Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 45 of those read), 1882

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 45 of those read)

This is on the northern tier of towns in the county, the second from Mower county on the east, Newry lying between. Steele county is on the north, Bath on the west, and Biceland on the south. Like all the other towns in the county, the integrity of the original government survey has been maintained. Most of the sections from twenty -five to thirty-six is what may be called slough land, and is covered by college and railroad scrip. The remainder is rolling prairie, with a black sandy loam, which, on some of the ridges is mixed with clay and is very productive, as there is seldom a failure of crops from any cause. Nearly all the timber in town, when first entered for settlement, was on sections seventeen and thirty -six.

Geneva Lake is the only one in town. It is in the western part, and occupies parts of six sections. It has an irregular outline, with an area of perhaps three sections, and is three miles long and a little over a mile wide in its widest part. A small stream finds its way into it from the north, while an exit is obtained toward the east that is deflected to the south as it leaves the town from section thirty-six to join Turtle River. This river, was formerly noted for the abundance of fish it contained, and it is still an eligible point for the dis- ciples of Sir Isaak Walton. The water pond, in their season are still found. There are no streams in the northeast part of the town, but good water is obtained at no great depth.

Early Settlement

Milton Morey is said to be the first settler in town. He took a claim in 1855, built a cabin and did some breaking that fall. About Christmas his dwelling was unfortunately burned, and as he could not then put up another, he took his family in an ox team and turned his face towards civilization and spent the winter in or near where Austin now is, returning in the spring and putting in some crops. After a time he went to Dakota and now lives near Yankton. There were several settlers in 1856, and to write the truth as though it were fiction, an the 20th of April, on one of those days so characteristic of spring time in Minnesota, there might have been seen a solitary traveler, moving along the Indian trail between Austin and some point beyond this. Prom his appearance he was a pilgrim in quest of some shrine where he might kneel and pay homage to the home he expected to find, after he had created it. This stranger was looking for Mr. Morey's residence, which he had a confused idea was somewhere near the trail he was following. This man was Elmer Eggleston, and in one hand he carried a grip sack and in the other an umbrella. He was a native of Ohio but had come from Galena, and soon found Mr. Morey, who of course gave him the best the house afforded, and two davs later assiated the young adventurer to stake out a farm in section eiglit which he opened up and cultivated nntil 1863, when he sold out, but still lives on the same section. In August following, the father reported in person and surmounted some of Uncle Sam's acres in the same section, where he wr(jught until gathered in by the grim reaper.

In May Robert P. Farr, a native of Missouri, came and placed his sign manual on a spot of land in section fourteen, and he has been bustling around there ever since. Along with him came Joseph W. Burdick, a native of New York, who selected his place in section ten, and there he established a home in which he dwelt until he exchanged worlds on the 24th of April 1877.

E. C. Stacy, who had been through here in 1854, secured a place in section seven. He was one of the first three County Commissioners appointed by the Governor of the territory. He now resides in Albert Lea.

Isaac Lyou, from Illinois, took a claim in section eight which he soon disposed of to Jones & Eobson. He afterwards lived in Steele county, and since that in Warren, Illinois.

Samuel Woodworth came here from the Badger State and planted his boundary stakes in section twenty -six, and there he remained until 1866, when he again set his face toward the setting sun, and sometime iu 1881, he left his bones mouldering in Dakota soil.

Nathan Hunt got his real estate in sections fifteen and sixteen, went into the army, on his return marched west and halted in Faribault county, where he settled permanently.

Walter Drake, from the Nutmeg State, procured his slice of Minnesota territory in section thirty, and in 1866 he too sailed in command of a prairie schooner, and found a haven iu Faribault county.

John Reed, from Kent county, England, surrounded a piece of free soil iu section twenty-two, which he improved and cultivated. In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Union army and went to Fort Snelling, but in one short month he was mustered out, and went to join the legion of whom it is said :

Alexander Schntt, a native of the province ot Quebec, Canada, came here from Ontario, and his choice was in sections eleven and twelve. He is now in section sixteen.

