Judson Township

Judson Township

Named by Eobert Patterson, in honor of the ;reat Baptist Missionary. The history of this own has been mostly covered in the general listory of the county. Its first settlers were Chester D. Hill, John Eandolf and Eev. John K. Tidland, who came to the old townsite of Eureka, with H. Kaywood in the summer of L853, and located upon claims in Judson bottom. They were followed the next year by Gustaf Johnson, Peter- Olson, Chas. Youngberg, John Beckman, Oscar P. and Francis 0. Winnerstrand, John Goodwin, Eobert Patterson, Wm. Irving, Calvin Webb, John Jones, (Oshkosh), and Lucius 0. Hunt. All settled ifi Judson bottom except Hunt, Webb and Jones. In 1855, came Chas. Eundquist, Gustaf Peterson, Andrew and John Johnson, Nils Nilson, C. S. Terry, and others whose names we did not learn, who settled in the bottom. In April,

1855, came Humphrey Jones, Thos. Y. Davis, Wm. C. Williams, Wm. Jenkins, Wm. Jones, John Watkins, and others, who located along the timber in the Jerusalem neighborhood. In June and July of the same year came Hugh Edwards with his sons, Hugh H., John and Daniel Edwards, and David Evans, Wm. J. Eoberts and Eowland W. Price and settled along Minneopa Creek. In the summer and fall of 1855, Owen Eoberts, Henry Hughes, David T. Davis and Eev. William Williams arrived in the Jerusalem neighborhood : and in

1856, came Benjamin Lewis, David and Edward Dackins, David J. Eees, Anthony J. Crisp, Wm. M. Crisp, Thos. E, Evans, Samuel Pease, Samuel H. Foster and others who made claims in the same neighborhood. In the Carmel neighborhood located in 1856, Evan Williams and his son Wm. E. Williams, and Evan Davis.

The town was made an election precinct on April 8, 1856, and a town on May 11, 1858, at which time the following officers were chosen: Supervisors, Eobt. Patterson Chr., Wm. Jenkins and A. J. Crisp: Clerk, T. E. Coulson; Assessor, W. H. Thurston; Collector, J. A. Tidland; Overseer of the poor, Gustaf Johnson; Justice, J. 0. Eobinson; Constable, D. Eeed; Road Overseer, L. 0. Hunt.

December 10, 1856, the "townsite of "Judson" was laid out by Eobert Patterson and John Goodwin on portions of sections 3, 4, 33, and 34 in Judson Bottom. A saw Mill was built that fall by Henry Fowler, E. Patterson and John Goodwin, which the next year was sold to Cephas S. Terry, who added a small grist mill. In the spring of 1857, Andrew Friend was employed by Mr. Terry to help run the mill, in which employment he continued until 1864, when he removed to Garden City.. The mill had now been bought by Keene & Whitcomb, and in June, 1866, it burned. Stores were built there by Mr. Terry and T. E. Coulson. Mr. Coulson, also, kept a small hotel. A postoffice was started in 1856, kept by John Goodwin. The first school in the town was taught in the winter of 1857, by Miss Jannette Jenkins (the late Mrs. Jannette Jones of Mankato). It was kept in a vacant log buildTng near Coulson's store. In 1858, a joint stock company purchased of Mr. Coulson a large frame building for $800 to start therein "Judson Academy." The school was put in charge of Eev. J. E. Ash, a young Baptist preacher from Illinois, whose wife had charge of the music department. After one year, Mr. and Mrs. Ash removed to Mankato and the Academy failed. In 1859, Judson village contained about thirty houses. About 1860, Anthony J. Crisp built him a neat frame house and barn on the farm now owned by Joseph Eoberts, and opened a bmall country store. A postoffice was located there called "Crisp's Store," in charge of Mr. Crisp. It continued until the Crisp family moved away after the close of the Civil war. The first school in District 99 was taught in 1860, by Mr. Crisp in his own house.

