Glasgow Township

Glasgow Township

This township was named in honor of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, there being several Scotchmen in the township and the first settler was a Scotchman. Glasgow is bounded on the north by Pepin and a small portion of Wabasha, on the east by Wabasha and Greenfield, on the south by Highland, and on the west by West Albany. The physical features of this township are very striking. The Zumbro river enters the township through section 31 and runs a very rouTxdabout way in crossing tlie township, passing through or touching each of the*^following sections : 30, 29, 20, 21, 2s, 27, 22, 15, 14, 11, 12, and leaves the township through section 13. Many small streams both from the north and from the south flow into this river. All along the river the country is very broken, but is interspersed with beautiful valleys all along the little streams. For a greater part the Zumbro is skirted oneitliersidewitliheavy forests of timber. In most of the hills is to be found plenty of limestone of an excellent quality, which is used to a very large extent for building foundations for houses and barns. The soil of the valleys is very fertile ; it consists of a blackish loam underlaid with a clay subsoil.

Although well supplied with plenty of natural water, the wells of the township are not so very numerous. No water of any consequence can be reached much less of one hundred feet ; many fine springs, however, are to be found scattered through the township.

Early Settlements

Wm. McCracken, in 1855, a native of Scotland, was the first to break the sod in the township of Glasgow. Very soon after Mc- Cracken came to the township Charles Foreman, Hugh McGowen, Hugh and Robert Cochrane, Fred Bernhart, Mm. Stowman, Henry Smith, and several others, laid personal claim to a portion of this township. The next year this number was increased by John and Wm. Cochrane, Hugh McGinnis, the Ring brothers, Henry Ash, J. B. Roone, and others. Soon after establishing themselves in their new home, in the fall of 1855, Mr. McGowen's wife gave birtli to the first white child born in the township. But the life of this child born in the wilderness was of but short duration, it and its mother both dying in a short time after the cliild's birth. They both were laid to rest within the bosom of mother earth in the same grave. They were the first to depart from this world in this township. In the tall of 1856, Mr. A. Seafer being of the opinion that "he who taketli a wife taketh a good thing," was accordingly boimd by that mysterious band which makes man and wife as one. A Catholic priest from St. Paul was called upon to make the two happy hearts beat as one and sent them on their wedded life rejoicing. The first sermon ever preached within the boundaries was preached in the house of Robert Cochrane, in the spring of 1858, by the Rev. B. F. Wharton a Baptist minister. The Baptists still have a society in the township built by the German Methodist society ; Rev. Wharton has remained their pastor since the first sermon.

The first and only building built exclusively for religious services was built by the German Methodist society and stands in section 5 ; it was built in 1869. The first minister who preached in this house was the Rev. Lampbrecht. Rev. Schmitken is the minister who has charge of this society at present.

For many years the people of Glasgow townsliip were exclusively occupied in agricultural pursuits until 1861, when Robert Cochrane and A. T. Lansing put in operation a sawmill on Trout brook, and in 1864 Herman Wing concluded to try his fortune among the people by setting up a blacksmith-shop. The first and only postoffice in the township was at the house of Mr. Boyd Fetzer, and he was the first postmaster. After the narrow gauge railroad was built through the township the Wabasha Elevator Company put up an elevator in the township in 1878 ; Mr. William Foreman has had charge of the warehouse ever since it was started. The firm handles about thirty thousand bushels of grain from this place, and also deal somewhat in live stock.

A very large portion of the population of this township are Germans, with a few Scotchmen and a slight sprinkling of Irish, and now and then an American.

Glasgow township contains an even thirty-six sections of land. Of this amount of land but seven thousand seven hundred and fortythree acres were in cultivation in 1882, with an increase of eight thousand and twenty-one acres for 1883.

It appears from the records that the first chairman of supervisors was Thomas Mateer, and the first town clerk was John B. Roome, and the following have held those offices respectively :

Year. Chairman Of Supebvisoes. Clerk Year. Chairman Of Supervisors. Clerk

Near the center of the town, and lying along the banks of Trout brook, is a field of some fifteen acres, known as "Indian field." The aborigines used a portion of this field for burying their dead.

and the balance was planted to corn by tbe squaws. It was rudely inclosed by a brush fence, portions of which are still to be seen. There are in various parts of the town relics of the former occupants of the soil, reminding the passer-by that, like these now extinct people, they, too, must pass away and yield their loved land and the labor of their hands to others. In the pleasant valleys where the bold warriors with tireless feet pursued the panting deer, and where the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate, and where the hills once resounded with tbe savage war-whoop, is now to be found happy homes and pleasant farms ; and as the old settlers sit by the roaring tires of winter, how well do their children love to hear them tell of their trials and hardships of the early times spent in this township.

