Delavan City

Delavan City

On the 10th and 11th days of October, a new town site was surveyed and another village founded in this county. It was located on section 36, in town 104, of range 27, on the line of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, and was named "Delavan." This was the fifth village in the county, according to number and age. A fuller reference to this village will be found elsewhere in this work.

Railroads Again

All the former projects and efforts to secure a north and south railroad through the county having failed, a new proposition to build a road was now submitted to the people of Blue Earth City and the adjoining towns, by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad Company. The substance of this proposition was that, if the several towns interested should vote to the company $85,000 in town bonds, running twenty years and bearing seven per cent interest, donate to the company forty acres of land adjoining the village of Blue Earth City, and secure the right of way from the Iowa state line from the point where the road should cross the line to Blue Earth City, the company would extend their road to that village, completing it to that point by the first day of December, 1872. The proposition was made in good faith, no doubt, and was so accepted. The bonds were voted, mainly in October, the amount required being so nearly secured that it was satisfactory, the vote in the several towns was formally accepted by the company, the forty acres of land was contracted for and the right of way mainly obtained.

A Political Saturnalia

The time has now arrived to give some account of the most bitter, exciting and, we may well add, the most disgraceful political contest ever known in the annals of this county.

The republicans held a convention on the eighth day of October at Blue Earth City. The convention was very fully attended and was characterized by much strife.

Thirteen formal ballots were taken for register of deeds, there being three candidates for the nomination, but as neither candidate could secure a majority of the whole vote, no nomination was made. Ten delegates, over whom there was a hot contest, where chosen to represent this county in the Legislative District Convention.

These delegates were understood to be favorable to the nomination of Geo. W. Whallon, of Blue Earth City, for senator, and Geo. C. Chamberlin, of Jackson, for representative.

On the eleventh day of October, another county convention, called the "People's Convention" assembled at Winnebago City. This convention formally nominated W. W. White for auditor, J. R. Sisson for surveyor, and Frank Lent for register of deeds. At this convention also, ten delegates were elected to represent this county in the Legislative District Convention. These latter delegates were understood to be favorable to the nomination of C. W. Thompson, of Wells, for senator, and A. L. Patchia, of Martin county, for representative. The legislative district was, at the time, composed of the counties of Faribault, Martin, Jackson, Nobles, Cottonwood, Murray, Pipestone and Rock.

The district convention for the nomination of candidates for senator and representative, assembled at Fairmont, Martin county, on the twelfth day of October.

It appears by the one report, that H. J. Neal, one of the delegates chosen by the regular county convention of this county, called the meeting to order, and was thereupon elected chairman, and J. W. Cowing, of Jackson, secretary, and then Geo. W. Whallon was nominated as the candidate for senator, and Geo. C. Chamberlin. for representative, after which the convention adjourned.

By the other report it appears, that A. Fancher. of Martin county, was chosen chairman and A. E. Foss, of this county, secretary, whereupon C. W. Thompson was nominated as the candidate for senator, and A. L. Patchin for representative. Several resolutions were then adopted, after which the convention adjourned.

The fact was that each party was determined to nominate its candidates, at all events, and that both conducted their proceedings at the same time and place, the Thompson party continuing their proceedings for a short time after the Whallon party had adjourned.

We shall not attempt to determine the legality of either set of nominations, as the legality, or regularity of the proceedings, does not appear to have been a matter of much consequence to either set of delegates.

About this time, Geo. A. Weir was announced as an independent candidate for county surveyor, and Fred P. Brown, as an independent candidate for register of deeds.

A congressman was also to be elected this fall, and the candidates were, Mark H. Bunnell, of Steele county, republican, andC. F. Buck, of Winona county, democrat.

The campaign was exceedingly earnest, bitter and personal. The contest was upon the offices of senator and representative in the district, and the office of register of deeds in this county. The entire district was closely canvassed, many meetings were held and many a country school house rang with turgid eloquence. At some of these meetings, the champions of both sides met, when words, hot and high, were heard for hours.

The real issues of this campaign, so far as the district was concerned, were not men and politics, but were, first, the rivalrj' of interests of the several localities, or villages in this county; secondly, the division of the 500,000 acres of State "internal improvement lands," among the railroad companies of the State, which it was designed to attempt at the next session of the legislature, of which Mr. Thompson desired to get a portion in aid of the roads in which he was interested, while Mr. Whallon and his friends were look- ing after like intei*ests in behalf of their localities, and thirdly, but not least, so far as concerned Blue Earth City, the county seat question, in this county, was believed to be deeply involved in this election and, of course, awakened all the energies of Blue Earth City, and several other localities. Besides all these considerations a United States senator was to be elected at the next session of the legislature. The Winnebago Oity Press and Wells Atlas ta,voTed Messrs. Thompson and Patchin. The Blue Earth City Post sustained Messrs. Whallon and Chamberlin, and the South-West spoke favorable of both republican tickets, but did not take a decided stand for either. The election was held on the eighth day of November, and the following was the result in this county, as appears from the official canvass:

Henry J. Neal was elected county commissioner for District No. 2, and L. C. Seaton for District No. 3, and Mark H. Dunnell was elected representative in congress of this, the first congressional district.

But the matter of chief interest was not yet decided. The votes for senator and representative in the entire legislative district, composed of the counties above named, were yet to be canvassed. As this county was the senior county in the district, the votes of the other counties were required by law to be returned to the auditor of this county to be canvassed, by a board designated by law, and was composed as follows:

Never before, or since, for that matter, was such an intense interest manifested in the canvass of any vote in the county. Gross frauds were charged to have been practiced by both parties, and the vote was known to be very close.

There was a jri'eat attendance of citizens at the oflBce of the county auditor. Mr. Thompson, with his attorneys. Messrs. Losey, of La Crosse, Wis., and Dunn, of this county, with many friends, were present. Mr. Whalion and his friends were also in attendance. After much discussion, the raising of many objections and the reading of considerable law applicable to the subject in hand, the board duly considered the matter, and finally certified to the following canvass.

But Messrs. Thompson and Patchin were not satisfied, and very soon notices were served upon Messrs. Whalion and Chamberlin, by Thompson and Patchin, that the election of the former would be contested, and that testimony would be taken on the matter of the senatorship at Winnebago City, on the twenty-first day of December, before C. A. Louusberry and S. J. Abbott, justices of the peace, and in the case of therepresentativeship, before the same officers, at the same place, on the twenty-third day of the same month.

M. J. Severance and C. K. Davis were employed as counsel by Whalion And Chamberlin, and Messrs. Losey, of La Crosse, Wis., J. M. Gilman, of St. Paul, and A. C. Dunn, of this county, were retained as counsel by Thompson and Patchin.

1st. That the ballot box used at the election, on the eighth day of November, at Blue Earth City, was stuffed with illegal and fraudulent votes, to the number of two hundred, and that all of said illegal votes contained the names of G. W. Whalion for senator, and G. C. Chamberlin for representative.

3d. That not more than three hundred legal voters reside in Blue Earth City precinct, and to conceal the fraudulent voting, the poll lists were fraudulently taken from the offices of the county auditor and town clerk.

