Fairview Township

Fairview Township

Fairview lies six miles from both the east and north lines of the county, being in town 112, range 41. It is bounded on the north by Vallers, east by Stanley, south by Lake Marshall and west by Grandview.

The town was first settled in 1870 by Wm. S. Reynolds who moved hei'efiom Pa. Joseph Carter settled in the town about the same tmie. The next year J. W. Elliott. Seth Johnson, Richard Blake, John Hanlon, R. C. Beach, O. Marron, W. ('. Robinson, John Brown, F. D. Wasson, M. Atherton, R. Henshaw, Henry Gibbs and H. G. Howard seltl^d in 1873. This gaye the town the character of a thrifty settlement, and inspired the desire for organization, which was effected iu 1873, the first election being held at the house of J. W. Elliott. The following ticket was elected, constitutmg the first officers of Fairview:

Harmon Lovelace, chairman and justice; John W. Elliott and V. M. Johnson, supervisors; John Buchanan, clerk and justice; B. C. Emery, assessor; (). Marron, treasurer; W. S. Reynolds and A. Williams, constablies.

With the organizatiojj of the town came also church and sctool organization. Rev. Geo Spaulding settled here in 1873 and gave religious services at his house. Tlie first school was taught by Ada Kennedy in 1874 in a granary be longing 10 Thos. Lindsey.

These were years of comparative prosperitj- and gilt-edged hope, and the .settlers who came here came to found homes for the future. The first marriage was that of Walter Woodruli" and Julia Lovelace; the first birth, Walter

Reynokls. in April 1871: and tlie first death ti)at ol Mnry Gibbx, mother of Henry Gibbs, in December 1871 at the age ol 90 years. There have been many marriages and births since but very few deaths. The death of Henry Gibbs occurred in the winter of 1874 as the result of being lost in a blizzard. He and his wite were visiting at a neighbor's hou.se, and started home in the evening with an ox team. On the way home a blizzard suddenly arose, and the party soon lost their way and drifted with the storm over into Stanley, where they ran into a slough and broke down. The only thing then possible to do was to fix as much ol a wind break as possible with the wagon box and wait for daylight. Daylight came, but the blizzard still raged, and raged through the day and night following as only the storms of the northwest can rage. When it sufficiently cleared to see the way, Mr. Gibbs made out to reach a house and send a party lor his wife, who was rescued and recovered, with no serious loss except the partial amputation of a foot. Mr. Gibbs however, had been so badly frozen that h*:; soon died.

Fairview, as its name implies, is a beautiful prairie township vvbloh, especially in early summer, spreads out a landscape of lovliness nowhere else equaled but on the green, rolling prairies, and under the clear atmosphei'e of. Minnesota.

Its soil is of the richest in the west, and among its thirty-six sections there is scarcely a waste acre. When its fertile lands are all settled and improved it will be one of the richest agricultural townshios in the west.

It is watered by the Redwood river, which runs in a northerly direction into the town to near the center, when it turns east and rune into Stanley; also by Three Mile Creek, which by a large bend into Vallers cuts the northwest and northeast corners of Fairview, also running out into to Stanley. Th ere are a few trees along the streams, but nothing that deserves the name of timber. The fuel suppl}' of the town is obtained at Marshall, except on two or three farms where cultivated timber has grown large enough to be used for fuel Timber culture in Fairview has been thriftily attended to, and the last asses- Bor's report gives the town 132 acres of growing timber. There are several very fine groves.

There are two organized school districts in Fairview. The northeast quarter of the town and sections 22, 23, 24, constitute No. 26, school house in Borthwest quarter of section 14. Number of scholars reported, 19. The northwest quarter ol the town ami sections 20 and 31 make No. 27, with school house on the north hue ot section 17; 22 scholars reported. The south two tiers of sections, except section 30 are in Marshall independent district No. 8.

The settlers of Fairview are mo6tly Americans and intellectual ihrilty fanners, who are prospering and building up handsome and comfortable homes. The present residents or those owning houses are distributed as follows:

Catholic Colony Of Ghent Towns Of Grandvibw, Westerheim And Vallbrs

After starting his colonies, Right Rev. Bishop Ireland of St. Paul met those wishes, and attracted to our state many rich and moral people. In order to organize divine worship, the enterprising bishop tries to put the Catholics all together, and also he enables them to support their priests and build churches.

