Henryville Township

Henryville Township

Henryville township embraces township 114-35. It is bounded on the north by Troy township, on the east by Norfolk township, on the south by Beaver Falls township, and on the west by Flora township. The hamlet of Bechyn is included within its boundaries and is located in the southwestern part.

The first settler in Henryville township was Patrick Barkey. He came in the spring of 1866 by ox team, bringing his large family and settling on the northwest quarter of section 27. One of his sons, Thomas H., secured a claim in the northwest quarter of section 34. while another, James, secured a claim in the southwest quarter of section 22. Other families soon came in. Among them may be mentioned Robert. George and John Nicholson; James, Stephen and John O'Neil; Michael and James Holden; Owen and Michael Heany: John Swoboda and Jacob Krell; Lawrence Boda, Dr. Henry Schoregge, Michael Goblarsch, Thomas Moore. Frank M. Carlson, Carl Holtz, Thomas G. Kelley. F. S. Kinney, Joseph Sharp and Joseph Kartax.

In 1869. township 114, range 35, now Henryville, was assessed as a part of Beaver township. Only two assessments were made in this township, Jacob Krell and John Swoboda, both in section 2S. In 1S70 there were added to this list: Almeda Hodgdon, section 34; James S. Chapman, section 34; J. B. Renville, section 35: James Butler, section 35. In 1S71 this township was assessed as Henryville. The name added this year was: Thos. Barkey. section 34.

By 1S74. quite a number of people had acquired property in Henryville. the real estate assessment that year being as follows: John J. Schoregge, section 2; Frank Zetah, section 16; John Nicholson, sections 23, 27; James O'Neil. sections 26, 27; John O'Neil, section 26; Robert Nicholson, section 27: Patrick Barkey, section 27; Jacob Krell, section 28; John Swoboda, section 2S; John Krell, section 28; David E. Smith, section 30; F. S. Kinny, section 30 (transferred to Julius Runge); Henry Seely, section 32: Austin H. Babcock, section 18; Wenzel Swoboda, section 32; Joseph Kartak, section 32; Frederika Tliiele, section 33 (transferred to John Shaffer); Thomas Barkey, section 34; R. R. Corey, section 34; M. D. Hall, section 34: J. S. Chapman, section 34; J. B. Renville, section 35; James Butler, section 35; David R. Culver, section 22.

Henryville took its name from Peter Henry, one of the best known of the pioneer settlers, who died a few years ago in St. Paul, where he spent the last few years of his life. Thomas Henry Barkey, son of T. H. Barkey. was the first child born in the town. June 16, 186S. Many claim that from him the town was named. Henryville postoffice was established in the house of Dr. Henry Schoregge, postmaster, in 1879. The first religious services were held by the Catholics in 186!) and in 1880 a church was built with 35 families.

Henryville township was organized March 16, 1871, and the first election held March 28, 1871, at the home of Robert Nicholson. The following officers were chosen: Supervisors. John Swoboda (chairman), James Holden and F. M. Carlson; clerk and assessor, T. H. Barkey; treasurer, L. G. Moore: justices. Joseph Sharp and James Greeley; constables, Henry Seely and David Smith; overseers of roads, James Holden and F. M. Carlson. The present officers are: Supervisors, Charles W. Chroup (chairman). Frank Trochlil and Fred W. Kugelin; clerk, Lloyd Trochlil. The town meetings are held at the village of Bechyn.

Kingman township embraces township 116-34. It is bounded on the north by Kandiyohi county, on the east by Osceola township, on the south by Bird Island township, and on the west by Winfleld township.

The first claim in this township was filed by C. H. Pettit August 2, 1S66, section 25. In 1S69 F. D. Hunt filed on section 2: George B. Wright on sections 6. 8. 14 and 20, and Dudley K. Johnson on section 22. The first school was taught by Clara Stearns in L. W. Stearns' house, during the winter of 1878-79. The first birth was W. M.. a son of David and Anna Coons, born July 12. 1878. The first death was that of J. H. Sangmyhr, who died May 10, 1881. aged ninety-six years, eleven months and twenty-four days.

