McLeod County, Minnesota - Early Days Near Lake Addie, 1917

Not long after the first pioneers of McLeod county had founded the settlements at Glencoe and Hutchinson, another important center of growth developed on the eastern shore of Lake Addie, in the southeastern part of the county, where now stands the thriving village of Brownton. The story of this third settlement was well told by Capt. A. L. Brown, after whom the village mentioned was named, his account, entitled: "Amid Mellow Memories," being given publicity in a pamphlet entitled "Brownton Illustrated," which was published in 1893 by R. H. Lunenburg, who had just started the Brownton "Bulletin."

From this account the editors of this work have drawn somewhat extensively, as there is no better source of information for the early history of this part of McLeod county. Such phrases in the following narrative as "the farm now owned by John Smith" used by Capt. Brown for the purpose of identifying localities, must be taken with reference to the date 1893, when he wrote or published his history, as no attempt has been made to trace subsequent changes in the ownership of the farms or village property. All such allusions will be readily understood by the older inhabitants of the Lake Addie district. From the transcript is omitted Capt. Brown's account of the organization of the county, as the subject is more fully treated in another part of this work by a different writer; also his account of the Indian outbreak, which as it applies to Lake Addie, will be found treated in connection with the general subject in a separate chapter.

In the spring of 1856 Robert E. Grimshaw, William J. White, David Craig and John Pollock left Philadelphia with their families for Pittsburg, where they embarked on a steamboat and proceeded by that conveyance to St. Paul. Their migration to Minnesota was induced by a glowing description of the country around Minneapolis, which they had received from Charles Aaron Hoag, who was formerly a school teacher at Bussleton, a suburb of Philadelphia, but who, some years before, had settled on a claim near the former place. They were accompanied by George G. White, a brother of William J., and by D, R. Bartlett. Before leaving Pittsburg their number was increased by James Jenks and his family. On arriving at Minneapolis they received favorable reports of this country, and proceeded to Glencoe, accompanied by Joseph Lewis. Mr. Jenks made a pre-emption claim a mile or two south of New Auburn and the others made claims on the east side of Lake Addie. They divided up the timber land among the several claims so that each family had a timber lot. Grimshaw was, by common consent, allowed to take the first choice and he selected the 160 acres now called the Schilling farm. William White took the land now known as the Sturdivant farm. David Craig took the claim on the north side of White's, and John Pollock the land adjoining White's on the south, on a part of which the village of Brownton now stands. Lewis took the claim south of Pollock's, now a part of the Suchomel farm. He was the first one to become disgusted with the country and in about a year he returned to St. Paul, where during many subsequent years he was financial agent, or secretary, for Governor Ramsey. Soon after the arrival of the party, David H. Pollock, an unmarried brother of John's, came to the new settlement, but after a stay of about two years, departed for a more genial clime.

The locality soon became known as Grimshaw's Settlement, and was so designated on all territorial maps of Minnesota. The settlers employed John Renchard, of New Auburn, who had a compass and chain, to survey out their claims, and Grimshaw had William and Robert Blaisdell, who had four or five yoke of oxen, break land for him on the north side of Buffalo creek, for which he paid them seven dollars per acre. He hired William White to erect for him a hewn log house and a mortised post and fence rail around his farm. These jobs furnished employment for William and George White and David R, Bartlett. White also built for himself a hewn log house, which still remains standing. Craig and Pollock each

William Armes, the father-in-law of William S. Chapman, came to Glencoe in 1855 and remained there until the spring of 1856, when he returned to his home in Auglaise county, Ohio, and, after disposing of his property there, moved to Minnesota with ox-teams. After a journey occupying three months, they arrived in the fall of that year and settled on their claims, consisting of the timber land on the east side of Armes lake. Soon after their arrival a man named King, and his nephew, Edward Hartley, pre-empted the land on which stood a grove of trees on King's lake. In 1856 the land in this locality was surveyed by the United States government, and Lake Addie was so named by Mr, Grimshaw, in honor of Addie Hoag, daughter of C. A. Hoag of Minneapolis, who was here on a visit during the winter of 1856-57. She afterwards became the wife of C. H. Clark, who was for many years secretary of the State Agricultural Society. Armes Lake took its name from the Armes family, as did also King's Lake from the first settler on its shores. Lake Mary was so named by the artist Whitefield, a widower who took a claim on the north shore, in memory of his deceased wife. He made a painting of it, lithographs of which were on sale in the book stores of St. Paul. He also made a water-color sketch of Grimshaw's log house, which adorned its walls until the family moved away. Pre-emption claims were made in this year covering the body of timber on the east side of Lake Marion and the groves at Lake Preston where the Alway families settled.

