Meeker County, Minnesota - Chapter 12: Swede Grove Township, 1888

^^Hj^^HE subdivision of Meeker county l)earing this appellation lies upon [^ the western border of the county, and comprises the thirty six sections of Congressional township 120, nortii of range 32 west, and contains 22,746.0-1 acres, 22,155.18 of which are either fine farm lands, or covered with the primeval timber, the balance being water. For the most part the surface is of a gentle, I'olling character, and is neai'ly all of it natural meadow or prairie, interpersed with native groves or mottes of timber, seemiiigh' prepared for the plow by beneficent nature. The soil is the ricli.dai'k, sandy loam, that has made the name of Minnesota synonymous with all that is fertile and productive.

Several beautiful lakes nestle on the bosom of the township, which all abound with various species of the finny tribe, and because of the abundance of the game in this neighborhood, and the fine quality of the fisli, it was a favorite resort for the Indians in an eaih' dav. The lakes bear the names of

Among the sturdy pioneers that made settlements in this township in 1857 were Hans Peterson and his family, Peter E. Hanson, then a lioy, Andrew Peterson, N. E. Hanson, John Eosencranz, Bertha Elofson, and her sons. Nels, Andrew, and Peter Elofson, jSTels Thorbjornson, Helgar Olson, Amos Olson, K'els Olson, and Nels Askelson.

With the year 1858 came others to found homes in this part of the county, prominent among whom Avere the following : William H. Wilcox. Christian Erickson, Halver Mickelson, Arslag Olson and John Larson. Mr. Wilcox is one of the few native American settlers in the town, and holds the warmest esteem and respect of the entire community. Arslag Olson was the settler who was so badly wounded during the attack on the stockade at Forest City, in 1862.

Swen Nelson and a few others settled in the town during the year 1859, but from that time until the close of the war there were very few, if any, who sought homes here, and none are remembered by the old settlers.

The town was a portion of the civil townshi]i of Acton until March 15, 1868, when it was organized as a .separate precinct, by Nels Elofson, Nels E. Hanson, and AV. H. Wilcox. The name was given on account of its having been first settled V)y the Swedish colony. At the first election among the officers chosen were the following: Nels Elofson. chairman of the town lioard ; Nels E. Hanson, clerk ; and W. H. Wilcox, treasurer.

The present officers are as follows : Swan W. Olson, chairman ; Andrew Elofson and Andrew Peterson, supervisors ; Nels Okeson, clerk ; Henry Palm, treasurer ; Mr. Sily, justice ; and Xels Erickson, constable.

Elofson, then on section 33, and that gentleman made postmaster. He held that office until 1870, when he resigned to make a trip to the old country, in favor of Mr. Dahlquist. The latter held it about one year, when he was succeeded by Ole J. Levander. It was removed to what is now Grove City, in 1870, when Mr. Dahlquist was appointed, and has continued there ever since.

The first birth in the town was that of Peter Peterson, the son of Andrew Peterson, born January 3, 1859. The second was that of A. P. Hanson, born the 9th of June, following.

The first death was the child of Ole Nelson, a Swede who came here in 1857, but shortly after went to Carver county. The child was buried on Nels Elofson's place.

The pioneer to ]ilow up the sod and sow grain was Hans Peterson, in 1859; He did some breaking in 1857 and 1858, but did not sow until the vear mentioned above.