Freeborn County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (4 of 5 so headed), 1882

Biographical sketches

The townshij) bearing this old, time ht)Uored name, receiving it, as did so many towns throughout the United Kingdom, in honor of Lord Mansfield, is a full congressional township embracing the territory of Town 101, Range 23. It is the southwestern subdivision of Freeborn county, its contiguous surroundings being, Alden on the nortli; Nunda on the east; Faribault county on the west; and the state of Iowa on the south.

As to the surface and physical features, not much can be said of this that would not readilj' apply to almost any other prairie town, and this is one in the full sense of the word. However, there are a few patches of timber here, the most of which is domestic, and located mostly in sections seven, eight, ten, and thirty- six. The northwestern part of the town is high and rolling, furnishing some of the finest farming land immaginable; but, as you go southward and to the east it becomes more level and low, with numerous marshes and sloughs, which makes the locality less valuable for farming and agricultural purposes, although there are many fine farms in this as well as other portions of the town. In the extreme southeastern corner, a ridge of high land abruptly pushes its way through the surface of the prairie, which inaugurates the area of the tableland, commeucing here and extending eastward through Nunda and other towns.

The soil is a dark loam, with a subsoil of sand and gravel, as a rule; but this is not invariable, for in places a marked tendency to a lighter nature is visible, with a clayey subsoil.

rises in Alden and crossing a corner of section two passes through the center of section one and twelve, forming a miniature lake in section one. ti>uches a corner of thirteen and leaves the town on its way to Bear Lake, in Nunda. Lime Creek crosses the southeastern corner of the township. Another small stream, not as yet dignified with a name upon the map, rises in section eight, and Howing northward through section five, leave.-! the town and enters Alden.

The geologicil and natural history survey of county of Freeborn, by N. H. Wiuchell, State Geologist, published in 187.5, says of Mansfield: - "This town is nearly all prairie, a small patch of oak openings ooeuring in sections three, ten, and fifteen. The northwestern part of the township is rolling, and the southeastern is level and wet with marshes.

Early Settlement

The earliest steps leadings to the founding and subsequent development of this thriving township commenced early in 1856, which was about the time that the w'estern fever actually set in, and found root in the minds of the eastern people.

The first settlers in Mansfield were the Tunell brothers, John and Henry, who came from Illinois by the way of Iowa, with their families, and with teams, arriving on the 23d of June, 1856, and locating on section eight. Here John remained until 1873, when he went to Oregon, where he now resides with his family ; while Henry still occupies the place he originally secured in section eight, and is one of the prominent men of both town and county. These brothers brought with them about one hundred head of cattle, and shortly after their arrival commenced putting up hav, seiuring enough to carry them safely through the winter; but a prairie fire came rolling along and destroyed all the fruits of their labor. For a time the prospect looked seriously dubious, but they finally managed to purchase enough hay from parties in Iowa to title them over the winter, without a loss of more than half their stock, as the poor brut.es suffered considerable from the severe cold and deep snow.

Shortly after these parties made their appearance, Henry Schmidt and Henry Jahnke arrived and secured tracts of the government domain; Henry Schmidt located on section ten, where he remained until that insatiable enemy of immortality, Death, called him hence. Mr. Jahnke made himself at home in section ten, and still holds forth there, a prosperous and prominent farmer.

After this there were no arrivals for some time, but gradually the attention of incomers was turned this way, and the government land began to disappear. Messrs. Stenvaldson and Kittleson, natives of Norway, came in and located where they still live, on valuable farms in section fifteen. Shortly after this we notice the arrivals of a number of additions to this littlement of Norwegians; H. Knutson, Nels Nelson, John Kraiis Haar, and others who are yet occupying their places.

Various Matters Of Interest

Among, if not the very first marriages in the township, occurred in 1864, and united August Heintz and Miss Louisa Yost in the holy bonds of matrimony.