The winter of 1856-57 was a terribly severe one. The snow was very deep, the cold intense, and it was almost impossible for teams to go from the new settlement into Glencoe. Mrs, Armes told the author of this narrative that she did not see 4 woman for three months, and the sun was obscured for more than forty days.

In the spring of 1857 Samuel B. Brown, accompanied by his son, Charles H. and son-in-law, L. Ocobock, arrived from Free- Port, Ill., and settled on a part of section 8, township 114, range 29 (now Penn township) adjoining William Armes on the north, and after letting a contract to Armes to build a hewn log house on the land, returned to Freeport. On June 29, 1857 J. B. and W. P. Newcomb, Alonzo H. Jennison, R. L. Moore and Frank Drake arrived from Wisconsin and settled in township 115, range 29 (Sumter township.) Nearly all the land between these settlements, and in the vicinity of Hutchin- son, Glencoe, New Auburn and Henderson was taken during 1856 and 1857. Small board claim shanties dotted the country in all directions. The financial crash of 1857 put a stop for awhile to further immigration, During this summer Mrs. R. E. Grimshaw died. She was a very estimable lady and was greatly beloved by all who knew her.

A. L. Brown arrived at New Auburn October 27, 1857, and on the 28th settled in Penn, where, with his brother, Charles, he kept "bachelor's hall," during that fall, and the succeeding winter in a small board shanty on the open prairie on his father's claim.

The following record of elections held in Penn precinct was copied from the original town book given for the purpose by R. E. Grimshaw, which had been brought by him from Philadelphia, and was loaned to Capt. A. L. Brown by Fred Hantge, then clerk of Penn township. The names recorded therein do not show all the settlers who were here at the time, because a few almost always remained at home, as at the present day, and did not vote; but as the lists contain nearly all of them, they are valuable in determining approximately the date when some of the early settlers arrived.

"At the first annual town meeting of the town of Penn held at the house of R. E. Grimshaw on May 11, 1858. Organized by calling James B. James to the chair, and Alonzo H, Jennison, clerk. Voted that Samuel B. James act as moderator of said meeting. The following is a list of names of voters who voted at the first annual town meeting of the town of Penn, county of McLeod and state of Minnesota, and whose several ballots were deposited in a box prepared for that purpose: R. E. Grimshaw, A. Langley, James S. Chandler, J. Nobles, R. J. Marvin, William J. White, David R. Bartlett, David Craig, George G. White, William R. Marvin, James B. Newcomb, Samuel B. James, Alonzo H. Jennison, John Pollock, David H. Pollock and George Benson. Voted that we raise for town purposes for the ensuing year seventy-five dollars; also that the assessor be allowed to procure from the land office at Henderson a plat of the four towns comprising the town of Penn." These were the towns now known as Penn, Sumter, Collins and Round Grove. "Voted that the next annual meeting be held at the house of R. E. Grimshaw, also that a book be accepted from Mr. Grimshaw to be used as a town book. The following is the result of the first town meeting and the number of votes cast for each candidate for the several town offices: Supervisors, R. J. Marvin, 16; William J. White, 16:

Lorenzo D. Langley, 16; town clerk, Alonzo H, Jennison, 12; Frank R. Drake, 4; assessor, John Pollock, 16; collector, J. S. Chandler, 16; overseer of the poor, John Walker, 15; justice of the peace, S. B, James, 16; Amaziah Langley, 16; constable, Jeremiah Nobles, 16; David R. Bartlett, 16.

These were all the voters in Penn at this time except the Armeses and Browns. On the opening of navigation in the spring of 1858, S. B. Brown moved his family from Freeport, UL, to his claim in Penn, arriving April 20th.

The general election was held at the house of R. E, Grimshaw, October 12, 1858. Nineteen votes were cast by the following persons: George Benson, David Craig, A. H. Jennison, John Pollock, Lockhart Ocobock, F. R. Drake, J. S. Chandler, W. P. Newcomb, L. D,. Langley, R. L. Moore, §, B. Brown, J. B, Newcomb, A. L, Brown, G. G. White, W. J. White, W. R. Marvin, George Chandler, D. Bartlett, A. Langley.

