Houston County, Minnesota - Chapter 50 (1 of 2 so headed), 1882

Chapter 50

GENERAL DESCRIPTION - PRE- HISTORIC - EARLY SETTLEMENT - POLITICAL ORGANIZATION - NAMING THE TOWN - RELIGIOUS - POST-OFFICE - FIRST BIRTH - FIRST DEATH - BLACK HAMMER IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION - SCHOOLS - BIOGRAPHICAL.

This town was originally included in the townships of Spring Grove and Yucatan, and was organized as a separate town in April, 1859, the first town meeting being held at that time.

It lies on the western boundary of the county; is bounded on the north by Yucatan, and on the south by Spring Grove, and contains an area of 23,040 acres, being a full government township.

The surface in the southern part is generally rolling prairie, interspersed, here and there, with little groves of young timber. Riceford Creek enters the town in section thirty-one, and winds its tortuous course in a northerly direction, to finally leave the town between sections four and five. Along this stream the surface is more broken, with bluffs that extend up from 350 to 400 feet above the surface of the water below. Here, on the top of these hills, are level ranges, with a growth of brush and small oak timber, and this, when removed, leaves the land in a fair condition for cultivation.

The soil is a dark loam, mixed with clay, and capable of producing wheat and the other cereals. The sides of the bluffs are more or less covered with timber of different varieties, such as oak, elm, and bass wood, with an occasional red cedar clinging to a crevice in the rocks. The eastern and northeastern part of the town is also bluffy or broken, and covered with timber, which is largely owned by the farmers of Caledonia, in ten and twenty acre lots, from which they procure fencing and fuel.

It is estimated that about one-fourth of the whole area of the township is unsuitable for cultivation by present processes and for present crops, but is useful for grazing and to raise timber.

Beaver Creek makes its way through a portion of the eastern part of the town. The bottoms along these creeks are covered with good varieties of indigenous grasses, which supply hay or grazing for stock.

Pre-Historic - The appearances in the north part of the township indicate that this region was at one time the favorite rendezvous of a race that antedates our American chronology.

might have been fortifications, or for some other use. They have been plowed over, and other eroding processes have been at work, and now some of them are well nigh obliterated. Still traces of them are visible near the residences of William and Peter Carrier. There is also, in this vicinity, a cave, or cavern, that may have been formed or modified by human hands. It has an entrance not unlike a door, four feet square, and exteDds a thousand feet or so, varying in height from five to six feet. Not long ago a gold coin was found in this cavern by Peter C. Carrier, a son of Wm. Carrier, who disposed of it to Mr. James Vincent, of Houston village. It was about the size of a $5.00 piece, and bore no intelligible inscription.

Early Settlement. - The first white man to come to the town, with a view of locating, was Mr. Ed. Stevens, who came here from Cambridge, WisconsiD, with his wife, in the summer of 1852, and his first resting place was on what is now the "Ike Farm," on section twenty -one, but he only remained a few days. That season was uncommonly dry, and the water was so scarce that he struck out for a spring, and succeeded in finding one in the north part of the town, in section four, where he set to work, and with the assistance of his wife, put up a log dwelling, the remains of which are yet to be seen.

Another hardy pioneer was Torkel Aageson, a native of Hanauges, Norway, whose nativity bears date April 1, 1818, and who emigrated to America in 1851, first stopping in Rock county, Wisconsin, and a few months afterwards, pushing on to Winneshiek county, Iowa, from whence he came to this place with an axe on his shoulder, and a pair of iron wedges and beetle ringR, arriving in March, 1853. He put his tools to a good use in building a habitation of poplar poles, with a birch bark roof, and there he lived like Alexander Selkirk, all alone, and monarch of all he surveyed, the only white man in town, except Stevens, who was several miles away to the north.

In June several other families came. Meantime Mr. Aageson went vigorously to work splitting rails to enclose some of the land he had claimed, and succeded the first season, in breaking I ten acres, which marked the beginning of agriculture in the town. He afterwards planted an orchard and gathered the first crop of apples ever raised in this section.

In June, 1853, several other families followed; among them were Knud Olsen Ike, with his three sons, Knud, John, and Ole; Mr. Guttorms and Jens Olsen Otterness, the two last mentioned being still living on their original claims.

