Lyon County, Minnesota - Chapter 13: Cottonwood - 1 888-191 2, 1912

Chapter 13: Cottonwood - 1 888-191 2

COTTONWOOD is one of the younger villages of Lyon county, but its growth during the twentyfour years of its existence has been substantial. Today it ranks as the county's fourth town in size, with a population of 770 according to the last census. The village is a prosperous one and is situated in the midst of an excellent farming country. It is built on the bank of Cottonwood lake and has one of the finest townsites in Lyon county. Cottonwood is in the extreme northeastern corner of the county, on section 9, Lucas township, and is a station of the Great Northern railroad.

Settlers first located in the vicinity in the early seventies, but because of the distance from markets the development of that part of the county was not so great as that of the portions lying in proximity to the railroad. When the Willmar & Sioux Falls (Great Northern) railroad was built through the county in 1888 northeastern Lyon county became rapidly filled with settlers and the village of Cottonwood was founded and had a rapid growth.

It will be remembered that the prexThe Marshall News-Messenger of November 11, 1887, said: "While we have not official authority for locating the stations in this county, we have sufficient indications to pronounce the following locations as quite certainly decided on: The first station will be at Cottonwood lake, about fourteen miles distant and six and one-half miles this side of Hanley Falls. This liminary steps toward the building of the new railroad were taken in 1887 and that the roadbed was graded that year. No steps were taken that early to found any of the towns along the proposed line but there Avas speculation as to their probable location and it was early rumored that one of the stations in Lyon county would be on the shores of Cottonwood lake. The first mention in the public prints we find of a prospective town there was in the Marshall News- Messenger of September 9, 1887, which said: "Cottonwood lake is without doubt the prettiest sheet of water, next to Lake Benton, in this part of the state, and a station will be located there. It will prove a great resort in summer for all people hereabouts and no more beautiful location for a town can be found anywhere."

Late in the same season the railroad authorities selected the sites for all the stations, although they were not officially announced to the public and there was no intention of platting the sites until the road was constructed.1 Work on the road was resumed in 1888, and in May of that year it was officially will be an important station, beautiful in location, upon a fine lake, and must become a favored summer resort for our people. In its charming surroundings it is unequalled by any place in this section of country, save Lake Benton. The railroad will control the townsite and intends to make it a first-class town."

announced that one of the stations charge of C. T. Hanson. The next enwould be on Cottonwood lake and that terprise started was by Martin Norseth, its name would be Cottonwood. The who in September received several cars rails were laid on the new line in August of lumber and engaged in the lumber and train service was begun north of business. The same month he started Marshall on September 11. Before that a store building and before the close of event occurred preparations had been the year opened a hardware store, which made for founding Cottonwood. was soon afterward sold to Sperber &

Messrs. Tyler and Schutz on the last day of the month. It consisted of nine blocks and included land on both sides of the railroad track. The streets run-

Christ Dahl and J. H. Dahl began the erection of a two-story business house in September and completed it in December. In the lower part they several lots were sold3 and immediately October and opened under the managethereafter several buildings were put up. The first building completed on the site was a blacksmith shop by Larson Brothers, which was put up in August. In September Martin Ness erected a double building, in part of which he rrient of J. H. Dahl.4 On September 5 the Cottonwood Farmers Co-operative Association was organized with a capital stock of $2000 to engage in the stock, grain and produce business. Hans Solbers; established a restaurant late in the

'Lots were put on sale at $50 each. The iirst purchaser was Martin Norseth, who paid a bonus of $100 for first choice. The second and third purchasers were Martin Ness and Dahl Brothers. In 1889 the price nf lots was $75 and $100 and a few vears later advanced to $300 and $400.

*Before the close of the year 1888, seventy-five cars of wheat were shipped from Cottonwood, forty-nine cars of wood and coal were received, and there were still 10,000 bushels of wheat stored in the elevator.

the line in Yellow Medicine county, had supplied mail facilities for the people of the Cottonwood lake country, and early in October steps were taken to have the office moved to the new village. This was accomplished and the Vineland postmaster, O. S. Reishus, moved the office, renamed Cottonwood, to the village. He purchased new fixtures, erected a building, and in December opened the office, conducting a stationery and book store in connection. The mail route by rail was established January 28, 1889. Mr. Reishus was postmaster only a short time and was succeeded by Christ Dahl.5

