Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 12: Pioneer Societies, 1911

Chapter 12: Pioneer Societies

Associations Which Have Been Formed to Perpetuate the Memo¬ ries of the Early Days - Interesting Meetings Held - Freeborn County Old Settlers' Association, 1875 to 1882 - Freeborn County Territorial Pioneers' Association, 1889 to 1911.

The old settlers of Freeborn county who were desirous of perpetuating the memory of the hardships, the trials, troubles and privations on the one hand, and the pleasures and triumphs on the other, of pioneer times and frontier life, joined in a call to all those who came previous to 1860 to meet on July 12, 1875, for the purpose of organizing an Old Settlers' Association. In response to this call a meeting was held at the courthouse on the day mentioned. The assembly was called to order by D. G. Parker, who read the call that had been issued. On motion of John L. Melder, Mr. Parker was made temporary chairman. On motion of F. McCall, H. D. Brown was appointed secretary. On motion of Isaac Botsford. the following committee on resolu¬ tions was appointed: Henry Thurston, F. McCall and H. G. Em¬ mons; on nominations, Isaac Botsford, John L. Melder and Jason Howard . The committee appointed for the purpose reported a constitution which, after discussion and amendment, was adopted. Its provisions were that any old settler could join by paying a nominal sum, who were here previous to January 1, 1859. and the limitation was to be advanced each year so that any one who had been a resident sixteen years can then join the association. The officers elected under this constitution were: President. D. G. Parker; vice-presidents, J. L. Melder, II. Bickford and 0. C. Goodnature; secretary, Henry Thurston; treasurer, H. D. Brown: chaplain. Rev. S. G. Lowry; financial committee, Ole Peterson, J. W. Ayers and the president, secretary and treasurer, ex-officio. The constitution was then signed by thirty-nine persons: John L. Melder, J. Howard, S. Batchelder, Frank Ross. August Peter¬ son, ('. Xarveson. L. R. Luce, Ole Narveson, R. Fitzgerald. J. W. Ayers, H. Bickford, N. I. Lothian, II. D. Brown, Ole Peterson, William English, John Colby, Frank Hall, David Horning. G. Gulbrandson, A. W. White, Charles Peterson, A. M. Burnham, - Samuel Eaton, Isaac Botsford, A. J. Anderson, S. G. Lowry. C. Kittelaon, Henry Emmons, F. McCall, E. D. Porter, E. D. Hop-

Mks. Y. Gulbeandson

The second meeting was held June 2, 1876, at the courthouse in Albert Lea. The opportunity was given for joining the society, and sixty-five persons signed the constitution, who had come here previous to January, 1860. Several amendments were presented and adopted, the most important of which was the appointment of a committee on obituary notices. The officers elected for the year were: President, D. G. Parker; vice-presidents, William N. Goslee, of London; D. R. Young, Shell Rock; N. I. Lowthian, Freeman; H. G. Emmons, Nunda; Henry Tunell, Mansfield; C. E. Butler, Oakland ; Endre Gulbrandson, Hayward ; I. Botsford, Al¬ bert Lea; J. H. Pace, Moscow; LeAvis Bell, Ricelancl; William H. Long, Bancroft; E. D. Hopkins, Manchester; Asa Walker, Carlston; C. E. Johnson, NeAvrv; J. F. Jones, Geneva; Richard Fitz¬ patrick, Bath; A. S. Purclie, Hartland, and Jason Goward, Free¬ born; secretary, PL Thurston; treasurer, H. D. BroAAm; chaplain, S. G. LoAvry; finance committee, Ole Peterson, J. W. Ayers, the president, secretary and treasurer. E. C. Stacy was appointed committee on the obituaries for the ensuing year.

The third meeting was June 13, 1877. A procession Avas formed and marched to the picnic ground in Albert Lea. Prayer was offered by Rev. Walter Stott, one of the pioneers of the county. TAventy-seven joined the association. The officers chosen this year Avere : President, E. C. Stacy; treasurer, H. D. BroAvn ; secretary, Henry Thurston ; and a vice-president from each toAvn in the county. The finance committee with officers were J. L. Melcler and J. W. Ayers.

The fifth annual reunion. This unusually interesting affair took place June 10, 1879, at Albert Lea. The officers elected for the year were: President, A. C. Wedge; secretary, Augustus Peter¬ son; treasurer, Samuel Batchelder; and a vice-president for each town; financial committee, H. D. BroAvn, Henry Thurston, with the three executive officers. Committee on obituaries, H. Thurs¬ ton. Col. Albert Miller Lea distinguished the meeting with his presence.

