Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 29: Freeborn County Villages, 1911

Chapter 29: Freeborn County Villages

Story of the Prosperous Trading Centers - Alden, Clarks Grove, Emmons, Freeborn, Glenville, Geneva, Gordonsville, Hartland, London, Manchester - Other Villages - Bancroft and Itasca - Three Former Villages.

Since the earliest days Freeborn county has been blessed with excellent trading points. Some of the villages platted in pioneer times flourished a time and died. Others have survived to the present day. The coming of the railroads was naturally an impetus to the building of villages, and several of the hamlets in Freeborn county had their beginning with the erection of a sta¬ tion or warehouse. The county is fortunate in the number of its prosperous villages. Alden, Emmons, Glenville and Hartland are incorporated, and several others have a population of several hundred each. Many years ago the little hamlets were grouped about the post offices. In modern times, with the development of the dairy interests, the settlements cluster about the creameries.

Alden Village

Alden has often been called the ideal small village. Situated on a beautiful body of water in the midst of a rich farming coun¬ try, with neat buildings and well kept streets, exceptional school opportunities and adecpiate church facilities, the village has ad¬ vantages which make it an ideal place of residence. There is an excellent newspaper here ; Methodist, Presbyterian, Danish Bap¬ tist and Danish Lutheran churches, as well as two German Luth¬ eran and one Danish Lutheran congregation, two banks, a good hotel, a flouring mill, grain elevators, a city hall, excellent water supply, the best of fire protection, cement sidewalks, electric lights and a local telephone exchange.

Among the activities of Alden may be mentioned: Flouring mill and electric works, W. H. Walker Milling Company; cement works, T. Svendsen ; three general stores, A. G. Hall & Son, G. Svendsen, Cash Store (J. E. Clayton, proprietor) ; two hardware stores, Alden Hardware & Machine Company (George P. Valby, manager), H. A. Ebert; two blacksmith shops, Petersen & Pestorious, George Yates; one hotel, the Alden House (LI. IT. Van Wie, proprietor) ; furniture and undertaking, E. AY. Beatty ; two drug stores, James Emerson, Christiansen & Garloek ; lumber and coal, Fred Holway (succeeding the Coleman Lumber Company) ; two elevators, La Crosse Grain Company (C. E. Stockman, man¬ ager), G. A. Swan Elevator Company (Carl AY. Nelson, manager) ; livery and garage, C. H. Henderson ; meat market, Herbert Alinor ; feed barns, draying and livery, L. P. Hemmingsen, C. A. Hord; variety store, Peter Hemmingsen; jewelry store, Charles U. Van AV inkle ; watch repairer, wagon maker, jeweler and general ma¬ chinist, C. N. Ostrander; billiard and pool hall. Id. E. Case; den¬ tist, J. H. Gleason; newspaper, "Alden Advance" (job printing and publishing) ; physicians, B. A. Kamp and James Christiansen.

The Alden Hotel, long known as the Hotel Idazle, was erected in an early day by Daniel Hurd. It was managed by various per¬ sons until purchased by John A. Hazle, who still owns it, the present landlord being H. H. A7an AYie.

The streets are lighted with four arc lights and thirty-five in¬ candescent lights, the power being furnished by the AY. H. AY alker Alilling Company. This company received the contract late in 1900, and the street lights were installed in January, 1901.

The village citizens voted water bonds to the amount of $5,000 on July 3, 1894. It was decided that the vote was illegal, and the same question was voted upon favorably on September 19, 1894. The original waterworks plant was completed in 1895. In 1908 a new system was installed. The present system consists of a set of mains, an eight-inch tubular well 221 feet deep, a 2,000- barrel reservoir, a twenty-five-horsepower gas engine and a triplex pump. The water is under a pressure of sixty pounds and enables the fire fighters to secure an adequate stream of water from three hose nozzles at once.

In July, 1902, a telephone franchise was granted to B. C. Hazle and J. A. Hazle by the village council of Alden. These gen¬ tlemen operate a local and rural telephone exchange, and have some 500 instruments in rise. For long-distance service it con¬ nects with the Northwestern. The Tri-State has been granted per¬ mission to maintain a long-distance toll station here, but is not permitted to operate a local exchange.

1908. The building is a two-story edifice, housing the fire depart¬ ment, the council chambers and the like, and furnishing a fine hall for entertainments and lectures. The jail is in a separate building.

Alden has an excellent high school, housed in a splendid brick building and surrounded with a fine playground. Aside from the teaching of the usual academic branches, the school pays especial attention to agriculture and manual training, the insti¬ tution being thoroughly modern in every respect. The present building replaced a two-story edifice erected in 1875 and later

The Alden cemetery is controlled by the village government, the Alden Union Cemetery Association having turned its property over to the village council January 11, 1902. The village board acts as a cemetery board, the recorder being the actuary.

The present council consists of: Mayor, J. H. Gleason; re¬ corder, Alfred P. Christensen; trustees, George P. Valby, Hans Scotte and Fred Pestorious. The village has declared itself for no license for several years past.

In 1871 the town of Alden issued bonds to the Southern Min¬ nesota Railroad for $30,000 as a bonus for establishing a railroad station. The road, which was completed to Albert Lea in the fall of 1869, came through Alden in mid-winter and was pushed on to Wells in January of 1870. The bonds became due in 1901, and a question was raised as to their legality. A bitter fight was car¬ ried into the courts and many complications arose. Eventually, however, the bonds were paid, the distribution of the burden being made on the assessed valuation of the property in village and township. While the fight was raging doubts were cast on the legality of the incorporation of the village, and while the people in the village continued to maintain their local govern¬ ment, they were compelled to resort to the regular polling places of their respective townships to vote upon county, state and na¬ tional affairs. February 25, 1908, the village was reincorporated under the statute of 1905 and the entire affair is now a thine- of the past.

Even before the village of Alden was organized, C. N. Ostrander and a few others banded together to perfect a fire fight¬ ing organization. In 1881 a hand pump was purchased and a regular company of twelve men organized, with C. N. Ostrander as chief. December 20 the present fire department was organized, with R. F. Hazle as chief. He resigned in 1896, and a few months later C. N. Ostrander became chief, a position he has since oc¬ cupied. Frank L. Walker is the secretary and W. H. Walker the treasurer. The department consists of twenty volunteers, and has two hose carts with about 1,250 feet of hose. The five ladders are carried to fires by the men, this having proved a more satis¬ factory method than having a hook and ladder truck drawn by horses.

