McLeod County, Minnesota - Chapter 15: Creation, Organization and Government, 1917 (part 2 of 2)

On the petition of the citizens of Brownton, dated January 11, 1886, asking for the incorporation of the village, the 12th day of February, 1886, was set for a vote to be taken for or against by the voters "actually residing on the lands described." John Beytien, S, Pallord and J. C, Root, "residents of the proposed village of Brownton," were appointed inspectors of election for this occasion. The dispute between the county auditor and the board was settled by the former refunding on demand the sum of $150.00 alleged to have been improperly retained by him. The tax estimate for 1886 was: county revenue, $8,000.00; county road purposes, $5,000.00; county poor, $4,000.00.

January, 1887. Commissioners: Ferdinand Rhoda, lst dist.; Louis Ahlbrecht, 2d dist.; C. L. Ilett, 3d dist.; Joseph Kadlec, 4th dist,; Oliver Pierce, 5th dist. County officers elect: L. W. Lester, auditor; W. C. Russell, treasurer; 8. P. Brown, register of deeds; F, X. Kohler, sheriff; John Luiten, clerk of court; G. M. Nelson, county attorney; A. P. Fitch, judge of probate; John Dean, county surveyor; G. K. Gilbert, court commissioner; D, W. Bolles, coroner. On motion of C, L. Ulett it was agreed that the records of the judge of probate be removed to the office of A. P. Fitch and kept by him until further provision by the county commissioners. The county attorney's salary was fixed at $900.00 for the year 1887; raised to $1,000.00 on motion of C. L. Lett. Commissioners [lett, Kadlee and Ahlbrecht were appointed a committee to ascertain the cost of building a 20-foot addition to the court house. County physicians were appointed for the several districts.

July 26, It was "resolved that Felton Vollmer, Ira K. Lewis and John Mulvanny, residents of the proposed village of Winsted, be and they are hereby appointed inspectors to preside at and act as such inspectors on the 27th day of August, 1887, at the town hall in the village of Winsted, where and when the electors of the territory proposed to be incorporated as such village of Winsted will vote for or against such incorporation." Resolution adopted. In August it was resolved (1) "to construct two jury rooms in the north end of the second story of the court house * * * (2) that the stairway now in the northwest corner of the court house be removed and a vault be built in place thereof;' also to make any other necessary repairs. ©. L. Ilett was appointed as committee on above. September 15. The village of Glencoe, through its council, was notified to remove all of its property from the upper room or hall in the court house, as the said room "is now and will be at all times hereafter wanted for county purposes,"

March 15, 1887. The village of Glencoe presented to the commissioners a claim on the county of $2,507.65 for site of court house and cash advanced towards erection of same, which claim was rejected November 10, 1887,

January, 1888. There was no change in commissioners. We now find the liquor license fixed at $500.00. The Glencoe Wnterprise gave bond for publishing the delinquent tax list, it being now the official paper. April 3. The commissioners established a ditch fund "to be used for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred, or to be incurred, in the location and construction of public drains or ditches." April 5. The following resolution was adopted and carried and ordered filed: "Resolved; that James Bordwell, Mat Schmitz and Frank Sugden, residents of the proposed village of Stewart, be and they are hereby appointed inspectors to preside and act as such inspectors on the 15th day of May, 1888, at the post office in gaid village of Stewart when and where the electors of the territory proposed to be incorporated as such village of Stewart will vote for or against such incorporation."

July 24. A petition to incorporate Lester Prairie was presented to the board of county commissioners who appointed H. J. Heneman, G. F. Milbrath and Henry Hagarman, residents of the proposed village as inspectors to preside ''on the 5th day of September, 1888, at the store room of H. J. Heneman in said proposed village of Lester Prairie, where and when the electors of the territory proposed to be incorporated * * = * will vote for or against such incorporation."

