Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 72: General Description - Early Settlement Items, 1882

Chapter 72: General Description - Early Settlement Items

Rioeland is one of the eastern towns of Freeborn county, lying in the second tier from the north, as well as the eastern county line. Its contiguous surroundings are as follows: Geneva township on the north; Moscow on the east: Hay ward on the south; and Bancroft on the west. It is a full congressional towQship of 36 sections or square miles, containing about 23,010 acres.

The western part of the town is what would be called burr and jack oak opening land, which is interspersed with natural prairies and meadow land. The general inclination is to rolling, and here and there are many egg-shaped mounds covered with timber. At one time the lake was bordered with a heavy growth of timber, but these miniature forests have been greatly reduced. The heaviest timber at present is located in sections twelve and sixteen, which is cut up into timber lots and owned by various parties. The northeastern part of the town is marshy and not subject to cultivation. A large marsh extends across the southwest corner, which the Indians claim was originally a lake of great depth and large. It is also said that the water, or the greater portion of it, suddenly ebbed away and disappeared, leaving boats and canoes on dry land, as if by magic. There are several places in this slough where it is claimed no bottom can be found to the water sink holes.

The soil of the town is generally dark loam; but on the knolls there is a marked tendency to clayeyness. A good acreage is under a high state of cultivation; yet it is somewhat below the average of the townships. The low lands are brought into excellent use as hay land and the crops raised are as abundant as valuable.

Rice Lake is one of the larger lakes of Freeborn county, and we are in doubt as to whether the name of this suggested the name for the town or vine versa ; but it is certain the name originated among the Indians from the abundance of wild rice in this locality. The lake lies in the northeastern part of the town, and several small streams find their way from it through the marshy tract to the east.

Early Days

We here with present a sketch of the early events of the town^ which about covers the ground we should have filled had it not been for this.

"Ole C. Olson and Ole Hanson first settled this town in August,1856. The former put up a log house in the same month, and opened the first farm in the latter part of that season. Samuel Beardsley, a blacksmith, commenced business in the same year, and was the first mechanic. George P. Bracket was the first merchant, and opened business in 1857- In 1859 Amy Baker taught in a private house the fir.st public school. The first schoolhouse was built in 1864. In 1858 the Rev. Mr. Mapes held the first religious services. The Methodists, in 1859, established the first orgnniza

{ forming the ceremony. In April, 1858, the first child was born, in the person of Caroline Olson. The first death was that of Mr. Shortledge, who was frozen in April, 1857. Isaac Baker was the

I the first Clerk. In regard to the first acquired title to land, there is some question whether it was Amy Beardsley or Victory B. Lossee. The evidence seems to be in favor of the latter, who se-

While the above is in the main correct, yet many points will be found corrected in another column. The statement as to the first settler is especially criticised, and many, in fact all, say it is wrong, and that the Beardsleys were the first settlers. Among others who were prominent early settlers the names are remembered of a few who will be briefly mentioned.

Samuel A. Beardsley and John. Hull, his son-inlaw, together witli their families, came by ox team from Illinois, brought considerable stock, and settled on the south side of Rice Lake. Beardsley remained until about 1860, when he removed to Wisconsin, and from there went to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he yet is. Hull remained a short time and went to Wisconsin where he has since died, through an accident with a gun.

In 1858, we find a number of Americans had settled in the township , among whom were Charles Williams, - - - Brackett, Joseph Neil, Nels and James Snyder, Nick and John Reims, and Thomas Walaska, who have all long since gone to more congenial climes.

In 1858, quite a family of pioneers put in an appearance in the persons of Deacon Isaac Baker, his good wife Phcebe and their children, William H., Charles E., Margaret N., Amy J., Rhoda, and Sarah E. Baker. They settled upon section twenty, and in about seven or eight years the father removed to Austin, where he has since passed away. The two boys, William H. and Charles E., still live in Riceland, and are among its most prominent and intelligent citizens.

Soon after this party had got settled, Nathan P. Amy and Charles Bartlett, from the eastern States, arrived, the former bringing the first team of horses. They have both left.

Deceased

natural life, at the age of 73 years. His first apppearance on this stage of action was at Wood Creek, Washington county, New York, on the 2-ltli of December, 1806. .\t the age of six his fathers family moved to Pennsylvania. When 22 years of age his marriage took place with Mrs. Phiebe Bear.lsley. In February, the year of his death, the golden wedding was observed. In 1843, he removed to Shirland, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and from thence to Riceland, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Austin. Mr. Baker and his wife were two of the six constituent members of the Baptist church at Shell Rock.

