Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 27: Forestville and York, 1912

Forestville Township - First Settlers - Arrival of the Meighens and Fosters - Oldest Store in the County - Importance of Forestville Villages in the Early Days - Prominent Men - York Township - Early History - Hamlets of Greenleafton, Canfield, York and Cherry Grove.

Forestville Township is bounded on the north by Fillmore, on the east by Carimona, on the south by York and on the west by Bloomfield. It is a full congressional township, and in physical characteristics is not unlike the towns around it. The south branch of the Root river, so called, has in turn its north, middle and south branches, and the town is well watered.

The north and south branches have their source in this township. They are beautiful spring streams, flowing out from the bottoms of e¢liffs more than a hundred feet high. The north branch is said to be the finest natural trout stream in the state.

The township received its name from the many streams within its borders, especially along the streams near the village, which 'has now become quite a summer resort. The township contains more and better timber than any other town in the county, has more beautiful natural scenery than the other towns, eontains larger and better apple orchards and produces more apples, possibly, than any other town in the state. This lead in apple production was due to the persistent efforts of the late Barnett Taylor, the pioneer hortieulturist who settled in the village in the year 1856, and at once began to plant apple trees.

Early Settlement. The first settlers in this townslip were Levi Waterman and his brother-in-law, Joseph Bisby, natives of Pennsylvania, who came from Towa in the fall of 1852, bringing their families, stock and household goods. Waterman settled in 12, while Bisby's claim was east of the Waterman claim, largely in Carimona township. Waterman sold out to Felix Meighen and Robert M. Foster, and after moving about a while, settled in Kansas and pre-empted what is now a part of the city of Wichita. He is now dead. Bisby remained, became a prominent eitizen and ended his days here. The Watermans and the

In the summer of 1853 there arrived two men who were designed to be the real makers of Forestville. Robert M. Foster and Felix Meighen had known each other as boys in Pennsylvania. As a young man, Mr. Foster had moved to Steubenville, Ohio, and Mr. Meighen, who married Mr. Foster's sister, had Jocated in Galena. After considerable correspondence, the two ventlemen decided to iry their fortunes in a newer country. Consequently Mr. Foster came from Ohio to Galena, iL, and after staying there a short time, started to the westward with Mr. Meighen. At Decorah, Ia., they heard of the lands to the northwest that were open to settlement. Continning their journey they reached Elliota, and from there they traveled westward until they reaehed the fertile valley that is now the village of Forestville. After perfecting negotiations, Levi Waterman agreed to sell his claim. Mr. Meighen then returned to Galena. DL, to serve out his term as deputy sheriff under his brother, William Meighen, who was then sheriff of Joe Daviess county, in which county the city of Galena was located. Mr. Foster remained, and in Oetober, 1853, about forty rods north of the mouth of ''Sugar Camp Hollow'' he opened, in a double log building. the first store in Fillmore county, under the firm name of Foster & Meighen, Mr. Foster lived during the winter of 1853-1854 with the Waterman family, Samuel Riddle being also one of the boarders, Riddie having arrived in the early spring of 1854, and filed on a claim near the village. The Watermans aiso maintained a sort of a hotel for the convenience of travelers for about one year.

Tn 185+ the veal infiux of population began. Felix Meighen came back for a short time, bringing with him his brother, William Meighen, who also determined to east his lot here. Later they again went back to Galena, but the following year eaine to make {heir homes here permanently, bringing their families.

Forestville Village. This hamlet boasts of the oldest store in {he county, the first store which was opened in the county being still in operation here. The site of the village was staked ont as a claim by Levi Waterman in 1852, was hy him sold to Robert M. Foster and Felix Meighen in 1853, and was by them platted as a village in 1854. <A store was opened by I"oster & Meighen Oetober 1, 18538, heing in eharge of Mr. Foster until the early part of 1855, when Mr. Meighen arrived with his family. In 1856 a brick store and residence were erected from the first brick made in the county. The store stock was moved into this brick store in 1857. The company continued as Foster, & Meighen 'until 1868, when Mr. Foster withdrew. Thomas J. Meighen and a consin, Dennis R. Meighen, then conducted the store in Felix

Meighen's name for four years, since which time the establishment has beeu in charge of Thomas J. Aleighen. The house and store erected in 1856 are still standing.

In the meantime William Meighen arrived in Forestville in 1855 and began to take an active part in its destinies. He and Major J. Foster erected the Freemont House. Mr. Foster opened it in 1856, and Mr. Meighen began to deal extensively in real estate. In 1856 a steam sawmill was built and Forestville beeame not only the center of a large territory in this connty, but also the stopping place of the pioneers bound for points west and north.