January, 1889. A petition to incorporate the village of Plato was presented to the board and after being read, was, on motion of C. Ahlbrecht accepted. H. Schulte, D. Bergman and J. P. Torrey, residents of the proposed village, were appointed inspectors "to preside at and act as such inspectors on the 5th of February, 1889, at H. Schulte's hall in the village of Plato, where and when the electors of the territory * * * * will vote for or against such incorporation." The salary of eounty treasurer was fixed at $1,500.00 per annum; that of

November 15, 1889, The petition to incorporate the village of Silver Lake was presented to the board; after being read, was on motion of Louis Ahlbrecht, accepted. John J. Danek, John J, Jarabek and J. H. Phillips, "residents of the proposed village of Silver Lake," were appointed to act as inspectors on December 12, 1889, at the post office in the proposed village of Silver Lake, when the electors of said territory "will vote for or against such incorporation."

January, 1890. The commissioners for this year were: Ferd Rhoda, Ist dist.; Louis Ahlbrecht, 2d dist.; C. L. Tlett, 3d dist.; Joseph Kadlee, 4th dist.; Fred Schultz, 5th dist. J. H. Dorsey was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary, succeeding A. H. Reed. The official printing was divided between the Glencoe Register, the Glencoe Enterprise and the Hutchinson Leader, the Register being appointed to print the delinquent tax list, the Enterprise to print the financial statement and the Leader to print the county commissioners' proceedings. June 14th we find the item: "The board after a thorough examination of the work done in the jail of McLeod county by the Sumner Mfg. Co., said work was accepted and an order ordered drawn on the county revenue for the sum of $1,650.00 to pay said work,"

January, 1891. Commissioners: Ferdinand Rhoda, Rupert Link (2d dist.), C. L. ett, John Phillepi, Jr. (4th dist.) and Fred Schultz. Bonds were presented and accepted from W. C. Russell, county treasurer; M. C. Tifft, judge of probate; F. X. Kohler, sheriff; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; L. W. Lester, county auditor; J. V. V. Lewis, county attorney; L. W. Gilbert, court commissioner; John Luiten, clerk of court; L. G. Simons, county surveyor, and D. W. Bolls, county coroner, July 15. On motion of C. L. Ilett it was "Resolved, that the board of county commissioners of McLeod county hereby appropriate the sum of $300.00 out of the county road fund to the village of Glencoe, to aid in building a bridge across Buffalo ereek," location described.

January, 1893. Peter Olson, first district, and John E. Kuni, third district, were the new members of the board. The county officers elect who presented bonds were; John Dean, treasurer; F. D. Stocking, auditor ; August F. Neitzel, sheriff; M. C. Tifft, judge of probate; J. V. V- Lewis, county attorney; F. Kaspar, register of deeds; C. J. Christlieb, county surveyor.

January, 1894. No change in commissioners. March 4. M,. Thoeny was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary to sueceed himself, January, 1895, The newly elected county officers who presented bonds were: Lewis Nelson, county treasurer; F. D. Stocking, county auditor; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; Clyde J. Pryor, clerk of court; Joseph Rogers, sheriff; M. C. Tifft, judge of probate; L. W. Gilbert, court commissioner; F, A. Allen, county attorney; I. C. Christlieb, county surveyor; C. W. Malchow, coroner. L. W. Gilbert was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary. The Hutchinson Democrat was designated as the paper to publish the proceedings of the board of county commissioners for 1895, the Glencoe Register to publish the financial statement, the Hutchinson Leader, the delinquent tax list, and the Glencoe Enterprise to have the other official printing.

March 22. It having appeared that certain tracts of land in McLeod county belonging to Stevens Seminary had been deeded to different railway companies and by them to other parties, it was resolved by the board of county commissioners "that L. W. Gilbert, W. C. Russell, and M. Thoeny, as trustees of said Stevens Seminary, be and are hereby authorized and empowered to take all necessary steps to procure and recover from any and all parties claiming any interest in and to the same any and all lands belonging to Stevens Seminary, or to which it is in any way entitled, and for that purpose to employ counsel and attorneys to bring suit in the proper courts for the recovery of the same and to quiet and determine the title to the same. All expenses in regard to the matter must be borne by said Stevens Seminary."

