Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 32: Dexter Township and Village, 1911

Chapter 32: Dexter Township and Village

Dexter Township - Location and Soil - Settlement - Organization - Religious - Dexter Village - Location and Settlement - Village Plats - Village Incorporation and Officers with Village Improvements - Churches - Edited by Henry Weber, Jr, - Renova - Sutton.

Dexter is identical with congressional township 103 north, range 16 west. It is almost wholly a prairie, with a surface somewhat rolling. The drainage is east, west, north and south, and it is claimed that Dexter is the highest point on the Southern Minnesota division of the C, M. & St. P. R. R., between La Crosse, Wis., and Madison, S. D. The only native timber to be found in the town is in the southeastern part. The soil is a dark productive loam, somewhat mixed with sand in the southern part, and also on the banks of Root river in the northern section.

Settlement

The first settlement within the limits of Dexter township was made in 1857 by Mahlon Parritt and his son, Dexter, who came here from the town of Marshall, where they had spent the summer. The son entered the southeast quarter of section 33. Here was the home of the father until the time of his death. Dexter Parritt, in whose honor the town was named, lived here till 1882, and then moved to Marshall. For a number of years the Parritts were the only settlers in the town. Dexter Parritt finally returned to his native state, Ohio, and there died in about the year of 1903. G. W. Bowles came to Dexter in 1859, stayed but a short time and then went to Missouri. Returning thence in 1867, he settled on the northeast quarter of section 33, where he remained till 1879. when he sold his place to George ]\Ienck. Henry L. Slaven settled in the east half of the northwest quarter of section 34, in 1866. Slaven came to ]\Iower county in company with his mother in the fall of 1856, and lived for some years in Windom. In 1873 he went to Fort Dodge, Iowa. The year 1867 brought John Pete here from Wisconsin. Mr. Pete was a native of England, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 7. In 1868, Hammond Stowell, a native of Ohio, and his son-in-law, C. J. Shortt, a Vermonter, bought 1,600 acres of land in sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 17. They broke 160 acres of land that year, making their home on the northeast quarter of section 7. After living there one year, Stowell sold to Ira Jones and went to Hastings. Shortt remained six years and then went to Brownsdale. John I. "Wheeler, Joseph Cronk and George Rose, son-in-law of the latter, also came in 1868. "Wheeler bought a large tract of land in sections 5 and 6. After living there three years, he moved to Freeborn county, having sold his place to Dr. S. P. Thornhill. The farm was then occupied for a time by Dr. Thornhill's son, French, later a practicing physician at Spring Valley. Cronk and Rosa settled in the northwest quarter of the town, where they lived but a short time. Hiram Thompson, a native of the State of New York, was another who arrived in '68. He bought the southeast quarter of section 27, where he still resides. In 1869, Henry Dudfield, Daniel Pearce and Nelson A. Huntington came to Dexter. Dudfield and Pearce, both Englishmen by birth, had been living for some time in "Wisconsin. The former settled on section 21. He was a blacksmith, the first of that trade in the town. Pearce settled on section 22. Huntington, a native of New York, came here from "Wabasha county, and bought the southwest quarter of section 3, where he died in 1882. Two who took farms in sections 11, namely, Daniel Williams and A. G. Tanner, settled here in 1874. Williams was a native of the Empire State. S. E. Peters, another Avho came in 1874, settled on section 2.

As before mentioned, the Parritts were for several years the only settlers. In 1855 the land of Chatfield district Avas brought into market from the Mississippi to the west line of Mower county. The scattering settlers, mostly unprepared to pay for their land at once and not wishing to be surrounded and isolated by the lands of speculators, petitioned President Pierce to withdraw the sale. Six townships north and south through the prairie center of I\Iower county had no settlers and no names on the petition, and wore not withdrawn, but were speedily entered with land Avarrants.

In the year 1876, 1877 and 1878 there Avas quite a boom in the settlement of the town. The following are named as having come to Dexter in that period: D. W. Adams, B. Cornforth, G. Seebach, Conrad Christ gau Avith his sons, John and Fred, Conrad Praeschal,

J. :\I. Peterson. 0. RadAvay, Luther Rice, A. and R. Starks. The last eight settled in the north part of the town, Rice on section 1, Radway on section 12, Johnson on section 2, Peterson and the two Starks on section 3, Gilliland and Lynch on section 10 ; French settled on section 22. Adams was born in the State of New York. He came here from Olmsted county and settled on the northeast quarter of section 35. Seebach and Christgau settled in section 32. Proesehal located in section 30, Ariidt in section 31.

Organization

The town of Dexter Avas organized at a meeting held at the house of Henry Dudfield, in the southeast quarter of section 21, on June 6, 1870. The stars and stripes were raised on a pole in front of the house in honor of the occasion. Dexter Parritt Avas chosen moderator, D. G. Pearce, clerk, and Charles N. Pearce, assistant clerk of the meeting. H. S. Slaven, Charles Brandt and Charles Blakely were appointed judges of election. The following were elected officers for the ensuing year: Supervisors, Dexter Parritt (chainnan), Henry Dudfield, F. "\V. Thornhill;, C. J. Shortt" and Hiram Thompson, justices of the peace ; D. G. Pearce, assessor; Nelson Huntington, treasurer; D. G. Pearce, clerk ; H. S. Slaven and Nelson Huntington, constables.

Religious

The German Lutheran Church. Church services were first lield in 1881 by Rev. Christian Bender, of Red "Wing. The first members were Conrad Christgau, Gotlieb Seebach, John and Fred Christgau, G. Betcher, W. F. Jacobi and their wives. The first deacons were Conrad Christgau and wife, AV. F. Jacobi and John Christgau. Rev. Mr. Bender was the first pastor. Among the early pastors were Rev. John Achilles, of St. Paul ; Rev. 'Mr. Kittle, of Albert Lea, and Rev. 0. Hoger. Conrad Christgau was the first superintendent of a Sunday school which was formed in connection with this church.

Rev. Hager occupied the pulpit from 1883 to 1886. The church was formally organized in 1883, under the name of Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation of the town of Dexter. The first trustees were C. Christgau, J. Christgau and "W. Jacobi. Churcl; services were now being held and continued to be held in the schoolhouse of district number 106, until the present church edifice on northwest corner of section 32 was erected in 1891 and was dedicated on the thirtieth day of August of tlie same year. The church schoolhouse was built in 1898. The Rev. Ilaar, Bruusz and Zich in turn were pastors from 1887 to 1896, and then Rev. Pohlcy to 1902, when the present pastor, Rev. J. Guse, took charge of the work.