While the Meighens and Fosters were building up a village north of the river Henry Fiteh had taken a claim south of the river in section 13, which in 1854 he sold to Forest Henry and William Renslow. They platted South Forestville and started a village. A grist mill was ereeted with Henry Spies as miller. A sawmill was also conducted in connection with this mill. Alvin West opened a hotel. Reuben Odell and later Gilbert Bassett opened stores. In 1856 a distillery was built, and econdueied by Robert Douglas, Reuben Odell and others. The product, which was pure rye whiskey, was sold at retail at forty cents a gallon. The imposition of the high war tax on liquor and distilleries caused this plant to be closed during the first year of the Civil War. After the village was started business increased rapidly, inany residences were erected, and the future of the eommnnity seemed assured. Only fertile fields, owned by Thomas J. Meigheu, now mark the spot which was onee the village of South Forestville.

The two Forestyilles flourished for a time. In 1880 there was a population of 100 people. During the war there were some four hundred persons living here. The best school in the county added to the attractiveness of the place and families flocked in from all the eastern states. It was soon believed that Forestville would be the metropolis of the county. But when the railroad which Forestville expected to get passed far north of the village, there was an exodus to Spring Valley and elsewhere, and although for a time the village held its own, it now consists merely of a store, the old Meighen home and a mumber of other buildings, which the owner, Thomas J. Meighen, still retaims for various purposes.

Postoffice. This was established in 1855 with Forest Tenry in charge. In a year or two R. M. Foster received the appointment, and served until 1869. TF'elix Meighen then served a number of years and was succeeded by his son, Thomas J. Meighen, who held the position until the offiee was discontinued. The patrons now receive their mail by rural routes from Preston and Wvkoff.

Land Office Records. The first titles to Jand in Forestville towuship 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 Jand was largely located: September 9, Forest Henry, 18; September 9, Alonso Renslow, 13; September 9, William Renslow, 13.

Prominent Men. Amony the prominent men in Forestville township and village before the war, aside from those whose naines appear elsewhere in the township and village history may be mentioned: Joel Watkins, John Long, Lionel C. Long, H. S, Bassett (who elerked in his father's store), Charles E. Evans, R. R. Sisson, John Bottom, 8. H. Bateman, John Eulette, James Eulette, Frank Johnson, John C. Sinith, Maj. D. FE. Runals, Louis Eidam, J. L. Colby, Copeland Richardson, George Barr and sons, George, John and Lawrence, John N. Graling, Charles Graling, J. H. Bonesteel, D. K. Michener, J. L. Michenex'A. B. Rejester, Levi Rexford, John E. Haskin, Charles Hanson, Holley Cook, Victor LeFevre and Leon LeFevre, Peter MeCracken (who later moved to York township), Fred K. Baldwin and Henry C. Baldwin, Luther Rexford and Levi Rexford and others whose names are mentioned in tlie early claims to land.

Of these men it is interesting to note that Lionel C. Long moved to Nobles county and now lives in St. Panl. He beeame a prominent man, and in 1894 polled a large vote as populist eandidate for congressman from the second district.

Alvin West was prominent in town affairs, and for twenty years held the combined offices of town clerk, assessor and treasurer, a thing never elsewhere heard of in Minnesota history.

Louis Eidam, Jr., met with a tragic death. After assisting in a frame raising on the farm of Joseph Bisby he and John C. Smith started home to the village. A severe thunderstorm caine up. but the men continued on their way. Smith stopped in a house for a moment to get a gun whieh he had left there and

Eidam continued on toward his home, watched by his wife from the front window. Suddenly there was a blinding flash of lightning which revealed him to his wife, and then a second flash whieh showed that he had disappeared. Investigation showed that he had been instantly killed. My. Smith's life had been saved by a trifling errand. The widow of Mr. Eidam afterward married Lionell C. Long and lives in St. Paul.

Various Events of Interest. In the fall of 1854 R. M. Foster was married to Elizabeth Renslow by H. 8. H. Hayes. The first death of a citizen was that of Owen Riley in 1856 of a sudden case of enteric inflammation. The first child born was Emma Renslow in Julv. 1854. The first death in town was in the fall of 1853 when there died the child of a family passing through the town. The whole settlement turned out to the funeral.

