Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 50: Early Settlers, 1911

Chapter 50: Early Settlers

Land Office Records - Date of First Claims Taken in Each Township With the Names of the Pre-emptors - Honor Roll of Those Who Braved the Hardships of Pioneer Life and Fulfilled the Government Requirements of Actual Residence in the Earliest Days - Old Settlers' Association.

The question of the first actual settlement in a county is alwaj^s a matter of doubt. This is the ease of Mower county. The time has come when these questions should be agreed upon conclusively. There have been those in time past who have denied that the McQuillan party reached Racine in 1852. However, the fiftieth anniversary of this first settlement Avas duly celebrated in Austin in 1852, and the date is now generally agreed upon. In regard to the settlers of 1853, some would place many of the settlers of 1854 one year earlier in history. In those days the frontiersmen did not keep diaries, and their testimony in after years was vague and uncertain. However, it is certain that whatever forerunners of civilization came in in 1852 and 1853 no claims were filed until 1854, and the one claim filed that year is not now in Mower county. There were many claims filed upon in 1855 and a great number in 1856.

In previous chapters has been told the story of the early settlement of the various townships as commonly accepted in years past by the old settlers themselves. However, there is one infallible witness as to what settlers were actually here in the early days. The land ofiSce records of the United States government are still in existence, and these records show the actual settlers of the earliest days.

In the following article is given the names of those who pre-empted land in the days when the land was open to homestead settlement. The section, tlie name of the settler and the date the claim was proved up are given.

The names are dim and faded and often misspelled, while in some instances tlic handwriting is misleading. However, with the exception of minor mistakes which may occur in the spelling of names llie following is the correct list of the first homesteaders. In eases where the claimant entered land in more than one section only the first section is given.

Some of these settlers stayed and became distinguished citizens. Others moved away after selling their claims to others. But their names still remain on the honor roll of Mower county.

In the following list the lines of the government townships have been followed. Some of those given in Frankford are now included in the southern tier of townships in Racine, while a few given in Pleasant Valley and Racine were afterward cut ofi:' and put in Olmsted county:

Nevada. Township 101, range 17. Nearly all the first claims taken were in 1857. Those who filed that year were : 7 - Alden H. Chaflin, September 22; Barnabas D. Nye, September 22; 8 - Charles C. Oaks, December 2 ; 10 - William G. Saunders, May 5 ; Ruben Jones, June 11 ; 14 - William Gabespie, June 22 ; 15 - Jonathan W^aterman, September 23; 17 - John S. Soules, November 14 ; George Joiner, June 11 ; 19 - John Gairson, November 14; John McCourt, August 8; 21 - Truman McKee, March 2; Edward Sampson, May 18; 23 - Napoleon Davis, September 21; 24 - Mark L. Laring, October 21; 25 - Abner Forbes, October 21 ; 26 - William H. Barrett, August 8 ; 27 - Anders Anderson, October 12 ; Francis Hearsch, August 29 ; 29 - Ole Severson, July 1. June 16, 1856, Torger Olsen filed on section thirty-two and three days later James Jured filed on section twenty-one.

Adams. Township 101, range 16. The first claims were taken in 1856. Those who filed were: 2 - Albert Knudsen, October 29 ; John Olson, October 17 ; Thomas Krestofi, November 7 ; 34 - Albert Hart, December 20. Those who came in 1857 were: 4 - Ole Jaeobson, November 20; Henry Holland, September 17; Edward Maling, August 22; 6 - Josepli H. Germain, August 15; John Bartorne, August 15 ; 9 - Jens Tweed, July 24 ; Peter Straus,

Marshall. Township 101, range 16. The first claims were made in 1855. Those Avho filed that year were: 2 - Edward B. ]Munsel, April 24 ; 3 - Abram H. Planty, July 11 ; Dexter Barrett, September 13; 4 - William B. Updegraph, November 14; 5 - Mitchell Lunney, September 22; 6 - Peter Kenyan, September 22 ; Supply C. Fop, October 13 ; John Hodgden, October 13 ; 7 - Joel Parker, December 31 ; 17 - Joshua Reed, September 11 ; 26 - William N. Smith, November 26; 27 - Jerimiah P. Boyle, September 3; 32 - Christopher G. Ripley, November 26; 34 - Filo S. Beers, November 6.

Clayton. Township 102, range 15. The first claims taken in this town Avere in 1855. Those who filed that year were: 2 - John F. Randall, December 11; 3 - Benjamin Wilson, December 11 ; John F. Peterson, December 20 ; 31 - Phenias Wilcox, November 12; John Oleson, July 20; Christopher G. Ripley, November 26; 35 - Andrew McDonald, December 11.