Hoppiii, Delia and ]\[ina Hanna, George Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. El)en Gould. The class leader was W. P. Hoppin. E. Markham and W. P. Iloppin were elo'.'ted stewards. The class met for a time in Pearee's hall, then in the Congregational church, and later in the new schoolhouse. Rev. Mr. Hardy was the preacher until 1881.

Dexter Village

Dexter village is situated in section 13, in the township of Dexter, near tlie geographical center of the county. Both village and lownship take their name from Dexter Parritt, who was an early settler of the township which Avas organized June 6, 1872. The village was laid out in ]873, the depot erected in 1874: and the village incorporated by act of the legislature in February, 1878. At the present time it is a thriving village with a population of some three hundred. It has a bank, a hotel, two elevators, a creamery, a Congregational and Seven Day Advent churches, a public school, a postoffice and various business interests.

At the time the building of the Southern ]\Iinnesota railroad was being agitated, which Avas in 1870, Red Rock and Dexter, tlien forming one civil township, were bonded to the amount of $22,000 to assist the railroad. After Dexter was organized as a separate township, it offered to the railroad company a bonus or $5,000 to plant a station on section 16. Of this proposition the company took no notice whateA'er. It was afterward learned that they were bound by Brownsdale people not to establish a station within eight miles of that place.

The land on which the village of Dexter now stands, a little more than eight miles distant from Brownsdale, Avas at the time oAvned by C. "W. Perkins. One-half of this land Perkins gave to J. C. Easton, and they together platted the village in 1874. The lirst house in the village was a small building put up by the railroad company for a depot and telegraph office ; the second was a Avarehouse OAvned by J. C. Easton ; the third Avas a frame building 18x28 feet, 16 feet posts, erected by Daniel G. Pearee, and used by him for a store and dwelling. Mr. Pearee's store Avas opened in 1874 with a small but varied stock of goods. In the autumn of the same year George W. Buck erected a l)uil(lnig 22x50 feet, 20 feet posts, and put in a good stock of general merchandise. Buck Avas in trade continuously until November, 1883, Avhen he sold the stock to his son, George A. Buck, and C. S. AVoostcr. Within a feAv years he repurchased the same and remained in business until his death in 1906. The postoffice Avas established in 1874. It Avas for a time kept at the raihvay station. Amasa N. Converse, the first postmaster, Avas succeeded in the earlv davs bv .Tohu L. Gaskill, L. :\I. Gaskill, George AV. Buck.

O. J. Dickens, P. Sheridan, B. S. Benner and finally by E. W. Dorr, who is now, with the assistance of two rural mail carriers, Chase and Gilmore, handing the mail to Uncle Sam's patrons.

In 1876 Pearce moved his goods into a new and larger store. Here he continued in business till 1877, when he sold out to his son George. Toward the close of the year 1883 Mr. Pearce, the elder, again opened a store in the house he had first built. Later Daniel Pearce moved to "Wisconsin, where he died in 1906.

In 1876 John Gaskill rented a building of L. B. Smith, where he kept a grocery store and restaurant about a year. He then made a change in his business. Dealing no longer in groceries he engaged more extensively in the sale of farm machinery, which he had previously handled in connection with his store.

In 1878 E. Mapes rented a building, stocked it with general merchandise and started his son in business. The enterprise not being wholly successful, in tM^o years' time the store was closed.

Late in 1876 Jesse and Samuel King bought a building in whicli they opened a meat market, the first in Dexter. In the following spring they put in groceries. They were in trade but a short time. The business passed through several hands before it was finally closed.

The first drug store in this village was started in 1875, by Joseph Sunmons, in the building later occupied by Benner Brothers as a hardware store. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Simmons turned over the stock of drugs to his son, Rollon Simmons, a practicing physician, who sold out a few months later to Pettit & Stewart. This firm kept drugs for a time in connection with groceries. Another druggist was George Pearce, who continued in business imtil the fire of 1897. It was about this time that E. W. Dorr opened a store for the sale of drugs and since that time has been and now is the only druggist of the village.

The first hardware store was opened in 1874, by L. R. Smith, who was in trade rather less than two years. The second was opened by Henry Dudfield, in 1875. Dudfield purchased the hardware stock of L. B. Smith, and a building from Josepli Simmons. In November, 1876, David M. Vermilyea opened a hardware store in the building first erected by Mr. Pearce. Vermilyea was at this time in the employ of Walter Dixon, of Eyota, in whose interest he managed the store for a year. At the end of that time he, David M., with John K. and James J. Vermilyea, bought the stock. Tlie l)usiness was conducted by the Vermilyeas until 1879, when it was sold to Henry Benner, Avho also bought Dudfield 's building. The business was later conducted by his sons, George and Bion Benner, and they, witliin a few years, dis- posed of the same and were succeeded in that line of business by C. H. Hopkins, C. 0. Jnelson, Hoppin and Owen, M. D. Williams, Vermilyea and Reed, W. E. Daily, Reed and Nayes, and by Soil and Jacobson.

The first grain buyer here was Amasa N. Converse, who first represented J. C. Easton, and later Wheeler & Hyde. The following named also purchased grain in Dexter in the early days: "W. P. Hoppin, Seth Keifer, G. Olson, Abuer Hunt, A. J. Haskins, A. Gallipean, Charles Anton, J. Riddleton, Aleck Stewart, Alvah Huut and George Hartwell.

The lumber yard was started by the La Crosse Lumber Company in 1874, whose agent in Dexter was Amasa N. Converse. John Paul purchased the business three or four years later. Ho later was represented here by George H. Bryan. The lumber yard was finally bought by the Amian Lumber Company, and run by that firm until 1896, when it was transferred to and continued by the Colman Lumber Company, and is still under its management at the present time.

TJie first hotel in Dexter was built by D. A. Page in 1872. It was opened to the traveling public in August. The building of the second was begun in September, by Robert Swann. This, too, was ready for occupancy before the close of the year. Mr. Page's was a frame building, standing close to the railroad track on the south. It contained, as first built, nine rooms. Page managed the house for two years, then rented to J. L. Gaskill, who rented a few months later to M. D. Chamberlain. About a year afterwarcl the house was closed. In 1880 0. F. Kelly purchased the property. The house was re-opened for a time as a hotel and later wa? occupied by D. L. Stiles, who was in the drug and merchandise business. The building was destroyed by the fire of 1897. The l)uilding put up by Mr. Swann as a hotel was situated nortli ol the railroad and contained twenty-one rooms. Mr. Swann continued as manager of this house till June, 1884, Avhen he leased it to Z. D. Home. It was afterwards managed and run as a hotel by C. Pcarce, Warren and Vandenoever, O. J. Simmons, B. Warn, F. Nolting, H. A. Wilmot and C. W. Howe.

