Emerald Township

Emerald Township

The town having the appropriate name written above, is bounded on the north by the township of Barber, on the east by Brush Creels township, on the south, not by tlie ancient city of Rome, but by Rome township, and on the west by Blue Earth City township. On the government surveys this town is numbered one hundred and two (102) north, of range twenty-six (26) west.

The surface of the land is properly described as quite undulating prairie and natural meadows. The town is drained by the east branch of the Blue Earth river, which enters the town near the southeast corner, and passes through it, quUe centrally, running in a northwest and westerly direction, and by a small stream, which is the outlet of the lake and several slough runs. Lake Ozahtonka, one of the largest and most attractive lakes in the county, lies mainly in this town, on the north boundary, A number of valuable springs of cool, clear water, are also found here, and good water is easily to be had by digging or boring in any part of the town.

The soil is deep, dark-coloi-ed and productive. The average elevation of the town is about 1,125 feet above sea level. The depth of the drift is unascertained as yet, but is doubtless that of the county generally, probably exceeding one hundred feet.

There is considerable native timber in the town, which is found along the river bottoms and the margin of the lake. Many "artificial" groves of forest trees, set out by the i-esidents of the town, give the town a wooded aspect, and adds much to the beauty of the landscape.

The reader is now invited to pass from this description of location and physical characteristics of the town, to a brief setting forth of what is known of its history.

In relation to the first settlements made here, we present the substance of a letter, received from Ezra M. Ellis, for many years a prominent resident of the town. He says: "I moved into the town on the first day of June, 1857. John Cook, and two sons, Henry Weber, Charles Castle and one Jones, were then settled in the town. Jones was at that time, however, away from home. Either Cook or Jones was the first settler, but I never learned which one."

Henry Weber, above named, George Mittlesdorf, Fred Mittlesdorf and Herman Priester located in the town in June, 1856, and Mr. Weber says that John Cook was then, and for some time previous, had been settled here. Prom the above, and other information in regard to the matter, Mr. Cook is doubtless entitled to be deemed the first permanent settler of this township. He left the town, however, many years ago. but whither he has gone, who he was, or from whence he came, the writer has been unable to learn.

Looking further for the names of the early settlers of the town, we turn to the rolls of the census, taken in June, 1860, and find the following list of residents, at that time:

Acres of land improved, 125; value of farms, 82,100; value of farm implements and machinery, $750; number of horses, 3; number of working oxen, 22; number of milch cows, 18: number of other cattle, 21; number of swine, 19; value of live stock, $1,(>25.

The name Emerald, was given to this town by the special commissioners in 1858, they supposing that the town was settled mainly by Iri.shmen, at the time, and, as one of the commissioners said, "Old Ireland was known as the Emerald Isle, and the national colors of Ireland are green, so this town should be named Emerald."

But, strange to say, not an Irishman resided in the town at that time, nor ever since that day. for that matter. The name, however, is a beautiful and appropriate one. There are several villages and post offices in the United States named Emerald, and it is well known, perhaps, that Emerald is the name given to a species of gems or precious stones possessing rich green colors, transparent and vei-y beautiful, and very costly, and the people of this town have long claimed that their town is the gem among the towns of this county.

Relative to the organization of this town for civil purposes, it is found ihat it was originally attached by the special commissioners in 1858, to Blue Earth City township, and so remained until March 19th, 1800, when it was detached by the county board. On the third day of April, following, the first town election was held, and town officers elected, and from that time forward it has been a separate and independent township. The first town officers were Henry Sellen, chaii-man of town board, and August Haase and Knut Olson; Andrew Hanson, town clerk; Knut Anderson, assessor; H. Priester, treasurer; Andrew Hanson, justice of the peace and H. E. Larson, constable. In view of the contemplated separation of the two towns and preceding joint liability on certain military bounty bonds, previously voted by the town district, an act was passed by the legislature of 1866, which provided that when the town of Emerald should be detached from the town of Blue Earth City, the former town should remain liable for its proportionate share of the amount of the bounties to be paid. This proportion was subsequently determined and promptly paid.

