas Quinn, $35; F. Huttig, $10; Patrick MeCabe, work $10; PF. Read, four days' work $6; D. C. Kerr, twenty days' work; Richard Madigan, five days' work $10; William Seely, twelve days' work #24; E. Newton, Jr., cash $10; Jeremiah Shook, five days' work $10; Richard Hahn, cash $10; Dennis Flattery, five days' work; Alex Wright, cash $25; J. J. Merrill, work $25; Simon Dodge, work $10; E. Gould, five days' work; John Riehl, fifteen days' work; Joseph Ibach, #10 cash, work $15; M. E. Billings, ten days' mechanical work.

The court house was formally aecepted by the county, July 4, 1864, and the following persons released from their bonds: 8. B. Murre], William W. Fife, D. B. Colman, Conkey Brothers and J. C. Easton. This court house was the main portion of the present court house. <A bell was placed in the tower in 1865.

The two wings to the court house were completed in the fall of 1884, H. J. Anderson having the contract, and Thomas Quinn, a member of the Board of County Commissioners and appointed to represent them, working by the day. The matter of adding to the court house or building a new ore had been agitated for some time, and matters were brought to a climax in the spring of 1884, when the grand jury condemned the old vault as unsafe for the storing of the valuable eounty records.

County Jail. After the eonrt house was built, the old jail on the present site of the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank, eontinued to be used until January 6, 1870, when a jail, on the present site of the new jail, was formally accepted by the county commissioners. The first step toward building the jail was taken Jaunary 5, 1866, when the commissioners asked Dr. Luke Miller to request the legislature to pass a bill looking toward the ereetion of a suitable jail in Fillmore county.

September 5, 1868, the following resolution was passed by the board: '*That the board of commissioners of Fillmore county will, for and in said connty, erect a new connty jail for the safe keeping of prisoners, and that a committee of the following members of the board, to-wit: D. B. Coleman, Orsin Holmes, and W. A. Pease, be appointed to select and purchase ground for a site for said jail, and to procure plans and specifications, determine upon and arrange details, and execute a contract for building said jail, and that there be issued bonds of the county to an amount not exceeding $8,000, for the purpose of building aud furnishing said jail.'' Two months later the board appropriated the snm of $750 from the county fund for the purpose of paying for lots on which to build the county jail, and to get plans and specifications.

County Poor Farm. This establishment contains 386 acres of very desirable farming land, located on the town line between Canton and Amherst. This land was aequired by B. F. Tillotson in 1853, and was sold by him to the county in the spring of 1868. The price was about $9,000 for the farm and a small amount of personal property.

On July 2, 1868, the board made a contraet with Burr Dauchy to build a house for the poor of Fillmore county, on the poor farm, and passed a resolution to the effect that the sum of £2,000 be appropriated for this purpose. At their meeting on September 4, 1868, an additional appropriation of $3,000 was made for the purpose of purchasing stock, furniture and other necessary articles for nse on the county poor farm. The old almshouse was burned April 14, 1896, and a new one erected at a cost of $6,660.

Of the 386 acres in the farm, 240 are in sections 33 and 34, Amherst, and 146 in sections 3 and 4, Canton. The value of the real estate is $26,000 and the value of the personal property, $9,000. The buildings are valued at $6,000. The main house is. large, sanitary and commodious, steam heated, and furnished with running water and other conveniences. The barns are large and well kept. The present overseer of the poor is Albert Helgeson.

County Representation

Fillmore County in Seventh, Fourth and Eighth Council Districts - Constitutional Convention - Fillmore County in Ninth, Fourteenth, Second and Third, Second, and Fifth Districts - Congressional Representation - Edited by Samuel A. Langum.

On July 7, 1849, Gov. Alexander Ramsey, by proclamation, divided the territory of Minnesota into couneil distriets; Fillmore county, with the rest of southern Minnesota (exclusive of the settlements on the banks of the Mississippi), coming within the limits of the seventh district.