A celebration was held at Getchell's, July 4, 1858, to which people came from Glencoe, New Auburn and the surrounding country. A large arbor had been built and the exercises were # success, and were much enjoyed by all present. No fences had been built, as yet, to prevent driving in any direction. The Joad of young people which "Old Dave Bartlett?' brought over from Lake Addie went in a direct line, passing by Johnny Walker's house. After the exercises were over they drove up Crow river to Jimmie Nuttle's farm house. D. R. Bartlett and George White worked the Grimshaw farm on shares in 1858, and in the fall Bartlett sold his share of the crop to 8. B. Brown and returned to Philadelphia ta reside, In December of this year William Williams had a memorable dance at his hotel in New Auburn. The building was small and the company quite large, John Smith, F. B. Dean, A. H. Rouse and several others were present from Glencoe, and George and W. J. White and A. L. Brown from Lake Addie. This was the first "grand jamboree dance" held in New Auburn.

In the fall of 1858, a detachment of U. S. soldiers under command of Capt. Frederick Steele (afterwards Major-General,) accompanied by 26 mule teams, in traveling from Fort Ridgeley to Fort Ripley, followed Savage's mail route and crossed Buffalo creek at the ford on J. W. White's land. As the stream was flowing over its banks, the wagon-boxes were tied fast and the mules swam over. At the outlet to Round Grove lake there was a swampy and almost impassable place.

The government hired Samuel B. Brown to bridge it to enable the teams to cross. This was undoubtedly the first framed bridge built in Penn precinct.

In 1859 the annual town meeting convened April 5 at the usual place and adjourned to the house of John Pollock. Eighteen votes were polled, the officers elected being: Supervisors, J. Nobles, chairman, William J. White, L. D. Langley; clerk, F. R,. Drake; assessor, G. Benson; collector, J. B. Newcomb; overseer of the poor, R. L. Moore; constable, Josiah Armes; justice of the peace, David Craig. P. W. Savage of Glencoe was the U. 8. mail contractor on all the routes that passed into or through that town. A weekly line extending from there to Fort Ridgeley, crossed Buffalo creek at the ford on R. C. Dwinnell's farm; then passed by S. B. Brown's house; then north of Ash Grove, Savage drove stakes eight or ten feet high on the whole line and near enough together to see from stake to stake, so that in stormy weather he would have less difficulty in following the proper route.

In the spring of 1859 Mr. Grimshaw moved his family to Minneapolis. During that summer John Pollock sold the improvements on his claim to 8. B. Brown and after selling his personal property, removed with his family to Philadelphia. Late in the fall of the year David Craig sold the improvements on his claim to Ethan Crandall for $100 and after selling his personal property at auction, moved to Kansas City to reside. This was the first auction sale in Penn. Crandall subsequent~ ly sold the improvements on the place to Lauren Loomis. In the fall of this year the Pollock house was destroyed by fire. It was vacant at the time, the owner, A. L. Brown, who had bought the improvements from his father, being at work in the harvest fields at Eden Prairie. During the winter of 1859- 60, a man named Halleck (a brother of General Halleck,) and his wife, lived in the Grimshaw house.

March 20, 1860, J. B. Neweomb took the claim he now resides on. Others had passed it by, supposing it had already been taken. At the annual town election held at the house of J. Nobles, April 3, 14 votes were polled, the following being officers elected: Supervisors, A. H. Jennison, L. D. Langley, D. Nobles; clerk, L. B. Gard; assessor, J. B. Newcomb; treasurer and collector, J. Nobles. On June 27 Samuel White and family arrived from near Rock Island, Ill., and occupied the Grimshaw house. They took a claim on the west side of Lake Addie, now known as the Bunch farm, and during the summer they improved their land and erected a story and a half- story dwelling house, 18 by 24 feet in size, which is still standing. July 8, Frederick Klopfleisch settled in Penn precinct, and in the fall George Norton came from LeSueur and secured a claim and grove and built a small log house. His parents, who visited him occasionally, planted some burdocks and dandelions in his garden, so they would be handy for "greens," and from this beginning they subsequently spread quite extensively. When Samuel White's family moved out of the Grimshaw house, Andrew Thompson, father of Mrs, Lauren Loomis, moved from Henderson with his family and occupied it. He took the claim adjoining Grimshaw's land on the north. The only school held in the Grimshaw neighborhood previous to 1867 was held in John Pollock's house, and Mrs. Louett Pollock, his wife, taught it.

