Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 25 of those read), 1912

Fountain And Fillmore

Fountsin is a flourishing village in Fountain townslip, on the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road. It has good schools, three churches, two hotels, two general stores, a drug store, a bank, a newspiper, street lights, water works, two restaurants and grocery stores, two blacksmith shops, a hardware store, an implement store, a lhunber yard, two elevators, and the usual business and professional activities.

Early History. The land wpon which the village of Fountain now stands was first taken by a company of speculators, who held it for a few months. The first actual settler upon the land was Patrick Mangan, who arrived early in the fifties and cvommenced improvements, building a log hut on section 10, south of the present site of the village. When the Southern Minnesota began pushing its line into Fillmore county, a townsite company was formed between H. W. Holley, D. J. Cameron, and Mr. Wrykolf, and the interest in the land was purchased of Patrick Mangan. This was in 1870, and when the railroad passed through the place in November, the village was platted and recorded by the above mentioned firm. The name of the village was derived from the same source as that of the town - the Fountain spring in section 4.

The first building ereeted for business purposes was put up in the summer of 1869, wheu the railroad grading commenced, by John Dahl, who came from Lanesboro, and opened a saloon. The Arkle brothers were the first to go into general merchandise trade. They put up a building shortly after Dahl's was completed, and placed a stock ol general merchandise upon thie shelves. D. Wilson arrived shortly after and put up a restaurant, which he afterwards ran as a tavern. Patrick Ferris put up a hotel in the village, trophe obliterated. J. P. Tibbetts put in the first drug store. Db. D. Farrell shipped in Iwnber on the first freight train, and put up a hotel opposite the Case House, but only conducted it as a hotel for one or two weeks. Mr. Farrell afterwards erected five buildings in Fountain.

Municipal History. The village of Fountain was incorporated by an act of the legislature passed in 1876, and Patrick Ferris, A. Ferguson and D. D. Farrell were appointed judges of the first election. The first village meeting was be}d upon the 4th of April, 1876, and the following officers elected: President, A. Ferguson; trustees, J. W. Reedy, H. Thompson, and A. Benson; treasurer, W. R. Ellsworth; recorder, A. \V. Powers; marshal, D. J. Driscoll; justice of the peace, O. IL Case.

Water Works. In 1906 and again in 1907 bonds were voted to install a water works system. The water was first turned into the mains January 7, 1907. The mains cover about one and a half miles, and power being obtained from a pressure tank into which the water is pumped by a twenty-five horse power gasoline engine.

Fountain Township is hounded by Chatfield, Carrolton, Carimona, and Fillmore, on the north, east, south, and west respectively. The regular government thirty-six sections make up its territorial area. Watson creek is the largest river, and this runs across the southern part of the town, and has numerous branches joining it from the right and left. Winslow creek rises in seetion 7 and leaves the town in a northeasterly course. Big Spring, the third or fourth with this name, rises in section 3, and sends a good sized rivulet into the last mentioned creek in section 4. The west half of the town may be called a rolling prairie, and was, when first entered upon by white settlers, covered with brush which has disappeared as the cultivation of the soil has been earried on. The soil is of a Leht elayey character and very productive.

Early Settlement. The first settlers in this town arrived in 1853. Abram Kalder was the first and he took the northwest quarter of section thirty, near a beautiful spring ealled afterwards ''Kalder's Spring.'' IIe is a native of New York, remained a few years and moved to Preston. George Kalder was also owner of land in section thirty, hut he died in Michigan soon after the war.

Hosmer H. Winslow, a native of Vermont, came here from Illinois in 1854, and his land was in section five. He died in 1874. Enoch Winslow took his farm in section four, but removed to Kansas in 1878. Henry Winslow located in section five, but removed to Olmstead county in 1859 and alterwards to Kansas. These men were brothers and came about the same time. S. T. Bagley, of New York, came [rom Wisconsin and went onto section five. In 1865 he went to Mower county. Edward Stevens came by the way of Wisconsin and located in section fifteen. Nicholas Wallrod, of New York, who had stopped a while in [linois, secured a farm in section thirty. Abraham Finch, also of New York, came here and settled on section nineteen. Carl Boyer also came this year.