The first personal property assessment of Kingman township, 116-34, was made in 1S79. Those assessed were: A. P. Altman, John Brooton. David Coons, Wm. H. Frederick. D. W. Guptel, John Gibbs, Henry Jones. Frank Merriman, Leander Stearns, Seth T. Sa Iters, John Pfeiffer. Mrs. S. H. Persson, B. Ever. In 1881, there were added to this list: Samuel Anderson, John Anderson, Adelbert Wilson, Robt. Regnals.

Martinsburg embraces township 114-32. It is bounded on the north by Hector, on the east by Sibley county, on the south by Wellington township, on the west by Palmyra township. W. T. Grummons being a county commissioner and a resident of this town at the time it was organized, named it atter a son of his named Martin.

The first claims in this township were filed July 2. 1S73, by William Chalk in section 20. and by Thomas Torbenson in section 18, October 21, 1S73. In 1874 Winfield S. Junes filed on section 10. In 1875 James Smith filed on section 28.

Martinsburg township was organized September 3, 1S7S, and an election was ordered to be held at the home of J. B. Mohan in section 22, on September 24, 1S7S. Owing to insufficiency of notice the election was not held until November 5, 1878, with the following result: Supervisors, Luna Benson (chairman). Ferdinand Marquardt and Friedrich Schwarz; clerk. Smith Dewees; constable. Swan Pearson. The present officers are: Supervisors. John P. Bergman (chairman), Gustav Mueller and Fred Kammrath; Clerk, Ernes! Hertel; treasurer, F. J. Macheledt. In 1892 the township erected a town hall in the southwest corner of section 15.

The first real estate assessment in Martinsburg. 114-:;:'. then a part of Wellington, was made in 1S74. Those assessed were: Isaac Root, section 20. In 1S75 there was added to the list: Winfield S. Jones, section hi. By 1878 there were added to this list: P. D. Winchell, section 20; James Smith. L'S: Thomas Torberson, IS; Fred Schwartz, 24; Henry Poland. 22: .Janus Hanna, 32; John M. Anderson. IS. In 18S0 the following names were added: John Borgeson, section 30; Reinhold Fritz, 18; Samuel Gilbertson, 6; August Kreiger, 2:'.; William F. Lange. 2; Andrew Machledt, 13; Mathew Nolan, 27; Anna L. Smith. 2S; Ellen Tompkins. 30.

Melville township embraces township 115. range 33. It is bounded on the north by Osceola township, on the east by Hector township, on the south by Palmyra township and on the west by Bird Island township. The O. M. & St. P. crosses the township in the central part.

The first settlers were Dora J. Caleff, in the spring of 1S72; Newton G. Poore, in the fall of 1872, and F. Hart, Charles Sergeant and Louis Yeager, in the spring of

Melville township was organized January 1. 1N7S. The first town meeting was held at the house of Albert Brown, January 21. 1S7S. The meeting was called to order by F. E. Wolff. Albert Brown was chosen to act as clerk of the meeting and F. E. Wolff to preside as moderator. The moderator at the opening of the meeting stated the business to be transacted as follows: To elect three supervisors, a treasurer, town clerk, assessor, two justices of peace and two constables. Joseph Daily and Fred Steffins were chosen judges of election. The proclamation of opening the polls was made by the moderator, the polls opened and the election of town. officers proceeded. At five o'clock the polls were closed, proclamation thereof being made by the moderator. The judges then proceeded to publicly canvass the votes. The following election of officers resulted from this first town meeting: Supervisors, F. E. Wolff (chairman, seven votes). Norman Hickok (eight votes). Matthew Rose (eight votes); treasurer, George Raitz (seven votes); assessor, Joseph Daily (eight votes); town clerk. Albert Brown (eight votes) ; justices of peace, Hamlin V. Poore (seven votes). George Raitz (seven votes against P. Kirchner with one vote) ; constables, Fred Steffins (seven votes). P. Kirchner (seven votes against H. Olson with one vote). The present officers are: Supervisors. Fred Koehler (chairman), Otto E. Kreuger. Peter Weis: town clerk, John Walter: treasurer. Albert Witte: as-

The first personal property assessment of Melville township, 115-33, was made in 1879. Those assessed were: M. Bennett, O. Bennett, E. Burk, Albert Brown, L. Daley. Joseph Daly. G. Gruske. 1. Garske, Henry Grimm, Peter Hoagestal, Henry Hippie, A. Hedke. John Hinds, N. Nikak, H. Hedtke, Phillip Kerchner. Sr.. Phillip Kerchner. Jr.. Charles Kenning, J. F. -Lucas, Jr., J. F. Lucas. Sr.. J. Memhast. L. A. Memhast. George H. Megquier, A. McMullen, John Niller, Hermund Olson. N. G. Poor, G. Raitz, John Rice, M. S. Rouse F. A. Stevens, J. K. Salsburv. C. M. Stevens, J. Tom. H. E. Wolff. F. Wolff.

