Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 31: Lyle Township and Village, 1911

Chapter 31: Lyle Township and Village

Location and Area - Early Settlement - First Events - Cedar City - Village of Lyle - Able Articles by William Nordland and L. W. Sherman - Development of the Village - City Hall - Fire Department - Churches - Fraternal Orders - Industries - Telephone Company - Municipal History - Recollections of Early Lyle.

Lyle comprises congressional townshij) 101 nortli, range IS west. It is bound as follows: On the nortli by Austin township, east by Nevada, south by Mitchell and "Worth counties, Iowa, and west by Freeborn county. The surface is mostly level. The soil is a rich, dark loam, and very productive. This is a prairie town and was void of timber, except along the Red Cedar river, which is skirted with a rich, natural growth. In other parts of the territory beautiful groves of transplanted trees meet the eye in every direction. Cedar river and its branches drain the township and furnish good water power, none of which is at present improved. Tlie main stream crosses the northerij boundary in section 4 and traverses in a generally southern course sections 9, 16, 17, 21, 28 and 33. In the latter it receives the waters of its most important tributary, Woodbury creek, which flows through the soutliwest part of the town.

Early Settlement

The first settler witliin the territorial limits of Lyle, which is one of the oldest towns in Mower county, was one Woodbury, who came here from parts unknown in the autumn of 1853, and claimed a large tract of land bordering on Cedar river and the creek whicii takes from him its name. On the northwest quarter of section 33 he put up a log cabin and covered it with sod. Soon his son-in-law, Pinkerton, came. Woodbury sold his claim in June, 1855, and moved to Olmsted county.

In the spring of 1854 two other sons-in-law of Mr. Woodbury put in an appearance and made claims in the vicinity of his own. They were named respectively jMarlott, Pinkerton and Stilsou. Marlott established himself for a brief season on the northwest quarter of section 28, subsequently accompanying, or following, his father Woodbury to Olmsted county. Pinkerton, who had previously lived with Woodbury, constructed a log house on the northeast of section 32. Having lived there about a year, he sold out and w-ent westward to the Blue Earth river. Stilson erected a temporary dwelling of bark on the present site of Woodbury cemetery. In the latter part of the year 1855 he removed to Albert Lea. Prom that place he journeyed on with his familv and formed a new home on the banks of the Blue Earth river. Here a sad accident befell them. During a severe rainstorm the stream was rapidly swollen. The raging waters surrounded and partially filled the house. With difficulty Mr. Stilson succeeded in saving the lives of his wife and an infant child. They had a narrow escape, while three children were drowned.

The first permanent settlement in this town was made in 1854, bj' Oriando Wilder, Eben Merry, James Foster and liis son Return Foster, John Tiflft and William Bean. JMr. Wilder is a native of the Green ]\Iountain state. He arrived here on the sixth day of May, in the year above mentioned. He built liis liouse on section 33. Some of the party who came west with him settled across the state line in Iowa. Eben ^lerry was born in York

State. He settled ou the west half of section 4. James Foster and his sou Return were natives of New Jersey, made the first settlement in the north part of the town in the autumn of 1854. They preempted land in sections 3 and 4. The father made liis home here until the time of his death. John Tifft, also a settler of 1854, entered land in sections 4, 5 and 9. He laid out the village of Troy and erected a saw mill. He died a few years later. William Bean came with the Wilders, and continued a member of their family, Mrs. Wilder being his step-daughter. He took a claim on section 33.

The first settlers in the town of Lyle were obliged to go to Auburn, Fayette county, Iowa, a distance of eighty miles, to get their mail and to buy provisions. They used to make the trip with ox teams. AVhen the mail route Vv-as established from Osage to Aiistin, mail matter was left at Orlando Wilder 's for distribution in the neighborhood. TJiis was not a regular postoffice, but the arrangement was a great convenience to the hard Avorking pioneers.