James Scott, a native of Indiana, who eame from Iowa, bought a place in section four. He died in 1875. J. W. Hagerty, of Pennsylvania, came from Illinois in May and proeured a farm in section eight. J. L. Bolles was here the year before and selected land which he occupied this year. George Kenney had land in section seven, He died the next year. Thomas Shipton had ¢ place in section seventeen. William Stevens, from Ireland, came here from New York after tarrying a while in Tlinois and Wisconsin. James and Martin Mulroy located their farms im section nine. Robert Splainer came from Massachusetts and in about ten year returned. William Maus, of Indiana, came in October and took a claim in section thirty-one. D. D. Farrell and faiher arrived in 1855 and pre-empted a claim upon section three.

Iu 1856 there were quite a number of newcomers, and a dozen or so will be mentioned. Walter Staplin, of New York state, arrived here in June. He first held a claim in section seventeen, but moved to section seven. Patrick MeCardle settled in section cighteen. Joseph Means had a place in section twenty-eight.

Martin Neweomb, of Ireland, came here from Illinois and bonght a farm in section nine. Gibson Essington, of Ohio, came here from Indiana. His land was in section thirty-one. Whitney Jewell, of New York, came from Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and got a place in section thirty-one, where he remained about eighteen months and sold out and moved to Pine Island. Valentine Woodburn, of Pennsylvania, came and secured a home in section nineteen. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Minnesota regiment, Company C, and was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro, October 4, 1863. William H. Shipton came here from Pennsylvania and settled in section twenty-nine. James Earley, from Virginia, eame from Ohio, where he had been living, and planted himself section nineteen.

Another among the earliest settlers was J. T. Mulvihill, who came at an early day and located in the northeastern part of the town. P. J. O'Shaughnessy came about the same time and preempted a claim adjoining Mulvihill's. Patrick Mangan was among the first to put in an appearance, and located in section ten. He afterwards sold out his claim there and secured another on section twenty-four.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Fountain 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 loeated: September 5, William Chalfant, 33; September 8, Hiram Johnson, 83; September 8, James Watson, 28; September 8, Thomas Watson, 28; October 11, Hosmer H. Winslow, 5; November 20, Henry II. Winslow, 6.

Those who obtained land in 1855 were as follows: April 9, Jacob Hostetter, 6; May 23, Herman Pederson, 3; July 19, William B. Norman, 28; July 19, William Wimmer, 34; July 27, Alexander Wight, 34; August 8, Patrick Egan, 34; August 17, Jacob Annis, 27 - 34; December 17, John Johnson, 10 - 14 - 15; December 29, Martin Mulroy, 35.

Early Events. Susan C., daughter of Gibson and Sarah A Essington, was born November 15, 1857. She married Cassius Wilson. Euphemia, daughter of William and Sarah Norman, was born in February, 1857. John Hagerty and Malvina Winslow were married on November 7, 1855. James Watson and Sarah A. Maus were united in marriage December 7, 1856. Caroline, daughter of Henry and Louise Winslow, died in January, 1855, at the age of fifteen years. Avery Kinney was born in April, 1855, and died three days later.

house of Edward Cummings on May 11. The judges of the first election were Thomas Watson, J. L. Bolles and Hirain Johnson; clerks, J. W. Hagerty and Martin Mulroy. The following were declared elected by the judges, and all served, to-wit: Supervisors, Thomas C. Watson (chairman), H. T. Trumbull and James Healy; clerk, Hiram Johnson; collector, 8. F. Stilson; assessor, P. McCabe; overseer of the poor, Jacob Hostetler; constables, James Watson and R. W. Staplin. The board then proceeded to dispose of such business as should come before it, dividing the township into four road districts and appointing road masters. They also passed a resolution to the effect that the next meeting" of the board would be held at the residence of James Healy.

