Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 23: Canton Village and Township, 1912

Chapter 23: Canton Village and Township

Canton Village - Advantages - Karly History - Municipal History - Canton Township - Early Records - Organization - Railroad Bonds - Early Industrial Enterprises - Lenora - A Literary and Social Center - Elliota - Prosper - Edited by William Willford.

Canton village is a flourishing hamlet on the line of the Preston-Reno division of the Chicago, Milwankee & St. Paul. Ti contains three churches, Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic, Masonic and Odd Fellows halls and a large brick school building; and all kinds of business are represented. The village enjoys a very good trade in a commercial way and is quite a grain and stock center. The citizens are progressive, and the Commercial Club is just now rebuilding and very much improving the hotel which is the property of the club. The Opera House is also being enlarged. The thrift of the farmers adjacent to the town is resulting in increased trade and Canton is growing and larger stocks are carried by her merchants. Canton is noted for her ''Day Off,'' a reereation day given every year in August, when people gather for a general good time, from all over this section of the country.

Karly History. Frank Adams, of Dubuque, the engineer of the railroad when building, perceiving the eligibility of the location for a village, bought thirty-two aeres of Jand of Charles Wilford in seetion twenty-one, the same amount from John Olson in section twenty, five acres from J. Sullivan in section twenty-eight, and five acres from G. B. Hudson in section twentynine. It is so situated that the water from one part of the village runs into Root river and ov the other into the state of Towa. It will thus be seen that the village occupies parts of four sections.

This was in the fall of 1879, and Mr. Adams immediately had the site surveyed and platted, and duly recorded with the name of Canton, The next spring 800 shade trees were set ont, and about this time Charles Willford purchased a half interest in the property. In the spring of 1882, William Wilford bought ont Frank Adams, the other half interest remaining in the possession of Charles Willford. William Willferd sold a half of his half interest to B. HE. Edwards and R. E. Osborne. Many lots were sold. After a time Edwards & Osborne purchased Charles Willford's interest. None of the original owners now own property in the village except Charles Willford, who still has a residence here.

The building of the village was commenced in a small way when it was first laid out, by John Meyers, a man with an itinerating proclivity, who put up a board shanty for a boarding house. In a few days Abrahain Wiltse put up a shanty which he also dignified by ealling it a hoarding house. The first store was erecied by David Donald, who at once put in a fine stock of goods, and took Joseph Ernest in as a partner. 'The business was continvied but a short time. During the first part of the winter, John Manuel, who had a store in Elliota, commeneed moving his store and goods, and January, 1880, he had a good stock of general merehandise for sale. In a few weeks he moved up a larger building, twenty-two by sixty feet, and transferred his goods into this. James Young commenced his store about the same time that the moving was going on. The structure was the first substantial building erected in town, and was twenty-four by sixty feet, and in point of time it is the third stove in the village. This store is still the leading store in the village and is rented from James Young hy Webster & Hellickson. The boarding house above mentioned, after a time gave place to the ''Commercial,'' a large building moved up from Elliota by L. D. Fay. The depot was first located about three quarters of a mile east of the present village, on the farm of Charles Willford. This was in fulfillment of the conditions under which the bonds were voted, to wit: ''that the depot should be the nearest to the east line of section twenty-one"' the west line of which is in the center of the present village. It remained there until the fall of 1881, when it was moved to the village. Coincident with the building of the railroad, the elevator built hy the railroad company went up. From the first it was operated by A. & T. MeMichacl, of McGregor, Iowa. It was opened on December 1, 1879, and received about 21,000 bushels of grain the first month. It is twenty-four by twentyeight feet with a warehouse of like size attached. The elevator has a capacity of 11,000 bushels. It is stil} in operation. About the same time another elevator was erected by McCormick & Co., of Lansing, Iowa. It has a capacity of 12,000 bushels. It is twenty-four by twenty-four feet, and a flat warehouse sixteen by twenty-four feet is attached. S. G. Sands, the fitst winter of the village, got a shop built and started a fire in his forge.

Day Brothers started a lumber yard in the fall of 1879 with Lyman Seelye in charge. Hdwards & Osborne, of La Crosse also started a yard the same fall. Hlias Johnson operated this yard until June, 1880, when he was suceceded by William Wilford, who served for many years.

Municipal History. Mareh 22, 1887, the county commissioners granted a petition of the people of Canton village, looking toward meorporation. The election was to be held at the Desmond Hotel, April 29, 1887, and the inspectors of election were to be C. Abbott, H. P. Mitson and A. C. Blair. The eleejion was duly held, and the village ineorporated. The first president of the village was II. Il. Haskins and the first recorder was C. Abbott. In 1888 8. Boyd was president and C. Abbott recorder. In 1889, 8. Boyd was president and II. P. Mitson was recorder. In 1890, Ira Hubbard was president and J. Dunford recorder. In 1891 Ira Hubbard was president and J. W. Fank recorder. In 1892 James Manuel was president and J. W Funk recorder.

The present village reeords date from 1895, the previous records having been destroyed by fire. The records show the officers since 1895 to have been as follows:

1902 - President, James Daley; trustees, C. E. MeKinney, H. P. Mitson, James Manuel; treasurer, James Dunford; recorder, A. J. Fife; justices, H. Iverson and A. Kimball.

1903 - President, II. P. Mitson; trustees, James Manuel, Frank Wickett, A. J. Fife; treasurer, J. Dunford; reeorder, F. M. Boynton; constables, A. A. Truman, George Spyier.

Canton township, the second on the southern tier from Houston county, with Newburg on the east, Jowa on the séuth, Harmony on the west, and Amherst on the north. It has the reg- ular thirty-six sections of a government township. The township is particularly adapted to tillage purposes and stock raising, as it is well watered with springs, yielding water of great purity, and in abundance. The soil is varied and of superior quality. In the northeast part Richland Prairie comes down into the town to the vicinity of Lenora, while in the extreme southern part, a narrow strip of Looking Glass Prairie is found. North of this the first settler found burr oak openings, with a scattering but fair growth. Along the central part of the eastern town line it is more broken, with occasional stony points, and with some timber. The northern and southern parts of the town have a dark loam, while the remainder is of a clayish nature and very productive. The ''sink holes'? in this town are quite numerous.

A stranger coiling into the town would not fail to notice fhe fine buildings and well kept farms which give such an air of thrift and prosperity to the inhabitants, who maintain the front rank in modes of farming.

Early Settlement. The first settler in Canton was Albert Nichols who staked out a claim Marcel 7, 1851. This was the first claim taken in the county. The complete story of this early settlement is told in the chapter on the first settlement of the county.

In 1832, Archibald Donald took quite a tract of land im the eastern part of section thirty-six. Ile tame from Scotland and remained awhile in Milwaukee, but in 1852, came to this town and remained until death, whieh was by drowning, at Preston, in 1865.

In 1853, there were quite a munber of aecessions to the town, among them Nelson Darling arrived in the spring and went on to section twelve, but after a year or iwo removed. He died became a prominent man. His farm finally became the county in Brownsville. B. F. Tillotson came with the Onstine party and took Jand in Amherst, but his house was south of the town line, aud in Canton. Tillotson married Hannah Onstine, and poor farm. Elijah Austin came here from Monroe county, Wisconsin, in 1853. His land was in sections eleven and fifteet. IIe was county commissioner and was the first postinaster in town (Richland postoffice), and in all respects a prominent man. In about 1856 he removed to the vicinity of Faribault, and afterwards farther west. T. J. Hames took land in section ten, in 1853, and finaly went to Texas.

In the southwestern part of the town another settlement was commenced in 1853, coming from Moline, Til, headed by Captain Julius Eliott, the founder of Elliota village. The year before he had come up the Mississippi to Wild Cat Bluff, and thence west as far as this region, which pleased him so much that he returned, and was instrumental in bringing quite a colony. among them Matthew Williams and Mr. Syford, who came with a team, brineing lumber from Iowa. Elliott took the southwest quarter of section thirty-two. Williams quarreled with the others and went to Houston county. Syford remained on section thirty-three for abont seven years, when he went to Kansas. Captain Elliott brought his family here in May. Robert Armstrong took the southwest quarter of section thirty-three, where he lived for many years.

Elder William Bly planted himself in the southeast quarter of section thirty-two. Ile was a preacher, but not a member of this colony. Ile soon sold to Charles B. Kimball, and went to seetion six, Newburg, going from there to Bloomfield township, where he died. E. P,. Eddy also arrived in 1853, and secured a foothold in section one. He was one of the famous Onstine party. Godfrey Wolford was a character who put in an appearance in the summer of 1853, from Ohio, with his wife and children, and stuek his stakes in section twenty-three, in the southeast quarter. Here he lived and worked and fished and hunted, and told his stories for eight or ten years, and then went to Martin county, where he died in 1881.