1849 - The first territorial legislature met on September 3, and adjourned November 1. The seventh district was represented in the council by Martin MeLeod, of Lae qui Parle. and in the house by Alexis Bailly, of Mendota, and Gideon H. Pond, of Oak Grove. Although Fillmore was imeluded in the seventh distriet, no settlers had at that tine located within the present lnnits of the county.

1851 - The second territorial legislature assembled January 1, and adjourned Mareh 31. The seventh district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod, of Lae qui Parle, and in the house by B. H. Randall, of Ft. Snelling, and Alexander Faribault, of Faribault. Fillmore eounty was still practically without settlers. By the apportionment of this legislature, the counties of Wabasha and Washington, and the precinets of St. Paul and Little Canada (Wabasha county to be one representative district), were to constitute the fourth district. Wabasha then included Fillmore county.

1852 - The third territorial legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned Mareh 6. The fourth district was represented in the eounei] by Lorenzo A. Bubeoek, of Sauk Rapids; and in the house by Fordyce S. Richards, of Reed's Landing.

1853 - The fourth territorial legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned Mareh 5. The fourth distriet was represented in the council by Lorenzo A. Babcoek and in the house by James Wells, from the head of Lake Pepin. At this session Filbnore county was created, but until the apportionment of 1855, the fourth district remained as established by the apportionment of 1851.

1855 - The sixth territorial legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned Mareh 3. William Freeborn represented the fourth district in the council and Clark W. Thompson, of what is now Houston county, in the house. By the apportiomuent of this legislature, Houston, Fillmore and Mower counties were constituted the eighth district. It was this legislature that redueed Fillmore county to its present boundaries.

1856 - The seventh territorial Jegislature assembled January 2, and adjourned Mareh 1. The eighth district was represented in the seventh territorial legislature by Clark W. Thompson, of Houston county, and Benjamin F. Tillotson, of Fillmore county, in the council; and by W. B. Gere, of Fillmore county, Samuel Ful, Wiliam F. Dunbar, Wilhain B. Covell and Martin G. Thompson in the house.

1857 - The eighth territorial legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned Mareh 7. Clark W. Thompson and Benjamin F. Tillotson again represented the eighth district in the coungil. The representatives in the house were William B. Gere, D. F. Chase, W. J. Howell, John M. Berry and M. G. Thoinpson. An extra session of this legislature assemblet! April 27 and adjourned May 23, 1857.

Constitutional Convention. March 3, 1857, congress passed aun act authorizing the people to form a state constitution. Each council distriet was to be represented in this eonvention by two members for each councilman and representative io whieh it was entitled. The eighth district, consisting of Houston, Fillmore and Mower counties, was to have fourteen delegates of whom six were to be from Fillmore county. The constitutional convention, consisting of 108 members, was authorized to meet at the capital on the second Monday in July to frame a state constitution, and to submit it to the people of the territory. The election, already mentioned, was held on the first Monday in June, 1857. July 18 the delegates met, but a disagreement arising im the organization, the Republican members organized one body and the Demoerats organized separately. Each of these bodies, claiming to be the legally constituted convention, proceeded with the work of forming an instrument to be subinitted to the people. After some days an understanding was effected between them, and by means of a committee of conferenee, the same constitulion was framed aud adopted by both bodies. On being submitted to the people. October 13, it was ratified.

They were: Republicans - Alanson B. Vaughan, C. W. Thompson, John A. Anderson, Charles A. Coe, N. P. Colburn, James A. McCann, II. A. Billings, Charles Hanson, Hf. W. Holley, John Cleghorn, A. H. Butler, Robert Lyle and Boyd Phelps. Democrat - James C. Day. The six Republicans from Fillmore county were: H. A. Billings, of Spring Valley; H. W. Holley, of Chatficld; A. H. Butler, of Newburg; N. P. Colburn, of Carimona; John Cleghorn, of Elliota, and Charles Hanson, of York.

By the apportionment of 1857, set forth in the state constitution adopted October 13, 1857, Fillmore county constituted the ninth legislative distriet, and was to have two senators and six representatives.