July 9. Report was made to the state auditor of the seed grain loans made by the state to MeLeod county during the years 1877 and 1878, showing the names of the debtors and the amounts unpaid and asking that same be cancelled, as said debts are in their opinion uncollectable. A contract (dated Sept. 6, 1895) was made between the board and T. C. Christlieb, surveyor, for the resurvey of Collins township.

January, 1896. The name of John Pokornoski appears as that of the member of the board from the 4th district. The salary of county superintendent of schools was fixed at $1,000. S. P. Brown was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years, to succeed W. C. Russell. May 21. C. W. Malchow resigned as coroner, and Dr. R. S. Mills was appointed to fill the vacancy. January 5, 1897. The commissioners present were: G. F. Milbrath, 1st dist.; Rupert Link, 2d dist.; J. H. Bardwell, 3d dist.; John Pokornoski, 4th dist.; E. A. Tews, 5th dist. The bonds were presented and approved of the following newly elected officers: Lewis Nelson, county treasurer; F. D. Stocking, county auditor; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; M. H. McKenzie, sheriff ; M. C. Tifft, judge of probate; F. R. Allen, county attorney; E. L. Higgins, county surveyor; Fred Sheppard, coroner. The oath of office of L. P. Harrington, county superintendent of schools, was placed on file. M. Thoeny was reappointed (January 6) as trustee of Stevens Seminary.

January 4, 1898, E. A. Tews was elected chairman of the board. On motion of G. F. Milbrath the following resolution was adopted: Resolved; that the first day of July, 1898, be and is hereby fixed as the time when all Russian thistles within the county of McLeod must be destroyed and that after said time thistles may be destroyed by public authority at the expense of the owners of the land whereon they are found.

January 31, E. A. Child was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years to succeed L. W. Gilbert. March 1. On motion Messrs, Bass and Schippel, architects, were directed to make plans and specifications for the jail, the board voting to build same.

January 3, 1899. The oaths of Adolph Mielke (2d dist) and John Kaspar (4th dist.) as newly elected members of the board, were duly administered. The bonds of the following newly elected county officers were presented and approved: Lewis Nelson, county treasurer; F. D. Stocking, county auditor; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; M. H. McKenzie, sheriff; M. C. Tifft, judge of probate; F. R. Allen, county attorney; E. L. Higgins, county surveyor; W. C. Russell, court commissioner; John Luiten, clerk of district court. The oath of offices of L. P. Harrington, superintendent of schools, was placed on file. M. Thoeny was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for the term of three years.

sian thistles by the land owners was advanced to July 1, 1900, after which they might be destroyed by public authority and the expense charged to the owners of the land. J. H. Dorsey was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary to succeed 8S. P. Brown, whose term had expired. The board decided to put electric lights in the jail, Adolph Mielke, as committee on jail and court house, to inspect the work.

August 22. The old jail and lot on which it stood (Lot 8, block 31, townsite of Glencoe), was sold for $1,000.00 to Mary M. Wadel, she being the only bidder.

January, 1901. Moody Holcombe (dist. No, 1) was the new member of the board; E. A. Tews, chairman elect. County officers elect: Lewis Nelson, county treasurer; F. D. Stocking, county auditor; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; M. H. Mc- Kenzie, sheriff; M. C. Tifft, judge of probate; F. R. Allen, county attorney; Fred Sheppard, coroner; Andrew Thompson, county surveyor; L. P. Harrington, superintendent of schools. The salaries fixed for the ensuing year were as follows: county treasurer, $1,500.00; county superintendent of schools, $1,100.00; county attorney, $1,000.00, January 7, 1902. John Kaspar was elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year. M. Thoeny was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years.

January, 1903. The county officers elect were: John Henry Albers, county treasurer; Frank D. Stocking, county auditor; Murdoch H. McKenzie, sheriff; Carl G. Odquist, county attorney ; Cyril M. Tifft, judge of probate; John Luiten, clerk of district court; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; Orlando Simons, coroner; William C. Russell, court commissioner; Eugene A. Dieter, county surveyor; L, P. Harrington, superintendent of schools; commissioners: Moody Holcombe, (1st dist.); Frank Morrison, (2nd dist.); James H. Bordwell, (3rd dist.); Joseph Sablik, (4th dist.); E. A. Tews, (5th. dist.). John H. Dorsey was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary. July 22. Frank Morrison was appointed committee to investigate the advisability of heating jail and court house with one steam heating plant. January, 1904, BR, A. Tews was elected chairman of the board. E. H. Corson was elected trustee of Stevens Seminary for the term of three years, to succeed J. H. Reiner.