The first death of a matured person was the demise of Mrs. Henry Schmidt, who was called away on the 20th day of December, 1862. She was first buried on the farm, but her remains subsequently removed to the Mansfield cemetery.

Mansfield Post-Office

This luxury was established about 1875, the first Postmaster being Mr. James M. Emerson, who held the office until the 8th of March, 1878, when the present Postmaster, Henry J. Smith, was commissioned to handle the mail, and still acts in that capacity. The location of the office is at the Postmaster's house in section ten, and it supplies a ^ood area of country with its postal matter, proving a great convenience to the farmers, who would otherwise be obliged to go out of the township for the news from friends.

Lutheran Church. - This society effected an organization as early as 1874, and in that year they erected a neat and commodious church edifice in the southeastern corner of section thirtysix, at a cost of about |.3,300. The denomination belongs to the conference of Blinnesota. Their first pastor was Rev. B. B. Gelduger, who was succeeded by Eev. Mr. Nelson, and next came the present officiating clergyman, Rev. Mr. Ostrop. It is one of the strongest societies in Freeborn county, having about three hundred members.

There is a cemetery in connection with this church, located just south of it, on a high spot of land, which contains about thirty graves. This was laid out about the time of the organization of the society, and is one of the most beautiful grounds for the purpose in Mansfield.

Mansfield Cemetery. - This burial ground is located in the northeastern part of section sixteen, containing one acre, which is neatly fenced and well improved. This "village ot the dead "contains many members of the earliest settlers in Mansfield, and among the gleaming head boards we see the epitaph of the father of Henry Tunell, one of the first and most honored settlers.

Political

In earlier days Mansfield was merged into surrounding towns for local government, and the records of it as a separate organization do not commence until 1866, when they state that the first meeting was held in Henry Schmidt's house.

The first officers elected were: Supervisors, Henry Tunell, Chairman, John Kraus Haar, and John B. Oleson; Clerk, John Tunell; Assessor, Nicholas Stenoldson; Treasurer, John Tunell. At present, meetings are held in the schoolhouses throughout the town.

Mansfield has always been in good hands, so far as its officials are concerned, and public matters have been attended to with a zeal and honesty that is indeed commendable; it is out of debt, has voted S400 for road and bridge fund, and has never voted any railroad bonds to beggar the people and enrich monopolists.

Statistical

We will say, as an introductory remark to this article, that, as a rule, statistics are rather dry reading to one who is merely perusing a work for pastime, as they go too much into fine detail to suit mere fancy; but to one who is searching for facts coaoerning a locality which he has in contemplation for a future home, they are everything and all important. They determine for him with accuracy the resources of a country; the class of people with wliich it is settled, giving the amount of their productions, and they are indisputable. In fact, all vital matters concerning the wealth, prosperity, and welfare of a locality are embodied in a careful summing up of the statistics of values, cultivation, and prt>dnction. We have, therefore, compiled a statement of such for this township, taken from the County Auditor's report to the commissioner of statistics of Minnesota for 1882, and elsewhere, which we herewith present. It must be remembered that although the report was made in the year 1882, the acreage and number of bushels raised was in the year 1881.

This closes the report for the year 1881. Prom the report of Assessors, for the j^rcsent year, 1882, we have gleaned the following which wiU be of interest :

Other items for the same year: growing apple trees, 1,162; bearing apple trees, 406; grape vines in bearing, 13; milch cows, 205; sheep, 229; wool, 807; whole number of farms reported, 35.

FoiTLATiox. - In the year 1860, the population of Mansfield may be said to be almost nothing. In 1870, the census report gives it 379, and at the last census, in 1880, we find the ))opulation to be 552; showing an increase in ten years of 173.

