Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 35: Waltham Township and Village, 1911

Chapter 35: Waltham Township and Village

Location and Area^-Early Settlement - Organization - Religious - First Events - Old Waltham House - Cemetery - Old Waltham Village - New Waltham Village - Modern Waltham - Business Interests - Church - School and Creamery - Edited by Lorenzo S. Chapman.

This is one of the five townships in the nortlicni tier ol" Mower county and comprises congressional township 104. range 17. It is bounded on the north by Dodge county, on the east by Sargeant township, on the south by Red Rock township, and on the west by Udolpho township. The north branch of Roberts creek rises in section 24, and runs iji a southwesterly direction, and enters Red Rock townshi]) fi'om section :i2. A small stream rises in scdidii 1!i. flows iic;n-ly south and enters iTd()l]>lio from section ol. Tlicn' is sdinc tiiiilnT t'<iiind along Roberts creek, in the south part of the townsliip. The township is mostly vomposed of a nice rolling prairie of a productive, dark loam, whicli is as well suited for agriculture as any part of ]\Iower county.

The name of Walt ham was given at the suggestion of Charles F. Hardy, a native of Waltham, ^Massachusetts, who lived mostly in the town of Red Rock, but a short time at an early date in Waltham, and who later was county commissioner, justice of the peace and judge of probate in ]\Iower county.

Early Settlement

The first settler in Waltham township was Nels Johnson, a Norwegian, in the summer of 1855. His claim was the south half of the southwest quarter of section 22. He built a log house, 16x16, which was built on the north bank of Roberts creek. It had a board roof, the lumber of which was sawed at the Brownsdale saw mill. Mr. Johnson deeded his land and remained in the township until the spring of 1863, when he sold to George Johnson, and went to Udolpho township, and from there to the mountains. George Johnson was from Marquette county, Wisconsin; was formerly from Li^icestershire, England. He lived in the tovi-nship until his death in 1872. Barney Develin, an Irishman, settled in section 28, in the summer of 1856. 'He lived in the town but a few^ years when he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A IMr. Bemis, a shoemaker, settled in section 3-4 in 1856. He sold out to Eri Colby. Charles F. Hardy was an early settler of the tovi'nship, remaining only a short time, when he moved to Red Rock, from whence he came.

Sylvester A. Dennis came in 1857, located in Red Rock township, and in 1865 settled on section 19, Waltham township. Purdy Launsbury came in 1864 and located in section 22. Moses Boliou came to Brownsdale in 1864 and to section 9, Waltham, in 1865. In 1865 Alfred Launsbury settled on section 22. E. P. D. KimbUcame to ]Mower county in 1866 and settled on section 5, in A^'altham township. B. T. Walker came in 1866 and settled on section 30. Isaac Dennis came in 1869 and settled on his father's homestead. Charles Gage came in 1871 and purchased a farm in section 23. George Townsend came in 1875 and settled in section 33. Others prominent in township affairs in the early days were John Hoy, Eri Colby, W. Hall, J. J. Hunt, A. McGowan, C. E. Nichols, F. J. Hill, A. Colby, J. Muncy, G. R. Church, George W. Hunt, C. G. Clark. John C. INIason, of Worcester, Mass., acquired from the land warrant speculators more than a quarter of the township, principally in the northeast part of the town. Early in the spring of 1865 his agent, A. J. Burbank. came, plotted a village near the west line of section 15, erected a three- story hotel, surveyed the whole tract into forties and sold oflf the land rapidly. The nearest boarding place was Purdy Louns bury's, till the hotel was finished. A plenty' of help was engaged for hauling lumber and surveying. In the course of a day, two or three would come across a quarter section or eighty that pleased them, buy it. and their places in the surveying party be taken l)y other land lookers. Those who came in at this time and have since been prominent in town affairs were ]\Ioses Boliou, A. J. Hunt. Captain George and Henry Edwards.