The fir.3t harness making shop was opened here in 1877, by Frank Stimson, who sold after a few months to A. C. W^arren and removed to Brownsdale. Some six months later Warren sold out to A. N. Converse. From his hands the shop very soon passed into those of a man named Nichols, Avho held it a])oiit a year and then closed up. J. Sherman opened a shop in 1879.

The first to set up shoe making in De.xter was Henry Olson, v.ho represented the craft about a year, beginning in 1879. Robert Behring, his successor, .seems to have been a little more contented, as his stay -was considerably lontrci'. Fi-ank Trippic was anotiiiM-

The first physician to open an office here was Roilon Simmons, ?!. D., who came in 1875, remained two or three years and then returned to Indiana. His successor was L. D. Jackson, who went from here to Grand Meadow. Dr. Cormick was the third who undertook to make a living by looking after the health of the people of Dexter. He spent but a year in the place, then went to Dakota. Dr. G. J. Schottler located here in 1896 and has ever since been looking after the physical welfare of the people of this locality.

The railroad station in Dexter was built in 1875, 30x70 feet. One end was used as an office and waiting room ; the other as a storage room for freight. This building constituted the depot until it was destroyed by the fire of 1897, wiien it was replaced by another building erected a little farther west, and which still continues as the railway station of the C, ]\I. & St. P. R. R. Charles H. Pearce was the first station agent and operator. He was succeeded by C. G. King, and the latter by E. E. Bulin.

Histoey Of Mower Couxty 435

Dickens, general store; C. V. Miller, general store; W. E. Daily, hardware, furniture, ete., also dealer in farm implements; E. ^V. Dorr, postmaster and dealer in drugs; R. Lewis, meats; Solt & Jacobson, hardware ; T. K. Berven, shoe shop -. Ruth Howe, millinery; E. Karow, creamery; I. S. Emery, blacksmith; D. C. March, blacksmith; C. AV. Howe, hotel; R. Burke, restaurant; J. E. Kirkwood, deep wells ; Union Fibre Company, dealers in Hax straw ; C. L. Colman Lumber Company ; Stevenson Elevator Company; Dexter Telephone Company; Congregational church; Seven Day Advent church; a four-room full graded school; G. J. Sehottler, physician ; Henry AVeber. Jr., attorney.

Banking History

First State Bank of Dexter. For some time prior to the erection of the present bank building and the establishment of a permanent bank, G. W. King and also E. S. Hoppin had, in a measure, done some banking business. But it was not until the spring of 1902 that Medbery Brothers, Weber Brothers, W. H. Pierce and E. S. Hoppin, of this village, and Reed & Kline, of Welcome, JMinnesota, formed an association for the purpose of establisliing a permanent bank. When they had formulated their plans and the bank building had been partly erected, they w^ere induced to sell out to parties from Wright county, Iowa, who completed the building as first planned and in the fall of the same year opened the doors for business as a private banking institution, under the firm name of F. C. Hartshorn & Co., with D. L. Mills as cashier.

This firm continued in business until January 1, 1907, wlien the w^hole, including the banking house, Avas purchased by the local parties who were the founders of it, and outside parties, among whom were Wright, Parhan, Torgriuson, Zabel and Goodsell of Grand Meadow and F. M. Conklin of Chester, Iowa, and the bank was incorporated under the name of First State Bank of Dexter.

In the early part of the year 1910, the stock held l)y outside parties was bought by men of this locality, and it is now ownett and completely controlled by local parties.

The bank, under its present name, in 1907, started doing business with a deposit of about $16,000, which has increased to and now exceeds the sum of $00,000. Its officers are : Henry Weber. Jr., president; A. S. Rolison, first vice-president; G. J. Sehottler, second vice-president; F. M. Conklin, cashier; Tlieo. Kramer, assistant cashier; and the above named, with II. M. Brue, T. K. Berven, W. Tweeten. R. Weber and J. ]\Iiller, are the nine directors of tlie bank.

Incorporation

The village of Dexter was incorporated by an act of the legislature, February 28, 1878. It includes sections 13 and 14. The first meeting for the election of village officers was held in Gaskill's Hall on the 12th of ]\Iarch. 1878. The first officers were: Aleck Stewart, president of the board; councilmen, L. D. Jackson, L. M. Gaskill, G. W. Buck; recorder, C. H. Pearce; treasurer, D. M. Vermilyea ; assessor, S. C. Pettit ; justices of the peace, J. L. Gaskill and H. Dudfield ; constable, I. Dennver.

The first religious meetings in Dexter were held in 1874. Rev. T. F. Ladd, a Baptist divine from High Forest, was the pioneer preacher. A few services were held, some of them in the schoolhouse, some in Pearce 's Hall. The outcome of these was a Sunday school, of which Israel Best was the superintendent.

In 1875, Rev. Cyrus Stone, Congregationalist, from Massachusetts, visited Dexter and preached in the schoolhouse. An interest was awakened, and Rev. L. H. Cabel, superintendent of the Home Missionary Society, came here and organized a church. The first members Avere Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dudfield, Rev. Cyrus Stone, Mrs. Frank Dewey, John DeYoung, Mr. and Mrs. Israel Best, Mrs. Fowler, Walter Hitchman, William Cruikshank. Henry Dudfield and Israel Best were elected deacons, and Cyrus Stone was elected clerk. Rev. Mr. Stone became the first pastor. He was ordained that year at Grand Meadow. He was succeeded by Rev. R. B. Wright, who was followed by Rev. James Sikes. In 1877, a church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,200, about onehalf of which w^as raised in the east. After Rev. Sikes, the pulpit in turn Avas occupied by Rev. Smith, Cobb, Cowell, Brown, Duncan, Donalson, Winter, Jones, Lyons, Bain, and the present incumbent being Rev. Hughes. The present church officers are I. P. Chase, T. L. Woodford and G. H. McNeir, trustees ; Mrs. S. Emery, ilork, and Mrs. Clara McXeir, treasurer.

The Methodist Episcopal class was organized by Rev. Mr. Stokes, of Brownsdale. Among its members were : Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Farrington, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Simmons, ]\Ir. and Mrs. John Harris. R. C. Farrington was class leader and steward. Rev. Messrs. Barklow, Copp and Caple were among the early preachers.

The Seventh Day Adventists erected a church in 189fi and for a lime had a regular ])astor. Services are held in the church, in charge of the meml)er.s or of visiting pastors.