Lars G. Findreng came in 1854, and cast his lot on section twenty-one. His son, Ole T., lived with his parents up to the time of his father's death in 1873, and he now occupies the farm, his mother still living with him. He was married in 1869, to Miss Tilda Oleson.

Political Organization. - The first town meeting was held in the school house in District No. 37, on the 5th of April, 1859. The oflicersof the meeting were, Julius Billings, Moderator; George Mitchell and O. W. Olsen, Judges, and Alexander Simpson, Clerk. The meeting was called to order at ten o'clock. Mr. H. E. Solberg moved that the name of the town be "Clinton" which seemed to meet with the approval of the citizens, as the motion prevailed. On submitting the question to the State authorities, however, this name was rejected, for the reason that there was already a town in the State with the same name.

At this meeting a resolution was adopted that hogs should be allowed to run at large, and another, that dogs should also be permitted to be at large. The total number of votes cast was twenty-five. The assessment for road tax was two days work for each poll, and five mills per cent, on real estate. The town was divided into six road districts, and the boundaries of each specifically defined.

Three road overseers were appointed, Wm. Carrier, for the northern part, John McCabe for the southwest, and Christian Lamen for the southeast.

At a town meeting on the 31st of December, 1863, it was voted that each volunteer soldier receive $300, as a town bounty, and that the drafted men receive a like amount, payable in town orders.

Supervisors, Alex Simpson, Chairman; C. P. Onstad, H. E. Solberg; Clerk, Ole S. Olsen; Assessor, Espen M. Tuftene ; Treasurer, John Senter; Justices of the Peace, Julius Billings and E. F. West; Constables, Wm. Carrier and Andrew 0. Anderson.

How The Town Was Named. - Why the town received its singular name is worthy of mention and preservation. It matters little what the name of anything is, if it serves the purpose of a name, which is, if not to characterize it, at least to distinguish it from all else with which it may be confounded.

Black Hammer is a most admirable name, because there is no other like it in America, nor will be, unless some resident, removing further west, shall carry the name with him, to be engrafted upon anew settlement on the frontier. But this is the way the town finally got its name. Knud Olson Bergo, who was living just across the town line in Spring Grove, on getting up one morning, saw that a fire had swept over the prairie in the south part of the town, including a bluff which formed a part of sections twenty-seven, twentyeight, and thirty -four. Its charred appearance at once suggested to his mind a certain bluff located in Slidre Valders, Norway, which was Mr. Bergo's birth place, and so he exclaimed in Norwegian, " Sort Hammer," which signifies Black Bluff, and the people have had the good sense to retain the name to this day, which, it will be perceived, is composed of an English and a Norwegian word. Mr. Bergo died many years ago, and his dust lies in the Spring Grove cemetery ; his widow lives with her only daughter, Mrs. Knud S. Nohre, near Rioeford, in the edge of Fillmore county, and the only son, Ole Bergo, lives in one of the western counties of the State.

Religious. - The church going people of Black Hammer for a number of years attended the church at Spring Grove; but there was, during this time, an occasional religious service at various places in the town. The first of these was held by the Bev. F. C. Clauson at the house of Knud O. Ike, in the early part of 1857. Before this, however, a colporteur, named Peter Menus, had conducted services in Mr. Ike's house. Up to the time the church was built, the Bev. Mr. Clauson was

A frame church was constructed in 1868, in which meetings were held, although it was not quite completed until the following year. It was not of mammoth proportions, or of very superb finish, but it cost, including a bell of 809 pounds, $4,000.

The manufacturing of the town is confined to domestic work, except a single blacksmith shop, where Berndt Hanson blows the bellows and manipulates the glowing iron. This institution was founded about 1871, by Gunder Mathison.

A small saw-mill was put in on the Rioeford Creek, in section twenty-nine, in the year 1858, by David Soper ; it never did a large amount of work, and after a while it was totally abandoned In August, 1866, at the time of a terrible flood, the most disastrous ever remembered in the county, it was completely swept away, and at the same time the unfortunate widow and two children of John McCabe were, with the house in which they lived, carried down by the remorseless waters, and met a watery grave; the remains of one of the children not being recovered until the next spring.