The substance of the counterpoints was that many illegal votes were cast at Wells and in several other election districts for Messrs Thompson and Patchin, and that Mr. Thompson was not a resident of the State, and consequently ineligible to the office of senator.

Soon after meeting and organization, the court adjourned to Blue Earth City, when, after a session of eight days, during which many witnesses were examined, and their testimony reduced to writing, the court finally adjourned.

In the investigation of these matters, a very great difiSculty soon presented itself. The poll lists of Blue Earth City election district could not be found. The papers pertaining to the town clerk's office were, for convenience, kept in a "candle box," and one copy of the poll list should have been found in it, but the box was searched very closely, yet the list was not found, and the clerk could give no information as to what had become of it.

The duplicate list, required by law, to be filed in the office of the county auditor, was so filed, but that list, also, mysteriously disappeared and could nowhere be found, it having been taken from the office without the auditor's knowledge.

Thei'efore, not knowing the names on the poll lists, it was impossible to prove directly that the persons whose names were on the list, and had voted, were not legal voters. It was, therefore, sought to be shown, by the testimony of the witnesses, the number of legal votes in the town, and that the vote cast was greatly in excess of what it should be.

But one illegal vote was proved directly, as cast for Whallon and Chamberlain, and that was confessed, the voter lacking only a few days of the four months' residence in the State, required by law. Five illegal votes were shown to have been cast at Wells, which were doubtless cast for Thompson and Patchin.

Mr. Thompson himself was placed on the witness stand, as to the question of his residence. The general tenor of his testimony was quite unfavorable as to his eligibility as a candidate.

Although but few votes cast at this election were proven to be illegal, yet it must be admitted that there were illegal votes cast at Blue Earth City and at several other places for Whallon and Chamberlain, and that the poll books of Blue Earth City election district mysteriously and criminally disappeared. It must also be as readily admitted that there were illegal votes cast at Wells and at several other places for Thompson and Patchin.

But just how many such votes were cast for either candidate, in what manner the frauds were perpetrated and upon whom the odium of such outrages upon the purity of the ballot box should be cast, will probably never be known. The final result of all this turmoil, excitement and expense, is recorded in the history of the next year. It is gratifying to state that this was the first known instance of election frauds perpetrated in this county; that but comparatively few persons had any part in them, and that when the excitement of the time passed away, the great majority of the people denounced such action severely.

In a free fjoverninent like that under which we live, where the source of all power and authority is the people and the ballot box, the means by which they indicate their wishes, frauds by which the expressed wishes of the majority are nullified, or defeated, constitute a crime of great magnitude, and should meet with universal execration and certain and condign punishment.

Our election laws throughout the whole country, to this date at least, seem to have been made on the assumption that all electors were honest and patriotic, and the great majority were, and are so, but it must be admitted that there were, and now are, a great many rascals abroad in the world, especially in the cities, and it would seem, occasionally in the country districts also, who would take advantage of the simple and loosely constructed laws to practice the greatest frauds upon the people. And the vast importance to the continued existence of our free institutions, of great reforms in our election laws, began, at about this period, to be realized by the people, and they began to inquire what regulations could be framed by which fair and honest elections might be secured. Election laws must be framed upon the assumption that there are a great many ingenious scoundrels living, everywhere, who are ready to corrupt the voter, invade and vitiate the ballot box itself, and pervert the will of the people if there is any possible chance of doing so.

While treating of the subject of elections, the writer may be excused for offering a few further suggestions on the subject of voting and its importance.

The theory of our government is that the people rule; that here exists self-government, citizen sovereignty. But every citizen cannot be invested with office and have a scepter placed in his hands. The method, therefoi'e. by which the people rule themselves, politically, is mainly by the exercise of the elective franchise, or the right to vote. In the exercise of this right they choose representatives to frame constitutions and enact laws, and others to determine, in cases of dispute, what, in any particular case, the law is, and others to execute the laws.

By this means the people also indicate, in a great measure, what they desire the policy of the government, state or national, shall be. in various matters of public interest. Certain public policies, or political principles acted upon bj' the government, may result in great progress, prosperity and happiness, and the elevation of the standards of good citizenship, among the people, while certain other political views and theories, if carried into practical ai)plication, may paralyze progress and all industries, create large indebtedness, disorder the currency, cause bankruptcies among business men. reduce labor to idleness and beggary, and even seriouslj- degrade the moral tone and the patriotic impulses of the people of the nation. Every ^governmental act affects every citizen to some extent. But wrong policies, erroneous action in public affairs are dangerous, not only as regards the nation, but also, of course, to the state, the county, the township and school district; and the voter is not only interested in the principles to be pursued, or the action to be taken, but also in the men who are to fill the offices. Men must be selected who are competent and honest. There are some men in almost every community who are, because of incompetency, or lack of moral principle, unfit to be placed in any public office, and just such men are sometimes candidates for office, and this class of candidates usually rely much on the gullibility of the people. As a rule, the man Who has proved himself a failure, or a rascal, in his private life, is very likely to prove such in office, whatever his promises may be. Sooner or later his real character will appear, to the public detriment. The voter must pass upon these questions also, and should inform himself as to the real character of candidates. It is undoubtedly true, that the right to vote, the duty of voting are, by many, greatly uader estimated. There are many voters who do not think it of much importance to vote, and frequently neglect to do so. Voters have been heard to excuse themselves from attending an election by the remark, "Well, one vote will not make any difference," yet in the history of our government, national and state, one single vote has on a number of occasions, determined great policies, changed anticipated results, or decided who should hold office. Several instances may be named:

A famous United States Senator was reelected by a majority of one vote, and that one vote was given by a member of the legislature who had himself been elected by a majority of one vote.

There are also some voters who are so ignorant, or corrupt, or both, as to sell their votes, while in some sections of the country certain classes of voters are sent to the polls to exercise this right as an employer, or a ward boss, or some one else may dictate, and in some other localities, numbers of electors are not permitted to vote at all.

It is well to think occasionally of the real character and importance of the right to vote. It is one of the highest, most dignified, most honorable and most necessary of the rights of a free citizen.

And it is literally true that millions of men, through the ages past, have perished in the struggle for those civil liberties, of which the right to say how they should be governed was one of the greatest. There may here be added to what has already been said of the value and importance of the elective franchi.se, the following further considerations:

In the first place, it is well known, but not always fully recognized, that the right to vote is greatly limited as to the number who are invested with the right, or, in other words, that but few of the great mass of the people, who are interested in the atfairs of the town, county, state or nation, are permitted to vote. Only about one-sixth of the population, of any voting district, practically do the voting, and often a less number, for there are always some who are entitled to vote who fail lo do so. Thus, if the nation has a population of 60.000.000. about 10,000,000 of voters, practically, determine who shall be president and vice president, and the general policy of the government.

If our State has a population of 1,500,000, then only about 250,000 vote on the questions of who shall be our State officers and decide other State affairs, which may be submitted to the people. If our county has 18.000 inhabitants, then about 3,000 votes .settle the question of who shall till our county offices and decide other important interests.