Norfolk township embraces township 114-34. It is bounded on the north by Bird Island township, on the east by Palmyra township, on the south by Birch Cooley township and on the west by Henryville township.

The first settlers in Norfolk township were S. D. Childs and Charles Sherwood, who came in the fall of 1S6S. Soon after came Michael Maloney and Peter and Gust. St. Dennis. Early in 1869 arrived James Brown, Patrick Williams, Dennis Gleason and Michael C. Gleason. In the summer and fall of 1869 there arrived John Stone. Charles Bowler, S. F. Warner, Timothy Kennedy. John Hogan, James Murphy and Thomas Brady.

The first birth in the town was that of Theda, daughter of S. D. Childs, born in March, 1869. She died the following September. The second birth was that of D. W. Brown, who still lives in the township. He was born in July, 1869. Rev. Nahum Tainter, a Methodist, held services in 1869 in private houses and in the school house.

The township of Norfolk was organized as Houlton July 26, 1S69. Various changes, both in name and territory took place after that and in October 2. 1876, it assumed its present boundaries. The name was changed to Norfolk in 1874.

The first officers of Norfolk township. elected in March, 1S75, were: Supervisors, Silas Brooks (chairman), John Wadenspancr and Philip Ryan; clerk, W. F. Bowler; assessor, L. E. Sherwood; treasurer, Ed. Mahoney; justices of the peace, D. F. Ingram and Ed. Bowler; constables, Charles Ingram and John Regar; road overseers, Frank Adair, Ed. Mahoney and Patrick Williams. The records of Marschner township date back to December 28, 1871. There is a complete record of all the meetings of Norfolk township that have been held since March 13, 1S77. The present officers are: Supervisors, Charles Glesener (chairman), Thomas Tisdell and Timothy C. Ryan; clerk, John W. Kern; treasurer, Joseph Schmoll. The modern town hall located in the center of the township on the southeast corner of section 16, was erected in 1904.

The first real estate assessment of Norfolk township, 114-34, was made in 1874. Those assessed were: Libbeus White, section 6; M. Toban, 8; R. Durby, 10 (this was transferred to George W. Crouch); John W. Perry, in; John H. Brooks, 14; Peter St. Dennis. IS; James O'Tool, 26; Paul Revier, 26 (this was transferred to Joseph Revier); Timothy Kennedy. 2S; Michael Gleason, 2S; L. I). Burdiek, 30; Edward Mahoney, 32; Silas Brooks, 32; Samuel D. Childs, 34: Charles H. Sherwood, 34; Levi E. Sherwood. 22; Charles Humboldt, 6, 115- 34 (now Bird Island); Laura A. Gage, 30, 115-34 (now Bird Island); Florence E. White, 4 (this was transferred to N. Stone).

Paul Reviere's Reminiscences. I came to Minnesota in 1867, locating in Northfield, and later settled in Bridgewater township. Rice county. Besides myself there were my mother, my brother John, his wife and four children, Julius, his wife and two children, Levi, Joseph and William, all brothers. In 1S6S 1 married Ellen McLaughlin and in 1S70 came to Renville county, bringing with me my wife and child. I took a claim in township 114, range 34. which was later named Norfolk. At that time there were seven settlers there: Patrick Williams, Dennis Gleason, Michael C. Gleason, James Brown. Tim Canada, John Stone and Charles Bowler. I built a house, 16 by 20, and a sod stable.