1857-58 - The first state legislature assembled December 2, 1857. On Mareh 25, 1858, it took a reeess until June 2, and finally adjourned August 12. The ninth district was represented in the senate by Samucl Hill and John R. Jones. In the house the members were J. T. Hames, Isaae De Cow, M. J. Foster, Ienry Kibler, James M. Graham and T. J. Fladeland.

1858-59 - No session was held in the winter of 1858-59, mainly owing to the protracted session of 1857-58, which was believed to render unnecessary another one following so soon, the legislators of that year having so provided by enactment.

1859-60 - The second state legislature assembled December 7, 1859, and adjourned March 12, 1860. The ninth district was represented in the senate by H. W. Holley and Reuben Wells and in the house by A. H. Trow, A. H. Butler, William Meighen, C. D. Sherwood, Daniel Dayton and Tliram Walker. By the apporticnment of 1860, Fillmore county was made to constitute the fourteenth district, with one senator and three representatives.

1861 - The third state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 8. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by H. W. Holley and in the house by A. H. Butler, C. D. Sherwood and J. P. Howe.

1862 - The fourth state legislature assembled Jannary 7 and adjourned March 7. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by Dr. Luke Miller and in the house by A. H. Butler, Peter Peterson and John MeGrew. On account of the Indian outbreak an extra session was ealled by the governor, and it assembled September 9 and adjourned September 29.

1863 - The fifth state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by Dr. Luke Miller and in the house by C. D. Sherwood, Hiram Walker and William Chalfant. C. D. Sherwood was speaker of the house.

in the senate by Dr. Luke Miller and in the house by S. A. Hunt, M. J. Foster and Reuben Whittemore. C. D. Sherwood, as lieutenant governor, was president of the senate.

1865 - The seventh state legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned March 8. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by Dr. Luke Miller and in the house by William Chalfant and E. F. West. C. D. Sherwood, as lieutenant governor, was president of the senate.

1866 - The eighth state legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The fourteenth district was represented in the Senate by Dr. Luke Miller and in the house by J. Q. Farmer, William Chalfant and John Hobart. By the reapportionment of 1866 Fillmore county still remained the fourteenth district, but was given one more representative.

1867 - The ninth state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 8. The representatives from the fourteenth district were Dr. Luke Miller in the senate and W. W. Braden, N. P. Colburn, J. Q. Farmer and G. Oleson in the house. John Q. Farmer was speaker of the house.

1868 - The tenth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 6. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by Dr. Luke Miller and in the house by John Q. Farmer, Hiram Walker, W. W. Braden and Wilham Meighen. John Q. Farmer was speaker of the house.

1869 - The eleventh state legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned March 5. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by A. Bergen and in the house by D. D. Hammer, John Hohart, J. G. McGrew and William Meighen.

1870 - The twelfth state legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. The fourteenth district was represented in the senate by D. B. Sprague and in the house by William Barton, Ole C. Bratrud, M. Seanlan and S. G. Canfield.

1871 - The thirteenth state legislature assembled January $ aud adjourned Mareh 8. The fourteenth district was represented ii the senate by John Q. Farmer and in the house by N. P. Colburn, H. 8. Griswold, Hans Valder and J. E. Atwater. By the apportionment of 1871, Fillmore eounty was constituted the second and third districts, with one senator and three representatives from each district. The second district was to consist of the city of Rushford and the townships of Arendahl, Rushford, Carrollton, Holt, Norway, Preston, Amherst, Preble, Harmony, Canton and Newburg. The senator and the three representatives in the second district were to be elected at large. The third district consisted of the townships of Sumner, Jordan, Chatfield, Pilot Mound, Spring Valley, Fillmore, Fountain. Bloomfield, Forestville, Carimona, Beaver, York and Bristol. The senator was to he elected at large. One representative was to be elected fram Pilot Mound, Chatfield, Jordan and Sumner; one from Spring Valley, Fillmore, Fountain and Carimona, and one from Bloomfield, Forestville, Beaver, York and Bristol.