Now these facts imply thatevery voter exercises the right to vote, not only in his own behalf, individually, but he votes, also, in behalf of five or six other persons, equally interested with himself. The right to vote thus* becomes a great trust, to be exercised for, not only the voter's own good, but for the welfare of many others, who cannot vote.

But this is not all the responsibility which rests upon the voter. He decides, by his vote, the principles and policies that shall obtain, not only for the present, but, perhaps, for the future, for many years, thus making that country (state or locality) and its conditions of success, or failure, in which his children, probably, or his kindi'ed, are to live and labor, long after he may be dead. The destinies of this great state, and the greater nation, of which we have the honor to be citizens, rests in the hands of the voters.

And the school district, the township, the county, the state and the nation have the right to demand of every one invested with this great franchise, that he exercise the right; they are entitled to his judgment in the affairs of the public, and to be intelligently and conscientiously expressed by his vote. To vote is the duty of every elector, as well as his right, and he who feels that he has voted ac- cording to the noble sentiment "For God and home and native land," has done well. And the man who would permit his vote to be dictated by another, or who would sell his vote, is unfit to be a free citizen, and should be disfranchised. And the man who would seek to corrupt a voter, or to deceive him, or by fraud, attempt to annul, or pervert the expressed will of the people, deserves not only disfranchisement, but imprisonment.

Murder

A murder was committed at Wells, on the 4th day of November. This was the fourth homicide in the county. The facts in the case, briefly stated, are about as follows. A number of Swedes and Norwegians under the influence of intoxicating liquors got into a street brawl when one Nels Hast stabbed or cut one Ole Olsen in the neck. Olsen died in a few minutes. Hast was immediately arrested and was finally tried at the June term, of 1871.

Another Newspaper

On the ninth day of December, the first number of The Wells Real Esiaie Advertiser appeared. It was published at Wells, in this county, by Messrs. Chase and Hall. Wells could now boast of two newspapers. The Advertiser was a four page, seven column sheet. We copy the salutatory.

"We present you, readers, with the Wells Advertiser. It means business. It is a permanent institution in Faribault county, fixed to stay. At present we shall publish it monthly, more frequently when it will pay to do so. Our aim shall be to benefit the entire community, not forgetting ourselves. We shall do a good deal of blowing, and being free-born, half white, andwhnlly independent, expect to say a good many things that will make others blow. Our motto is "Advertise." We have got some things to sell and propose to let It be known, hence our name. In politics we are going for the best man and the county seat. If any body wants a row. let them punch us, if a farm, or village lot, come and see us."

This is pith and point, but not much pathos. It may be added, that after the publication of two or three numbers of this paper, it "blew" itself out.

The General Reckoning

S. P. Childs, of Blue Earth City, was the assistant United States Marshall, appointed for the south half of the county, and A. A. Huntington, of Winnebago City, for the north half, to do the work of taking the census.

History Of

As this is another year of general reckoning and posting up of accounts, in the history of our county, a record is here made of all the valuable statistics of the year. The quotations from the census, the agricultural productions, the assessed value of property in the several towns, and the other items of interest given, make up a very complete exhibit. But it must be again stated, that the value of some of these statistical collections is not great. It is found that those compiled from the census differ considerably from those taken from the State reports. We cannot here attempt to explain the causes of these discrepancies. The statistics are given here as they are found recorded in the books of authority on the subject.

As to the nativity of the inhabitants, there were born in the United States, 7,453; in Norway, 821; in Germany, G80; Canada, 431; Ireland, 195; England, 150; Scotland. 74; Prance, 44; Denmark, 32; Sweden, 20; Wales, 17: Holland, 8; Switzerland, 3; other countries, 18. By the census of 18G0, the county ranked as No. 29 in population, but by the census of this year as No. 19.

The following table exhibits the total assessed value of all the Real and Personal Estate in each township in the county for the year 1870: »

The number of farms in the county, in 1870, was 1,474. The number of dwelling houses, 1,911. There were 199 births and 88 deaths during the year. As this was the first year in which returns of births and deaths were required by law to be made, and the matter was not well understood, the returns made were quite imperfect.

School Statistics For 1870

Eighty-one per cent of these attended school during the year. The graded schools at Blue Earth City and at Winnebago City, are doing good work. The county is well represented at the State Normal School at Mankato. The deportment of pupils is generally good. Twelve public examinations of teachers were held in the county. One hundred and five certiticates were issued to teachers. There was paid to teachers during the year, ^15,123.00. Nine new school houses were built, costing ^3,590,00. These facts and figures clearly show that the people of Faribault county are wide awake in school affairs.

Thk Fall And Winter

The first snow fell about the twenty-third of November, but plowing was done as late at the sixth day of December, and navigation remained open on the Mississippi very late, a steamboat excursion coming off at St. Paul on the twenty seventh of December.

Finis

"Saturday, December 31st, 1870, was the lastday,otthelast week, of the last month, of the last year, of the last decade, ending with 1870. When will such a coincidence again occur?"

The township of Delavan is congressional township one hundred and four (104) north, of range twenty-seven (27) west. On the north of this town lies the town of Mapleton, in Blue Earth county. On the east it is bounded by the township of Lura, south by the town of Prescott, and on the west by Winnebago City township.

Physical Characteristics

The surface of the town is designated as mainly rolling prairie. The soil is deep and as fertile as any in the county, and possesses the same characteristics as that of the county generally.

The estimated average height of the town above the level of the sea is 1,050 feet and the drift here is presumed to be about one hundred feet in depth, to the bed rock.

There are several beautiful lakes in the town, one known as Bass Lake, the other named on the government maps, Maple Lake which is now generally called Rice Lake, and there is also Lake Lura on the northern boundary. There are several small running streams and outlets of the lakes.

There is considerable native timber in this town, and many beautiful artificial groves, the result of the forethought and industry of the people. It is probable that the first grove of trees set out in this county was planted by John Chestnut, in this township, in 1860. A few trees had been set out prior to this, along the road and in front of several dwellings, but this was doubtless the first grove. It contained two acres. And this was, probably, the beginning of that industry which has since covered our county with innumerable groves.

On the lands of Mr. Blair is a beautiful elevated grove of ancient oaks, overlooking that fine sheet of water, Bass Lake, which for years past has been a summer resort and has long been known as "Camp Comfort." Here families and small companies of i^eople, have been want to resort in the heat of summer for rest and recreation. Camping out under the shade of the moss grown oaks and passing many pleasant days in boat riding, fishing and hunting, or in quiet reverie. Here too, for years past, have been held every summer, assemblies of the people from the surrounding country, in attendance upon Sunday school picnics, Fourth of July celebrations, old settler's reunions and I'eligious meetings and there are few, if any, more pleasant resorts to be found, anywhere, and many of the good people of the county have spent many agreeable hours here, the rememberances of which will remain with them for many years. There are other beautiful groves about this lake which are occasionally used for public assemblies.