John Willford came from Wisconsin in 1853 and settled on section fourteen. Te stayed until the sixties, when he moved to Cottonwood county, this state, later going to Pueblo, Colo., where he died. James Kelley and stepsons, the Livingood boys, nlso eame in 1853. Kelley's habitation was just south of where Lenora now is, and in addition to the 160 acres around his cabin, he claimed thousands of acres and proceeded to stand guard over it with a shot gun, threatening to shoot any man who should presume to drive a stake anywhere in his vast domain. He was a regular ''bulldozer,'' although this was long before the coining of that graphie word. His pretensions were based upon the right of conquest or discovery, as he declared that he had hunted all over this region before the advent of other white men. In humble imitation of the civilized nations of the globe, he sueceeded in making his claims so far respected that he realized quite handsomely from his methods. He sold 400 acres to Elijah Austin, besides many others to the new comers. Ile was a married man, coming from Wisconsin, and had raised a family, and after some years he left. The Kingsburys also took claims in 1853. Four brothers - Joln, Charles, Martin and Seymour V.-came to the county in 1852 and settled in ihe vicinity of Waukokee, in Carimona township. Martin remained in Wau- kokee, but some years later went to Kansas. Charles later in life went to Oregon. Seymour V. and John, in 1853, took claims in section thirteen, Canton. Seymour V. went to South Dakota, and then to Mason City, Iowa, where he died. John moved to Preston and died.

W. McHenry also settled in Canton in 1853, but relinquished his claim to B. F. Tillotson and moved to section sixteen, Preble township. In 1854 eame Charles B. Willford and settled in section fourteen. With him were his sons, William, Charles, Wesley and Sanford S. There was also one daughter, Sidnia Jane. The mother also came. With this party came James M. Graham. Grahain brought his wife and family. The party left Hancock county, Ohio, September 11, 1854, and reached Canton October 7, of the same year.

William Marley and Mathias Heard in 1855 came from Moline with six yoke of oxen, some cows and other stock. They had been river men on the lower Mississippi. Heard secured a place in section thirty-one, but afterwards sold and went to Harmony, and finally to Kansas. Marley located in section thirty-one, and afterwards in section twenty-nine. Among others who came in 1855 were Dr. J. M. Wheat, George McMaster, Elder John L. Dyer, Lyman Seelye, Wiliam Smith, O. F. Holmes.

In 1856 came D. L. Bryant, Horace and William Wheeler, Patrick McKenney, Joseph Woodle and many others, this being the year of the principal influx, when the larger part of the land in the township was taken up.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Canton township were issued by the government in 1854. Those who obtained land that year were as follows, the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely located: June 16, Henry Kelley, Jr., 28; August 8, John Graham, 25; August 8, George R. Miller, 1; August 8, Albert Nichols, 25; August 8, Benjamin I'. Tillotson, 4; August 10, Ehjah Austin, 11; August 11, Julius W. Elliot, 32; August 11, John Kingsbury, 13; August 16, Enoch H. Miller, 25; August 18, Aaron Ludden, 12; August. 25, Giles L. Reynolds, 14-15; August 25, Nelson Darling, 11; August 28, John Willford, 23; August 29, Theodore J. Eames, 9; August 29, Earl F. Emmons, 4+; August 29, Austen Eastman, 11; August 29, John Jacobson, 3; August 29, Hans Johnson, 10; August 29, Peter Oleson (Peterson), 3; August 31, Christopher Hellikson, 24; September 2, Robert Armstrong, 33; September 2, Andrew Cheney, 81; September 2, Amos A. Mooney, 31; Sep-

Rev. Daniel Jones

Early Events. David Donald, son of Archibald and Elizabeth Donald, was born on January 7, 1853. The first girl born here must have been Eliza A. Armstrong, daughter of Robert and Eliza Armstrong, who was born July 25, 18538. Aaron Ludden and Miss Nelson were married August 24, 1853, by Rev. William Bly (a Baptist minister). Miss Nelson was a sister of Mrs. William Loomis, of Mabel, Minn. From the most reliable information obtainable, John M. Kingsbury and Cordelia West were united in the bonds of wedlock by Elder William Bly, July, 1854. A step-child of Nelson Darling was taken away in the summer of 1853, and was buried on section twelve.

Political. At the meeting to organize the town, on May 11, 1858, there was a spirited contest over the name, and quite a number were suggested, but the struggle was finally narrowed down to two names, ''Elyria,'' suggested by E. P. Eddy, and that of ''Canton,'' proposed by Fred Flohr. The vote declared in favor of Canton, but the Elyria party gave up reluctantly, and the first town book ordered had this name on it. At this election EB. P. Eddy and William S. Marsh were sworn in as judges, and William Willford and $8. V. Kingsbury as clerks. The meeting was at the log schoolhouse in Lenora, the first edifice built in the county for school purposes. According to the record, the following persons were elected: Supervisors, Joseph Woodle (ehairman), O. Holmes and William Marley ; justiees of the peace, Silas Pennoek and John Cleghorn; constables, G. R. Miller and William Wilkinson; elerk, E. F. Dyer; assessor, S. V. Kingsbury; collector, C. B. Kimball; overseer of the poor, Reese Rush. The town was divided into nine road districts, and a tax of two days' work levied for each person not

Railroad Bends. In 1879, a proposition was made to bond the town, to assist in the construction of the Narrow Gauge railroad. At the first election the proposition was rejected hy a good round majority, but a second town meeting was held. The officers of the road were deeply interested, particularly the citizens living in Preston, and the citizens of the county seat generally were anxious as to the result, and were well represented at the polls, Carriages were procured to convey the voters to the polls, and the point was carried. The second election came in harvest time, and those who were opposed to the bonds elaimed that an unfair advantage was taken, In the fall of 1879. the town issued bonds to the amount of $12,000, to assist in building the Narrow Gauge railroad.

Early Industrial Enterprises. A tannery was started in 1859, by William Bursell, on seetion twenty-five. A building eighteen by twenty-two feet was first put up and quite a business was done for two yenrs. His bark mill was placed on a large stump tor a foundation and was also utilized for grinding corn. The attempt was not entirely satisfactory, and was abandoned. In 1859 or 1860, a saw-inill was constructed about twenty rods betow the spring on the farm of Albert Nichols. It had an over-shot water wheel twenty feet in diameter. The building was eighteen by forty feet, with a perpendieular saw that would cut three or four hundred feet of lumber a day. This was kept in motion for about four years. About the time that Nichols' mill stopped making sawdust, Marshall Wineh put up a mill about a mile and a half southwest of Lenora, which was not unlike the other, except that it had a better power. A brother, Asel, finally bought the affair and a few years after a freshet washed it out. In 1880, a mill was ereeted thirty by eighty-four feet, on the farm of P. Brode, near the railroad. It had a four horse-power press run hy an engine of fifteen horse-power, and had a twenty-foot Cook evaporator. It turned out several hundred gallons of syrup in a day, which was purified by the best processes. The establishment was bnilti and owned by six enterprising settlers: Daniel O. Brien, G. W. Sprague, &. P. Sprague, G. M. Traxler, Frank Allison and P. Brode. The enterprise was finally abandoned.

Lenora is a hamlet in section two, Canton township. At the present time it consists of one store, a hotel, a Methodist church, a sehool, a blacksmith shop, a village hall, and a number of residences.

John L. Dyer, an enthusiastic Methodist minister, who, in 1855, took the west half of the southeast and the east half of the southwest quarter of section two. In the year 1856, he set oll the southwest forty for a town site, proposed to sell lots and appropriate the avails to the building of a large Methodist church. It was to he of stone and in the basement there was to be a school or academy, which should be denominational in its teachings. My. Dyer devoted his energies to this object and many lots were sold, some of them realizing $60 cach. In the winter of 1856 and 1857, stone was hauled for the building and work was eommenced. The walls were nearly up when the panic of 1857 struek the enterprise. When the building of the stone chureh was commenced, the building committee consisted of Charles B. Wilford, LeRoy Streator and James M. Graham. The three signed notes to pay the contractor, MeDonald, for his work, and the burcen of the payment fell on Wilford and Graham, a heavy calamity in those days of little money. Later a smaller ehnreh was built inside the walls of the half-completed edifice.

In 1856 the first store was put up by John L. Dyer, and managed by his son Joshua. John Miller soon put up a blacksmith shop, and in 1859 Charles Churehill erected a hotel.