In Lyon county he reserved the five northvA-^est townships for Catholics. He made from Nordland and Eidsvold the colony ot Minneota for the Irish and English people: and from Grandview, Westerheim, and Vallers the colony of Ghent for the Flemish and Canadian people. Here we will speak for the latter colony.

It was only in 1881 that the colonists began to arrive in Ghent. Over the immeasurable ocean lies a small land the most thickly settled and the best cultivated in the world. It is tne kingdom of B'^lgium. No larger than 10 counties of Minnesota it contains nearly 6,000,000 inhabitants, 462 in a square mile! so that on an average each Belgian should not have two acres of land. Every spot of land is cultivated with extreme care, and whole Belgium seems to be the agricultural garden of Europe.

But such a dense population makes great concurrence amongst the laborers. Heavy i-ents and taxes are to be paid, and manui-e, weeding and toiling are very expensive.

The enticing pamphlets about the. Catholu* colonies reached those actire people. Many were moved on hearing from that immense tertile prairie land which claims wiilmij hands to become verj fertile. But the old people, feeling themselves very comfortable at home, do not move as quickly as the bold Americans. Tbere came about 50 Belgian lamilies, and others are preparing 10 follow.

The pioneer ot all these settlers was Mi'. Angel VanHee. He was conducted, here by Right Rev. Bishop Ireland and by his brother canon Peter VanHee, % well informed man living in Liverpool. He was so much pleased with the appearanije ot the soil of Ghent that he made immediately his choice on the very^ land where he is now living. Though he traveled through the whole country, he did not" lind abetter place; and he bought half a section. Immediatelv he hired more than 20 teams, and before starting he saw 100 acres broken. Then he went to Flanders, a co unty of Belgium, to get his wite and nine children, and to give good information to his friends. Returning, he built a large farm house, whicii still remains the largest ot the country.

Meanwhile, to attract the Flemish people as to a new Flanders, the former name of the village of Grandview was changed to the name of the old city ol Flanders, Ghent.

The family of Mr. VanHce,Mr. Uavid "N'anHee and the widow of Mr. Modest VanHee, bought large tracts of land, and built fine store houses in European style. Mr. De Zutter took half a section of land; Mr. Vandewoestyne. Mr. Decock and Messrs. Vergote and Foulon bou2:ht improved farms of 160 acres.

In January 1883 Father Cornelif?, pastor of Miuneota, went to Belgium and Holland and gave lectures on the colony of Ghent. Many were moved Witli him came-Father Y. Devos, wfio wa.? appointed pastor of Ghent; Mr. J. Lambert, several farms; Mr. Princen. who purchased an improved farm near town; Messrs. Schreiber, Haerts, Maertens, Depuydt, !Mossine, Dicken, Sandy iii;d Ihev all settled on large farrcs. and built comfortable houses. Messrs- Clayes, Feters, Vander.Bogaerde, (lombeK, Baumans, Uelmeule, Hendrick, Riviere, have oeen looking around till now for ottier business.

Nearly every week there M'ere new-comers buying railroad land or improved farms; for instance, Messrs. Dereu, VandenAbeele, VanSpruudel, Vankeulen, Engels, Dobbeldere, Blauvvette. Blowers. Mr. Maenhoudt has moved to Marshall to rent an improved farm. There is now an impulse given, and man}' more will come, provided the emigrants continue to enjo}' this counlry.

Meanwhile there was rapid immigration of French Canadians from Kankake Co.. 111. Fmdnff themselves too thickly settled in that state, those courageous people were looking around not only in Minnesota, but also in Iowa aud Dakota, but they preferred our state. Two energetic men, Mr. Letoumeaa, and Mr. Kegnier, came during the summer 1882. They traveled through some soutQwestern counties, especially through Pipestone, and finally preferred the colony of Ghent.

Immediately they bought a great quantity of land, and acted with such activity that in 1882 they had more than 3,000 acres ot R. R. land, and 1,000 acres more in the following summer of 1883.

Mr. Letourneau became agent of the depot, and his oldest son agent ot the elevator for Mr. Van Dusen; his two other sons purchased land near the town. Mr. Paradis bought a store house and 240 a^res ol land; his sons, Aniilien and Cyrille. 240 acres; his nephews, Suprenant-Lord aud Lord Paiadis, more than half a section; Messrs. Anton_y Paradis, Suprenant- Prairie and Metty entered large improved farms. Mr. Regnier and son bought nearly a section; Mr. Carrou has 400 acres; Mr. Lebeau now has 820, and both built a large and handsome larm house in American style. Mr. Padnaud has 80 acres; Mr, Duchene, Mr. Novell, Mr.Emilieu Surprenant each 160; Mr. Carron has 200 acres in Vallers. Some others haye bought land and are expected next spring.