The settlers of 1855 were AVilliam Allen, George Carrier, Benjamin Coe, James Davis, Dilarzon and Lorenzo Moshier, Joseph Richards, Edward Sprague. John WoodAvorth and David West. William Allen, the pioneer of Nevada, took up his abode for a time on section 20. Thence he Avent to the Pacific coast, and when last heard from was living in Oregon. George Carrier settled on the northeast quarter of section 20, where he made, however, but a short tarry. Soon the place which had but begun to know him knew him no more ; he had sold out and gone to Texas. Benjamin Coe, Ed. Sprague and John AVoodworth arrived together in June. Coe bought Woodbury's claim and occupied it until June, 1856, when he sold it to Rev. Alanson Beach and A. M. St. John, and moved to Olmsted county. Sprague settled on the southwest quarter of section 28. He had been there but two or three years when he sold out to Judge Lyle, and returned to Hliuois. Woodworth preempted land in sections 28 and 29. He also was but a temporary resident in Lyle. Disposing of his property in the township he followed the migration to Olmsted county. In 1861 the WoodAvorth ]3lace came into the possession of Avery Strong, a native of the Empire state. Three years later it Avas purchased by Ortin Barnum. Strong Avent to Otranto. James Davis, another settler of 1855, preempted the southeast quarter of section 22. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Regiment. After his return from the Avar he resumed farming, and remained a resident of this county several years. Dilarzon and Lorenzo Moshier, Avhose birthplace was in the state of Ncav York, removed here from Pennsylvania, arriA^ng in Lyle on the 14th of June, 1855. Dilarzon preempted in the northwestern quarter of section 30. Lorenzo preempted in section 29, southwest quarter. He held possession three or four years only, then sold and went to iMissouri. Finding it very unpleasant there, not to say unsafe, for a union man, during war times, he turned eastward, crossed the ^Mississippi river and spent a few years in the state of Hlinois. From there he went to Texas, Avliere he died m 1880. Richards was a Pennsylvatiian, whom the summer of '55 brought to Lyle. He bought a claim of William Bean, on the west half of section 33, stayed on it five or six years, and then left for Vei'non Springs, Iowa. AVest was a native of York Slate. He entered the nortliwest quarter of SvH-tion 82, where he lived several years.

In 1856 came the following: Ezra D. Ames, Rev. Alauson Beach, John Beach, Wilson Beach, Erastus Bedford, Chester Calwell, Edward Calwell, Lewis Ebbers, Calvin H. Owen, Charles Owen, Rev. Samuel Loomis, Henry Roderts, William Shellbach, A. ]\I. St. John, Joseph Thompson, William West. Ames, Bedford, Rev. Beach and his two sons, Loomis, the Owens, C. and H., St. John and West were natives of New York state. Samuel Surface, a Hoosier, came from Houston county early in the year and preempted land in sections 28 and 29. He built a log house and stables and improved a portion of his claim. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Minnesota Regiment, and died in the service. Ezra D. Ames, hailing last from Indiana, entered the scene of this history in March, 1856. Preempting 120 acres in the northeast quarter of section 21, he lived there six months, and then bought a place in the northeast quarter of section 19. William Schellbach and Louis Ebbers, natives of Germany, were among the first immigrants of tlie new year. The former settled on the northAvest quarter of section 34. Ebbers settled on the southwest of section 34. His death, which occurred before the close of the summer, was the second in tlie town. In July Rev. Al.inson Beach and A. M. St. John bought land of Benjamin Coe in sections 32 and 33. They then returned to New York. In November of the same year Mr. Beach came again to Lyle. and established his home in the northwest quarter of section 33. His sous, John and Wilson, accompanied him. John Beach preempted the southwest quarter of section 26. Wilson preempted the south east quarter of the same section. He was a single man and lived with his parents until after the war, when he settled on section 33. Charles Owen, a young man who came with the Beach family, entered the northwest of section 26, l)ut did not make a pernianent settlement. Returning to New York, he died before the close of the late war. William West arrived in the summer of 185C, and moved into the liouse that Alanson Beach had l)()uglit of Coe. Here for tli- next tlirec inojitlis !'e did a livclv husiness as a tavern keeper. In the ensuing autumn, he moved on to the northwest of section 34, having previously entered the land. Joseph Thompson came over from Wisconsin and settled in the southeast of section 27. After living there two years he removed to Iowa. He served his country as a Union soldier in the war of the southern rebellion. At a subsequent date he went to California, where he died. Calvin H. Owen crossed the Iowa boundary line in the latter part of the year, and bought land and made a home in the northwest quarter of section 30. Rev. Samuel Loomis, a Methodist divine, came in the autumn and preempted the northwest quarter of section 19. Mr. Loomis enlisted in Company K, Fourtli Minnesota Regiment. Discharged on account of disability in October, 1862, he returned to his home, where in December of that year he died. Edward and Chester Calwell came from the Keystone state. The former settled on the north- Avest of section 30, the latter on the southeast of section 19. Two years later they sold their lands and went to Kansas. Henry Roberts, an Englishman, arrived toward the close of the year, anrl bought Carrier's claim in section 20. W. M. Pace and Robert Lyle came to Mower county in November, 1856. In 1864 Pace settled on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 22. Robert Lyle was a native of Ohio. He was a judge of probate, and was the representative from this district to the state legislature. The town was named for him. In 1868 he removed to Missouri.