Post-Office

The post-office was not established in this town until 1871, when Gunder Mathison was commissioned as Postmaster, and when he moved away, a few months afterwards, Mr. Ole S. Oleson took his place, and indicated Mr. B. J. Haug as his deputy. Two years later Mr. Berndt Hanson was appointed, and he is still the incumbent *The office has always been at private residences on section twenty-seven. It has a tri- weekly service, ' Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays of each week, and is on the route between Houston, Minnesota, and Decorah, Iowa.

The First Birth

The first person to be ushered into this unfeeling world in Black Hammer, was Anna Maria Otterness, daughter of Guttorm Otterness, who was born in the fall of 1858. She died several years ago.

The First Death

This was a daughter of Lars Skime, who died in 1854, and as a burial place, a spot was designated on the farm of Torkel Aageson, on the southeast quarter of the northeast qnarter of section twenty-two, where about twenty interments were made prior to the location of the present cemetery near the church, where fine slabs and monuments mark the last resting place of the honored dead of Black Hammer. In the old burial place not a stone or a mound indicates that it was ever used for such a purpose.

Black Hammer In The War Of 1861

The men who early enlisted were assigned to Co. F, of the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Their names, as far as can be learned, were as follows: Hans O. Oleson and Chandler Flemming, who were killed at Nashville, Tennessee. Alvin Smith, who died at Memphis, ^Tennessee. Silas Carrier, who died at Fort Snelling. Frank Brown, William Cooper, Silas J. Cooper, Henry Cooper, and John Birdsell.

Those who, about the 1st of October, 1864, went into Co. D, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery were Tosten Johnson, Ole O. Ike, Andrew Christiansen, Ingvald Hansen, Ole O. Ose, John Anderson, and John McCabe; the latter was the only one who did not return, and whose family was drowned as above recorded. A military company was organized in the town under the State laws during the war, and duly officered and drilled. The company numbered about seventy-five men. Their headquarters were at the schoolhouse, District No. 37. The officers were: Tosten Johnson, Captain; George Mitchell, First Lieutenant, and Lars Larsen, Second Lieutenant, with the usual non-commissioned officers. The company had a band, the instruments being purchased by the town, consisting of a Bass Drum, a snare drum, and the ear piercing fife. It must be remembered that when the war came on, this settlement was less than a decade in age, and it is to the infinite credit of the town that so many enlisted as actually did.

District No. 3. - The early records of the district have not been preserved, but from what can be learned, this district was organized and a schoolhouse built in 1865, and the first term of school taught in 1866, by Miss Comstock, a daughter of J. W. Comstock, now a resident of Yucatan.

District No. 69. - This was set off from No. 37, by the County Commissioners on the 18th of May, 1865, in response to a petition of the residents. The first officers were Julias Billings, Clerk; Joseph Haninan, Director, and Tolef Hogensen, Treasurer. The initial term was taught by Miss Maria O'Connor, at the residence of Julius Billings, in 1865. The schoolhouse was completed in 1867, on section twenty-eight, on land of Lars Ericksen.

District No. 80. - This school district was originally carved out of No. 37 by the board of County Commissioners at the March session in 1870. The first officers were: Alex. Simpson, Clerk; John Soutu, Treasurer, and John Cunningham, Director. During the fall of the same year the schoolhouse was completed. The first term was taught in the spring of 1871, by Miss Ella Dibble. The present officers are identical with those first elected.

District No. 74. - On September 9th, 1868, this district sprang into existence, the primary meeting being held at the house of H. E. Solberg, when the following officers were elected: H. B. Allen, Treasurer; Ellin g Anderson, Director, and H. E. Solberg, Clerk. A site for the school building was decided upon on the land of Helge Olsen, on section thirty-five, and a schoolhouse, 16x24 feet, was accordingly erected, and completed the following year. The school was inaugurated by Miss Lena J. Heaul, in the winter of 1870.

District No. 65. - This takes in a part of the west edge of the town, and is a union organization with a portion of Fillmore county territory.

District No. 37. - We come now to the northern district of the township, and the one first organized, and from which the others have been taken. At first it embraced all, or nearly all of the town, and the first schoolhouse was laid up with logs, in a sort of a pic nic way, every man bringing a few logs and an axe, and putting in his work. This was as early as 1857, and the first teacher was Frank Brown.