Le Roy. Township 101, range 14. The first claims taken were in 1Sj5. Those who filed that year are: 19 - P. Huntley, October 10; 20 - ^\. D. Piirks, October 10; 22 - William M. Bishop, October 22 ; 27 - Timothy Caswell, October 15 ; 28 - Lester Congden, November 2 ; Frederick Bovee, November 2 ; Wentworth Hayes, October 25; 32 - Ruben Allen, William H. Morrison, Decoml)er 10; 34 - Nathan McNeaill, A. J. Palmer, November 7.

Udolpho. Township 104, range 18. William B. Tullis filed on section twenty-one in 1855, October 10. Soloman Wilcox filed on section twenty-two November 14, and Silas Dutcher, Jr., and John G. Vaughan on section thirty-five the same month of the same year. Those who filed in 1856 were : 1 - Jonathan Jimeson, October 29 ; 2 - Fredrich Lambrecht, August 26 ; 3 - Obid Averill, November 8; 4 - Niles Evertson, June 23; 5 - Jacob Van Horn, October 28 ; 9 - John R. Reed, July 12 ; 10 - Thomas Reed, January 12; 11 - John A. Scott, October 28; 12 - Edwin Lester, October 28; 13 - Nathan R. Weaver, July 24; William H. Pratt, November 17; 14 - Lucas C. Hobert, October 30; 15 - John Moppen, November 8 ; 17 - Alfred Van Horn, October 28 ; 19 - Knudt Oleson, June 26 ; 20 - William Pitt, November 1 ; Jonathan ]\Iack, September 23; 21 - Edw. Bassett, July 25; Levi Smith, July 17; Reuben Smith, September 17 ; 23 - Joseph Reed, September 23 ; Hiram Luce, August 28; 24 - Nathan Weaver, July 24; George Fowler, September 23; James B. AVeaver, July 25; Henry C. Rogers, November 17; 25 - Nathaniel N. Reed, November 17; George AV. Durand, September 29; Abraham Bigler, October 16; 27 - Timothy B. Andrews, September 29 ; Edwin Spersy, November 17 ; James Howard, November 2 ; John Johnson, November 2; 28 - William Stephenson, September 24; Robert Stephenson, August 28 ; Herman Larr, September 23 ; AVarren A. Brown, No-

Waltham. Township 104, range 17. Most all the land in this county was taken in 1856. Those who came in 1855 were: 7 - George W. Evans, November 13; 19 - John F. Peterson, December 20; Christopher G. Eipley, December 18; Gunder Neverson, May 27; 21 - Bernard Develin, September 25; 22 - Halvor Gunderson, May 24; Gunder Burgeson, August 18; 26 - James Rice, November 21 ; 28 - Simon Waller, April 27 ; 29 - Mary E. Wood, November 16; 30 - Henry Cobb, December 15; 31 - Charles Mc- Elrath, August 29; Thomas Campbell, November 6; Buel Cobb, December 15; 32 - John Tarr, September 27; 34 - John Hodgden, October 13; 35 - Eugene AVilson, November 26.

Sargeant. Township 104, range 16. The first claims in this town were taken in 1855. Those who filed that year were: 1 - Thomas Campbell, November 6 ; Townsend AV. Horton, December 12; 11 - George AV. Leriiont, November 15; 12 - Philo S. Beers, November 6; 13 - James W. Jackson, November 14; Ole Erickson, July 20; Christopher Ripley, November 26; Edward Thorn, November 14; 23 - Edward D. Munsell, November 24; 2-4 - A. Knudson, July 20; 25 - AVilliam Tuttle, November 15; 26 - James Herman, May 26; Patrick Jordan, May 26; Halver Gunderson, May 24; Warren A. Sumner, November 15; 35 - Frederick Pierson, August 14 ; Howard Cramer, June 26 ; Joel Parker, November 26.