Serious Fires

On the night of May 31, 1897, Dexter was visited by a fire which entirely destroyed the buildings on the west side of Main street. AYhen the fire was discovered a high wind was blowing, and in spite of heroic efforts on the part of the citizens, all the buildings on the west side of the street were swept away, including the railroad station, lumber yard, water tank and coal sheds. The following losses were sustained : S. A. Sorenson, $6,000 ; H. A. Benson, $2,000 ; W. H. Pierce, $4,000 ; G. J. Juelson, $4,000 ; H. I. Hull, $300; Henry Weber, Jr., $1,500; P. Vandenoever, .$2,000; Sorenson & Pierce, $1,200 ; Cargyll & Hyde, $2,500 ; G. L. Coleman, $2,000; George King, $500; F. M. Danley, $1,000; C, M. & St. Paul, $3,000 ; S. Y. Hyde, $1,200 ; B. S. Benner, $300.

On January 27, 1907, Dexter suffered another heavy loss by fire, which may be estimated at about $25,000. It was about 10 o'clock in the evening, after the business houses had been closed for the day, that fire broke out in the double-front building owned and occupied by the Medbery Bros, as a dry goods and grocery store. The upper story was used as a Masonic hall, and as an office of Dr. G. J. Schottler. AVithin a few hours the whole was completely destroyed by the fire. This structure has not been rebuilt. The loss sustained was reasonably well covered by insurance.

Dexter Lodge, No. 253, A. F. & A. M., was constituted in the village April 9, 1903, with fourteen charter members. It now has thirty members, and holds its meeting in the hall of the Buck building. The lodge formerly occupied the Medbery Hall, which, in 1907, was destroyed by fire. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Dexter Camp, No. 3504, M. W. A., was organized in this village January 24. 189(), with twenty t-harter members. The lodge has at present sixty-six members in good standing and has for several years owned its OAvn hall, which is a commodious one. Regular camp meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Its present officers are : Y. C A,V. L. Harrison ; AV. A., A. T. Root ; E. B, D. A. Root; clerk. 0. J. Dickens; escort, Jolin Prickett : watcliiuaii. George Drake ; sentry, Charles Kramer.

Dexter Telephone Company. A local telephone company of this viciuity was (.'stablished in May, 1901. It was a stock company known as the Mower County Farmers' Telephone, in which each patron was required to own a share and provide his own instrument and help build the line. It proved to be a success in every way and soon was connected with other lines for long distance work. The first officers of the company Avere: B. F. King, president ; O. J. Dickens, treasurer, and J. Rahilly, secretary. On the first day of January, 1909, the company was incorporated under the name of Dexter Telephone Companj^, wath a capital stock of $10,000, and the line now has 150 miles of wire in operation with about 250 phones in place. The village of Dexter is the headquarters for the company and there is scarcely a farm home within a radius of several miles of the village which cannot be reached by the line. The annual meetings are held in June, and the present officers are L. Larson, president ; A. S. Rolfson, vice president; 0. J. Dickens, treasurer, and R. Rahilly, secretary; these, together with N. Lee, C. Fairbanks, AV. Daily, AV. Watson, W. Phillips, W. Drake, and J. Martin, constitute the board of directors.

Dexter Commercial Club. One of the many associations of the village that should not be lost sight of is the Commercial Club of Dexter. Although not more than a year has passed since its formation, it has done a great deal for the business and financial interests of the village and in additon to this it has been instrumental in maintaining a fraternal feeling among the business men of the town. The club has a large membership for a village of this size and a great deal of interest is taken. Its present officers are G. J. Schottler, president ; F. M. Conklin, treasurer, and E. "W. Dorr, secretary.

Dexter Cemetery

The village cemetery is well located one-half mile north of the business portion of the town, in the northwest quarter of section 13. It is on the main highway and consists of tAvo acres of nice high ground, which slopes east and also west. It was platted in 1889 and laid out in seventy-two main or principal lots and 306 smaller or outside lots. The cemetery is under the control and management of the village council.

is chiefly a grain trading point and has an excellent elevator, a railroad station and a general store in which is located the postoffice. Eenova was platted March 80, 1900, by W. P. Johnson.

Sutton was located in section 26 on the Chicago Great Western. It was started as a trading point after the building of the railroad in 1887. The elevator burned down and the station has been moved away.

Chaptee Xxxiii

Location, Advantages and Area - Early Settlement - First Events - Organization of the Township - Religious - Rose Creek Village - Location, Platting, Incorporation and Officers - Business in the Early Days - Churches - Edited by George Sutton and Ferdinand G. Ray.

"Wiudoiii township embraces the territory comprised in congressional township 102 north, range 17 west of the fifth principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by Eed Eock townshiji, on the east by Marshall, on the south by Nevada and on the west by Austin. The surface of this toAvnship is quite level, and there are but few acres of waste land. Originally about three-fourths of the surface of the township was clear prairie land, while on a portion of the balance good timber was growing. The largest body of timber was located on sections 7, 8, 13, 24 and 25. The soil is a rich, dark loam, in some places mixed slightly with sand and in other places with clay. The soil is very productive and excellently adapted to the raising of cereals and grasses common to this latitude.

The township is drained by Eose creek and its tril)utaries and the tributaries of Dobbins creek. Rose creek enters the township from ^Marshall by way of section 1 and flows to section 12; from thence it retraces its course and passes back to Marshall township a trifle. On section 13 it again enters this township, passing across that section; then through the northwest corner of section 24 to 23 ; thence through 26 ; the northwest quarter of 35 ; thence across 34, 33, 32 and the northeast corner of 31 to section 30, from which it leaves this township to enter Austin township. The drainage from the northern part of the township is into Dobbins creek.

chief product, as much as thirty bushels to the acre being frequently threshed. The first wheat raised here was marketed at McGregor, Iowa, and Winona, and many of the settlers used to make the trip with ox teams. It was generally considered an eight to ten days' trip to McGregor, and six to eight to "Winona; but in bad going it would take longer. In the summer season it was customary to take provisions along and camp on the way. During the winter they would put up at hotels which were stationed at different places along the road. Some of these taverns were built of logs and not very large, and were oftentimes crowded with guests, but like a stage coach, there was always room for one more. At the present day wheat is not as profitable as it used to be, and much less of it is sown. Barley, oats, corn, potatoes, timothy, flax and clover are raised in large quantities. The dairy and stock raising interests are now receiving considerable attention and many good horses and cattle are raised in this township.