The general election in Penn was held at J. Nobles' November 6, 1860, and 36 votes were polled by George Benson, Samuel Harris, Lauren Loomis, J. F. Withee, E. Chevalier, F. Klopfleisch, John Walker, S. B. Brown, G. Chandler, M. Moyer, L. Ocobock, S. W. White, R. L. Moore, William J. White, O. Graham, A. R. Newcomb, A. L. Brown, A. Langley, J. Nobles, L. B. Gard, A. H. Jennison, D. Nobles, L, D. Langley, F. Schuft, C, Rickert, William Pulzine, F. Palmon, F. Borchert, F. Wilhelm, H. P. Giltner, H. C. Giltner, M, Bradford, John Smith, Ben Pottle, Samuel White, and J. N. Bradford. On November 19th, this year, James Armes (son of William) died.

The Indians in passing from their reservation to the Big Woods would frequently leave their families in the groves at Lake Addie or Lake Marion until their return from the hunt laden with game, at which time they would have a great feast and pow-wow. Late in the winter of 1861 4 drove of elk came into the vicinity of Lake Whitney (in Collins) and the friendly Indian, Bad Hail, killed three of them. This Indian was civilized, had his hair cut short, wore white men's clothing, and farmed on the reservation. During the Indian war he was a Steadfast friend of the whites.

At the annual town meeting in Penn, held April 2, 1861, at J. Nobles' house, 20 votes were polled, William J. White, Orlando Graham and John Bradford being elected supervisors, L. B. Gard, clerk; J. B. Newcomb, assessor, and L. D. Langley, treasurer. The only family living in Collins at this time was, it is believed, that of Benjamin Doyle, their residence being on what was known as the Dr. Kennedy land, now (1893) owned by Thomas McAdam. Eagles, black bear, deer and other game were then quite plentiful, Previous to 1865 no families lived in the town now known a Round Grove. Peter W. Savage of Glencoe, the stage line proprietor, bought the improvements on the claims of William Armes and his son Josiah, and they moved out of Penn and onto the farm owned by George Abbot in Rich Valley. The great topic of conversation among the people in the spring of 1861 was, of course, the attack on Fort Sumter and the inauguration of the Civil war,

April] 1, 1862 the annual town meeting was held at the schoo] house and adjourned to the house of Daniel Nobles. Seventeen votes were polled. It was voted that the next annual town meeting should be held at the house of P. W. Savage in the town of Penn. This house was on the farm subsequently operated by R. C. Dwinnell in sections 2 and 3. It was a frame building, built in Glencoe and afterwards moved on runners, on the snow, to Savage's land, and Mr. Chevalier lived in it and farmed for Savage. Savage soon afterwards sold the Armes claims to Oscar, Grant and Edward Lewis, three brothers, and Oscar Lewis and his wife moved into the log house on the land and lived in it until the Indian outbreak. In 1865 they sold out to Dr. E. C. Baker. In the spring of 1862 Fred Ellsworth. settled in section 24, in what is now the town of Collins.

During the troublesome period of the Indian massacre no elections were held in Penn, the next town meeting recorded being held at the house of P. W. Savage, April 5, 1864, at which L. B. Gard acted as clerk, Charles Wendland as moderator, and D. Nobles, William Gaulky and Fred Burchart, judges of election. Only 12 votes were cast. During this year Clifford Carpenter, Warren Hewitt and Eli D. Hewitt settled in what is now the town of Collins. Volney Gay was living there at that time, and these four families were the only ones in that township. William B. Nott also came and settled during the fall. Later Gay sold out to R. V. Alexander.

In the fall of 1865 George and A. J. Hall purchased the land on which stood the timber called Round Grove, of P. W. Savage, and settled on it. At the general election in November, 1864, 33 votes were polled by Volney Gay, B, F. Stocking, James Holiston, F. Galuky, F, Burchart, William Wendland, A. Burechart, C. Burchart, F. Schuft, W. Sumner, William Goodrich, E. D. Hewitt, W. Ogilvie, C. Neurenburg, M. Helmer, D. Nobles, Michael Moyer, William Johnson, F. Klopfleisch, Lewis Stisch, Sebastian Rohnbeck, Bowman Dwinnell, R. C. Dwinnell, H. C. Glitner, F. George Friend, Al R. Newcomb, H. P. Giltner, L, B. Gard and 0. C. Hart. In the summer James Hiliston and family moved into the William J. White house, where they lived until the spring of 1866, when they moved across the lake into the Samuel White house.