First Events

The first white child born in Lyle township was Isaac I\Ioshier. son of Dilarzon and Elizabeth (Milliken) Moshier. The date of his birth was August 16, 1855. The first death in the town was that of Mrs. Margary Bean, wife of AVilliam N. Bean, in March, 1S56. She Mas buried within the limits of Woodbury cemetery long before it was surveyed. The next death was that of Louis Ebbers, a German, which occurred in the summer of the same year. His body was also interred in Woodbury cemetery. This cemetery is located in section 33.

Cedar City

The town of Lyle boasts of a locality known as Cedar City. Emigrants at an early day were attracted by this high sounding name, thinking it must denote a place of some importance. Andrew Gemmel often related that he stopped to make inquiry concerning it of the postmaster at St. Paul. The courteous official told him the location, and rcinarkcd that very likely he would find but one house there. Tlie chosen site of this projected city wliich never was built was in section 4. The land was first claimed by John Chandler. He, however, waived his claim in favor of Caleb Stock and John Phelps, who proposed to erect a mill. They began work there in 1856, putting in a substantial dam of stone and timber. A third party, T. N. Stone, was interested with tliem in this enterprise. Two mills were built, one furnished with a circular saw for sawing lumber, the other a grist mill, Avith one set of buhrs. In 1858 Stock traded his interest in the mill to George Phelps. The grist mill was completed in August of that year. One sack of wheat had been ground, when came a freshet and swept both mills down the stream. Thus the hopes of the company were blasted. The mills were never rebuilt. Owing to the fine Avater power at this point, people in the neighborhood once indulged in the pleasing expectation that Cedar City would become a formidable rival of Austin, even if it did not surpass it altogether. Circumstances determined it otherwise. Nothing now remains to mark the site of the imaginary city hut the ruins of the old milldam.

Village Of Lyle

Lyle is a v/ideawake village of 552 inhabitants, located in section 36, Lyle township, eleven iniles south of Austin, the county seat, and just north of the state line between ]\Iinnesota and Iowa. It has. exceptional business opportunities, as it is located on three principal lines of railroad, viz.: The C, M. & St. P., the Chicago Great AVestern and the Illinois Central.

The surrounding country is one of the best and most higiily cultivated agricultural districts in the Northwest. Farming is diversified, and this locality is famous for its good horses, dairy cows and the large number of hogs raised annually. This could not be done were it not for the fact that we are located in the corn belt. Lyle affords a good market for all grains, poultry, .stock, fruit and all farm produce.

Tlic city owns and operates its own water plant, wliich suj)- plies its patrons from a drilled well 800 feet deep. Lyle has an Independent Telephone Company, which has 350 'phones in operation and connects with a large number of other companies. One of the things of which the village is proud is its cement walks, almost every street in the village being lined witii them. The streets, business places and residences are lighted ])y a local electric light plant under the management of N. G. Fischer. One of tl'e "laisy" places is the caiuiing factory. The Lyle corru- gated culvert factory is also among the foremost industries. Other places of biisiness are: A fanners' co-operative creamery, a tow mill, one feed mill, three elevators, three blacksmith shops, one lumber yard, one drug store, four general stores, one furniture store, two millinery stores, one shoe store, one jewelry store, one hardvrare store, one photo gallery, one tailor shop, one harness shop, one bank, one newspaper, two butcher shops, two hotels, two livery barns, one garage, two restaurants, two cream stations, two barber shops.

Lyle takes great pride in its large number of beautiful residences, well kept lawns and umbrageous trees. The park, located only one block from the business section of the village, is one of the creditable improvements, and is often the scene of pleasant social gatherings. The Lyle Concert Band is composed of local musicians and is ably led by B. J. Robertson.

Peter Hanson is one of the oldest residents of the village, having lived here since March 15, 1874, all of which time, with the exception of one year, he has been in the harness busin;^ss. J. H. Sherman, who for many years had charge of the Huntingelevator, is also one of the early residents, still residing here. Another one of the early business men still residing in the village is 0. T. Liud, dealer in groceries, dry goods, shoes, notions, etc. Some of the other early settlers are 0. A. Anderson, the jeweler ; John Norris, Sr. ; D. D. Lione and A. B. Olsen.