In the winter of 1S70 I took my family to Dundas, Rice county, and worked in the woods. My wife stayed with her relatives, who were living there at the time, and we came home in the spring. Our house was made of green wood and was very cold and not at all pleasant to live in. And storms! We have had storms here that would last for three days and three nights and be so severe that one could not get out to take care of the stock, and have had to wait for a day when we could get a load of wood. But we managed the best we could and were happy. Then the grasshoppers came. We were getting along quite well that year and I had raised 700 bushels of wheat, but the grasshoppers took every bit of it. I then was compelled to go out to work. In those days we had to haul our wheat to New Ulm, a distance of forty-five miles. Often on a cold winter's day one could see a long line of ox teams moving slowly along with their loads, the jolly drivers walking alongside, wearing their small muskrat caps and having no overcoats.

The saddest sight I ever saw on the prairie was when we found Michael Maloney, his wife and sister, frozen. The girl was found about three miles from home and the others about four miles away. We took them to their home and thawed them out. There we found three children who had been left alone two days and two nights. They had stayed in bed all the time. When they had become hungry the oldest had found some bread, but it was so frozen that they could not eat it. In the fall, after the frost had blighted the vegetation, it w:as not safe to travel without matches in one's possession. If a fire whs seen coming, the only thing to do was tu build a back-fire so that one could have a place of safety, as one could not very easily escape by trying to run away from a prairie fire.

Of the first settlers in the town there are three left: Dennis Gleason. Michael Gleason and myself. I left the farm last spring and came to Franklin, with my wife, where we are now living. We still own our farm in Norfolk, also a farm in Redwood and a farm in North Dakota. We also have a good home here.

Osceola township embraces township Hi'.-::::. It is bounded on the north by Kandiyohi township, on the east by Brookfield township, on the south by Melville township and on the east by Kingman township.

o'clock the general business of the town was taken up. J. F. Lucas, Jr., was chosen poundmaster. A pound was ordered constructed on the claim of J. F. Lucas. Jr., within ninety days at a cost not to exceed $100. It was voted to assess a tax of fifty cents on each $100 of property valuation in the township for road and bridge purposes, to appropriate $150 for current expenses and raise $500 to build a town hall. The officers elected were: Supervisors, W. T. Bower (chairman), William Fulton and C. M. Stevens; clerk. S. M. Freeman; treasurer, J. F. Lucas, Sr.; assessor, H. J. Stevens; justices, H. V. Poore and J. A. Thorn; constables, J. F. Lucas. Jr., and M. Farrall, Although it was voted thirty-five years ago to build a town hall none has ever been constructed. There is, however, a very good hall in the township, owned by the Farmers' Club. The present officers are: Supervisors. Frank McCorkle (chairman), Charles Rudeen and Charles Freburg; treasurer, George Plocher; assessor, S. M. Freeman. There are no justices or constables.

J. F. Lucas, Jr., is also still a prominent man in the township. He it was who circulated the petition for the organization of the township. He was influential in having school district No. 90 created in 1S82. was elected its first clerk, and has since served continuously in that capacity.

S. M. Freeman, the first and present clerk, has served almost continuously. In this time he has seen many changes. Perhaps one of the most striking is the change in the landscape. In those days there was no timber. Wood was hauled some thirty miles with ox teams, while sometimes straw was burned for fuel and heat. Now every farmer has a grove with sufficient timber for family use. In those days land was worth some $4 to $6 an acre, where now it is worth from $75 to $100.

Palmyra township embraces township 114-33. It is bounded on the north by Melville township, on the east by Martinsburg township, on the south by Bandon township, and on the west by Norfolk township.

The first settlers are said to be D. S. Greene and a Mr. Franklin, who came in June, lN7o. later followed by E. H. Olson and in 1S71 J. B. Johnson and Lorens and John Ericson. The first school was taught in 1876 at E. H. Olson's by Martha Ericson.

The first marriage was that of T. A. Risdall and Anna Johnson, in June, 1871. Carl, son of John Olson, born in August, 1870, was the first birth.

Palmyra township, including townships 114, 115 and 116, range 33, was organized January 2, 1872, and an election ordered for January 30, 1872, at the home of E. H. Olson. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, E. H. Olson (chairman), John Anderson and Lafe Tennis; clerk and assessor, Thomas Risdall; treasurer, Ole Halvorson; justice, A. Tollefson; constable, Halver Halverson. By 1S79 Palmyra township was reduced to its present boundaries. The town hall, a structure 16 by 24 feet, is located in the center of the town and was erected in 1876. The present supervisors are William Glesener, Oscar Nelson and John J. Johnson. Arvid Anderson has ably served as clerk for two years. The oldest minutes now in his possession date back to March 10, 1S74, only two years after the town was organized.