York was wu original government township, and is second. from the western line of the «ounty on the southern tier, with Forestville on the north, Bristol on the east, Iowa on the south and Beaver on ihe west. It may he said to be a prairie town, although in some paris it is quite hilly, partieularly in the northeastern and southeastern portions, where there are some quite abrupt bluf's. The soil is loam, varying from a light sandy toa dark elavev variety, with a large amount of moisture and usually a porous limestone foundation. Some of it, however, has a clay subsoil. There are no large water courses in town and the streams that do exist are peculiar, sometimes being a raging torrent and then coming down to be a little rivulet, to disappear altogether. There ave numerous springs in various parts of the town. Unlike many other towns in the county, wells are easily sunk from ten to fifty feet, and an abundanee of water procured. There is a stream that starts from a spring in seetion 35 and flows in an easterly direction, to leave the town near the southwest corner. Other streams come from toward the west, to be lost near the central portion. Another little creek ents across the southwest corner, making for the Iowa river, and one also starts from section 15, to be joined by a branch or two in its course toward the Root river. In the western part of the town the land is inelined to be flat and to secure the best results the natural drainage should be stimulated by artificial methods. When the pioneers arrived there were some groves of fine timber, consisting of burr, red and white oak, which have disappeared, but there is a vigorous growth of wood now where was formerly scattering brush. The town has a good soil so

Early Settlement. This town is reported as having been first settled in 1854. Knud Olson and Even Knudson, natives of Norway, came here from Iowa in that year in the month of August.. Mr. Olson took his land in sections 24 and 25 and Mr. Knudson in sections 23 and 26. The same month Ole Kettieson, 'who had been stopping in Bristol, settled in section 3. Mr. Knudson lived on his farm until 1867, when he sold out and removed to Redwood county. Mr. Olson moved to seetion 14 and Mr. Kettleson to section 15.

In 1855 there were several arrivals, among them Peter MeCracken, a native of Seotland, who came here from New York State, and placed his sign manual on some land in sections 3 and 10. He was a very prominent man, identified with the interests of the county and held various public offices. Ira Henderson, who was born in Erie county, New York, made a claim on section 4 June 4, the same day that Mr. MeCracken did. A. §. Adams had a place in section 9. Osman Olson came here from Wisconsin, and claimed a farm in seetions 15 and 16. Knud Anderson eame in November and claimed the southeast quarter of section 11. Frank Olson, who had made a brief stay in Wisconsin, took a place in section 15. Joseph Betts eame from Wisconsin and oeeupied the northeast quarter of section 15. Ole Tistleson, who afterwards moved to Iowa, located in seetion 25. Henry Shadwell, a native of England, settled on section 3, but moved to Otter Tail county. Talver Burgess, from Norway, came by way of Wisconsin and secured a farm in section 11. In 1861 he went to Dakota, Torge Torgeson, a Norwegian, eame here from fowa and was on section 34, and in 1859 went to California, dying there in 1863. John Thorson, of Norway, came here from Iowa and took a farm in seetion 24.

In 1856 there was quite a list of arrivals, among them should be recorded: David Ingalls, from Vermont, who had stopped a while in New York state as a pioneer there, surrounded a claim in section 4. William Boland, from Holland, found a home embracing the northeast corner of the town. L. Aslackson came here from Carimona and went on section 2, hut moved to section 14. K. O. Wilson had lived a while in Wisconsin on his way from Norway and found a place that filled his idea of a farm in section 28. James Hipes, a native of Virginia, had a farm in section 35. In 1866 he sold his place and went to Carimona. Thomas Armstrong, of England, eame in the spring from Granger and lived on section 35, but in 1869 sold out and went to Mitchell eounty. His brother, E. Armstrong, came from Canada and bought the north half of his brother's claim. Orville F. Mann, a native of New York state, came from Michigan and settled on section 5. Rebert Love, a Scotchman, came from Iowa and staked out a farm in section 14. He died in 1876. His son, now Mayor George A. Love, M. D., came with him. Ocl Bacon, a native of Massachusetts, who had been sojourning in Wisconsin, secured a home in section 21.

During 1857 there was a large list of people coming to fill up this town, and many of them will be mentioned: Reuben Wells, one of the prominent men of the county, came here this year. He was born in Washington county, New York, November 17, 1802. His early life was spent in farming in Luzerne county in that state. He took 160 acres of land here, and at an early day, with a pocket compass, and by pacing off the distance, he would help the settler in finding the corner stakes. In 1863 he moved to Preston. John Boland, a Hollander, came from Wisconsin and established a home in section 1. Moses D. Gue, of New York, had his first place in section 33, but moved to section 32. Austin Tostenson, who came by the way of Wisconsin, located in section 26. Joseph Brown, who was from New York, coming by way of Wisconsin, found a home in section 17, and died in 1882 in Towa. Widow Espy secured a place, which she soon sold, in section 81. Samuel Louden, a native of New York, located in section 29. Ole Arneson settled in section 34, coming here from Harmony. Simeon Hamblin. of New England, came here and died one week afterwards. His widow located in section 8. She died in 1874. A son, Samuel Hamblin, was also in section 8, but he lost his life in the service of his country. Lewis Conklin, of New York, came from Wisconsin to section 20. S. G. Canfield, also of New York, took a place'in section 21. After 1857 the immigrants were more of a scattering character, but some of the most prominent men and valued citizens were among these later comers.