Names Of The Town

The town was named Guthrie by the special commissioners, and there has been some (juestion as to in whose honor the town was named. There is a southwest county of Iowa by this name. There was a very eminent Scottish clergyman by the name of Thomas Guthrie, who died in 1873, and during the last century there was a Scottish author of distinction by the name of Wm. Guthrie. We have also had a statesman of eminence, in our own country, the Hon. James Guthrie, who was United States senator from Kentucky, from 1865 to 1868, and formerly Secretary of the Treasury in President Pierce's administration. But it was not in honor of either of these men that the town was first named, but the honor was reserved for a resident of the town. Wm. and Sterrit Guthrie were among the earliest settlers of this township, and it is quite certain that the name of Sterrit Guthrie, the first of the two to settle in the town, was in the minds of the commissioners when the town was named. The name of the town was changed to Delavan, by act of the legislature, apiJi-oved March 1st, 1872, to agree with the name of the village of Delavan, some time previously located in this town.

First Settlement

Fkiend Kiester: - I am in receipt of yours of July 26th. It being harvest time, I have not the leisure I should like to give to the subjects you suggest, but will give you a few disjointed statements of the facts, as near as I can.

John S. Kobertson and myself, on the 11th day of May (1856), took our claims, which we, in due time, pre-empted. He (Mr. Robertson) went off to work, and was gone about all the time the law would admit. I continued on my claim from the first - never left it. He took the southwest quarter of section nine and I the southeast quarter of section nine. Next came W. J. Dickerman, George and John Hart, two or three days later. Next came I. D. Irish and Joseph Predmore, about the last of May (1856). I. D. Irish lived on section sixteen about six years, and left. Predmore settled on the southeast quarter of section seventeen. Sterrit Guthrie and Ed. Thorpe came about the same time. Sterrit and Thorpe told me that they had been at Bass Lake a few days before I took my claim, but went west to the Blue Earth river, and spent some time looking around, to find such a place as they wanted, and concluded to come back to Bass Lake and take the claim I had selected, as they had examined it on their way west, but they found that they were too late when they returned. Wm. Guthrie did not come in until the next year (1857). The Guthries came from Harrisburg, Penn., but Sterrit had resided, before he moved here, at Vinton, Iowa. » « * * Yours truly,

Minnesota Settlement Association

Bass Lake, Minn., August .30th, 1873, Friend Kiester: - Yours of the twentieth is received. The two Harts, Dickerman, Robertson and myself, came to Mankato on the same boat. We organized in the City of New York during the winter of 1855-6, what was called the Minnesota Settlement Association, and gathered members from all parts of the eastern slates and emigrated as said association to this .State in the month of April, 1856. Most of the colony settled in Blue Earth county. Harts and Dickerman were from Hartford, Conn. J. S. Robertson was born in Scotland. He worked in New York City at his trade (cabinetmaker) two or three years. I was born in Scotland (October 8th, 1825.) I emigrated from Glasgow on the twelfth day of June, 1848; landed in Boston, Mass., and went to Camden, Maine, where I engaged to work, learning the trade of ship calker, serving two and a half years. I then left that place and went to New York City and worked about three years. I then picked up my tools and went on a cruise to Pittsburg, Pa., thence down the Ohio river to Louisville, Ky., thence to St. Louis, Mo., and from there down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where I worked about four months in winter, and from thence I wont by steamship, by way of Cuba, to New York City, where I again worked at my trade until I came here in 1856.

Mr. Blair was married in 185G. to Miss Agnes Kirk, of New York City. Tlioy liave seven children living. Mr. Blair and Mr. Robertson are entitled to the honor of being the first settlers of this town, yet but a few days passed when several other persons located here. In connection with the subject of the first settlement of the town, there is here presented a copy of the census roll of the inhabitants, taken in June. 1860, and, also, a few items taken from that census, as to some other matters of interest. It is well to remark here that there were several settlers in the town, who were absent from home, when the census was taken, and whose names, consequently, do not appear on this roll of honor.

Acres of land improved, (ij: va!u« of farms, $1,800; value of farm implements and machinery, $215; numljer of horses, 5; number of milch cows, 7; number of working oxen, 2; number of other cattle, 5; number of swine, 12; value of live stock, $625.

Organization

This town was organized for civil purposes, on the twentieth day of October, 1858, by the election, on that day, of the first town oflScers. Isaac D. Irish was chosen chairman of the board, and John Alvey, town clerk. The town meeting was held at the house of Mr. Irish, and there were fourteen votes cast.

At the fii'st annual town meeting held in the spring of 1859, Thomas Blair was chosen chairman, and Mr. Alvey, clerk. This organization has continued to this day. The list of officers for the concluding year of this history, 1879, was composed of the following named gentlemen: Supervisors, E. J. Lien, chairman, and L. Andrews and W. McNeil; town clerk, John Alvey; treasurer, Wesley Hill; assessor, J. W. Jenkins, Sr.; justice of the peace, W. J. Dickerman; constable, E. Griffin.

early settlers, and for many years one of the prominent citizens of the town. He was born in England, March 30th, 1807. He learned the trade of making hosiery and gloves, at which occupation he worked a number of years. In 1831 he was married. His wife died in 1834. In 1836 he married again, and four of his children were born in England. He became a member of the Odd Fellows society in that country, and after holding several of the principal offices of the lodge, he was elected permanent seci-etary. Leaving his family in England, for the time being, Mr. Alveycame to America In 1848, and located in Connecticut, where he had some relatives, and went to work in a factory. The company for which he worked kindl.y advanced the money to bring his family to this country, and they arrived in November of that year.

After working in the East some years, a part of the time at market gardening, he sold out some real estate, which he had secured, at a good price, and concluded to come west and procure some farm lands. Leaving his family in comfortable circumstances, he visited Wisconsin, but could there find no lands to suit him, and came to Minnesota. Here he found a claim, on government land, on section fifteen, near Bass Lake. This was in the year 1857( '?) He then bought eight acres of timber of George Hart. He built a house, broke up twelve acres of sod, made some rough articles of household furnitux-e, put up some hay, and then, in September, went to Hastings, on the Mississippi river, to meet his family, who had come on to that place, by previous arrangement, and they were all soon comfortably settled in their new home. Here Mr. Alvey opened up and improved his lands, from year to year. He always took much interest in the public affairs of the town and county. He held the office of town clerk for fifteen years. He was clerk of his school district for twelve years and postmaster at Bass Lake, until the discontinuance of the office. He was subsequently appointed postmaster at the village of Delavan, where he had removed, which position he held for quite a number of years. He was, also, school district treasurer for six years, but during many of the years of his service, he held a much more important office than those named, that of justice of the peace, for his town, which office he held for fourteen years. Mr. Alvey took quite an interest in politics, especially local. He was a member of many county, and several State conventions. When he first came to this country he affiliated with the democratic party, but, in 1859, he became a republican, and ever after adhered to that party. In 1886 he retired to his farm, and there spent the remainder of his days, surrounded by his children, all comfortably situated. In the same year he was elected county coroner, an office which he held several terms. Mr. Alvey, and his family, were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. He died in 1891, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Alvey died in 1889. For many years he was familiarly and kindly known as Uncle John Alvey, and will long be remembered by many old time friends.

