Redwood County, Minnesota - Chapter 23: Live Stock, 1916

When the assessment of 1868 was taken the majority of the settlers were assessed for two horses apiece, and a cow or two, and in some cases a pig. In the present county outside of the Swedes Forest settlement there were 101 horses, 297 cattle, 277 sheep and 67 hogs. The sheep were all in Charlestown, where Joseph T. Bean owned 11 horses, 15 cattle and 99 sheep, and Charles Porter owned two horses, one cow and 178 sheep. F. W. Byington of Paxton had five hogs, the largest number in the county. Bernhart Kuenzli of Homier, had twenty-five cattle, the largest number in the county.

In 1872, the last year of the Pioneer Period, there were in the county 397 horses, 105 being under three years old, and 292 being over that age. They were divided as follows : Under three years - Redwood Falls, 89; Sheridan, 4; Sherman, 6; Charlestown, 6. The average value was $35.70, the highest being $38.33, in Sherman, and the lowest $31.25 in Sheridan. Over three years - Redwood Falls, 219; Sheridan, 30; Sherman, 26, and Charlestown, 17. The average value was $65.02, the highest being $66.40 in Sheridan, and the lowest $64.12 in Charlestown.

There were 1,125 cattle; 409 being under two years old; 468 being cows over two years old ; and 248 being oxen and steers. They were divided as follows: Under two years old - Redwood Falls, 269; Sheridan, 41; Sherman, 79; Charlestown, 20. The average value was $8.85, the highest being $9.10 in Charlestown and the lowest $8.69 in Redwood Falls. Cows over two years old - Redwood Falls, 319 ; Sheridan, 49 ; Sherman, 61 ; Charlestown, 39. The average value was $20.23, the highest being $20.75 in Sheridan and the lowest $19.45 in Redwood Falls. Oxen and steers - Redwood Falls, 117; Sheridan, 58; Sherman, 31; Charlestown, 42. The average value was $31.20, the highest being $31.78 in Charlestown and the lowest $30.34 in Sheridan.

In the county at this time there were 307 swine, 200 being in Redwood Falls, 69 in Sheridan, 9 in Sherman, and 29 in Charlestown. The average value was $2.81, the highest being $5.00 in Sherman and the lowest being $1.25 in Redwood Falls.

Redwood Falls township had not been created but was generally understood to consist of everything in the county not otherwise organized as townships. Sheridan and Sherman consisted

The year 1873 marked the beginning of the grasshopper period. Brookville, New Avon, Sheridan, Sherman and Sundown then consisted of their present areas; Charlestown consisted of Charlestown and Lamberton ; Swedes Forest consisted of Swedes Forest, Kintire and the northern part of Delhi; while Redwood Falls was generally understood to consist of the rest of the county.

In the county at that time there were 635 horses (as compared with 397 in 1872), 139 (as compared with 105 in 1872) being under three years old, and 496 (as compared with 292 in 1872) being over that age. They were divided as follows : Under three years old - Brookville, 6; Charlestown, 5; New Avon, 10; Redwood Falls, 78 ; Sheridan, 7 ; Sherman, 19 ; Swedes Forest, 7 ; Sundown, 7. The average value was $28.30, the highest being $32.14 in Sheridan and Sundown townships, and the lowest $22.00 in Charlestown. Over three years old - Brookville, 39; Charlestown, 44 ; New Avon, 36 ; Redwood Falls, 244 ; Sheridan, 60 ; Sherman, 31; Swedes Forest, 18; Sundown, 24. The average value was $59.85, the highest being $67.58 in Sheridan and the lowest $46.14 in Charlestown.

There were 2,161 cattle (as compared with 1,125 in 1872) ; 837 (as compared with 409 in 1872) being under two years old; 793 (as compared with 468 in 1872) being cows over two years old; 531 (as compared with 248 in 1872) being oxen and steers. They were divided as follows : Under two years old - Brookville, 47 ; Charlestown, 28 ; New Avon, 41 ; Redwood Falls, 455 ; Sheridan, 53; Swedes Forest, 50; Sherman, 132; Sundown, 31. The average value was $7.60, the highest being $8.80 in Redwood Falls, the lowest $6.22 in Swedes Forest. Cows over two years old - Brookville, 58; Charlestown, 60; New Avon, 51; Redwood Falls, 352; Sheridan, 53; Sherman, 81; Swedes Forest, 86; Sundown, 52. The average value was $16.95, the highest being $19.60 in New Avon and the lowest $15.10 in Charlestown. Oxen and steers - Brookville, 44 ; Charlestown, 53 ; New Avon, 33 ; Redwood Falls, 179 ; Sheridan, 44 ; Sherman, 49 ; Swedes Forest, 65 ; Sundown, 64. The average value was $26.80, the highest being $29.55 in Brookville, the lowest $21.69 in Swedes Forest.

The sheep numbered 425 (as compared with 595 in 1872), there being one in Brookville, 323 in Charlestown, 62 in Redwood Falls, one in Sherman, 36 in Swedes Forest, and the rest of the townships having none. The average value was $1.64, the highest being $2 in Brookville and Sherman, the lowest being $1 in Redwood Falls.