The first settlement in Windom township was made in 1855 by Sylvester Davis, Avho came here in the spring of that year and camped on section 20. But at that time he heard of better prospects farther on, and he went west. In Avigust of that year, however, he returned and settled on the southwest quarter of section 20, where he erected the first dwelling in the township. It was a frame house, which he afterwards enlarged by building an addition. This he opened as a tavern, it being on the road from the Little Cedar to Owatonna, a road much traveled in those days, and his house was frequently crowded Avith guests. Davis was a typical frontiersman, and was visibly inclined to be rough and uncouth. In 1857 he sold and returned to Iowa, where he lived a short time, then moved to Rice county, Minnesota, where he died a few years later. He sold his place in this township to Nelson Cook, a Congregational clergyman, and while he lived there the place was named "Saint's Rest," by Avhich name some still know it. From Rev. Cook the chain of title to the place passed through Francis Bronson, Elias Branch. John Merrill, AVilliam V. Little, Henry Baker and then to Vernon M. Gregg, the present owner.

Elon C. Benton was the second settler in the township. He was a native of New York state; but eanu^ here from Iowa, where he had lived for a short time. In ]\Iarch, 1856, he claimed the south half of the southwest quarter of section 7, in Windom, and also the southeast of the southeast quarter of section 12, in Austin township. His mother accompanied him. He erected a log house on section 7 and lived there until 1861, when he sold and moved to Nebraska, settling near Omaha. He lived there for a time then removed to Smith county, Kansas. In 1883 he removed to Oregon. He held various offices of trust in Windom, vs^as justice of the peace in Nebraska and Kansas, and in the latter state held the office of judge of probate.

In March, 1856, AVilliam T. Mandeville, Alfred Richardson, Hugh Mills and Pliny Conkey came. They were all natives of the state of New York and had lived near West Union, Iowa, for a time. This party came with forty covered wagons. Mr. Mandeville claimed the southeast quarter of section 30; Conkey the southeast of 19 ; Mills the northwest of 29, and Richardson the north half of the southeast quarter of section 20. They all returned to Iowa except Mills, who remained to look after the claims. In May of that year they came back and with them eame Horatio Marsh, George N. Conkey and Charles Zwick. Mandeville located upon his claim. Conkey was a single man and made liis home with his brother George N. for two years, and then Avent to Iowa. About a year later he returned and in 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Minnesota Infantry. He was captured at the battle of Guntown, Miss., and died in a rebel prison. Mr. Mills died in June, 1884, and his family at this writing still occupies the place. Richardson improved his land and lived there until 1870, when he moved to Austin, where he resided for a number of years. The place was sold to "Walter Hines, whose family now occupies the place. George N. Conkey entered the northeast quarter of section 30. He is now dead. Marsh entered the south half of the southeast quarter of section 20. In 1878 he sold and moved to Austin. He is now dead. This place was sold to Patrick Hues, who sold to "William Enright, the present owner.

During the same year (1856) the following arrived Avith their families: Chester Fuller and his son Walter, Obadiah Smith, Andrew Robertson, Aaron Draper, Mrs. Ann Smith and son Thomas, Ira W. Padden, ]\Iartin O'Malley, Michael Slaven, Patrick Mealy, Quincy A. Tri;esdell, William Cowan, Henry Fero, Peter McGrath and A. J. Clark.

The Fullers were natives of Connecticut, but came here from Wisconsin. They settled on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 20. The father, Chester Fuller, died three weeks later. This was the first death in the township. Walter made this his home iintil the time of his death. The family are all dead except Mm. Rosetta Fuller. Avho lives in Rotunda, N. D. Obadiah Smith was a native of New Jersey. He came here from Iowa and settled on the nortli half of the northwest quarter of section 7. He is now di-ad. His wife lives in .Ariiiiicapulis, iiiid his son, Avho lives in Austin, now owns the farm. A. Eobertson Avas a native of Scotland. He settled on the northeast quarter of section 26. He improved a farm and lived there until 1880, when he closed out and removed to Stewart, Neb., where he ia still living. Patrick Mealy, William Cowan and Martin O'Malley were natives of Ireland. Patrick Mealy settled on the southeast quarter of section 26, where he lived until after the railroad was built, when he sold out and removed to Eacine comity, Wisconsin, where he now lives. Martin O'Malley located on the northeast quarter of section 6, where he made his home until the time of his death. His death occurred while he was in Illinois and was caused by a runavvay accident. Martin O'Malley's family are all dead except Mrs. William Meany, who lives in Windom, and Patrick O'Malley, a son, who is a railroad conductor in Kansas. William Cowan settled on the northeast quarter of section 5. Mrs. Smith settled on the southeast quarter of section 13, where she lived four years; then went to Mineral Point, Wis., where she died three months later. Her sou Thomas B. settled on the northeast quarter of section 12. Ten years later he sold out and bought the place first settled upon by his mother. He now lives in Minneapolis and his son George lives on the place. Q. A. Truesdell settled on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 10. He stopped there but a short time, when he sold out and moved to Austin, and for some years was engaged in various lines of business, but he finally removed to Minneapolis, where he died. Michael Slaven was a native of Ohio. He located on the southeast quarter of section 13, where he lived until 1874, when he sold out. He now lives in Austin. Henry Fero was born in the state of Wisconsin. He settled ou the southwest quarter of section 6, where he lived two or three years, then sold out and removed to Iowa. Early in the war he enlisted, and, it is said, was killed in battle. Peter McGrath located on the southwest quarter oE section 5, where he lived for several years. A. J. Clark was a native of New York state. The southwest quarter of section 17 was selected by him. He enlisted when the war broke out in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service at Helena, Ark. The family afterward moved West.

Ira W. Padden was a native of the state of New York, but came here from Canada cai-ly in 1856, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 6. During the war he served in Company C, Ninth ]\Iinnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged witli the regiment in 1865. He was cruelly murdered in the fall after liis return. He was at a threshing in the neighborhood and was passing grain to the machine. It seems he passed it on to the 1al)l(' too I'asl 1() suit Patrick MclDtcc, tlie man wlio was feeding the machine, and the fellow challenged him to fight, which he refused to do. The murderer then went to a house near by and borrowed a revolver, and returning again, challenged him to fight. Mr. Padden again refused, upon which the man fired upon him, and he died from the effect of the shot in a few moments. Aaron Draper claimed the northwest quarter of section 35. He Avas a blacksmith by trade, the first in the township. He set his forge up out of doors at first. Thomas Smith burned the charcoal for him and took his pay in work. He finally put up a log building for a shop, but never put on any roof. He had quite a large drove of cattle, but did not have sufficient food or shelter for them, and a number died during the cold winter of 1856-57. He never proved up on his claim, but left it and went away. John A. Thompson, a native of New York state, also came in 1856, and after entering land on the southeast quarter of section 7, he returned to New York state. In the spring of 1857 he came back and settled upon his land.