Educational

The first school in the town was kept in the upper room of Uncle John Alvey's house, and the first school teacher in the town was Miss Lydia Snell, afterwards Mrs Alfred Raymond.

The first school house erected in the town was located in the southeast corner ot the southwest quarter of section ten (10). and was in district number eleven. It was a balloon frame, fourteen feet by sixteen feet in size, and one story in height.

There are now (1879) six good substantial district school houses in the town, and the people take a commendable interest in educational matters.

Religious

Religious meetings were held in this town at a very early day - as soon, in fact, as there were two or three to gather together in the name of the great master, and several religious societies were organized, and stated services held at an early period in the history of the town.

A village site was once, in very early days, laid off and staked out, on section one or two, but nothing more ever came of the enterprise than this traditional remembi'ance.

The village of Delavan, a station on the M. & St. Paul Railroad, formerly the S. M. Railroad, was surveyed and located October 10th and 11th, 1870, and is situated on .section thirty-six of this town. It thus appears that the village of the township, instead of being located on the first, is upon the last section of the town. The original proprietors of the village were H. W. HoUey and O. D. Brown.

The village was named after Oren Delavan Brown, one of the proprietors, and the name Delavan was suggested by Mrs. H. W. Holley. Mr. Brown was born in Jefferson county, N. Y . in 1837. He is the son of Orville Brown. Esq., for some years one of the leading editors of the State. Oren came to Minnesota with his father in 1856, and they located at Chatfield, in Fillmore county. In 1858 they removed to Faribault, Rice county, and from thence to Maukato, where the elder Brown became the publisher and editor of the Mmikato Record for some years. Mr. 0. D. Brown was connected with the Southern Minnesota Railroad, as engineer, from May, 1865, until February. 1875, and subsequently, he was for some years employed as engineer of the St. Paul and Sioux Cit^' R. R. Company. He acted as chief engineer in the employment of this company, on the Worthington and Sioux Falls road and on the Blue Earth City branch of the St. P. and Sioux City R. R. He resides at Luverne, Rock county, Minn. ^

There and several post-offices in the United States named Delavan. The first train of passenger cars came into the village of Delavan, and consequently Into the township, on the nineteenth day of December, 1870. The village was incorporated under the general act of incorporation, by special act of the legislature, approved February 7th, 1877, and embraced the following territory, "section 36, in town 104, range 27." M. White, R. B. Johnson and A. Anderson were designated in the act, as commissioners to post notices of the first election. The first post-office was established in the town, about the year 1859, and John Alvey was appointed postmaster. It was named Bass Lake post-office. It continued many years, but was finally closed, and the post-office of the town was established at the village of Delavan.

Hon. A. H. Bullis

Mr. Bullis, of Delavan township, was born in Cattaragus county. New York, February 8th, 1832. He remained in the state until 1854, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Rice county. Here he was engaged for a short time in the government surveys. He then engaged in merchandising, in partnership with another young man. He soon, though quite successful, quit this business and served for five years as county surveyor of his county. He was a member of the State Legislature from Rice county, in the House, at the sessions of 1864 and 1865. ' He soon afterwards was appointed an officer in the United States land office, at Winnebago City, and came to that place to reside. He served in the land office three years. He subsequently removed to section 31, in Delavan township, where he opened up a large farm. He has made a specialty of raising Short Horn and Hereford cattle. He was the first person to introduQe these breeds of cattle into this county.

Mr. Bullis was a member of the board of county commissioners of this county for six years, serving a part of the time as chairman. He was married October 15th, 1859, to Miss Ellen L. Pierce, of New York state. They have had three sons.

Several Incidents

On the fifteenth day of April, 1858, Wm. A. Miller stood on a cake of ice in Bass Lake and speared seventy-two pickerel. He speared them as fast as he could throw them out. An item from the Post:

Finding Of Human Remains

"Our readers will recollect an item which we published souietime ago in regard to the ilndinir of a human arm near Rice Lake in the town of Guthrie. It was supposed at that time that this arm l)i'lf)nged to a man liy the name of Abel Yarney, who disappeared from that neighliorhood in Scptemlier, 1870, and a close search was made for the remainder of the body, but with no success. Since that time other portions of a huujan body have beeu found in different places in that vicinity, but the source from whence they come could not be ascertained until last Sunday, when Mr. George McKay, who lives in the neiglihorhood, found the greater portions of the hones of a human body in a slough on the edge of the lake. Coroner Rose was sent for and an inciuest was held which resulted in identifying the remains as those of the unfortunate Varney. It appeared as evidence that he was of unsound mind, and was last seen by Mr. McKay, in September, 1870, going in the direction of the place where the remains were found. Mr. McKay spoke to him at the time but received no reply, and afterwards went and looked for him without finding him. A small amount of money and some papers which could not be read were found with the body, and the bones which had Ijeen found previously corresponded with those finally discovered. The body was found in a reclining position in the slough with the head resting upon the right hand. He had evidently wandered into the slough, and beintr weak and emaciated, had sunk down unable to proceed farther, and perished there from exposure. The coroner's jury rendered a verdict in accorilance with the facts, and the remains were decently interred. We believe Varney had no immediate relatives in this region."

The first and only newspaper published in this town, to this date, was the Delavan Bee, the first issue of which appeared June 8th, 1872, Carr Huntington, editor and proprietor. The press was removed from Delavan to Blue Earth City in December, 1874.

This town has furnished to the public service, two county com missioners, Mr. Blair, who served eight years, and was thrice chairman, and Mr. BuUis, who was twice chairman; a county treasurer, A. Ander.son, and a representative in the State legislature, M. A. Hawkes.

During the years of the first settlement of this town an incident occurred, worth preserving. Mr. McDuffy, an Irishman, had been to town and procured a jug of molasses, and on his way home, following a dim trail across the unsettled prairie, he met a stalwart Indian. The Indians in those days were friendly, yet McDuffy did not feel entirely at ease, being alone and unarmed and far from help if needed. They approached each other in a friendly manner, however, when the Indian seeing the jug, pointed to it and said: "Visky, me have some." McDuffy answered "melasses, ye villain;"' the Indian repeated "visky;" "melasses, I say, ye bloodj' son of a gun," said McDuffy; "visky," said the Indian again, and made a grab for the jug. "Melasses, ye red divil," answered McDuffy, as he struck the Indian on the head with his cane, knocking him down. "Melasses," uttered McDuffy at every stroke, as he hammered poor Lo. and then

Statistics

Many of the people of this town are Scotchmen, and they were the first to settle in the town, but there is now quite a settlement of Scandinavians found here.

The agricultural products of the town for 1879, were as follows: Wheat, 48,500 bushels; oats, 39,200 bushels; corn, 57,000 bushels; barley, 1,900 bushels; potatoes, 3,600 bushels; syrup, 1,500 gallons; flax seed, 975 bushels; apple trees growing, 4,100; apples, 320 bushels; wool, 6,550 pounds; butter, 30,000 pounds; honey, 250 pounds; total number of acres of cultivated land, 7,100.