Pleasant Valley. Township 104, range 15. One claim was taken in this township in 1854, September 23, by John Pierson. This claim is not now^ in Mower county. In 1855 James Welch filed on section twelve, Jiine 29. Those who filed in 1856 were: 1 - Frederick ]\[. Pierson, January 25; Rosamund M. Calef, July 15 ; 2 - Charles Berryman, August 18 ; 2 - Sampson Berryman, August 18; 3 - George Pease, August 6; Jacob Peiffer, August 6 ; Andrew ]\IeLellan, July 22 ; 4 - John Powell, August 5 : John Ki7ig, November 21 ; 5 - George Pearson, July 21 ; C. D. Knapp, September 21 ; 6 - AVilliam Foot, August 5 ; George Church, August 5 ; Austin Joyce, September 14 ; 7 - Thomas Joyce, July 9 ; James Edward, September 24; Jcimes Tripp, August 12; ]Mary Gowen, September 24 ; 9 - Ezra Tual, September 9 ; 10 - S. Alunsou, July 22 ; Patrick Jordon, December 1 ; 11 - AA'illiam Hill, August 7; 12 - Cyrus Derby, July 7; 13 - K. B. Pullen, August 25: Daniel Fisher, August 2; 14 - Daniel Congden, July 16; 15 - John D. Bartlett, July 17; William Finch, July 21; 17 - Ezekel Hawkins, October 30; Joseph Ahorse, October 30; 17 - Stephen

Racine. Township 104, range 14. Practically all the laud in tliis tov.-nship was taken in 1856. Those who came in 1855 were: 3 - AVilliam V. AVooldridge, September 21; Noah Lincoln, September 21; 5 - AVilliam Carson, May 19; 5 - John Robinson. April 12; 6 - John B. IMcCain, April 12; Henry K. AVhite, April 11; 7 - Frederick Brisgrove, November 8; 8 - Charles L. Grannis. May 19 ; 10 - AVilliam Buck, February 19.

Lansing. Township 103, range 18. The first claims taken in this town were in 1855. Those who filed that year were: 1 - - John L. Johnson, October 25; 11 - John Pettibone, October 25; Jeremiah B. Yates, September 14; 14 - ^V. P. Lewis. September 14; 27 - Joseph Miller, October 10; 33 - Oliver J. Beemis. November 17; 34^Joseph Miller, October 10; 35 - David L. Smith, November 8. Those who came in 1856 were: 2 - Alanson B. Vaughan, June 23; 3 - Michael Burns, June 16; 6 - Lawrence AVallaee, December 31; 8 - James IMcTntire, December 31; 9 - James C. Cummings, July 24 ; Joseph INIiles, July 26 ; Rufus Kimball, August 13; 10 - William Curtain, July 25; Enough G. Vaughan, June 13; John A. Hunke, June 12; 11 - Peter Burns, March 7; 12 - Samuel Gartin, September 25; John Degnan, September 25; 14 - David Russel, August 6; Robert Crippen, ]\Iay 12; 15 - -John Lyons, April 26; 17 - Emery A. Snow, December 17 ; 18 - Lowell Bullen, December 17 ; 21 - Azariah H. Chapin, September 18; 22 - H. C. Nutes, August 13; Ilosea Day, Alay 23; John F. Cook, August 13; 2.3 - Roland B. IMalene, Septeml)er 25; Silas Dutcher I;en, July 7; Joseph Haskins, Septeml)cr 2; Samuel Dixon, October 15; 2.5 - Harvey AVilkinson, September 2; Edw. Green, September 25; 26 - Franklin Broundfoot, September 2; John Clanton, December 12; 27 - Stephen Cook, November 25; Robert Dobbins, July 8: 28 - A. Chapin, September 18; Harvey Allen, September 18; Joseph Lovel, August 6; 29 -

Dexter. Township 103, range 16. Practically all the laud in till lov,nsliip was taken in 1856. Those who came earlier and tiled in 1855 were: 2 - William D. Mead, November 26; Christopher G. Ripley, November 26 ; 11 - Townsond N. Ilorton, December 12; 26 - John F. Peterson, December 20; Edward B. Munsell, November 24; 31 - William Updegraff, November 15; 32 - Nathan Updegraff, November ]5; 33 - James W. Jackson, November 14; Dexter Parritt, September 26; 34 - Michael J. Slavcn, November 8; James Slaven, November 8; Edward Thorn, Xoveintier 14; Simon Waller, July 11.

Austin. Township 102, range 18. The first claims were taken in 1855. Those who filed were: 1 - ^Willard W. Smith, November 23 ; 2 - John R. Roe, November 13 ; Chauncey Leverich, September 14; Geo. H. Bemis, November 17; 3 - Benedict J. Brown, December 19 ; Dennis Crandal, November 13 ; 4 - John Clemdunson, September 21; 14 - ^Milton J. W^oodson, November 6 ; 15 - Danit-1 I\IcPherson, November 23 ; 23 - Ambrose C. Smith, Noveml>er 23; 35 - William Donglap, September 23.

