Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 63, 1882

Chapter 63

The town bearing this name is one of the northern tier of townships in Freeborn county, and in the second tier from the west. It is bounded on the north by Waseca county; on the south by the township of Manchester; on the east by Bath; and on the west by Freeborn. It is constituted as originally surveyed, of thirty-six sections, l)ut the survey correction line passing through it cuts off 278.8") acres, making it so much less than the usual congressional township, and leaving about 22,861.15 acres.

It is almost entirely a prairie town, and the expanse of undulating prairie jjresents a pleasing and beautiful contrast to the usual broken and spar.sely timbered sections throughout this part of Minne.sota. There are yet, however, traces of timber in the town, most of it about Mule Lake, in sections thirteen, fourteen, twenty-three, and twenty-four; and in the western part, in and about sections seven and twenty, although the latter has long since been converted into fertile and valuable farms.

The entire area of the town is well adapted to the modes of agriculture and crops of the day, and the farmers are, as a rule, in moderate circupistances, with fair farm buildings and moderate conveniences. The soil is of a dark loam, from eighteen to twenty-four inches in depth, underlaid with a sub- soil ot clay. Rocks or stone of any kind are scarce, and there is no limestone whatever. The soil in the burr oak region of Mule Lake is more of a sandy nature.

There are two water courses in the town and one lake. Mule Lake is situated in the four corners of sections thirteen, fourteen, twenty-throe and twenty-four, and constitutes the head waters of the LeSueur River, which takes a northward course, bearing a little to the east, until it loaves the township, when it bears westwardly. Boot Creek rises in section ten and Hows northwesterly to enter Waseca county.

Tlie Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad crosses the township from north to south, and on it is located the village bearing the same name as the township.

A few words as to the lake will not be out of place. The Indians named it Le Sueur, and it went bv this name through the early settlement; but, n 1857, a fiue span of mules belonging to B. J. Boardman were drowned in it, and tlie settlers began designating it as Mule Iiake, until it was as generally known under this caption as the other. The lake finally got upon the map as Le Sueur or Mule Lake, and thus both will be perpetuated.

In Early Dats

There seems to be a preponderating amount of testimony that the first settlers in this township were the Boardman brothers, who came in the spring of 1857, and located about Le Sueur or Mule Lake, one taking on the south and the other to the east of that body of water. Both had families and at once commenced the erection of. houses. They remained for about one year and then left for parts unknown.

About the same time, two others, whose names have been forgotten, made their appearance and took claims on the north and west sides of Mule Lake; thus surrounding it. But little is known of the actions of any of these; as they left shortly for other scenes.

Uncle Charles Sheldon joined this settlement at about the period of its starting, coming from Kochester and taking a place just north of Mule Lake, in section thirteen, where he yet remains.

Levi Jones next put in an appearance, having come from Geneva, and jumped a claim from a Norwegian named Wunj, and during the summer he was joined by a Mr. Montgomery, who took a jjlace just west of Uncle Sheldon's, built a house and remained until the next spring, when he left. Jens Thorson also came early this summer, and took the place he now occupies.

In October, 1857, George McColley, of New York, accompanied by his family and brotherin-law, Charles Morehouse, came with a yoke of cattle, a cow, and his household furnitiire, and located in section twenty-nine. Mr. McColley still lives on his place, although his estimable wife' has passed away. He is one of Freeborn county's most public-spirited men. Charles Morehouse settled in section twenty, but ha ^ since moved away.

About the same time came the Motson family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Motson, and the five boys, Ole, Erick, Mot, John, and Andrew, who all settled about George McColley's place. They were Norwegians, and all are yet living in the

In the fall of 1858, a pair from Wisconsin, in the personnel of John P. Duncan and John P. Huggins, drifted in and secured homes. Duncan dropped anchor in section twenty, and remained a citizen of the town until within two years, when matters became too torrid for him and he left between two days, as the saying goes. Huggins was a true man, and settling in section twenty-eight remained until the war broke out, when he enlisted and heroically died in defense of his native land.

The same year witnessed the arrival of Sandy Purdie, William 0. Cram, Hat. Pierce, and Jonathan Pickard, who all took places and are yet on them, except the last named, Jonathan Pickard, who now resides "in Freeborn township.

