Meeker County, Minnesota - Dassel Tow'xship, 1888

Dassel Tow'xship

[i^^HE subdivision of Jleeker county that bears this name lies in the eastern tiei- of townships, and embraces all of Congressional township 119 north of range 29 west, and contains 22,967.66 acres of ground ; 3,275.66 are covered with water, leaving something like 19,692 acres suitable for agricultural use. ]\ruch of the land is covered with tiuiber and the soil is of a choice quality. The town was originally a portion of the town of Kingston, and when set off was called Swan Lake, after a body of water Avithin its limits, of that name. In 1871, on a petition of tlie citizens of the township its name was changed to Dassel, after the village of that name within its boundaries.

The earliest settk'i's in this portion of the county wereuntloubtedly two surveyors by the names of C. L. Jiichardson and Edwin Ayres, who located here in ISofi. They came to this locality from their homes in Houston county, this State, having come from Mexico, N. Y., originally. They built a cabin on section 14, where they lived until the Indian troubles of 1862, when they fled, and the savages burned their shanty. This was on what was afterwards termed Ayres' Prairie.

There were no other settlers who located in the town until after the Indian massacre, which depopulated the border and checked the tide of immigration in lS(i2. In November, 1863, Isaac Eussell and his brother Anthony "W., with their families, came here and took up claims on section 10. The\' were natives of Vermont. Tliey Uved here some Tears, and combined hunting and trapping with their farm ojiei'ations. Isaac, in 1875, went to the Black Hills, but retui'ned here in 1882, and here died, November 13. 1883. His brother died some years previous to that.

Wells Tumans, with his family, made a settlement in the summer of 1805, on section 14. The same year he was followed by Barne}' Cox, G. D. Arrowood, and Peter and "William Cunningham.

The settlers of 1866 were the following named, who all took up claims and per;nanently located in the town - Thomas and James Sellards, Lewis Eudberg, John Erickson, John Rudberg, "William Mayiiard,

Andrew Davidson, Mrs. Gardner and her son Peter, David "W. King, John McKinney, Madison Delong, John Hendrickson, Eric liuiKjuist, B. N. Backstrom, Henry Mattson, and James Littom.

Among those who fouiul homes in this town in 1867, were : Peter Johnson, Harlow Ames, Sr., Harlow F. Ames, Henry Ames, and others. All these now occupy cjuite prominent positions in the county, as will l)e seen on reference to the biographical department of this work.

The first school-house in the town was built in 1867. on the corners of sections 10, 11, 14 anil 15. It was a small atTair, l)uilt of logs with a dirt roof, and had to admit the light through two small half sash, let into the sides. Mrs. E. M. "Winan was the pioneer teacher.

The first frame house was erected by Harlow Ames on section 23, and is now a ])ortion of the residence of that gentleman. Tlie first chimney regularly built was also by him.

The first child born in the town was probably George Cunningham, Avhose liirth took ])lacelate in the year 1865. The second was that of Ada Tumans, who was born ]\[ay 6, 1866.

The township was organized as Swan Lake, in the fall of 1866, at which time the following officers were chosen - John Smith (chairman), Frederick Spath and "NA^ayne Russell, supervisors; G. D. Arrowood, clerk ; Andrew Davidson and William Maynard, justices of the peace. G. A. Arrowood was appointed the first assessor. In 1871 the name of the town was changed to its present one. The present (18SS) officers of the township, consist of the following named - Super- visors: Andrew Davidson (chairman), Nelson Tninans and John Boo ; clerk, W. S. Cox ; treasurer, Peter Johnson ; assessor, A. J. Waller; justices, W. Bartholomew and Isaac Yervalin.

A Methodist church was organized in 187-i, by William Arrowood, in the schoolhouse in district 21, with eighteen members, has been kept up ever since. In 1885 the congregation erected a church edifice on the northwest corner of section 11, where they hold services every Sabbath, which are partially of a union character.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran was organized October 14, 1873, by Kev. F. Peterson, with the following membership : Andrew Olson and wife ; Andrew Anderson and wife; Swen Johnson and wife; Andrew Larson and wife ; E. A. Boren and wife, and Lars Nelson and wife. The first officers were the following named : A. E. Boren, secretary ; A. E. Boren, Andrew Olson and Andrew Anderson, deacons ; and Andrew Larson, Lars Nelson and Swen Johnson, trustees. The congregation own some ten acres of land on section 5, where they have a frame church. The jjastorate was vacant until 1881, when Pev. J. S. R3'ding took charge of the church. He was succeeded in jSroveml)er, 1883, by the present pastor. Rev. L. A. Hocanzan, who has filled the duties ever since. The present officers are : L. A. Hocanzan, pastor; Andrew Tunians, secretary ; A, P. Gissle, A. Frank and John Lindquist, deacons; and Nels Olson, Andrew Freeman and Andrew Larson, trustees. There are seventy-two communicants and l-fO members connected with the church, which holds meetings ever}^ Sunday. A Sabbath-school is lield in operation during the summer months, and a parish school is held during some eight weeks in the year, with aljout forty scholars. The ]iroperty has a value of about $250, but no debt is due on it.