The townshij) of Glasgow is divided into districts as follows : Nos. 25, 27, 6S, 87, 101, a part of 26 and 64, and the most of 102. Educational pursuits were first inaugurated in this township in the summer of 185S by a Miss Mary Cosgrove. She taught school in a small log house which stood on section 9, near where the brick house now stands in district No. 25. (See district No. 25.) In 1858 the people who lived in what is now district No. 25 met and resolved to build a schoolhouse, and in consequence of said meeting the people went to work with a will to build the house. The men tm-ned out en masse, and as a result of their labors a log house was built and covered with home-made shingles, known as clapboards. There being no money to buy lumber for ilooring and finishing, each man took a few sacks of grain to Kead's Landing and traded it for lumber. And in the house thus constructed was the first school in district No. 25 taught, by Miss Mary Cosgi-ove, which was also the first in the township. Misses Aurora B. Albertson, Theresa Schmaus, Sparks, Darrigan, Lampbrecht,' Carrie Landgi-aff" and Eobert Monroe are some of the teachers who have taught in the old house. Tlie old house gave way to the present brick house, which was built in 1870^ at a cost of eight hundred dollars, on land donated for the purpose by Hugh McGowen. Miss Darrigan taught the first school in the new house, and since then the following have taught thei'e : G. A. Wanger, Miss Landgratf, Robert Wease, William Barry, Miss Olive Taylor, C. S. Mateer, J. E. Gray and W. J. Brown, who is the present teacher. First board of directors were William Coch-

District No. 26. A part of it is in Glasgow and the rest of it is in West Albany township. The first schoolhouse built in the district was in Glasgow township. The house was builtof logs, in 1861, and stood on section 19. The present house was builf in the summer of 1879, at a cost of live hundred dollars, and is on section 13 of West Albany township. The first school in this district was taught by Eliza Stohman, now Mrs. George Albertson. The school was kept in the house of George Hall, who then lived on section 18. Hariet Albertson was the first person who taught in the schoolhouse. J. E. Tuck, Rev. Sturgeon, George Miller, Lesslie Gray, Susan Fetzer, Jennie Durand, Ellen Brown, Jennie O'Neal, James Smith and 0. M. Hilliard each have taught in the old house. Ellen Brown taught the first school in the new house, and she was followed by C. M. Barry, J. E. Gray, C. S. Fox, Harry Thornton and Miss Ellen Patten.

District No. 27. The first school in district No. 27 was taught about forty rods west of the present schoolhouse, in an old log house owned by John Bricker, who was also the first teacher. The seats which they used were boards with legs in them. The next year a log schoolhouse was erected on the farm of Adam Peters, near where the present house stands, but before it was finished another term of school was taught. This term was taught bj' Dora O'Neal in a barn owned by John Schouweiller. After the log house was finished the following were the persons Xvho wielded the birch : John Bricker, Miss Albertson, Frank Hamlen, John B. Murray, G. C. Dawley. The present house was built in 1875, at a cost of eight hundred dollars. The first teacher in the new house was G. C. Dawle}', and he was followed by Jolm Bricker, Mary E. Calhoun, J. J. Barry, Katie Darrigan, J. T. Corry, Bridget Costello, Coleman Barry, Nettie Brown, Michael Conroy and Maggie Keating, the ])resent teacher. Each of the above have taught one or more terms. The first board of directoi-s were John Schoeweiller, clerk, Frank Graff and Antony SchuoweiUer. The present board are Peter Peters, clerk, Antony Schouweiller and Adam Peters.