In August, 1867, Fredrick K. Jones purchased two acres in the southwest quarter of Section 6, about a quarter of a mile west of Crisp's store, and built thereon a store, which he conducted for two years and then sold the lot and building to Eev. P. Peregrine. About 1858, Robert Goodyear started a nursery on Section 12 of Judson, which he conducted for several years.

in the spring of 1863, by Cap't. Skaro's Company. In January, 1868, J. G. Fowler and Bro. opened a second general store at the village, but after a year or two both Fowler and Coulson stores moved away and the village fell into decay. For many years thereafter, Borie Sanstrom kept a small store there on the river bank. Soon after the Indian outbreak the Judson postoffice was removed to the house of Eev. Wm. Williams, where it remained until March, 1877, when W. S. Wolfe was appointed postmaster instead of Eev. Williams, who had resigned. The postmasters since have bfeen:

The first birth in the town was that of Griffith Boberts, son of Wm. J. Eoberts in August, 1J55. The first marriage was that of William C. Williams and Hannah Williams, celebrated on Christmas day, 1855. The second marriage was probably that of E. T. Eoberts to Margaret Edwards, daughter of Hugh Edwards, in June, 1856. The first sermon was probably preached by Eev. Jenkin Jenkins on Oct. 14, 1855, at the house of John Watkins, when the first church in the town was organized. The organization later moved into Cambria township and is now laiown as the "Salem Congregational Church."-

July 11, 1858, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized at the house of Owen Eoberts on the farm now owned by Humphrey J. Eoberts, by Eev. David Davis, assisted by Evan Evans. The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Owen Eoberts, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. C. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Eichard B. Davis. Later the church adopted the name "Jerusalem." The services were held in private houses until the spring of 1865, when a log church was erected. During 1870-1 the present edifice was built, and in March, 1871, Eev. Wm. Jones became its first settled pastor, which position he held until 1891, with an intermission of four and one-half years. Since 1892, the church has been, joined in a circuit with Lake Crystal under the pastorship of Eev. D. Edwards. The legal incorporation of the church occurred at the log building on June 13, 1870, when the following trustees were elected: Owen Eoberts, Jabez Lloyd and John W. Eoberts. Since 1870, until of late years, the Annual Synod or conference of the Welsh Cal. Meth. Churches of this state has been held in connection with this church, usually in June of each year, and at a grove on the farm of Humphrey J. Eoberts.

In 1858, Eev. J. E. Ash' organized a Baptist church in Judson village. Among the members were Eobert Patterson, John Goodwin, Eev. Wm. Williams, Morris Lewis, John Eees, Geo. Smith and others. After Eev. Ash left, the church was ministered to by Eev. Williams and Mr. Miller for a time, but for some years during the Indian trouble it suspended. About 1867, and 1868 it met again in school house No. 6, and on March 15, 1871, incorporated at the house of John Goodwin, when John Eees, Abel Keene and B. P. Muzzy were elected trustees. The church disbanded in Nov., 1882, and a number of the members joined the Baptistchurch of Lake Crystal.

In the summer of 1867, a Sunday school was started at the house of Wm. D. - Jones in the eastern part of Judson, which on the building of school house No. 75 was moved thereto. Here a church was organized on August 29, 1869, by Eev. Wm. Eoberts. The charter members were: Wm. D. Jones, and wife, Evan Davis and wife, Hugh D. Hughes and wife, Eev. Wm. Eoberts and wife, Watkin H. Jones and wife, Cornelins Jones and wife, Moses Jones, Mrs. Eobert S. Pritchard, Mrs. Eobert Jones, Mrs. Ellen Griffiths, Mrs. Mary Hughes, Mrs. John J. Griffiths, Mrs. Thos. C. Charles, Mrs. John Edwards, Mrs. David J. Williams, Mrs. Humphery E. Jones, Mrs. Joshua Wigley, Mrs. Thos. D. Williams, Mrs. E. E. Jones, Mrs. Wm. H. Hughes and Mrs. John P. Jones. Evan Williams was its first Elder. The church incorporated as "The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church of Carmel" on March 3, 1874, when the following persons were chosen trustees : Thos. C. Charles, Evan Williams and Edward Wigley. That summer the present church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,700. Eev. E. P. Jones of Mankato was its first pastor. It has generally been attached to Mankato and Zion for pastoral purpose. As noted before a split occurred in the Cal. Meth. Churches of our County in 1865, and one wing Joined the Presbyterian Church. Soon after this a church of that denomination was formed at the house of Wm. C. Williams and services held there and in the house of E. Eowlands, and in school house No. 1, until the erection of a fine new chapel in 1870, on the center of the east line of Section 17. This church was incorporated at a meeting held in school house No. 37, Peb. 14, 1870, and the following trustees elected : John W. James, Wm. E. Jones, Eobt. Pugh, Wm. J. Jones and Wm. Jenkins. The Elders were Eowland E. Pritchard and Eichard Eowlands. Eev. Eichard W. Jones was the pastor of this church for a few years. It disbanded about 1879.