The arrival of these people in spring was very encouragmg. They filled a. whole train, several freight cars and a coach. There were furniture, horses and cattle enough to provide a whole township. There were about 50 person* and more than one Illinois horse for every one.

We have also some Irish Catholics, Messrs. Cavanaugh, Ford, Cassidy, etc. and some Germans, as Messrs. Schreiber, Haerts, etc. The arrival of these new-comers was saluted with favor by all intelligent Americans as being a. great benefit for the country, for they brought in a good deal of money; they raised the value of property; and they gave occasion to sell improved farms dearer than anywhere on the prairies of Minnesota, Hence they were always welcomed among the old settlers and treated by nearly all like brothers.

The village though young and small is veiy thriving, having a depot and an elevator; Mr. Soucheray has a stock of general merchandise, and Mr. Kmilicii Paradis has also established a store. Mr. Gets has a hotel and a tinware shop; Mr. Vergote has a blacksmith shop; Mr. Cool is a carpenter and wagou maker; and Messrs. Lebeau, Paradis and Carron were well-known carpenter!* in Chicago; Mr. Angel VanHec and Mr. F. Gets are preparing a brickyard lor next summer. Brick making is very well known among the Flemish, who all live in brick houses in their fatherland.

The first house of worship was a Methodist cliapel which still remains. There are nearly three hundred Catholics around Ghent, but as new-comers they cannot afi'ord to build a church immediately. They are preparing to build a large church next, sutnmiir. The gentlemen of the town have already given a «'-oncert to provide church furniture. They are preparing a new one, mostly in English, so tiiat everybody can understand tliem.

Since June 188;{ Rev. Father Y. Devos has been among them. They are so assiduous to divine offices that they attend not only the sacrifice of the mass, but also the vespers, coming twice to the meeting every Sunday. They feel very hap])y when then they can relish the ceremonies of their old religion. Two veiy good musicians, Mr. Foulon and Mr. Vergote, furnish gcod singing during the services. There are few congregations where so many languages are spoken. When headdresses the people the pastor has to speek. Flemish French, English and German. The Latin used m divme office is the only common language which is generaly understood by all. As soon as they hear the Latin language, which they heard in their younger days and in their distant fatherland, they feel themselves at home in their old chui'ch, and they are very hapjjy to see and hear the pious ceremonies of their worship.

There is now a bad organization of the school districts. We have three district schools, but the nearest school house is more than two miles from town. Very zealous for instruction. Father Devos erected a tree school in town. It is taught by Miss Ilanna Lester from England, and not only the children but giown persons go +,o school to learn Ihe English language, so as to be able to converse with their American neijrhbors. In their love for instruction the county commissioners are read}' to make better arrangements for the public schools of Ghent.

The Norwegian Mutual Fire Insurance Comfany

Tlie Norwegian Mutual Fire Irisurance Company of Eidsvoid, Lyon ("o., Minnesota was organized Februar}^ 22d, 1879, at the house of Guller Peterson, on section 14 in town ot Westerheim, Lyon Co. Articles ot incorporation and by-laws previously prepared by Mr. E. K. Kjorness antl Mr. Ole L. Orsen were then unanimously adopted and signed b}- 28 persons, who collectively owned property to the amount of $27,500, which they desired to have insured.

In 1880 the eompauy commenced business, each member paying S2 lor membership and 25 cents tor each one hundred dollai's insured, to pa}' losses occasioned bj' tire or lightning, and in case of a heavy loss an assessment will be made on the insured property every member to pay his pro rate share ol all losses and all necessary expenditures.

The territory of the company is comj)osed of 12 townships as follows: Eidsvoid, Nordland, Westerheim, Vallers, Grandview and Lucas in Lyon Co., and the towns of Swede Prairie, Nojmauia, Sannes, Hazehun, Friendship anil Tyro in Yellow Medicine Co. This company has been very successful from its organization up to the present date, as shown in the following animal reports lor the last 4 years past:

Source changes here: from An Illustrated History of Lyon County, Minnesota, by Rose, Arthur P, published 1912; 1,508 words in this source stream.