Turning again to the letter, above referred to, Mr. Ellis says: "In 1858, I built the first bridge in the town, at my own expense. As to the first school and school house in the town, I will say that in the summer of 1860, I hired Mrs. C. M. Butler to teach a free school at my house, and this was the first school taught in the town, and she the first teacher. In 1863 I hired Mr. S. Peabody to teach a free school. Free to all who choose to come. The first district school house was erected in 1864." This school house was known as the "Frandall School House." It was a log building and served the purpose very well for many years, for schools, town elections, general elections and religious meetings. The stump speaker was also heard within its walls, occasionally. There are, at this time (1879), six good frame school houses in the town; schools are regularly kept, and the people, generally, have been interested in the cause of education. Nor have the spiritual interests of the people of this town been neglected, as will appear from the following interesting statement furnished the writer by the Rev. Dahl.

A Short History Of The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation In Emerald And Ad.J0Ining Towns

Said congregation was organized A. D. 1864, tho seventeenth of October, by Rev. Th. Johnson, from Nicollet county. In 1867 the congregatioa received a local pastor, namely: T. H. Dahl, who still is the pastor of the congregation. In the fall of 1869, the congregation built a parsonage, near what is known as the EHis bridge, in the town of Emerald, and, in the fall of 1871, a church edifice was comruencerl near the parsonage, which is not yet finished, but has for some time been used for worship. About a year ago (in the summer of '72) a church was commenced six miles southeast from the church in Emerald (in the western part of the town of Seely). It is not yet finished, but is used by the congregation for public worship. The cost of the church in Emerald is about $1,500.00, and of that in Seely about $400.00. The whole congregation numbers about 140 families. The name of the congregation is, The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Blue Earth Congregation.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in March, 1871, by the Rev. G. E. Ahner. This congregation has also a church building, situated on section six, which was erected about that year, and they have, also, a parsonage near by the church.

For many years a post-olfice was established on section thirty (30), known as Ewald post office, but this office has now been discontinued for several years. There is now an office, named Emerald, on section eleven, and one, named Dell, on section twenty-three. Dell seems to be the headquarters of the town at present, as there is here the church, a parsonage, school bouse, post- office, blacksmith shop, several dwellings and a general store.

The town has voted on the question of granting bounties, or bonuses, to aid in the construction of railroads, several times, but the vote was always adverse, but once.

The township organization has been kept up from the first to the jiresent time. The board of town officers in 1879. the closing year of this sketch, was composed of the following named citizens: Supervisors, J. Levenick, chairman, J. Courier and G. Prandall: town clerk, O. C Veam; assessor, J. J. Prandall; treasurer, O. J. Sebben; justices of the peace, F. Dreblow and H C. Weber; constable, J. Underdall.

Prior to the close of 1879, this town had contributed to the public service two members of the board of county commissioners, E. M. Ellis and Henry Sellen, the latter of whom was chairman of the board for some years.

Statistics

The population of the town in 1860 was 76. In 1865 the people were enumerated with those of Blue Earth City township. In 1870 there were 748 inhabitants; in 1875. 825; in 1880, 860. It will be observed that this is one of the most populous towns in the county. With the exception of a few Germans and Americans, the population is almost exclusively Norwegian, and the town has often been called Norway.

Chaptee Xiv

We have now reached, in the order of these historical sketches, that portion of the territory of tlie county, known as congressional township number one hundred and two (102) north, of range twentyseven (27) west.

The average elevation of this township, above sea level, is 1,120 feet. The depth of the drift, to bed-rock, has not been determined here, but probably exceeds one hundred feet. The surface of the land is well designated as rolling prairie, and is everywhere easy of drainage. The streams of water, in this town, are the branches of the Blue Earth river. Coon creek and several small nameless rivulets.

The east branch of the river, rises in the eastern part of the county, and flows in a general westerly course, through the town, to its confluence with the west branch of the river, on section eight, about half a mile north of the village of Blue Earth City.

The west branch of the river rises in a large swamp, just south of the State line, and runs northward to the point of confluence above stated. These united branches form the main stream of the Blue Earth river.