In 1857 Lenora became a great business center, as it was centrally located in the then sparsely settled country of that locality in territorial times. Elections, political meetings, chureh services, Singing schools, and spelling schools were held here in the first edifice built in Fillmore county for school purposes. All public gatherings invariably had a good attendance in this early period of settlement on Richland prairie, as it was then called.

During the year 1857 a literary society was organized at this place, called the Archean Society, the objeet of whieh was for the improvement of those participating in composing and ex- Pressing their thoughts on paper. A paper was made up composed of the articles written hy the members of the society, and others, and named the ''Monthly Union,'' and read on a set tune once 4 month, in the first log schoolhouse built in the county, by some member of the society who had been chosen at some former meeting as editor. The names of some of the members of the Archean Society were: Elias F. Dyer, W. W. Braden, William Willford, Seymour V. Kingsbury, Henry Titus, William C. Jackson, Mrs. Sherburne Stevens, Maria Streator and Mary Symms. At this date (1911) all are deceased except Willam Willford, the writer of this sketeh, and Maria Streator, now Mrs. Kingsbury. William Willford was the first editor of the ''Monthly Union."? The socicty kept up its organization for a,number of years, whieh was up to the time of the ''Indian Scare"' in 1862, when nearly every settler ''vamoosed his ranch'' to get away from the Indians who were at that time distant at least 125 miles. When the ''Union'' was read there was always a crowded house io listen to the artieles that were written by the home talent of Richland Prairie.

Writing articles for the ''Monthly Union'' proved to be a good mental and beneficial exercise for the members; the entertitinments given by the Archean Society were well received by the people, and the artieles read from the pages of the ''Union"' were instrnetive and amusing to the listeners. 'The early pioneer days of Lenora will long be remembered from the time of the "Monthly Union'? of 1857 and later.

Lenora Postoffice. Charles B. Willford was appointed postmaster in the winter of 1856, and Joshua Dyer was his deputy, who kept the office at his store. Afterward Mrs. Bennet aeted as deputy, with the office at her house in the village. Then John Hobart had the offiee at his store, and was followed by William Smith, and on his death his wife reeeived his commission. George Jolinson held it in his store until it was burned in 1878, when A. C. Seelye had it at his hotel for a few months, when N. J. Willsie was appointed. IIe was followed by W. J. Stevens, who was serving when the office was discontined by reason of the establishment of the rural route from Canton.

Lenora Cemetery. The land for a burial place was purchased of William Smith and O. F. Holmes at a very early day. Austin Eastman's remains were the first to be deposited there, in the fal) of 1856. The records in regard to the early cemetery organization are lost, but another organization was effected September 7, 1867. A driveway was purchased from George W. Parker after the incorporation. William Willford, Charles Willford, E. D. Washburn and William P. Stevens stood responsible for the price of the driveway until enough lots were sold to raise the amount. The cemetery is well located and well kept.

Elliota Village. In the summer of 1853, when this region was first settled, Captain Elliott, whose claim proved to be on ihe southwest of section thirty-two, planned to have a village here, and gave away lots to all who would improve them, and as soon as the land was in the market it was platted and recorded. A store was started, and a hotel, by the enterprising proprietor, and in 1834 he sold his stock of goods to Harvey Marsh, who managed the business up to February, 1855, when the hotel and store were both burned, but Mr. Marsh at once rebuilt. John Boone next put up a large stone store. John Cleghorn also soon put in a good stock of goods, and it is said dug the first well.

This was at one time a stage line center, Walker's Dubuque and St. Paul line being among the number. The old territorial road was east of Eliott's claim, and there was great rivalry between this place and Syford's, who also kept a hotel, as to the travel. It was finally brought through the new village, and prosperity seemed to be a secured promise, but today it is deserted, the business center now being at Canton.

Postoffice. A postmaster was commissioned here in 1854, Captain Elliott holding the document. He was succeeded by Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Wileox, Mr. Manuel, and finally by Dr. Sturgeon, who surrendered the pouch key in April, 1882, and closed the office.

Prosper is a small but growing village in sections thirty-five and thirty-six. It has a chureh, one bank, one creamery, one lumber yard, one blacksmith shop, one hardware store, a hotel, two general stores, and a grain warehouse. It is noted as a great market for live stock, its shipments being very large.

Early History. Soon after the close of the war of the rebellion, E. B. Clark secured a postoffice and was appointed postmaster, keeping the offiee at his house in section thirty-five. In about one year it went over the state lne, with Enoch Rollins as postmaster. In 1880, F. R. Miles succeeded to the position. A depot was erected, and gradually a village grew up around the store and depot.

Citiapter Xxiv Amherst And Holt

Amherst township is constituted as originally outlined by the United States surveyors, and has Preble between it and Houston county on the east, and Canton between it and Iowa on the south. It is bounded by Preston on the west and Holt on the north. The South fork of Root river traverses the southern part of the town, coming from the west and entering the township through the northwest quarter of section thirty-one, and wending its course eastward through sections twenty-nine, twenty-eight, twenty-seven and twenty-six, finally making an abrupt northward curve in the corner of section twenty-five, where it leaves Amherst township through the southeast quarter of section twenty-four. This township contains an area of 23,040 acres. The surface in the northern part is generally rolling prairie, interspersed with timber sufficient to make the land valuable. While the northern part of the town cannot be called rugged in the full sense of the word, yet it is the most broken portion of the township, the undulations and roiling portions of the prairie being more abrupt and marked than in any other part of the town. Toward the southern boundary the rolling prairie continues, gradually lowering to the level of the river. Here, in places, the prairie is covered with a growth of brush and timber, whieh, when removed, leaves the land in a fair condition for cultivation. The eastern tier of sections is partially covered with heavy timber, and may be considered as among the best timber lands in the county. The soil is mosily a dark loam, mixed with clay, although in some portions of the town it has a marked tendeney to sandiness. The bottoms, along the river and ereeks, are covered with good varieties of indigenous grasses, supplying hay and grazing for stock.

Mrs. E. L. Balcock Mas. Anthony Dum Iy

wild aud unknown region in search of a suitable spot to establish a home, and, although parties are living who were connected and associated with the pioneer, there is much more uncertainty in regard to who it really was than is supposed hy those who have never undertaken to gather it.

Annanias Lashmidt and his brother, John, were the first two men to commence an effort for civilization in the town of Amherst. They arrived here in the summer of 1852, and took a claim in section thirty-six, where they broke about sixteen acres, and in the fall they weut baek to Iliuois, but returned the following spring to further their improvements. In August, 1853, they sold this claim to BE. P. Eddy. The two Lashmidts lived in this and adjoining towns until 1866, when they removed to Missouri.

In the spring of 1853, Jacoh Vought arrived and selected a claim in section thirty-two. Tarly in the spring of 1853, another hardy pioneer and adventurer wended his way to Amherst, a Mr. Woodruff. He took a claim in seetion thirty-two, where Henry Onstine afterward lived. After living on the claim a short time his wife became alarmed on account of the Indiaus, who had been encamped throughout the township, and he sold his claim for a trifling sum to James Kelley, Jr., who afterward turned it over to Mr. Onstine, and he with his family and eifeets fied the country. John Livingood came from Iowa in 1853, and located a elaim in section thirty-five. He remained but a short time and sold to Nichaet Oustine, removing to Winneshiek county, Iowa. He was suspected of the murder of a Mr. Tellyer, whose body had been found in Pine Creek, and was arrested in Winneshiek county and brought back. Upon trial, he was convicted and sentenced (o ninety-uine years and one day's inprisoniment at hard labor. After serving cight years of his sentence he was pardoned on account of good hehavior, and then disappeared. A My. Laird was an early settler, arriving in Amherst in the winter of 1858 and 1854; he, however, remuined on his claim in section twenty-seven but a short thine, selling out and removing to Missouri. With Laird came Frank Richardson, from New York State, who located upon section thirty-six,

B. F. Tillottson took a claim where the county poor farm is now situated. E. P. Eddy, not being satisfied with the claim which had been selected for him, and not being able to get water within a reasonable depth, selected another claim in section thirty-six, upon the northeast quarter. Mr. Eddy named the town Amherst, shortly after his arrival, in honor of the place in which his wife was born. William MeHenry squatted on land now oeenpied by the poor farm. Henry Onstine

1855. Phineas Underwood, a typical Yankee, was another of the pioneers, coming from Vermont aud locating in section thirty in 1853. Te sold out several years later and moved to Missouri. Robert Wilson was also one of the comers of 1856. He eame from Preston and located near 'Stringtown.'' He and his team of horses were killed by lightning in 1871. Rev. George Kingston came in about 1855, locating in section nineteen. Ile was a local Methodist preacher. His son, William Kingston, enlisted and went to the war, but came hoine with the typhoid fever. Tis family were ill with the fever shortly after, and the father and one child died. George Ruggles was an early settler and a prominent man in Fillmore county. He also settled near '"'Stringtown,'' but removed to Kansas in 1871. George and Nels Phillips were early settlers at ''Stringtown.'' They were carried away to Kansas in the stampede to that state in 1870 and 1871. The same may be said of the Lashmidt brothers, who were among the first settlers.