A roll of honor, embracing the names of the "ancients" of this town, has already been given, but another list must now be presented, of those not already named, who resided in the town prior to the close of 1879, and many of whom took an active interest in the affairs and progress of the town during many years. The names of all cannot be given, because unknown to the writer, or unobtainable at this time. Among the well known names, there appears, Q. Andrews, S. M. Alvey, Wm. Alvey, C. Alcock, Even Anderson, Thos. Bailey, N. G. Bailey, H. C. Brown, M. W. Butler, L. Bemis, O. Casidy, W. F. Cox, Andrew Carson, Wm. Carson, M A. Carson, T. W. Cotton, M. M. Cox, D. Coman, J. Currier, C. Col ter, John Chestnut, Wm. H. Childs, E. A. Dutcher, J. Douglass, D Davis, J. Everson, O. Eddy, K. Evanson, W. H. Pinch, W. D. Ful ler, J. Foster, D. Gray, C. Gray, Jas. Geddes, O. N. Gardner, W. C Hall, D. T. Hodge, S. G. Hodge, E. Harding, Jno. A. Hynes, V. V. Hinman, J. Hodge. D. Hynes, A. Hassing, A. J. Hill, M. A. Hawk O. A. Holt, E. J. Hendricks, H. Jones, O. Jenson, J. W. Jenkins. Sr. J. W. Jenkins, Jr., T. J. Jenkins, E. Johnson, J. Kinney, A. Klas sen, E. J. Lein, Lars Larson, J. B. Lien, M. C. Litch, B. J. Lein H. Larson, O. J. Lein, J. J. Lein, J. Lee, W. E. and D. McNeil, B McDermot, W. McNeil, P. M. Marston, J. McGuiggan, P. C. McCol ley, Nat'l McColley, E. L. Malmain, G. McKay, Hugh McDuffy, J. Monigal. Alonzo McColley, S. B. Miller, C. Marston, J. E. Nesset Jens 0. Nesset, M. Nicholson, B. Olsen, O. Olsen, J. Olsen, G. 01 sen. M. Peterson, A. J. Petlit, G. Petlit, W. J. Pettit, J. D. Rorman, M. S. Reynolds, A. Raddue, A. Richter, L. S. Reed, E. H. Rowley, W. G. Reed, J. Rusho, A. Raymond. E. Stillman. Geo. Sheid, C. C. Snare, J. Smith, W. W. Smith, .J. P. Smith. W. Smith, A. E. Springer, M. Springer, J. Sharpley, M. Scheid, C. Springer, H. L. Springer, A. Traynor. P. Thompson. A. W. Tenny, M. T. Thayer, A. Trowbridge, W. M. Toler, O. Thompson, T. B. Thorstonson, B. Thorstonson, K. Thompson, H. Thompson, E. C. Thorson, Wm. Waldren, Sr., L. Waldren, D. Wood. S. S. Wrooley, C. L. Wigan, Z. Wheeler, H. Westover, J. White, G. G. Young. The railroad markets and general trading points of this town are the village of Delaven and Winnebago City. Considering its proximity to railroads, its fertile soil, its industrious, progressive inhabitants, there is a grand future for this township. The second generation of its people will see its lands worth from fifty to seventy-five dollars an acre.

Location

This township is congressional town one hundred and four (104) north, of range twenty-eight (28) west. It is bounded on the north by the town of Shelby, in Blue Earth county, on the east by the township of Delavan, on the south by Verona township and on the west by the township of Nashville, in Martin county. The township lies in the northwest corner of our county.

The average elevation of the town above the level of the sea is estimated at ten hundred and eighty (1080) feet. The elevation of the Blue Earth river at the north line of the county, in this town, is approximately 990 feet. The depth of the drift here to bed rock, exceeds, probably, 150 feet. The bed rock is magnesian limestone, as was indicated in the boring of the steam mill well, which is 230 feet deep. The greater portion of the surface of the township may be denominated undulating prairie, with high bluffs along the course of the river. The soil has the same general characteristics of that of the county generally, being a black loam, slightly sandy, deep and fertile.

stream of the Blue Earth river passes almost centrally northward, through the town. A small branch of Elm creek is found in the southwest corner of the town. The bottom lands and bluffs of the river and some of the uplands, are well timbered. Some of the timber being of superior size and quality, and being centrally located through the town, is quite convenient to all parts of the town, and has been of incalculable value to the people. The inhabitants have also been quite enterprising in growing artificial groves, and the prairies are everywhere dotted over with these homestead protectors.

The Name

This township was named by the special commissioners, in 1858, "Winnebago City, after the village of that name, located in the town at an early day. For information as to how, by whom and when, the village of Winnebago was founded, the reader is referred to the general history of the county, for the year 1856. In relation to the subject, it will be sufficient to say here, that the village was located by a company, consisting of Andrew C. Dunn, James Sherlock, B. H. Burritt, W. N. Dunham and C. H. Parker. It is situated upon the southeast quarter of section 34. and the southwest quarter of section 35. The original town site contained three hundred and twenty acres. Several additions to the town have been laid out since. It was the first design of the proprietors to name the new village MiddletowD, after a fine city of that name in Connecticut - a name which was thought quite appropriate, as the village lay about midway between Shelbyville on the north, and Blue Earth City on the south. Tlie proprietors petitioned for a post- office of that name, but could not get it, as there was another post-office of that name in the State. This name was then abandoned, and the place was called Winnebago, but they could not get an office of that name, as there was another Winnebago in the State, and so finally they named the village Winnebago City. This was. too, in accordance with the usual custom in those days, of naming every new town a city. It sounded well abroad.

The word Winnebago is derived from the Indian language and is the name of a tribe of Indians. The name was originally spelled Winnibegouk, and signified in the original language - men from the salt ivater. The French gave them the name of Puants or Fauns. They were always a haughty and turbulent people, shiftless and given to wandering. The fortunes of this tribe illustrate the fate which has attended most of our Indian tribes, and as their name will probably forever be identified with our county, as well as with other localities in our State and in Wisconsin, a very brief synopsis of their history may interest the reader.

It appears that they, with other wild tribes orij^inally occupied the valley of the Minnesota river, but were fiually driven out by the ancient Dakotas. The evidence, however, that such was the fact, is not very clear, or satisfactory. It is said that the language of the Winnebagoes is so similar to that of the Dakotas, as to indicate a common origin and relationship. They doubtless belonged to the Dakota family.

The French exploi-ers and traders, early in the seventeenth century, found the Winnebagoes occupying a large part of Wisconsin. They were then a very powerful people, and continued in possession of the country for many years.

In 1832, they ceded all their lands, south of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to the United States. Subsequently they were removed to what was known as the "Neutral Ground," in Iowa, where in 1842, there were some eight hundred of them on Turkey river, but more of them still remained back in Wisconsin. From the Iowa location they wei'e removed about the year 1848, toa tract of country obtained from the Ojibways, between Sauk and Long Prairie and Crow Wing rivers, in this State. In 1855 they again removed and found a home on a reservation provided for them in Blue Earth county, a county adjoining this on the north. Here they had possession of a very fine tract of country and were next door neighbors to us. In 1863, after the Sioux outbreak, they were disarmed and the remnant of their tribe was removed to a reservation selected for them on Crow Creek, in Dakota, on the upper Missouri river. This proved a very unsuitable place for them, and again, in 18(36, their location was changed, and they were placed at Winnebago, Nebraska. Here, in 1874, they numbered 1,445 .souLs, and had made some advances in civilization, as they had at that time quite a number of farms, cottages, stock, and clothed themselves as white people, and had three schools in operation. Some of the tribe, however, still remained in Wisconsin, and a few of them are still to be seen in Minnesota, but only a few years will pass away, when they, as many other tribes, will have become extinct.