Cooa creek rises near the south line of the county, and flows into the town, from the southeast, and empties into the west branch about a mile south of the village of Blue Earth City.

The bottom lands and blulTs bordering these streams are well timbered. Such timber is mainly oak, walnut, basswood. elm and maple, and much of it, within the limits of this town was of superior quality. Groves of native wood are also found scattered in various localities, throughout the town, and to all this, we must add the many fine groves of forest trees, throughout the town, which have been planted and cultivated by the people, since the settlement of the county. In fact, the natural advantages of streams', timber, fertile rolling prairie, rich soil, presented here, constituted the attractions which influenced the first settler of the county, who had previously viewed most of the territory of the county, to finally locate in this town.

But something further of an historical character should here be said of the Blue Earth river, which is the principal water course of this region, and from which is derived the name of a large region of country - the Blue Earth Valley - a county, a township and a village. The length of this stream is about fifty miles, by direct line, but if estimated to include its many curves and angles, its length would be very much greater. The general course of the river is due north, and it empties into the Minnesota river in Blue Earth county. It is not a navigable stream. Owing to the tortuous character of the stream, protection has been afforded for the growth of much valuable timber along its borders, bottom lands and bluffs, from prairie fires. The bottom lands, bordering the river, vary in width from about a quarter of a mile to about half a mile, and are bordered by steep bluffs. At Blue Earth City the bottom of the the river is about fifty feet below the general level of the country, and northward, through Verona and Winnebago City townships, its depth increases from fifty to ninety or one hundred feet, below the general surface of the land.

It appears evident to the careful observer, that this river and its two main branches in Piribault county, were, at one time, much larger streams than they now are. It is not improbable that they once covered, entirely, the bottomlands through which they now have but a small channel (except in times of high water), and that what are now known as the river bluffs, were once the true banks of the river. There are many valuable water powers on this stream, some of which have been put to good use for mill purposes. The adjacent country drained by the Blue Earth river and its tributaries is known as the BlueEarth river basin and "the Blue Earth Valley," and is undoubtedly one of the most healthful and fertile districts of country in the State, and destined to become one of the most populous and wealthy. In an article published by the writer of this history, many years ago, descriptive of the Blue Earth Valley, we find the following reference to the river:

"The 'Bold Mankato,' or Blue Earth river, has its many attractions to the lovers of nature. It is a clear, pure stream, sometimes noiseless in its passage, and placid as a mirror, pursuing its way through fertile lowlands, sometimes rushing through deep fo'rests and dark glens, breaking over rocky cataracts, sometimes rising in its might and like a savage warrior, breasting its way through steep bluffs and primeval I'ocks, and goes rushing on its course to the Minnesota. Here, too, bordering the river are wide-spreading landscapes, picturesque and beautiful as the eye wishes to rest upon, and deep, dark, old forests, penetrated, until lately, only by the red man, whose camp fires have scarcely yet gone out."

On several maps of Minnesota, made by the early French explorers, this river is named the St. Henry's river, but - -The Sioux Indian and original name of the river was Ma-ka-to (Blue Earth), or Makatoose - the Mankato river. It was sometimes called the "Bold Mankato." It is said this name, "Blue Earth was given on account of beds of blue clay along its banks, which give a bluish tinge to the water." The clay was long used by the Indians for paint. (See Collections, Minnesota Historical Society). But it has also been said that the river derived its name from certain mines of bluish or greenish earths, of a peculiar character, found near the mouth of the river, as appears from the following bit of ancient history, for this river was well known, in the very earliest history of the region, now known as Minnesota.