Fairview Township

Fairview and Lyons townships may be classed as twins, for they were granted the rights of township government on the same day and perfected their organizations on the same day. The beautiful prairie township of Fairview was appropriately named. In the early days, with naught to interrupt the view, it was a fair sight to look upon. There was spread out a landscape of loveliness, and any other name for the township would have been a misnomer. Fairview township was created March 18, 1873, and the first town meeting was held at the home of John W. Elliott, on section 34, on the first day of April of the same year. At that time the following officers were chosen: Harmon Lovelace, chairman; John W. Elliott and G. M. Johnson, supervisors; John Buchanan, clerk; Owen Marron, treasurer; B. G. Emery, assessor; Harmon Lovelace and John Buchanan, justices of the peace; W. S: Pieynolds and A. Williams. constables.16 was born April 2, 1871. Walter Woodruff and Julia Lovelace were the first in the township to marry. The first death was that of Mary Gibbs, mother of Henry Gibbs; she died in December, 1871, at the age of ninety years. School was first taught in the township by Ada Kennedy in 1S<4; the first school room was a granary belonging to Thomas Lindsay. The first religious services were conducted by Rev. George Spaulding at his home in 1S73.

17The following were heads of families residing in Fairview in 1884: D. Alexander, D. F. Weymouth M. P. Jewett. Cox Brothers, H. Edwards, R ('" Beech J. L. Gee, C. L. Wiley, Philip Rue, A. Paul, Neill Oren Marron, Martha Meacham, A. Hanlon, Besnasel Hanlon, G. M. Robinson, W. ('. Robinson. Rev. Graves, O. F. Walter, Isaac Lindsev, Alex Forbes, D. D. Forbes, Whitney & Keith, F. J. Parker, John

Almost without exception, the township of NTordland was settled by Norwegians and they bestowed upon it the name of a province in their native land. Nordland township was created by the Board of County Commissioners May 9, 1873, and soon thereafter the first town meeting was held at the home of T. H. Horn on section 14.

The initial officers of Nordland were as follows: Ole O. Groff, chairman; Ole 0. Rear and Nils Anderson, supervisors; Frederick Holritz, clerk; A. O. Strand, treasurer; T. O. Loftsgaarden, assessor; J. O. Fangen and Frederick Holritz, justices of the peace; Thrond Helverson and W. K. Hovden, constables.

18During the next ten years after its organization the growth of Nordland was slow and in 1SS4 the only heads of families living in the precinct were Haiver Olson, J. B. Johnson, Thomas Olson, W. K. Hovden, Robert Culshaw, John Ohnn, Sven Jeremiasrn, John J. Hoff, S. Severtson, John Josephson, B. <'. Gatzke, S «',. Dalen, Sturlauger Gilbertson, Nels Nelson, Chris Johnson, Teeta Tolff, A. Strand, Sever Tergland, B.

The topographical features supplied the name for Grandview, the name beingselected when the township was created July 21, 1873. On September 23 of the same year the County Board authorized a change in name to Warrington, but the change was not made.

The township was organized in August, 1873, when the first town meeting was held at the home of Jacob Thomas. The first officers, selected at that time, were as follows: T. J. Barber, chairman; S. B. Green and J. M. Collins, supervisors; A. L. Baldwin, clerk; J. M. English, treasurer; George Chamberlain, assessor; Orlando McQuestion and H. B. Loomis, justices of the peace; (!. A. Wirt and C. P. Cotterell, constables.1'*

"Lilly McQuestion, the firsi child born in Grand view was born December 16, L871, the daughter o Orlando McQuestion. The firsi death was a child ol Joseph Chamberlain. The firsi school was taught by Sarah Constant in L876. The first religious services were conducted by Rev. W. S. W illiams.

Luc Vs

The northeast corner township was officially designated an organized township July 21, 1873, under the name of Canton, and it was more than a year later when the name Lucas was bestowed upon it.21 The organization was perfected August 5, 1873.