During the year 1857 the following were among the arrivals: Alonson "Wright and son Alonzo, Harry, Roswell and Cook Slocum, William Furlong, Henry H. Vail, Stephen Sutton and sou George, George "W. Benton, J. A. Thompson, "W. W. Benedict, Bucklin Wood, Andrew Emery, and George Emery. The Wrights were natives of New York state, but came here from Green county, Wisconsin. Alonson entered the northeast quarter of section 13, where he lived some years; then removed to Austin, where he died in January, 1878. Alonzo entered the northwest quarter of section 13. He is now dead. The Slocums were also natives of the state of New York, but had lived for a time in Illinois. They came late in the spring. After making claims, breaking some land and erecting shanties, they retiirned to Illinois and harvested their crops. In the fall they returned and settled on their claims. Harry's claim was the southeast quarter of section 10. Roswell settled on tlie northeast quarter of section 10. He improved a farm, which he occupied several years, tlien moved to Austin. Cook settled on the southeast quarter of section 9, where he lived for several years. He died in Austin. With the Slocums came H. Perkins, who took a claim in the northwest quarter of section 14. JMessrs. Sutton and Furlong were both natives of Ireland. Furlong located on the northeast corner of section 8, where he made his home until the time of his death. The Suttons claimed the southwest quarter of section 26. The father died there December 24, 1859. His son entered the land in 1860 and still owns it. Stephen Sutton and his son, George, arrived at Winona, Minnesota, May 4, 1857. They went to Chatfield, where the land office was. by stage, part of tlie time carrying a rail to pry the stage from th'» mud of the slough, in

A\lii(li it was fieqiiently mired. They secured a plat of tiie township of Beaver, township 101, range 13, and were told at the land otnee that they would have to build a house and break half an acre of land before they could file on any claim. They therefore went to "work, cut logs, built a house, rooted a little piece of ground and prepared to make their permanent home there. But when Stephen, the father, went to Chatfield to tile on the land, he found that it had been entered and paid for the day before by one William Bigen. This discouraged hira, and he wanted to go back to New York. His son, however, told hhn that there was more land in ]\Iinnesota, and consequently he and a man with whom they had been boarding, came to Avhat is now AVindom township, and took up a claim where the son George now lives.

George "W. Benton claimed tlie southeast quarter of section 9. He died in Austin. His mother preempted the northwest quarter of section 18. H. H. Vail was a native of Vermont. He came here from Illinois and preempted the northwest quarter of section 2. J. A. Thompson was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1827. He came to Mower county in 1856 and took a preemption right to the southeast quarter of section 7. Then he returned to New York, Avas married, and the next year came to Minnesota. He settled on his homestead in May, 1857, and lived on it for thirty years. Then he and his wife moved to Austin, Avhere they noAv reside. "W. AY. Benedict preempted the southwest quarter of section 8, in the fall of 1857. He was born in New York in 1829. After living in Mower county a time he moved to Springfield, South Dakota, where he now resides. Bucklin Wood preempted the soiithwest quarter of section 8 in the spring of 1856. He moved from New York the following year, and afterward moved to Springfield, South Dakota, where lie still Jives. Andrew and George Emery came in 1857. The former i)reempted the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14, and the latter the east half of the southwest quarter of section 16.

First Events

Tile lii'st marriage in llie township was that of Jacob Lee to Rebecca Davis, who wci-c mariied at the residence of the bride's parents, by D. B. .lolinson. .Ir.. justice of the peace. They lived at Austin for a tiinc Ihcn removed west. He enlisted in the ai-iiiy wlirn the war broke out and was killed in battle. The first death in I lie lownsliip was thai of Cliesler Fuller, who died in 3856.

^Viiuioni AVMS organized .May 11, 1858. At that time it was known as Brooklyn, and ineluded the present towns of Windoni and ^Tarshall. In 1862 the name Brooklyn was changed to Canton, and tlie same year to Windom. York, now jMarsiiall, was eut oft' in 1870. The minutes of the first meeting are given in the records as follows, furnished to this publication by A. W. Rankin, town clerk: ''The following are the true minutes of an clecliou held in accordance with the notice given by order of the chairman of the board of county commissioners, May 11, 1858. Names of persons voting at said election: Alfred Richardson, Elan C. Benton, Martin A. Churchill, Oliver Ilickcock, Cook Slocum, AYilliam Cowan, Harry Sloeum, Stacy Bell, George W. Benton, "\Yalter Fuller, William T. Manderville, Patrick Mealy, A. J. Clark, Henry Tearow, William Furlong, Martin O'Malley, Alanson Wright. Peter IMcGrath, John A. Thompson, John Depue, Horatio Marsh, ]\I. J. Slaven, Nelson Cook, P. S. Conkey, Jeremiah Perkius, Henry Roger, George N. Conkey, Andrew Robertson, Obadiah Smith, Thomas Smith, Hugh D. Mills, Roswell Slocum, E. E. Cross and Aaron Draper. The judges of election were Nelson Cook, Horatio Marsh and Thomas Smith. The meeting was held at the home of Nelson Cook. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, Alanson Wright (chairman), John A. Thompson, and A. J. Wright ; town clerk. Nelson Cook ; justices of the peace, Horatio Marsh and William Cowan; collector, Walter Fuller ; constable, Harry Slocum ; assessor, Roswell Slocum ; road supervisor, E. C. Benton ; overseer of the poor, Henry Tearow. On motion it is resolved that the town lay a tax of $50 for the purpose of defraying the necessary expenses of the town for the ensuing year. Nelson Cook, clerk." The town was named in honor of Senator AYilliam AY. Windom.

Among those prominent in township affairs in the early days may be mentioned : E. C. Benton, P. Mealy, G. N. Conkey, Stephen Sutton, A. Robertson, 0. Smith, M. J. Slaven, A. II. Clark, J. H. Livingston, P. S. Conkey, H. ]\Iarsh, S. AV. Rice, H. Erickson, A. J. French, A. Fairbanks, John Merrill, AV. Bronson, Henry Burgor, H. H. Vale, Thomas Smith, AVilliam Furlong, Alonzo AVright, Thomas H. B. Yandergrift, AI. B. Slocum, G. AV. Richards, Ira H. AVarner, J. A. Priest, John C. Hawkins, F. B. Kline, George Sutton, F. G. Ray, A. H. AYilliaras, H. 0. Sweningson, J. J. Furlong, A. AT. Baldwin, Jens A. Jensen, John Cronaii, D. AIcTavish. Ira Snv.lcr, Thomas Malone and A. 1). Fairbanks.

Early in the history of the town ministers of different denominations visted "Windom and preached at private houses. Amony; the early preachers were : John Arnold, a United Brethren ; Rev. Mapes, a Methodist; Nelson and Stephen Cook, Congregational, and Ash ]\Iarsh, Baptist.