Items Of Interest

The first birth in the township took place on the 23d of 1858, and Caroline Oleson came into existence. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole C. Oleson, who lived upon a farm in section thirty, and the child yet lives.

The earliest marriage of which there is any record, took place on the 1st of January, 1858, and joined the future destinies of Stephen Beardsley and Sarah Croy.

It is claimed, and is undoubtedly a fact, that the first death that occurred within the limits ot Riceland, was that of Martha Hull: aged about 16 months, in October, 1857, of Scarlet Fever.

The next was the demise of Miss Sarah Baker, on the 18th of July, 1859, from a stroke of lightning. It seems that two sisters. Amy and Sarah, were sleeping near a stove, and toward morning a thunder-storm arose, which scattered its bolty messengers with a profusion that was terrific, and a bolt struck the house, ran down the stove pipe and glanced across the room, striking the girls and instantly killed Sarah, severely wounding her sister, .Amy. The Ijolt then passed through the floor and down a studding into the ground.

The first school taught in the district, was held at the residence of Harry Beardsley in section sixteen, in the summer of 1859, Miss Amy Baker being the instructor.

The first religious services held in the township were presided over by the Rev. Mr. Phelps, in the spring of 1857, at the residence of Samuel Beardsley.

The township of Riceland originally bore the name of Beardsley, in honor of an early and prominent pioneer; but it was finally changed by the

BLiCKSMiTH Shops. - The first blacksmith shop in the town was opened iu the fall of 18.57, in a little log hut in the northern part of section fifteen, by Samuel A. Beardsley.

John Peterson, a Norwegian, in 1880, erected a one story, 18x20 foot, frame building in section eighteen, and opened a shop for shoeing, repairing, and blacksmithing generally, which he still continues.

Saw-Mill. - In 1857, buildings were erected on the south shore of Rice Lake, or rather a shanty, by Samuel A. Beardsley, who moved machinery from Rice county and commenced operating a steam saw-mill. The establishment continued turning out lumber for about one year when it was removed to Itasca, When the machinery was first moved from Faribault, Rice county, it was jilaced upon a wagon, with shelves or rnnners placed underneath to prevent the load from dropping out of sight in the deep mud, and in this shape, behind a big yoke of cattle, the trip was made.

Wind-Power Mill.- In 1880, N. P. Bartelsoii, a native of Denmark, erected a structure, put in two run of stones, and attaching it to a sixteen foot winged wind-mill, commenced grinding feed, etc. The stones are what is here termed hardheads, and were dug from the ground in the vicinity of the mill, and manufactured into buhrs by Mr. Bartelson. The establishment cost about

Fairfield Village. - A village under this name was platted by Samuel Beardsley, on the south shore of Rice Lake in section fifteen, on a proposed road from Fairfield to Shell Rock. A Postoffice was established and a regular mail route; ij; was on the same section as was the saw-mill, and everything looked lovely for rapid growth; but that looked for railway never came and the village became a thing of the past.

Riceland Lodge of Good Templars. - This society was organized in the spring of 1871, at the house of Frank Ross in section tnenty-eight, by members of the Moscow Lodge. The society continued here until December following, when the base of operations was changed to what was then the village of Sumner; but the following year, the interest waning, the charter was surrendered.

Seventh Day Adventists. - The first preaching to the adherents of this faith took place in 186.5, at the house of Nels Hanson, with the Rev. John Mateson as minister; and after this, services and Sabbath school have been held regularly in private residences and schoolhouses. In 1880. the church was erected, size, 20x30, at a cost of S500. At the time of organization the society had about thirty-five members. Regular (juarterly services have been held since October, 1865. The present elder is Hans Rasmusson, and the Sunday school Superintendent and Class Leader is Hans Johnson. The Sunday school now consists of about forty members. Preaching is held about once each month by itinerants.

There is a burial ground in connection with the church, which was laid out in 1872. The first buriai here was of the remains of Andrew Peterson.

Political

As stated elsewhere, this township was originally known under the caption of Beardsley. The first town meeting was held at the residence of Samuel A. Beardsley, but as the records for the early years are entirely destroyed, or effectually misplaced, any statement we might make as to their proceedings would be merely "hearsay." It is claimed the first officers were: Supervisors, Isaac Baker, Chairman, Charles Williams, and James Harris; Clerk, James Snyder. The names of the balance of the officers have been forgotten.