Alden has a number of fraternities, a G. A. R. post, several organizations of women and the usual church societies. Alden Lodge, No. 192, I. 0. 0. F., was granted a charter February 18, 1892, the charter members being J. P. Peterson, Alexander Noble, Albert Ostrander, E. C. Fisher and J. M. Marlett. Alden Lodge, No. 73, Danish Brotherhood in America, was granted a charter February 7, 1894, the charter officers being H. A. Hansen, Andrew Robertsen, George P. Valby, Gerhart Swansen, Andrew P. Han¬ sen, Hans Petersen, Hans A. Swanson and Hans Jacobsen. Maple Camp, No. 2325, M. W. A., was granted a charter June 4, 1894. The charter members were : Robert A. Austin, Ray Bryant, Lucius Burton, Theodore J. Burton, Lucien C. Cowles, Henry B. Cottrell, Victor Fink, Frank Landis, J. J. Minor, Ed. Miller, Frank Parr and Frank Wendt. Ivy Lodge, No. 1244, Royal Neighbors of America, was instituted December 22, 1898. Dewey Lodge, No. 460, M. B. A., was granted a charter March 25, 1899. The charter officers were : B. G. Campbell, W. H. Baker, S. J. Lombard. H. E. Case, W. E. Thompson, 0. F. Stone, H. Pfeiffer and H. A. Svendsen. Palme Lodge, No. 82, the Danish Sister Society in America, was granted a charter August 13, 1904. The charter officers were : Gerda Petersen, Mary Hansen, Kristine Elizabeth Olsen, Marie Hemmingsen, Emma Svendsen, Thine Clausen, Lidse K, Nielsen and Kristine Siemssen.

Alden has had a number of fires. The mills, the schoolhouse and the store of Hansen, Rasmussen & Co. were destroyed in four serious fires, and the latter conflagration would have spread to many more blocks but for the work of the fire fighters. In 1886 the Hotel Hazle was likewise saved by heroic work on the part of the firemen. September 19, 1896, the great fire came.

The fire, which is supposed to have been started by some care¬ less or incendiary tramps, originated in Walker & Valbv s barn, and when first seen had almost enveloped two frame business houses on the east side of Main street. Mrs. H. FI. Thompkins first gave the alarm, but the flames, intensified by the strong southeast wind, leaped and spread and engulfed the buildings with such swiftness that little could be done to stay them. Some hard fighting was done, however, and thereby Hazle ?s hotel escaped, other buildings near by being saved by miracle. Fifteen buildings and nearly all their contents went down to ashes in the relentless holocaust. Among them were the bank, "Advance" newspaper office, Methodist church, bakery, drug store and other prosperous business places. The "Advance" contains the following list of losses and insurance : P. Hemmingsen, building and goods, $15,- 000.00; J. P. Peterson, saloon and contents, $950.00; Morin & Mason's meat market, $25,000.00; Booth & Landis, drugs and fur¬ niture, $3,000.00; C. E. Booth, drug store, $1,200.00; AY. C. Colby, building and bakery, $2,500.00 ; Bank of Alden, $20,000.00 ; R. O. Olson, personal property, $590.00; AYalter & Yalby, building and stock, $20,000.00; I. A. Carey, building tools and furniture, $2,500.00; Dr. L. C. Cowles, library, etc., $500.00; N. L. AYhitman, barber, $500.00; Morin & Mason's barber building, $1,200.00; A. P. Hanson, shop, stock and building, $1,500.00 ; Chicago Fair store building, $13,000 ; M. D. Hawyer, household furniture, $800.00 ; H. J. Niebuhr, building hardware, etc., $25,000.00; Jenson & Owen, boots and shoes, $1,500.00; Odd Fellows' building, $1,- 500.00; "Advance" printing office, $800.00; H. H. Thompkins' building, household goods, etc., $1,150.00; Methodist church, $2,250.00 ; Hanson & Swenson, across the street, were damaged about $1,200.00; C. N. Ostrander, N. F. Anderson, J. A. Hazle, M. D. Hawyer, Daniel Rasmussen, Carl Peterson and others lost probably $50.00 to $300.00 each, in most cases there being no insurance. These figures are greatly exaggerated.

The Alden Flouring Mill originated in 1875, having been erected that year by AYilliam AYilson. The building was 28x50 feet, a story and a half high, containing four sets of burrs, which are driven by sufficient force, by steam power, to grind fifty-five barrels of flour per day. The mill was located near the lake and cost about $12,000. This building was burned.

For some years Stevenson & Johnson ran a mill here. They disposed of their interest to a farmers' cooperative company and John L. Garlock took charge. The mill was burned. In 1900 the AY. H. AYalker Milling Company was organized with the following officers : President, Ole I. Opdahl ; manager and sec¬ retary, AY. H. AYalker; cashier, Ralph Olson; directors, Benjamin Randall and Ralph Olson. The capital stock is $25,000. The mill is a large structure of corrugated iron and has a capacity of 125 barrels a day. The Pure Cream brand enjoys a large sale, and the AATiite Foam and Silver Plume are also popular makes. D. H. Morehouse has been head miller since the present company took charge. A. L. Fenton has charge of the electric department, which furnishes electricity for the village of Alden.

City. After a short time Mr. Morin purchased the interest of Mr. Holley. The first business of any kind opened on the village site was the postoffice, which A. G. Hall moved from his place in section 1. The first actual business establishment was started about the time of the arrival of the railroad, in 1869, by a Mr. Terrill, who opened a stock of general merchandise. He shortly after took into partnership J. H. Sherwood, who in a few months purchased the entire establishment and continued it about two years. A. G. Hall erected the first residence in the village just prior to the opening of this store. The station was commenced by the railroad company and by the first of January, 1870. the track was completed to the village. Next came the business house of George Whitman. Holley & Morin erected a store building, which was rented to Mr. Whitman, and he moved a stock of gen¬ eral merchandise in the building and placed the same in charge of Joseph Green and Victor Gillrup. This store was finally moved to Delavan. Dell Miller erected a suitable shop and conducted a blacksmith shop about a year until his death. Arthur Trigg came about the same time and opened a blacksmith shop, which he con¬ tinued for some time. Soon afterward L. T. Walker started a general merchandise store under the firm name of Walker & Co., Mr. Walker having several different partners. About the time that the above establishment originated, A. G. Hall, who is men¬ tioned as really having been the first resident of the village, erected a store building in connection with his dwelling house and opened up a large stock of general merchandise. This firm is still conducted under the name of A. G. Hall & Son. Shortly after¬ ward H. N. Burnham purchased the old Whitman building and opened a general merchandise store, which he conducted for two years and then closed out. Later on Charles Pfeffer started a store in the same building. Armstrong & Wheelock opened a store here, but were finally closed out. H. B. Collins was the first law¬ yer in the village and later opened a general merchandise store. At an early day a doctor named R. D. Barber located in the village and remained about a year.

In the early days a dam was built near the present site of the village of Alden, this forming a beautiful sheet of water some twenty-five acres in extent. In 1883 and 1884 C. N. Ostrander, working for W. A. Morin, filled up some four acres, thus forming the land upon which the city hall and a number of other buildings were located.