In the fifties the M. E. Church held services in Judson and on Nov. 2.5, 1859, the church was incorporated by Eev. E. T. Eichardson, preacher in charge of Eureka Circuit, appointing the following persons trustees : Anthony J. Crisp, Wm. A. Jones, Cephas S. Terr}', A. H. Crisp and Wm. H. Thurston. Services were conducted at the home of A. J. Crisp and at Judson village at intervals for some years.

The Swedish Lutherans began holding religious services quite early in Judson Bottom. For many years they maintained a good Sunday school in the school house of which John P. Johnson was, for a time, superintendent. This church incorporated and a neat house of worship erected in 1905, at Judson Tillage.

In 1899, the Chicago & Northwestern Bailway built a short line from Mankato to New IJlm through Judson and a new towhsite called "Judson" was laid out near the location of the ancient village. A neat depot was erected there. A grain elevator, two stores and blacksmith shop were built the same summer. These with the postoffice, Swedish Church, Creamery and a few residences make a small village. Eobert G. James and Wm. ]\Lison were the first storekeepers. In April, 1902, Henry Fuller purchased Mr. Mason's store and in 1905, W. W. Jenkins bought out both James and FulleS, In 1904, a bridge was constructed over the Minnesota river at Judson village.

A portion of the village of Lake Crystal is located within the southern boundary of Judson. In 1906, a railway station and wheat elevator were located on Minneopa Creek near the center of Section 23, called Cray.

Originally a part of Jamestown, but made a separate town by action of the County Commissioners, January 4, 1860. Named "Lake" at first, but June 11, 1860, changed to "Tivoli" and on September 5th. of the same year, to "Le Bay" at the suggestion of Wm. D. Cole, after a town in New York from which he hacl come. In its native state the entire town was covered with a dense forest of fine timber. Large portions of lakes Madison and Eagle lie within its northern border, and the outlet of both lakes form two small brooks, which after traversing across the town, empty into the Le- Sueur, not far from its southwestern corner. Indian, Alice, Byron and Mud Lakes form a

The first settlers came in 1856, among whom were : Alexander and James Douglass, Geo. Adam Beiries, Eobert Haslip, Arthur A. Steward, Wm., Geo. L., Albert and Robert P. Turner, Henry B. Lang, M. D. MdSTamara, Wm. D. Cole, George Chapman, Geo. W., Jacob L., John M., and James T. Burgess, Geo. Bennett, Patrick Madigan, Wm. J\Iorris, David Davis, Thos. E. Davis, Eev. Elias Clark, Wm. Gilfillan, Arvad C. Johnson, Conrad Schogll, Joel Cloud, Joseph Titus, Joseph M. Metter, Geo. F. Lill, Jerome Weatherby and Alvin P. Eeynolds. The next year came Henry Eobertson, John Cummins and Horace Cummins. Other early settlers were August Glockzin, Michael Silke, Nicholas Frederick. Geo. F. Sower, John Urlich, Jerome Dane, E. G. Wood, John Waggoner, and Ira B. Eeynolds.