Killed by Lightning. While fighting prairie fire on the night of Octolier 8, 1.S71, Ira P. Launsbury, a son of Purdy Launsbury, was struck by lightning and killed, his dead body being found on the prairie the next morning. It is said that it rained very hard. The most singular thing about it was that only one very loud clap of thunder was heard, that which killed Mr. Launsbury,

Organization

The township of "Walton was organized in June, 1866. The first election was held on June 4 at the house of A. J. Burbank, known as the "Waltham Hotel." The call for a meeting was signed by Alanson Beach, Charles F. Hardy, William E. Hardy, county commissioners. At this meeting H. L. Collins was chairman, A. J. Burbank, ele:<k, and J. W. George, Henry Edwards and John Steen were elected judges. There were sixteen votes cast and the following officers elected, viz. : Supervisors, H. L, Collins (chairman), H. Edwards, A. Launsbury; clerk, J. W. George; treasurer, Eri Colby; assessor. Moses Boliou; justices, P. Launsbury, H. L. Collins ; constable, John Steen.

Religious

The first religious services in the township were held in the hall of the AValtham House, in January, 1866, by Rev. George Stokes, of Udolpho township. He held services once in two weeks.

Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church, U. A. C. The history of this congregation dates back as far as 1S74. Several (ierman. Luthei-an families, who for a while had come together privately to worship in this year, called upon Rev. E. Johl, of Havana, Dodge couiily. .Miiuiesota. to minister unto them the word and the sacraments. Public services were at first held in private houses. When in 1877 several other families following the dictates of their conscience separated from a congregation of the Buffalo Synod joined them and organization became desirable and was effected August 25, 1877, in the presence of Rev. E. Johl and tho following members : Conrad Fett, Johann Boelk, G. Faber. Julius Froreich, William Meyer, H. Pesch, August Jaeger, Albert Pesch, August Fraederiok, Carl Wresch, F. Boelk, H. Kiekhoefer. In 1879 Rev. E. Rupprecht, of the Lutheran church at Pleasant Valley, took charge of pastoral affairs. In this year the congregation also joined the then Northwest District of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, and erected its first house of worship, a frame structure, 20x30 feet, situated on a two-acre lot in the northwest quarter of section 19, which site at present is used solely as a cemetery. The building was dedicated in July, 1879. Rev. E. Rupprecht taking another charge. Rev. AV. V. Schenk, of Rochester, Minn., served the congregation for a while, when charge was transferred upon Rev. E. Buerger, of Hart, Winona county. In 1882 Rev. A. Dubberstein, of Wykoff, took the charge and served until July, 1884. A parsonage being erected. Rev. J. C. H. Martin, of Cook county, Illinois, was called as settled pastor. This year also marks the beginning of Trinity Parochial school; until then children had been sent to Havana and Pleasant Valley congregations for religious instruction and confirmation. Rev. Martin accepting the charge at Pleasant Valley, Rev. F. Boesch was called and arrived in October, 1889, and served until spring of 1893. Rev. Herman Meyer, of South Dakota, was then called. In spite of much strife within and without, the congregation steadily gained in membership and the erection of a new church became a necessity. Not being able to enlarge the then site by purchase or other legitimate means, the congregation accepted favorably the offer of Herman Meyer, namely, a four-acre lot on the northwest quarter of section 29 as a donation. Uncertainty regarding the incorporation act and other unforeseen events arising, the erection of the church was postponed until 1895. In the spring of that year the cornerstone of the present church building was laid on the new site. The building is a frame structure, 36x60 feet, with 12x18 altar niche and 105-foot tower, in which is hung a 1,500-pound bell of real bell metal. The whole cost with interior furnishings was approximately $3,500. William Dulitz was the bidder. The dedication was October 13, 1895. In 1897 the old church was removed to the new site to be used as a schoolhouse. A new modern parsonage was erected in 1898. July 15, 1900, Rev. H. Meyer resigned to take a charge in St. Paul, Minn. Rev. C. A. Affeldt, of Litchfield, Neb., was called and installed October 6. In 1905 extensive interior improvements at a cost of $1,000 were made by putting in steel ceiling and sidowalls. January 1, 1911, the congregation numbered 347 souls, sixty voting members and 225, communicants. Present officials: C. A. Affeldt. pa.stor; Herman Beneke, J. N. Wuertz, elders; August H. Wollenburg, treas-