Congregational. In 1857 Nelson Cook, a native of Vermontand a Congregational preacher by profession, purchased the DaA'is farm and settled in this township. He was a graduate of Oberlin college. He soon afterwards organized a church there, which included members of different denominations who wished to identify themselves with some church. Among the members were : "W. T. ]\Iandeville, Alfred Richardson and wife, John Rose and wife, John Greggs and wife, Lyman St. John and wife, David Austin and Oliver Hitchcock. John R.ose was elected deacon. Meetings were held at Mr. Cook's house, at the house of Lyman St. John, in Nevada township, and other private houses. The organization flourished under Mr. Cook's care for four years, Avhen failing health compelled him to go east. He went, intending to return, but his health continued to fail, and he died after a lingering illness. After this the church disbanded and the members joined different societies.

Baptist. Those of the Baptist faith living in the eastern part of the town attended services at Austin until 1868, when Elder Wharton held a series of meetings at the schoolhouse in District No. 24. A number of conversions were made and a branch of the Austin church was organized, which met at the schoolhouse for worship, services being held once in two weeks. In 1872 the members in this neighborhood called for letters of dismissal in order to establish an independent church. The following named became members: Horatio ]Marsh, Cynthia A. Marsh, "Walter Fuller, George Van Camp, Emeline Van Camp, ]Mrs. Silas ^liner. Alfred, Belle and John Fairbanks, John Bennett and wife, Charles, Myron and Etta INIiner, Josephine Burgor, David jNIollison and wife, Josephine M., Alena M., George W., Thomas E., and Josepli A. Mollison, George AV. Shepley and wife, Thomas Edwards and wiCe, lliram Eddie and wife. Mrs. Rosella Snyder and Arminda Riiland. Horatio I\rarsh and Alonzo Fairbanks were elected deacons, and George Van Camp clerk. The pulpit was supplied from Austin, and the class flourished three or four years, Avhen some of tlic members moved away, others joined other churches and Ihc iiH'cliiigs were discoiilinucd. A Sunday school v/as organized in coiincclion with this church. Horatio i\Iarsh was tlie fir.st and .Mrs. A. Fiiirl)aidvs tlie last superintendent.

class at the house of Alfred Richardson. The following were among the members: Alfred Richardson and wife, Isaac Peterman and wife, and Mrs. Ira W. Padden. Mr. Richardson was the tirst class leader. Meetings were held at different private houses. Among the various preachers were Elder M. L. Tibbetts, John Allaman, Daniel Reed and Elder Zimmerman. The class flourished but a short time.

Rose Creek Village

Rose Creek is an incorporated village in the southea.stern part of "\Yindom township on the C, M. & St. Paul road. It is a thriving place, is incorporated, has a bank, a creamery, a public school, two elevators, and Congregational and Catholic churches. It has a full complement of the business houses usually found in such places, and two fraternities. The Modern Woodmen of the AVorld and the Catholic Order of Foresters. The population is between two and three hundred.

Among the principal business activities of Rose Creek at the present time may be mentioned the following: General merchandise, C. R. Varco, Weinert & Jensen, E. C. Keefe & Co. ; State Bank of Rose Creek, president, Mrs. S. Dean; vice president, John Cronan ; cashier, W. H. Dean ; assistant cashier, E. 0. Johnson ; William Crane & Co., lumber and coal ; John Ulwelling, meat market and restaurant ; C. A. Anderson, general hardware ; Hart & Meadow, restaurant and pool room; John Cronan & Co.. elevator, . grain and seeds ; John Cronan, dealer in furniture ; 6. W. Phillips, farm implements ; Huntting Elevator Company, grain and coal; Merchants' hotel; John Landherr, blacksmith shop and feed mill ; Henry Luz, Idacksmith shop ; F. G. Ray, postmaster.

The Rose Creek Cooperative Creamery Company was organized ^Nlarch 10, 1910. and started operations June 1. The first officers were: President, S. D. Thompson; vice president, II. P. Cronan ; treasurer, Jens A. Jensen ; secretary, AY. II. Dean. The present officers are the same with the exception that E. C. Keefe is secretary. The directors are Alfred Ruland, AV. D. Fink, AV. P. Cress and John Bloom.

This village was platted by Selah Chamberlain in 1873. It is located on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 26. The original plat as recorded April 3, 1874, contained four blocks. Since that time additions have been made. It is pleasantly located, and the village is in a flourisliing and growintr condition. The surrounding country which is tributary to this place, is an excellent farming and stock raising region, and therefore tiie viliatrc has a substaiilial ti-adc.

Rose Creek had its real beginning in October, 1867, v.iieu trains began running on the C, M. & St. P. road. It was for some years a flag station. In 1878 the present depot building was erected. John Cronan was the first agent. His service terminated October 1,' 1889. Since then the agents have been: "W. Keefe, E. PI Satterlee, R. Whitelaw, John C. Olson; Henry Gosha, Charles O'^Ialley, John ^Malck and John O'Malley. Avho is serving at present.

Rose Creek was incorporated February 14, 1899. The first officers elected were: Mayor, E. C. Keefe; council, G. W. Phillips, R. L. Tanner, James Ballweber ; clerk, A. C. Shotter ; treasurer, James Skahan; assessor, Peter O'Malley; marshal, N. H. Garrison; justice of the peace, F. G. Ray; constable, A. R. Sutton. The present officers are : Mayor, Fred Gerhart ; council, A. S. Wheelock, Charles Schwamm, John O'Malley; clerk, E. C. Keefe; treasurer, John Cronan ; assessor, J. B. Steines ; justices, H. P. Ulwelling and T. B. O'Halloran; marshal, George Sehumadrer. The streets of Rose Creek are well lighted with oil lamps and one gasoline lamp. The building now used for a town hall was first built as a sehoolhouse in 1871:. It was purchased by the village for a hall in 1909. The pumping station was built in 1901. The water comes from a deep well and the city has ample fire protection.

Business In The Early Days

The first move toward business development at Rose Creek was the erection of a small warehouse in 1869, by William Pitcher, from Austin. Yates & Lewis rented the warehouse and bought grain for a time. In 1870 M. B. Slocum commenced buying grain, with George Sutton as a silent x^artner. They were associated together two years, when they dissolved, and each went into the business separately. M. B. Slocum erected two warehouses and an elevator. In 1877 Bassett, Iluntting & Co. erected a large elevator. They are now represented by Thomas O'Halloran. George Sutton closed out his business in 1898. John Cronan was an early grain buyer and the J. Cronan & Co. concern still conducts an elevator here.