On August 29, 1864, a special town mecting was held for the purpose of raising a bounty for volunteers to fill the town quota, and afier some discussion a bounty of three hundred dollars was voted to every man who should volunteer and serve.

Postoffice. A postoffice was cstablished in the last half of the sixties. A petition for an office was circulated by G. Essington, which was favorably considered, and J. V. Sharpe received the commission. The office was opened at his house and kept until he moved away in 1871, then Chester Clark took it. T. Wallrod was the next in eharge. The Watson Creek office, as it was called, was discontinued about 1890.

Fillmore township has Jordan on the north, Fountain on the east, Forestville on the south, and Spring Valley on the west. Bear creek, Deer creek, and Spring. Valley creek, or, as it is commonly known, Middle Branch or Root river, and their tributaries are in the northwestern part of the town.

Early Settlement. The early settlement and initiatory steps which led to the founding and subsequent development of this thriving township, in common with the majority of Fillmore county's subdivisions, date back well into the fifties. Its early Pioneers and hardy backwoodsmen were not?) men who came for speculation, nor were they men who expected or even hoped to accumulate a fortune in a day; but men who knew there would be hardships and trials to endure, and they were not mistaken. One without the experience cannot realize the tribulations incident to such a life.

In the year 1853, Walker & Foote, the renowned stage men, were operating an extensive stage line through Fillmore county, and this township lay directly in its path. As early as 1853 the site of the village of Fillmore was one of the points made by the stages, and it is claimed by a few that as early as that time there was a little hewn log hut on that site, in which was kept a lunited stock of dried meats, bacon, erackers and provisions, and a stock of whisky to cheer the weary traveler. But this is uncertain, us the time of its coming and the date of its departure are amystery. During this year, while a few passed through the town on the stage line, there were no settlers, and none who examined the surrounding country with a view to settlement.

In the year 1854, while the autumn leaves were falling, in the month of August, a party of three pushed their way into this township with a view to establishing a home. They were John Crain, his son, Charles W. Crain, and Jacob Ham, all having made their way from McHenry county, Illinois, by way of Iowa. They settled near one spot on section thirty-three in the southern part of the town, and commenced putting up huts. The first year was spent by them in almost entire solitude, it only being interrupted by the arrival of John K. Ells, who came in the saine year and settled in section twenty-five. In the meantime the northern part of the town was making evolutions toward e¢ivilization. Paul Joues and son and son-in-law, Beverstock, had avrived early that year and located and platted the village of Fillmore on section three. With this seanty settlement the progress of the town remained at a standstill until the following spring.

In 1855 many acquisitions were made to the settlements. which began to embrace all parts of the town. P. M. Mosher and father arrived in the spring and planted their stakes in section three. Isaac Decou put in an appearance and located in the northern part of the town, but he remained only a few years. E. S. Smith came and located near Fillmore village and commenced the erection of a sawmill. A number of others also put in an appearance, some to file on land for homes, but mostly transients who remained at the village. This was a very trying period for the settlers. Their nearest market was Winona, and supplies were brought from Iowa. In getting provisions it became custolary among the settlers to elub together and hire a man to ride down into Jowa and obtain supplies for the entire settlement. The year 1855 opened the era of immigration to this town, and the following are among those who came to prepare hose already here for the rush of the following year. O. O. 'Wallace arrived and settled on section twenty-six. E. D. Kellogg, from New York, put in an appearance and located on section one. M. Garry brought his family, consisting of his wife and twelve children, and commenced ealling section two his home.

In 1856, F. WI. Bartlett, from New York, accompanied by his wife and two children, arrived and laid claim to one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-two. With Bartlett came A. Clifford and William Odell, both of Wiseonsin. Clifford located in section twenty-one and remaimed until late in the sixties. Odell became disheartened and returned to Wisconsin, where he died. W. H. Prosser arrived in June and made himself! at home on section thirty-three. Thomas Pulford arrived in the summer and now occupies a farm on seetion sixteen. Daniel S. Hoff, a native of New York state, arrived in the fall and commenced managing a hotel in Fillmore village. J. A. Pulford arrived and lobated on section fifteen. George Sheppard, formerly of Germany, put in an appearance and, after drifting around a time, located ou sections nine and ten.