Lat« this year, two particularly enterprising men from New York State, with their minds filled with town sites, arrived and secured a beautiful spot, located a town, and soon made it one of the most populous and thriving, in their minds, in the whole Northwest. Mr. Jones still survives, but Mr. Robson, who was Sheriff of the county and a highly respected citizen, when the war broke out joined the army and lost his life.

Hans Eustrom, a native of Sweden, came here from Boston and located in section four. He is now in Kittson county holding the position of Auditor.

Those already mentioned were settlers of 1856. \ large settlement came in 1857, but only a few of their names could be obtained, among them the following :

Bernhard Schad, an enterprising German from Red ^Viug. arrived and at once w'ent into the blacksmith and wagon business, which he still carries on.

Some of the arrivals of 1858 were: (jeorge Osborne, a native of Ohio, wlio spent a winter here and afterwards lived in Steele county, [n about two years he returned to Geneva. Was iu the array, and afterwards for a time Postmaster. He is now dead.

O Ene Va To Wnship

Robert Hill, a native of the Key Stone State, pre-empted a place in section ten, and afterwards lived with his son-in-law, Robert P. Farr, until in 1865 the portals of the other world opened before him.

Early Births. - Anna Geneva, daughter of Bernhard and Anna Schad, was born on the 8th of September, 1857. Arriving at womanhood she married James Harvey Robson on the 16th of February, 1881. They live in Owatonna. He was the son of James A. and Martha Robson, and was ushered into this world in February, 1858.

The First Deaths. - Seymour E., son of Eliab and Esther Eggleston, was removed to the spiritual world on the 24th of December, 1857, in his 14th year,

Burdette E., son of Eliab aud Esther Eggleston, received a summons that could not be disregarded, on the 28th of November, 1857, in his 22d year.

The Honored Dead

Harvey Partridge was born in Canaan, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on the 16th of July, 1786, and in 1834, removed to Genesee county, New York, in 1846 to Rock county, Wisconsin, and in 1864 came to Geneva. About a year before his death he went fo Albert Lea to live with his son, Sidney Partridge. For fifty years he was a Methodist. In 1812, he took the blue lodge degrees in Masonry, and the scarlet degrees in 1813. On the 7th of August, 1875, he was admitted to the "Supreme Lodge above, where the Grand Master of the Universe presides." He was buried with Masonic honors.

Daniel Kinnear was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. He moved to Iowa in 1841 and remained until 1864 when he removed to Freeborn county. He was a Methodist, and his life here was abruptly terminated by a second stroke of paralysis on the 29th of March, 1876, at the age of 75 years. His wife, one son, and five daughters were present at the funeral.

Hiram R. Jones, one of the oldest persons in the county, died in Geneva where he was much respected, and was mourned by a large number of people with whom he has been associated for many years.

Eliab Eggleston. - At Whitehall, New York, in 1808, the subject of this sketch was born. When quite young he went to Ohio, afterwards to Illinois, and finally to Minnesota, settling in Geneva, where he arrived in the year 1856. He furnished three sons for the war of 1861, only one of whom survived. Mr. Eggleston left his son, Elmer, and his wife with whom he had sojourneyed for forty seven years. On the 10th of June, 1880, he quietly breathed his last.

Post-Offioe

In 1856, E. C. Stacy made an application through Hon. Henry M. Rice, the delegate in Congress, for a Post-ofHce, which was secured with E. C. Stacy as Postmaster, and they had a weekly mail, to be procurred at the expense of the town, fi'om Austin. Dorr K. Stacy, who was then a mere lad, used to go over the twenty-two miles for it. The office was put in the store after that was opened, and still continues its good work.

The first town meeting was on that noted 11th of May, 1858, when the new constitution went into effect. The Supervisors were: E. C. Stacy, Chairman, W. S. Bacon, and John Brannan; Clerk, Hans Eustrom. The earliest records are lost so there are no particulars as to what was done, or of the names even of the other officers.