Among the primal things, it is claimed that the first birth was that of Geo. F. Burgess on March 13, 1857. The first marriage, iVlbert Turner to Miss Adaline Cummins, solemnized,- June, 1859, by Elder Small. The first death, Mrs. A. A. Steward in the fall of 1858, and the first . school taught by iliss Hannah Haslip in a log claim shanty on Section 18, about 1859. The average attendance was about fourteen. The first town officers elected in January, 1860 were : Supervisors, Wm. D. Cole, Chr., John Cummins and Geo. A. Beiries; Clerk, Arvad C. Johnson; Treasurer, Jerome Dane; Justices, Jerome Dane and J. L. Burgess; Constables, Geo. Bennett and Isaac Turner. This election was held at Wm. D. Cole's house on the farm now owned by Nicholas Frederick, and thirty-one votes were cast. The first postoffice was established in 1870 and called "Spier" at the suggestion of Geo. A. Beiries after his home in Germany, and Freeman A. Cate was appointed postmaster. In Dec. 1873, the name was changed to Eagle Lake and Henry Bossard became postmaster. He had a small store near Eagle Lake station.

Naturally in a timber town, lumber and wood soon became one of its chief industries. In 1864, J. Sylvester Burgess and Thomas Burgess purchased of McNutt of Judson, a steam circular saw mill of 15,000 feet capacity, and removed it to their farm on the west line of Le Bay. Here in February, 1867, the Burgess Bros, opened a small store.

In 1870, the Winona and St. Peter Eailroad was built through Le Bay, and in Nov. 1873, Eagle Lake was platted by Freeman A. Cate on a portion of his farm. The Burgess Bros, sold their saw mill early in the seventies to Henry Simons, who after two or three years moved it to near the outlet of Eagle Lake, whence it was taken to Tennessee in 1883. In the fall of 1871, Woodham and Harrison Burgess built a grist mill at the Junction of Eagle Lake Creek with Madison Lake Creek, about a mile south of the village. Three or four years later Burgess & Pickle became its owners, and shortly thereafter the firm changed to Cate & Pickle. In the fall of 1873, Morse Bros, built a waterpower saw mill near the mouth of Madison Lake Creek. In 1876, Smith, Kingsley & Cornwell, built a saw mill at Eagle Lake, which the next year was purchased by Allen Moon, who sold it to Selleck and Peck. Chas. F. Stokes, in the summer of 1873, erected a saw mill at Smith's Mill which has been in operation until recent years. We can not even enumerate all the many mill operators of Le Eay. J. D. Humiston, Mc- Beth Bros., Fred Gilfillen, A. B. Hough, B. Gerlich, Gilfillen and several others were engaged in the industry during the past years. In 1893, Horace Cummins built a saw mill at Eagle Lake, using the same engine, which had belonged to the old saw mill of Geo. W. Lay at Mankato. In 1890, Horace Cummins and Wm. McBeth, having bought the Woodham grist mill at the junction of the two creeks, moved it to Eagle Lake and remodeled it as a steam roller mill, increasing its capacity from 35 to 135 barrels per day. In 1893, they sold this mill to J. D. Humiston who, after operating it for twelve years, disposed of it to Gordon Bros., the present owners, who have increased the capacity to 250 barrels per day. In 1877, Elwin Merrill erected a planing mill at Eagle Lake, which after three years burned. In 1885, Miner and Cummins put up a planing mill at the same place, which was operated about twenty years.