District No. 68. The first school taught in district No. 28 was taught by Miss Emma Goodrich in the schoolhouse now in the district. The house was built in 1868, and the first school was taught the same year. The following have taught in this district since Miss Goodrich taught the first school : Charles Mateer, Miss Halahan, Miss Webster, Mr. Wharton, Giles Roome, Nancy Rose, Miss Fancher, Miss Hadley, Miss Lampbright, Miss Champine, Carrie Higgins, Miss Brown, Mary A. Koume, Mr.. Barry, Mr. Scott, Emma Johnson, Patrick Ryan, Katie Enright, Mary Enright, Mary Durand, Ida Bunu, Miss Wilder, Miss Wheeler, Miss McKune, Miss Brown.

Miss Clara Rose was the first teacher who taught in this district. She now lives in Kellogg. The following have taught in houses : Levi Emery, Margaret Patten, Marion Sullivan. The first board of directors was M. K. Wolfe, J. S. Harncame and Geo. Licen. This board has been continuously in office since the district was organized.

Ciiaptep. Lxxx

Lying in the south part of the county, surrounded by West Albany, Highland, Plainview, Elgin, Zumbro and Hyde Park townships, is a township) which on account of the necessity for a name rather tlian to show some prominent feature, has been called Oakwood. A rolling prairie, bordering on Greenwood's prairie, it is cut by the rocky Zumbro valley, separating the several northwestern sections from the main part ; by the Middle Creek ravine, separating the several northeastern sections ; and lastly, by the Long Creek ravine, which winds through the center from south to north, and opens into the Zumbro valley not far from the opening of Middle creek. Along their route- smaller valleys and ra^^nes open into these. The Zumbro valley, with its rocky clifl's varying from two hundred to three hundred and seventy feet in height, overhanging and winding its rocky and wooded sides about in a bewildering manner, affords some very picturesque and romantic scenery. The rocky lieiidlands protrude as if the elements in their attempt to cover the once hmestone surface of this region with clay, sand and loam, had failed to bring enough. While the northern part of the township is chieliy clay, the southern is more black loam and clay mixed, making a fine soil. The oak, hazel, etc., underbrush that once covered the prairie more or less, is now confined to the bluffs, valleys and ravines. In the northern part of the township, in the coolies, there is more timber-oak, elm. Cottonwood and maple. Along the Zumbro Eiver valley are riverterraces about half way up the bluffs, some of the larger of which are of sufficient size for a village. The valleys and ravines on quiet days are cooler than the prairies above, but in winter the valleys are much wanner than the uplands, making fine places to winter stock. The limestone cliffs furnish material for limekilns, a few ruins of which ornament the sides of the valley, but are seldom worked at jiresent. The large fall of the Zumbro river, with its narrowness, makes many fine sites for water-power, which, so far, have not been occupied. With the excellent fiicilities for water in the township, Oakwood makes a fine place for stock. Some excellent springs burst out along the base of the cliffs, one of which, near Ole Fremo's, is said to be among the best.

Let Father Time tell us how Oakwood fared before civilization began to rear it - the kidnapped child of barbarism. Here was the underbrush on the prairie, through which the cunning fox and the lank, grey wolf prowled. Wigwams dotted the valley. Numerous fleet deer roamed the gorges and ]jrairies, ever wary, often in vain, of the stealthy Sioux Indians of Wa-pa-shaw's band, who came to camp and hunt in Zumbro's beautiful valley. The beaver made his home in these waters. The snow, wind and rain were as vidld as the country and its dusky sons. Over the encrusted snow, four feet a not uncommon depth, the Keoxa braves chased on snowshoes the deer until the breaking crust exhausted it. The heavy rains, falling on the tough, unbroken soil, quickly reached the Zumbro, swelling its floods to heights unknown at present. The annual rise of the river, not noticed now, was called the "June race."

But Father Time points to 1856, and now comes the ox-team and white-covered wagon - the advance-guard of civilization - to startle this wild scene, and fight, if necessary, with the elements, Indians and animals, for a home such as his prospective eyes selected.