1856. William Barton came in 1856, from Vermont, and located in seetion thirty-five. He remained on the elaim until 1875, when he sold out and moved to Mason City, Iowa. He was 2 prominent man in Fillmore county polities, holding various offices at different times. He was sent to the legislature in 1869, and was also a county commissioner.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Amherst township were issned by the government in 1854. Those who obtained land that year were as follows, the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely loeated: January 18, Michael Onstine, 26; August 8, Benjamin F. Tillottson, 33; August 18, Francis Richardson, 34; August 29, Peter Oleson, 34; August 29, Henry Onstine, 32; August 29, Lars Pederson, 34; September 1, Annanias Lashmet, 25-26; September 1, Levi M. Smith, 22; September 1, Jemima Streator, 25; September 6, Robert Gilbert, 25; September 6, Thomas Gilbert, 35; September 6, James Lynn, 26-27; September 7, Knud Knudson, 27; September 8, Heluk Christopher, 11; September 8, Lars Trulson, 1; September 8, Lars Christensen, 11; September 8, Andrew Haldersen, 2; September 8, Thomas Knudson, 11; December 23, William J. Adams, 33; December 27, Henry Hutchison, 25; December 27, Levi Manning, 24.

law, B. F. Tillottson. Henry and his companions pushed their way west into Wisconsin, where he was joined by his brother, Michael, and family, and next into Iowa, where they were joined by another son-in-law, E. P. Eddy, who had previously settled in the West. This made quite a settlement of the pioneers and the entire party pushed on to Buehanan county, Jowa, where they stopped a while. Representatives of the colony traveled through Iowa and adjoining states in quest of a suitable location, but they returned dissatisfied. After wandering around for some time and locating at St. Charles, Iowa, and Bradford, they selected claims on the Little Wapsipinicon river and commenced the ereetion of log cabins and put up several tons of hay. Tere they were accidentally found by a nephew of Henry Onstiae, J. B. Onstine, a young man who had located and was practicing law in Decorah. Ife discouraged them in various ways and persuaded them to come to Minnesota. They at once sent a delegation to Amberst who selected claims and then returned for the families, who arrived in Angust. Henry Onstine bought the right of some claims held by J. Kelley and William Mcllenry, in the southern part of Amherst township, retaining one for himself and others for Eddy and Tillottson. He located in seetion thirty-two, where he found all his requirements, as to timber, water and prairie, satisfied.

In the fall of 1853 eight of the Onstine party rode over the prairie on horseback in a northeast direction from what is now Henrytown, in search for timber enough to maintain a farm. Where Bratsberg chureh now stands was a thicket of hazel and small poplar, and this party were probably the first white men to enter the ridge land grove of timber on what was later the G. J. Onstine farm, now owned by T. T. Johnson. In going over they passed near Knut Kuutson's, now Stringtown, and returned by way of John Everitt's and Holver Peterson's, who settled im the spring on what proved to be section sixteen. These were all the settlers on their route.

Political. The township was organized May 11, 1858. The Messrs. Onstine, Henry aud Michael If. and Caleb C., well known men, were the principal spirits in organizing and getting the government wheels of the township running. The first town meeting was held May 11, 1838, at the cabin of Caleb C. Onstine, and the first eleetion resulted as follows: Supervisors, C. C. Onstine (chairman), J. W. Smith and H. Gunvalson; clerk, M. H. Onstine; assessor, D. C. Phillips; collector, Andrew Thompson; overseer of the poor, Knud Knudson; justices of the peace, John Everett and Willian Kimber; eonstables, J. Durkin and G. R. Marshall. The board met May 15, 1858, and made the organization of the town of Amherst a substantial facet.

Military Company. In 1862 a militia company was formed and organized in Amherst, composed of abont 150 men. The following were the oificers of the company: Captain, Simon Knudson (Soiney) ; lientenants, John Peterson, Hans Gunvalson and Knud L. Olson.

Celebration. An early celebration of the anniversary of American Independence iook place July 4, 1854, in the southeast eorner of the town of Amherst, in a grove owned by I. P. Eddy, and ilis gentleman furnished lumber for seats and the like. The opening of festivities commenced about 10 o'clock in the morning, by firing eight guns - shot-guns and rifles - heavily charged. After the speeches and cheers ended, a basket picnic was next in order. Conversations and chats continued during the balance of the day, and not until the sun was hidden helow the western horizon did the meeting adjourn. The ground was decorated with a liberty pole, from which the stars and stripes were waving in the breeze, and those who attended say that nothing in the line of celebrations they ever attended could equal this.

This same day, at Henry, was held a celebration of similar character. M. IJ. Onstine had made a flag which was unfurled and was without doubt the first in the county of this character. Mr. Onstine still has the same flag, which he proudly raises each Independence day.

Richland Center. A prospective village was laid ont in 1854, by William Barton, with the same motive in view that stimnulated JIenrytown's projectors. It was platted upon Mr. Barton's land on section thirty-five. A blacksmith shop was opened by Jesse Miller, and continued in operation for about one year, but the glory of the prospective city died out with the fire of his forge.

Stringtown is situated in the southern part of the town upon the northwest quarter of section twenty-seven. It is upon the crossing of country roads, and is on the south branch of Root river. It was a trading and postoffice point for many years.

The postoffice was named Amherst. It was established in 1864, with William Winch as the first postmaster, and was kept in Mr. Winech's store. Ti. J. Babcock kept the office in the store which is known as the "Stringtown Store.'' This was started in 1860 by William Winch, who ran it for a number of years, and sold to Ole Oleson. This enterprising Norwegian managed the establishment for a short time and then went out of the mercantile business, using the building for various other purposes. The store Was again started a few years later by Mr. Ward, who ran it for a short time. Te subsequently removed to Whalan, where he died. The firm of Langley & Halvorson succeeded Mr. Ward, and they in turn sold to J. D. Elliot, who, after running

Mr. And Mrs. George W, Shattuck

The name of the hamlet is so singular that a few words as to how it came by it will not be out of place here. The name it bears, ''Stringiown,'' serves the very purpose to be sought in naming a town, that is, it prevents its being confounded with others because of its oddity, and by it the locality is appropriately characterized. The name ezme from the fact that all the setilers built their houses along the road in the ravine in whieh the would-be village is located, thus stringing it out for some distanee. For this reason the settlers commenced calling it a "Strung ont town.'? This was shortened by common consent to "Strinetown.''

Henry. In 1854 an effort was made to have the two southeasier Counties in the state divided into three counties. It was at this time that Ilenrytown was projected, and it was platted with the inient that in such an emergency it might, on account of its central locality, become the county seat of the new county. It was laid out on the farm of M. IT. Onstine, on sections thirtytwo and tlurty-three, at the crossing of the county roads. The boom lasted but a short time, however, as the prospects of the little settlement were blighted by the non-division of the counties. The town was named in honor of M. H. Onstine's father, Henry Onstine, who is mentioned elsewhere in the history of Ambierst.

The postoffice in this village was established in the year of 1858, with C. C. Onstine as postmaster, and it was through his efforts it was secured, it being moved from Lenora to this point. The office was first at the residence of Mr. Onstine, and remained there for about one year. In the spring of 1859, M. I. Onstine Was appointed postmaster, and he held it for about five years, when EF. W. Bullis sueeeeded him, and it was soon after cdiscontinued. Still later the Henrytown postofiice was reéstablished and M. H. Onstine reinstated, hut a few years later it was discontinued by reason of the rural free delivery.

Holt is the second township from the northern and eastern boundaries of Fillmore county, having as intervening towns, Arendahl on the north and Norway on the east, while Amherst is on the south and Carrolton on the west. The principal stream is the Root river, which enters the town in section cight, having previonsly touched section eighteen, meanders into the edge of section five, and returning, goes down to section sixteen, then north through seetion nine and aeross the southeast corner of section four into section three, where it works toward the east to swing around and fiow northwest and Ieave the town in sec- tion two. There is a branch of this river, of considerable pretensions during a rainy time; it comes from the middle of the eastern part of the town, and running northwest, finally reaches the main river in the northern part of the township. Another ereek from the southern part flows north and empties into the river in section nine.