Old Settlers' Association

The first steps toward founding an Old Settlers' Association in jMower county was in June, 1884, when a call Avas issued for a reunion to be held at the court house in Austin, June 12, 1884. The committee consisted of John Frank, Thomas Gibson, C. H. Davidson, J. B. Yates, C. J. Felch and Thomas Varco. About 11 o'clock in the morning tiie exercises were commenced in the new court house hall, there being a large attendance of old settlers and friends, with a short address of Aveleome by the president of the association, Thomas Gibson, of Lansing. Prayer was then offered by Rev. S. G. Lowrey, an old settler of this vicinity, then in his eighty-fifth year. A song, "Altogether," was then sung by 'Sirs. L. A. Sherwood and Mrs. C. H. Davidson ; "Sirs. D. B. Johnson, the first organist in Austin, presided at tlie organ. Judge Onnanzo Allen gave the historieal address, from wliich extract."? api)ear in various parts of this liistory.

Judge Geo. M. Cameron then gave a short extemporaneous address. He said in part: "^Nly first view of Austin was about twenty-eight years ago. I arrived one evening about dark, with onlj' ifiS.SO in my poeket. The first murder in the eommunity was that of Chauncey Leverieh. I regard that as a case of manslaughter, as it was not premeditated. Leverieh came out of his saloon to administer chastisement, and was struck on the head with a wagon spring with greater violence than was intended. There was a case w^here a man, after drinking in a saloon, was found dead, evidently by foul means. Another case occurred where a Norwegian killed his son in a quarrel over a discussion of the question as to the route they should take home." Hon. John Frank, of LeRoy, was called upon, and responded by saying he had spent twenty-nine summers in ]\Iower county and thirty winters. He proposed to stay thirty years more.

A letter from Hon. Moses K. Armstrong, of St. James, ]^Iiuuesota, was then read by the secretary. The letter said in part: "Nearly thirty years ago I M'as county surveyor of Mower county, and laid out "West Austin in town lots. There were about a dozen houses in Austin at that time. There Avas not a printing office in the county. I rode forty miles south of Austin into Iowa, to get election tickets printed; there were no railroads, and hardly a wagon bridge in the county. I swam the Cedar river at Austin on a blind w^hite horse with my compass on my back to survey your town." Jerry Yates said he came into Mower county September 1, 1855. Lyman D. Baird was called out, as one of the first children born in Mower county. 1857. C. H. Huntington then read an original poem, written by Mrs. ]Mercy Greene. Timothy Chapman, of Spring Valley, first register of deeds o^ Mower county, came forward at the call of the audience, and spoke briefly of the occasion.

Jonas Haney, P. F. Rooney, W. I. Brown, Dea. J. N. Cook, J. T. Sargent, Thos. Smith and others filled up the time of the morning session, with incidents of their experience in the early days. About half past one, as the dinner hour was at hand, the proceedings were checked, and an election of officers was held, with the following result: Thos. Gibson, president; J. B. Yates, vice-president ; C. H. Davidson, secretary and treasurer. The banquet was served at the IVIansfield House. Addresses followed by J. J. Furlong, of "Windom ; 0. W. Sliaw and C. L. AVesl, of Austin; J\I. B. Slocum, of Rose Creek; A. Dickerson and T. F. Goslee, of Austin township, and Thomas Gibson, of Lansing. Knute Anderson Qvale, who came with one of the first two or three families that settled in Nevada townsliii), in 18r)4, was cnll.ii ujion, and gave a brief account of his journey from IMilwaukci by ox team and other incidents. It was then suggested that the exercises be closed with the singing of the Doxology by- George Baird. After the motion to adjourn was carried, all were invited to partake of an old settlers' smoke, C. H. Huntington, of Austin township, and P. 0. McBride, the grocer, having furnished a wooden bowl of tobacco, fringed with clay pipes, which had been a conspicuous ornament on the judge's bench all day. Since the time of that historic iirst meeting many interesting gatherings have been held, although the pioneers are one by one passing to their eternal reward. Banquets have been held, dinners together have been enjoyed, annual reunions have been well attended, and many an incident of the early days has been related for the remembrance of the old settlers and the pleasure of the younger generation. During the last years of last century and the first years of this oiae great interest was taken in these meetings by the people in general, and the newspapers each year published a list of the old settlers who had passed away during the previous year, giving a brief sketch of their lives and the year they came here. These clippings are carefully preserved in the minutes. The latest annual meeting given in the minute book is that of 1906, when the following officers were elected : President, M. J. Slaven; vice-president, Hans C. Anderson; secretary and treasurer, John C. Hawkins; chaplain, Alfred Cressey; executive committee, C. L. West, J. J. Furlong and L. Kirkland.