He lives in his wagon until he can make a Imt. These first settlers were : Mathew Kinsella and his son Mathew, David and James Foley, Patrick and Lawrence Tracey, the latter now in West Albany township, and William Tope, who came in June. Henry Powell, it appears, came in 1855, but whether he was the first settler is not quite definite. It is said Lyman Grregg visited the township earlier, but did not settle. Also came Barnard McXulty, James McPike, Michael Campbell, Patrick McQuigan, Henry Martin and Patrick Fleming. Many of these came prospecting, selected homes and built huts, then in the fall returned to Wisconsin, Lake Superior, and a few other parts, to get their families. A Mr. Crozier was also here, living in his wagon. The bachelor life led by many of these in their wagon or hut was not enviable. Patrick McGuigan brcnight for his winter supply seven barrels of flour ; the Indians were diflicult to convince that his house was uot an agenc3^ One of the heaviest snows fell that winter, about four feet on a level. The Indians, witli snow-shoes, killed deer extravagantly ; finding them in the valley in an open place corralled by the deep snow, they would kill them merely for the skin, so. it was said, that the whites might not get them. About seven hundred were camping in the valley that winter ; they were not troublesome, and not many months later left. It is said they used to get whisky at Mr. Tope's.

Mat. Kinsellas, Sr. and Jr., Charles and Patrick Fleming, Richard Leighart and James Perkins kept bachelor's hall on Mr. place for nearly three years. They had five yoke of oxen, and all worked together, each helping the other. Mr. Kinsella, Sr., relates that the ai'rival of the first woman caused the oxen to take to the woods in flight.

When John H. Pell first drove his cattle before him into these wilds to seek a home, before he ever imagined he would represent his district as senator, he turned his cattle loose in the valley, and sought rest for the night in one of the caves that are found in the face of the blufls.

The township had been surveyed and named Pell, in honor of John Pell of this township, who was a state senator. The way neighboring townships taunted them with the similarity of Pell and another word ending in "ell" was too much for the sensitive settler. In l^fiS the legislature gave it the honorable name of Sherman.

across the prairie toward Flainview, the nearest way. Tlie first bluff-road was worked by a Wabasha hindowner, between Millville site and P. G. Diekman's. The first surveyed road was laid out about 1869, along the south side of section 25, and south and west sides of section 26, north, entering the Long Creek ravine. It was known as the Long Creek road. The second laid out was probably that from Bremen, passing Alessrs. Quisel's, Grove's and Pratt's, about 1S60. On account of ravines few of the roads follow section lines. The Zumbro Valley Railway Company organized and prospected some in the township, but failed to do anything. James Chapman, on northeast part of section 22, built the first and only sawmill of the township, about 1860, but soon sold it to Abner Tibbets, who continued it for but a few years. The first and onl}' gristmill was built on Middle creek in 1868 by Samuel Irish. The first blacksmith-shop was built by Henry Powell, probably in 1856 ; the only one until Peter Holstein built his in Millville a number of years later. The first store was started in 1864- by John Behrns, at Bremen, continuing a few years. The first birth was Patrick Tracy's daughter, Elizabeth Tracy, in February, ]8o7 ; and Anna Tracy, daughter of Mr. Lawrence Tracy, was born in March following. The first marriage ceremony was performed by Father Tissot, a Catholic missionary, when he gave Mathew Kinsella, Jr., a wife. Henry Powell was married quite early, too, and in a romantic manner. It is said he and his intended stood on one bank of Long creek, while the justice stood on the opposite shore and performed the ceremony. Death made his first visit in the spring of 1 858, taking a babe of William Tope, and one of George Martin. The first (private) school was taught either by Mrs. Louis Evans or Mrs. J. H. Bernard, at their homes, in the winter of 1859-60 - probably the former. Mr. Evans also taught. The first schoolhouse is No. 2-4, near Patrick McGuigan's, built in about 1861. The old log house, now used for storing hay, still stands near the new one. Mr. McGuigan says tiiey carried logs on their shoulders from the ravine to make it. Dr. James Chapman, the builder of the first sawmill, was the first "healer of the sick" in the winter of 1858 and after. He also preached some, holding services now and then at his home and Mr. Powell's.

In 1858 Father Tissot first held mass in Mr. David Foley's house. From then until 1867 it was held about five times per year at Mr. Kinsella's. During 1866 the church now known as Oakwood church, a frame building 20x60 feet, with an addition built in 1878, was built. It was started by Father Tissot and finished by Father Trobec, who followed him. The priests since Father Trobec are Fathers Jeram, from 1880-2 ; Beinhardt, to April, 1883, and Murray at present, who lives in Highland township. The church is well furnished, and mass is held once a month. A cemetery lies near the church. Since the organization children have been confirmed once, in 1881, by Bishop Ireland.