In NoT.,^ 1874, the townsite of Lake Eagle was platted adjoining Eagle Lake by James H. Steward and Walter L. Breckenridge. The village is mostly built on this townsite, but it retained the name of the first townsite. In August, 1873, a depot was built. It is said' the first store was kept by Mr. Texley in a log shanty in 1871, and was mainly to supply the railway builders. H. C. & T. E. Burgess started the first permanent store in 1873. Then came W. W. Phelps, who opened a general store about 1874. He was made postmaster in 1875, and held the office fourteen years. Early in 1876, 'W'. J. Allyn opened a hardware, and soon afterwards consolidated with Phelps under the name of Phelps & Allyn. Then came Daniel Selleck, who later was of the firm of Selleck & Peck. (t. W. Braden started alone, but later formed a partnership with- J. J. Haggard as Braden & Haggard. Horace Cummins built first elevator in 1875. In 1882, he built a large octag'pn store, thirty-three feet in diameter and started in the mercaiitile business. Other pioneer merchants were: H. C. Burgess, general store, Wells & Mynard, and John and Geo. Burgess, drug stores. Mynard & Levi and Isaac Eedner, blacksmiths; J. S. Stevens, harness maker; H. C. Bullis and Wm. Gilfillan, wagon makers, A. H. Presnall, prop, of hall, E. Buckley and A. F. Hilton hotels. In 1886, J. J. Haggard became postmaster and served until 1889, when he was succeeded by Cap't. Jerome Dane. A cheese factory was started here in 1889, by Mr. Hnderhill. Among the other prominent merchants have been: J. A. Ewing, E. D. Fisher, C. D. Cook, Chas. Howard and P. H. Kelly. Horace Cummins, A. H. Presnall and J. D. Morris are at present engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1897, E. M. Presnall was appointed postmaster and the present incumbent A. H. Presnall succeeded him in 1900.

The first newspaper was the "Eagle Lake Golden Prize," started by A. H. Wheeler in January, 1874. It suspended in May, 1875. Sept. 1, 1877. A. M. Morrison (now of the Mankato Journal) and Wesley J. Clark, purchased the old printing outfit of the "Prize" from H.

Cummins and started the "Eagle Lake Independent." In 1879, Mr. Morrison removed the press to Canby. July 30, 1897, "The Eagle Lake News" was started by F. A. Swayne, who was succeeded in 1899, by - C. H. Brown. In September of the same year, JI. H. Galer purchased the paper and later it was published by H. Cummins & Son.

Eagle Lake has three churches. The Methodist Episcopal, Christian and Advent. The M. E. Church traces its beginning to prayer meetings started by Hattie Britt in 1864. Ira B. Eeynolds took hold of the work in 1865, and helped to keep the good cause alive. Rev. J. W. Powell became its first pastor in the fall of 1867. The services were held in school houses and in halls at Eagle Lake until 1879, when a church building was put up and occupied that fall, though not completed until 1884. The edifice is 30x50 feet and cost $1,350 besides the steeple which was built later. The dedication occurred Feb. 17, 1884. Besides Eev. Powell, Eevs. C. D. Cook and N. B. Foot were especially identified with the work of this church. The legal incorporation occurred Mar. 24, 1875, when Elder G. W. Wright appointed the following trustees: Thos. Eeeves, Abraham Snyder, Henry A. Simmons, Daniel Selleck, and James Shields. Others, who were prominent in building the house of worship were: I. B. Eeynolds, W. W. Phelps, H. Cummins, A. H. Pressnall, A. A. l\riner, W. H. Allyn and J. J. Haggard. The church is still in a flourishing condition. The Christian Cliurch had its beginning on the advent of the Burgess family to the town in 1856. In December of that year a church was formed with sixteen members, the most of them belonging to that prominent family. Eev. J. M. Harris was their first pastor. As soon as the village started, their place of worship was reijioved- there. April 22, 1S7 7, they became leyally incorporated under Eev. Wm. Burgess as pastor. S. M. Morrison and E. jST. Pressnall presided at the meeting and the first trustees elected were : James jM. Schwartz, Edwin Johnson and Pythogaras Wilson. Their church edifice was erected in 1879.

Iitstoey Op Blue Eaeth Cottnty

four members. In 1876, they pushed their work with great vigor. Monster camp meetings were held by the distinguished Elder White and many converts made. Its first board of trustees were Allen Moon, David Alway and Jeremiah Moon. In March, 1883, they purchased and removed to Eagle Lake, a church which had been built in Tinkcom's addition, Mankato. It is a frame structure 24x40 feet. Though weakened by removals, the church is still quite strong.