The City Hall

The city hall was erected in 1906 at a cost of about $8,000. The structure is a two-story cement brick building 40x80 feet. A part of the first floor is used by the fire department for theiiapparatus, etc. A large room on the east, known as the council <?hamber, is utilized for meetings of various kinds, both social and political. It is here that all elections are held and it is often the scene of a warm debate over questions of interest to the people. Back of the council room is a room for the marshal, and off from this is the city jail, which is a model of cleanliness and neatness. The second floor is a large hall with a seating capacity oC 500, with a good roomy stage where scenery may be displayed

Fire Department

On May 2, 1891, Lyle village was swept by fire, which left the greater portion of the business section -in ashes and destroyed many of the early records, which would be very valuable for articles of this kind as well as in a thousand other ways. This fire as well as other occurrences made evident the urgent need of a fire department, consequently on October 21, 1895, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a volunteer company. Ed Stanley was chosen chief and F. B. Losey elected secretary. After two months Editor E. F. AVilson was elected secretary to succeed Losey. Stanley was reelected chief and held the office until June 7, 1897, when George Robertson was elected chief and A. Phillipson was chosen secretary to succeed Wilson. Robertson continued to hold the office of chief, being reelected year after year until he was elected county auditor and moved to Austin in 1903. On June 14, 1898, Ed Stanley was elected secretary, which office he held until 1903, when R. P. Gibson succeeded him and J. 11. Hughes became chief. Hughes and Gibson served for three years, when, in 1906, Gill Ferris was selected as head of the department in the place of Hughes and L. A. Sherman became scribe. After two years Carl Peterson was chosen chief, which office he held until February, 1911, when James Mortenson was elected. Ed Sherman succeeded L. A. Sherman as secretary August 26, 1909, when the latter resigned, having removed from the village. The company is composed of twenty-one members and its present officers are: James Mortenson, chief; 0. G. Blakestad, treasurer; E. B. Sherman, secretary. The company owns about 1,000 feet of hose, hook and ladder and two hose carts, and all necessary equipments. Although the service is volunteer, all calls are promptly responded to and some heroic work has been done by these brave fire laddies.

The former is an organization of true and d(>voted follower.? of the Saviour, who gather weekly for prayer and worship. They do not have a regular pastor, but often hold series of evangelistic services under the direction of traveling evangelists.

The Congregational church organization is a union of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal and Congregational bodies. The organization was incorporated April 24, 1886, and the church building was dedicated January 30, 1887, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. H. Marley, state superintendent of the Home Missionary Society. Rev. J. S. Rounce Avas the first pastor. The parsonage was erected in 1896. The present pastor is Rev. A. G. "Washington. The church has a flourishing Sunday school in connection, also a Christian Endeavor Society and an active Ladies' Aid Society. L. W. Sherman, one of the pioneer settlers of Lyle, who is now a resident of Minneapolis, was for many years one of the mainstays of the evangelical body.

Postoffice And Bank Public School

Lyle Public School. Lyle has a $15,000 public school building with a full corps of instructors, taking the children from the primary department through the four years of the high school course, with special instructors in the agricultural and manual training departments. The school board consists of: President, Dr. W. S. Cobb; secretary, B. J. Robertson; treasurer, H. G. Dahl; members, C. M. Anderson, J. 0. Johnson and W. L. Cole. The faculty consists of : Superintendent, W. H. Detamore ; principal, Goldie Garl; department of manual training, E. H. Vinton; department of agriculture, W. J. Rhoades; teachers, Ida Southmayd, Erma Wilcox, Fanny Hendy and Alice Roots. The district is No. 90. It was organized in 1873, being formed mostly from the easterly part of No. 15 or Minnereka. The first schoolhouse was built the same year on lots 11 and 12 in block 4, which were presented to the school board by the proprietor of the town plat. It was a small building, 16x26, and seated in the old-fashioned way, the desks extending around three sides, attached to the walls, with benches for seats. S. Anna McCune, of Austin, was the first teacher. The district was made independent a year or two later. In the year 1877 a large two-room building was erected, and about the year 1896 a two-room addition was constructed. This continued to be the home of the public school until 1906, when the present high school Avas erected, and the old site with the buildings sold.

Fraternal Orders

Among the social and fraternal orders Lyle has had her quota, and among them we might mention the M. B. A. Lodge, No. 333 ; AVillow Wood Camp, No. 565; Knights of Pythias, No. 59; the Railroad Order of Trainmen, I. 0. G. T., No. 31, and the A. F.

Alma Lodge, No. 131, A. F. & A. M. The Masonic Lodge has had a steady and substantial growth from the time the local lodge received its charter, in 1878, from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. The very nature of the order does not permit applicants to be taken in by the wholesale, as is the custom in many lodges, yet new and appreciative members have been constantly added, and the work has been successfully carried on, year in and year out, until over 200 men, free born and of lawful age, have become affiliated with this branch of the world-wide organization. Alma Lodge meets regularly on the first and third Friday evenings of each month, in their hall, due east and west, over Dahl Bros.' store. The present officers are : 0. A. Dahl, W. M. ; J. W. Johnson, S. "W. ; Chris Johnson, J. W. ; Wm. Nordland, secretary ; F. M. Beach, treasurer ; Ole Running, S. D. ; Louis Blakestad, J. D. ; Asmun Olson, tyler ; Geo. M. Anderson, S. S. ; Dr. P. T. Torkelson, J. S. ; Dr. W. F. Cobb, prelate ; S. H. Dahl, marshal. The lodge is very strong socially and financially, and is liberally sharing the cares and burdens of its unfortunate members, who need aid. The special feature of this order is its well informed brethren. Alma Lodge had its inception in the early days of the village, when many orders came into existence and flourished for a time, then were lost in oblivion. But Free Masonry still survives.