Dassel Village

The village of Dassel, which is situated in this township, upon the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 27, and lot 0, of the same section, and u])on the northeast quarter of the northwest rjuarter and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 3-4, was laid out and platted Ijy the St. Paul &c Pacific Railroad in 1803, on tlie advent of the road at this point, and tiled for record on the 11th of October, 1870. Several additions have been added to the original town site by Horace P. Breed, Bernard Dassel, A. M. Bell, and Jonas Rudberg. The land whereon the original site stands was owned previous to this h\ Madison De- Long, who had made a claim to it, and had erected a shanty near where R. T. Elliott now lives. Parker Simons, who was a civil engineer in the employ of the St. Paul & Pacific Railway, purchased the claim and proceeded to lay out the town, the railroad company acquiring an interest subsequently.

He moved his family here as soon as the road was opened and made this his home, although his business called him away nearly all the time for several years.

The town was named after Bernard Dassel, who was the secretary of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Companv, at that time. After laying out the place, in the fall of 1809 Mr. Simons put up the first frame Ijuilding-, and was quickly followed by Seth Nichols. Ralph Walters erected a building for hotel purposes, which was opened and run as such by Mr. Phillips, and is still standing.

During the fall of 18fi9 there were a few other dwelling houses erected, but in the pring and summer of 1870, quite a boom for the new village set in and a number of houses and store buildings were put up, and the population largely increased until it is to-day the largest place in the county outside of the countv seat. It has now three elevators, a flouring mill, a woolen mill, two hotels, a public hall, engine house and jiublic library. Congregational, Seventliduy Adventists, Sweiiish Lutheran and Swedish. Missicjnary churches, and the tile stove w'orks. Quite a number of store buildings have been put up, and are all well filled with excellent stocks of goods, both necessaries and luxuries, aiul the mercantile trade is well rei)resented i)V a fine class of enterprising merchants, who are doing quite a large share of the business of this section of the county.

The jiioneer stoie was o|>ened by James and Charles Morris in the fall of ISCO, who displayed a full stock of general merchandise. This ]ilace was run by the original owners, and afterwards b}' Charles Morris until 1872, when it was sold to Wilson & Bunting, wiio continued to operate it until 1875, when the business was purchased by the Rudberg Brothers.

A steam saw mill was next erected by George Brower, William Bradford and Thomas Wilson. These gentlemen operated it but a short time, Avhen there was a change in the copartnership, and it passed through several hands, until in 1875, when it was destroyed by tiiv. The following year it was rebuilt and continued in opei';ition until about August, 1881, when it was blown down by wind and never rebuilt.

James H. Morris, now of Litchfield, built the second store building, the one now occupied by Peter Johnson as an office, in which was opened a stock of general merchandise in 1872.

In 1872 the third store was commenced by Mickel Henderson, who died before finishingit. In the latter part of October, 1873, this building was occupied by O. II. Sundahl and Lewis and Jonas J. Rudberg, who opened a general stock. This they ran until 1874. Then C. A. Morris purchased SundaiiFs interest, and in 1875 the firm purchased the business of Samuel Bunting's executors, as

The fourth store building was built by Norgren k, Co. in 1875, and was occupied by them until 1880, when they removed to their present quarters.

John Osborne was the first to deal in lumber and furniture, commencing in those lines in 1874. In 1881 he sold out to the Itudberg Brothers, and this old stand is still continued by the survivor of that firm, John Rudberg.

The old Dassel riouse,tlie pioneer hotel, was built in 1872, by George Brower, and for a time was run by him. Samuel Bunting afterwards o])crated it, and, after his death, his widow. J. II. Remick held the position of landlord from 1877 until February 3, 1883, when the structure burned to the ground. It was then rebuilt in its present shape.

The first hardware store in Dassel was established in 1880 by H. L. Babst, who ran it until 1882. when he sold out to K. M. Bell, who in ls8(i disposeil of it to W. S. Bartholomew, who sold it to Cox & Gallagher in 18SS. L. W. Leigliton and J. M. Johnson, in August, 1882, opened the second store of this character and carried on the trade until Jaiuuay 7, 1887, when Mi'. Johnson bought his partner's interest, and the firm is now J. M. Johnson it Co.