The first postoiBce, called Millville, was located on Ole Christopher's place, about 1869, with Charles Flemming as postmaster. After its removal to the present site of Millville, in 1870, John Huny was made postmaster, and held it until his death, since which his widow has officiated, keeping it in the same house ever since. When first started its income was but about eight dollars per quarter ; now it is two hundred.

The first hotel began with the birth of Bremen, in connection with the store in 1864. This was the founding of Bremen, the first village in the township, by John Behrns.

Millville, probably so named from the postoffice, began with one store and postoffice combined, John Huny's, and a blacksmith-shop, by Peter Holtein, about 1870. The naiTOw-gauge railway, in 1878, gave it new life, and soon there was two stores, J. B. Miller and Mullen & Leonard (now Mullen) ; next two hotels, J. Behrns and Mr. Plath ; then Jolm Behrns ran a stoi-e for a time ; a wagonshop ; a small graiuhouse, in which was the warehouse and telegraph office ; next year the depot and addition to the grainhouse ; then a tancy-store ; shoeshop. In 1 880 McGuigan Bros. , drygoods and groceries, and J. S. Bisby, hardware, was started, and in 1881 the first permanent physician. Dr. Gove. From about 1879 to 1881 Claus Behrns run the Midland brewery, but it was accidentally burned, and its ruins still remain. Millville controls the trade for a radius of several miles. It has splendid water-power waiting to be occupied.

Kegan, named from the owner of the land, J. Kegan, was started in 1879 as a station. A saloon, blacksmith-shop and store, the last mentioned kept by J. Judge, comprised its business until 1880, when the depot and grainhouse was added. The following year Mr. Judge was made postmaster of the new postoffice. A fine bridge crosses the Zumbro here, which, with the Millville bridge, includes all Zumbro bridges in the township.

After the organization in 1S59 down to the present there has been a slow and varied growth. Man}' of tlie records are destroyed, so that the chief resource is the old settler's memory. The first was held at the residence of Patrick McGuigan, by order of the commissioners. The first clerk was Dr. James Chapman ; supervisors, James Foley and John Behrns. Mr. Pratt thinks J. K. Smith was chairman. They held their first meeting in Chapman's sawmill. Clans Behrns was probably the first assessor. One of the early assessors, who had acquired but little English, missused the word piano for plow, in his report of assessment, so that from the number of pianos listed in Pell township, the county ©flicers thought it a remarkably musical region.

The township clerks after Dr. Chapman were : John Behrns, J. C. Kand, George Bairey, William Harlan, M. A. Grove, Collins Pratt, M. Bailey and James McGuigan. The first justices were : J. Evans and John Behrns. Mr. Behrns says his first legal operation was to marry Orson Veon and Ann Winter, in 1859. Louis Steinborn, William Harlan, E. Poison and J. Bisb}- have been justices since. Before organization they voted in Zumbro township (now Hyde Park).

Mr. Lawrence Tracy was the first representative of the township in the county board of supervisors. The population of the township at this time was probably between twenty and fifty. There was found to be another township of the same name, so the name Sherman was replaced in 1872 by the present name, Oakwood.

The present township ofiicers aVe P. G. Dickman, chairman ; M. McGillion and Emric Poison, supervisors ; James McGuigan, town clerk; Ole Christopher, assessor; J. Behrns,. treasurer ; justices, J. S. Bisby and E. Poison ; constables, Nels Christopher and E. H. Anderson.

In the winter of 1858-9 the several northwest sections cut off by the Zumbro were joined to West Albany ; but in 1867 the legislature, at the request of the people, made a part of Pell again. The "Half-Breed Treaty" tract, elsewhere explained, includes all of Oakwood noi-th of a straight line running from the southeast corner of section 18 to near the same corner of section 26. The land scrip that was given each Indian, deeding him a certain amount of this land, has caused the settlers a little trouble and some probably unfounded anxiety. The ' ' adult scrip " was sold to settlers along with minor scrip. The point seems to be that the minors' scrip may have been unlawfully sold. The Oakwood church laud was paid for twice on account of this trouble. The trouble continued during about fifteen years. There has been none lately.