Clarks Grove Village

Clarks Grove village is located in section 34, Bath township. It is a thriving place with a bank, a creamery, a church, a school, many residences and the usual business houses. Among the activi- ties of the village may be mentioned : The Clarks Grove Mercan¬ tile Company, general store ; J. W. Peterson, general store ; Clarks Grove Hardware & Implement Company, hardware and imple¬ ment store; Western Elevator Company, elevator; Clarks Grove Lumber, Fuel & Stock Company, lumber and fuel; J. P, Larson, stock buyer ; W. E. Stowell, confectionery store, hotel, barber shop and jewelry store; Lars Larson, meat market; Chris. Larson, livery; Mrs. Charles Anderson, ice cream parlor; George Larson, feed mill; Andrew Peterson and Peter Jenson, blacksmith shops; the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association of Bath. The historv of the churches, banks and creameries appears elsewhere.

The settlement known as Clarks Grove long antedates the es¬ tablishment of the village. J. Mead Clark came to this locality in the early days and settled in a grove a mile east of the present village. His grove being a conspicuous feature of the landscape, a territory some two miles square soon came to be called the Clarks Grove neighborhood. Among those who lived in or near this vicinity in the early days may be mentioned: Michael Sheehan, James Sheehan, A. Opshall, Gudmund Olson, 0, C. John¬ son, J. E. Johnson, C. C. Johnson, Erick Johnson, G. W. Skinner, Chris. Kiel, J. W. Peterson, J. P. Larson, Nels Larson, Jens Peter¬ son, Chris. Nelson, Thor Thompson, Peter Peterson and others.

The village of Clarks Grove had its beginning in 1890, when the incorporators of the Clarks Grove Cooperative Creamery se¬ lected the northwest corner of P. C. Christianson's farm as the site for the creamery. One year later, pleased with the success of the cooperative idea, a cooperative mercantile company wTas organized and a store erected near the creamery. Near by was the residence of Charles Peterson, which thus became the first house in the new village. P. C. Christianson's house was about a quarter of a mile away. The postoffice wras moved to the new village and quite a settlement sprang up there. In 1900 the rail¬ road came through, and since then the growth of the village has been steady and satisfactory. The village site occupies portions of the farms of Mrs. Charles Peterson, the Christianson brothers and Jens Peterson.

Clarks Grove has a one-story frame school building, erected in 1901, when district 131 was organized. The first officers of the district were: Ole Larson, director; Nels M. Christenson, treas¬ urer ; Charles Peterson, clerk. The present officers are : L. P. Hanson, director; Theodore Jorgenson, clerk; Ole Larson, treas¬ urer.

Clarks Grove Lumber, Fuel & Stock Company. This company conducts a lumber yard at Clarks Grove and was organized in 1902. The first officers were : President, J. P. Larson ; secretary, L. P. Lawson; manager and treasurer, Theodore Jorgenson; directors, J. C. Johnson, J. AY. Pet.erson, Ole Larson and Julius Larson. The present officers are: President, J. P. Larson; sec¬ retary, L. P. Lawson; manager and treasurer, Theodore Jorgen¬ son ; directors, Ole Larson, Paul Hanson, J. AY. Peterson, A. C. Thompson and Hans Eid.

Clarks Grove Hardware & Implement Company. This company was organized in 1910 and purchased the Peterson Brothers store. The original officers are still serving as folloAvs: President, J. P. Larson; vice-president, O. C. Johnson; secretary, J. Sorenson; manager and treasurer, A. C. Thompson ; directors, Peter Chris¬ tianson, James Fitzgerald and Ole Larson.

The Clarks Grove Mercantile Company was organized in June, 1891. The first officers were: President, J. W. Peterson; secre¬ tary, John Nelson; treasurer, H. E. Nelson; manager, John Nel¬ son; directors, J. P. Larson, E. C. Johnson and P. Hanson. The incorporation was renewed in June, 1911. The present officers are : President, J. P. Larson ; manager and treasurer, Adolph Johnson; secretary, Andrew Hanson; directors, J. C. Johnson, Ole Larson and C. Madson. This company conducts a prosperous gen¬ eral store in Clarks Grove village, the postoffice also being kept in its establishment.

Emmons Village

The Aullage of Emmons is located in the southeast corner of section 32 and the southwest corner of section 33 in Nunda toAvnship, adjoining the IoAva state line. It has a church, a farmers' telephone serAriee, a school, a bank and a neAvspaper. Among the interests of the place may be mentioned: General stores, Emmons Mercantile Company, Olson, Olson & Knutson, Thornby & Olson; blacksmith shops, S. Knutson, Abe Hegland, Isaac Aloe ; liardAvare stores, F. L. Marpe, Martin Nelson; restaurants, E. A. Anderson, A. J. Egland ; millinery store, Clara Kelly ; harness, hardAvare and farm implement store, Knudson & Olien ; shoes and repairing, John R. Langeland ; stock dealer, II. H. Emmons; drugs, Southern

Minnesota Drug Company (George AY. Marpe, manager and pro¬ prietor) ; barber shop and pool hall, A. Rasmusson; meat market, Singlestad Bros.; mill, Emmons Roller Mills Stock Company; ele¬ vator, Western Elevator Company, of Winona; furniture and undertaking store, Gunder & Henry Clemmetson; Emmons Auto Company, Olson & Oppedahl, owners; physician, J. A. Schultz ; lumber, Farmers' Lumber Company (William Torry, manager) ; stock broker, L. H. Emmons ; dray line, Iversen & Bergerson.

H. G. Emmons came to section 32, Nunda township, in 1856, and in 1864 the old State Line postoffice was established at his farm. In 1880 his sons started a store on the present site of the village. When it was found that the railroad was not to stop at that point the store was moved a mile south to Norman, in Iowa. In 1886 the store was moved back to the present site of Emmons. The same store still continues, being conducted by the Emmons Mercantile Company. This was the beginning of the village of Emmons. In 1886, soon after the store was moved back from Norman, an elevator was put up, and shortly afterward A. N. Flaten opened a general mercantile and hardware store.

The village of Emmons was incorporated March 14, 1899. At the first election the following officers were elected: President, G. H. Emmons; trustees, Gilbert Iverson, L. H. Emmons and Ed. Emerson; recorder, S. B. Thornby; treasurer, 0. H. Knuclson; justices, 0. N. Olson and C. A. Olien; constables, Andrew Ringham and A. Guthier. The first council meeting was held March 28, 1899. The presidents of the village have been: G. H. Em¬ mons, N. H. Rasmusson, S. B. Thornby, L. H. Emmons, 0. H. Knudson, F. E. lrost and C. N. Olson. The present officers are: President, C. N. Olson; trustees, Gunder Clemmetson, Sever Sin¬ glestad and T. N. Olson; recorder, A. H. Rasmusson; treasurer, N. H. Rasmusson; justices, T. K. Troe and E. A. Anderson; con¬ stables, Henry Becker and Nicholas Nelson. The streets of the village are lighted with gasoline lights. The original city hall was built in 1899, and an addition put on in 1901. The building is a frame structure, one story high. The original part is used as a council chamber and for entertainments of various sorts. In the new part is the engine, the well, and other fire fighting apparatus. This apparatus is looked after and used by a local fire company. The water works for fire protection, and the village drainage sewer were installed in 1901.