There were 290 (as compared with 307 in 1872) swine, 9 being in Brookville, 25 in Charlestown, 15 in New Avon, 135 in Redwood Falls, 56 in Sheridan, 30 in Sherman, 3 in Swedes Forest, 17 in

Eleven mules and asses had been brought into the county, divided as follows : Charlestown, 2 ; New Avon, 2 ; Redwood Falls, 4; Sherman, 1, and Sundown, 2; the average value being $58.63.

The year 1877 marked the last grasshopper year. That year the little insects disappeared in the summer. But the memory of their devastations had limited the crop acreage and the effect of their presence remained throughout the summer.

In 1877 Delhi did not include fractional town 114-36, Swedes forest consisted of Swedes Forest, Kintire, and fractional township 114-36. Sheridan, New Avon, Sherman, Brookville, Sundown, Willow Lake, Charlestown, Lamberton, North Hero, Springdale, Three Lakes, Underwood, and Gales townships, all had their present area ; Willow Lake, North Hero, Springdale, Three Lakes, Underwood and Gales having been organized since 1873. Charlestown and Lamberton had been separated since 1873.

In the county at that time there were 943 horses (as compared with 635 in 1873), 163 (as compared with 139 in 1873) being under three years old, and 780 (as compared with 496 in 1873) being over that age. They were divided as follows : Under three years old - Redwood Falls, 55; Swedes Forest, 13; Sheridan, 8; New Avon, Delhi and Underwood, 5 ; Sherman, 11 ; Brookville, 17; Sundown, 10; Willow Lake and Gales, 3; Charlestown, 12; Lamberton and Three Lakes, none; North Hero, 2, and Springdale, 14. The average value was $20.12, the highest being $20.91 in Sherman and the lowest $19.28 in Springdale. Over three years old - Redwood Falls, 279; Swedes Forest, 32; Delhi, 32 Sheridan, 28; North Hero, 28; New Avon, 41; Sherman, 52 Brookville, 60; Sundown, 35; Springdale, 35; Willow Lake, 16 Charlestown, 46; Lamberton, 58; Three Lakes, 11; Underwood, 8, and Gales, 9. The average value was $42.07, the highest being $43.56 and the lowest $40.08.

The number of sheep was 1,560 (as compared with 425 in 1873). They were divided as follows: Redwood Falls, 543 Swedes Forest, 133 ; Sheridan, 1 ; New Avon, 142 ; Sherman, 5 Three Lakes, 5; Underwood, 5; Brookville, 54; Sundown, 14 Gales, 14; Willow Lake, 12; Charlestown, 438; Lamberton, 34 North Hero, 32; Springdale, 28, and Delhi, 100. The average value was $1.47, the highest being $1.59 in New Avon and the lowest $1.00 in Sheridan and Sherman.

In the county at this time there were 690 swine (as compared with 290 in 1873). They were divided as follows: Redwood Falls, 269 ; Swedes Forest, 43 ; Sheridan, 39 ; New Avon, 22 ; Sherman, 25 ; Brookville, 50 ; Sundown, 54 ; Willow Lake, 27 ; Charlestown, 55 ; Lamberton, 19 ; North Hero, 20 ; Springdale, 16 ; Delhi, 17; Three Lakes, 5; Underwood, 21 and Gales 8. The average value was $1.69, the highest being $3.75 in Gales and the lowest $1.11 in Sundown.

In spite of the serious setbacks caused by the grasshopper ravages, the county had steadily increased its agricultural endeavors from 1873 to 1877, although the taxable area had been decreased.

The number of horses under three years of age increased from 139 in 1873 to 162 in 1877. In 1874 the number decreased to 124, jumped to 173 in 1875, and decreased to 147 in 1876. The horses over three years, cattle under two years, and cows over two years show a gradual increase. The number of oxen and steers, jumped from 531 in 1873 to 1,221 in 1876, and then dropped to 1,175 in 1877. The number of sheep jumped from 670 in 1873 to 974 in 1876 and then decreased to 560 in 1877. The number of swine jumped from 290 in 1873 to 785 in 1876, and then decreased to 690 in 1877.

Forest still consisted of Swedes Forest and Kintire. Redwood Falls township still consisted of Honner, Vesta, Redwood Falls, Paxton, Granite Rock, Vail, Morgan, Johnsonville and Westline. During the period of 1878-1905, Johnsonville and Westline were organized in 1879, and Honner, Kintire, Morgan, Paxton, Vail, and Vesta were organized in 1880 and Granite Rock in 1889, although it had been taxed as a separate entity since 1880.