Palmyra boasts of some of the finest farms and farm homes in the county and with its enterprising, wide-awake and public spirited farmers of Scandinavian and Germanic descent enjoys a rank among its sister townships in which its citizens all take a justifiable pride.

The first personal property assessment in Palmyra (114-33) was made in 1S72. Those assessed were: Ben Anderson, John Anderson No. 1, John Anderson No. 2, Anton Christianson, Dora Caleff, George Carny, Nelson Ericson, Eric Ericson, John Ericson, Larens Ericson. Ole Ericson, Peter Ericson, P. Geland. D. S. Green, Ole Halvorson, L. Frank Hart, J. B. Johnson, T. Jacobson, Alex. Johnson, John King, Denis Lorden, Andrew Larson, Lafe Lavinson, A. C. Mark, E. J. Mark, John Olson, Ed. H. Olson, Newton G. Poor, P. J. Ranberg, C. A. Sargent. Nilson Reed. Ole L. Tinnes. Lafe Tinnes, Amond Tolfson, G. L. Y eager.

Preston Lake township embraces township 115-31. It is bounded on the east by the townships of Collins and Lynn in Mc- Leod county, on the south by Grafton township in Sibley county, on the west by I lector township and on the north by Boon Lake township. Lake Allie is in the northern part. Preston lake is a large body of water in sections 10, 11 and 3. There are several smaller lakes in the southwestern part, among which may be mentioned Buffalo lake and Lake Chamberlain. The village of Buffalo Lake is in the southwestern part of the township. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul crosses the township in the southern part.

On the shores of Buffalo lake was originally a heavy growth of timber. Some of the oaks were from twenty inches to two and a half feet in diameter, capable of producing four twelve foot saw logs. These oaks were extensively used by the early settlers in constructing their homes.

The first claims in this township were taken in 1S56 and 1857. Nothing can be learned about this settlement except the record of the claims in the land office records. A previous history has said that Dr. Engle and A. Van Meter settled here just before the Massacre.

In 1S64 Mrs. Minerva Warren, with eight nth. is, came into Preston Lake township. Mrs. Warren erected a house at once, close to Buffalo creek. This was the first house in the township so far as can be learned. None of the nine except Mrs. Warren proved up on their claims. That fall Ensign Chilson built a cabin, believed to be tiie second in the township. At the close of the war came Mrs. Warren's son, F. L. Warren. He was a soldier in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Until he came his mother was alone on her claim. She was gritty, but the fear of the Indians had not yet departed, and in later life she used to tell with relish of the nights when, too excited over Indian stories to sleep, she would patrol her premises with a pitchfork as her only weapon. The Warrens sold out in 1S72. and moved to Angus. Iowa, where Mr. Warren still lives.

William Rosser and family, then consisting of a wife and three children, came from near London, Ontario, and arrived in Preston Lake in the spring of 1S66. The last forty miles of the journey was made by team by way of Henderson and Glencoe. He settled on a farm of 140 acres in the eastern part of the township on the south bank of Preston lake. About the same time came Watkin Eynon and family; David and Robert Allway, father, and families; William Burgess and family; Lorenzo Gilbert and family; E. U. Russell and family.

The nearest postoffice was Glencoe, twenty miles away. The nearest market was Hutchinson, fourteen miles. There was no mail route until some time later, when one was established between Henderson and Lake Lillian, passing through Preston Lake twice a month. The roads in 1S66 were almost impassable, owing to the wet season, and flour at Hutchinson went up to $20 a barrel.

Among others of the very earliest settlers the following families arrived: A. H. Keeks, Thomas Havens, James A. Washburn. Stephen Green, Allison Houck. William Herring, Judson Mann, Frank and Levi Bartlet, William Phare, Henry L. Haws. There were also some transient families who came and went but made no permanent home.