Julius Billings, one of the pioneers and organizers of this town, was born at Enfield, Connecticut, on the 31st of May, 1818. The family removed to Lamoille county, Vermont, in 1821, and in 1838, Julius left the old homestead, coming to Winnebago county, Illinois, where he took a claim of 160 acres, on which he farmed until 1852. Then, after disposing of his property, he spent about three years traveling through the States, and finally located in section twenty-eight, Black Hammer township. He immediately erected a a shanty of elm logs, ten by twelve, and seven feet high, in which he kept "bachelor's hall" about a year and a half. On the 26th of October, 1862, he was joined in marriage with Miss Catherine Brophy, a native of Kilkenny county, Ireland, her birth dating the 4th of December, 1843. The issue of this union is six children, all of whom are living and enjoying the shelter of the paternal roof. Since his residence in the town, Mr. Billings has held several offices of trust and responsibility, and was one of the first County Commissioners, holding the position two terms. He has a well improved farm, with substantial improvements.

William Carrier, one of the early settlers of the town, is a native of Ohio, born in Richland county on the 24th of December, 1829. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Lewis on the 17th of June, 1852. She was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 5th of January, 1832. In the fall of 1855, they came to Black Hammer, traveling by stage from Dubuque, Iowa. On the 11th of June, 1864, Mr. Carrier was enrolled in the Second Minnesota Regiment, Company C, taking part in several engagements, the principal of which was the capture of Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to his home in this town at the close of the war, having escaped any severe injury, although his health is now greatly impaired in consequence of the hardships and sufferings endured during his soldier life. He owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Carrier have seven children, five of whom still live at home.

Peter C. Glasbud, one of the prominent men of the town, is a native of Thoten, Norway, where his birth occurred on the 13th of October, 1846. In 1853, he emigrated to America with his parents, who resided in Yorkville, Wisconsin, till the fall of the same year, then removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa. In the spring of 1856, they came to Houston county, locating in section sixteen, Wilmington township. Christian Glasrud, the father of our subject, enlisted in the war soon after its outbreak, and served until its close, during which time Peter and his brother had entire charge of the farm. Mr. Glasrud was joined in wedlock on the 7th of November, 1872, with Miss Sarah Quale, of Wilmington, the result of which union is five children. Immediately after the marriage they came to their present home, which Mr. Glasrud had previously purchased. He has, since his residence here, held the office of Assessor three successive terms, refusing to qualify when re-elected a fourth time, and is at present one of the school officers of his district.

Tosten Johnson, one of the old settlers of the town, is a native of Valders, Norway, born on the 21st of July, 1834. At the age of twelve years he went to Sogndahl to live with his brother-in-law and assist him at his trade, that of blacksmith. In 1851, he came to America, remained in Dane county, Wisconsin, until the following year, and removed with his brother to Spring Grove. Tosten made his brother's house his home, but spent most of his time in Iowa, farming during the summer months, and attending school in winter, spending one year at the University at Fayette. In 1856, he took land in section twenty-seven, Black Hammer, on which he began to make improvements, still living with his brother. Miss Thora Jesme became his wife on the 3d of March, 1860, and they have since lived on their own farm. Mr. Johnson enlisted in Company D, of the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, in 1864, and served till the close of the war. Since his residence in this place he has filled a number of local offices, such as Assessor, Town Clerk, etc.; and was elected to the State Legislature in 1869, 1871, and 1873. He was County Commissioner four years, resigning that office to fill the appointment of Mail Agent on the Chicago, Milwaukee & Western railroad, which position he has held since the establishment of the route.

Christian Lamen was born in Trondhjem Stift, Norway, on the 2nd of March. 1828. When eighteen years of age he commenced learning the carpenter trade, which he followed until coming to America in 1850, He resided the first summer in southern Wisconsin; thence to Michigan, where he was engaged at his trade for two years. He afterwards worked on the Chippewa River; coming to this town in 1855, and purchasing his present farm in section thirty-five. It is now in excellent condition, with a fine two-story residence, barn,

Chbisten P. Onstad, a son of one of the early settlers of the town, was born in this place on the 10th of May, 1856, his parents having come here about three years previous to his birth. His father died on the 27th of March, 1876, and Christen became sole manager of the homestead, and head of the family. He was joined in matrimony on the 27th of June, 1879, with Miss Sarah Oline Solberg, daughter of H. E. Solberg, also one of the pioneers of Black Hammer. They have been blessed with two children, Peter Cornelius, born on the 21st of June, 1880, and Henry, born on the 15th of September, 1881. Mr. Onstad is one of the Supervisors of the town, to which position he was elected in 1880. They still reside on the original homestead on which is a fine house, barn, and outbuildings.