The vear 1857 dawned upon the settlers and during the first few months subjected them to the most severe hardships yet experienced. The month of January opened with a very heavy snowstorm, which continued, with renewed fury and violence, for about a week, filling the ravines, crevices and roads, and leaving the level prairie covered with a heavy bed of snow. This was followed by a slight thaw, which immediately froze very solid, making a crust that would bear the weight of a man. Most of the settlers were left without hay, as their supply was out on the prairie, and it was impossible to drive a team over the crust. Thus few of the settlers who had stock escaped loss of part of their herds, and today there are many settlers who tell of how they had dug for three and four days through this heavy crust and deep snow, hunting for hay. But as the season moved on the snow disappeared, and in the fall an abundant harvest rejoiced and made hopeful the heart of the pioneer. Among others who had arrived ere this time may be mentioned the following: George and James Stewart, Michael Lewis, Robert Crowell, James Kelly, James Bowers, H. Hall, James Sheppard, Thomas Davis and others.

Land Office Records. The first titles io land m Fillmore 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: November 20, Jason L. Bolles, 5; November 20, John Oleson, 6.

Murder. A murder occurred in this town as early as 1856. A man named John Branski, living on section four, was murdered in a quarrel with a neighbor over his claim line. The murderer was arrested and tried, but finally got away. His name was Walker, and he was seen once since the crime was committed, getting on a vessel in San Francisco, to sail for a foreign port.

Political. The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858, at Filhnore village. The records of the meetings and proceedings ef the board in Fillmore township for the first few years have nnfortunately been lost or misplaced. 'The first meeting was held in Decon's '' Log Hotel,''? Geo. Decou being the moderator. T. G. Pond was the first chairman of the board, O. T. Blood and &. Otis the first justices of the peace, and Chas. W. Crain and George Fisk, constables.

On February 26, 1864, a special meeting was held by the board of supervisors to see about voting a bounty to the volunteers, but the proposition was tabled, and at a subsequent meeting it was defeated.

Fillmore Village. The land where the hamlet stands was preempted in the spring of 1854, in section three, by Doctor Paul Jones. The year following, Isaac Decou came and built and opened the first store, and remained about three years. Ile was a prominent man and a member of the legislature, but after a time went to Michigan, and finally to Kansas. Robert Ray built a log cabin in the village in 1856, and opened a stock of general merchandise which he kept two or three years. The third store was built by Lee & Kimball and this firm also built a grist-mill and had it running in 1858. "Wiiliam Kimball came from Decorah, and Mr. Lee from MeGregor. At the time Mr. Jones came, his wife was also along, and his son and a son-in-law, Mr. Beverstock. Isaac Brinker came here from Clayton county, Iowa, and remained until 1878, when he went to Dakota. In 1856, Isaac

Deeou and D. J. Mosher came from New York, and thus the village was started. The first hotel was built and kept by Paul Jones and Mr. Beverstock. The post-office was established in 1856, with Robert Ray as postmaster. William Mosher was appointed in May, 1877. D. R. Farrington, who sneeeeded R. C. Farrington, was the last postmaster. Mail is now received by rural route from Wykoff.

Wykoff Village

Wykoff is a thriving village on the sonihern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, in Fillmore township. It has four churches, a creamery, two banks, five general stores, a drug store, a clothier, two hardware stores, a furniture store, a jewelry store, a restaurant and grocery store combined, a meat market, two saloons, a newspaper, five elevators, flour mill, two blacksinith and woodworking shops, two implement dealers, harness shop, @ livery barn, several fraternities, a public school and a Lutheran sehool, a thriving business men's association, water works, street lights, post-office, and the usua] business and professional activities.