January 1, 1865, the town board met to consider a petition calling for a special meeting. This petition was for the purpose of voting for or against the levying of a tax of $1,500 for the purpose of hiring volunteers to clear the town from the call of the President made December 19, 1864. The object of this action was doubtless to prevent a draft in this town to fill the quota of troops. No further action was taken in the matter and all who signed this petition, except two or three, soon after enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. Six men were drafted from Penn. Two of these, James Holiston and B. F, Stocking reported at Ft. Snelling for duty, but were not accepted because of physical unsoundness. The other men wanted had already enlisted. They had decided that they would be drafted unless they enlisted, so they did so and took their bounty money.

At the annual town meeting, April 4, 1865, held at the house of R. C. Dwinnell, only seven votes were polled, by William P. Healey, A. H. Townsend, H. C. Glitner. L, F. Canfield, F. H. Tucker, John Walker and R. C. Dwinnell. There is no record of any general election having been held during the fall of 1865. There were probably not men enough left in the four townships to hold one.

April 3, 1866, eighteen votes were polled at the annual town meeting. Isaac Hall, William P. Healey and Charles Wendland were elected Supervisors, and William Chaplin, clerk. On July 4, the board purchased from Charles Pigler, at New Auburn, 13,640 feet of oak bridge plank, 1000 feet to be delivered on or before December 1, 1866, and 12,640 feet on or before July 1, 1867. The saw-mill of Mr. Pigler had just been destroyed by fire, and there was a two-fold object in this purchase, one being to help Pigler rebuild his mill, and the other to get the plank for the roads and bridges in town, During this year the township of Collins withdrew from Penn precinet and was given a separate organization. May 1, Decatur and Charles F. Sturdivant purchased from W. J. White the land Since known as the Sturdivant farm. They had just come here from Illinois with Herman Hoffman and family.

A. L, Brown, having been mustered out of the army on March 20, 1866, arrived with his wife in Penn, May 6 and occupied his farm, He and his brother, Charles H. Brown, had enlisted from Penn in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer

Infantry on Sept. 26, 1861. Charles died in the army near Corinth, on May 26, 1862. During the year 1866 claims were taken in Penn by Isaac Hall, Thomas C. Arnold, Elias Wilson and Saxon G. Ames, and they settled here with their families. George Thom and wife, son-in-law to Isaac Hall, also took government land. At a special meeting of the board, October 6, 1866, W. Chaplin resigned as town clerk and A. C. Baker wag appointed to fill the vacant office. Mr. Baker resigned March 26, 1867, and was succeeded by George Thom.

At the town meeting held April 2, 1867, seventy-two votes were polled. In the records notice of public improvements began to appear. On July 27, A. L. Brown, J. Nobles and J. Koons, the board of supervisors, and W. D. Chase, town clerk, let a contract to D. and C. F. Sturdivant to build a bridge and turnpike across Buffalo creek on section 29, for $400, and all to be completed by March 31, 1868. December 7 the board let a contract to E. A. Campbell to build a bridge across Mud creek at the crossing of the old road near the farm of Z. Campbell.

On March 6, 1868, J. Nobles resigned and August Schatz was appointed supervisor in his place. These are the last recorded proceedings previous to the withdrawal of the people in town 115, range 29, and the organization of their territory under the name of Sumter township, which was effected March 10, 1868. Collins and Sumter having now withdrawn, Penn precinct now consisted of the territory comprised in the townships of Penn and Round Grove, the latter township not being separately organized until January, 1870.

The first meeting and town election in Sumter was held at the Weaver school house on March 25, 1868. At the next meeting of the board of supervisors held in Penn precinct, at the house of Joseph Thomas, J. P., March 21, 1868, Albert Charles was appointed supervisor and Benjamin Doyle, clerk, The board then consisted of J. Koons, August Schatz and A, Charles. At the annual town meeting held in Penn at the house of Saxon Ames, April 27, 1868, T. C. Arnold, George Thom and August Schatz were elected supervisors and W. T. Vaughn, town clerk, April 10, W. B. Nott moved his dwelling house on the same runners used by Mr, Holliston.

