Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 34: Lodi and Taopi, 1911

Chapter 34: Lodi and Taopi

Location and Area - Soil and Waters - Early Settlement - First Events - Organization - Immense Farm - Village of Taopi - Taopi in 1875 - Taopi in 1884 - Modern Taopi.

This township is situated in the southeastern part of the county and comprises all of congressional township 101, range 15. It is a beautiful rolling prairie, watered only in the northeastern part by the Little Iowa river and its tributaries. The main stream has its source on section 9 and runs in a southeastern course, cutting off the northeast corner of section 16, and then runs nearly east, touching sections 10, 15, 11 and 14. It then passes across the northeast of section 14, in a southeasterly direction, passing through section 13 and cutting the corner of section 24, when it leaves the township. A branch of this stream rises in a small lake on the northwest corner of section 1, thence passing southeast, making confluence with the main stream on section 13. The soil in the western part of the township is a dark, black loam and in the eastern part it is a black loam with a light clay subsoil. The soil is very deep and productive, growing all kinds of grains, grasses and roots. There is but a small amount of timber of native growth within the township, and this is along the banks of the Little Iowa river, on sections 14, 13 and 24.

Lodi is bounded on the north by Clayton township, on the east by LeRoy township, on the south by Mitchell county, in Iowa, and on the west by Adams township. On section 5 of this township, which is in township 101, range 15 west, there exists the higliest point in Mower county. That particular location is four miles north of the head waters of the Wapsapinnican river, three miles southeast of the head waters of the east branch of the Little Cedar river; two miles from the head waters of the Little Iowa river ; four miles from the head waters of Deer creek ; and five miles from the head of Rose creek, which enters the Cedar river below Austin.

Early Settlement

The first act toward effecting a settlement in Lodi township Avas brought about by Almond Fryer, in 1855. His brother accompanied him to the county. He came from New York and settled on the banks of the Tipper Iowa, on section 14, where ho erected the first cabin in the township; it was constrncted of poles and covered with wikl hay and prairie sod. He remained nutil the time of his death.

A. and R. Billings settled on section 15, in 1863, and erected the second house in the township. It was constructed of logs that were hewn square, and it was always known as the "block house," and was for years a stopping place for emigrants. Eliacum Morse came at about the same time as the Billings. Jackson Tabor settled on section 14 some time during 1863. In 1868 he sold to Thomas Kough, an Englishman. In 1869 came O. Hutchins, W. P. Davis and L. Wierd. Wierd settled on the southwest quarter of section 24. Hutchins located on section 10, remained till 1882, when he sold and removed to Dakota. During 1870 the following came in for settlement : James Brovra, Knute Iverson, Iver Hendriekson and Nels Nelson. John Burns came in 1875 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 34. Iverson and Hendriekson bought the south half of section 26. Nels Nelson bought the north half of the southwest quarter of section 27.

First Events

The first settler within the township was Almond Fryer, who came in 1855. The first child born in the township was Almond Morse, born July, 1859. The first marriage was that of Miss Carrie E. Billings and W. H. Culton, August 17, 1868. The first Sunday school was held in 1873, organized by M. H. Triggs, who also preached the first sermon.

Organization

The survey name of the township was Lodi, but when it was organized in February, 1874, at schoolhouse No. 67, it was named Belleview, as the station established by the railroad company was originally called. The name Lodi was soon resumed. At the first meeting for organization J. M. Paul was chosen moderator, Thomas Kough clerk, R. Billings, J. B. Godard and Thomas O'Harra judges of election. The first otBcers elected were: R. Billings, chairman, J. B. Goddard, Knute Iverson, supervisors; Thomas Kough, clerk; A. Billings, treasurer; Thomas O'Harra and J. M. Paul, justices of the peace; P. P. Cavanaugh and Henry Thompson, constables. At the first annual meeting held in ^larch, 1874, the name was changed to Lodi, at the sugarestion of Thomas Kough.

Immense Farm

The Taopi Fanning Company was the title of a corporation, incorporated in the year 1875, which owned and occupied 5,200 acres of the choicest land in the state, 4,000 acres of which were under cultivation, 2,000 acres of the cultivated lands in tame grass and the balance in corn and small grain. The village of Taopi was located on the farm. The corporation afterward went out of business and the great farm has gradually been divided into smaller tracts. A few years ago G. W. Pitts purchased 2,500 acres of this farm, which he is gradually selling in quarter section farms.

Village Op Taopi

This place is located on section 9. It derived its singular name from the celebrated Indian chief, "Taopi," who befriended the whites at the time of the New Ulm massacre. It was platted in 1875 by a corporation, made up chiefly of the Taopi Farming Company, in the name of John W. "Wood. They purchased forty-eight acres of land on the south half of section 9 and platted the same into lots and commenced building.