Wykoff Business Men's Association. This association was organized Aug. 16, 1907, with thirty-five members. The first officers were: President, J. T. Dunn; vice-president, W. H. Miller; treasurer, C. M. Allen; seeretary, E. P. Johnson. The organization was responsible for: The building of the creamery; the building of the ball park; the installation of hitching posts to the value of $100.00; the improvement of the roads in the vieinity ; the agitation of the lighting proposition, whieh resnlted in the village putting in a coal gas plant, costing $3,000.00; and many other improvements. The society was finally discontinued, the last meeting being held December 21, 1908, at which time there were enrolled forty-one members.

Early History. Wykoff was projected simultaneously with the coming of the railroad and was platted two years later. The land was origmally pre-empted in June, 1836, by BF. H. Bartlett. The first settler here was F. H. Bartlett, who came from Oneida county, New York, landed at this point in June, 1856, loeated on the southwest quarter of section twenty-two, within the limits of the present village, and erected a native timber residence to protect himself, wife, and two children, Elsie and Elmer. Wim. Odell came at the same time, but remained only a few days and moved to Cannon Falls. A. Clifford pre-empted 160 acres in section twenty-one. These were the original owners. The village was platted by H. W, Holley, the chief engineer of the railroad, who, with F. H. Bartlett, owned the land. The plat was recorded in 1871, when the depot was built. In 1875, an addition of twenty acres was made, and called Bartlett & Bank's addition. The first building was constructed as a boardinghouse for some time. The first store was by W. R. & C. G. Edwards. In December, 1871, they got in the first stock of general merchandise. Marvin and D. J. Egleston soon put up the store and put in a stock of goods. A. R. Brass built a warehouse, and the two elevators went up at the same time.

Municipal History. Wykoff was incorporated as a village by special act of the legislature approved Mareh 8, 1876. Krank TI. Bartlett, Charles W. Crain and L. G. Kilborn were the provisional officers to secure the organization. The principal officers of the village have been:

Wykoff Water Works. April 25, 1899, the village voted bouds to the amount of 47,000 to construct a water works system. A system of four-inch pipe was installed covering the principal streeis. The pipe which was known as ''spiral riveted'' proved unsatisfactory, and on June 6, 1899, the village again voted bonds to the amount of $1,477.00, and a coutract was awarded to Jackson & Moss for the amount of the bonds, to complete and extend the system. At present a seven horsepower boiler supplies power to run the pumps.

Prominent Citizens. Among the prominent citizens of Wykoff may be mentioned: Marvin Eggleston, Fred Wendorf, John Wendorf, F. H. Bartlett, Jacob Rau, P. R. Jorris, S. Thoeni, E. D. Bartlett, W. G. Banks, J. R. Mnrrel, George Rau, August Derenthal, C. F. Schatz, A. G. Spies, D. O. Green, Edward Langan, C. M. Allen, C. J. Spies, and many others.

Ciiapter Xxxii Jordan And Sumner

Sumner Township - its Early History - Hamilton Village - Washington Village - Jordan Township and Village - Land Office Records - Incidents of the Early Days.

Sumner township is in the northwestern part of the county, with Olmsted connty on the north, Mower county on the west, Jordan township on the east and Spring Valley township on the south. The township is noted for its excellent springs and for its fine groves of natural timber. Thea western part is made up of level prairie, interspersed with a few groves, while the western and sowthern parts, although now, as a rule, under a high state of cultivation, at the time of first settlement was covered with hazel brush and ''oak openings.'' The soil is generally a rich, dark loam, varying from twelve to forty inches in depth, with a subsoil of blue clay, limestone sand, or gravel. In the extreme southwestern part of the town the soil has an apparent tendency to sandiness, with a gravel subsoil, but this is confined to very - few sections. The town is well watered by various brooks, creeks, and the Root river. The latter stream winds in and out along the southern line of the town, making its final exit through section thirty-six into Jordan township. The Kedron brook derives ifS souree in section eightcen, and flowing in a southeasterly direction mingles its waters with those of Root river. Various other small brooks, arising from the numerous springs, How into the larger branches. The southern part of the town is rolling, and in places towering blufts rear themselves to a height of 300 feet. <All this region is well adapted to stock raising. The halanee of the town is composed of prairie land and oak openings, the soil being very fertile and suitable for all kinds of grain raising and agriculture. The town's area constitutes the full thirty-six sectious of a government township, and in addition to this, one and one-half sections ent from the northwest corner of Spring Valley, making thirty-seven and one-half sections.