There is a county in the state of Illinois and one In Iowa, adjoining ours on the south, and one in Wisconsin, named Winnebago, and a large lake of that name in the latter state, and a township in Houston county, in our State, and three or four post-offices in the United States, named Winnebago.

But now to resume our history of the village. The village was fii'st incorporated in the year 1857, in which act A. C. Dunn was designated as president, and E. H. Burritt, James Sherlock, C. H. Parker and W. N. Dunham, were named trustees. But it was more fully and completely incorporated by the act of the legislature of 1874. Many amendments have been made to these original acts.

which will be found noted from year to year in the general history of the county. The first incorporation was procured mainly for the purpose of securing title to the town site lands from the general government and the subsequent division of the property among the original owners. One of the great events in the history of the village was the location of the United States Land Office at this place in 1861. It proved to be a great benefit to the village, and also to the county. The office remained here until August, 1869, when it was removed to Jackson, Minn. The first newspaper published in the town was the "Whig of 76," Carr Huntington, proprietor and editor. The first issue occurred on the thirty-first day of October, 1863. The subsequent history of the newspaper press of this town will be found in the general history of the county. Mr. J. L. Christie bought out this paper in March, of the next year.

J. L. Christie

He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, December 17th, 1841. In 1844 his father with his family removed to Calhoun county, 111. - a pestilential region. Here his father, a brother and an uncle died. The family, poverty sticken and in broken health, return to Salineville, Columbiana county, Ohio. About 1851 they removed to Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Christie engaged in regular employment at fourteen years of age, though without education, and in poor health. In April, 1858, he came with H. W. Holley, a brother-in-law, to Chatfleld, Minnesota, and went into the office of the Ckitfiilcl Ripublicaii and learned the printing trade. In November, 1861, he removed with Mr. Holley to Winnebago City, in this county. Here be worked for a short time in the United States Land Office. In March, 1862, he got a position on the News, published at Blue Earth City. In April he leased a half interest from Mr. Bonwell. In August the Sioux outbreak occurred, and the paper went down, though several numbers were published a little later. He enlisted in a company of thirty days' men, to put down the Indians, and served thirty-five days and was discharged at Chatfleld, Minn. He again enlisted at Faribault, Rice county in Company H, Mounted Rangers, for one year, and was discharged in the fall of 1863.

In March, 1864,he bought the office of "The Whig of 76," at Winnebago City, and changed the name of the pipor to T/ie Free Homestead. In February, 1865, he leased the Homestead for one year, and enlisted in Bittery H, First Heavy Artillery and was commissioned first lieutenant - went to Chattanooga, Tenn., where the company remained until September, when it was mustered out. In October, 1865, he returned home and assumed the control of the Homestead.

In February, 1867, he sold the Homestead to E. A. Hotchkiss. In August, 1868, he bought the Sonthern 3finnesotain, a,l Rushford, Minn., and moved the outfit to Lanesboro, Minn , and on September 10th issued the first number of the Lanesboro Herald, which, after three years, he sold, and in November, 1871, returned, with his family, to Winnebago City, and for a time worked in various places, until April, 1873, he bought the Houston, County Jjinial, nt Cdlei'taia., Minn. In November, 1873, he sold the /ourjiai, but worked in the office until

February, 1874, when he and fiiinily returned atfiiin to Winnebago City and here boukfht the Wiutiehago city I'rcHs. He published the PrMs nearly six years and sold It in November, 1879, to Wni. Allen. In November, 1879, in partnership with Gen. Baker, he purchased the iV((;iAa/o r/iitoii and the Weconl offices, consolidated theii), and produced the Mankato Free Press. In August, 1880, they sold out to Woodard and Foss.

In October, 1880, he removeil to lUue Earth City and established there the Faribault Countij Journal, which he published about a year, and then in December, 1881, he removed with his press material to Superior, Wisconsin, and united the material with.that of the Superior Times, owned by Mr. Hordon.and in January, 1882, he took up the work of editing and publishing that journal. Hereiireat prosperity, certainly deserved, attended his venture. He aci|uired considerable wealth. Mr. Christie has always been a Republican. He and his family wore memliers of the Methodist church. Mr. Christie and family continued to reside at Superior until his death, which occurred in December, 1895.

The Southern Minnesota Railroad (now the C. M. & St. P.) was completed to the village early in 1871, and remained the western terminus of the road until 1878, when it was extended westward. And during all this time, this little city was the principal grain market and trading point of a large district of country.

In the year 187'J, the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad, (now the C, St. P., M. and O. R. R.), running from Lake Crystal southward, was built through this city and township, giving the city direct outlets to the east, west, north and south. The town gave aid, at various times, in the form of local bonds, or town bonds, to encourage the building of these roads, as did other towns in the county.

Prom a letter received from Austin R. Nichols, it very satisfactorily appears that he and Henry Roberts were the first settlers of this township. He says they were in the town, and cut house logs on the 16th and 17th days of April, 1855, but left the county - that they returned in June, following, and that their actual residence dates from June 8th, 1855 - that Moses Sailor moved upon his claim four days before they did on theirs, and that Ebenezer Crosby came in a few days after they did. There are several slight errors in the above statements, but of no great importance, however, and such as might easily occur in the recollection of events so long past.

Mr. Sailor settled upon his claim, and commenced residing upon it on the twenty-fifth day of May, 1855, which was fourteen, instead of four days before Mr. Nichols and Mr. Roberts located. Mr. Sailor had also been in the county and upon the lands he subsequently claimed, on the eighth day of April, preceding his settlement. Mr. Sailor also informed the writer that he well recollects that sometime after he had commenced living on his land - some days, he did not remember how many, Messrs. Roberts, Nichols, and he thought, one other person, at least the two former called on him and stated that they had struck his (Sailor's) trail (wagon track), in the north part of the county, and had followed it up until they found him. They had not then definitely taken their claims. The reader is referred to the history of the year 1855 for a more full account of Mr. Sailor's settlement.

The following schedule is a list of the residents of this town in June, 1860, according to the national census taken at that time, which will be of interest to the older settlers of the town.

And these are they, who constitute that honorable company, who forever hereafter are to be known as the old settlers, of Winnebago City township.

Here is a summary of certain items of interest, which explain themselves, taken from the census rolls of 1800. Surely that was the day of small things.

Acres of land improved, 7.55: value of farms, $20,000; value of farm iiuplemeuts and machinery, $1,555. Numl)er of horsei-, 20: number of milch cows, 30; number of working oxen, 18; number of other cattle, 43; number of sheep, 18; number of swine, 87; value of live stock, $4,257.