Aage Olaus Rosaaen, a son of the second settler in the town, was born on the 16th of November, 1861, in this place. He has always made his father's house his home, assisting him on the farm during the summer, and attending school in winter. He subsequently entered the Caledonia Academy, and continued his studies at Decorah, Iowa. Mr. Rosaaen has a great desire for learning, is possessed of fine natural ability, and, considering his limited advantages, has accumulated a thorough business education. He is a leading correspondent of one of the county newspapers, and also employed in studying telegraphy.

Labs Ebickson Svabtaas, a native of Sigdahl, Norway, was born on the 12th of August, 1835. He was united in marriage with Miss Gundbjor Evensdatter, in September, 1854. They came to America in 1861, and for five years resided in Spring Grove, where Mr. Svartaas was engaged in farming and other manual labor. In March, 1866, he purchased his present farm in section twentyeight, on which no improvements had been made previous to that time, but owing to good management and industry, he has it now under good cultivation. Of eight children born to this union, all are living, and five still reside at the old homestead.

Ole A. Stenehjem is a native of Norway, born in Sogndahl on the 18th of May, 1848. The following year the family came to America, arriving in Dane county, Wisconsin, on April 4th, making it their home five years. They came to Minnesota in 1854, locating in section twenty -eight, Wilmington township, and erected a temporary house of poplar poles, covered with hay, in which they lived a short time. The subject of this sketch remained at home until his marriage with Miss Anne Ellestad, which took place on the 7th of April, 1869, after which they moved to an adjacent portion of the farm, where they lived until 1872. Mr. Stenehjem then purchased his present farm in Black Hammer, on which they have since resided. After the death of his father, A. A. Stenehjem, which occurred several years ago, the family removed to Cass county, Dakota, where they now reside. Mr. Stenehjem has a family of four children.

Helge E. Solberg, one of the early settlers of the town, is a native of Ringerike, Norway, born on the 4th of December, 1834. In 1848, he came to America with his parents, who located in Rock county, Wisconsin, remaining eight years. In 1856, they came to this place, and the same year Mr. Solberg was married to Miss Kari Olsen Brennen, who was born in Froen, Gudbransdalen, Norway, on the 9th of March, 1835, and came to America in 1853. Of this union five children have been born, four of whom are living. Mr. Solberg owns about 275 acres of land, the greater portion of which is under cultivation, and improved with substantial buildings. He was elected Comity Commisioner in 1859, has subsequently been Assessor, and is now a member of the board of Supervisors.

Elijah F. West is a native of Genesee county, New York, born on the 21st of September, 1824. When he was an infant of two years, his parents moved to Michigan, Elijah residing with them until the age of twenty-three years. In 1845, he was married to Miss Cinthia Smith, who bore him three children, all of whom are living; one daughter residing in California, another in Dakota, and a son in Carrol county, Iowa. His wife died in the spring of 1852, and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Battle Creek, Michigan. Mr. West was engaged at the carpenter trade until the fall of 1854, when he came to Minnesota, locating in Newburg, Fillmore county, where he entered one hundred acres of land at government price. During his residence in the latter place he held the office of County Commissioner for one term. In 1856, Miss Jane A. Sherburne became his wife. She is a native of Essex county, New York, born on the 11th of August, 1834. The issue of this

Union is nine children, eight of whom are living, and six still enjoy the comforts of the home fireside. In 1867, Mr. West disposed of his land near Newburg, and two years later, purchased and removed to his present farm in section five. For three terms he was employed as teacher in his school district; has also taken part in local politics, having held the office of Justice of the Peace five years, and was Chairman of the board of supervisors six years. In 1865 and again in 1878, he was a member of the State Legislature. He has a well cultivated farm containing good improvements, a fine orchard, and a herd of stock of an excellent grade.