At the annual town meeting held in Chamberlain's Hall on the 14th of March, 1882, thefollowlowing officers were elected : Supervisors, Michael Quinn, Chairman, B. H. Conklin, and J. M. Sawyer; Clerk, A. J. Chamberlain; Treasurer, Bernhard Schad; Assessor, M. J. Feuton; Justice of the Peace, W. H. Twiford; Constable, Octave Goodnature.

The year 1881. - The area included in this report takes in the whole town; as follows: Wheat - 2,885 acres, yielding 36,813 bushels. Oats - 799 acres, yielding 25,640 bushels. Corn - 879 acres, yielding 28,515 bushels.

Population. - The census of 1870 gave Geneva a population of 378. The last ceusus, taken in 1880, reports 451 for this town; showing an increase of 76.

In 1858, a Mr. Deacon Brant started the manufacture of shingles on section eight. The establishment was a marvel in its way, and displayed a genius that should have been liandsomely rewarded, for it was the missing liuk between hand labor and machinery. The blocks were cut the proper length by a cross-cut saw, and they were then boiled to soften them and then were slashed up into shingles by a knife attached to a lever worked by a man aud a wman power, the latter being his wife.

Saw-mild. - In the fall of 1856, Bacon A- Eggleston put up a saw-mill on section thirty-six, and kept it vibrating until the summer of 1857, when it was transferred to section seventeen, where Bacon run it for two years, having, in 1858, added a grist-mill, which did good business. In 1859, this mill was carried off by the western fever, which was epidemic at that time and has been ever since.

Patrons Of Husbandry

A Grange was instituted on the 7th of July, 1872, with W. H. Twiford as Master, and Hans Eustrom Sr. and fifteen other charter members, which afterward swelled up to fifty or more. Weekly meetings were held in the Kobson House hall. The members went into the fraternal part of the order in a whole-souled way, having a monthly ban(|uet, followed by music and dancing. But in 1877, the banquet halls were deserted, aud the life of the institution fled to seek companionship with those who had gone before.

Historical Sketch

The following in regard to this town was publishin 1877: "It was first settled by Milton Morey, in the fall of 1855, who immediately constructed a log house, wliich was burned down on the Christmas following. To him also belongs the honor of opening the first farm, which he did in the spring of 1856. E. C. Stacy, who settled in June, 1856. was the first lawyer, while his wife, who arrived in August following, was the first doctor. Robson and Jones were the first merchants, aud commenced the sale of goods in July, 1857. Schad and Drommerhausen, blacksmith and wagon-makers, were the first mechanics. In the same summer of 1857, a Mrs. Clark taught the first school iu a log shanty at the villaga. The first sohoolhouse was built by district No. 3, in 1858. In the summer of 1857, Rev. Isaac McReyuolds held the first religious service. In 1858 the Catholics organized the first religious society, and built the first church in 1861. The Post-office was established in the winter of 1856-7, which was supplied by special service from Austin. E. O. Stacy was the first Postmaster. The first child bom was Ralph Freeborn Drake, on the 30th of July, 1856. William Robson and Atlanta Smith were the first parties married, John Reed performing the ceremony in the summer of 1859. The first death was that of Mrs. Welcome Bacon, which occurred in February, 1859. Jamea A. Robson opened the first hotel in .Tune, 1858, although .Judge Stacy had thrown his house open to the public ever since his first settlement. The first title to land was acquired by Welcome L. Bacon, August 16th, 1858, the selection being made on section thirty. The first board of officers was elected May 11, 1858, consisting of E. C. Stacy, W. S. Bacon, and John Brenuan; H. Eustrom, Clerk."

The village of Geneva was platted in the winter of 1856-57 by James F. Jones and James Bobson, on section eight, and contained about four himdred acres. This was one of the first crop of villages ever raised in the county, and was very pleasantly situated, and of course calculated and expected to become the Chicago of the new Northwest.