St. Michael's German Lutheran Church. This congregation has enjoyed a long period of both material and spiritual prosperity. The congregation had its real beginning when Michael ^Matter, a native of Germany, came from AVaukesha county, in May. 1869, and settled in Waltham township. Being of a religious nature, he greatly desired the sjiiritual comfort of religious services, and accordingly invited the Rev. Mr. AVier, from Lake Elmo, AVashington county, Minnesota, to preach in his house from time to time. On June, 23, 1873, the church was formally incorporated, this being the first religious organization in the township. On the formation of the congregation Michael Matter gave sixty acres of land, reserving the use of same for five years, after which the tract became the property of the congregation. This land was located in the north half of the southwest quarter of section 20. On it a church was erected gratuitously by the members of the church in the summer of 1874. The Rev. J. J. Meissner came as first pastor in 1876 and served until 1880, when Rev. J. Haack became his successor until the fall of 188-4. In December, 1884, an event took place which had an important bearing on the future of the church and community. This event was the arrival of the Rev. Frederick C. Milius as pastor. Rev. Milius is still in charge of the congregation. In 1890 under his direction a new church was built, a beautiful structure, both useful and ornamental. Later a comfortable parish house was erected. In 1899 was built a parochial school. Before this the old church served as such. This school is one of the finest in the county. The usual branches of learning are ably taught here and in addition to this the children receive instruction in German, religion and right living. All of these various lines of endeavor are in charge of Rev. Milius, who is nobly upheld l)y an intelligent, progressive and devout congregation.

First Events

The first couple said to have been married in AValtham township was James Perry and Arvilla Brown, of Red Rock township. The ceremony was performed by II. L. Collins, a justice of the peace. The notable event took place in the AValtham House in November, 1869. The first white child born in AA''altham township was John, a son of Nels Johnson, the first settler in the township. He was born in a))out 18r)4. The first death was p]lizabeth II.. a daughter of George and Dorothy Johnson. She died October 1, 1867.

Old Waltham Village

The village of Waltham was platted by J. C. Mason, of Massachusetts, who owned large tracts of land in the township. He started a colony in 1864 and 1865, and through his representations induced several families from Massachusetts to settle in the township. The townsite was located in the northwest quarter of section 15. It was laid out in lots -£ an acre, as an inducement to settlers. Any one who would build a house was given one acre on which to biiild. This village has long since passed out of existence.

Old Waltham House

John C. Mason built a commodious hotel, which was called the "Waltham House." The building was frame and cost $4,800. It was erected under the management of Col. A. J. Burbank, from Illinois. He was in the employ of Mr. Mason, as well as landlord, and, it is said, spent his money, put on style and lived in fine shape. The Waltham postoiBce was first kept in this building, with the colonel as postmaster. In the hall of this building were held the first religious services in the township. The first marriage ceremony was also performed here. The hall was also noted for its dances. The hotel did a big business until the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, Avhen the travel changed, when the hotel was closed as a public house, after being run as such for only four years. For several years it was used for renters and transient people in the neighborhood, until the fall of 1883, when the building was sold to 3Ioses Boliou, Avho had it torn down and removed.

Waltham Cemetery

Waltham cemetery was organized under the laws of the state December 17, 1867. It is located on the southwest corner of section 22 and the northwest corner of section 27, and contains one acre. The ground was purchased by the town and presented to the association for cemetery purposes.

Waltham Village

Waltham village was started on section 9 in 1885, when the road now known as the Chicago Great Western came through. The land iipon which the village is located was originally a part of the farm of Moses Boliou. In October, 1885, the village was in a thriving condition. The railroad had put in several side tracks and had erected a station and a coal house. There was a lumber vard here and Turner & Bcllaiiiv and Parsons & Co.

each had a grain warehouse. On the east side of the principal street was a row of new buildings. S. A. Dodge had a blacksmith shop ; G. L. Peck opened a hardware store ; John Steen and John Stephin each had general stores. There was also a saloon. The public school stood a few rods east of these buildings. The village was platted September 8, 1885, in section 9, township 101, range 17, by the Minnesota Loan & Debenture Company, C. J. C. Ball, president ; Robert C. Wright, secretary.