Cottonwood's growth during 1889 was almost in the nature of a boom, but it was based on merit alone. A large tract of tributary country, which before had been long distances from market, demanded a good trading point, and Cottonwood filled the bill.6

In 1889 Blackmar & Curran, of Minneapolis, and Martin Norseth organized the Cotton wood Lumber Company, erected lumber sheds and an office, and engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Norseth as manager. John Anderson erected a hotel building, which was leased to 0. E. Oilman. P. H. and A. H. Baker put up a new building. 0. 0. Brenna erected a store building and A. C. Chittenden, of Marshall, established a branch general store therein. Sperber & Hunzicker purchased the hardware store of Martin Norseth and

Two rural mail routes are operated from the Cottonwood office. No. 1 was established November 16, 190:3, with Lars Rasmussen as carrier. No. 2 was established April 15, 1904, with Carl Stark as carrier.

put in a larger stock. J. 0. Schutz and John Hollo, of Marshall, built a large store building with a hall on the second floor and established another general store. O. O. Slette engaged in the implement and hardware business. The firm of Dahl & Lieberg was formed and continued, with increased stocks, the general store established by Dahl Brothers, adding a millinery department. Anderson Brother.; opened a pool hall and temperance saloon. Tones Bore erected a two-story store building. Grover Brothers started a livery barn, which was destroyed by fire October 15. Several others engaged in business, a number of residences were erected, and at the close of 1889 a prosperous and flourishing village had grown up.

has grown upon its eold nieril as an agricultural center and from the equally eold fad thai it is surrounded by as thrifty a settlement of farmers as can be found anywhere in the broad Northwest. . . . The growth is phenomenal when one considers thai not the leasl effort has been made to sell lots or induce settlers to

The growth of Cottonwood was rapid during 1890 and at the age of two years the village boasted a population of more than 200 people. There were then about twenty business houses and fifty residences. Progress was rapid also in 1891 and several new buildings were erected. The Marshall Reporter of September 24. 1891. said: "Cottonwood is making a boom this fall. All the stores report good business and there has been more wheat shipped from this place than from any other station on the road. . . . Cottonwood is having a steady growth, and the large and good country surrounding warrants it."

The growth of Cottonwood had been so rapid that when it was three years old the residents decided to incorporate as a village. On December 3. 1891. a petition signed by Martin Norseth and thirty-two others was presented to the Boai'd of County Commissioners, asking that body to call a special election for the purpose of voting on incorporation. The petition was granted and January 12, 1892. was the date set for the election. It was held in Syndicate Hall and "for incorporation" was carried by a vote of 33 to 11. The corporate limits included six and one-half sections of land and included considerable farming country.7

7These limits were reduced to two sections as the result of a special election on November 1, 1894, when there were set off sections 5 and 8, the north half of 17, the north half of 16, the northwest quarter of 15. the west half of 10 and the west half of 3, all in Lucas township.

8During the twenty-one years of the corporate history of Cottonwood licensed saloons have been operated thirteen years and the village has been "dry'' eight years. Excepting one year, the license question lias been an issue at every regular election under the local option law. The results have been as follows : officers was held February 1, when sixty-four votes were cast. The officers qualified at once and village government was begun. The first officers served only until their successors were chosen at the regular election the next month. Following i-; the roster of village officers from the time of incorporation to the present:8

vote for president of the Village C >uncU was a tie between .Messrs. McKinley and Norseth. Lots were not drawn, as the law provided, and for a short time the village had two pr< sidents.

"The first teacher of the school in district No. 15 was P. H. Dahl and the first pupils were P. H. Rognlie, H. N. Dahl, Caroline Dahl. Tillie Dahl, John H.

*.->()()() and which hut lor a fortunate circumstance would have destroyed the entire business portion of the village. The fire originated in the office of the Cottonwood Current and spread rapidly despite the efforts of the citizens to check it. There had been a heavy fall of snow and the progress of the flames was finally checked by packing damp snow in a sixteen-inch space between two buildings. The losses were as follows:

The progress of Cottonwood during the past twenty years of its history has been rapid and it has developed into an exceptionally good town. Its population in 1895 was only 303. This was increased to 549 in 1900 and to 883 in 1905. The census of 1910 showed a population of 770.

The School

On October 7, 1876, school district No. 15 - now the Cottonwood districtwas organized. Before Cottonwood was founded the school was taught in private homes in the country nearby.11 In the spring of 1889 an effort was made to form a new district for the village and to erect a school house, but it was unsuccessful.