It was only after the most strenuous efforts that the people of Emmons succeeded in securing a railroad station at this point. When the M. & St. L. was built through Nunda township in 1879, it seemed probable that a station would be established near the present site of Emmons. But the people of Norway township, Winnebago county, Iowa, voted a five per cent tax to aid in the construction of the road, and the company agreed in return to open and maintain a station within one mile of the northeast corner of Winnebago county. Accordingly a station was built about a mile south of the site of Emmons. But it became appar¬ ent with the passing of the years that a station was needed at Emmons. The village grew in importance, and its freight and passenger business was large. Norman was in an inconvenient location, viewed from the standpoint of the citizens of Emmons, and the passenger service was not of the best. A petition signed by a large number of citizens of the village of Emmons was presented to the Railroad and Warehouse Commission to require the Minneapolis & St. Louis to erect and maintain a station in the village. The commissioners fixed a time and place for the hearing of the respective parties, and after the hearing the commissioners made an order requiring the railroad to maintain a station in the village. The matter was taken to the district court of Freeborn county and the court sustained the order made by the commision and ordered a preemptory writ of mandamus as requested by the people of the village. The railroad carried the matter to the Supreme Court, on an alleged error, but was again defeated. August 3, 1904, the attorneys for the parties concerned signed an agreement, wherein it was arranged that the station should be established just over the line in Iowa, thus giving the people of Emmons a station which to all intent and purposes was in the village, and at the same time fulfilling the old agreement to main¬ tain a station in Norman township. The station was erected that fall.

The Emmons Milling Co. was incorporated September 22, 1908, by Gilbert Iverson, Nels H. Rasmussen, Carl N. Olson, Ole H. Knutson, Theo. N. Olson, W. L. Menge, Aug. Mattick, Henry C. Becker and H. Albert Daw. The present officers are : Gilbert Iverson, president vice president and manager, T. N. Olson ; sec¬ retary and treasurer, Nels H. Rasmussen; directors, Gilbert Iver¬ son, T. N. Olson, H. Rasmussen, H. C. Becker, C. H. Olson and 0. IT. Knudson. The mill was started by E. Emerson. He sold to T. N. Olson and Gilbert Iverson, in 1906, and two years later the company was incorporated. The company makes a specialty of the "Snowflake" flour.

The Emmons Mercantile Co. had its real beginning when George H. Emmons and L. H. Emmons put up the first store in the village of Emmons. The present company was formally incor¬ porated January 21, 1910, George H. Emmons, Carl G. Emmons and Andrew 0. Dahlen being the incorporators. George H.

Freeborn Village

Freeborn village is a pleasantly located hamlet with a bank, two churches, a creamery, a four-roomed schoolhouse, two general stores, a blacksmith shop, a livery, an elevator, a hotel, a barber shop, a meat market, a town hall, erected in 1902, and a Modern Woodmen of America hall. It also has three fraternities, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood of Amer¬ ica, and the Royal Neighbors of America. A fine new bank build¬ ing now in the progress of erection will be an architectural orna¬ ment to the village. The general stores are conducted by Gil¬ more & Purdie and Boland & Brooks. The elevator is owned by the Huntting Elevator Co. The hotel is conducted by Bert D. Jones, while the livery stable is conducted by John A. Strever.

The people of Freeborn village are justly proud of their fine school. A four-roomed building in 1908 replaced the edifice erected in 1876, and a semi-graded school is maintained here. The board consists of George P. Lattin, John Purdie and Isaac Stensrud.

on the lake shore, and here opened the postoffice. The first re¬ ligious services in the village were held at this hotel by an itin¬ erate preacher who chanced to stop at the hotel, and was offered free accommodations if he would stay over Sunday and preach. The same year Clark & West opened a store on the site now occu¬ pied by the residence of Rev. Wilbur Fisk. In 1859 David Southwick opened a store in Scott's hotel. This was the beginning of the village of Freeborn.

In 1882 Freeborn village had two general stores kept by M. A.. Southwick and 0. S. Gillmore ; a blacksmith shop by D. A. Scoville ; a wagon repair shop by J. H. Clarke ; a broom factory by L. T. Scott ; and a shoemaking shop by A. Andrews.

Glenville Village

Glenville is the name applied to a village in sections 6 and 7, Shell Rock township, combining the old village of Shell Rock, and a locality known as Woodside, which was surveyed in 1878 by H. C. Lacy on land owned by George Hyatt. The village is incorporated, and has four churches, a creamery, a school, a tele¬ phone system, a tine city hall, two banks, a fire company, a news¬ paper and the usual business houses and residences. Among the activities of the village may be mentioned: Four general stores, D. J. Roberts. Frank Flusek, E. IT. Moore and Charles Jarsa; two elevators, G. A. Swan (James P. Olson, manager), and the Western Elevator Co. (E. P. Howe, manager) ; two blacksmith shops, Charles Gillard and Theodore Knuteson; furniture and undertaking, O. D. Koontz ; confectionery, D. R. Louden ; two meat markets, A. Xegord and Fred Morrison; boots and shoes, Joseph Ivuchera ; harnesses, Nicholas Franke; implement shop, Walter Knutson; restaurant, Joseph Siverling; restaurant and bakery, William Baldwin; drugs, Glenville Drug Co. (Dr. J. P. Freeman, manager); pool hall and barber shop, George Mariner; barber shop, Y. H. Erickson ; rooms, Charles Eckert ; variety store, J. A. Bly; hardware store and lumber yard, Jay Bartlett. The churches are : Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist, Lrnited Brethren and Norwegian Methodist. The Norwegian Lutherans have a congregation and hold services in the United Brethren church.

President, H. N. Thurston; trustees, J. AY. Nelson, L. Joppa and AYalter Knutson; recorder, James J. Egland; treasurer, E. H. Moore ; justices, Moses Lemons and A. H. Bartlett ; constables,

George Bailey and H. C. Cottrell. The present officers of the village are: President, Walter Knutson; trustees, William IMung, Charles Gillard and Theodore Knuteson; recorder, E. P. Howe; treasure^ E. H. Moore; justices, J. A. Bly and Geo. Mc¬ Grath; constable, E. R. Sweet.

The village hall is a two-story frame building, having a hall for council chambers and entertainment purposes, and suitable room for the fire apparatus, which is looked after by a well trained volunteer fire company. The streets of the village are lighted by gas.

The settlement of the locality surrounding the village has been treated at length in another place ; so it will be unnecessary to refer to it here. In July, 1856, A. IL. Bartlett came through this region in search for a village site and a suitable place for the construction of a mill. He was pleased with the locations of both St. Nicholas and Northwood; but money would not induce the proprietors of these prospective places to quit claim to their interests. In following the river Mr. Bartlett came to the site of Shell Rock, and commenced laying plans for the establishment vf the village. John Smith and Frederick Cutler each donated twenty acres to the project, and Mr. Bartlett at once proceeded to survey and record eighty acres in lots and blocks as the village of Shell Rock. He next commenced the erection of a water saw¬ mill on the banks of the river, with a building 20x80, frame, - equipping it with a 56-inch buzz saw. The water power did not succeed as anticipated, so a steam power of thirty horse was placed in it and the mill for two years continued piling up saw¬ dust, when the timber became exhausted and the property was sold to "W illiam Morin and moved to Albert Lea, from where it has since continued its journey toward the setting sun.