In 1859, Seth. S. Challis, of the New England States, made his arrival and commenced a sojourn in section thirty-one, which he still continues.

Speculators, after this, took most of the land, and if early settlers wanted it they must purchase at a good round figure. At this time the town had no name, more than Town 104, Kange 22.

Matters Of Interest

The first birth in Hartland township was Mary A. McColley, on the 9th of August, 1858. She is now Mrs. Charles Doty, and yet resides in the town. Freeman Beede was another early birth.

The first marriage ceremony performed within the limits of the town, took place in May, 1859, the high contracting parties being Mr. J. Seely and Miss Frances Farris.

Death, that insatiable enemy to immortality, soon hovered over the little community, and took as its first victim, Martha, a daughter of William and Judith Wrangham, aged nine years, on the 18th of June, 1859.

The township was named Hartland by Mrs. O. Sheldon, in 1858, and she also bestowed the same name upon the Post-office, which was established at the same time, with O. Sheldon as Postmaster. What the name was in honor of, or what had suggested it, we are unable to say.

voted to the amount of SI, 700, to secure volunteers, but it seems that it was ineffectual, for two drafts were made, notwitlistauding nine volunteers were furnished. John McCartney. John McClelland, and Perry Haugen, of this township, never returned, the second named leaving a wife and child to mourn his loss.

RELiGiors. - Tlie first sermon preached in the township was by the Rev. Mr. McReynolds, an itinerant Methodist preacher, in the fall of 1858, at B. J. Boardraan's house in section twentyfour. The Methodist church was organized in 1859, at William Wrangham's house, with Rev. Mr. Corey officiating and six members. The society finally merged with other denominations.

The Congregational society was organized in 1877, at the schoolhouse of district No. 8, by Elder Cobb, with twelve members. .\ store building was afterward purchased in the village of Hartland and converted into a church. The present pastor is Rev. Wilbur Fisk, with a membership of thirty-five.

The Presbyterian denomination first held services in the old log schoolhouse in 1869, with Rev. William Wrallson as minister, and for several years thereafter services were held regularly ouce in three weeks.

The early town records of this township are a curious set of documents, and should be preserved aa a curiosity, if not for official purposes. They consist of a small book made of foolscap, con- 1 taining ten or fifteen pages, and from the center of the document soms one has cut about the same number of pages, for some reason best known to the cutter. The school districts, oaths of officers, roads, and all matters pertaining to the town are promiscuously thrown together, and the legal terms such as ''to wit," "whereas," "therefore," etc., are indiscriminately mixed in without regard to their appropriateness in connection with the subject; but calculated to inspire the sturdy pioneer officers with the full and fearful respDnsihil' ity of their positions.

The first town meeting was held at the house of O. Sheldon on the 11th of May, 1858, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Supervisors, B. J. Boardman, Chairman, .1. L. Reynolds, and J. C. Seeley ; Clerk, E. Boardman ;

Assessor, T. W. Calkins; Collector, B. J. Boardman; Constables, Alexander Spencer and James Sheehan; Justices of the Peace, T. W. Calkins and O. Sheldon; Overseer of the Poor, Jacob Heath; Overseers of Roads, E. A. Calkins and B. Cromwell.

The first meeting of Supervisors was held at the Town Clerk's office on the Uth of June, 1858, at which the town was divided into three road districts, and the following gentlemen were made overaeers of them: First, E. A. Calkins; second. B. Cromwell; third, Charles Morehouse.

The officers for 1882 are: Supervisors, Olaf Lee, Chairman, Sandy Purdie, and Peter Mace; Clerk, Peter Griuager; Treasurer, C. Hen<lrickson; Justices of the Peace, E. Wicks and S. S. Challis; Assessor, Frank Phipps; Constable, Peter Peterson.

This is the only village in the township. It is located on a fine village site, on a high portion of the town, and at every hand lies a fine view of prairie, dotted with the modest homes of thrifty farmers and artificial groves, and to the north farm houses can be seen at a distance of seven miles. The sight is all that can be desired, except the absence of a water course or lake; as one inhabitant suggested, "it is a boss site in summer an "estoppel," so to speak, of the wind. To the stranger the burg presents rather a dreary appearance, with tlie "butt ends" oi the buildings pointed towards the railroad, and the absence of shade trees; but the last objection is fast being remedied by the citizens who are planting trees.