January, 1905. Joseph Sablik, chairman of board, The county officers elect were: John H. Albers, county treasurer; Frank D. Stocking, county auditor; M. H. McKenzie, sheriff; Carl G. Odquist, county attorney; Cyril M. Tifft, judge of probate; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; Orlando Simons, coroner; E, A, Dieter, county surveyor; L. P, Harrington, superintendent of schools. M. Thoeny was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for the term of three years. In May F, R. Allen was appointed trustee of the Seminary to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of E. H. Corson,

January, 1906, E. A. Tews was elected chairman of the board. J. H. Dorsey was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary, January 7, 1907. The name of William Machemehl appears as that of the commissioner from the 1st dist.; that of Henry H. Elling from the 2nd dist.; and that of Joseph Wozniak from the 4th dist. The county officers elect were John H. Albers, county treasurer; Frank D. Stocking, county auditor; M. H. McKenzie, sheriff: Carl G. Odquist, county attorney ; Cyril M. Tifft, judge of probate; Frank Kaspar, register of deeds; Kiernan F. Whelan, court commissioner; John Luiten, clerk of court; Orlando Simons, coroner: E. A. Dieter, county surveyor; L, P. Harrington, superintendent of schools. F. R. Allen reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary. March 22. On motion of E. A. Tews $500.00 was appropriated out of the county revenue fund to be paid to the McLeod county agricultural society for the purpose of holding and maintaining an Agricultural Fair in McLeod county, the same to be used for permanent improvements, October 12. L. P. Harrington tendered his resignation to the board, which was accepted, to take effect November 1, 1907. R. Mackay was chosen on ballot as Mr. Harrington's successor and took the oath of office. My, Mackay died the latter part of December and a special meeting was called December 27th to elect: his successor, F. A. Wildman being appointed to fill the vacancy.

January, 1908. William Machemehl was elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year. The amount of funds in the treasury at this time as shown in the report of auditing board, was $11,404.24, deposited with eleven different banks, all in McLeod county. There were now four county funds for which taxes were levied - the county revenue fund, road and bridge fund, building fund and county ditch fund. There was also a small fund known as the incidental fund, small amounts being transferred to it from time to time trom the county revenue fund, The care of the poor devolved upon the different townships, this system having been decided upon in or about 1887.

M. Tifft, judge of probate; Theodore Wosmek, register of deeds; Sam G. Anderson, Jr., county attorney; Thomas W. Hovorka, coroner; Frank Klaus, sheriff; Eugene A. Dieter, county surveyor; F. A. Wildman, superintendent of schools. The commissioners were now: William Machemehl, Ist dist. ; Frank Morrison, 2d dist.; George McCarty, 3d dist.; Joseph Wozniak, 4th dist.; William Schultz, 5th dist. William Machemehl was elected chairman for the year. Frank Morrison was appointed court house and jail committee. J. H. Dorsey was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for the term of three years. April 30. The sum of $500.00 was appropriated out of the county revenue fund to be paid to the Mcleod county agricultural society to be used in constructing permanent improvements for said agricultural society.