1872 - The fourteenth legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned Mareh 1. The second and third districts were represented in the senate by Thomas H. Everts and John Q. Farmer and in the house by John Larson, A. H. II. Dayton, L. Bothum, A. H. Trow, M. Eggleston and P. MeCracken.

1873 - The fifteenth legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned Mareh 7. The second and third districts were represented in the senate by T. H. Everts and William Meighen and in the house by Arne Arneson, Horace Wheeler, Niles Carpenter, T. P, Baldwin, H. M. Daniels and Peter MeCraeken.

1875 - The seventeenth state legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned March 5. The second and third districts were yepresented in the senate by C. H. Conkey and William Meighen and in the house by H. ©. Grover, J. MI. Wheat, N. E. Ellerson, E. V. Farrington, R. J. Fleming and Dwight Rathbun.

1876 - The eighteenth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 3. The second and third districts were represented in the senate by C. H. Conkey and William Meighen, and in the house by H. M, Onstine, O. E. Boymmn, Tallak Brokken, C. Robbins, George Andrus and Dwight Rathbun.

1877 - The nineteenth legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The second and third distriets were represented in the senate by C. H. Conkey and C. G. Edwards and in the house by FH. C. Grover, J. M. Wheat, Frank Erickson, Dwight Rathbun. Seger Berg and P. M. Mosher.

1878 - The twentieth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 8. The seeond and third distriets were represented in the senate by J. M. Wheat and C. G. Edwards and in the house by H. Christopherson, Daniel Currie, Hans Gunvalson, C. H. Colby, Francis Hall and P. M. Mosher.

sented in the senaic by J. M. Wheat and C. S. Powers and in the house by G. A. Hayes, Ole O. Stedjee, HE. Lovland, J. N. Graling, P. MeCracken and George Andrus. This was the first of the biennial sessions. Since that date the legislature has assembled every alternate year. An extra session of the 1881 legislature was culled to consider legislation in regard to the state railroad bonds. The session commenced October 11 and closed November 138. By the apportionment of 1881, Fillmore county was made the second district. with one senator and five representatives.

1883 - The twenty-third legislature assembled Jannary 2 and adjourned Mareh 2. The second district was represented in the senate by J. M. Wheat and in the house by R. RB. Greer, A. Plummer, Burdett Thayer, R. Is. Thompson and C. T. Baarnaas.

1885 - The twenty-fourth legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. The second district was represented in the senate by J. M. Wheat and in the house by M. A. Maland, R. E. Thompson, O. G. Wall, O. H. Case and D. K. Michener.

1887 - The twenty-fifth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned Mareh 4. The second district was represented in the senate by C. G. Edwards and in the house by 8. G. Iverson, T. Tousley, Charles M. Colby, L. H. Prosser and O. J. Hattlestad.

1859 - The twenty-sixth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 23. The second district was represented in the senate by C. G. Edwards and in the house by Mf. A. Maland, J. OU. Phillips, John N. Johnson, Orrin Turber and I. R. Morris. By the apportionment of 1889, Fillmore county remained the second district, but its representation was eut down to one senator and three representatives.

1891 - The twenty-seventh legislainre assembled January 6 and adjourned April 20. The seeond district was represented in the senate by E. D. Hammer and in the house by Ole P. Hadland, J. R. Nelson and A. H. Gilmore.

18938 - The twenty-eighth legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. The second district was represented in the senate by E. D. Hammer and in the house by John R. Nelson, 8. A. Langum and C. U. Wooldridge.

1895 - The twenty-ninth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 23. The second distriet was represented in the senate by RB. E. Thompson and in the house by E. Johnson, D. MI. Leach and C. L. Wooldridge.

1897 - The thirtieth legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned April 21. The second district was represented in the senate hy R. E. Thompson and in the house by D. M. Leach, L. 8. St. John and N. O. Henderson. By the apportionment of 1897, Fillmore county was constituted the fifth district with one senator and two representatives.

1899 - The thirty-first legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. The fifth distriet was represented in the senate by R. E. Thompson, and in the house by N. O. Ilenderson and C. D. Allen.