Just before the saw-mill was completed, and while Mr. Bart¬ lett was in the east procuring machinery, E. P. Skinner laid out a town under the caption of Shell Rock, a short distance north of Mr. Bartlett 's proposed site, in the town of Hayward.

This promised to be quite a formidable rival to the present village, as a postoffice and store were established there; but on Mr. Bartlett's return negotiations were entered into which were finally completed, by which E. P. Skinner got one-fourth interest in Bartlett 's site, and the postoffice, store and goods were removed to the latter place. At that time the store was run by R. A. Cor¬ nish, who was also made postmaster. This store was continued for a number of years. George Whitman next put in a stock of goods and kept a store for about one year, when he went out of business. A. H. Bartlett then bought the building and Victor Gillrup conducted a store there several years.

But little was done toward the development of the town until the railroad was built through in 1877, when the progress really took root. W. H. Peck came with the railroad, and opened a provision store which he continued for three or four years. H. G. Koontz also came about the same time, and opened the business called the "Variety Store." L. B. Woodruff opened a general merchandise store. P. F. Brown opened the first hardware store, and sold to W. H. Peck, who in turn, in 1881, turned it over to Greengo & Landis. John Haugh started a harness shop. In the spring of 1878, C. T. Knapp opened a meat market.

The first hotel was erected in 1856, by James Luff, and con¬ sisted of logs and clay. In this Mr. Luff entertained travelers. When the railroad was constructed, E. P. Kelly remodeled it, and it is now run by H. T. Chase. In 1877, Dr. H. H. Wilcox opened a drug store. A hotel was erected the same year by William Beatty. A. H. Bartlett was the first and only lawyer of Shell Rock. It is interesting to note that in August, 1857, the first bridge in the county was put across the Shell Rock river at the present site of Glenville.

The Glenville Firemen's Relief Association was organized October 5, 1908. The first officers were : President, Oscar Lang ; vice president, Robert Walker ; secretary, E. P. Howe ; treasurer, W. S'. McConnell; trustees, 0. C. Hanson, Theodore Knuteson and George McGrath. The present officers are : President, A. G. Morgan ; vice president, N. C. Siverling ; secretary, E. P. Howe ; treasurer, Oscar Lang ; trustees, T. Knuteson and George McGrath.

Geneva Village

In spite of the fact that Geneva has missed the advantages of a railroad, it is nevertheless a flourishing hamlet, and a desirable place of residence. It has a beautiful situation on Lake Geneva in Geneva township, and contains a creamery, a school, several churches, three stores and some excellent residences. John T. Robson and Svend Svendson keep a general store, William C. Gruetzmacher keeps a hardware store ; Henry G. Gay sells gro¬ ceries and novelties ; C. B. Wheeler keeps the Geneva House ; Hans C. Hanson sells meats, and Frank E. Schad conducts the blacksmith shop. The names of Jones, Stacy, Gibbs and Robson, which are well known in the countv, were for manv years connected with Geneva village.

The village of Geneva was platted in the winter of 1856-57 by James F. Jones and James Robson, on section 8, and contained about 400 acres. In the spring of 1857, Jones and Robson started business and put up a store and hotel. They soon, however, dis¬ solved partnership. Mr. Jones later formed a partnership with C. H. Mclntire ; but they afterwards sold out to Cabot & Lester, who continued the business but a short time, when thev went to Martin county with their goods. Messrs. Lohved and Matison put up a store and placed a stock of goods in it. They soon sold out and it changed hands several times ; finally it was purchased by Charles Kittleson, later state treasurer, and was burned while lie owned it. George and Warren Osborne began merchandising in 1865, and continued one year, when George secured his broth¬ er's interest, conducted it alone one year and then turned over his stock to Charles Kittleson. The only store in town in 1882 was kept by Archibald Chamberlain, and was first opened by Dwight Brooks in 1880. 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.

The hotel which had been built was leased to Isaac Lyons, who opened it in 1858, and managed it for a year or two and then sold to 0. A. Jones, of Fillmore county. His father, H. R. Jones, kept it one winter and then his son, James F. Jones, bought and moved into it. In 1857, a saloon was opened.

Gordonsville Village

The starting of Gordonsville, as a village, was coincident with the coming of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern in 1877, although a postoffice of the same name had been established near by many years before. J. W. Abbott erected the first build¬ ing and put in a small stock of merchandise. The postoffice was also opened in the same building with J. W. Abbott as post¬ master. In the same year John Fallon started a blacksmith shop. A railroad station was also erected. This station stood until 1910, when it was destroyed by fire, a new structure now occupying the same site. In 1882, Herman Frost erected a one-story building and opened a store, consolidating Abbott's stock with his own. He also became postmaster. Two warehouses were also erected.

The village of Gordonsville is located in the northeast corner of section 32, Shell Rock township, on land originally owned by S. P. and Jacob Beighley. It is on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, the Iowa Central also using the same tracks. The village has a church, a school, a creamery, a bank, a local telephone exchange, the usual business houses and several resi¬ dences. Among the activities of the village may be mentioned : Three general stores, Neem Nelson, D. L. Klove and E. K. Fodness ; restaurants, Edw. Flatt, S. M. Beighley ; hlacksmithing and woodworking, Fred Pierce : lumber, fuel, tile and cement, Gor¬ donsville Lumber Co.; elevator, Thompson & Heiney (W. D. Lamb, agent), dray line, E. J. Carter; stock buyer, AVilliam Buchanan.

The Gordonsville school is a frame structure of one room. The present board consists of P. Nelson, clerk; F. A. Pierce, treas¬ urer ; A. Flatt, secretary.

Hartland Village

Hartland is an incorporated village in Hartland township, being one of the largest villages in the county. It has the usual business houses and improvements, and is a most desirable place of residence.

son. When the railroad was built through here in 1877 A. F. Johnson bought twenty acres of the land west of the railroad and platted it into town lots. At the same time AYm. Morin, of Albert Lea, platted part of his farm east of the track and for a time there was a merry town site fight. Buildings sprung up on both sides, but an agreement was finally reached and Air. Morin bought land west of the Johnson site and platted it and the business cen¬ tered on the west side. The first building in the village was moved from Manchester township by A. J. Anderson, now of Bentonville, Ark., who conducted a boarding house for several months and then sold it to Matt Madson. Shortly afterward, Grinager & Ilovland erected a one-story building 20x80 and started a general merchandise store. It was in October the same year that Scarseth & Lee opened a $4,000 stock of goods, two years later Oluf Lee taking over the business and continuing it successfully for many years. Air. Lee committed suicide in Alinneapolis four years ago. Other businesses and buildings followed, E. S. Dunn moving a building from Freeborn and opening a small stock of drugs. He sold to Hovland & Nelson, who later disposed of the business to Dr. M. Torkelson, father of Airs. AI. L. Head and Airs. Oscar Thykeson. of Alanchester. Hoff & Seim moved a building and stock of goods from the Louis Knutson farm east of town. Later this store was conducted by Siem & Hufland. Ed AYicks managed a lumber yard here in 1877 for AY. P. Sargeant, of Albert Lea. Ole Fossum opened the first hardware store in 1878. Later Chris. Christopherson erected the building now occupied by Sam Samuelson and started another hardware business, buying out the Fossum stock and added it to his own. In 1878 the hotel, now the American House, was built and conducted by Henry Cran¬ dall. Oluf Rushfeldt started a harness shop the same year. The changes since the starting of the village have been too numerous to trace accurately, but the foregoing gives the facts regarding the very earliest events of the village as near as can be obtained.