The township feeling the great need of an outlet for its produce, encouraged the Minnesota Midland railroad by giving twentytwo thousand dollars in bonds, which were placed in the New York Trust Company's hands to await the completion of the road. During the war the records show numerous special town meetings, held for obtaining mone}- for volunteers.

It is related of a certain "copperhead," who chanced to have his leg broken in an affray, that the physician compelled him to take the oath of allegiance before he would set his leg.

The town meetings, before held in sawmills, shops and residences, were after about 1875 held in the new town-hall on section 15. The hall was sold in ISSO to G. D. Allen for one hundred and ten dollars, and the Millville schoolhouse was chartered for the next twenty years for town purposes. The effect of the cattle law of 1873 has been to remove nearly all the fence excejjt that enclosing pasture. However the increased raising of stock will probably soon make a barbed-wire network of fences over the township. One of Oakwood's citizens, John K. Smith, was representative in 1873. After the new school law of 1862, abolishing the township superintendent, James Hayes, of Oakwood, was the first county superintendent through election by the people. The state change of text-books in the schools, adopting Appleton's publication, was effected quite speedily in this township. The schools h&ve increased until there are now seven, numbered apparently in the order of their age, with county numbers, namely, No. 75 on section 23, No. 24 on section 5, No. 41 on section 1, No. 43 on section 26, No. 44 on section 28, No. 78 on .section 16 and No. 89 in Millville. The teachers of No. 24 have been Michael McGillion, M. Redmond, Mary Hayes, Hugh Galliger, Mary Harlan, Miss York, and, beginning with 1872, James Hayes ; 1873, Mrs. Galliger ; then James Hayes, until 1875 ; John Quin, 1876 ; Bridget McCullough, 1877 ; Mary A. Keliber, 1878 ; Hannah Sweeney, 1879 ; Scott Foster, Sophia McGillion, 1880 ; Michael Powers, 1881 ; Charles Disney, Maggie Ryan, 1882 ; James Kating, Maggie Kating, and in 1883,

Mrs. Bernard held private school, in 185S-9, in school district No. 41. They then sent to Highland township until 1871. Annie Mullen, the tirst teacher, was followed by Fannie Calvin, 1872 ; Bridget Costello, 1873^ ; Annie Calhoun, 1875 ; Michael Powers, 1876 ; Katie Baker, 1877 ; M. Powers, 1878 ; Hannah Sweeney, 1879 ; Bridget Costello, 1880-1, and Thos. H. Lutz, 1882-3.

In school district No. 43, Mrs. Band taught an early school. Mrs. Susan Carpenter was probably the first teacher. She held a term in an old blacksmitli-shop, in 1867. The teachers since then have been Mrs. M. E. Cooper, E. N. Smith and Ella Rising,

1869 ; G. C. French, Miss Sprague, Mrs. Lucy French, 1870-72 ; Lavina Smith, 1873 (no school in part of 1874, when the new schoolhouse was building. The old house was moved from Highland township) ; Lavina Smith, 1874-5 ; Lucy J. Smith and Frank Fowler, 1876 ; Ellen McClaren, 1877 ; Matt Kanej, 1878 ; Nettie Goss, 1879 ; J. M. Bates and Miss Goss, 1880 ; Eliza DePuy and Mattie Darrow, 1881 ; Hanora Sheilds and Mary Huntoon, 1882 (no school in winter of 1882-3, as they could get no teacher) ; and Teressa B. Hall in the summer of 1883. School district No. 78 lies near tlie center of the township.

The school in district No. 44 was organized by Geo. Bairy in 1869, and the first teacher was probably Miss Taylor. The present building is an enlargement of the first one, a small frame which has been moved about considerably. The teachers beginning with Christina Mitchell in 1869-70; Frank Langer, 1873-4; and William Bairey and Olive R. Taylor, 1875 ; C. A. Pheifer, Mary C. Christopher and Francis Fomler (?), 1876 ; Miss French, 1877 ; Bertha French, 1878-9-80 ; Geo. French and Anna French, 1881 ; John M. Bates and Mary Behrns, 1882 ; Maggie Potor and Mattie Darrow, and in 1883 Mariaii Paine. The Millville school was at tirst private, taught by S. E. Thoresen, in 1878, and in 1879 organized as No. 89, with a good frame building. The teachers have been, beginning in 1880, A. Darrow and Lizzie Leonard, 1881 ; C. L.