Knights of Pythias. The wide-awake and enterprising members of the Knights of Pythias Lodge are not to be» overlooked in a write-up of Lyle and its history, for they toil and spin incessantly, and their rapid growth proves the constant activities of the order. The work of the lodge is creditably handled by well informed members, but this is only one of the many features of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Lyle. Its hospitable members and social functions have made the lodge and club rooms one of the most popular rendezvous in this section of the country. The lodge received their charter in 1889, but the great fire in 1891 destroyed the original, and a new one was granted September 9, 1891. Dr. W. A. Frazer is the only one of the original charter members now residing in Lyle. During the last twenty-two years many candidates have wandered through the desert and become useful members of the order. Besides a large membership, the lodge today boasts of having a two-story brick building of their own. which was erected in 1891. The rooms on the first floor are occupied by the drug store and the second story is occupied by tlie Knights. In addition 1o this hall, they have a cozy club room adjoining the hall, which is neatly fitted up for the amusement of the members. Following are the officers: A. George, C. C. ; N. E.

Fedson, V. C. ; W. F. Cobb, prelate ; Ed. Hildebrand, K. of R. & S. ; W. L. Cole, M. of F. ; Nick Severson, M. of E. ; Chas. Howard, M. of W. ; Earl Vinton, M. at A.; John Olson, inner guard; Claude Hildebrand, outer guard; F. E. AVilder, trustee for three years.

The Modern Woodmen of America. About a quarter of a century ago, the Modern Woodmen of America made their appearance in Lyle, and organized a camp, of which Peter Hanson is the only remaining charter member residing in the village. The order is known as Willow Wood Camp, No. 565. They maintain quarters in the Peterson hall, where they hold their regular meetings the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month. The camp is in good active and financial condition, and especially of late has it held its own in adding new material and strength to its large list of members. E. L. Stanley was the first Venerable Counsel and J. S. Schuyler the first Scribe. The camp is at present officered by the following: Fred Wyborney, V. C. ; Chris Johnson, W. A.; John Schumacher, banker; O. G. Blakestad, clerk ; M. M. Dunbar, escort ; Frank Peterman, watchman ; Frank Cafourek, sentry ; Ole Running, manager for three years ; Dr. Cobb, physician ; Dr. Torkelson, assistant.

Modem Brotherhood of America. One of the latter fraternal organizations of the village is the JModern Brotherhood of Amei'- ica, Lyle Lodge, No. 333. This order was first introduced into Lyle about twelve years ago, and today has quite a large membership. Ladies are admitted to membership in this lodge, which has a tendency to strengthen the social part of the order. Their meetings are held in the Masonic Hall on the second and fourth Saturday evenings of the month. Officers elected to supervise the business of the organization are : Peter Anderson, president ; T. Thompson, vice-president; C. M. Anderson, secretary and treasurer; Tom Murphy, chaplain; Ben Helfritz, conductor; George Larson, watchman; Sam Olson, sentry; trustees, Osmun Olson, T. H. Murphy, D. E. Erickson.

Lyle Corrugated Culvert Company. The village of Lyle is closely associated with the corrugated pipe industry, for it was here, in 1905, that the first corrugated pipe seen in this section of the country was manufactured. The Lyle Corrugated Culvert Company was organized by parties from Ohio, who began operations in a small way, choosing Lyle as a suitable point for manufacturing purposes, on account of its splendid railroad facilities. After continuing in the business for about one year, A. B. Wilder and Frank M. Beech became interested in the project, and the Lvle Corrngated Culvert Company, as it now exists, was organized. The company at once began operations on a larger scale, and soon established the branch plant at Minneapolis, where subsequently the head office was moved. The business has increased Avonderfully within the last three years, and the manufacturing plant at Lyle is one of the assets of the village.