The matters pertaining to the town have always been in capable hands and have been attended to with commendable zeal and honesty. The last town meeting was held at the house of N. P. Bartelson, on the 14th of March, 1882, and the following township officials were elected and are now serving : Supervisois, John J. Jerde, Chairman; P. Iverst)n, and William H. Baker; Town Clerk, Knud Ingebretson; Treasurer, C. Jacobson; Assessor, B. K. Winjum; Justices of the Peace, L. T. Bell and O. O. Bagaason; Constable, C. E. Baker. The gentleman named as Justice of the Peace, L. T. Bell, has just been nominated by the Republican County Convention for the position of representative of his district in the lower house of the Minnesota Legislature.

PoprLATioN. - The census of 1870 gave Ricea population of 633. The last census, taken in 1880, reports 783 for this town; showing an increase of 150.

Educational Facilities

District No. 25. - The first board of school officers in this district was as follows: Clerk, H. lug; Treasurer, O. Henry; Director, John Jolinsou. In 1872, the first schoolhouse was erected at a cost of S700, size, 18x20 feet, which answered the purpose for about ten years, when it was dispensed with, and the present neat frame building was erected, size 26x36 feet, at a cost of S800, the location being in the southeastern part of section seven. The present officers are: O. Henrv, J- Jacobson. and John Johnson.

District No. 26. - The first school taught in this district was by Miss Williams, with twentyfive pupils present. In the summer of 1861, the citizens of the district were called out, and the firsl sehooUiouse erected in section twenty-nine, by sub.scription, size, 16x22, of logs. A new frame building is now in process cf erection in section twenty-nine, which will be 18x28 feet. The last school was taught by Mr. Arthur Grow, with thirty-nine pupils present.

districts of the township, and embraces the territory south jof Rice Lake. The present schoolhouse was erected in 1878, a frame building, located in the northeastern jjart of section twentyseven.

District No. 88. - The first schoolhouse was erected in 1867, of logs, in section nine, size, 16x20, and cost .?250, the logs being furnished by subscription of the citizens. The last term of school was taught in this district by Robert English, with fifty-two pupils enrolled. A new schoolhouse was completed this year at a cost of S800, size, 20x32 feet, in section nine, although, as yet no school has been held there. The present school officers are as follows: Clerk, Christian Larsen; Director, Jonas Ingvardson; Treasurer, Christian Hanson.

District No. 91. - Embraces the territory in the southeastern part of the township, with a schoolhouse located in section thirty-five, which was erected in 1872.

Norwegian School. - This educational medium originated in 1869, in the spring, when Knud Ingrebretson called the first school to order, consisting of about forty pupils, and the institution has continued ever since.

WiLLi.\M H. B.\KER, one of the early settlers of Riceland, is a native of Pennsylvania, bom in 1837. When he was about five years old his parents moved to New York, and a year later to Winnebago county, Illinois. In 1857, the family came to ]\Iinnesota and settled in this place, William taking land in section twenty where he has since made his home. He was married in 1861, to Mi.ss Mary E. Stark, a uative of New York. They have had two children, one of whom is now living; Frank E.

Christain Ulirik Chkistenson was bom in tlie central portion of Denmark, on the 15th of January, 1852. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the Danish army, servid one year, and then after a period of six months reeulisted for another year. In \])ril, 1873, he came to .A.lnerica and directly to this county, settling in Geneva. On the 5th of July, 1879, he was joined in matrimony with Carrie Mary Christensou and they have two children, a boy and a girl. In 1880, they removed to this township and bought a farm in the east halt of section ten.

Shell Rock Townshtp

this place, was born iu Norway and brought up on a farm. When first cc)miug to America he settled in Wisconsin, but after a short time came to this place where he lived until his death, which occurred iu 1869. He left a wife and four children; Nils, Bertina, Andrew, and Martin.

BoTiiER K. WixJUM was born in Bergen, Norway, on the 5tli of March, 1833. When he was tweuty-one years old he emigrated to America, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years in Dane county, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1858, he was imited in wedlock with Miss Maria Bell, and the same year they came to this township. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are living. Mr. Winjum owns a farm in section thirty-one. He has served as Assessor for several years.

Ole Nelson Wkidal, is a native of Denmark, born in 1853. In 1871, he emigrated to America, landed in Portland, Maine, and came directly to Dane county, Wisconsin. He was married in 1873, to Miss Mary Wigdal, and the result of the union is two children ; Susan and Annie Christina. In 1877, they came to Kiceland and settled on the farm which they have since made their home.