The Hartland postoffice was removed from the Louis Knutson farm, about which had centered business, school and church affairs, in 1877, J. C. Hoff being postmaster at that time. Ole A. Siem was the next postmaster and has been followed in succession by Oluf Hovland, Dr. AI. Torkelson, Alargaret Torkelson, R. AI. Gardner, Dr. M. L. Head, and H. AI. AYulff.

Incorporation. - As an incorporated village Hartland has been in existence since 1893. After the articles of incorporation had been filed the first meeting of trustees took place Thursday eve¬ ning, September 28, 1893. Those who responded to the roll call on that occasion were : Oluf Lee, president ; I. E. Sorlie, re¬ corder; J. O. Kvenvold, J. C. Sybilrud, E. H. Stensrud. Other village officers chosen at the first election were: S. S. Tviet, jus- tice of the peace ; Adolph W. Hanson, treasurer ; L. Grove, con¬ stable ; A. J. Stensvad, street commissioner and constable. In March, 1894, were elected Oluf Lee, president ; J. W. Donovan, recorder ; P. P. Gomsrud, T. C. Nolan, S. Samuelson, trustees ; A. M. Larberg, treasurer; John Amundson, Richard Donovan, constables. The first meeting place of the trustees was in the Donovan Bros.' hall, for which a rental of 50 cents a night was paid. In 1894 it was decided to erect a village hall for council meetings and fire apparatus. The contract was let to Johanus Rue for $265, and this building was used until the first of this year. In 1901 the citizens, by a vote of 39 to 33, authorized the installation of a water system, the original contract price for a 1,500 barrel tank raised 100 feet high on substantial iron sup¬ ports, eight horse power gasoline engine and engine house, being $5,300. Water main extensions and improvements place the value of the system at the present time at between $9,000 and $10,000. There are about 2,000 feet of mains and nine fire hydrants con¬ veniently located in various parts of the village. In 1908 a new village hall was erected. The building faces Broadway on the same lots occupied by the pumping station and water tank pre¬ senting a 40 foot front, two stories high with bell tower on south¬ east corner. The edifice is 60 feet in length, built of brick and stone. The jail occupies 25x30 feet in the rear of the first floor and meets all requirements of the state for the safe keeping of prisoners, being fire-proofed by heavy brick walls, cement floors and cement, brick and iron ceiling. Two steel cells are provided.

The front ground floor room, 25x40, has cement floor and is used as a meeting place for the fire company and housing for the apparatus. On the second floor the rooms are of the same size, the rear and smaller room being used as quarters for the village marshal and council room. The front room is devoted to public assemblages and the like, and is handsomely finished, has high ceiling and is well lighted. The building was erected at a cost of $5,300 by the local contractor, Ole Fennefos. The council under whose direction the hall was planned and built was composed of H. M. Christopherson, president ; P. H. Donovan, recorder ; L. Borgen, Lars Grove and O. J. Madson, trustees.

Fire Department. - A fire company was first organized in 1894, the officers at that time being, Knute Olson, chief; John J. Rue, assistant chief ; J. W. Donovan, secretary. This company became disorganized later on and in 1897 a new company was formed with J. E. St. John, chief, John H. Hanson, assistant chief; M. L. Head, treasurer ; A. H. Siblerud, secretary. John H. Hanson later became chief and served for four years. Up until the water system was installed a 11 Water Witch" hand pump apparatus was used. The department at present is well equipped for fight- ing the flames. Sufficient pressure is given through the water mains from the tank and additional water and force can be supplied by connecting the engine to the mains. About 700 feet of hose are on hand, two hose carts, six ladders and two hand chemical extinguishers.

Schools. - Hartland has an excellent school which has increased from a one-roomed district school to a state graded school, giving a two years' high school course. Torger Samuelson circulated the petition for the establishment of the district in 1878 and the firstofficers were: Torger Samuelson, director; Olaf Lee, clerk; Jacob Grenager, treasurer. The school building was built the same fall and is the same building now owned by Rev. J. J. Strand and occupied by Carl Christopherson as a residence. F. E. Phipps, Sr., taught the school in the years 1878-9 and 1890-91. Mr. Hill, of Albert Lea, succeeded him for one year. Roanna Challis had charge of the school the next year, Mr. Phipps the year follow¬ ing. and after Jessie Scoville had served two years Mr. Phipps was employed for three successive years. In 1889 the school was graded and S. J. Fuller and Rogna Tliorkeldson were employed as teachers. In 1904, the third year under the principalship of Catharine Connors, the new four-room school house with base¬ ment was built. It is a. handsome building, beautifully located on high ground and surrounded on all sides by a grove. The grounds were purchased from Wm. Morin, after a regular school election at which the people voted to buy grounds, build the new schoolhouse and dispose of the old building and grounds. The cost of building was $5,352.47. Eric Severson had the build¬ ing contract. The school board at this time was composed of J. C. Sybilrud, director ; H. M. Christopherson, treasurer ; S. Samuelson, clerk. In 1906 four departments were established and the two years high school course was inaugurated by Miss Connors.

London Village

The village of London is located on the Illinois Central line, in the northwest quarter of section 25, London township. Pre¬ vious to the starting of this village, the old hamlet of London had been located near the cornering of sections 11, 12, 13 and 14. In 1900, when the Albert Lea and Southern, now operated by the Illinois Central was put through, a new village was started on William Morin's farm, the plat being surveyed by Frank H. Fisk and filed for record at the courthouse, October 16, 1900. The village now consists of two general stores, one implement store, one hardware store, a bank, a creamery, a lumber yard, a har¬ ness shop, a blacksmith shop, a railroad station, a hotel, a church, two elevators, and several residences. Two lodges, the Modern

Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors also flourish here. A two-roomed brick schoolhouse, with basement is now under course of construction. The first building to go up in this village was the railroad station. The first business house was the office of the London Lumber Co. Rudolf Isaacs, manager of this company, was the first resident of the village. In 1905 this concern was purchased by the F. I. Crane Lumber Co., of Austin, and is still in operation. Soon after the erection of the lumber office, N. H Nelson erected a general store and commenced business in 1901. He is still in business here, and is also postmaster, the office being located in his store. The other general store is conducted by T. S. Johnson. The hardware merchant is S. Hyatt. The blacksmith is. Chris Skjeveland. The hotel is kept by Hans Madsen. The older elevator is owned by John Lucas, and was erected in 1900. The newer elevator is owned by the Speltz Bros. M. S. Skamfer keeps the harness shop. The implement merchant is S. H. Helgerson.