In the year 1700, M. Le Sueur, a Frenchman, with a felucca (a small boat), two canoes and nineteen men, ascended the Mississippi river from a post on the Gulf of Mexico, on a tour of exploration in Minnesota, and with the further intention of establishing a fort and fur trading post, and work certain mines of blue earth, near the mouth of the stream known as the Blue Earth river. This peculiar earth had been discovered by Le Sueur, on an exploring expedition, several years before, and was thought, by him and others, to possess some great intrinsic value. About the first of October, of that year, after passing through many dangers in this, then, savage region, he entered the river and ascended a short distance, and, by the fourteenth of the month, he had completed the erection of a rude, but strong fort, and named it Fort Le Huillier, in honor of the farmer-general of Paris, France, who had encouraged him in his projects. On the twenty-fifth of the same month, Le Sueur went up the river a short distance to inspect the character of the green and blue earth. It seems that the exact locality of this colored earth was on a branch of the Blue Earth river, called, subsequently, by Nicollet, the Le Sueur river, and about a mile above the fort. The exact spot where the fort was built canuot now be determined. Le Sueur and his men spent the winter in this fort, trading with the Indians, and in the following April he obtained about thirty thousand pounds of the colored earth, from which he selected some four thousand pounds, and he, with six of his men, left for his southern post. He subsequently sent his earth to France for analysis. It proved to have no particular value. The thirteen men whom he left in charge of the fort remained until the spring of 1701!, when they, also, left the country.

To the Editor of the Pioneer Press: - In the report of the valuable address delivered by General Baker at the reunion of the old settlers at Le Sueur, I see that in speaking of the Blue Earth river, he says, Mahkotah is the ladian name for Blue Earth. The Indian name was subsequently given to the city, with a simpler orthography, viz., Mankato. Some years ago, J. C. Wise, of Mankato, wrote to the editor of the Minnesota Monthly, then printed at St. Paul, asking for informatuin upon the derivation of the word Mankato. The said editor proposed a plan fur the survey of the town, and also the name, Mankato, both of which were accepted by the original proprietors. He further says, in his answer, that the name is not of Indian origin. It is derived from the report of the survey of Minnesota, by J. N. Nicollet, published in 184.'J, and was the source whence was derived the name of the flourishing town referred to. Among these (the regions of country adjoining the Coteau des Prairies), that which seemed to me the most favorable is the one watered by the bold Mankato, or Blue Earth river, and to which I have given the name of Undine region." ''It was on a visit to lakes Okamanipadan and Tchaiihassan (Little Heron and Maple Wood lakes) that it occurred to me to give it the name I have adopted, derived from that interesting and Romantic German tale, the heroine of which belonged to the extensive race of water sprites, living in the brooks and rivers and lakes, whose father was a mighty prince. She was, moreover, the niece of a great brook - the Mankato - who lived in the forests, and who was beloved by all the great streams of the surrounding country." Nicollet fancied an analogy between the ideal country described in the tale and the region before him, and involuntarily adopted the name. I havt not seen the name Mankato in the translation of the German tale Undine, and the name Mahkotah, certainly resembles Mankato. But Nicollet could not have made an error, and the very resemblance of the words may have led others to suppose an Indian derivation. Can any one throw any further light upon the question?

It is extremely probable thatLe Sueur, or some of his men, visited the region now comprising this county, during their stay at FortL'Huillier. A great part of their business was trading with the Indians, and exploration. Soon after Le Sueur arrived, he sent two of his men, probably overland, to invite the Ayavois (lowas) and Otoctatas (Ottoes), who possessed the country about the upper waters of the Blue Earth, to come and establish a village near the fort, giving as a reason for this, that these Indians were reputed to be industrious, and accustomed to cultivate the soil, and he hoped to get provisions from them, and have them work in the mines. The messengers returned, however, after several days, having failed to find the way that led to the locality of the Indians. This could not well have happened had they gone by boat.

The principal method of travel and transportation, in that day, used by explorers and voyagers, was by boats. The streams were, doubtless, much larger then than they now are. But we cannot pursue these subjects further here. A fine volume might be written of the explorations, the Indian history, legends and traditions of the Blue Earth valley. It is a region of romantic and of startling events occurring in the long ago, and of which the people of this time know but little.

First Settlement

Moses Sailor, who, with his family, settled in the town May 25th, 1855, was the first settler of the town, as he was, also, the first settler in the county, and this was, consequently, the first town in the county, in which settlement was made.

For a full account of Mr. Sailor, and his settlement here, the reader is referred to chapter first, Part First, of this history, comprising the events of the year 1855.