In the spring of 1857, Jones and Bobson started business and put up a store and hotel. They soon, however, dissolved partnership, Jones retaining the store which he managed for several years, part of the time in company with C. H. Molntire; but they afterwards sold out to Cabot & Lester, who continued the business but a short time, when they went to Martin county with their goods. The store was then occupied by Mr. Loring, and was soon consumed by fire.

Two Swedes, named Lohyed and Matison, put up a store and placed a stock of goods in it. They soon sold out and it changed bands several times; finally it was purchased by Charles Kittleson, now State Treasurer, and was burned while he owned it.

George and Warren Osborne began merchandising in 1865, and continued one year, when George secured his brother's interest and run it alone one year and then turned over his stock to Charles Kittleson.

In 1857 Bernhard Schad and George Drommerhausen started a blacksmith and wagon shop. Wagons and plows, custom work and general repairing were their specialties. In about a year Schad became sole proprietor, and he is still hammering away at the old stand.

Tiie hotel which had been biiilt was leased to Isaac Lyons who opened it with an approj^riate flourish in 1858, and managed it for a year or two and then sold to O. A. Jones, of Fillmore county. His father, H. K. Jones, kept it one winter and then his sou, James F. Jones, bought and moved into it and is now the proprietor.

Religious

Methodist. - The first religious meetings held in the village were in the store of Loyhed & Malison, in 1857, by a Methodist itinerant. Soon after an organization was effected. Elder Towne, a Baptist preacher, also had meetings at Deacon Brant's house, but as far as remembered, no organization was perfected. The Methodist denomination still "holds the fort" with a garrison of twenty members. The meetings are in the schoolhouse, with Kev. W. H. Burkaloo, who lives in Berlin, as pastor.

Roman Catholic Chukch. - The first mass known to have been said in this township, was in May, 1859, by Father Pendergast, in the residence of Thomas Cushman. Services were frequently held in this house, until inl866 the church edifice was erected. It is a frame building, and was put up under the care of Father McDermott. The congregation is now under the charge of Father Fleming of Albert Lea, of which it is an outlying mission.

United Bretheen. - Religious meetings were held in John Hime's house in 1858, also in John Brown's house in section twentythree, that was also used as a schoolhouse. In 1859 a society was accumulated with about a dozen members, by Rev. John Arnold, who also expounded in Geneva village. This society had sufficient attraction of cohesion to hold together for two or three years, when it became disrupted.

The Seventh Day Adventists. - The first time this peculiar doctrine was advocated in town was in the summer of 1876. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse by Elder Dimmick. On the 24th of September they organized with ten members,

I and a Sunday school was also commenced with Lucius Gibbs as Superintendent. Afterwards meetings were held in a tent. Rev. D. T. Curtis came after this and expounded the gospel as he understood it, once a month. Rev. Henry house, with Rev. G. S. Gowily as pastor, who has good congregations, which is a little remarkaljle in this western country where, as a rule, the so called liberal denominations do not meet with much encouragement.

District No. 3. - The first school was opened in 8 private house belonging to John Brown, in section fifteen, in the summer of 1858. Mrs. Henry King wielded the ferule during this term. The next year the citizens succeeded in building a schoolhouse on section fourteen. Miss Lucy Thomas called the first school to order in the new house, which was a log afifair, 20x24 feet, which was put up by a regular "Bee," each farmer contributing something. This served until 1877, when the frame building now standing was erected on sectioQ twenty-three, at a cost of about S400.

District No. 4. - A school was opened in a claim shanty on the town site in 1878. Mrs. Clark was the constituted authority during this term. Afterwards the school was kept in the store of Loyhed k Matison, and then in a building erected for a saloon. The schoolhouse was gotten up in 1865.

District No. 97. - This was organized in 1875, having been taken from the third district. That same year the schoolhouse was built on the northwest corner of section fourteen. The initial teacher was Miss Ella Davis.