The town has always been very active along temperance lines and a good Templar's lodge existed at one time with a membership of over 200. With the exception of one or two years, the saloons have been forbidden to enter its boundary.

As we have already stated in July, 1873, Chas. E. Stokes located on the north shore of Lake Alice, just where the ISTorthwestern Eailway crossed the east line of the county, and built there a sawmill. The same fall Peter P. Smith built another saw mill at the same point, but on the Waseca side of the line. A railway switch was put in, and the place went under the name of Smith's Mill. In 1875, P. P. Eice built the first store on the Waseca side of the line. In July, 1876, a townsite was platte(i called "Iscomo," but the old name could not be changed. P. P. Smith built the second store in June, 1876. A postoffice was started at the residence of Henry Lane about 1876. In October, 1879, Chas. P. Stokes became postmaster and was succeeded in Sept., 1882, by Michael J. Eyan who had opened a small store on the Blue Earth County side of the line. In July, 1886, C. E. Giblin became postmaster and was succeeded in Mar., 1890, by A. L. Lane. A depot was built in the fall of 1883. In 1886, an M. E. Church was erected on the Blue Earth County side of the line. "The German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation of U. A. C. at Smith's Mill" was incorporated Fov. 14, 1892, by the following persons.

About 1878, John and Andrew Anderson located on the east bank of Eagle Lake and they were followed by a number of other Scandinavians. About 1900, religious services were started among them at the Hill School house by the Swedish Lutheran minister from Mankato, and a Sunday School was maintained, of which John Anderson was Superintendent.

On Section 29 of Le Eay is located the only spring of mineral water in the county, known^ as the "Morse Mineral Springs." Its virtues were known to the Indians and the Winnebago medicine man, Baptiste, made use of it in the early days. The medicinal qualities of the spring were first discovered and utilized by the whites about 1889. A stock company was formed and the water has since been handled by ISTick Peterson of Mankato.

Iiistoey Of Blue Eaeth Couxty Lime

Lime, like Jamestown, is a half township. The Minnesota Eiver forms its western boundary and about one half of the town is embraced in its Talley. Here are found the largest and best stone quarries in the county. The famous Klondike and McMullen quarries are within its borders. The eastern half of the town projects into the "Big Woods." The town is said to derive its name from some lime kilns which were the first built in the county. In the eastern end of the town lies lake "Wita" (an Indian name signifying "Island"). There are two large islands in the lake, one of which contains about three acres of land, and the other about two acres. The town was about the earliest settled. James Eablin is claimed to have been the first settler. He located with his family on Section 32 in July, 1852. Among the settlers of 1853, were Evans Goodrich, Jared Lewis, Hiram J. Puller, 0. S. Eedfield, Eobert Wardlaw, William Wood, Henry Goodrich and Chris. Eoos. In 1854, came Peter Schulte, Prank Borghineier, Henry Vahle, Morton Laflin, John H. Menne, Edmund Buckley and John Henderson. In 1855, came Daniel Campbell, Prank Henline, Edward Young, Philip Patten, John G. Sanger and David J. Steel. In 1856, a large number of settlers came, among whom were : John Eausch, Geo. A. Schaefer, John Hamilton, Nicholas Heinzman, Frederick Heinze, Sebastian Pfeffer, Philip Mueller, Jacob Traub, Jos. Haas, Jacob Hub, Patrick DufFy, Wm. H. Chapman, BcnJ. W. Stannard and Nicholas Sanger.

The first birth in the town was John Eablin, n son of Mr. and Mrs. Eablin, born in 1853. The first death was that of J. W. Parnham in the spring of 1856. The first school was taught by Eev. B. Y. Coffin in the winter of 1857-8, in a vacant log cabin on the west side of Section 29, and east of the old Mankato and Mendota road, in present District No. 44. This building was used for two or three terms, when the District bought the log cabin of David Steel, which served the purpose of school house until the fall of 1875. when a brick edifice was erected, 24x36. In the big wind-storm of July 5, 1880, this building was badly wrecked.