In 1858 there were a few settlers: Joseph Richards, of England, eame from Canada and bought land in section 10. John Ellingson, who came by way of Wisconsin, settled in section 22. In 1860 J. R. Williams, from Wales, who had lived a while in Wisconsin, found a place in section 36. Owen D. Owens, of the same nationality, bought land in Bristol and lived with his sister, Mrs. J. J. Jones, who had secured a place in section 36.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in York townsliip 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: June 23, Dirk Ahrk, 1.

Political. The organization of the town was effected on May 11, 1858. The primal town meeting was at the house of Ole Bacon, in section 21. The first officers were: Supervisors, Reuben Wells (chairman), Halver Burgess and Benjamin Palmer, assessor, David Ingalls; collector, Abner 8. Adains; elerk, S. G. Canfield; overseer of the poor, James Hipes; justices of the peace, Peter McCracken and Thomas Armstrong; constables, Henry Yarnes and Willard Lester; surveyor of roads, Andrew Weaver. The moderator of the meeting was Abner S. Adams and the clerk Reuben Wells. The administration of town affairs has left no opportunity for unfavorable comment, as the leading men have been entrusted with town matters, and the management has been devoid of extravagance on the one hand or parsimony on the other.

Postoffices. The first to be established in the town of York was in the fall of 1857. S. G@. Canfield was the postmaster aud the office was in his Louse on the southwest quarter of section 21. In about one month it was removed. In March, 1882, Mrs. S. G. Canfield was appointed postmistress. William Plummer, who followed John Lund, was the Jast postmaster. he people now receive their mail from Lime Springs, Ia.

Various Events. An early marriage was that of Thomas Lewis and Elizabeth Brown, on December 24, 1857. The ceremony was performed by Peter McCracken, justiee of the pexce. Willard Lester and Mary Ingalls were united by the same magistrate on April 24, 1858. Rasmus Erickson and. Ann Oleson, according to the reeord, were married on August 10, 1858. Charles Hanson and Letitia R. Ingalls were married on Novem- ber 15, 1858. On June 6, 1857, Ira Henderson and Sarah P. Tugalls made an excursion from York to Forestville, and were married hy Robert Foster. Tilda, daughter of Knudt and Julia Olson, was born Mareh 2, 1855. The first blacksmith shop was opened by Osman Olson in 1855, on section 16. It was condueted for about eight years and closed up. An early death was Almond, son of Joseph Betis, in 1856 or 1857. He was buried on the Farm on section 15, where the cemetery now is. Ole Sampson's wife died in July, 1857. On May 21, 1857, Simeon Hamblin died, and was buried in section 4, but his remains were afterwards removed to Forestville.

Greenleafton. This hamlet nestling down in the northeast corner of the town, was nanied in honor of Mary Greenleaf, of Philadelphia, who generously gave 3,500 to build the Duteh Reformed Church edifice.

The post-office at Greenleafton was established in June, 1874. J. Huetink was postmaster. The three most recent postmasters at the village have been G. A. Nagel, Bennie Benson and Ben- Jamin F. Allink, the latter being in charge when the office was discontinued. The people now reccive their mail by rural route from Preston.

Canfield. This is another embryotic village also known as York, ou the line between sections 21 and 22. S. G. Canfield opened a store here in 1876, nnder the auspices of the local erange, and G. II. Sherwood joined him in 1878.

Cherry Grove. This is another of those villages made up of hopes unrealized, and expectations unfulfilled. Its location may be found in seetion 4. Its designation as a village was on account of its postoffice, which heing gone the loeation continues as a yemembrance. and the name will remain on the maps long after what usually distinguishes a village from the country has been obliterated.

The Cherry Grove post-office was located here in 1869, having been moved trom Forestville township, a mile distant, and D. J. Ingalls was selected as postmaster. It was at his house, on section 4, until February, 1882, when it was returned to Forestville. Tbis was not satisfactory to the people and the olfice was again established. C. Petenpole succeeded John Riddle as postmaster and was the last in charge, the people now receiving their nail by rural route from Ostrander.