The physicians located here have been Drs. Beaufort and Boyd, who remained but a short time, and Dr. Gove, who is at present the only doctor of medicine in tlie township.

In 1868 the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church, on section 20, was organized by A. B. Burtch, of Grand Meadows, Minnesota, who had preached here previous to this. With few at lirst, the largest membership reached thirty-five, in 1871, and has fallen oft' since, on account of many Norwegians going to Dakota. A good frame church, 32x2i feet, was built in 1873. It is valued at nine hundred dollars. The Norwegian Lutherans since 1874 have used this building more or less, also, but have had no services for a few years ]iast. The ministers, since 1869, have been : Rev. Olson ; Rev. Knudson, 1872-4 ; Rev. A. Johnson to 1877, Rev. £. Arveson to 1879, Rev. J. Peterson to 1882, when Rev. A. Knudson became the first resident minister of the township. Services are held regularly on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., with a sabbath school at 12 Ji. The sabbath school, Supt. M. A. Grove, was organized some years ago. The church belongs to the Plainview circuit. The trustees are E. Poison and M. A. Grove. A cemetery for Scandinavians lies near the church. The Swedes, in 1874, organized and built a church in Millville.-^ The building is of limestone from the bluffs and about 30X40 feet in size. At first there were about thirty families, with a minister from Lake City, but Dakota's rising wealth has reduced the number to but five families, who have had no services for several years. The Norwegian Lutherans, not organized, used this building some also. Near the building is Millville cemetery. Services in these churches are occasionally held in English. M. A. Grove has preached some in the Norwegian church, filling the place of the regular minister in his absence.

On account of the peculiar characteristics of the Scandinavian, German and Irish churches, and their different languages, there has never been any i*evivals in the township. Some temperance work has been done, however, and with such effect that in attempts to abolish liquor license, about 1876, they came within four and six votes of having her territory unspotted by saloons. The temperance sentiment is not that high at present, as four patronized bars within her borders would indicate.

farm, and continued in their hall there for about one year and a half, then with a few meetings at schoolhouse No. 43, they sold their effects and disbanded with an oyster supper and dance. Lyman Gregg was worthy master. Clark Champine, Eben Farnsworth and A. Darrow were among their oiiicers.

About 1S80 the Good Templars were organized at the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church. It continued actively about on* year. The first, second and third worthy chiefs were, E. Poison, C. Christopher and M. A. Grove, respectively. They talk of reviving it again.

In the eastern part ot the townsliip, in 1874, was organized Father Matthew's Total Abstinence Society, which has held meetings once per month since. John Harlan was its first president, and the (;tiiee has since been held by either Matthew Kiusella or him. Mr. Kinsella occupies it at present. In 1878 about fifty members started by subscription a temperance library, and now have over one hundred volumes. J. Powers is librarian, and the books are kept in the church.

There are but live events in the history of the township that may be called tragic. Tliree men were drowned : one at Millville, while swimming ; Mr. McBride, some distance below this, while crossing this river on the ice in 1880 ; and a miller from Potsdam who drove in the river at high water. Two suicides have occurred. The causes were probably monomania caused by sickness. Both were Germans. One hung himtelf by a suspender, and the other choked himself with a bag string.

The immense crops of wheat in early days caused an extravagance in trading, that resulted in a reaction a few years later, that, combined with the overworking of the land, caused many failures. Men traded on credit for years, and when a settlement was necessary, a mortgage was necessaiy, and finally they had to give up their homes. So extensive was this trouble that the population was very materially decreased. The settlement of the Wilcox estate was the occasion of one severe blow to the township. Buying extravagantly in machinery was one cause of these troubles.

The wheat crop for four or five years, beginning with 1877, has nearly failed, so that many farmers contemplate making stock a specialty. It may be a question whether stock as a specialty will

In 1869 there was 17,529 acres of farm land. The value of the improvements, $63,199, and the personal property, $26, Oil. The number of acres cultivated was -1,862, from which 60,693 bushels of wheat was raised, beside other grains.

Stating them in the order of their number beginning with the largest, the population is composed of Irish, Germans, Norwegians, Swedes, Americans and Austrians. The mass are German and Irish.