About 1871, Chas. Porster put up a saw mill at the North end of Eagle Lake, which was burnt in the fall of 1873, but again rebuilt and operated by Mr. Porster for many years.

In the winter of 1878-9 a terrible epidemic of diphtheria prevailed in the eastern part of the town. In less than a year about forty-five deaths occured mostly among about fifteen families. The families of John Miller, John Krell, Jos. Lunkenheimer, John Bushina and Gustavo Oehler were especially afflicted.

Originally Lime was a part of Kasota precinct and in 1855, became for nearly a year a part of LeSueur County. Eestored to Blue Earth County in 1856, it was created into a separate township in April, 1858. The chairman of its first Board of Supervisors was, Evans Goodrich.

Pour lines of railways pass through the town - The C. St. P. M. & 0. Ey., the C. & N. W. Ey., C. & G. W. Ey., and the C. St. P. & M. By. The stone quarry industry of the town has been greatly developed during the last twenty years and gives employment to several hundred men. There are three school houses in the town, and a fourth belonging to a joint district just across the north line. The Eural Free Delivery was 'inaugurated in the fall of 1900, and a farmers telephone line put in about 1904.

The first settler in Lincoln was Archibald Law, who came from near Janesville, Wis., and located with his family on portions of the westerly halves of Sections 30 and 31 in June 1855. He was followed on July 10, of the same year by Isaac Slocum, father of Chas. E. Slocum now of Madelia, who settled with his family on the southwest one-fourth of Section 31. Dr. Jos. C. Tibbie arrived with the Slocum family on Nov. 17, 1855, and located on parts r-.i Sections 19 and 20. They were from Ripon, Wis. In the spring of 1856, came Conrad Stultz and settled in Section 18. Early in the summer of 1857, Alfred and Smith Keech came with their families to Section 32. In the fall of 1857, Isaac Bundy and his son, Willis G. Bundy, located claims in Sections 30 and 20 and returning to their old homes in Beloit, Wis., brought their families to Lincoln the next spring.

There was hardly any further settlement made until after the close of the war, when the Norwegians and Swedes began settling in the town. During 1864-5-6 the Norwegians commenced to occupy the north part of the town. Among those who came then were; Capt. E. P. Lieberg, Knute Halvorson, Matthew Simon, Ole' Soren, Herman Olson, Ole Olson (Skilewag), Nels Torgerson, John Hustroft, Jacob Jacobson, Hogan Nelson, Kittle Rasmussen, John C. Johnson and Fred Johnson. The latter came from Batavia, Wis. in 1866, and still resides on his homestead in Section 4.

County, Minn, and took claims in the southeastern part of Lincoln. The following year came Peter M. Peterson, Swen Martinson, Andrew Granlund, Swen Bergtson and Swen and Peter Swenson, also from near Carver. In 1867, came Rev. .John Erickson, Andrew Erickson, Jonas P. Johnson and Aug. W. Johnson. These formed the nucleus of the present Swedish Baptist settlement of Lincoln. During this same period came the American families of . Chas. E. TenEyck, John W. Trask, N. W. Conger, David Quinn, Richard B. Sprague, C. D. Halloway, A. H. Fairbanks, William Roberts and M. H. Miller.

The town was designated '^Richfield" on April 6, 1858, and on the 16th of the same month the name was changed to "Fox Lake" (See Ceresco). Sept. 6, 1865, the County Commissioners separated the town from Ceresco, to which it had heretofore been attached, and made it into an independent town under the name of "Lincoln," after the great War President. The first town election was held September 26, 1865, at the home of John W. Trask, when the following .officers were chosen: Supervisors, Isaac Slocum, Chr., S. D. Halloway and Isaac Bundy; clerk, J. W. Trask; treasurer, J. C. Tibbie; justices, Albert Keech and Wm. Roberts; constables, A. H. Fairbanks and M. H. Miller. The first school was taught by Henry Goff in the winter of 1862-3 in a log building which Isaac Slocum had built for a shop. It lasted only two months and there were fifteen scholars in attendance. The first school district was No. 15, v/hich was organized about 1859, and a log school house built about 1866-7. Sept. 1, 1866, school district No. 85 was organized on petition of E. P. Lieberg and others. The first officers were Capt. E. P. Lieberg, Ole Soren and John C. Johnson. A small log school house was erected in the spring of 1871, on Section 8. The first school in this district was taught by Miss Mary Plymat of Garden City. A good frame school house was built later. In 1870 a school house was built in district 119, and in the summer of 1873, a brick school .house, 20x30 feet was erected in district 67 to replace the old log building. About- 1880, this brick edifice was wrecked by a storm;