Modern Waltham

Waltham is one of the prosperous and thriving villages of Mower county. It is surrounded by as good farming land as any in the county. A large amount of grain and stock is marketed annually, and farmers are av ell-to-do and prosperous. Land sells as high as $100 an acre and will go much higher in the near future.

The present village was started in 1885, when the railroad came through, and the early merchants were : M. Boliou, lumber and coal ; J. A. Stephan, general merchant and postmaster ; John Steen, general merchant; G. L. Peck, hardware; George Ziemer, furniture; S. A. Dodge, blacksmith.

M. Boliou sold to George Ziemer, who in turn sold to J. C. Brainard & Co., they to the Northwest Lumber Company, and they to the present owners, Hayes-Lucas Lumber & Coal Company, who are doing a thriving business at the present time. C. E. Kingsley is manager.

G. L. Peek, the hardware merchant, was succeeded by George H. Boliou, and George H. Boliou by C. C. Erickson, who had purchased the John Steen general store and now uses both places for hardware and machinery.

George Ziemer still continues furniture and undertaking, drugs, etc. John Steen, having sold to C. C. Erickson, conducted a store in Blooming Prairie a few years and later retired to his large farm just east of Blooming Prairie.

S. A. Dodge was succeeded as blacksmith by M. E. Wentworth, of Mantorville, who continued in business until IMarch, 1898, when he sold to F. J. Hill and returned to Mantorville, Avhere he now resides. P. Raupach put in a large blacksmith shop about that time also. Mr. Hill continued in the business a few years, after which his shop was burned and not rebuilt. Mr. Raupach had his business until early in 1910, when E. Peterson, of Austin, put in a large shop. Mr. Raupach continued m

Walt ham has prospered until now. It has two large general stores ; one physician ; one bank ; one shoe shop ; one livery; one creamery; stock buyer; one carpenter shop; one hardware and machinery store ; one furniture, undertaking and drug store ; one lumber and coal yard ; two elevators ; a flour mill with a capacity of seventyfive barrels daily ; two saloons ; farm machinery dealer ; blacksmithery; meat market and paint shop. It also has a Methodist Episcopal church. The entire mileage is supplied with cement sidewalks. _^

Schools. In 1900 the school building just east of town was taken down, a two-room building was erected on the northeast corner of the village and a semi-graded school established with two teachers in charge. It is considered one of the best schools in the state, having won more prizes than any one school in the state and county contests of its class. The present officers are : J. A. Stephan, director; G. R. Nichols, clerk; L. S. Chapman, treasurer. Miss F. Buck is principal and Miss G. Glover is in charge of the primary department.

Physicians. In June, 1903, Dr. F. W. Schultz, a young physician, a graduate of our state university and of Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, Md., established an office on Main street and for five years had a large and prosperous practice. In December, 1909, he left for Evelith, Minn., for the winter and the next spring went to Germany for a year and is now stationed at Minneapolis. He was succeeded by Dr. H. R. Baker, of Evelith, Minn., who is equally well educated and successful physician at the present time, being a graduate of the Minnesota University and a Chicago medical school and for several years hospital physician in northern Minnesota.

Waltham Creamery. In the year 1885 a cheese factory was established mider the co-operation plan, with A. L. Gardner as cheese maker. This factory flourished for four years and was then changed to a creamery under the same management, having the distinction of being second largest in the state at that time, its territory extending to Brownsdale on the south, Blooming Prairie on the west, Dodge county on the north and Sargent on the east. Present management : H. L. Anderson, president ; George Ziemer, secretary; C. Faber, treasurer. The creamery is doing a fine business.

Methodist Church. About the year 1892 the Metliodist conference erected a church here and on dedication day the people raised by subscription enough money to put the church clear of debt, several donating .$100 each. While the mcmbersliip is small.

Mayville is a little station on the Chicago Great "Western road. It has a cheese company and a nearby Lutheran church. A postoflfice is also located at this point.