Early Settlement. The first settlement in this township was nade by the Hayes pavty in 1852, and arrived about the inidille of May. The entire party who settled that month consisted of three persons. H. S. H. Hayes, David Allen, and D. D. Fraser.

Cyrus L. Wooldridge And. Pa Wiry

H. 8. H. Hayes eame from New Hampshire, and arrived in Sumner May 25, 1853. Te took a claim in sections twenty-seven and twentyeight. David Allen arrived at the same time from New York, and located on sections thirty-three and thirty-four. D. D. Fraser, another of the party to arrive at the same time, came from Ohio, and located a claim in section thirty-two, where he lived for five or six years, and moved out of the township. Deacon Gulielinus Carter arrived later in the same year, landing in Sumner in October. Danie! Davis also made his appearance ou the scene late in the same year, and secured himself an excellent farm on seetion twenty. The halance of the year was spent by the hardy pioneers without interruption and almost in solitude.

1854 - Among those who arrived this year were J. O. Stout, ©. 0, Comstock, Philo Bradley, John E. King, Darius Comstock, 5. C. Jolley and C. Millet.

Items of Interest. Kedron postottice was established in 1869 in the southeastern corner of section seventeen. W. D. Bradford 'was appoinied postmaster when the office was first established, and held the office for a number of vears. Geo. Hood received the appointment in 1877, and retained the offiee for a few months, when H. 8. Smith was appointed. It was discontinued soon after. it was again opened in section sixteen in the nimeties. G. T1. Cleveland was the last postmaster. A Good Templar lodge was instituted at Sumner Center in 1874, but finally disbanded from lack of interest. A Grange was also instituted in 1873, and failed, donating its funds, as did the Good Templars above mentioned, to a public library, whieh was organized in 1879. In 1857, Sumner was an election precinet, and the polls were open in Martin Rieker's house. A Friends' Society was partially organized about 1856, and the first services were held on section thirty-three. In 1874, the Quakers erected their chureh edifice on section thirtyfour. Summer cemetery 1s in the southern part of section twentyeight, and was set apart for a burial ground in 1862, The first burials here were the remains of Ernest Gove, a child of C. B. Gove, and the wife of W. W. Beers, who died in April, 1863. The ground was purehased of G. A. Hayes. Sumner was named by the earliest settlers in the town in honor of an act of Charles Sumner, UH. 8S. H. Hayes was the first justice of the peace in Sumner, receiving his commission from the governor in 1854. The first marriage was performed by H. 8. H. Hayes on February 4, 1855, the contracting parties being David Allen and Sepha Ann Carter. The first birth in Sumvuer was a sgn of the above named parties, David and Sepha Ann Allen, and took place November 18, 1855. The son was christened Frederick Tristrain.

Allen. Another early marriage was that of Caleb O. Comstock to Miss C. E. Carter, at the residence of the bride's parents on section thirty-two.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Sumner 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. August. 4, Samuel Hayes, 28; September 14, Isaac Corkeeff, 21; September 14, William Jolly, 20; September 21, David Allen, 33-34; September 22, O. Comstock, 30.