Early Settlement. The first colonization in this township was in the spring of 1854, just before the opening of the land office in Brownsville, where entries of land had to be made. As near as ean be learned, at the above mentioned time M. Onstine, who was then too young to make a claim himself, with his father, Michael, came and drove their stakes in section twenty-five. They had located originally in Amherst, the year before, coming from Ohio and remaining a certain time in Wisconsin, being natives, however, of Pennsylvania, The old gentleman passed on to the great majority on January 27, 1859.

Niles Carpenter and John Russell made claims in section twenty-five about 1854. Mr. Carpenter remained about fonr years, when he was elected county auditor, and removed to Preston and afterwards to Rushford, where he now resides. G. J. Onstine lived on the old place for sixteen years, when he removed to Rushford.

An early comer, in July, 1855, was John Johnson Rodebacken, who secured a location on sections fourteen and twenty-three. We was born in Norway April 14, 1827, and came to DuPage county, Illinois, in 1849, aud two years later to La Salle county, where he bought 100 acres of land, which he disposed of in 1854, and the next year, with ox teams, started for Minnesota with his brother-in-law, John Ellefson, and arriving in Holt, located a claim as above mentioned. For two years they remained together, and then clivided their interests. John Ellefson was horn jin Norway in June, 1824, and was an early settler in La Salle county, Illinois. He eame, as already related, and seeured lands in sections twenty-three and twenty-four. In the fall of 1855, Ole Mikkelson seevred 160 acres in section one.

Norman A. Graves came in upon the scene in the fall. My. Graves secured the organization of the school district, and the establishment of the Ilighland postoffiee, of which he was the first postmaster, He was the first justice of the peace there when the state was organized, and retained the position for seveval years; was county commissioner for one year, and superintendent of schools while this was a separate office for each town. John Anderson arrived in Jime, 1856, and surrounded a claim in sections twenty-six and thirty-five. Ile came from Norway by way cf Wisconsin, where he had sojourned nearly ten years. Muartm $8. Anderson found his way here and secured tracts of land in sections twenty-three and twenty-six. Knud Olson put in a personal appearance in the summer of 1856, and placed bis sign mauual in section twenty-three. David Whaalahan in 1856 wended his way up the Root river to section nine and surrounded a claim with $5 in his pocket, and went to work for himself and for his neighbors, and made every blow count. As showing what work will accomplish, he had at one time 1,800 acres of land, and when the railroad came he was offered $7,000 in cash for one eighty, which was rejected. Conrad Desmond secured a large tract of land in section three, near the river, in the spring of 1856. He was a single man, and put up a rude hut with a straw roof, put in five aeres of corn, and secured a bountiful yield, and in the fall built a more comfortable residence, using some of the bark from the deserted Indian village. Holver Iittleson was an early comer, and seeured 160 acres in section one. He lived there alone till married in 1859, and died September 15, 1866

Osman Johnson came from Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1858, and took a farm in section twenty-two. He did honorable service during the war, in the Nineteenth Wisconsin Regiment, and was in Libby prison and Andersonville.

Among the early pioneers was Gilbert Holt, who seitled in section thirty, and whose name was afterwards given the town. Early in the seventies he transferred himself to Dakota. G. J. Onstine secured a claim in section twenty-five. Patrick Gribbin came to Holt, locating on sections twenty-eight and twenty-nine in 1856. In 1868 this was sold, and, in company with his brother Peter, he secured the site for the mill which they put up in section twenty-one.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Holt township were issued by the government in 1855. Those who obtained land that year were as follows, the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely located: January 18, Caleb C. Onstine, 13; March 16, Michael H. Onstine, - ; April 30, Timothy McCartby, 2; June 8, Ole Jacobson, 13-14; June 8, George J. Onstine, 13-24; August 15, John Johnson, 14-23.

Early Events. The first white child reported to be born in town was Thomas Johnson, on March 29, 1856, a son of John Johnson Rodeback. 'The first child of Aimerican parentage was Charles O. Graves, son of N. A. Graves. The first representative to the legislature was George J. Onstine.

Political Organization, At first the present towns of Holt and Norway were organized together as one town and ealled Douglas. The division of the town was made in 1860, and the town of Norway created from the eastern half, a regular government township of thirty-six sections. When the new town avas set off, of course, in equity. it would be liable for its share of the publie mdehbtedness, so in March, 1861, a settlement was secured and Norway paid over to the mother town her share of the habilities, which was $2.69. The west side of the town, in what is now Holt, was quite well settled with English speaking people, who dominated in town affairs, as the east part, which now eonstitutes the town of Norway, was peopled by Scandinavians.

The organization of the town of Douglas dates from May 11, 1858. The name of Douglas drops out of sight in 1862, which was the probable result of a law of the state forbidding that more than one town should bear the same name, as there is in this ease a Douglas in Dakota county. The officers of the first town meeting were: Chairman, G. J. Onstine; moderator, AM. Onstine; clerk, Niles Carpenter. The officers elected were: Supervisors, G. J. Onstine (ehairman), Patrick Gribbin and Simon Thompson; elerk, Niles Carpenter; collector, John Russell; overseers of highways and bridges, John Peace, N. A. Graves and Andrew 8. Byholt; overseer of the poor, H. M. Onstine; constables, John Russell and Ellert Ellerston. The judges of election were G. J. Onstine and John Russell. The administration of town affairs from {hat time to this has been of a commendable character.

Highland Village is a hamlet on the boundary line between sections thirty-five and thirty-six, which brings it in the southeast corner of the town. A northeast and southwest road intersects the section line road at this point, and N. A. Graves and Andrew Shattuck, who had farms here, realizing the need of a vlacksmith shop, induced Christian Flohr to loeate here by each donating a piece of land, the one for a residence and the other fer a shop. This was in 1860, and he kept hammering away unti] 1872, when the shop was disposed of to Westley & Olson, who had a short time before started a rival coneern. In 1866 a store was started by two brothers, Ole and James Gjermundson, in the house built by the first blacksmith for a residence. They kept it running for about eighteen months and sold to Onstine & Jones. Two vears Jater it was disposed of to Graves & Son, who kept up the stock for a year, when it was turned over to Mr. Rye, who at the end of a vear failed in business. Andrew Olson was ihe next incumbent, and he kept turning over the goods for eight years. Some time in 1880, the store was rented to J. D. Elliot who, in 1882, sold his stock of goods to Christianson & Co.

Highland Postoffice. N. A. Graves procured the establishment of a postoffice in 1857, and was the first postmaster. The office was at his residence up to 1861, when the place was given to Mr. Shattuck. After one year it went to the store of Jones & Onstine, with A. D. Elliot as postmaster. When first established, the mail was brought by different persons for some time until a route was opened from LaCresent by the way of Hokah, Houston, Dedham or Yucatan, Highland and Preston, the carrier making the trip weekly, and not infrequently on foot when the roads were impassable for teams. The last postmistress was Mary Nepstad, and the patrons now receive their mail from Whalan.

The Village Pump. One of the institutions of the hamlet is the wel]. This was completed in December, 1870, and previous to this time the dependence for water was upon cisterns, surface ponds, and the ereek, a mile distant. This well is situated in the public street and is sixty feet deep, the last thirty-seven feet being through solid rock, and the cost was $200, one-half of which was borne by Mr. Shattuek and the rest by other citizens.

Whalan Village

Whalan is a small village on the line of the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. It has two general stores, kept by A. Anderson and T. E. Halvorson; a hardware store, kept by H. A. Anderson; a hotel, kept by A. Culbertson; a restanrant and grocery store, kept by D, M. Backman; a photograph gallery, kept by O, J. Hallum, and several other business enterprises.

Early History. The land where the village is located was originally owned by John Whaalahan, as he spelled his name, but usage dropped two a's and an h and it beeame Whalan. The land was presented to the railroad company on condition of having a station here, and that of the village lots Mr. Whaahalan should have every twentieth. The first house was built the season that the railroad reached this point, in 1868, by J. D. Cameron. It was kept as a hotel for a year or so, then as a warehouse for grain. The same season a store was opened by Carr & Smith. In the course of a year or two Smith sold out to Carr, and in 1871, he sold to A. Ward, who kept it until his death m the spring of 1879. During that season the hotel was erected by Canfield & Crowl. After one or two changes of proprietorship it fell into the hands of Nelson Canfield.