The pioneer drug store was commenced in 1872, by C. A. Morris and Lewis Rudberg, who carried it on until 1875, when Rudberg sold to his partner, who operated it until 1880, and then disposed of it to Dr. Mc- Collum and George Breed, who sold it again in 1883, to Rudberg Bros. On the death of Jonas Rudberg, in 1885, a partnership was formed by his widow and R. F. Case, which lasted for one year, when the latter purchased tiie business, aiul cariies it on.

the same corporation erected the pioneer elevator. The latter, now owned by the Minnesota and Dakota Elevator Company, has a capacity of 30,000 bushels of wheat, and last year (1887) handled 7,000 bushels of that cereal alone. It is under the management of Harry Hines. The Dassel elevator was built by the citizens of the place in 18S0, and has a capacity of 45,000 bushels; in 1887 shipped some 65,000 bushels of wheat. This is managed by J. II. McKinney. The CargillBros. elevator was erected in 1885, by Alexander Cofield, and this institution handleil 70,000 bushels during the past year. Weisner & Mattson, the proprietors of the machine and l)lacksmitli shop, established their business in the fall of 18S3, as a wagon, blacksmith anil repair shop, which they carried on until the fall of 18SG, when they put in an engine of four-horse power and some machinery. October 30, 1887, their shop was destroyed by fire, when they met "with a loss of some $1,500. At once they erected their present shop, which is 40x60 feet in size and well fitted up, and where they carry on business, employing some four or five workmen.

The flouring mill of Dassel was erected as a foundry in 1883, and in 1887 E. Heglund purchased it and remodeled the edifice and put in roller machinery of the finest description. It has a capacity of sixty barrels per da}', and is valued at between $8,000 and $10,000. The building is of solid brick and substantially built, and the internal arrangements are of the best. The motive power is furnished by a good engine of forty horsepower. The output of the mill ranks with the best, and is made out of the famous Minnesota hard wheat.

A custom card-machine mill was built in 1876, by G. B. Lewis & Co., for the manufacture of certain kinds of woolen yarns, but it was destroyed by fire in 1880. From the ashes of this rose the present woolen mill.

The first blacksmith sho]) was opened by Frederick Spath, in the fall of 1869, in a log shanty, without any roof, where he carried on ijusiness for a short time, and then built another smithy. He remained in this business in the village until 1881, when he removed to his farm in the township where he now lives.

There is a most excellent graded school, the building in which it is located, a handsome and substantial brick edifice, having been erected by the Indejiendent district in 1885. It contains eight rooms, and cost some $10,000 to build and tiuish. Prof. R. McKay is the present j)rincipal. The town hall and library are located in the same house with the village fire apparatus, and are each of them worthy of more than a passing notice. The library, which consists of an extensive selection of choice booivs, reflects great credit upon the taste and enterprise of the place in initiating so noble an institution.

The tile stove works of Peter Johnson is yet in its infancy, and is the only one of the kind in the United States. It was established by the present proprietor in 1886, and is for the manufacture of tile stoves, etc., such as have been in use in the northern part of Europe for years, but which have been, until now, unknown in America. Mr. Johnson has inaugurated the enterprise at an outla}' of some $10,000, and, having already met with a merited success, anticipates greatly enlarging the plant in the summer of 1888. This is one of the greatest institutions in the county and such places as St. Paul and Minneapolis would bid high to have it brouoht into their limits.

The postoffico was established here in the fall of 1SG9, and Isaac Atwater, the station agent of the railroad, was the first postmaster. He had the office in the depot, and there held it until the summer of 1877, when he was succeeded by C A. Morris, J ul y 1. Lewis Rudl)erg was the successor of Mr. Morris, and entered upon its duties July 1, 1881, and held it until January 1, 1883, when he gave way to Louis Osterlund. Ma}' 1, 1887, Henry Clay assumed the duties of the office, and is the present postmaster.

The village was duly incorporated as such March 4, 1S7S, and is still governed under the charter granted at that time. The first officers of the village were the following named : J. B. Smith, president ; C. A. Morris, recorder ; H. P. Breed, Allen Weatherby and J. J. Rndberg, trustees. Since that time H. P. Breed, J. J. Rudberg, J. II. Eemick, L. W. Leighton, P. Johnson and J. 11. McKenney have filled tlie office of president of the village hoard ; J. J. Iludberg, Fred Spath, C. A. Morris, August Sallbei'g, Lewis Eudberg, J. M. Johnson, L. W. Leighton, John Norgren, William Gallagher, A. M. Bell, John Iludberg, S. O. Lindgren, L. A. Whitmore and Alexander Cofield have served as members of the board of trustees. W. L. Yan Eman, C. A. McCollum, Douglas Martin and S. O. Lindgren have each in turn filled the position of recorder. The present officers are as follows : W. D. Bangs, president; S. O. Lindgren, recorder; J. Norgren, treasurer; W. S. Bartholomew, justice, and J. Kudberg, J. M. Johnson and J. J. Lindquist, trustees.