The Lyle Telephone Company was organized March 27, 1902, and incorporated for .+20.000, and for thirty years. The above sum was divided into 400 shares at $50 each and sold at par. The highest amount of indebtedness permitted is $10,000. The names and places of residence of the persons forming this corporation are as follows: E. L. Stanley, R. Reierson, W. F. Cobb, J. L. Hughson. A. M. Wilson, George Robertson, L. A. Sherman, A. B. AVilder, F. M. Beach, 0. T. Lund and C. "W. Lacy, all of Lyle ; John Bergasou and Rahne Brothers, of Deer Creek, Iowa, and H. D. Fairbanks, of Austin. Each took five shares. The following stockholders were elected directors : E. L. Stanley, John Bergason, "\Y. F. Cobb, George Robertson and R. Reierson. The first meeting of the board of directors Avas held April 1, 1902. John Bergason was elected president; George Robertson, vice-president; E. L. Stanley, secretary, and W. F. Cobb, treasurer. In April, 1905, the stockholders voted to bond the company for $5,000 and pay all outstanding indebtedness, which was accordingly done. The first annual statement shows a capital stock paid in of $7,500 and a surplus cash on hand of $416.16. The last annual statement shows common stock issued, $8,350; preferred stock,- $1,470; invested in plant. $17,816.06 ; outstanding indebtedness, $3,150 ; outstanding accounts, cash and material on hand, $886.61. After the first year the company has always paid its stockholders an annual dividend and for the last seven years the company has paid a dividend of 6 per cent, placing the balance of the net earnings in the sinking fund.

From this showing it will be seen that the Lyle Telephone Company is a live organization. Compared with other telephone lines in rural communities, it stands high, and the service it renders is exceptionally good. Its connections with three long-distance lines give its patrons a service that is metropolitan in its complexion. Its officers at this time are : W. F. Cobb, president ; Charles Howard, vice-president ; B. J. Robertson, secretary ; A. B. AYilder, treasurer, and John Bergason, director. The company employs tliree operators and gives almost continual service, a few hours on Sunday being the exception. Its business relations with other companies have always been pleasant as well as profitable. The future of this company promises success the same as in the past.

Municipal History

The first meeting of the village eouneil of Lyle was held May 17, 1875. and the august body was composed of the following named persons: L. W. Sherman, mayor and justice of the peace; John Trodler, O. H. Lucken and P. H. McLaughlin, coiincilmen ; T. H. Irgens, treasurer ; John C. Taskerud, recorder ; Peter Knutson, constable, and P. Laughlin, assessor.

Since then L. W. Sherman has served the people of Lyle twice in the capacity of mayor. Seventeen others filled this office with the number of terms as follows : P. H. McLaughlin succeeded Mr. Sherman after three years with two terms, when Peter Hanson was elected and held the office one term. Frank Jereback followed Peter Hanson with two years in the chair, and T. H. Irgens succeeding, serving three years. L. W. Sherman was then elected again and held the office one year. L. D. Carter, E. L. Stanley, 0. T. Lund, 0. G. Myhre followed with one term each, when L. W. Sherman was again elected mayor and held office one term. Geo. Robertson and A. M. Wilson followed with one term each and R. Reierson succeeded Wilson and held the office two years. In 1897, P. A. Johnson was chosen mayor and served three terms. He was followed by W. F. Cobb. W. E. LeBaron was next elected and held the office for three terms, when he was succeeded by F. M. Beach, who, after two years in the office, was followed by Jens Larson in 1908, who has since had the honor of swinging the gavel.

At a meeting of the first village council. May 18, 1875, it was decided to hold all regular meetings of the council on the first Monday of each month, and this rule has always been adhered to. The first order was drawn for $11.25, in favor of H. Wiseman, for painting the village "lock-up." For the first four years the annual village election was held in May, but on March 11, 1879, a special charter election was held and the second Tuesday in March has since been known as a "red letter" day in the village.

Those who have served in the capacity of recorder since the village was organized are many, and with one or two exceptions were expert penmen. The list is as follows: John C. Taskerud, four months; Wm. Stanley, five years; E. 0. Fausett, one year; W. T. Dudley, three years; L. D. Carter, one year; J. S. Jacobson, one year ; E. L. Stanley, two years ; J. S. Schuyler, five years ; J. A. Curran, four years ; John Gould, five years ; L. A. Sherman, six years; and George M. Anderson, our present iiiouinl)ent, has served in that capacity the past three years.

Recollections Of Early Lyle

Early settlers of Mower county relate tliat until tlie spring of the year 1870 the ground where now stands the town of which I write was part of an extensive prairie extending to the limit of sight on either hand, except for a fringe of timber along the Cedar river on the west and the noted "Six-Mile Grove" to the east. No laborer's spade or farmer's plow had overturned the sod of its rich soil to the light of the warming sun. All was vast, vacant and still.

In that year came the construction crews of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, building the "cut-off" between Austin and ]\Iason City. Lyle was then established as a station on the line, taking its name from the township of which it was a part. It was platted June 18, 1870, and the plat was filed in the office of the register of deeds of Mower county, November 10 of the same year.

0. N. Darling was the first station agent. Bassett, Huntting & Co.. of McGregor, Iowa, built the first grain warehouse, and their agent. ^\. H. Culton, became the first grain buyer.