In 1870 and the years following came the families of S. H. Kellogg, Frank Bart- Iett, Adelbert H. Ives, John Borden, Francis Maddock, Charles Wilson, Curtiss Roan. T. L. Richardson, William Kellderhouse, Julius Hemeke, Charles Newcomb. Charles Wilson. Nathan Van Meter. David and Erastus Jenkins, Charles Allen. Dwight Kingsley. Custiss Roan lived on the shores of Buffalo lake, the old fortifications being on his farm. He sold out to John C. Riebe, the original proprietor of Buffalo Lake village.

The grasshopper scourge swept over this vicinity four consecutive years in the early seventies. All crops of small grains were devoured, all that remained to be gathered being potatoes and prairie hay. One year of drouth also caused a failure of crops. The settlers were reduced to the verge of destitution. Some state aid was rendered in the way of furnishing seed grain. One fi ature helped the citizens of Preston Lake and vicinity which di-d not prevail in many other parts of the county. The creeks and lakes abounded in fish. Game of all kinds was plentiful.

About 1*74 a more frequent mail route came into existence and a postoffice called Swansea was established. William Rosser was appointed postmaster. He continued in this position eighteen years. For sixteen vc;irs he was town clerk.

After the Massacre the first school was taught in 1870 by Mary Stone. A public school was organized in 1S75 with Sarah Eynon as teacher. The first marriage was that of Judson Mann and Lucy Haven, in 1S67. The first birth was George, son of R Airway, born in 1S67. The first deaths occurred in 1866; two men who had gone after groceries and mail were found frozen to death; their names were Gozette and Cairne. They were buried near Preston Lake, but later removed to the graveyard south of the Preston Lake school house. It is said that it was snowing when the men started for home and that the people at the store tried to persuade them to postpone the journey. They were found dead less than three miles from their claims. William Reeks, a Baptist preacher, settled in Preston Lake in the early days, but after a while went to Canada, where he died. S. H. Kellogg, a Congregational preacher, lived in the early days in the southeast quarter of section 14. It was his wife who kept the private school which became so widely known. David Chilson, an early settler, lived in section 3. It is told of him that in the early days he captured a buffalo calf in the township and took it to Minneapolis, where he sold it for $50. An old soldier named Hatch was kicked by a mule in the early days as the result of which he died. He owned half a section of land. A cemetery was established in pioneer times near the school house and near Preston lake. This cemetery is still in use. William Rosser gave the deed to the property, the cemetery having been started on his farm. A. F. Jackson in the early days owned a large farm on the shores of Preston lake. It is still the largest farm in the township, though it has been reduced. He ran a lumber yard on the place and it is said that he was unable to pay for all the lumber he purchased, and that for this cause the farm passed into the possession of otuside parties. Mr. Jackson went from here to the Southwest and was a pioneer in the boom days in Oklahoma.

Preston Lake was organized September 7. 1869; it then consisted of Boon Lake and Preston Lake; it has had its present boundaries since September 6. 1S70. The first town meeting was held September 28, 1869, at the home of William Phare. in charge of Hiram H. Davis. George Reeks and M. C. Russell. It resulted as follows: Supervisors, E. U. Russell (chairman). William Rosser and Ira S. Sheppard; Hiram H. Davis, clerk; James A. Washburn, treasurer; G. A. Gifford and Allison Houck. justices; Judson L. Mann and William Herring, constables. Ten votes were cast. Each officer elected received a unanimous vote with the exception of Judson L. Mann. He

< i ived nine votes, the tenth going to Robert Alway. This town is fortunate in that it has the minutes of this first meeting and of all the meetings since then, thus covering a period of 46 years.

The township has a halL built in 1900 and located in the village of Buffalo Lake. The voters of the village are included in the poll list of the township. At present there are about 300 voters in the township, including those in the village. The present town officers are: Supervisors. G. H. Werner (chairman), August Simons and Gustav Koebnick: clerk. Frank Wallner; treasurer, John Quast; assessor, William D. Wallner; justice of the peace, H. F. Moede; constable, Claus Grelk.

The first personal property assessment of Preston Lake township, 115-31, was made in 1S72. Those assessed were: H. F. Bartlett. Thomas E. Chilson, H. H. Davis, James Edwards, Stephen Greene, Allison Houck, Lucy M. Havens, Elijah Houck, Henry L. Haws, R. A. Ives. S. H. Kellogg, George Maddock, Francis Maddock, William Rosser, James A. Washburn.