Manchester Village

The village of Manchester is located in section 15, in the town¬ ship of that name, on the Minneapolis & St. Louis. It has a town hall, a fireman's hall used for theatrical and social purposes, a bank, a creamery, an insurance company, a railroad station, a Lutheran school (kept in the town hall when the district school is not in session), a postoffice, kept by Mrs. E. 0. Fossum, a hotel kept by the same lady, an elevator, a general store, a hardware store, a blacksmith shop, several residences, an excellent fire company, good sidewalks, and gas street lighting. Knute Slette, for many years postmaster, operates the elevator for Everett, Aughenbaugh & Co. ; the general store is owned by Gunder Haakenson, Lytho Hartz and John A. Thykeson; the hardware store is operated and owned by Andrew Knudson, and the black¬ smith shop is owned and operated by Herman Hanson.

The village was originally platted in 1882 by Ole Peterson. It was replatted and surveyed in 1898 by H. W. Fish, the owners at that time being : Knute Slette, Claus Flindt, Ole O. Olson, Ole 0. Myran, Jens Johnson, Kittel Halvorson, Even A. Lybeck, Bern¬ hardt Anderson, Hagan Torgerson and Manchester Creamery Co.

In 1877 Cosgan & White erected an elevator which was moved to section 23 soon after its erection, but was later moved back to the village. In 1878, Anton Anderson erected a black¬ smith shop, 24x28 feet, and commenced blowing the bellows. In the fall of 1881, an addition was erected, 12x28 feet, for a wagon shop, and an engine house, 10x12 feet, in which was placed a five horse-power steam engine to run the machinery. In February, 1878, a building was erected by H. R. Fossum and E. H. Stensrud, and a good stock of dry goods, groceries, and general merchan¬ dise was placed upon the shelves. In May, 1878, the postoffice was established.

Other Villages

Armstrong Village came into existence in 1878, at the instiga¬ tion of T. H. Armstrong, who that year erected an elevator. A store building was also built the same spring by Jason T. Go ward. A postoffice was established in 1882, and G. H. Kenerson was appointed postmaster. In 1879, a Mr. Dewey erected a black¬ smith shop, but left in 1880. The railroad company erected the depot in 1879, and it was opened with P. D. Barticus, station agent. For many years B. A. Cady kept a store here. T. E. Flaskerud is now the village merchant. The village at the present time contains a station, a store, an elevator, a creamery, and sev¬ eral houses. The village is located in section 4, Pickerel Lake township.

Bath Village is a small settlement located on the line betAveen sections 7 and 8, Bath township. It consists of a store, a cream¬ ery, a school, a Catholic church, and a cemetery. The postoffice is discontinued.

Clover Village. The hamlet of Clover is located in section 33, Pickerel Lake township. It has a creamery and a store. Not far away is the German Lutheran church and a schoolhouse. The settlement is located on land owned by "William P. Pickle. The history of the church and creamery appears elsewhere. The gen¬ eral store was erected in 1890 by "William P. Pickle, and after passing through several hands is now conducted by George Enser.

Conger is a small village about ten miles west of Albert Lea. - It has a postoffice, a bank, a creamery, a lumber yard, a hard¬ ware store and a general store.

Hayward Village. This pretty hamlet is located in section 9, Hayward township, on the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. Some time after the railroad was put through, it seemed desirable to establish a trading point at this place, consequently a store was opened by Oliver Nelson, a small station was built by the railroad company, and a ware¬ house constructed. The village was platted and surveyed by Yv illiam A. Morin, on the land of Thomas H. Armstrong, and filed for record, October 12, 1886. The village now has a station, a postoffice, three stores, an elevator, a creamery, a blacksmith shop, a feed mill, a bank, a hotel, and a number of residences. The his- torv of the creamery, the two-roomed school, and the flourishing bank are given elsewhere, as is that of the church. The elevator is owned by the Farmers' Elevator Company ,the two general stores by S. Skaug and H. AY. Anderson, and the feed mill by- Anton Runden. The hardware store, owned for so many years by Vegger Gulbrandson, is now conducted by R. M. Gulbrandson.

Moscow Village. In June, 1857, this little town was con¬ ceived, and was laid out in lots and blocks by Daniel Johnson, surveyor, for the proprietors, Nathan Owens, Benjamin Lindsey, and David M. Farr. It is located near the center of section 22, Moscow township. A postoffice under the name of Moscow was established at the village in 1858, with John G. Dunning as post¬ master, and office at David Farr's house, in section 22. In 1866, Joseph James, John Chandler, and James Dyrlyn, put in machin¬ ery and commenced operating a steam saw-mill near the main part of the village. In 1879, Arthur Sanderson and his son, George, erected a two-story frame building for a store and tene¬ ment, and in January, 1880, put in a good stock of general mer¬ chandise.

Myrtle Village is located in the western part of London town¬ ship, in section 7, on the Illinois Central railroad. It is a thriv¬ ing hamlet Avith a bank, a creamery, a postoffice, a railroad sta¬ tion, two churches, and the usual business houses. In 1900, when the railroad came through, William A. Morin purchased forty acres, and the station was erected on his property. The village also occupies a part of the farm of A. A. Schuhmacher. Before the coming of the railroad, the hamlet of Myrtle centered around the postoffice in section 8. After the building of the railroad station, W. Birch and S. White erected a general store, and started busi¬ ness in 1900. In 1901, C. AY. Hanson erected a general store. He still occupies this store, being also postmaster of the village. A brief directory of the village is as follows : Churches, United Brethren and Danish Lutheran; general stores, E. C. Robinson, C. AY. Hanson ; the Eclipse Lumber Co., manager, O. L. Meyers ; ele¬ vator, Speltz Bros., agent, A. Lang; stock buyer, A. Lang; black- smith, Carl Johnson; feed mill, A. Hanson; harness shop, John Belshon; hardware and implement store, A. E. Samen. The his¬ tory of the bank and creamery is found elsewhere.

Oakland Village. This village is located on the line between Moscow and Oakland, on the original S. N. Frisbie claim. It was started soon after the railroad was put through in 1879. Oakland is now a little hamlet with two general stores, two ele¬ vators, two churches, a sclioolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and other buildings. Alfred E. Denby Avas long associated with the village of Oakland, having built a store here and lived here for many years. The plat of Oakland Avas surveyed in section 2. tOAvnship 102, range 19, by H. C. Lacy, in 1885, on land OAvned by AY. AV. Cargill.