In the county in 1878 there were 1,511 horses, 236 being under three years old, and 1,275 being over that age. They were divided as follows: Under three years old, Redwood Falls, 66; Swedes Forest, 13 ; Charlestown, 13 ; Sheridan, 8 ; New Avon, 9 ; Lamberton, 9 ; Sherman, 21 ; Brookville, 21 ; Sundown, 11 ; Willow Lake, 3; Gales, 3; North Hero, 15; Springdale, 14; Three Lakes, 1; Delhi, 17; Underwood, 6, and Waterbury, 6. The average value was $23.30, the highest being $26.35 in Delhi and the lowest $22.85 in Brookville. Over three years old : Redwood Falls, 425 ; Swedes Forest, 51; Sheridan, 39; New Avon, 37; Sherman, 43; Brookville, 93 ; Sundown, 61, and North Hero, 61 ; Willow Lake, 28 ; Underwood, 28 ; Charlestown, 77 ; Springdale, 77 ; Lamberton, 89; Three Lakes, 50; Delhi, 56; Gales, 44, and Waterbury, 16. The average value was $45.90. The highest being $47.50 in Redwood Falls and the lowest, $43.85 in Sheridan.

There were 6,008 cattle, 1,750 being under two years old, 2,465 being cows over two years old, and 1,783 being oxen and steers. They were divided as follows : Under two years old, Redwood Falls, 397; Swedes Forest, 128; Sheridan, 83; New Avon, 84; North Hero, 84; Sherman, 77; Brookville, 141; Sundown, 124; Willow Lake, 86; Charlestown, 143; Lamberton, 89; Springdale, 65; Three Lakes, 44; Delhi, 80; Underwood, 49; Gales, 48, and Waterbury, 28. The average value was $5.24, the highest being $5.90 in Gales and the lowest $4.75 in Brookville. Cows over two years old: Redwood Falls, 604; Swedes Forest, 148; Sheridan, 106 ; New Avon, 97 ; Sherman, 108 ; Brookville, 246 ; Sundown, 161 ; Willow Lakes, 90 ; Charlestown, 170 ; Lamberton, 154 ; North Hero, 135 ; Springdale, 145 ; Three Lakes, 46 ; Delhi, 111 ; Underwood, 50; Gales, 59, and Waterbury, 35. The average value was $14, the highest being $14.80 in Brookville and the lowest $12.46 in North Hero. Oxen and steers: Redwood Falls, 470; Swedes Forest, 134 ; Sheridan, 61 ; New Avon and North Hero, 81 ; Sherman, 112; Brookville, 89; Springdale, 89; Sundown, 82; Willow Lake, 40; Charlestown, 102; Lamberton, 78; Three Lakes, 43; Delhi, 69; Underwood, 175; Gales, 53, and Waterbury, 24. The average value was $21.12, the highest being $37.13 in Charlestown and the lowest $19.34 in Sherman.

Charlestown, 420; Lamberton, 56; North Hero, 38; Springdale, 161; Three Lakes, 11; Delhi, 442; Underwood, 5; Gales, 16; Waterbury, 116. The average value was $1.55, the highest being $1.79 in Delhi and the lowest $141 in Brookville.

The swine numbered 714, divided as follows : Redwood Falls, 172 ; Swedes Forest, 63 ; Springdale and Sheridan, 27 ; New Avon, 20 ; Sherman, 19 ; Brookville, 45 ; Sundown, 41 ; Willow Lake, 26 ; Charlestown, 73; Lamberton, 55; North Hero, 46; Three Lakes, 14; Delhi, 40; Underwood, 17; Gales, 12, and Waterbury, 17. The average value was $1.50, the highest being $1.80 in New Avon, the lowest $1.50.

There were 31 mules and asses, divided as follows : Redwood Falls, 4; New Avon, 1; Brookville, 6; Willow Lake, 9; North Hero, 2; Springdale, 2; Three Lakes, 3, and Underwood, 4. The average value was $52.45, the highest being $54.50 in Underwood and the lowest $51.66 in Three Lakes.

During the period of rapid growth, the agricultural progress of the county was remarkable, and an almost marvelous increase was seen in stock raising in the county. Up to the late eighties and early nineties, there were many large herds of steers in the county, some numbering as high as a thousand head. But about that time dairying began to assume more important aspects, and gradually the herds of steers became smaller and the herds of dairy cows larger. This was brought about by the taking up of all the land, and the cultivation of tracts that had hitherto been wild and open.

Johnsonville and Westline first appear on the assessment rolls in 1879. In that year 30 people were assessed for personal taxes in Johnsonville and 24 in Westline. Honner, Kintire, Morgan, Paxton, Vail, Vesta, and Granite Rock (unorganized) first appear on the assesment rolls in 1880. In that year 51 people were assessed for personal taxes in Honner, 17 in Kintire, 18 in Morgan, 56 in Paxton, 16 in Vail, 19 in Vesta, and 12 in Granite Rock (unorganized).

The agricultural assessments in detail for Johnsonville and Westline in 1879, and Kintire, Honner, Morgan, Paxton, Vail, Vesta and Granite Rock (unorganized) in 1880 were as follows.

The total valuation at which agricultural personal property was assessed in Redwood county in 1905 was as follows : Horses, $384,526; cattle, $242,521; sheep, $5,711; swine, $35,507.

The average valuation at which agricultural personal property was assessed in Redwood county in 1905 was as follows : Horses, $79.07; cattle, $10.07; sheep, $1.47; swine, $2.99.

In the county at this time there were a total of 12,314 horses, mules and asses; one year old, 1,007; two years old, 955; three years old and over, 10,322 ; fine bred horses, 30.