The town at once became prominent as a market, owing to rivalry Avith i\Iona, Iowa, one mile south, then the terminus of the Cedar Falls branch of the Illinois Central Railroad.

E. Hoxsie was for several years conductor of the "mixed" passenger and freight train running over the "cut-off," and it became noted far and near as " Hoxsie 's train," the name "Milwaukee" being scarcely known and little used to designate road or train.

The first "mart of trade" consisted of a few boards nailed up into a shack or shanty. The goods for sale were kept in kegs, jugs and bottles, and usually carried away "inside" the purchasers. A prominent citizen of the vicinity venturing to protest against this to the superintendent of the railroad and proprietor of the town plat, received the unsatisfactory answer: "You can't build up a town here in the west without a saloon."

Thor. Irgens established the first general store, and was commissioned the first postmaster. J. R. Hall was the first blacksmith, mingling his duties as village smithy with others of an official character, being justice of the peace under authority of the township, lie soon disposed of his business interests and was succeeded by John Rein.schmidt, a strenuous and somewhat noted character, well remembered by the old residents.

The first shoemaker Avas Peter Johnson, he being succeeded by everybody's friend, B. D. Hedemark, who continued in the same line until mown down by "the grim reaper" in 1909.

Peter Hanson made the first harness in the new village, and still continues in the same business, thoiigh in late years badly handicapped by broken health.

Wold & Olson were pioneers in the furniture and upholstering business, while Andrew B. Johnson opened up and conducted .the first watch repairing and jewelry establishment.

Lyle was incorporated as a village by special act of the state legislature, approved March 9, 1875. The first officers elected under this act were as follows : Mayor, L. W. Sherman ; recorder, J. C. Taskerud ; treasurer, Th. Irgens ; marshal, Peter Knutson ; assessor. Ph. McLaughlin; city justice, L. W. Sherman, John Trodler; councilmen, 0. H. Lucken, Ph. McLaughlin. The first meeting of the council was held May 17, 1875.

The first bank, "The Exchange," was established a short time after the destructive fire of 1892, by A. H. Anderson. In the year 1900 this was merged in "The First National," Mr. Anderson becoming its first president, and serving in that capacity until his death in 1910.

The first religious services were held in the waiting room of the Milwaukee depot, conducted by Rev. Wm. Lowry, a Presbyterian minister residing in Freeborn county. These were soon discontinued, owing to lack of interest. No other services in English were maintained imtil Rev. J. S. Rounce, of Rose Creek, commenced the first continuous work, holding semi-weekly meetings in the schoolhouse. These resulted in the organization of the first church society, the Congregational, in March, 1886, and the erection of the first church Iniilding the same year.

In 1873 C. R. Hughson organized the first Sabbath school in the small first school building. This he, as superintendent, with some others interested, maintained for a considerable time and made a small beginning, at least, in arousing children and parents to their need of spiritual development tlirough religious instruction.

trict No. 15, known as "Minnereka. " The distance of the schoolhouse from town prevented all but the larger scholars from attending, so a private school was started by subscription, and taught by IMiss Clark, who thus became first teacher. The district was divided in 1873, and No. 90 was formed, a small schoolhouse erected, and the first organized school was taught by S. Anna MeCune, of Austin.

But these recollections of pioneer times, being mostly fragments of memory, are not and cannot be reliable history, for with advancing age the faculties of mind are apt to play sad tricks upon us. Yet should be called to mind the names and achievements of many first citizens. Such men as C. H. Cole and H. B. Dow, John Halvorson, Peter Knutson, J. 0. and A. 0. Myhre. ]\I. 0. Wilson, 0. T. Lund, P. K. Everson and R. Reierson, all merchants of success, as well as the Stanleys, father and son, L. W. Sherman, the lumberman, and J. H., his brother, buyer for many years at the Huntting elevator; the Hildebrands, brothers four, and many others, more or less successful in building up their own interests, helped to advance the growth of trade, and the establishment of civic improvement.

Two events of note, as affecting the surrounding region and, incidentally, the people of the village, are recalled, the first being the great storm or "blizzard" of January 7 to 10, 1873, which, sweeping over the whole Northwest with great violence and severity, caused much suffering and damage to the surprise and unprepared inhabitants; country roads and railroads were blockaded and business well nigh suspended for weeks following.

The other to be named was the unrivaled crop of Avheat in 1877, bringing abimdance and prosperity for the time and, through hopes of a continuance of these conditions, stimulating many into extravagance and debt. But this year of plenty was followed the next and after years by an almost total failure of wheat, compelling a radical change in the methods of farming, with a resulting depression of business until the readjustment was effected.