The sixth annual reunion was on July 8, 1880. The longest procession eA7er seen in this city started from in front of the courthouse at the appointed time. Tavo brass bands furnished the music, and the concourse proceeded to the grove north of Fountain Lake, Avhere a varied program Avas carried out. Twentysix joined the association this year. Hon. M. S. Wilkinson was the orator of the occasion, and quite a long historical letter Avas read from George S. Ruble. The folloAving gentlemen Avere

The seventh annual reunion was held in Albert Lea on June 14, 1881, and its features were not unlike those of previous years. The Fireman's band furnished the music, and the exercises were on the picnic grounds north of Fountain Lake. David Blakely, of .Minneapolis, delivered the annual address. The officers for the year were: President, Francis Hall; secretary, Isaac Botsford ; treasurer, I). G. Parker; committee on obituaries, H. Thurs¬ ton. J. Goward. A. II. Bartlett, J. F. Jones, and S. N. Frisbie.

The eighth annual reunion occurred September 15, 1882, in the grove north of Fountain Lake. The officers for 1883 were: President. I. Botsford ; secretary, II. D. Brown; treasurer, Gilbert Gulhrandson, and a list of vice presidents.

Territorial Pioneers

The inception of this organization took place August 19, 1899, at the home of Dr. A. C. Wedge, who presided as chairman with G. Gulhrandson as secretary. The chair appointed a committee consisting of I). G. Parker and G. Gulhrandson to draft articles of association and to report them the following month at a meet¬ ing called for that purpose. September 26, 1899, the members of the association met at Johnson's hall and the articles of association were read, adopted and signed. The following were elected to serve at the regular meeting, as follows; A. C. Wedge, president; E. II. Ellickson, first vice-president; Rollof Thykeson, second vice-president; G. Gulhrandson, secretary; H. D. Brown, treasurer, and Dr. F. A. Blackmer, historian.

The first annual meeting of the Territorial Pioneers of Free¬ born County was held at Knights of Pythias hall in Albert Lea, on May 11, 1900. Papers were read by A. C. Wedge and F. A. Blackmer, and a committee appointed to nominate officers for the ensuing year. A. C. Wedge was elected president; Anthony C. Trow, vice-president; Rollof Thykeson, second vice-president; W. G. K ellar, secretary; II. I). Brown, treasurer. The president made the following appointments: Historian, F. A. Blackmer: members of the executive committee, E. II. Ellickson. I). K. Stacv

May 10, 1902. At a meeting held in the grand jury room at the courthouse tie* following officers were elected: President, Dr. A. ('. Wedge: secretary, C. N. Ruble; treasurer, C. B. Kellar.

It was announced that since the organization in 1899, death had removed two secretaries, G. Gulbrandson and William G. Kellar ; the historian. Dr. F. A. Blackmer; and treasurer. H. D. Brown.

May 11, 1903, the next annual meeting was held in the grand jury room at the courthouse, and the following officers were elected : President, Dr. A. C. Wedge ; vice-president, C. N. Ruble ; secretary, C. B. Kellar.

May 11, 1904, the annual meeting was held in the city hall, and an obituary committee was appointed by the president. Officers for the ensuing year were elected with Dr. A. C. Wedge as president ; C. N. Ruble, secretary, and C. B. Kellar, treasurer. A committee consisting of the president, secretary and treasurer was appointed to prepare papers for the following year. A com¬ mittee was also appointed to consider the plan of erecting an "Old Settlers House" or "Headquarters" on the county fair grounds.

May 11, 1905, a regular meeting was held in the city hall and F. AY. Barlow acted as secretary in the absence of C. N. Ruble. Officers for the coming years were elected as follows : President, A. C. AYedge ; secretary, F. AY. Barlow; treasurer, C. B. Kellar. President AAYdge suggested a historian be selected from each town and they were appointed as follows: Hayward, M. M. Luce; Bancroft, George H. Prescott; Alden, A. K. Norton; Carlston, Airs. John Larson; Albert Lea, John Godley ; Shell Rock, A. AAA Trow; Freeman, William Edwards; Nunda, John AI. Geissler ; Alanchester, Thor Anderson; Albert Lea City, A. C. Wedge; Alansfield, J. M. Emerson. The president was instructed to select names of the historians for other towns. Y. Gulbrandson, chairman of the committee of obituaries reported the following deaths having occurred since the last meeting: George Gardner, who came here in 1855, died September 23, 1904; Johanes Gul¬ brandson, came in 1857, died October 25, 1904; John Honan, came in 1857, died September 25, 1904; Airs. Selina Stage, came in 1856, died April 7, 1905; AI. O. Whitney, came in 1856, died October 24, 1904; Mrs. Ase Fossum, who came in 1856; L. J. Thomas, who came in 1857 ; Nels Nelson A\Tangen, who came in 1856 ; Airs. Jorge Anderson, who came in 1857 ; Fred Fink, who came in 1856; Clark IT. Dills, who came in 1857; Airs. H. J. Pickard, who came in 1857 ; Ole O. Stvve, who came in 1857 and L. W. Fay. V. Gulbrandson was appointed a committee to make an effort to secure the old log cabin erected in London by S. N. Frisbie, and to have same removed to the fair grounds to become the headquarters of the association.