Its E.4.RLV Days. - The laud upon wliich the village was started was originally the property of Torger Samuelson; but in 1877, when the railroad was started, twenty acres m the northwestern corner of section twenty-one, were purchased by A. E. Johnson, then of Albert Lea, and it was at once platted and the sale of lots begun. At this time William Morin platted a few acres of his laud east of the railroad track, and for a time considerable strife existed, a few buildings being erected upon both sections. But finally a settlement was arrived at and Mr. Morin platted twenty acres into lots and blocks, just north of Johnson's in the southwest corner of section sixteen, and the whole forty and the small portion east of the

The first business opened in the town took place in September, 1877. A small frame building was moved from the town of Manchester to this place by Andrew J. Anderson, and opened for a boarding house. In a few months he sold it to Mots Motson, who enlarged and remodeled it, carrying it on for a year or so when he committed suicide by hanging himself, and the building is now occupied as a residence by his widow.

In Sejjtember of the same year, 1877, J. P. Grinager and C. K. Hovland put up a frame building 20x80, one story high, and in November put in their stock of general merchandise. About two years later Mr. Hovland retired from the firm and Mr. Grinager continues it alone.

About the same time Scarseth and Lee commenced building and opened their $4,000 stock of general merchandise to customers late in October, in a building 50x2'2 and two stories high. In 1879 Mr. Scar.seth died and Mr. Olof Lee has since managed the bu.siness.

In a few weeks after the above advent, E. S. Dunn moved a building, 22x.50 feet, from Freeborn village to Hartland, and with it brought and opened a limited stock of drugs. Mr. Dunn afterwards sold to Hovland & Nelson, and they in turn rented to the present jiroprietor, Dr. M. Torkelson.

The same fall, Hoff & Seim moved a small building, 18x24 feet, to the village, bringing also a stock of goods, and locating their building east of the track, opened a general merchandise store. This store was formerly located on the farm of Louis Knudson in section fifteen, where the Postofiice was originally established. In July, 1878, the goods were moved to the main part of the village, where the business is still continued, now under the firm of Seim & Hufland.

Thus the growth of the village went on, and new stores and saloons, and various other shops were started, and a number of buildings erected, many of which, however, are now vacant.

In 1881 a building was erected east of the railroad track, size 50x5.5 feet, for a hay press, by Tunell & Harper, in which the necessary machinery was put into operation by a twelve horsepower steam engine. This is quite an enterprise, and makes a ready market for all the hay put up in the neighborhood, baling it for shipment to the

Warehouses. - The first warehouse erected in the village was put up about the middle of September, 1877, by C. D. White, being a frame building, one story, size 32x40 feet. This was pretty well filled with grain by the time the railroad got here.

The next warehouse was put up by C. W. Whiton, in November, 1877, size 40x80, one story high, and was run by A. MoDermid in the interest of the Millers' Association. The latter gentleman purchased it, and in 1881 it was increased in size and changed into an elevator with a capacity of about 9,000 bushels, using a ten horse-power steam engine. This elevator was entirely destroyed by fire in the winter of 1881-82.

Haktland Post-Office

Before the village was thought of this Postoffice was established and held in various parts of the township. In December, 1876, J. C. Hoff was appointed Postmaster, and moved the office to his store in section fifteen. In the fall of 1877 it was removed with the store to the village, and in 1879, when he sold out his interest in the store to hia partner, Ole A. Seim, the latter gentleman became, and still is. Postmaster, with the office at the store. Mail now arrives daily on the railroad.

Statistics

PopoLATioN. - The census of 1870 gave Hartland a population of 485. The last census, taken in 1880, reports 699 for this town. Showing an increase of 214.

Educational

District No. 8 - The organization of this district was effected in the spring of 1863, at a meeting held at the house of Aaron Carr in section ten. The first officers were; Director, W. J. Mc- Clelland; Treasurer, William Wraugham; Clerk, William Beede. A log schoolhouse was bought for $9, and located in section eleven. The first school was taught by Miss Mary Bliss with eight scholars enrolled; the last term in this building was taught by Miss Maggie McClelland to an attendance of forty pupils. The present house is located near the center of section eleven, size 18x24, and cost -'5400. The present officers are Messrs. Hendrickson, Peterson, and Phipps.