An event of terror and painful loss was the great fire of ]\Iay 2, 1892, when was swept away, in a few hours, almost the entire business of the town, with a destruction of property and merchandise amounting to many thousands of dollars. To many, the loss was almost unbearable, but the shock was soon overcome, hope and courage revived, resulting in rebuilding of a more substantial character and re-establishment of business.

So, though Lyle has pa.ssed through many seasons of prosperity, and some also of unfortunate conditions, still the trust and energy of her people are an assurance that the future has much hoi)e and promise for her prosperity and improvement.

Following is a brief directory of Lyle, published in 1873, when the village was in the earliest years of its growth. At that time three railroads formed a ji;netion at this point, the Mason City branch of the Milwaukee and St. Paul, the Illinois Central, and the Burlington and Cedar Rapids, the latter running trains over the tracks of the Milwaukee and St. Paul road as far south as Plymouth Junction and north to Austin, there connecting with trains for St. Paul and McGregor. The Chicago and Milwaukee had erected a station and 0. N. Darling was the agent. The merchants were : Irgens & Knutson, Scarf & Williams, Olson & Co., L. W. Sherman, and Peter Johnson. S. D. Mecord was a grain buyer; John Trodler kept a boarding house and John Reinsmith was the blacksmith.

In 1885 Lyle had already become a railroad center. The tracks at that time were laid as follows: "The two main lines of road, Minnesota and Northwestern and Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, run side by side, one hundred feet apart, almost due north for ten miles in a straight line. The east track is the original one and crosses the new one at the south edge of the village, bearing off to the southwest to Mason City, Iowa. Another road leaves the west main track, a few rods north of the crossing just mentioned, and bears to the west by south to ]\Ianley Junction on the Iowa Central. This road is not quite complete. The road running due south is owned by the Minnesota and Northwestern, eighty rods to the state line, and thence by the Illinois Central."

Serious Cyclone

Lyle was visited by a serious cyclone on the evening of June Jl, 1897. Two clouds came together about a mile north of the Iowa line and five miles west of the village of Lyle, taking a zigzag course nearly east, blowing down buildings, uprooting trees aud demolishing everything in its path, even blowing freight cars from the track and across fields. Henry C. Hanson, a young farmer living west of the village, was killed. Among the seriously injured were : Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hanson and Eobert Hanson ; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Larson, Mrs. Stipe, Christian Mads and Peter Peterson, Charles Severson, Mrs. "W .A. Fraser, Mrs. M. L. Hughson, Mr. and Mrs. "W. M. Brooks.

The first house struck was that of Mrs. Funda, where it tore off an addition. The course of the storm from there on with its attendant damages w^as as follows : J. C. Owen, buildings destroyed, family in cellar unhurt. Charles Howard, barn destroyed. Woodbury schoolhouse smashed to splinters. Charles Seaverson, skull fractured, buildings demolished. W. Stipe, house and barn destroyed, ]\Irs. Stipe injured. John Johnson, buildings riiined. Mrs. Lars Berg, new house destroyed. Joseph "Wyborny, all buildings totally destroyed. Henry Hanson, killed, buildings destroyed, Mrs. Hanson and three children badly injured. Peter Peterson, all seriously injured and buildings destroyed. The storm struck Lyle village north of the Chicago Great Western round house, tipped over two freight cars standing on the Milwaukee track, blew the wheel off the city waterworks tow^er, and thence continued east, destroying everything in its path. One of the most remarkable escapes was that of the Peter Hanson family, living in the village. He was erecting a new house and he and his family of six, with three visitors, were eating supper in the barn which stood just west of the new house. The storm blew barn, family and house across the prairie. Peter Hanson had a leg broken, his wife had a rib broken and was internally injured, and the son Robert received a terrible blow on the forehead. The guests were also seriously injured. Charles Larson was badly bruised about his head, his wife and child were seriously injured, and their house and barn demolished. The storm demolished Dr. Frazier's barn, dodged his residence, and then destroyed the residence of Chris. Christensen. Mrs. Nelson, living two miles east of the village, had a barn and granary destroyed. Rev. Eggen had a windmill blown down. Willis E. Bryan saw the storm coming and took his family to the cellar and stand against the west wall. Every stick of timber in the house was blown away, but the family escaped injury, with the exception of Mr. Bryan, who had his foot smashed bj^ a falling rock. The estimated loss caused by the storm was about $30,000. Had the path of the cyclone been two blocks farther south, the whole village of Lyle would have been wiped out. About three miles east of Lyle, the storm lost its rotary motion, and continued as a heavy wind.

up on Lyle village, the history of the telephone company being from the pen of Dr. W. F. Cobb, and the recollections being furnished by L. AV. Sherman, now of Minneapolis.)