George Dyer, in 1866, erected a store. The first drug store was opened in 1873, by Weiser & Ring. Mr. Ring soon became the sole owner, who soon after sold to A. Backman. The same season, 1868, when the village started, another store was built by Joseph Olson and Thomas Anderson. It was rented to John Iverson, who kept it up to 1869, and then moved to a store opposite Mr. Dyer, which had been put up by J. WhaaJahan, but the business was closed out about a year afterwards. Among other early merchants were Johnson & Peterson, Ole Osten, Greaser & Co., J. Walker, John Russell, Mr. Downing, and John Streeter.

Municipal History, Whalan was incorporated as a village, March 30, 1876. The first officers were: President, John Russell; trustees, J. Downing, Andrew Ianson, G. I. Dyer; recorder, G. G. Cooley; treasurer, Paige Downing; justice, D. F. Jones; constable, C. G. Jordan.

1883 - President, Nels Canfield; trustees, H. M. Onstine, A. E. Anderson, William D. Culbertson; recorder, A. Backman; treasurer, D. F. Jones.

1888 - President, A. Culbertson; trustees, William B. Dixon, A. Anderson, William D. Culbertson; recorder, A. Backman: treasurer, Christ Larson.

1890 - President, C. Canfield; trustees, D. F. Jones, C. Holmen, Hans O. Westby; recorder, A. Backman; treasurer, C. Larson. This year the date of election was changed from January to March.

Waterworks. The erection of the waterworks resulted mainly through the efforts of President A. Culbertson. Bis persistence and enlerprising spirit found favor with the people and in September, 1899, a lot was purchased from Knudt Johnsou and a cistern erected thereon. The cistern, which is cireular, has a capacity of 1,500 barrels and is located half a mile northeast of the village. After ihe erection of the eistern the work progressed rapidly on the laying of the mains and was completed in the fal] of 1900. A pressure of ninety pounds to the square inch is. obtained, and, with eight hydrants and 1,500 feet of hose, affords ample fire protection. The water is excellent, being pumped from a liberal depth by windmill] power. The complete system cost the village about $4,000. As the treasury was well supplied with money hefore the undertaking, no bonds were voted.

The Village Hall, which is located near the center of the village, was erected about the year 1888. The village and township both use this building, though it is the property of the village. It is a wooden structure, two stories high. The upper story 1s used for social purposes and the lower story is used for housing the fire apparatus, the polling place and jail. The jail, which has four cells, was recently condemned. The hall was erected at a cost of about $1,000. There is no regular fire company, but in ease of need the citizens turn out under the direction of Anthony Anderson.

Cilapter Axv

Mabel Village - Present Activities - Commercial Club - Telephone Company - Grain and Stock Company - Early History - Municipal History - Water Works - Newburg Township - First Settlement in County - Early Days by William Willford - Bellville - Newburg - Other Items.

Mabel is an ineorporated village on the Reno-Preston division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and is located in sections 26 and 27, Newburg township. The first settler on the present site was William Loomis, who came in 1853. The village was platted in 1879 and ineorporated in 1892.

At the present time Mabel is a flourishing hamlet, well laid out, with good sidewalks, waterworks system, fire proiection, telephone serviee, good schools and a number of ehurehes, solid banks and a live newspaper.

Among tle present activities of Mabel may be mentioned: General stores - E. L. Tollefson & Co., Christopherson & Danielson, Bacon & Erickson, P. J. Heggen. Drugs - A. Jones & Son (D. W.). Furniture and undertaking - M. C. Christopherson and Fingerson & Olson. Restaurants and groceries - Lee Brothers (T. C. and L. C.), Bacon & Stroud, A. C. Wold. Implement stores - O. K. Wold, B. K. Swenson, Taber & Eastman. Hardware - Fawcett & Faweett (G. & 1.), J. J. Larson. Harness shop - J. P. Dahl & Son (O. P.). Millinery - Mrs. C. Dunn and Rose Antrim. Lumber yards- - Colman Luunber Co. (8. C. Brace) and K. Olson. Elevators - Tollefson & Johnson, Mabe) Elevator Co. (P. C. Johinson, pres.). Automobile supplies - G. L. Gabrielson, Mabel Telephone Exchange (G. L. Gabrielson). Banks - First National and State Bank of Mabel. Mabel Reeord (E. R. Antrim). Hotel - H. A. Gunvalson. Postoffice - D. W. Jones, postmaster. Physicians - H. A. Nass, J. C. Lannin, C. W. Cady. Dentists - D. A. Haines, L. V. Peterson. Chnrehes - Methodist Episcopal, United Norwegian Lutheran, Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical. There is one lodge, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. There are also the usual livery stables, barbers, real estate agents, insuranee agencies, grain and stock buyers and the other customary lines of endeavor. There have never been any saloons.

Kluef Tollefson And Grandciit.-Dren

The Mabel Commercial Club was organized in February, 1912. It has a membership of fifty business men, professional men and prominent citizens, its object being for advertising the town, to promote sociability and for the general good of the community, The officers are : President, JC White; vice president, IIadly Larson; secretary, D. A. Haines; treasurer, I'. W. Bacon.

Mabel Telephone Company. Mabel has excellent telephone service, with an exchange which connects with the two long distance lines, and with numerous farmers' lines. There are 110 instruments in use on the local lines and 500 on the farmers' lines. No less than fifteen farmers' lines connect with this exchange. The ''Bell'' company established an office in the drug store of Jones & Son in 1896. Three years later the ''Standard'' eoinpany opened an office in the Bank of Mabel. The exchange is now loeated in the place of G. L. Gabrielson, who is the manager. The Mabel Telephone Company was established in May, 1903. The officers are: President, John N. Johnson; secretary, H. H. Hammer; treasurer, N. H. Nelson; directors, Ole Dahl, E. C. Sriekson and Grandville Faweett.

Early History. In the fall of 1879 Frank Adams, the chicf constructing engineer of the railroad which was then being constructed throngh Newburg township, purchased portions of the farms of C, D. Taber and William Loomis and platted the village of Mabel, naming it in memory of a little danghter who had died a short {ime previous.

Almost before the platting was completed Jones Brothers, general merchants; E. L. Tollefson, general merchant; Jones & Tamnes, hardware merchants, and Landlord Thompson, a hotel inan, were on their way to the new village to open up their business establishments.

MeMichael & Son, represented by Mr. Fisher, and MeCormack, represented by E. M. Snell, were soon ready to buy grain. Three lumber yards were started hefore snow came, one hy Day Brothers, of Decorah, represented by Mr. Tilford; another by Hemmingway & Barelay, of Lansing, and the third by Edwards & Osborne, of La Crosse, represented by Mr. Anderson. Competition was keen and within two vears only Edwards & Osborne were left.

John Thompson and Chris. Enger also located in the village in 1879 and opened blacksmith shops. Joseph Apple started a wagon shop and Bentz & Taylor a grocery store. E. M. Snell and Frank Jones were the first to erect dwellings within the present limits of the village, occupying them during the winter of 1879-80. In the spring of 1880 Mrs. 8. C. Brace opened a milliner shop on Main street, and Frank Adams commenced the

This constitutes all the business ventnres of Mabel in the fall of 1879 and the spring of 1880. Since then the growth has been satisfactory and substantial.

The first physician in the village was Dr. E. H. Burridge, who opened a drug siore and also practiced medicine. The first child born was Amy, the daughter of E. L. Tollefson. Frank Adams, the proprietor of the town site, offered Mr. Tollefson his ehoice of village lots if he would name the young lady Mabel, after the village.

The next election was held March 14, 1893, and since then the elections have always been held in March. The village officers since the first have been:

1898 - President, S. C. Brace; trustees, E. C. Erickson, C. D. Taber, A. Jones; treasurer, V. H. Gilmore; recorder, Fred W. Bacon; justice, D. P. Bacon; constable, J. M. Bolland. At this election the people voted to divide the village from the township as a separate election and assessment district.

Water Works. After considerable agitation in favor of water works, the people of Mabel held an election April 14, 1896, and voted 45,000 bonds for the purpose of furnishing the village with a system of water works. Owing to technicalities and the difficulty of disposing of the bonds, two successive elections were held on the question, December 22, 1896, and March 16, 1897. Finally on April 18, 1897, an election was held which resulted in thirty-lour for and eight against the improvement. The bonds were sold to John Jacobson. The system was completed in the fall of 1897 and has received several additions since then. The mains eover the principal business and residential portions of the village. The power plant contuins a twenty horse hoiler, steam power. The water tank is located on Butler's hill and rests on a thirty foot tower. It has a capacity of 3,500 barrels.