The school of district Xo. 15 was located in the village in January, 1890, and for two months school was held in a building formerly occupied by the store of A. C. Chittenden.12 Then for over a year the village was without a school.13 At a meeting on March 21, 1891, the voters authorized a bond issue of $1500 to erect a school house in the village, but at another meeting in May the amount was reduced to $1000. A building was erected that fall at a cost of $2000 and school was thereafter held regularly therein. The pioneer building was replaced in the fall of 1903 by the present structure.

A reorganization of the Cottonwood schools was made March 2, 1903, when an independent district was formed14 and a high school course added, which is now a full four- year course. The first class was graduated from the high school in 1907.15 More than 200 pupils are now enrolled in the public schools of Cottonwood. P. A. Reinertson is superintendent of the schools.

The Churches

'-'A partial list of those who have taught in the Cottonwood schools is as follows: Thone Thorstenson, Sadie Robinson, James A. Wilson, Mrs. ( . D. Orr, Sarah Foss, Esther Davis, Mary Davis, S. L. Wait, Anna Dahl, Inga Dahl, Hulda Petterson, Annie Jurisdol, Alice Paulson, Emma Moen, Anna S. Lawrence, Marion W. Gibbs, Anna M. Gould, S O. Eidem and Mabel Donoldson.

13The Cottonwood correspondent to tin- Marshall News-Messenger of July 25, 1S90, said: "It seem- a pity that we do not have school within the village. The citizens are going to get up a petition to have the district divided and if they succeed will erect a school house and have a permanent school the year round."

1 'Those who have served as members of the Board of Education since the organization as an independent district have been J. F. Gibb, A. E. Anderson, John Lines, A. O. Anderson, John O. Loe, C. R. Undem, A. O. Lende, J. T. Garry, N. P. Frederickson, W. A. Goodburn, O. J. Olson, A. B. Anderson, C. R. Wall, E. P. Kelly, L. T. Reishus, L. McKechnie, A. O. Hovdesven and P. H. Bly.

The oldest of these is Silo Norwegian Lutheran Church, whose founding antedates the birth of the village. It was organized in 1880 by Norwegian families living in the vicinity of the future village16 and at once became a strong society. Rev. K. Thorstensen was pastor from 1880 to 1893, Rev. M. Ramstad from 1893 to 1907, and Rev. T. H. Haugen from the last named date to the present time.

The Norwegian Lutherans had no church home until after the founding of Cottonwood. A fine building was put up in 1889 and has ever since been used by the congregation. The value of the church property is $13,000, including $3500 expended for a parsonage in 191 1 . The church lias a large membership.17

The First Presbyterian Church of Cottonwood was organized in 1895 by Rev. R. N. Adams, synodical missionary. J. B. Robertson and J. F. Gibb took a prominent part in organizing and financing the society. The initial membership was small,18 but the church has

16The first members of Silo church were George Anderson, Gabriel Anderson, Nels T. Dahl and family, Hans P. Dahl and family, Peter H. Dahl, Christ H. Dahl, Jacob H. Dahl, Nels N. Rosvold and family, P. H. Rognlie, John H. Anderson, Iver Nelson and family, Nicolas Nelson, Torjus S. Nordgaard and family, Jacob L. Midboe and family, Peter Eliason, E. T. Hamre, Christopher Peterson and family, John Peter Krog and family, Engebret Rasmussen and family and M. T. Ness. The first»fficers of the church were as follows: Rev. K. Thorstensen, chairman: Torjus S. Nordgaard, secretary; Jacob L. Midboe, treasurer; Iver Nelson. Sr., Gjermund Anderson and Nels N. Rosvold, trustees.

17The present officers of Silo church are Rev. T. H. Haugen, chairman; G. O. Aamodt, vice chairman; A. E. Anderson, secretary; Martin M. Egeland, treasurer. The trustees are I. L. Kolhei. chairman; John C. Peterson L. J Eikland, C. N. Larson and Hans Berg. The deacons are Rev. T. H. Haugen, C. R. Undem, X. Aarrestad, Lawrence Olson, G. O. Aamodt, O. S. Barstad, Martin M. Egeland and A. E. Anderson.

lsFirst members of the Presbyterian church were Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Price, J. B. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Gibb, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Kelly, Mrs. James Garry, Mrs, William Gibb, Mr. and Mrs. John Lines, Mrs. 'J. H. Catlin, Mr. and Mrs. John Michie and Mr. and Mrs. W D. Lovelace.

prospered and has a present membership of sixty-seven. For three years services were conducted twice cadi month in the Great Northern depot and in 1898 a church edifice was erected at a cost of SHOO. It was dedicated January 22, 1899, )>y Kev. R. N. Adams. Rev. J. H. Staney lias been pastor of the church since October, 1910. The church session consists of J. B. Robertson, .John Michie and John L. Leas.