The following resolution was adopted: ''Resolved; that the Electric Short Line Railway Company, a corporation duly organized, created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Minnesota, and having its offices and principal place of business at Minneapolis, state of Minnesota, be and is hereby given the right to eross or parallel any and all county highways in said county of McLeod anywhere according to the plat on file in the county auditor's office, filed by the said railroad company, running west through the townships of Winsted, Hale, Hutchinson and Acoma, to the west line of said McLeod county, for railroad purposes; provided, however, said railroad company shall in all matters conform to and comply with the laws of the state of Minnesota, and the said use of said highways by the said company shall in no manner interfere with the reasonable use of said highway; and provided that said railroad company shall construct crossings where they intersect highways, as by law provided; and provided, further, that said railroad company shall construct and maintain proper culverts and shall provide proper drainage so as not to interfere with the proper use of said highways, and that said railroad shall provide and maintain proper grades at the places where said railroad company crosses said highway; and provided, further, that wherever said railroad company shall occupy a public highway already constructed, they shall construct another highway equally as good outside of their right of way without expense to the county, provided said use or right so given by this board of county commissioners shall not be for a period longer than 25 years from the date hereof; and provided said use of said highways by said railroad company shall cease upon the vacation and abandonment by said railroad company of said right-of-way located as aforesaid; and provided, further, that said railroad company and its property shall be subject to taxation by such methods and at such rates as the proper authorities may from time to time prescribe in accordance with law. And provided, further, that said railroad company shall properly fence said right of way and maintain said fence in good and substantial repair and keep and maintain suitable gates at all private crossings." April 30. K. F. Whelan resigned as court commissioner; L. W. Gilbert appointed to succeed him.

January, 1910. F. R. Allen was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years, his term having expired. The records for this year contain nothing of special interest, being composed of the usual road and school district petitions, bills, auditor's accounts, tax schedules, ete. January, 1911. George McCarty was elected chairman of the board. The county officers elect were: Frank X. Hickmann, county treasurer; Frank D. Stocking, county auditor; Theodore Wosmek, register of deeds; Sam G. Anderson, Jr., county attorney; Thomas W. Hovorka, coroner; Frank Klaus, sheriff; John Luiten, clerk of court; Cyril M. Tifft, judge of probate; Carl A. Anderson, superintendent of schools. Stevens Seminary trustee, M. Thoeny. Salary of superintendent of schools, $1,500.00; county attorney, $1,200.00. On motion $500.00 was set aside as a contingent fund for the use of the county attorney for the year 1911. The sum of $200.00 was allowed the county treasurer as clerk hire. April 3. Bids were received for decorating court house hall and the old portion of court house, the contract being let to J. C. Dalberg for $800.00.

January, 1912. George McCarty was elected chairman of the board. Frank Morrison was appointed court house and jail committee and C. M. Tifft trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years.

January 6, 1913. William Machemehl, chairman of the board. County officers elect: Frank X. Eickmann, county treasurer; Frank D. Stocking, county auditor; Frank Klaus, sheriff ; Theodore Wosmek, register of deeds; William O. Mc- Nelly, county attorney; Thomas W. Hovorka, coroner; Luther W. Gilbert, court commissioner; Cyril M. Tifft, judge of probate; Carl A. Anderson, county superintendent; newly elected members of the county board: William Machemehl, Geo. F. McCarty and E. A. Tews. F. R, Allen was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary. April 19. The treasurer's account showed a total balance and receipts of $75,658.38.

January, 1914. Geo. F. McCarty was elected chairman of the board, Salary of county attorney fixed at $1,200.00 for ensuing year; with contingent fund of $500.00. Salary of county superintendent of schools for ensuing year $1,500.00. M. Thoeny was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years, January, 1915. The members of the new board were: William Machemehl, Ist dist.; W. W. Graupmann, 2d dist.; Geo. F. McCarty, 3d dist.; F. H. Hakel, 4th dist.; E. A. Tews, 5th dist. Geo. F. McCarty was elected chairman. C. M. Tifft was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary.

January, 1916. Geo. F, McCarty was elected chairman of the board. W. W. Graupmann was appointed court house and jail committee for the ensuing year. F. R. Allen was reappointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for the term of three years. The treasurer's accounts showed a total balance and receipts of $24,705.99. The bank deposits were distributed among 17 banks, all in McLeod county. The Lester Prairie News was designated as the newspaper in which to publish the delinquent tax list for 1915; the Silver Lake Leader to publish the financial statement; the Brownton Bulletin the proceedings of the county board for 1916, and the Glencoe Enterprise to have the other official printing. On motion $500.00 was appropriated out of the county revenue fund for the display of a county exhibit at the state fair for the year 1916, R. F. Hall being appointed to take charge of same. I. C. Christlieb was appointed overseer of roads of McLeod county.