Lamberton Township

Lamberton Township

Lamberton township is located on the south border of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 109-37. It is bounded on the north by Waterbury, on the east by Charlestown, on the south by Cottonwood county, and on the west by North Hero. The Cottonwood river crosses it near the northcentral part, flowing in a southeasterly direction. Two small creeks flow northward into the Cottonwood. The "Winona-Tracy division of the Chicago and Northwestern passes westward through the center of this township. The surface is rolling. The only village is Lamherton. There are three school houses. The predominating nationality is German and American.

The original survey of this township was made during 1859, by M. Black, TJ. S. deputy surveyor, work having been begun on July 28, 1859. The land was generally first class and rolling. Colonel Noble's wagon road entered this township in section 12. It ran west, southwest, northwest and then nearly straight west. There were a few small trees and also some marshes along the creeks and streams.

Beginning with March 2, 1868, the west part of this township was included in Yellow Medicine township, and after Yellow Medicine county was organized March 6, 1871, was considered a part of Redwood Falls township, together with the eastern part, which in the meantime has been considered a part of Redwood Falls township since the organization of Redwood county. When Charlestown was created May 3, 1872, it included the present township of Lamberton. Lamberton township was created by the county commissioners, May 3, 1872.

The History of the Minnesota Valley, published in 1882, says : "The first settler was J. F. Bean, who came in July, 1864, and located a claim in section 25. He brought his family out in December, 1866, and lived in the town but a few years, when he sold out and went away. The next settler was M. B. Abbett, who came in the fall of 1869 and located in section 24, where he lived nntil the past fall, when having been elected sheriff of the county, he moved into Redwood Falls.

"In October, 1872, Praxel & Schandera erected a small building in section 20 and on the south side of the railroad and near what is known as Cottonwood Crossing. They put in a stock of goods and had quite a trade which they conducted until 1874, when they moved to the present site of Lamberton. Charlestown postoffice was established in 1873, and located at their store, with A. A. Praxel as postmaster. He resigned when they moved their store, and G. L. Wagner was appointed. He held the office about two years when it was discontinued."

"The first election was held April 1, 1874, at W. W. Kelly's warehouse. The judges of election were, J. H. Abbett, H. Small, George Porter. The clerks were William Johnson and W. W. Kelly. The following officers were elected : J. H. Abbett, chairman ; Hiram Small and John Pierce, supervisors ; W. E. Golding, clerk; William Johnson, assessor; M. B. Abbett, treasurer; J. E. Libby and P. L. Pierce, justices, and Albert Small, constable.

"The Congregational society began holding services in 1875, in Mr. Kelly's warehouse. In 1877 an organization was effected under the ministry of the Rev. Leonard Moses. The present pastor is Rev. George Holden, and services are conducted weekly. The Catholics held services as early as 1876, but no organization has been effected, and services are conducted irregularly. The Methodists began holding services in the spring of 1879 ; the minister was Rev. John Gimson. An organization was effected the following summer with about six members. The present pastor is the Rev. J. H. Harrington, of Sleepy Eye, who conducts services once in four weeks. A frame church was partially built during the summer of 1880."

Charlestown township is located in the southeast corner of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 109-36. It is bounded on the north by Willow Lake, on the east by Brown county, on the south by Cottonwood county, and on the west by Lamberton. The Cottonwood river flows eastwardlv through its southern part. The surface is rolling prairie. The Sanborn- Vesta branch of the Chicago and North Western crosses it from north to south in a northwesterly direction and the Winona-Tracy division of the Chicago and North Western passes from the southeast corner to the west-central corner. The village of Sanborn is located near the southeast corner. The trading centers are Lamberton and Sanborn in Redwood county, and Springfield in Brown county. There are four schoolhouses. The predominating nationality is German.