The Gethsemane Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was oi-ganized February 13, 1S73, with the following memi:)ers : Daniel Johnson and wife, Taylor Johnson and wife, Swen Johnson and wife, F. J. Peterson and wife, C. J. Johnson and wife, Olaf Dahlman and wife, and Johannes Johnson and wife. The officers at the time of its establishment were as follows: Rev. J. G. Lagerstrom, pastor; D. Johnson, secretary ; Daniel Johnson, Swen Johnson and Taylor Johnson, deacons ; C. G. Johnson, Olaf Dahlman and C. G. Johnson, trustees. A log ciiurch was built the same year by the congregation, at Steelsville, in which services were held until 1878, when they purchased the school-house for $350, in the village of Dassel, and fitted it up for a church, which they occupied until lS8<i, when they erected the edifice where they now worship. This is a brick-veneered Iniilding, 38x02 feet on the ground, 21 feet in heiglit, with a sacristy twenty -four feet square in addition, and a tower eighty-five feet in height, which is fourteen feet square at the base. It is handsomely frescoed and furnished within, and is a nice property. This, together with the school-house and stables at Steelsville, is valued at $6,000. The present officers are: Rev. L. A. Ilocanzan, pastor ; D. Johnson, Taylor Johnson, 0. P. Carlsledt, Matt Anderson, Alfred Soder and O. (Miristofferson, deacons ; D. Danielson, Aug. Sangreen and B. J. Peterson, trustees; Peter Sangreen, secretary, and Aug. Sangreen, treasurer. There is a membership of 350, and a list of 211 communicants. A Sunday-school of eighty scholars is held in connection with the church.

The Swedish Mission Church was organized August 15, 1879, by John G. Sjorquist, with some twenty members. J. Norgren, E. Skarvik and E. Eunquist were chosen trustees at that time and E. Skarvik, Z. Dolin, John Olson, Nels Nelson, J. E. Ileglund, and E. Eunquist, deacons. Services of this denomination were held in the ]ilace, at the residence of J. Norgren, as early as 1872, and were continued from time to time until the organization of the society. At that time they rented John Eudberg's hall, which tiipy occu])ied until 1881, when steps were taken to build their present church edi- ' fice, which was completed in 1SS5. This structure is, in the main building, 28x36 feet in size, with an annex 16x18 feet on the ground. Tlie church is well furnished and fitted inside, and has a large and increasing membership. The following are the present officers : Kev. John G. Sjorquist, pastor: O. AV. Olson, secretary ; E. Is'. Dahlgren, Joini Olson and A. G. Heglund, trustees ; E. Skarvik, P. Nelson, Frank Johnson, Hans Anderson, Andrew Olson, and John Nelson, deacons.

Colfax Post, G. A. R., was organized March 18, 1885, on which evening A. E. Becker, deputy grand commander, assisted by comrades V. II. Harris, J. B. Atkinson and J. B. Hatch, installed the officers and mustered in the members. The charter members Avere the following named - H. Y_ Dorman, J. Bogart, M. Boyer, C. C. Curtis, E. F. Proctor, P. T. Elliott, John Bogar, E. A. Hines, J. E. Lyon, A. M. Bell, David Flack, James Patterson, Henry Clav, J. T. Shumater, C. II. Castle, Theodore Singleton, Josepli Hamilton, John Mattson, Henry Lenhart, John A. Quick and M. H. Boyer. The following named were elected as tlie first officers, and duly installed - E. F. Proctor, CII. Y. Dorman, S. V. C; John Bogar, J. V.' C; A. M. Bell, Q. M.; Henry, A.; M. Boyer O. D.; C. C. Curtis, S.; David Flack, Chaplain; J. Bogart, O. G. The organization increased in strength rapidlj', until it numbered some thirty-two members, but by the removal of some of them from the county, a slight falling off in their number is noted. In 1886 a drum corps was oi'ganized, as attached to the Post, consisting of four fifes and four drums, and is one of the institutions of the same. They own the furniture of their hall, with the decoration flags, banners, etc., and four lots in the cemetery. Meetings were held weekly, but are only semi-monthly at the present, but the interest is still maintained in the order by all. The present officei's are - Isaac Vervalen, C; John Bogar, S. V. C; Wells Truman. J. V. C; G. O. Baily,