Twin Lake Village is located in section 12, Nunda township, on the Minneapolis & St. Louis, its situation being at the outlet of one of the lakes which gives the ATillage its name. Frederick AIcCall is the leading citizen of the Aullage, and is Avidely knoAvn as the pliilosopher-poet of TAvin Lakes. Ilis daughter, Alargaret A., conducts the general store. There is a grain elevator here, and the business houses usually found in a place of this size. The land upon which the Adllage uoaat stands originally belonged to AYilliam AVilson and J. M. Tanner. The first plat came into existence in 1858, at the instigation of Augustus Armstrong, and Avas laid into lots on the land of AYilliam Banning, but as no growth Avas deA^eloped, and no interest in the little Aillage mani¬ fested, the lots and blocks Avere finally reclaimed as a farm. Matters ran along in this way, nothing being done in regard to it until 1869, Avhen a surveyor again made his appearance and the lots and blocks of the ATillage Avere again brought into exist¬ ence, about 80 rods north of the old plat, on land of AYilson and Tanner as above stated, and in the fall of this year John Donahue and AYilliam Knudtson erected the first business house and opened a stock of groceries and general merchandise. A store Avas opened by Frederick AIcCall in Alarch, 1863, at his residence in section 14, and the TAvin Lake postoffice, originally knoAvn as Nunda, Avas also kept here. In 1877, the business Avas moATed to the village. In the fall of 1875, Peter Donahue opened a general store. In 1870, AYilliam Beatty assisted in the groAvth of the Aullage and erected a hotel, which he conducted until 1877 and then sold it to Ole Nelson. In 1868, a building Avas erected and a blacksmith shop put into operation. In a few years it Avas transferred to the Booth Brothers, who conducted it for a year and then sold to B. H. Carter and John Donahue, avIio operated it for several years in partnership, and then Air. Donahue purchased the entire business and still manages the concern.

The railroad pushed its way through the village, and a depot and elevator followed, with the accompanying advantages, and with the years the hamlet assumed its present proportions.

In 1857, a saw mill was erected in the northern part of the southwest quarter of section 12, where the village was afterwards laid out, by William Banning and others, and commenced opera¬ tions with a forty-horse water power, making a capacity for cut¬ ting 1,000 feet per day. In 1863, David Perry, who owned an interest in the mill, took charge of it, employing B. H. Carter and increasing the capacity to 1,500 feet per day. After conducting it a short time he transferred it to Augustus Armstrong and J. M. Tanner. After this Mr. Tanner ran it for a time and in 1868 sold one-half interest to William Wilson, and soon after the other half was also transferred. The latter gentleman at once com¬ menced the erection of a flouring mill, which was completed in due time and became a valuable enterprise.

Bancroft And Itasca

Bancroft Village. In the fall of 1856 Morton S. Wilkinson, acting for a party of men prominent in territorial affairs, platted a village in sections 28 and 29, Bancroft township, with the in¬ tention of there establishing the county seat. In fact, the bill which organized the county originally provided that Bancroft should be the county seat, but this "joker" was discovered and the clause repealed. The Bancroft Land Company was in¬ corporated in November, 1856, with the following officers : L. Emmett, president ; Charles Oldson, A. G. Blackman, Charles Enness and W. H. Oliver, trustees. These persons were, however, figureheads, and the real promoters were much more prominent men. When David Blakely reached Bancroft in 1857 for the purpose of establishing the "Bancroft Pioneer," he found on the village site a shanty and a saw mill. Soon, however, the agent, W. N. Oliver, erected a fine house, then the best in the county. A store was also erected, Charles Etheridge being the master builder. This store was nominally in charge of W. N. Oliver for the town site company, but was really conducted by Moses Com¬ fort, who was also sworn in as deputy postmaster, Mr. Oliver being the postmaster. The story of the county seat contest has been told. Gradually the village site was abandoned and finally, being put up at auction for unpaid taxes, the property passed into the possession of the county, 100 acres still being used as a poor farm. A previous history has published what is purported to be a history of Bancroft, and it is here preserved for future ref¬ erence, although little substantiation has been found for many of the statements contained therein : and put in a stock of goods. This building was removed to Austin in 1859. The first building put up on the village site was a shanty erected just previous to the store, in 1857, by W. N. Oleson. He had first lived in a 'dug-out/ to which he brought his wife, but finally gave up this mode of life and became civilized. Oleson brought his wife from Shell Rock on a hand sled, as the snow was so deep. E. D. Porter opened a blacksmith shop, and J. V. Perry started the practice of law. A steam saw mill was moved to the village from Hastings by the town site company, which was set up and operated by B. F. Ross and Addison Caswell. The cost of the mill was about $2,500, it occupying a building 20x40, and for two years the mill kept piling up the sawdust of hard wood ; but the entire concern was finally, in 1859, sold for taxes. The town site company commenced soon after the erection of a hotel by digging a cellar; but this was a failure and was given up. A saloon was started and had a brief existence."

Itasca Village. This village, sometimes incorrectly spelled "Itaska" in the early days and also known as Freeborn Springs, had a most interesting history. Its location was on the picturesque Paradise prairie, mentioned by Col. Albert Miller Lea as one of the most beautiful spots he had ever seen. In 1855, Charles C. Colby settled in section 6, Albert Lea township, and took land in section 31, Bancroft township, upon which the village was afterward platted. Later Samuel Batchelder secured land in the same locality. A. M. Burnham came from Shell Rock in 185 1 and started booming the village. He erected an expensive house and made an effort to secure for his village the county seat location. In 1857 a postoffice was established under the name of Freeborn Springs, with C. C. Colby as postmaster, and for a time matters seemed very prosperous. When Bancroft was abandoned as a village, buildings were moved from there to Itasca, and in 1860 the "Freeborn Springs Herald" was started. But the village was defeated in the contest, and the beautiful grounds of the Wedge Nurseries now occupy the site, some of the apple trees of that nursery having been planted by Samuel Batchelder, one of the original owners of the land on which the village was platted. The names of Colby, Batchelder, Botsford, Burnham, Hall, Dunbar and Longworth were prominently identified with the early history of the village.

Three Former Villages

Sumner Village. In 1857, a village was laid out into lots in section 31, Moscow township, by Rufus K. Crum, and recorded under this caption. A postoffice was also established the same year, with George Watson as postmaster, which was continued until 1876, Aaron McKune being the last mail-handler. In 1858,

Mr. Crum, the proprietor of the embryo city, erected a house on the village site and used to entertain travelers. But all of no avail ; gradually the interest, even of the town proprietors, weak¬ ened, and the village of Sumner became a thing of the past, and the fond hopes for lots, blocks, stores, schools and churches were abandoned, and the surer and more practical plan of making money, by transforming the imaginary lots and blocks into fields of corn and wheat, was resorted to.

Fairfield Village. A village under this name was platted by Samuel Beardsley on the south shore of Rice Lake, in section 15, on a proposed road from Fairfield to Shell Rock. A postoffice was established and a regular mail route ; it was on the same section as was the saw mill, and everything looked promising for rapid growth ; but the railway never came and the village became a thing of the past.