Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 46: Bennington Township, 1911

Chapter 46: Bennington Township

Bennington is congressional township 102 north, range 14 west of the fifth principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by Frankford township, on the east by Fillmore county, on the south by LeRoy township, on the west by Clayton. The surface is gently rolling. While there is but little natural timber the abundance of .shade testifies that tree planting has not been neglected. The soil is a dark loam, very fertile. A branch of Root river, rising in section 16, runs through sections 1."), 11, 12 and 13, from the latter of which it crosses the eastern boundjirv of llic town.

Early Settlement

Tlie first settlement was made iu tlie spring of 1856, by Robert, Edwin, Lucius and George T. Angell, Austin and E. J. Hutchinson, Ira Emerson and E. J. Kingsbury, all from New York, of which state they were natives. Some of the party, after their arrival here, Avent further on, exploring the country west and south. Apparently finding no lands which suited them better, they returned and all settled in the southwest part of the township. Here, on section 32, with all practicable dispatch, they put up a temporary shelter ingeniously constructed of straw, poles and canvass, deserving of mention as the first dwelling of the higher order than the wigwam of the native, within the liuiits of Bennington.

In 1857 came Henry, Joab and Stephen Guy, sons of James Guy, who established themselves in the east part of the tOAvnship, making what became known as the Guy settlement.

First Events

The first birth in the town Avas that of Florence Angell. in 1855. The first death that of Mrs. Robert Angell, in 1862. The first marriage Avas that of Augustus Groby and Mary Guy, Esquire Tanner officiating.

Organization

AVhen the state Avas admitted in 1858, Bennington bore the name of Andover. The northern part Avas attached to Frankford and the southern half to LeRoy. In the autumn of 1860 at the house of Robert Angell, Avas held the first meeting for the election of officers for the toAvn of Bennington. The folloAving is the list : E. J. Kingsbury, chairman of the board ; William Kelnar and Stepen Guy, supervisors; Ira Emmerson, clerk; G. T. Angell, justice of the peace ; AVilliam Cooper, assessor.

Religious

The Bennington Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized May 15, 1896, when eleven men met at the residence of 0. H. Norby Avith this purpose in vicAV. Rev. 0. A. Bu. Avho Avas present, was elected president of the meeting, and N. T. Miland was chosen secretary. After due deliberation the gentlemen decided to organize the congregation and proceeded to elect officers as folloAvs: President, Rev. O. A. Bu ; seeretai-y, John N. Bjerke; treasurer, G. H. Iladland; trustees, Simon N.

Holt, 0. N. Hegg and N. T. Miland. For four years the congregation had no church edifice but held services in the schoolhouse of district No. 102. In 1900 funds were raised and a church erected on section 21, Bennington township. Rev. 0. A. Bu was the pastor until November, 1908, Avhen the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Reiner, succeeded him.