John A. Priest was the first merchant at Rose Creek. He commenced business in January, 1873, in an old log building, located near the village plat. He kept a very small stock at first. In the summer of 1873 he erected a building on lot 10, block 2, and increased his stock of goods. He remained in trade here until June, 1878, when he sold to Daniel iMcTavish and George \V. Williams. In 1879 Williams sold his interest to A. J. Odekirk, and two years later Stanley Warner bought out the firm. Six months later he sold to C. R. Varco, who is still in trade.

The second store in the viHage phit was opened l)y J. C Taskernd in 1875, in a bnikling which he erected on hjt 9, l)h)ck 1. Two years hxter he closed ont and went to Dakota, where he died. The lot still belongs to the family. The first hotel in the village was opened in 1875 by I. M. Ray. His son, F. G., now uses the place as a residence. George N. Price was the first blacksmith. He opened a shop here in 1873 on lot 6, block 1. He ran it for a few months, then sold the shop to Frank Johnson, who was a wagon maker, and he carried on that trade for a few months. Peter Johnson was associated with him as blacksmith. After Frank Johnson sold out the shop was moved away and Peter Johnson built another small shop. In 1875 he sold to James Pierce. In 1880 Watt & Barnhart erected a shop 22x32 with 10-foot posts. They were here but a few weeks, then sold to James Pierce. In 1882 Peter Johnson returned and bought the shop. Peter Johnson sold to Mike Lux, who sold to R. L. Johnson. Johnson sold to William Collins, who sold to John Landherr, the present owner. John Cronan opened the third store in the village in 1877. He had erected a building on lot 4, of block 3. He remained in trade about a year, when he sold out to Corbitt Brothers, who closed out a few months later. In 1881 Charles Lacy opened a store iu this building. He closed up in the spring of 1883. Daniel INIcTavish opened in May, 1883. Mr. McTavish is now dead. His store building is owned by Mrs. Mary Hines Garrison, and is used as a skimming station, for receiving and shipping cream. D. F. Blyton opened the first harness shop in the village in 1877. He closed after running a few months. He now runs a harness store in this village for Charles R. Varco. Olburg & Sweningsen opened the fourth store in 1877, in a building which they erected on lot 11, block 1, in the first addition. Two years later they sold to McTavish & Odekirk, who were in business at the time. The latter firm moved from their old place of business to the building purchased of Olburg & Sweningsen, and were in trade until 1882, when they sold out. As before related, Stanley Warner purchased the business and sold to C. R Varco, who still occupies the building, which he has greatly improved.

Rose Creek Congregational Church. - On September 15, 1872, religious service was held at the log schoolhouse about one mile north of the village of Rose Creek. After the service the feasibility of Christians uniting under one covenant in a Congregational church was considered. On October 29, 1872. a meeting was held iu the log schoolhouse for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. R. Hall, the state superintendent of home missions; N. S. Frisby, of Guilford; A. P. Kirkland and Rev. A. Morse were present. November 9. 1872, a church meeting was lield at

The Methodist class of Rose Creek was organized March 21, 1877, from the remnant of the Slocum class and others coming in. Rev. Mr. Kerr was the first who held charge of this class. Services were discontinued many years ago. For about ten years the Methodists met every other Sunday in the Congregational church.

Rose Creek Church of Christ was organized January 22, 1875, at the Rose Creek sehoolhouse by Elder W. J. Bursell. The following were the first members : D. S. B. Mollison, Mary B. Mollison, Andrew Robei'tson, George N. Conkey, Isaac M. Ray, Eva Smith, Thomas Mollison, John Merrill, Alena M. Mollison, Willard G. Thompson, Celinda Conkey, N. N. Thompson, Abby F. Thompson, L. F. Corbitt, Josephine Mollison, Timothy Bulson, Harriet Bulson, Mary Ruland, Joseph Ondrick, Ella L. Thompson, Armanda Ruland, Ella Merrill, Jane Robertson, Lucy Bvu'- gor, Harvey Burgor, Julius Thompson, William Miner, William Robertson, Sarah Robertson, Lydia Burgor, Sarah Burgor, Alfred Snyder, Pliny Conkey and Hulbert Thompson. The first officers elected were as follows: Clerk, W. M. Corbitt; elder, N. N. Thompson ; deacons, John Merrill, Andrew Robertson, Eliza Conkey and Mary B. Mollison; treasurer, George N. Conkey. 'The election Avas held at the house of N. N. Thompson, on January 28, 1875. The society met for worship at the Rose Creek schoolhouse until 1878, when a church building was erected in the village. Elder Bursell was pastor for four years and was then succeeded by Elder F. A. Baker. At about the same time as the ehiirch was organized a Union Sabbath school was instituted, which met regularly until the fall of 1883. After Elder Baker resigned Elder Stewart from Lake Mills, Iowa, supplied the pulpit. After a time he stopped coming. For a time the church was used as a lodge room by different societies until February, 1904, when it was burned. The town hall and pumping station now occupy the site.

Rose Creek Catholic Church. Services have been held in Rose Creek by various priests since the earliest days. The present church, a well-kept structure, was erected in 1889. The first three regular pastors were Fathers Keller, Gergan and Schneider. The present pastor is the Rev. Mathias Jostock.

Prairie View Cemetery. This cemetery was laid out in 1881 by John ]\Ierrill. It is situated on the northwest quarter of section 25, in Windom township. The first burial was that of Amos Hickok, April 1, 1882.

Three fraternal societies are in a flourishing condition at this point. They are: The Catholic Order of Foresters, the Modern AYoodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

The Rose Creek Catholic Order of Foresters was organized January 10, 1898, and the first officers were : C. R., A. C. Schottler; V. C. R., C. A. McBride; treasurer, Thomas Cronan; recorder, E. C. Keefe. The present officers are: C. R., George Landherr; V. C. R., Henry Lus; treasurer, E. C. Keefe; recorder, L. P. Albrecht.

The Rose Creek Modern Woodmen of America was organized May 15, 1896. The officers are : Council, C. A. Carlson ; advisor, AVilliam Evanson; clerk, E. C. Keefe; banker, J. Hawkins.

The Rose Creek Ancient Order of United Workmen was organized February 25, 1895, and the first officers were : M. W., IT. F. Goode ; past master workman, C. A. McBride; foreman, H. P. Cronan ; overseer, E. C. Crane ; recorder, Thomas Cronan ; financier. A. P. Rounce. The present officers are : Master workman, A. S. "Wheeloek ; past master workman, Thomas Cronan ; foreman, H. P. Cronan; overseer, A. W^. Rankin; recoi-der, E. C Keefe*: financier, H. L. Jensen.