Fire Protection. The Mahe! Volunteer Fire Department was organized in November, 1897, with C. D. Taber as chief. The fire apparatus is in good condition and the water pressure is sufficient for all needs. Iu 1905 the department was reorganized. C. A. Dahl is the present chief. JC White is the chairman of the company; Ole Dahl treasurer and G. I. Gabrielson secretary. The captain of the hose company is L. J. Antrim. The captain of the hook and Jadder company is HMenry Danielson. The company at the present tine consists of twenty men, divided into a hose company and a hook and ladder company. The present members of the department are: T. C. Lee, Otto Faraason, Hans Faraason, M. C. Christopherson, G. L. Galrielson, A. C. Lee, I. J. Antrim, Ole Dahl, Christ Dahl, Ole Bersic, Knute Olson, William Malder, Fred Wemett, JC White, R. Danielson, Henry Danielson, John Sedsvold, Carl Ramlo, Oscar Wemett, John Halseth.

Newburg is in the southeast corner of the county, Houston being on the east, Iowa on the south, Canton on the west and Preble on the north. Few sections of country seem to be more abundantly supplied with natural advantages than this. The contour of the land is slightly undulating, dotted with small groves of timber, and the soil is a uniform dark rich loam with a clay subsoil, well adapted to the cereals and to root crops or for grazing. The southwest seetions are covered with heavy timber. Fresh water is abundant from numerous springs with whieh other parts of the county are nat so highly favored, but the farmers resort to drilled wells from 150 to 200 feet deep, from whieh a plentiful supply of good water is raised, usually by wind-mill power.

Riceford creek rises near the southwest corner of the town and runs in an easterly direction for some distance, when it dives beneath the surface to reappear just as it leaves the township, in section 24. During a high stage of water ithe surplus heyond the eapacity of the subterranean channel flows on the surface. Another stream arises near the village of Newburg, and another Joops down into section 6, and unitimg runs north into the next town. A small creek rises near the western edge of section 1 and rung east to Riceford eveek.

Kineaid, a married man, Marcel: 8, 1851, the claim heing in section 32, where the '' West farn,'' so called, is now located. On the sume day a second claim was staked off by Stevens, a single man, and was a part of section 28, now known as the ''Edmunds farm.''? Mareh 9 Mr. Kineaid and Mr. Stevens, in company with Albert Nichols, who two days before had made a claim on section 25, Canton, returned to their homes on Fountain prairie, in Wisconsin, to prepare for making settlement on their claims in Minnesota.

They returned to Minnesota in May of the same year, with their outfit consisting of oxen, wagons, cows, breaking plows and provisions for a part of the summer, arriving at their claims about June 1. Albert Niehols found his claim unmolested, but Mr. Kineaid and Myr. Stevens were surprised to find their claims in the possession of others.

Joseph Lovesey and family, who hailed from Tlinois, had made settlement on Mr. Kineaid's claim, im section 32, and George Caunon and family, who also came from Illinois, were in possession of Mr. Stevens' elaim in section 28. Mr. Lovesey retained his claim until July 1, 1853, and then sold to Abram West and removed to Houston county. George Cannon held his elaim for about four years, then sold to Hiram Edmonds, and also went to Houston county, where he died.

Calvin Chandler put in an appearance in the sprig of 1852. He was from Bangor, Me., and made residence for a time in Beloit, Wis. He located in section 30, and remained about eighteen years, when he removed to Martin county, where he died.

John M. Monroe and family left Rockford, Il., June 3, 1852, with one span of horses, two pairs of oxen and provisions and sought the '' Western wilds,'' and after the experience of ''camping ont'' abont a month, arrived in Minnesota and staked off a claim on what is now section 26, where some of the family has sinee resided.

Lars Tollefson came to this township in 1851, and after looking the country over, went back to Wisconsin. In 1852 he brought his family here, among the children being FE. L. Tollefson, who afterward became so prominent a citizen. Lewis L. Tollefson, son of Lars Tollefson, was born Jwy 4, 1852, his being the first white birth in the county. As is usual in arriving at the first birth ina county, this point is disputed, but A. L. Tollefson, the Mabel banker, who has been much interested in the study of early history, has often heard this date given by his father, E. L. Tollefson, and the date was also often given by Lewis L. Tollefson himself. The same date is also inscribed on his tombstone.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Newburg township were issued by the government in 1854. Those who obtained Jand that year were as follows, the date of the issuance of the warrant being given first, then the name of the owner and then the section in which the land was largely located: August 8, William T. Bly, 6; August 8, Calvin Chandler, 30; August 8, Andrew W. Gray, 7; August 8, George R. Miller, 6; August 11, Jeremiah Clark, 18; August 11, Elias C. Koonts, 19; August 16, Archibald Donald, 31; August 16, Even Ellison, 31; August 16, Lars Johnson, 8; August 16, Wade Madeson, 5; August 16, Soren Nielson, 8; August 16, Thore Oleson, 4; August 16, Peter Peterson, 4; Augnst 17, Edwin Blackmarr, 32; August 17, Jonas Edmunds, 82; August 17, Hiram Edmonds, 28; August 17, Abraham West, 32; August 18, Enos T. Gray, 7; August 23, Niles Oleson, 384; August 23, Arne Pederson. 82-33; August 23, Swend Pederson, 33; August 24, Ellert Evenson, 31; August 28, Francis Ingraham, 19; August 31, Christopher Hellikson, 19; September 1, John Plomtaux, 5-6; September 1, William Ramsay, 6; September 1, Elizaheth Server, 6: September 2, Andrew Bronson, 28-29; September 2, Engoobrick Christopherson, 20; September 2, Engebrick Engebrickson, 20; September 2, Ever Gulbrandson, 20; September 2, Gulbran Gulbranson, 29; September 2, William Weir, 21; September 5, Ole Jorgenson, 5; September 5, Thore Nelson, 5; September 7, Arne Arneson, 33; September 7, Ole Bareson, 18; September 7, Nels Bareson, 17-18; September 7, Bear Oleson, - ; September 7, Austin Peterson, 18; September 9, George West, 33; September 14, Alexander H. Butler, 28; September 28, John Louisson, 31; October 17, George R. Edmunds, 32; October 18, Jans Gullingorud, 38: November 28, Harvey Bell, 25; November 29, Hiram J. Willsic, 7; Deeember 15, Alfred Clark, 29-30; Deeember 30, John Il, Hanu, 30.

Early Days. Newburg is one of the most historic towns in the county. Coming as it did in the Winnebago territory, it was opened to settlement earlier than the larger part of the county, and received many settlers from 1851 to 1856. Wiliam Wilford has written the following account of early days in Newburg:

This prosperous township claims as an ''old land mark'' an historic mill on Riceford creek in Houston county, which was loeated but a few rods east of the Newburg township line and was built, owned and operated by W. H. Rowe. Mr. Rowe was a rare genius, a natural mechanie and built this mill according to his own notions and plans. The water wheel and machinery of this mil, with the exceptions of a few bolts and castings were all wrought by his own hands. The mill stones were taken from the hill side near by and hammered and ehisled in shape to suit his idea of buhrs necessary to do the contemplated work. I never visited the mill myself, but will relate what a Methodist minister who was known in Colorado as the ''snow shoe itinerant,'' and whose name was Jolin L. Dyer, the proprietor of Lenora, tells in his autobiography abont this historic mill of 1856 and 1857. He said: ''On this charge there was one of the most dininutive mills that was ever seen in Minnesota. While we were looking at it doing its level hest two other men new in the country gazed on it with astonishment. And one of them who always would speak in approbation of anything he could, whined out, 'Why, it is the most industrious little mill I ever saw. Just as fast as it grinds one grain it begins on another.' We turned away from the first mill erected in the county with the idea of industry on our minds.''