The First English Lutheran Church of Cottonwood is only three years old, but the society it succeeded was one of the old religious bodies of the village. When Cottonwood was founded in 18SS a number of the members of the Silo church left the parent society and founded a Synod Norwegian Lutheran church.19 A church home was erected in 1892 at a cost of $3000, the corner stone having been laid in November of that year.

The members of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church and a number of German Lutherans of Cottonwood and vicinity united on June 6, 1909, and formed the English Lutheran church.20 The first pastor was Rev. Aasen and the church is now under the pastorate of Rev. Laux, who is also in charge of the German Lutheran church of Posen. The society has a membership of sev-

19The first members of the Synod church were the following paid their families: Sylfest L. Orwoll, Lasse S. < >r\voll, Jacob L. Midboe, C. H. Dahl, O. S. Reishus, E. T. Harare, John L. Johnson, Lars Midboe and Mrs. Anna Dahl. Those selected as officers at the time of organization were C. H. Dahl, Jacob L. Midboe, Lars J. Midboe, E. T. Harare and O. S. Reishus. Pastors who have occupied the pulpit were Revs. Vallcr, Lea, Berg, Aasen, Aanestead, Rognlie and Reishus.

:"The first members of the English Lutheran church were the following gentlemen and their families: Ole Dahl, P. H. Bly, David Frank, Rudolph Frank, Edward Frank, Herman Botcher, August Prechel, Henry Kheen, Henry Olson, E. S. Reishus, C. Fratzke, Ed Strochine, Gustav Thiel and Sarah Dahl.

"Charter members of Cottonwood Lodge were Thomas McKinley, J. F. Gibb, C. G. Strand, G. A. Arneson, R. C. Laird, J. R. Kjemhus, C. D. Orr, C. R. Wall, Ludwig E. Erickson, Thomas Chepeski, John P. Bene, Joseph Mero and George Russell.

"The first officers of Equity Lodge were S. H. Adams, J. H. Catlin, Thomas McKinley, J. W. Lindblad, James McKay. W. G. Martine, L. McKechnie

The Lodges

The oldest fraternal order in Cottonwood is Cottonwood Lodge No. 213, Ancient Order United Workmen, which was organized April 6, 1896, with thirteen charter members.21 It now has a membership of sixteen.

Equity Lodge No. 221, A. F. & A. M., was instituted September 30, 1896, by Past Grand Master W. F. Dickinson, of bed wood Falls, and for a short time was operated under dispensation.22 The charter was dated January 14, 1897, and the lodge was formally constituted in March. The lodge is still active and has a large membership.23

Constance Chapter No. 183, Order Eastern Star, was instituted March 25, 1905, with ten charter members.21 Regular meetings are held and the lodge has a membership of thirty-seven.

Fortunate Camp No. 7104, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized December 23, 1901.25 The present membership is sixty-eight and meetings are held regularly in Masonic Hall.

23The present officers of the lodge are J. P. Garry, N. P. Frederickson, Joseph B. Mathews, Charles Laingen, William Tolzman, G. A. Boese, James Grieve, George Lowe, Robert Cummings and John Michie.

24The charter members of Constance Chapter were Amelia Michie, Leuchlau McKechnie, Ellen Grieve, John Michie, Albertine Boese, Sadie Munroe, C. R. Laingen and J. George Koelz.

25The Wroodmen camp had the following charter members: D. J. Atrops, Gust Boeberg, Ole Britton , W. M. Davis, W. G. Gibb, William Harare, E. P. Kelly, A. H. Lowe, O. W. Petterson, John Ophus, A. S. Severson, F. B. Thomas, J. A. Anderberg, A. L. Bolstad, Robert Cummings and H. H. Galbraith.

The Fire Department

As a result of the fire of April 22, 1893., the Cottonwood Fire Department was organized. Immediately after the conflagration the Village Council ordered a chemical engine, hook and ladder truck, hose cart, hose and other apparatus. By this one move Cottonwood advanced from no fire protection at all to one of the best protected villages in the vicinity.