Educational facilities in Mansfield are up to the average of towns in the count}', having six dis- ' tricts, all in good condition and well managed. If the territory were equally divided in the township, this would give an area of six square miles ' to each educational sub-division. The districts, , with numbers and location of sehoolhouses, are , as follows: No. 41, building in section thirtytwo; No. 74, in section two; No. 84, in section twenty-six; No. 86, in section thirty -five; No. 87, in section eight; No. 92, in section ten. Below is given a short sketch of the organization, growth, and present condition of the various districts.

District No. 41. - Embraces the territory lying in the southwestern part of the township. It was organized at an early day, but as to the actual date there are many confiictiug reports, and as we have failed in seeing the records we cannot here decide the question; but, it is certain, however, that about the year 1872 their schoolhouse was erected in the northern part of section thirty-two, at a cost of about .$100, the size of it being 12x16. The first school was instructed by Miss Hattie Coblett, to nine scholars. The attendance at the present time is sixteen.

District No. 74. - Effected an organization about 1870, and held school in the private residence of John Kraus Haar in section two, with Miss Bhoda Gripman as teacher and twelve pupils to answer the roll call. In 1872 their schoolhouse was erected in the southwestern corner of section two at a cost of S!!400. the size of which is 18x30. The school has not increased much in numerical strength.

District No. 84. - This district commenced its existence by erecting a school edifice in section twenty-six, the size of which is 16x24 and cost $300. The first teacher was C. H. Emmons with an attendance of about twenty-five, which has

District No. 86. - Effected an organization in 1872, the first school being taught in Mr. Hellek Knudson's house in section thirty-six, the teacher being Miss Jennie L. Eomanson, with twenty-five students present. In the year 1874, two years after organization, the school building now in use was erected in the southeastern cornet of section thirty-five, at a cost of about .f 200, the size being 18x24. This district is really a union one, as it embraces as part of its territory several sections in the state of Iowa.

DiSTEiCT No 87. - It is claimed by .some that this educational subdivision came into existence in the year 1867; and the first school was taught by Miss Ivey Thomas in John Tunnell's residence with fourteen pupils present. The following year their school edifice was erected in the southwestern part of section eight, size 16x24 at a cost of S400. The lumber from 'this house was hauled from Austin.

District No. 92. - This district is presumed to have been organized about 1875, for in that year we find their school house was erected in the southwestern part of section ten, at a cost of .S400, size 18x24. Mr. Ambrus Morey was the first teacher, to an enrollment of twenty-one scholars. The district is in good condition and now has an attendance of about twenty -five.

BEN.IAMIN H. Dillingham was born in Maine on the 27th of December, 1841. He was raised on a farm and attended the Friends' Seminary, located in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1862, he was joined in marriage to Miss Emma J. Mc- Curdy, who was born in his^native State. They came to Iowa in 1866, and engaged in farmfng three years, since which time Mansfield has been their home, taking a quarter in section thirty -two. Their children are, Henry E., James S., Charles H., Oliver E., George A., Mary F., Millard F., Lilian, and an infant not named. Mr. Dillingham takes a deep interest in educational matters, was one of the leading men in starting the public schools in this place and has been Clerk of the school board eight successive years.

John Kbaus Haab, an old settler in this place, is a native of Germany, born in the village of Shlenklfeldt, near Frankfurt-on-the-Main, on the

15th of April, 1817. He received a good education in the public schools of the village, and when fourteen years old began the trade of a cabinetmaker, and after four years at the same was engaged in the manufacture of the celebrated Kraus Haar pianos and organs. In 1842 he came to America, located in Erie county, Ohio, and followed his trade two years, then to Berlin Centre, and afterward to Litchfield, Michigan. In 1844 he was married to Miss Sarah Beck. After some years at his trade in the latter place his health failed and he came to Kock county, Wisconsin, where he resided on a farm five years and then moved to Mitchell county, Iowa. Since 1863, he has been a resident of this place, taking land in section two. He is a respected citizen, has always taken an active part in all school and local matters, and assisted in the organization of the township, having since held a number of the principal town offices. His children are George H., Mary L., Samuel H., Elizabeth C, Isaac N., John C, and Sarah M.