History Of Blub Earth Couaty

In November^ 186 a new postofiice called "Iceland" was established in Lincoln with Daniel Qumn as postmaster. In Aug., 1869, Mr. Quinn resigned and A. H. Fairbanks succeeded him as keeper of the U. iS. mail.

The Swedish people under Rev. John A. Peterson began holding religious services shortly after their arrival in the spring of 1866. In 1868, a Swedish iiaptist CHurcn was organized by Rev. Peterson witn twenty-live members. For some time this society worshiped in private houses, but as soon as the school house in district No. 119 was built in 1870, the services were removed thitlier. in A'ovember, 1873, Rev. John A. Peterson resigned to accept a Uaptist Church in Minneapolis and Rev. John Erickson took charge of tlie Lincoln Church. June 16, 1876, the church was incorporated by the election of the following trustees: Mons Peterson, And. Swenson, A. Grunlund, A. Erederickson and A. P. Erickson. In 1881, a very tasty frame church was erected on the southeast corner of Andrew Simonson's land, in the center of Section a6. The church membership has ranged between 60 and 70.

The Norwegians were, also, a religious people and belonged almost entirely to the Lutheran faith. The first services were conducted at private houses, until the erection of the log school house in District 85, when they were held there, and in tlie present frame school building, until the house of worship was erected in 1894. Rev. Nels Olsen was among the first to preach in the neighborhood. The first meeting for organization was held at the house of Peter Langen in Section 3, on Aug. 37, 1876, when the following persons were chosen trustees: Peter Langen, Wm. Peterson and E. Thomson. The name then adopted was "The Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Church of Butternut Valley." Three years later at a meeting in the house of Herman Olson the name was amended by adding thereto, "and Lincoln." Again at a business meeting of the church held Nov. 6, 1882, at the log school house No. 85, new articles &f incorporation were adopted, with Sivert Kelley, Erland Lindso and Erland Kelley as trustees, Ered and Nels Johnson as witnesses.

and the name selected was "The Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Church of Lincoln." June 9, 1883, Herman H. Olson gave the congregation a deed for two acres of land in the southeast corner of the southwest one-fourth of the southwestone-fourth of Section 5 for a cemetery and building site. Here a fine church edifice was erected in 1894, costing about $1,800. About 1883, Rev. N. Heggerness became the pastor and officiated about five years. Other ministers have been. Revs. Christian Solensten, S. Romsdahl, S. A. Nelson, J. H. Brono, A. Houkom and Johan Matson. The first parochial school in connection with this church was started in private houses about 1871. The first teacher was Erick Swene. Since that time the school has usually been taught by students from Augsburg Seminary of Minneapolis. Of late years this school has been held at school house No. 85 for two months after the close of the public school.

When the St. Paul and Sioux City Ry. was extended westward from Lake Crystal in 1870, a way station, with side track and platform, was located near the east line of Section 7, Lincoln. A telegraph office was put in later. The station was called Iceland, until 1906, when the name was changed to Perth. A farmers co-operative creamery was built in 1890, in Section 15, with Wm. Kittlespn as the first buttermaker. A rural mail route was established in 1900, from Lake Crystal, and a farmers telephone line was built from Madelia in 1904. 'L'o sum up, Lincoln has five school houses, two fine churches, one railroad with telegraph station, a creamery, two rural free delivery routes and two telephone lines.