Early Business

The first move toward business at this point was effected in the fall of 1875 by the Mill company, composed of H. Snider, Charles Whipple and the Taopi Farming Company, Avho erected a fine large steam flouring mill, which was propelled by a 125- horsepower engine. It contained eight run of stone and for a time did a large business ; but through various circumstances the mill was removed to Jackson, Minn. The same season this mill was built the following business houses and firms were established : J. Martz built a two-story frame furniture store, which was used for that purpose until the mill was removed. Oscar Olburg biiilt a frame business house and opened a stock of general merchandise. Christian Alleman put in a stock of drugs and in 1882 sold an interest to Charles H. Webber. Charles Smith & Son started a hardM'are store. L. M. Tubbs opened an exclusive grocery store, continued five or six years. M. Krel)sbaeh & Co. built a frame business house and put in a general store, which in 1877 they sold to George AY. Corbitt. A boarding house was opened by L. D. Sergeant the fall the village was commenced. A little later in the season M. O'Brien built the two-story frame hotel known as the "Taopi House." A. B. Woodard also built a commodious hotel, which a year latffl^was sold 1() William Hahn. W. B. Mitson & Bro. started a h^arness shnp in tlie fall of 1875. A postoffice was established at Taopi ill 1875. W. P. Brainex'd was postmaster. The grain business of the place was large. At the time the steam mill was built the same company who erected that also built, in connection with the mill, an elevator having a capacity of 45,000 bushels. The next elevator was built by George W. Corbitt in 1879. He had operated in grain prior to this date, in a small warehouse, which was built in 1877. W. P. Braiuerd built a warehouse in 1876 and a year later sold to Bassett & Huntington, and they, in 1880, erected an elevator holding 15,000 bushels. The first practicing physician of the village was Dr. AVilliam Edwards, who located in 1876. He only remained a year or two and moved to Wisconsin and from there to Dakota. He was succeeded by Dr. O. M. Landou, who remained until the spring of 1883. A Presbyterian church was organized by Elder E. W. Kaymond, of LeRoy, soon after the village was started. He preached for this society once in two weeks until 1884, when they had no services.

In October, 1875, the then new town of Taopi was in a flourishing condition. A new mill and elevator had been completed l)y the Taopi Mills Company, C. D. Ham, president; George E. Skinner, John W. Wood and C. H. Whipple, directors. Messrs. Skinner and AVood owned near by a farm of 3,640 acres, the largest in the county. New buildings were going up in every direction. L. D. Sargeant had erected a general store building, and was boarding the men working in the mill. J. Alartz was building a furniture store. C. Alleman had opened a drug store. Smith & Co. had under way a building for a hardware and farm machinery store. Trgens, Knutson and Olberg were about to open a general store. Jacobson & Co. had opened a drug store. David McKenzie was the village painter. Albert Amsen was doing a flourishing blacksmith business. Joseph Frasier was a mason. M. O'Brien was Imilding a hotel and blacksmith shop. N. S. Brown was building a restaurant.- A temporary station had been erected and U. P. Brainerd was the agent.

The business of the village was spasmodic. While the flouring mill was in operation, and before the "boom" had passed over, it was indeed a busy mart, but in 1884 it was not as good. In the month of August, 1884, the following comprised the l)usiness of the place : General stores, George AV. Corl)itt, and Bradbury & Strong; hardware, Charles Smith & Son; drugs, Alleman & Webl)er; harness shop, AV. B. Alitson ; shoe shop. P. Peterson; blacksmiths, George Campbell and P. Midock ; postotTficc. kept by

Modern Taopi

Taopi has a jiopulation of 140 persons at the present time. At this point are located a bank, a hotel, two elevators, a church, a city hall, a public school, three general stores and various business houses. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago Great Western lines cross at this point.

The village was incorporated in 1875. The present incorporation dates from 1909. The present officers are: President, AV. F. Jorden ; recorder, N. L. "Weigen ; James Gager, A. Waldron. The fifth place on the board is vacant. A village hall was built in 1907. The village school, Avith two rooms, was erected the same year. The members of the school board are : Clerk, N. L. Weigen; treasurer, G. S. Pitts; trustee, ]Mrs. W. F. Jordan. The postoffice was rebuilt a year ago. In 1907 when so many buildings went up, the village experienced a boom. The Taopi Cooperative Creamery and Mercantile Company was also organized that year and an exci'lleut creamei'y erected. The creamery closed some time ago, hut has now been leased to the Freeborn County Creamery Company.