The township was duly organized for civil purposes, in October, 1858, by the election of town officers, which organization has continued, unbroken, to this day. The town officers in 1879, the last year of this historical sketch, were the following named persons. Supervisors, C. McCabe, chairman, H. C. Shufelt and N. H. Dorsey; town clerk, W. W. Quiggle; assessor, F. M. Pierce; treasurer, C. S. Kimball; justices, C. H. Radford and J. V. Mell; constable, H. I. Kimball.

Various Items

The first building on the town site, was a log structure twelve by fourteen feet, and in this cabin the first store was kept by one Thomas Foley, for C. H. Parker, of St. Paul, Minn.

The first hotel was erected in 1856, but not completed until early in 1857. It was a log building twenty by thirty-six feet and one and one-half story in height. It was built by Dr. W. N. Towndrow, with the aid of the town proprietors. This was, in fact, the first dwelling house on the town site. During the Indian excitement in the spring of 1857, this house served a good purpose as a fort for the early settlers.

The first saw mill in the county was erected here in 1857. The mill was first owned by the town proprietors, but was subsequently purchased and operated for some years by Geo. H. Goodnow, at one time sheriff of the county. Mr. Goodnow attached a set of burrs, to the power, and this was the first grist mill in the county.

Blue Earth Valley Lodge. No. 27, A.-. F.-. A.-. M. -. was instituted in this city, in 1858, and was the first Masonic lodge in the county. Subsequently, a Chapter - Mt. Horeb - of R. -. A.-. M.-.was instituted here.

A large, and for some years, a very flourishing Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, was organzed in 1873. Before the close of 1879. Valley Lodge, No. 33, A. O.U. W.. and Winnebago City Lodge, No. 30. I. O. of O. F. had been organized here. The exact dates of institution, are not at hand.

There are two imi)roved water powers in the township. One is on section three, where a grist mill has been erected, and has been long known as "Woodland Mills." There is a school house at this locality and other buildings and a post-office named "Cornet." The other improved water power is on section thirty-three, and here also is a grist mill, known as the "Banner Mills."

During the civil war, the town voted liberal sums in town bonds, to encourage enlistments in the military service, all of which bounties were promptly paid.

The subject of education attracted the attention of the people of this town at a very early day. The first school district in the county was formed in this town in 1857, on petition of John Clabaugh and others. A school house was erected in Winnebago City in 1858. This was a small, frame building. Some years later, a large, frame, two-story building, of a number of apartments, was built. A good, graded district school has been kept here for many years. There are six or seven school districts organized in the town, and good school houses erected in each. The first school in the village, and the first, probably, in the township, was taught by Miss A. D. Nichols, afterwards Mrs. G. B. Kingsley.

The various religious denominations have oi-ganized societies in the town, several of which^tlie Methodist and Presbyterian^were instituted soon after the first settlement. Several of the societies have fine churches in Winnebago City. There is a church building on section seven, and one on section twenty.

The history of this township, having been, for so many years, closely identified with the general history of the county, many facts of historical interest, relating to the village and township, will be found in the history of the several years which constitutes Part First

Hon. Jacob Alexander Latimer

Mr. Latimer, tor many years a prominent citizen of Winnebago City township, and of the county, was born in the State of Tennessee, on the twentieth day of April, 1827. The family removed to the State of Illinois in 1830. Mr. Latimer's opportunities were very slim, in his youth, for an education, but he overcame the difficulties by much study and reading. He was married in February, 1850, to Miss Julia A. Meek, and they have had six children. They came to Minnesota in the spring of 1857, and settled on section eleven, in Winnebago City township, where he has ever since resided, engaged, largely, in general farming operations. Mr. Latimer has always taken a large interest in farming, since coming to this county, and has filled a prominent place in our Agricultural Society, having been president of the same and supported it, in every way, formany years. He was also prominent in theGrange, in the days when that institution flourished. la politics, Mr. Latimer was brought up a democrat, but early espoused the anti-slavery cause and helped, subsequently, to organize the republican party in Illinois, and also in this county. Before leaving Illinois, he was tendered the nomination for sheriff of Knox county, but he declined it, as he had made up his mind to come to Minnesota. Here he has frequently held town and school offices, and he was elected a member of the state legislature in 1858, and was a member of the House of Representatives in 1864, and held tlie office of county cominissioner in I86!i, 18T0 and 1871, and, in llie meantinie, was a member of thi- Slate Senate in 1870. Mr. Latimer is a member of the Presbyterian <-hiir('h.

Hon. F. M. Pikrce

Mr. Pierce was born in Putney, Vermont. Fie was brought up on a farm, and received his education in the common schools, and from an extensive course of reading.'. He learned the tra<le of marble cutter, and followed it until 1854, wlien he came to the west on a prospectini,' tour. He returned to the east, and in 18.'>.5 he came to Iowa, and in May, 1856, he came to thiscounty and took up a claim in VVinneliago City township, which he proceeded to improve. Several years afterwards he opened a store in Winnebago City, where he remained for some twelve years, when he again returned to the farm, which contains two hundred and sixty acres of land. Farming has since been his business. Mr. Pierce was married in 18(>ii, to Miss Hattie Wetherell, of Mankato. To them have been born four children.

He has frefiuently held town olMces. In 1874 he was elected to the State legislature, lower House, and attended the session of 187r>. Mr. Pierce is a republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Hon. H. H. Oilman

Mr. Oilman is a native of New Hampshire. He was born October 31st,1833. He spent his early years on a farm. His education was obtained in the common schools, and at an academy in Maine. In the spring of 1857 he came west, and located at Fulton, Illinois. In Octoljer, of the same year, he came to this county and took up some land in Winnebago City township. He afterwards entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he has ever since lived. He has held various town offices, and was elected to the legislature, lower House, in 1876 and again in 1877. Mr. Oilman was married in \ii<0, to Miss Sophia Quiggle, who died two years later. In 1883 he married .Johanna Shatz. He had one child by his llrst wife and three by his second. Mr. Oilman has always been a republican in politics. He cast his tirst presidential vote for Fremont.

Other Residents

The following list presents the names of many persons, not already named, who were residents of this township prior to the close of the year 1879:

H. H. Oilman Some Statistics

Up to the close of 1879 Ihi^ town had furnished to the public service the following named citizens, in the several offices named: Members of the State Legislature, G. K. Cleveland, J. A. Latimer, E. H. Hutchins, F. M. Pierce and H. H. Gilman. Board of Commissioners, E. Crosby, J. L. Weir, G. H. Goodnow, C. S. Kimball, Jas. Grays, J. A. Latimer and E. H. Hutchins. Judges of Probate, G. K.'Cleveland and A. F. De La Vergne. County Treasurers, Wm. Dustin and R. B. Johnson. County Superintendent of Schools, S. J. Abbott. Sheriffs, T. Foley, G. H. Goodnow, Chas. Chaple, F. F. Harlow and A. B. Davis. County Surveyors, S. A. Safford and G. A. Weir. County Attorneys, J. L. Weir and Andrew C. Dunn. Coroner, C. S. Kimball.