Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 10, 1905

The first permanent settlement in the town of Iosco was made in July, 1855, by Luke B. Osgood, accompanied by John H. Wheeler, Daniel McDaniels, and Buel "Welsh. Mr. Osgood made his claim on section 20, and immediately commenced thereon the erection of a cabin, fourteen by sixteen feet in size, all hands participating in rolling up the logs and putting on a roof of shakes. His family moved into it, although at the time it had neither floor, door, nor window. It was late in the fall before these were added to the abode. Before the building of the cabin the family had camped out for three months and were glad to get even this humble protection from the weather.

The residents at this time of this locality, known as the Plum Valley settlement, lost nearly one-half of their cattle within the winter, owing to the poor quality of their hay. Many of the settlers did not arrive in time to make their hay before the first frosts.

Mr. John Wheeler was also one of the first settlers and became a permanent citizen of Iosco where he lived on his farm until 1886, when he removed to Nebraska. He sold out to Julius Mittelstaedt. Buel Welsh went to Faribault where he remained until 1857, working as a carpenter. After this he located in the vil-

Ifige of Wilton, where he remained until the ancient "burg" became farm lands. He then removed to Alma City, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mr. Osgood and family, after living on their farm some twelve years, sold out to the ]\IessTS. Timlin, and moved back East, where 3Ir. Osgood died about 1883.

ilr. McDaniels, after a few years spent here, removed to [Missouri, and there he was living at last accounts. Jake Conrad disappeared from the settlement in 1858, and his whereabouts have since been unknown to persons of this section.

David Wood settled on section 2, Iosco, the same season, where he resided until his death in ilay, 1898. He was born in Scotland in 1820, and came to America in 1848. He landed at Quebec and spent the summer as a steamboat employe on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence river. He then made a trip to New Orleans, but soon returning North, engaged in railroading, first on the Cleveland & Pittsburg, and second on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago. He spent several years as sub-contractor and section foreman. Later he came to Minnesota and located as above stated. He was married in 1853 to Miss Susan Somerville, formerly of Virginia. They are, it is said, the parents of the first white child born in the township. David W., the child was named, and he still lives at the old home.

J. W. Hosmer, Aaron Hanes and Joseph Madrew also came to Iosco in 1855. ilr. Hosmer moved to Janesville the next year and was prominently connected with the village until his death, as will fully appear later in these pages. Joseph iladrew did not remain long. He sold out and returned to Wisconsin.

ilr. Hanes settled near Mr. Osgood's place, where he lived until 1859, when he died, leaving a wife and four children, one daughter being married. His son James (Jim) served his country during the War of the Rebellion. After the war he took up his residence in Waterville, Le Sueur county, where he died July IS. 190-4. The other son, John, died when a young man, and the yoimger girl died about 1881.