The department was organized in August, 1893, with the following first officers: Herman Dahl, chief; W. J. Mackay, captain of chemical company; Will Garry, assistant; C. R. Undem, captain hook and ladder company; R. C. Laird, assistant; L. McKechnie, secretary; S. H. Adams, treasurer. The department now has a membership of twenty. G. A. Boese is chief and his assistant is 1'. T. Dahl.

Two banking houses are conducted in Cottonwood, the First National and the Cottonwood State. Both are old established institutions and are conducted on sound principles.

The First National is the successor of the Bank of Cottonwood and the Security Bank. The former, a private enterprise, was founded in August, 1892, by J. H. Catlin, who was president, and his son, Charles Catlin. who was cashier. John Michie was the first depositor. The first home of the bank was the building now occupied by the barber shop. In 1901 the institution was renamed Security Bank and organized under the state banking laws with a capital stock of $15,000. The officers under the reorganization were J. H. Catlin, president; J. F. Gibb, vice president; Charles Catlin, cashier; L. T. Reishus, assistant cashier.

Early in 1903 the Security Bank became the First National Bank and began operations with a capital stock of $25,000. Two years later it was housed in the present bank building. The present officers are as follows: J. H. Catlin, president; J. F. Gibb, vice president; Charles Catlin, cashier; L. T. Reishus and W. R. Frank, assistant cashiers. The directors are J. H. Catlin. Charles Catlin, J. F. Gibb, L. T. Reishus, R. Frank, D. Frank and J. B. Robertson.

"Under the management of Mr. Catlin the bank has grown from small beginnings to an institution of prominence in the financial affairs of Lyon county. Its deposits are over a quarter million dollars. -Mr. Catlin is also president of and principal owner of the Wood Lake State Hank.

The Cottonwood State Bank began business September 15, 1897, with a capital stock of $15,000. in the building erected for the purpose and which has ever since been the bank's home. The officers and principal stockholders at the time of organization were C. S. Orwoll, president; E. S. Reishus, vice president; A. O. Hovdesven, cashier; I. L. Kolhei, Gabriel Anderson, George Anderson and Martin Norseth.

The state bank has grown until it takes high rank among the institutions of the county. The deposits on January 4, 1911, were $158,000. The present officers and directors are C. S. Orwoll, president; I. L. Kolhei, vice president; A. O. Hovdesven, cashier; Alex Kolhei, assistant cashier; Gabriel Anderson and E. S. Reishus.

Fire Insurance Company

County, Minnesota, the headquarters of which are at Cottonwood. This company is one of the pioneer institutions of the county and has grown to large proportions.

In 1S77 E. K. Kjorness, O. L. Orsen and a few other farmers of Eidsvold township organized the company and carried on the business with indifferent success for a time. Others became interested in the venture and on February 22, 1879, a reorganization was effected. This occurred at the home of G. Peterson, on the northwest quarter of section 14. Westerheim township. E. K. Kjorness became president, 0. L. Orsen secretary, and I. L. Kolhei treasurer,27 and the first insurance was written in 1880.

Fifty-seven policies were written in 1880 for a total of $57,426 insurance. The receipts for the year were $192.65, fire losses were $23.00. and other expenses were $91.76. This made the total expenditures for the year $114.76 and left a profit of $77.89 for the year's business. Compared with a present day

-7.Mr. Kjorness was president until his death in 1893; since that date O. C. Wilson, of Granite Falls, has been at the head of the company. Mr. Orsen was statement, that was a small business. In 11)11 policies in force were 24 10 and the amount of insurance in force $5,477,- 920. That year the cash receipts were $10,825.15 and disbursements $9,030.75. The cash on hand at the close of the year was $)>:>, S74 and premium notes outstanding were $5, 3SS. .")."), making the total assets $39,262.55.

Insurance is in force in fifty townships in the counties of Lyon, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine. Redwood and Lac qui Parle. The cost of insurance has been reduced from twenty-five cents per $100 when the company was organized to fifteen cents per $100 at the present time. The officers and directors of the company are as follows: O. C. Wilson, Granite Falls, president; C. G. Nelson, Canby, vice president; A. E. Anderson, Cottonwood, secretary; I. L. Kolhei, Cottonwood, treasurer; O. L. Orsen, Minneota; H. G. Odden, Echo; H. P. Rodness, Clarkfield; Chr. Wollum, Porter; Chr. Ramlo, Hendricks.