Meeker County, Minnesota - Yiii, 1888

LL OF tiie territory technically ^ known as townshi]), 117 north of range 32 west, is embraced in one civil town under the name of Cosmos, and contains an area equivalent to 23,030 acres, but 542 acres of which are covered with the waters of the numerous lakes that stud its surface. The land, which is a low lying level prairie, is susceptible of high culture, and excellent authority claims for it a high degree of adajitabdity for wheat raising. The soil is a kindly, warm and quick, black loam, and wonderfully suited to the growth of all indigenous grasses, and hence, this is an excellent place for stock raising.

The jiioneer settler in Cosmos was Daniel Jackman, who first came here in 1867, and made a claim upon which he settled, with his family, in May, 1868.

The same season the following named made their appearance here, and, taking homesteads, settled : John Jameson, Isaac Laj'- ton, Hans H. Hanson, Iver H. Thompson, Ole K. Nelson, Ole Olson, H. W. Young, Daniel Hoyt, Edward Chamberlain, Ezra Mathews, Nelson Eddy, J. M. McDonald and Orrin A. Phelps.

The settlers of 1S69 were the following named : Samuel Hutchinson, C. H. Duckering, Elisha L. Grindall, Christian Ilalvorson, Albert Amermen, J. T. Royce, Thomas Royce, A. B. Watson, Ralph D. Waterman, Lewis Ilalverson and John Rastus.

The first school was taught in the spring of 1870, at the house of J. T. Royce, with Miss Lily Cathcart as the teacher. The first school-house was built in 1871, and in this structure Miss Nellie Barrack was the pioneer instructor.

In 1S74 a postoffice was established in the town, under the name of Cosmos, with John A. Jameson as postmaster. Two j'ears hiter he was succeeded by Isaac L.ayton, and in 1S7S, Daniel Jackman was commissioned. The latter held the position until 1S80, when he resigned, and Mrs. Jackman was appointed postmistress.

The town was duly organized January 25, 1870, at a meeting held at the house of Daniel Jackman. The first officers were D. Jackman, chairman, and John Jameson and Albert Amerman, supervisors ; Daniel Hoyt, clerk; J. II. Thompson, treasurer; D. Jackman, assessor; Oren Phelps and E. M. Mathews, justices. At this election the total number of votes cast was but nine. The present (1888) officers are the following- - Supervisors, J. A. Town (chairman), F. A. Twombly and Peter Hanson ; clerk, Daniel Jackman; treasurer, C. A. Oilman; assessor, Daniel Jackman ; constable, Frank Twombly ; justice of the peace, C. A. Gilman ; road overseers. Daniel Jackman, C. A. Gilnian, Daniel Cashman, John M. iKelson.

^HAT portion of Meeker county embraced within the boundaries of Congressional townsliip 121, north of i-ange 32 west, is known as the town of Union Grove. It is one of the most beautiful in the county, the surface being diversified by alternate prairie and timber. It contains 23,025.25 acres within its limits, 706.26 of which are covered by the waters of the lakes and rivers that add loveliness to the apjiearance of tiie country. The soil, a

In the same year, also, settlements were made by James Hamilton, S. H. Caswell, James Nelson, Cyrus Lewis, John W. Goodspeed, Mr. Brawn, Alonzo Cook, S. Dickinson, Judson Pierson and William "Wheeler.

Those who found homes in this part of the county in 1857 were the following : Thomas Ryckman, Jeremiah Leaming, Moody Caswell, Alonzo M. Caswell, Albert Caswell, Charles and AVilmot Maybee, James A. Lee, James Shears. AVilliam Wilcox, Albert Bridges, Florinda Bryant, AVilliam Rodgers.

From the year 1857 until after the Indian outbreak, but few came to this part of the county to make a settlement, and most of those, leaving during those exciting times, never to return, have passed out of the memory of the residents. The details regarding many of these will be found in the l)iographical department.

Rev. George Hardy. The Rev. Mr. Griswold, a Metliodist divine from St. Cloud, held regular services in the school-house above mentioned during ISOG.

The town was organized at a meeting held at the house of Tiiomas Ryckman, April 30, 1886. At that time C. D. Hill was chosen chairman of the meeting ; C. W. Putiier, George W. Hardy, and David Newcomb, judges of election ; Ciiarles H. McCune, clerk. It was voted to hold the next election at the house of Thomas Ryckman, and also to raise the sum of two dollai's h\ tax, to pay Mrs. Ryckman for cleaning up after them. The officers elected were as follows - Lucien J. Perry, chairman, and A. T. Rentier and David Newcomb, supervisors ; C. H. Mc- Cune, clerk ; A. T. Rentier, assessor ; C. "W. Puther and G. AV. Hardy, justices; James Nelson and AVilliam Stockdale, constables, and S. O. Cajfipbeli, treasurer.