The first regular annual town meeting held in Sumter after the organization of that township was at the house of Alex. ander Pfoeff (now Summerdorf's,) April 7, 1868. D. Sturdivant, A. S. Nobles and A. Pfoeff were elected supervisors. On April 17 of this year I hauled a load of scantling from New

Auburn to build our schoolhouse in this district. It was a board shanty, 12 by 14 feet in size and was erected by the few people at Lake Addie, each one donating some of the material, a few rods south from where the present Suchomel house now stands. Another board shanty school house had been erected in 1866 or 1867 on section 20. Caroline Greenburg taught school in that and Amelia Ames taught the first one in our shanty. On April 18, 1868, Hattie Baker, daughter of Dr. E, C. Baker, died and Rev, Levi Gleason, the Methodist minister stationed on the circuit, preached the sermon. During this spring, the Urbach family settled on the Rohenbach land, having purchased it the year before. On May 19 the dwelling house of Isaac Hall was destroyed by fire, On the 28th C. F. Sturdivant and Miss Mary Ames were married. We cut logs and hauled them into New Auburn lake, rafting them across the lake on the 30th to the saw-mill of Charles Pigler. This spring B, N. Bunch purchased the land known as the White farm, on the west side of Lake Addie. Sept. 18, B. F. Stocking sold the old Grimshaw farm to W. J. Sherburne for $2000, and in Oct. Mr. Stocking moved to John Ford's, having bought half of his farm. The general election was held at Pfoeff's on November 31 and most of us voted for U. 8. Grant for President.

After harvest in 1869 the weather was quite wet and Mr, Sherburne's wheat got so wet in the stacks that he took them down and dried them out. He then threshed it and spread it in his barn and afterwards had the most of it} ground and fed to hogs. September 17, J. W. Dimmick and his bride arrived at A. L. Brown's on their wedding tour. December 25, Lysander Kisner and wife and John M. Kisner came to C. L, Ilett's. This was their first arrival in Penn.

In 1870 religious meetings were held at A. Pool's house, and on Sunday, April 3, Rev. C. H. Savidge preached there. W. J. Sherburne met with more misfortunes in his farming operations; he delayed killing his hogs in the spring until the weather got too warm and most of the meat spoiled. July 4, Benjamin Doyle's house in Penn burned down. The weather during 1870 and 1871 was very dry and prairie fires did a great deal of damage. The sloughs. were dry and the fires burned deep into them. A number of the settlers lost their hay from this cause. The air was full of smoke and people kept barrels of water on their wagons, with mops and pails, ready to go out and fight the fires. On Sunday, Oct. 8, Dr. Baker's sheep sheds burned, as also did a stack of oats. Oct. 20, C. F. and D, Sturdivant sold personal property at auction in order to go to Texas.

The voters residing in town 114, range 30, withdrew from Penn precinct and their territory became organized as Round Grove township in the fall of 1870 (the town had been designated by the county commissioners as Ash Grove in June, this year, the name being changed to Round Grove in September.) John ett settled in Penn.

Jan, 2, 1871, the people in this end of McLeod county had a dance at Ford's at which 47 couples were present. Thieves were plentiful in this part of the country this winter. March 20 teams started for Henderson to haul pine lumber to build the cheese factory near Ogilvie's and on the same day John Ilett and Miss Lucy Goodrich were married, <A. L. Brown's house was destroyed by fire May 8. The neighbors got up a "bee," cut and donated logs and lumber and on June 2 we raised the frame for another house, into which we moved June 13, July 4, Meadow King mowing machines sold for $145 each, and "dollars were as large as meeting-houses," Alfred A. Brown died December 30, 1871, aged 27 years, and wag buried at New Auburn.