William Jost was born in Waldeck, Germany , on the 27th of August, 1842. In 1864,^he came with his parents to America, and directly to Minnesota, locating in section nine, Mansfield. He now owns two hundred and eighty-four acres, about half of which is under cultivation, having a good house and barn. In 1870 he was joined in matrimony with Miss Caroline Frese, also a native of Germany. They have five children; Frederic, Fredrica, Mary, Augusta, and Emma. Mr. Jost's father died at the advanced age of eightytwo years, and his mother still lives, aged seventytwo.

Henry Jahnke, one of the first settlers in Mansfield, is a native of Meoklinburg, Germany, born on the 1st of August, 1822. He there grew to manhood, attending school, and in 1852 came to America, first locating in Illinois. He was married in 1852 to Miss Mary Miller. Two years later they came to this township, and under the homestead law took one hundred and sixty acres in sections three aad ten, which is still their home, having a desirable farm well cultivated. Mr. amd Mrs. Jahnke have had six children, five of whom are living, John, Mary, Christ, Mina, and Louisa.

Valentine Katzdng, a native of Germany, was born on the 6th of January, 1844. When eleven years of age he came with his parents to America and located on a farm in Rockford, 111. 1 rom thenoe thev moved to Kilbonrn City, Wisconsin, and shortly after cume to Minnesota and located in Blue Earth City. In 1864 Valentine enlisted in Company F, of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, was in the service one year and then honorably discharged. In 1867 he married Miss Christiana Yost, who was also born in Germany. They have a family of seven children; August, Edward, William, Ferdinand, Herman, Bertha, and Erncstina. Mr. Katzimg's farm is situated in section nine.

D.\viD Lavai.I;E, one of the old and substantial citizens of this place, was born near Lake Champlain in Canada in 1839, He grew to manhood in his native place and in 1860, married Miss Louisa Pearmsolt, who was also raised in Canada. In 1865, Mr. Lavalle came west and three years later located in Mansfield, upon the farm which is still his home. He has a family of six children; Elizabeth, David, Milda, Hulda, Eva, and John O. His father, PaulL. Lavalle, lives with him and is a well perserved man of seventy-three years, enjoying the comforts of life with his children's children.

John Niebuhr was bom in Hanover, Germany, on the 22d of November, 1828. He received his education there and in 1864, married Miss Catharine King. They emigrated to America in 1872, coming directly to this place and locating in section seventeen which is still their home. Mr. Niebuhr now owns five hundred and seventv acres of land, about half being under cultivation, and has one of the largest dwelling houses in the place. He is an energetic farmer, keeping a fine lot of stock and also raising small grain He has a family of ten children; Dora, Mary, Eliza, Kate, Henry, William, Louisa, Maggie, Minnie, and George.

Rev. p. G. Ostbt was born in Trysil, Norway, on the 12th of August, 18.36. He received a good education and at the age of twenty commenced teaching school, and after two years entered a high school, similar to our Normal schools, where he remained two years, then returned to teaching. In 1868, he came to America and attended the College at Paxton, Illinois, and afterward at Marshall, Wisconsin, where he passed a theological course and was ordained as a Lutheran minister. He was Chaplain for C. L. Clausun at Ht Ansgar, Iowa, for one year, then moved to Austin, Minnesota, and was pastor of the Norwegian

Lutheran church there for seven years. In 1871, he married Miss Garo B. Thoruby, and they have a family of five boys; Johannas G., Bernhard I., Paul I. D., Selmar O., and James (). C. In 1878, Mr- Ostby came to Mansfield as pastor of the Lutheran Cliurch of this place, and through his energy and benevolence it is now in a prosperous condition.