District No. 9. - This district embraces the territory in the southwestern part of the township, with a schoolhouse located in section thirty - five, and was among the first districts organized in the county, although the records only extend back to 1869, prior to tliat having, by some means, been lost. The district is in a flourishing condition, fully up to the average schools in attendance and efficiency.

District No. 10. - It is claimed that this district was organized in the summer of 1858, and ' the first school was taught the same year by Mrs. Charles Morehouse at her residence, witli six pupils present. The first school meeting was held in the fall of 1858, at the residence of C. Morehouse, six voters present, and the following officers were elected: Clerk, George McColley; Director, J. P. Duncan; Treasurer. Charles Morehouse. In 1863, a schoolhouse was erected near the center of the district, size 26x30, frame, at a cost of S800, which is still in use. The schoolhouse is located in the northern part of section thirty-two.

District No. 62. - The first school held within the boundaries of this district was called in the summer of 1860, with twelve pupils present, and Elizabeth Sibbey as instructor. In the spring of 1862 the district effected an organization, the officers being L. Knudson, O. Sheldon, and Levi Jones, ajid the first school after organization was taught by Miss C. Reynolds in a private house. In 1868 the school structure was erected in the center of section fourteen at a cost of #415. The present clerk is Henry Hanson.

District No. 109. - This is the Hartlaud village school, and, as will be inferred from the number, is the youngest school district in the township. Prior to its organization the children attended in, and the territory was annexed to,

\ other districts. At the time of platting the vili lage, or shortly after, the district was brought into existence, and in the fall of 1878 the schoolhouse was erected, being a frame j building, size 24x36 feet, two stories, with a belfry, well painted and furnished, and cost about 11,800. The lower story is used for church services, lectures, town meetings, and all public purposes. The school has had as many as fifty-

William Beede, one of the jiioneers of this place, is a native of Vermont, born on the 9th of April, 1824. He was raised on a farm, and in 1845, married Miss Cynthia Sleeper, who was born in New Hampshire. lu 1856, they came west and settled first in Wisconsin and two years later started with an ox team for this place. They pre-empted land in section four, which has since bean their home. They have a family of three children. Mr. Beede in an early day took an active part in the organization and supjjort of the schools.

S. S. Ohallis was born in Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, on the 7th of April, 1822. In 1847 he removed to New Hampshire, and in 1850 to Massachusetts. He was married on the 22d of November, 18.52, to Miss N. .Julia Orr, who has borne him four children. In 1857 Mr. Challis went to California where he remained three years, then returned to Vermont, and in June, 1862, came to Hartland which has sinc3 been his home, his farm being in section thirty-one. He was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1864, and the year following elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. In 1863 he was chosen and served as captain of a military company raised in this county.

Gtilij Guttobmsen, oue of the old residents of Hartland, is a native of Norway, born on the 16th of June, 1822. He sailed for America in 1850, landing in New York on the 4th of July, and came directly to Columbia county, Wisconsin. On the 10th of February, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Engelburt Tearksendatter, who has borne him two children, only one of whom is living. In 1856 they removed to Minnesota, and resided in Steele county tor two years, then came to Hartland. He served in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry from the 16th of Blarch, 1865, until the close of the war.

Walter L. Hansen, a native of the Empire State, was born in Oswego county on the 25th of May, 1845. When he was ten years old he moved with his parents to Illinois where, on the 1st of August, 1864, he enlisted La the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E, was on garri.son duty all the time until discharged on the 10th of July, 1865. In 1867 he moved to McGregor, Iowa, and a year later to Wisconsin, where he married on the 18th of March, 1870, Miss Margaret Ramsey. She died on the 9th of June, 1872, leaving one child, Margaret Irene. In 1875 Mr. Hansen came to Hartland and purchased a farm in section three, which has since been his home. His present wife was formerly Miss Emma Challis, whom he married on the 26th of October, 1876. This union has been blessed with one child, Maud Lillie.