1901 - The thirty-second legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 12. The fifth district was represented in the senate by R. E. Thompson, and in the house by J. H. Burns and C. D. Allen. An extra session to consider the report of the tax commission assembled February 4, 1902, and adjourned Mareh 11.

1903 - The thirty-third legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 12. The fifth distriet was represented in the senate by R. E. Thompson, and in the house by J. H. Burns and S. A. Nelson.

1905 - The thirty-fourth legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. The fifth district was represented in the senate by R. E. Thompson, and in the house by O. N. Thundale and Burdett Thayer.

1907 - The thirty-fifth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 24. The fifth district was represented in the Senate by S. A. Nelson, and in the house by 0. N. Thundale and Burdett Thayer.

1909 - The thirty-sixth legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned April 22. The fifth district was represented in the senate by §. A. Nelson, and in the house by Burdett Thayer and John Rustad.

1911 - The thirty-seventh legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 19. The fifth district was represented in the senate by 8. A. Nelson, and in the house by John O. Rustad and Thomas Frankson.

Congressional Representation

The first congressional district in which from the time of 'tthe admission of Minnesota as a state Fillmore county has been included, has been represented in congress as follows: J. A. Cavanaugh, Democrat, March 12, 1859, to March 4, 1859; Wiljam Windom, Republican, March 4, 1859, to Mareh 4, 1869; Morton S. Wilkinson, Republican, March 4, 1869, to March, 1871; Mark H. Dunnell, Republican, March 4, 1871, to March 4, 1883; Milo White, Republican, March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1887; Thomas Wilson, Democrat, March 4, 1887, to March 4, 1889; Mark H. Dunnell, Republican, March 4, 1889, to March 4, 1891; W. EL Jlarries, Democrat, March 4, 1891, to Mareh 4, 1898; James A, Tawney, Republican, March 4, 1893, 1o March 4, 1911; Sidney A. Anderson, progressive Republican, March 4, 1911, to Mareh 4, 1913.

Until Minnesota became a state it had only one representative in congress, a territorial delegate, who was not allowed to vote. The first territorial delegate from Minnesota was Ilenry H. Sibley, who was first sent ostensibly as a delegate from the territory of Wisconsin, though living on the present site of Mendota at the mouth of the Minnesota river. He sat as a territorial delegate from January 15, 1849, to December 5, 1853. He was succeeded by Henry M. Rice, who served until December 7, 1857. W. W. Kingsbury was elected to sueceed him and served until December 6, 1858. As has been noted, the United States senate February 23, 1857, passed an act authorizing the people of Minnesota to form a constitution preparatory to their admission to the Union. In accordance with the provisions of this enabling act, a constitutional convention was held July 13, 1857, at the territorial capital. October 13, 1857, an election was held, when the constitution was adopted and a full list of state officers elected. Three congressmen were also elected at this time: George L. Becker, W. W. Phelps and J. M. Cavanaugh. But it was afterward found that Minnesota was entitled to only two congressmen and the matter was amicably adjusted by the withdrawal of Mr. Becker. By this election the Messrs. Phelps and Cavanaugh beeame the first members of congress from the state of Minnesota.

In the winter of 1857-58 the legislature divided the state into two congressional districts, the southern part becoming the first congressional district and the northern part the second, Fillmore county thus becoming a part of the first congressional district. By the apportionment of 1872, the state was divided into three congressional districts. The first district contained the counties of Winona, Houston, Olmsted, Fillmore, Dodge, Steele, Mower, Freeborn, Waseea, Faribault, Blue Earth, Wartonwan, Martin, Jackson, Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Roek.

By the apportionment of 1881 the state was divided into five congressional districts. The first district contained the counties of Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona and Wabasha.

By the apportionment of 1891 the state was divided into seven congressional districts. The first district contained the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona.

By the apportionment of 1901 the state was divided into nine congressional districts. This apportionment has continued to the present day. The first district now consists of the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Wascea and Winona. P