In January, 1872, wheat thieves were plentiful on the prairie. February 13, an awful storm from the northwest raged, and the temperature was 20 degrees below zero. It was the worst storm we had experienced up to that time. The Browns carried 20 washtubs full of snow out of their house on the prairie. The Harrison brothers' stable was drifted full of snow, which buried their horses. May 12, Janie Nobles came to teach the schoo]. Those who taught the district school previous to 1872 were: Caroline Greenburg, Lucinda Hall, Emily Patterson, Elthea Ilett, Amelia Bunch, Hattie Benjamin and Mary Bunch. On June 15 the citizens moved the shanty school house on runners to near the large oak tree on the present schoolhouse lot in Brownton. Aug. 2 the railroad was completed to Glencoe and regular trains began to run. Sept. 18, a surveying party encamped on the east side of Lake Addie and began surveying a line for the extension of the railroad west from Glencoe. Oct. 2 the Republican district convention convened at the Grimshaw house and nominated A. L. Brown for representative, The Democrats held their convention later at Hutchinson and nominated A. M. Schnell, who resided there, and who was subsequently elected by a majority of 35. The election was held Nov. 5 at Klopfieish's. The total vote registered was 85, of which 71 votes were cast. Grant and Wilson received 42 and Greely 27. Grant's majority in MeLeod county was 182, During this year the families of A. H. Town- send had the smallpox and several! of their members died, Warren Dean got a new Geiser threshing machine with which he threshed for the people. Several deaths and marriages are recorded for this year. :

Jan. 2, 1878, C. F. Sturdivant returned from Texas. Jan, 7 occurred the great storm which was long remembered in this region and has not yet been forgotten by the older inhabitants, At about four o'clock p. m. the wind, which was gentle and from the northeast, suddenly shifted to the northwest and blew a fierce gale which every minute increased in severity. The day had been a pleasant one and a foggy mist pervaded the atmosphere, which, as the wind and cold increased, froze, and the air became so filled with frozen fog that it was impossible to see an object ten feet away. The storm continued unabated until the night of the 9th, when it moderated, the following day being calm and pleasant. A man froze to death in Transit and another on New Auburn lake. This month there were several cases of small pox in Transit and Mr. Sanders died of verioloid. April 22, district. school began in the chamber of A. L. Brown's house and his wife began to teach it, continuing to do so until March 21, 1877. L. B. Gard's funeral oceurred May 4 and was largely attended. Aug. 22, Geo. I. Parsons, grand master, organized a grange of the Patrons of Husbandry at the Ogilvie school house, and we named it Harvest Grange, It was started with 30 charter members. Oct. 10, the district Republican convention met at the Grimshaw house and nominated William F. Babcock as candidate for representative, he being elected November 4, with Jacob Frankenfield state senator.

May 27, 1874, G. A. Austin began to sell off the cheese factory cows at $25 a head. The 4th of July was celebrated in the woods at Round Grove. On the 7th of this month we saw for the first time some Rocky Mountain grasshoppers, which at this time were destroying the crops in southwestern Minnesota, where they had appeared the season before. On the 14th the flying grasshoppers came among us, and on the 16th and 17th were "awful thick"; on the 18th they were laying their eggs and on the 26th they all flew away. Aug. 28 Harvest Grange had a banquet and dance at the cheese factory. Sept. 30, the district Republican convention met at Hutchinson and nominated S. G. Anderson for representative. Oct. 4, William D. Chase, secretary of Harvest Grange, was killed by lightning. As the Ogilvie school house was too small to accommodate the large number of people who came to the funeral, the services were held at the Methodist church in New Auburn, Rev. Bernard presiding. The Hutchinson family were present and conducted the singing. On the 22nd the district Democratic convention met at the cheese factory and nominated A. M. Schnell for representative. The general election was held November 3 at Klopfleisch's; 80 votes were registered and 63 polled. Schnell was elected. On the 19, B. F. Lee removed from the Glitner farm to their land in Collins.

May 16, 1875, young grasshoppers were hatching out in great numbers and on the 28th they had begun to eat the growing crop. By July 3 many of them had their wings and were on the move. Monday, July 5, we had a celebration at the Grimshaw place, which was concluded at night by a dance at Ford's. Everybody had a glorious time, and all pronounced it a great success, because when completed we were all near to our homes and had spent no money, The Fadden bridge was built across Mud creek this spring, On the 7th, 8th and 9th the air was full of flying grasshoppers and on the 10th they all suddenly left, flying southwest. Noy. 2, J. S. Pillsbury was elected governor and A. J. Jones representative from this district. The total vote cast in Sumter was 55. Nov. 5, Alonzo H. Jennison, who had lived in Kansas for a number of years, returned to Sumter to reside.