I will narrate another statement made in regard to this little roill in pioneer davs as related by a man who resided in Hesper, Ta., for a time and later in Mabel, who hed made many visits to this little mill to ascertain the amount of business done. He said in the fifties it was quite difficult to procure wheat flour, for the teams then used were oxen, making travel slow, and tedious, and the flouring mills were somewhat remote from the settlement. It was then quite customary when an early settler exhausted his supply of wheat flour to take a sack containing about a bushel of corn on his shoulder and travel on foot to this little mil] and have it ground. On one occasion a near-by neighbor of the miller took his bushel of corn to this mill and requested the miller to grind it so he could take it home with him that day. 'To this the miller assented. The corn was put in the hopper and the saek was hung to the spout to receive the ineal. Mr. Rowe then invited his eustomer to his house for a ''ehat"' while the mill was grinding the corn. After a short time had elapsed the miller said they would return to the mill, as he thought the comm must be about ground. Mr. Rowe took the lead with his eustomer following. They entered the mill, went to the bulrs, looked in the hopper and saw the corn was all gone. The miller then took hold of the sack and gave it a slight kick with his foot aud found to their astonishment that the sack was empty. They then began to look around to see where the eorn neal was. Upon se¢rutinizing the buhrs of the mill closely they espied a chipmunk seated below the lower end of tlie hopper, and this unraveled the whole mystery as to where the

I will again quote from Rev. J. L. Dyer, the ''snow-shoe itinerant,'' who tells iu his autobiography how the pioneers of the ''fifties''? in this great and historic township of Newburg felt on the importance of their salvation. He says: '' About the 1st of December, 1857, I undertook to hold a protracted meeting in what was called the red schoolhouse which was quite a large one for those early days of settlement. There, in that vicinity, I visited twenty-seven families - about all in the school district - -and found but one old lady that gave evidence of saving grace. I saw all but one family. The day before on my way there I met a boy and asked him about them, and he said 'They have gone away. They expected you would be there - and give them the devil.' I heard of a family at the edge of the settlement that was called religious and hoped to have a good time. The man was a shoemaker. I rapped at the door, was invited in and told them who I was and my business and inquired of them if they enjoyed religion. 'he lady had been an Episcopalian but the man said he made no pretense but had more religion than men running around to every house and raising such a stir among the people. IIe had a religion of his own and reverenced his God.'' Well, the preacher asked him for a bit of his experience aud how he performed before his God. He gave no response to the questions, only said he would as soon hear a man swear as pray. ''I said, 'We generally ask to pray, but I will waive it on this occasion.' The woman said, 'I hope you won't go away without prayer.' 'Well, if you will kneel with me we will pray.' We knelt and offered a short and pointed prayer. I noticed that the man kept his hat on. When we got up I asked him how he liked the prayer. 'Oh, very well,' he said. 'Now, sir, if you had reverenced your God half as mueh as you professed you would have taken off your hat while we prayed.' 'I heg pardon,' he said, 'and hope you will excuse me. I never thought of it.' Of course I squared accounts by a promise that he would come to meeting. But while I was visiting some of the leading men got together and resolved to close the schoolhonse and not let me preach any more. That night, near time for service, I met in the vestibule two of the school directors, one a Quaker. He said, 'Mr. Dyer, how long does thee intend to hold these meetings?' 'Don't know.' 'Well, we have concluded these excitements that thee gets up will hurt our school.' I told him that it was thought that religion and education went together, and I was sure that they were not religious enough vet to hurt the school or prevent the children from learning. 'Well,' he replied, 'Mr. J - - thinks the weather is too bad for people to be ealled out every night.' 'I suppose Mr. J doesn't think it too bad to run opposition twice this week with a dance at his house,' I responded. And so, saying that we could have the house that night they passed on. We had a large audience and good attention, and if ever I gave a warm mess it was on this oceasion, At the elose I said, 'If there is anyone who wishes to have the meetings continue we would like to have him say so in the econgregation.' No one said a word. Then I asked the school directors what they had to say. One of them said, 'You can have the house on Sunday in the daytime, but not in the evening.' 'You all three agree to this?' They replied in the affirmative. J gave them a few words on leaving and said I was about to do as the devil never did, and that was to leave them. I was sorry to do so, as my only desire was to see them converted and saved in heaven. I dismissed the meeting and left. The common talk was that the red schoolhouse was closed against the preacher.''

Indian Village. John J. Johnson, who settled in the South Fork valley in the spring of 1854, relates that near his place there was an Indian village containing about one hundred '' bueks, squaws and pappooses.'' While breaking some land a few of the Indians wanted to assist in driving the oxen, but the cattle were afraid of them, and then they tried to hold the plow, but were also unsuccessful in this feat. These Indians were the Winnebagoes, the southeastern part of the county being in their territory.

Political. The town meeting to organize the township was held on May 11, 1858, at the schoolhouse in the village of Newburg. Only one of the regularly appointed judges of election was present. Gabriel Gabrielson, Jeremiah Clark and Calvin Chandler were appointed to fill the vacancies. Alfred Clark was appointed clerk. The officers elected were: Supervisors, A. IL Butler (chairman), JohnWillsie and John Craig; town clerk, Alfred Clark; assessor, G. Gabrielson; collector, Justus Seelye; overseer of the poor, Hiram Edmonds; justices of the peace, Hans Valder and James Harkness; constables, W. R. MeDonald and Thomas R. Seelye. The meeting voted that ''hogs and sheep should not be free commoners, within the limits of the town.''? A tax of $250 was voted. The schoolhouse in distriet No. 38 was designated by acclamation as the place for town meetings.

War Bounty. At a town meeting held on August 238, 1864, it was voted that each volunteer who should enlist and be credited to the quota of the town should receive $300, to be paid, $100 when enlisting, and the halance in two and three years, and to inect this obligation, bonds to the extent of $1,700 were authorized with interest at 10 per cent. The largest expenditure in

Charles W. Bacon. Geokge A. Bacon

Bellville. In the spring of 1853, two brothers, Edmund and Yenry Bell, started from Mereer county, Ohio, with teams of horses and mules, and a stock of about $500 worth of goods. Stopping m Lansing they procured some lumber, and after a journey of twenty-one days arrived in Newburg, put up their shanty, and opened their goods which they began immediately to sell. They also began to break up and cultivate some land. The lumber cost them, laid down at their door, #58 per 1,000 feet. Lansing, which was thirty miles away, was the nearest from whieh to replenish their stock of goods. Their building was 20x24 feet, with a shingle roof, whieh was considered a great luxury at that time. After the first season the goods were procured from Brownsville. The mercantile business was continued up to 1861. In 1855 Edmund Bell secured the kindly offiees of H. M. Riee, then territorial delegate, and procured the establishment of a postotfice under the name of Bellville. He was postmaster nine years and C. B. Reynolds was his successor. Later the office was moved to the westward with James AM. Donald as postmaster. When the railroad came through the office was moved to Mabel. At an early day a schoolhouse was erected at Bellville, and a hotel and a munber of buildings erected. Nothing now remains of the village.

Newburg Village. In the suminer of 1853 Hans Valder and family, with six other men and their families, came to this place from La Salle county, Tlinois. Mr. Valder located on section 8, the site of the village. At first a log strueture 14x16 feet afforded his family a shelter. Basswood bark was peeled off to form a roof and some boards were obtained from Decorah for a floor. He nained the place Newburg, which became the postoffiee and the jown name. The postofficee was secured in 1854, with Mr. Valder as postmaster. On December 18, 1855, the village having been platted, was recorded. Three days after Mr. Valder established himself, Hang Arneson eame and beyan the building of a hlacksmith shop of poplar poles, 10x12 feet, whieh was the first shop of this kind within a cireuit of fifteen imiles. Mr. Valder soon made an addition to his cabin home and put in a few groeeries, and a short time afterwards Gabriel Gabrielson came, and in September, 1855, began business in Mr. Valder's shanty. Tluee months Jater he built a log building, 16x20 feet, which was the first regular store in the village. His first stoek of goods was procured in Brownsville of J. H. Sinith, and consisted of fifty ponnds of coffee, two picees of cotton sheeting, two pieces of denims, several pieces of calico and a few yankee notions, the whole bill footing up about $100. Afterwards he began buying goods in Dubuque. In 1859 Mr. Valder was in business with

O. Dueland. Ie sold to Thomas Madland, but after two years or so they left. Mr. Valder's honse, from the very first, was used as a tavern, but in 1858 he built a more commodious house, with a barn, and culled it the ''Newburg House.'' He continued to keep hotel until early in the seventies, when his son conducted it, and afterwards N. Philips, and lastly Dr. George Nye, who, about. 1879, moved away. The village now consists of a church, a schoolhouse, a store and a few residences.

Following is an interesting list of all the merchants in the village of Newburg since 1854: Hans Valder, Gabriel Gabrielson, Valder & Dneland, Thomas Madland, Mr. Johnson, Joseph Pearson, F. A. Hilbert, Gabriel Gabrielson, Gabrielson & Johnson, Gabrielson & Tollefson, Gabriel Gabrielson, Harvey & Allen, H. Harvey, Gabriel Gabrielson, Sherven & Spande, Sherven & Olson, D. Sherven, K. K. Lerol, Oscar Bagley, C. W. Eastman and Eastman & Johnson. The firm of Eastman & Johnson, consisting of C. W. Eastman and T. A. Johnson does a flourishing business, and is the trading center for the people for miles around.