May 11, 1906, the annual meeting was held in the city hall and all officers of the association were re-elected. Ar. Gulbrand¬ son reported the following deaths which had occurred since the

May 11, 1907, the annual meeting was held in the Hotel Freeborn parlors and the election of officers resulted as follows: President, A. C. Wedge; secretary, F. W. Barlow; treasurer, C. B. Kcllar. V. Oulbrandson read the following list of deaths of members of the association: Samuel Landis, pioneer of 1857, died May 15, 1906; S. B. Smith, 1857. died May 17, 1906; Henry Wyant, died July 25, 1906; Mrs. Lars Mickelson, died August 16, 1906; Mrs. Christian Pederson, 1857, died November 1, 1906; Mrs. K. T. Haugen, 1857, died November 27, 1906; Mrs. E. D. Stacy, 1856, died December 19, 1906; Capt. Asa White, 1856, died January 13, 1907 ; Mrs. John Dwyer, 1856, died January 20, 1907 ; Henry I). Blackmer, 1857, died January 27, 1907 ; John Beigliley, 1857, died January 21, 1907; Mrs. Anthony Trow, 1856, died February 1, 1907; Nicholas T. Sandberg, 1858, died February 23, 1907; Mrs. Nels Walaker, 1856, died February 22, 1907; Charles Knapp. 1855, died April 6, 1907 ; Mrs. Simon Hanson. 1856, died April 19, 1907. On a motion a committee was authorized by the president to serve as committee of obituaries, consisting of the following: V. Oulbrandson, Mrs. John Larson, and F. W. Barlow.

On May 11, 1908 t lie association met in Odd Fellows hall in Albert Lea and the officers of the preceding year were re-elected. Twelve deaths had occurred since the last year's meeting, recorded as follows: Mrs. J. C. Frost, Jacob Baker, Henry Schneider, Joseph Landis, Ellen Thompson, Elmira Budlong, Edward Murphy, Milton M. Luce, Phillip Herman, John Hermanson, Mrs. John Hermanson, and Thomas Sutherdal.

The next annual meeting was held in Odd Fellows hall at Albert Lea on May 11. 1909. The officers were elected as follows: President, A. C. Wedge; secretary, F. W. Barlow; treasurer, C. B. Kellar. The president appointed a committee to locate and collect relics of pioneer days and this committee was made up of the following: J. E. Simms, M. Y. Kellar and David Colvin. The deaths which had occurred during the past year were recorded as follows: Mrs. Elsie Lunde, Mrs. John Walaski and Thor Anderson.

May 11, 1910, the pioneers held their annual meeting in Odd Fellows hall, Albert Lea, and the following deaths were recorded: Andrew Severson Sjelve, pioneer of 1857, died June 7, 1909 ; Mrs. Ellen Fitzgerald, 1858, died June 25, 1909 ; John Geissler, 1856, died July 28, 1909; Thomas Donovan, 1858, died September 1, 1909; Mrs. Henry Emmons, 1856, died February 1, 1910; Henry Emmons, 1856, died October 6, 1909 ; Mrs. Fred Fink, 1858, died January 1, 1910; John L. Melander, 1856, died December 17, 1909; Hans Olson Kjonas, 1856, died October, 1909; William H. H. Gordon, died May 17, 1909. It was suggested that the name be changed to "Territorial Pioneers and Old Settlers Association of Freeborn County, " and that any person who has resided in the county for 35 years be eligible to membership. The officers of the preceding year were again elected. John A. Melander, who died this year, had previously been known as John A. Melder.

May 11, 1911, the annual meeting of the Territorial Pioneer Association was held in the Danish Brotherhood hall, Albert Lea, and the former officers were again elected and with them a vice-president, V. Gulbrandson. The committee of obituaries reported the following deaths of members of the association: Anastacia Barlow, pioneer of 1857, died November 2, 1910; Andrew O. Styve, 1857, died February 19, 1911; George H. Pres¬ cott, died February 19, 1911 ; Mrs. Mary Dudley, 1856, died March 15, 1911; William Beighley, 1856, died 1910; Mrs. Isadora Campbell, 1857, died August 24, 1910; Mrs. Patrick Farrv, 1856, died January 10, 1911 ; Gulbrand Bagaasen, 1856, died October 29, 1910; Mrs. Harriet Barden, died September 25, 1910; James Lair, 1857, died October 13, 1911. A committee was appointed to arrange for an old settlers picnic to be held later in the season, which Avas composed of the following members, Mr. and Mrs. M. Y. Kellar. D. C. Armstrong, Mrs. David Colvin, Mrs. Heman Blackmer, Mrs. John Godlev, Mrs. Dan Horning, Mrs. Isaac Botsford and Bennett Porter.