In the spring of 1876 the last sleigh rides were enjoyed March 25. A school meeting was held May 6, at which A. L, Brown was instructed to purchase an acre of ground on the Grimshaw farm, for the school district, it being the site on which the shanty school house then stood. It was also decided to build a new school house and the clerk was instructed to draw a plan for the building and to get estimates on the cost of its construction. The plans and estimates were approved on the 13th and on June 17 the contract was made for the construction of the building without seats for $724. An acre of land was purchased for $25. The 4th of July was celebrated on the Grimshaw farm and was a great success. July 15 the bonds of the school district were issued for $950, the money to be expended in building and furnishing the new school house. Grasshoppers were in the towns of Grafton and Bismark and on the 19th flew into the Lake Addie neighborhood. Rev. 8. Wakefield, Universalist minister, preached at Ira Hewitt's in the grove, on the 19th, about 400 people from Glencoe, Hutchinson, New Auburn and the surrounding country being present. Many people brought their dinners and had a basket picnic. Sept, 15, Maj. A. B. Rogers and a surveying party camped on the Grimshaw place and on the 17th surveyed a new line for the railroad, crossing Lake Addie, The line was not afterwards altered and the road was built onit. Nov. 4 the seats were fastened in the new school house, There was more preaching by Mr. Wakefield during this summer and in the fall Col. R. 8. Donaldson and family became residents of Round Grove.

In May, 1877, the grasshoppers were very numerous and the people were using coal tar on sheet iron, which they dragged over the ground, to catch them. On the 12th of June a special State election was held to determine the question of setting aside the half million acres of internal improvement lands to pay on the old state railroad bonds, and to issue new bonds to run 30 years at six per cent., at the rate of 50 cents on the dollar. In Sumter 52 votes were cast, 46 for and 6 against. By the 20th of June fully one-half the crop from Lake Addie to Glencoe had been destroyed by the grasshoppers, many of which had their wings. But in spite of this the people of the neighborhood held another Fourth of July picnic at the Grimshaw place. By this time the "hoppers" were on the wing and had nearly all left. On Oct. 8, Orlando Graham, having sold his farm at Lake Marion, started for Washington Territory. The Republican district convention was held on the 12th at Andrew Hall's house in Round Grove, and nominated §. G. Anderson. At this time a corps of railroad surveyors had just got to Glencoe to begin work on the extension of the railroad west of that village. By the 17th the surveyors had got to Lake Addie. They ran over the line surveyed the fall before and fixed up the same stakes, On the 24th Henry Balch, the sub-contractor on the line just east of Lake Addie, came with his teamsters to begin grading. The general election was held at the house of F. Klopfleisch, Candidates: W. T. Bonniwell (Dem.), L, Hall (Rep.), for senator; F. Muchow (Dem.), 8, G. Anderson (Rep.), for representative. On the 26th school began, with DeWitt Simmons for teacher, The 27th Mr. Balch and his crew of men quit grading and started for home. On the 28th Beers Johngon and a crew of men with a piledriver were at work on the bridge east of Browning's farm, driving piles. Dec. 10th the pile driver was moved to the crossing of the road at Buffalo creek and Elias Wilson was hauling piles, 32 feet long, for the piling across the lake. On the 15th F. W. Kimball surveyed out the depot grounds at Brownton; the 17th they finished driving piles for the creek bridge and on the 19th they moved the driver to the small bridge on the school section one mile west of the lake. The weather was remarkably mild. It rained on December 17th and on the 21st we had spring weather, It did not freeze at night. The snow had nearly disappeared and water was running in all directions. On the 23rd the snow had all gone and the frost was coming out of the ground, On the 24th people were plowing, and there was a steamboat excursion at St. Paul the 26th. The 29th there was no frost in the ground but on the 30th it froze hard enough to prevent plowing.

In January, 1878, bridge timber and piles were hauled from Glencoe to Lake Addie. May 6 Lawrence Gillick, Sr., moved his family from Glencoe onto the Caffrey land at the head of Lake Addie, which he had purchased the fall before. May 3, Lawrence Gillick, Sr., Geo. Colby and A, J. Hall, the commissioners appointed by Judge J. L. McDonald, of the District Court, to appraise the right of way damages along the line of the railroad for the first 30 miles west of Glencoe, completed their labors, May 10 John Hansen moved his family up from Henderson. This was the first family to settle on the new townsite. They settled on what is now known as the Schilling addition to Brownton. The cheese factory commenced operations the 20th of this month with John Hauser as cheesemaker. The spring term of school began with Miss Jane Grow as teacher,

Thus ended the pioneer life about Lake Addie. The railroad was a reality, the days of early settlement were over, A continuation of this narrative will be found under the head of Brownton Village, in another place in this volume.