Caul Hendrick.son was born in Norway on the 12th of May, 1838, and when ten years old emigrated with his parents to America. They settled in Wisconsin where he married, in 1860, Miss Esther Madison. They have had eleven children, nine of wom are living. He came here in 1865, and purchased his present farm. Since 1877 he has been Town Treasurer, and has held other local and school offices.

Ole T. Johnson was born in Norway on the 6th of August, 1856, and when an infant came with his parents to America. The family first located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, until 1867, then came to this township and have since made it their home, their farm being in section two.

Lewis Knddsok, one of the early residents here, is a native of Norway, and dates his birth the 5th of August, 1830. He was married in April, 1853, to Miss Isabel Kittleson, and the same year they came to America. In 1858, they moved from Wisconsin to this township, and secured a farm in section fifteen. Mrs. Knudson died on the 28th of April, 1871, having borne seven ehildren, only one of whom is now living. His present wife. Miss Isabel Torgenson, he married on the 20th of May, 1872, and of six children born to this union, four are living.

Thomas 8. Lee was born near Bergen, Norway, on the 3d of January, 1834. When he was twenty -two years of age he came to America and first settled in Racine county, Wisconsin. He was married in 1861, to Miss Sarah Johnson, also a native of Norway. They resided in different parts of the latter State until 1873, when they came to Minnesota and located in Freeborn township until 1880, then came to Hartland. They have a family of ten children.

Oluf Lee was born in Norway, about twentyfive miles from Christiania, on the 21st of April, 1849. His father died when he was twelve years old, and after finishing his schooling he clerked in a store. When he was seventeen years of age he went to sea, and in 1870, spent one summer traveling in England. He emigrated to America in 1871, and located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and clerked in a dry goods store for ten months, thence to LaCrosse in the same occupation. He was subsequently employed as book-keeper for J. C. Easton, of Chatfleld, and later filled the same position in the First National Bank in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, also for a lumbering company. In 1877, he came to Hartland and bought an interest in the first store in this place, and is now sole proprietor. He is at present Chairman of the board of Supervisors, and has held other local offices.

George McCollev, one of the pioneers of Hartland, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 24th of March, 1831. When he was young his parents moved to Ohio, and in 1845, to Portage City, Wisconsin. On the 6th of March, 1853, George was joined in wedlock with Miss Electa Morehouse and they have six children. In 1857, Mr. McColley started with an os team to this place and for two months camped in his wagon, in the meantime putting up a shib house in section twenty-nine which has since been his home. He served for a time iu Company E, of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. His wife died on the 19th of July, 1881.

Francis E. Phipps, a native of New Hampshire, was born on the 14th of April, 1833. When young he learned engineering, and in 1854, came to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in running stationary engines in a steam mill. In 1860, be came to Minnesota and took a claim in this ]jlace, sections ten and fifteen, where he has since lived. He was married in 1862, to Miss Mary Samson, a native of Canada. After a lingering illness of several years Mrs. Phipps died in 1881, leaving three children. Mr. Phipps has taken an active part in the support and organizalioh of the schools and has held several local offices.

O. A. Seim was Ijorn in Norway on the 25th of December, 1840, and when fifteen years old emigrated to America. He was engaged in farming in Wisconsin until 1857, then came to Steele county, Mmnesota, and worked his father's farm until buying one of his own. At the sanie time he carried on a general mercantile store in the southeastern part of Waseca county. In 1876, he came to Hartlaud township and opened the first atore in the place with .John C. Hoif as partner, but a year later moved to the village and is now carrying on a merchandise business in company with Oluf Hufiand. Mr. Seim has been Postmaster since 1879, besides holding other offices.

Peter P. Shager, one of the early settlers of this county, is a native of Norway, born on the 16th of January, 1819. He came to America in 1849, and resided in Dane county, Wisconsin, one year, afterward in Columbia county until 1854, then went to Winneshiek county, Iowa. In the spring of 1857, he came to this county and settled in Manchester until enlisting on the 15th of August, 1862, in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company E, and served twenty-one months. After his discharge he located on a farm in seciiou thirty-four, Hartlaud. and has since devoted his time to its cultivation.