20There were living in Grandview the following in 1884: Victor LeBeau, Hugh Chalmers, F. H. Deland, J. Cavanaugh, H. B. Loomis, Theodore Carron, C. Foulon, G. Verghote, John Ford, Martin Ellefson, G. A. Aal, B. Jacobson, Ole Rotam, Ambrose Amundson, J. M. Vaughn, R. L. Greenslitt. H. Maartens, Leo DeCock, David VanHee, H. Princen, B. F. Jellison, F. H. Goodrich, E. A. Deland, A. Paradis, W. S. Goodrich, Alexander Graham, Georgianna Collins, C. Messine, A. VanHee. S. VanHee, Christian Lee, Sigfred Ledel, J. Regnier, J. Lambert, A. A. Farmer, W. T. Maxson, L. E. Bates, Isaac Regnier, Charles Cotterell, S. B. Green, T. I. Barber, Jacob Thomas, A. L. Baldwin, J. M. English, G. W. Carpenter, E. Lord, Frank Baldwin. S. Coleman, J. Butson, Peter Schmitz, C. Schmitz, F. Laythe, John Shelrud, John Nielson, A. J. Ladle, J. O. Ranum, J. Lambert, M. W, Fuller, Lewis Story, A. Pennston, William Goodell. J. G. Cook and Orlando McQuestion.

-'Ruling- of state auditors forbade two townships in the state to have the same name, and as a consequence the people of a new township frequently had to change the name. The people of Lucas were especially unfortunate in choosing a name that had not before been selected. The name Lisbon was selected in place of Canton on March 17, 1874. and that in turn was changed to Moe on May 21, 1874. Lucas was

Nineteen residents of the northwest corner township petitioned for township government and the County Hoard took the requested action September 2. 1873. The township was created and organized with the name Upper Yellow Medicine, but the name was later changed to Eidsvold.

22Thc first child born in Lucas was Albert Erwin, born February 27. 1872. The first death was a son of John Krog, who died in the winter of 1873. The first marriage was that of D. R. Burdette to Alice M. Price and occurred July 16, 1873. The first school was taught by Ella Williams in 1873 in a small building erected by R. H. Price on section 2. The first religious services were conducted by Rev. Joseph Williams, of the United Brethren Society.

23In 1884 the residents of Lucas township were as follows: R. H. Price, Iver Nelson, At. Nelson, E. S. Reishus, Aarrestad Brothers, L. P. Aaberg, Gabriel Anderson, J. A. H. Dahl, N. Rosvold, M . Rosvold, J. H. Anderson, C. H. Dahl. A. Bars tad, A. Anderson. Mr. Conrad. Peder Eliason, E. T. Hamre, Allend Christianson, Frederick Strohschaen, James Wardrop, Thomas Bell, J. Johnson, A. Miro, A. Slette, J. Medboe, O. O. Reinholt, O. H. Hattlestad, M. T. Ness, H. J. Meilke, John Krog, J. A. Smith, Christopher Peterson, J. C. Lines, J. J. Hunziker, C. Kartowitz, F. G. Strohschaen, Jr., J. McDonald, J. C. Gray, James Galbraith, John Boniman, Robert Chalmers. J. ('. Townsend, John D. Smith, Robert Cummings, William Stewart, John McLellan, Thomas Chalmers. James Cruickshank, James Robertson, George Russell and P. Schlemmer.

The county law-making body sel apart the soul heai i corner towns hip for organization on January 5, 1874, and named it Monroe.28 Some time later the firsl town meeting was hold ;it the tore nf II. X. Joy in Tracy, officers weir selected, and .Monroe township was fully organized.2'

-'Twin girl.s. born to Mr. and Mrs. Swend Peterson in 1871, were the first births in Eidsvold. A daughter of ( >le Pederson, who died in 1872, was the first to die in the precinct. The first marriage was that of J. J. Wallin to Annie Olson and occurred October 24, 1874. The first public school was taught by O. H. Dahl in the railroad section house. Rev. J. Berg conducted the first religious services in the same building.

26The name was suggested by Louis and Ole Rialson, early settlers of the township who came from Green county, Wisconsin, the county seat of which was Monroe. The residents of the new township selected that name by ballot over Chelsea, another name that had been proposed. The Board of County Commissioners on January 6, 1874, directed the county auditor to send to the state authorities the name Starr, in case the name Monroe was rejected.

27The first birth in Monroe township was that of a daughter of Rees Price; the second was that of George White, a son of Mr. and Mrs. George White, born June 17, 1872; the child died September 10 of the same year, his death being the first in the precinct. Stella Cleveland taught the first school in the township in 1875. Religious services were first conducted in 1873 by Rev. Ransom Wait at the home of E. L. Starr. The first religious organization, a Congregational Sunday School, was formed in June, 1874, at the home of J. M. Wardell. The first church organization was that of the Presbyterian, formed in the fall of 1874; its church building, the first in the township, was erected in the spring of 1875.