Ole I. Opdahi, was born near Bergen, Norway, on the 5th of January, 1853, and came with his his parents to America in 1865. After a residence of a short time in Iowa the family removed to Minnesota and located in Nunda. In 1874, Ole was united in marriage with Miss Betsy Davidson, also a native of Norway, and the same year came to Mansfield, buying land in section eleven which has since been their home. Mr. Opdahi takes an active part in the advancement of education, has held school offices and was a member of the board of Supervisors three years. His farm now contains three hundred and twenty acres and is well improved. He has five children ; Louisa, Emma, GiUa, Eva, and David.

Alexandeu Peterson was born in Uddevalla, Sweden, on the 8th of August, 182i). At the age of fifteen he went to Norway where he received a good education. He was married in 1853, to Miss Enger Serena Norby, a native of Norway. In 1864, they came to America and resided in Iowa for three years, then moved to this place, settling in section twenty-four. His farm now contains two hundred acres of well improved land. Mr. Peterson is always intcrestetl in local matters and has held difl'ereut offices, is at present Town Clerk and also school clerk. His children are; Mary, Hanna, Caroline, Carl, Peter, Otto, and Alphons.

Hiram M. Pettit was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of July, 1833. He was raised on a farm, and in 1853, came we.st to Iowa, where he resided two years, then located in Minnesota, but returned to Iowa in a few years. He was joined in matrimony with Miss Elisif Dibble in 1859. In 1861, he enlisted in the Twentyseventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and after a campaign through to Mississippi, was taken sick and confined in the hospital at Jackson, Tennessee, five months, after which he was honorably discharged. In 1864, he entered land in section one, Mansfi(>ld, and now has it nearly all under cultivation, making a good home. He has filled a number of school and town offices. Mr.

HiEAM J. Steward, a native of Maine, was born near Bangor, on the 2l3t of September, 1831. At the early age of twelve years he began working by the day, following the lumber business twelve years. In 1855, he was married to Miss Mary E. Steward, who was also born in Maine, and they settled on a farm near Saint Albans. In 1862, Mr. Steward enlisted in the Twenty-second Maine Volunteer Infantry, Company K, went New Orleans and at the battle of Port Hudson, June 13th, 1862, was wounded in the right knee where the buckshot still remains. After a service of eleven months, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. In 1806, he came west to Iowa, remained three years and then came to Minnesota, taking land in section twelve where he still lesides. He has a fine farm, and the tidy appearance of his home gives evidence of his eastern education and habits. Mr. and Mrs. Steward have three children; PhedoraC, Lizzie M., and Hiram H.

Henkt J. Schmidt was born near Joliet, Illinois, on the 26th of August, 1853, and when three years old came to Mansfield with his parents who were among the first settlers in this place. Henry was married in 1878, to Miss Caroline Leonhardi, also a native of Illinois. They have had two children; Henry and Arthur, the former having died when one year old, and tlie latter on the 23d of September, 1882. Their farm contains two hundred and eighty acres with the greater portion under cultivation. Mr. Schmidt has been school Clerk six years, Town Treasurer four years, Postmaster for a time, and is at present Treasurer of the school district. His parents are both dead, his mother having died when thirty-eight years old, and his father at the age of sixty -seven.

Henry Tunedl was born the 29th of June, 1826, near Hanover, Germany. When seventeen years old he enlisted in the army as a Volunteer, serving seven years and one mouth. In 1850 he married Miss Dora Olmyer and the same year emigrated to America. They located near Blooming Grove, Illinois, and after farming there six years, came to Minnesota, settling in Mansfield on section eight, where he has a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, all cultivated. He has eight children; William 0., Henry J., Charles, George J., Alvina D., Gustavus, Robert, and Edward, all of whom are grown. Mr. Tunell is one of the intiuential citizens of this place; has been in the Legislature two terms; Chairman of the board of Supervisors fifteen years; school Director ten years, and Clerk of the, school board of Trustees. After the Sioux Massacre in 1863, he was commissioned Captain of a Militia company for home protection.