Political. The organization of ihe town of Sumner was effeeted on May 11, 1858. The first town meeting was held on that day at the house of T. W. Coeorey, and the records show that William B. Melvin was made chairman, pro. tem., of the meeting, and C. D. Sherwood, moderator. Walter S. Booth was then elected town clerk. Henry Plummer and H. P. Sleeper were made elerks of election, and William B. Melvin, I. M. Choate and William H. Doane were judges of election. The sum of $150 was appropriated for town purposes, and it was voted that horses and cows could run at large, but sheep and hogs were restricted of that freedom. The following officers were then clected, all of whom Served, to-wit: Supervisors, C. D. Sherwood (chairman), C. W. Knight and James H. Tedman; town elerk, D. T. Booth; assessor, John Jolley; collector, W. T. Horton; overseer of the poor, lu. Chamberlain; constables, D. C. Hendershott and W. I. Clarno; justices of the peace, C. Brownell and W. S. Booth. It was decided to hold the next town meeting at the house of Martiu Richer. There were 140 voles polled. The town now has a lial! in section 15.

Hamilton Village. This village, which is now only a memory, was situated in the southwestern part of Sumner township, its town plat extending to the boundary line of Mower county, occupying portions of sections six and thirty. Adjoining the old town site are the ''Hamiltou springs,'' that continue boiling up, fresh, clear and sparkling water, both summer and winter, at the rate of 1,500 gallons per minute. The first house erected was put up in 1853, by Adam Zedygar. In 1855, Daniel Booth, from the New England states, arrived, and had the village of Hamilton platted and recorded. Immediate steps were taken to secure a postoffice, in which they sueeeeded, and in 1856, an office was established under the name of '*Elkhorn,'' and Jaeohb MeQuillan was appointed to handle the inails. Charles Davis arrived in 1855. Booth & Randall made their appearante, and put in a #3,000 stock of goods. A blacksmith shop was started im 1856, and tlie town for a number of years ''boomed.'' Several sawmills were erected and put in operation, besides a custom gristmill. The postolice outlived the village, but has now heen discontinued, W. J. Briggs being the last postmaster. The patrons receive their mail by rural route from Spring Valley.

Hamilton, in the year 1858, had a gang of organized thieves. They would steal anything that could be carried off, but made horses a specialty. The gang was made up almost entirely of home talent, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the honest members of the community ridded themselves of the pest, by organizing what was termed a ''vigilance committee.'' Upon one oceasion this fast mentioned association turned out, and after collecting the population of ihe village together, made the announcement that as they had received sufficient evidence as to those who had been committing depredations, they are now prepared to ''lynch'' those who had been implicated. At this one hundred shooting arms were brought into view. Imagine their surprise when a number of the most influential citizens broke from among the crowd and made for the woods. But this matter, as it involved not only Hamilton and the town of Sumner, but also this

Washington Village. This is a locality in section 86, Sumner township. The early settlement of the hamlet was commenced in 1855, Rider & Wolfe, of Indiana, putting up the first building. The village was laid out and recorded in 1856, by John H. Maine. In 1858, the first store building was erected by Joseph Bongardner, and he placed a stock of goods on the shelves. A postoffice was established in 1859 with J. H. Tedman, as postmaster. The last postmaster was P. J. Palmer. The- patrons now receive their mail from Spring Valley.

Jordan township is on the northern tier of towns in Fillmore county, the second from the western boundary. Its neighbors are Olmsted county on the north, Chatfield on the east, Fillmore on the south and Sumuer on the west. The middle branch of the Root river enters the town in section thirty-four, and runs diagonally to leave it from section twenty-four. Lost creek runs across the northern part. In the soil there is quite a variety. The western part is a rolling prairie with a rich clay soil on « limestone foundation. The larger part of the northeast quarter is timber Jand, owned by a number of non-residents and so it is cut up in many small lots of five acres, with some more and some less. In the early history of the county this was the ''Woods'' where people came, sometimes thirty miles for supplies, and it was no uncommon thing to see one hundred teams a day on this errand. In addition to the rivers already mentioned, there is Jordan creek, with three branches converging from the south and west, to form a conference with the Root river before it leaves the town. Bear ereek also sweeps around imto section thirty-one. Lost creek has several branches coming from near the town of Sumner. In low stages of water this creek loses itself in the ground. There is a large spring on section seven that starts Ferguson's creek and joins its fate in section eight with Lost ereek. It will thus be seen that Jordan is a well watered township. There was considerable rock maple along these creeks when the town was first settled and sugar was made to some extent and is still. The soil is inclined to be black loam and is everywhere productive. This is especially so in the Root river valley.

Early Settlement. The occupation of this town was commeneed in 1853. John and Joseph Maine came in the spring of that year from New England. John found a place that suited him in section thirty-two, and enltivated it for five years, afterward going to Iowa. Joseph secured some land in section twenty-eight and thirty-three, but soon sold out. Thomas Mawer, an English- man, came from Michigan and seeured a home in section twenty, and lived there for ten years when he died. Mathew Mawer, a brother of Thomas, took a claim in section thirty-three, but went to California, and in 1859 died there. George W. Hare, from New York State, who had made a transient stay in Illinois, arrived in November and planted himself in section thirty-one. Thomas Tabor, a native of England, came from Canada and Joeated in section thirty-two. Later he sold and went to Fillmore. locating still later in Pembina, Dakota.

Early Events of Interest. A Mr. Keck and two daughters died in November, 1855, and were buried the same week in the Jordan cemetery. These must have been the first deaths in the township after the arrival of white settlers. Thomas Mann and Elizabeth Finley were united in marriage in March. 1855, John Tabor and Ann Mawer were married in August, 1855. William Clark and Susanna MeCollum contracted wedlock in August, 1855. Mathew Mawer and Nancy Finley were married in Jamu ary, 1856. Mathew Tabor, son of James and Annie Tabor, was horn March 4, 1855. Iva Hare, son of G. W. and Amanda Hare, was born March 24, 1855.

Land Office Records. The first titles to land in Jordan 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: January 29, Salem Town, 10; September 9, Andrew J. Bolsinger, 11; September 9, Isaac Day, 2; September 9, Isaac Decow, 2; September 9, John R. Jones, 2; September 9, Finley V. Miller, 12; September 9, Refine W. Twitchell, 3; September 9, Henry C. Wheeler, 1; September 20, Marvin Harwood, 6; September 21, Asher H. Palmer, 33; September 23, Samuel M. Herrick, 2; September 28, David N. Morse, 10; October 4, William H. Peek, 11-12; Oetober 12, Andy Gold, 1; October 18, Charles Wilian, 14-15; October 18, Samuel A. Sturges, 13; October 27, Enoch Winslow, 35; November 1, William Bly, 10; November 1, David Jaggers, 3; November 1,

Political. May 11, 1858, the town of Jordan was organized with the following officers in charge: Supervisors, J. M. Gillis (ehairman), John D. Biggs and John Murphy; clerk, Johu Mawer; assessor, Jacob Oakey ; justices of the peace, George W. Biggs and J. M. Gillis; constables, C. B. Beverstock and Ned Tindall; collector, G. W. Biggs; overseer of the poor, William Cordell. At this first mecting the judges of election were: Jaco) Oakey, Dan MeCalam and James Tabor; clerks of election, J. M. Gillis and C. M. Tindall. For about twenty years town meetings were held in sechoothouses, but in 1877 a town hall was constrneted al a cost of $1,000. The name of the {own was derived from Jordan Creek, which was given this designation by Johu Maine, one of the first settlers in town. The neighborhood of the stream is known as Jordan Valley.

Postoffices - Jordan. This was established as early as 1854, with Asher Palmer in charge, and the office was at his house on the southwest quarter of section twenty-eight. In about one year the office went to the store of J. M. Gillis. In 1856 it was removed to the town of Fillmore. Another office was established a few years afterwards on section sixteen, and I. Day was postmaster. It was at first called Bear Creek. Afterwards the name was changed to '"'Iday'' in honor of its first postmaster. Mr. Saunders was the last one to handle the mails, in 1863.

Jordan Village. This was laid out in 1855, on the northeast quarter of section thirty-two and the southeast half of the sontheast of section twenty-nine. J. M. Gillis opened a store there, and kept it going for about a year. At the same time there was a blacksmith sbop put up, but the fire in its forge was never kindled, because the village never materialized,