The original survey was begun Aug. 2, 1858, and finished Aug- 5, 1858, by James L. Nowlin, U. S. deputy surveyor. The quality of this land was very good with the exception of some bluffs along the creeks, some low bottom lands and a few marshes. It was all fit for cultivation. The general appearance of the land was rolling prairie. The Cottonwood and small streams that were found, skirted by timber, gave the land additional advantage and a fine appearance. No surface stones, nor springs, nor appearance of minerals of any kind were found. The water in the creeks was pure and fit for use. Colonel Noble's wagon road from Fort Ridgley to the South Pass of the Rocky mountains, passed east and west across the northern part of this township. There were also two other wagon roads, being in the central part of this township.

was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Charlestown was created May 3, 1872, and an election ordered to be held at the home of A. Kenton, May 20, 1872. The township then included the present townships of Charlestown and Lamberton. Lamberton was set off and created March 12, 1874, leaving Charlestown with its present boundaries. The creation of Charlestown with its present boundaries was reaffirmed Jan. 7, 1880.

The History of the Minnesota Valley, published in 1884, says : "It was named for Charles Porter, the first settler; he arrived in 1864 and took a claim on section 31. His daughter, Lillie, born Nov. 14, 1868, was the first birth. In November, 1868, George L. and John "Wagner, William Goehring and Gotlieb Jacobs settled in the town.

"Rev. August Kenter, a German Lutheran, held the first religious services in the spring of 1869. The society was formed the next summer with eight members, and in 1878 a church was built on section 26, costing $400, and there are thirty members. The Allbright Brethren of Evangelical Methodists held services in 1870, and have a church in connection with members in Cottonwood county.

"The first town meeting was held May 25, 1872. Officers elected : J. G. Wagner, chairman ; John Mondy and Henry Neeb, supervisors ; G. L. Wagner, clerk ; George Huhnergarth, assessor ; John Yaeger, treasurer; William Goehring and Charles Porter, justices; Melville Abbett and William Heidlauff, constables."

Yellow Medicine township was the first township created in Redwood county. It was created Sept. 4, 1866, and embraced everything in the county west of the range line between ranges 37 and 38. It thus included the townships of Underwood, Vesta, Westline, Granite Rock, Gales, Johnsonville, Springdale and North Hero in what is now Redwood county, and all the present counties of Yellow Medicine, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln and Lyon. The first election was to be held at the home of John Winter, who lived on the Yellow Medicine river. It was to be in charge of D. P. Lister, George S. Johnson and J. A. White. All this vast tract was constituted school district No. 3. March 2, 1868, all the west half of range 37, lying in this county, was added to Yellow Medicine township. This took in the west halves of

From the very beginning it was generally understood that all area not otherwise organized was included in Redwood Falls township. Therefore, as soon as Yellow Medicine county was organized, March 6, 1871, all the area left in Redwood county that had previously been included in Yellow Medicine township was generally understood to be in Redwood Falls township until the various townships were created from its territory. In the meantime, however, Sheridan had been organized from Yellow Medicine township before Yellow Medicine county was cut off.

"When Redwood county extended to the western boundary of the state, the creation of the townships in the present counties of Yellow Medicine, Lac qui Parle, Lyon and Lincoln was under the control of the commissioners of Redwood county. Lac qui Parle township was refused organization Jan. 5, 1871. Cerro Gordo (all of township 118, ranges 42 and 43 south of the Minnesota) was created March 17, 1871, and an election ordered held at the home of William M. Mills, April 5, 1871. Camp Release township (all of township 117-40, 117-41 and 118-41 south of the Minnesota) was created March 17, 1871, and an election ordered held at the home of Peter Peterson. Sannes township (114-40) was created May 18, 1871, and an election ordered held at the home of Ingebret Johnson, June 6, 1871. Ree township (114-41) was created May 18, 1871, and the first meeting ordered held at the home of Ole 0. Lande, June 6, 1871. Stony Run township (116-40) was created Sept. 6, 1871. Baxter township (117-42) was created Sept. 12, 1871. Sept. 9, 1869, township 109, ranges 34 and 35 were notified that they were included in Redwood county by the revised statutes of the state.

Three Lakes, H. N. Redig; Morgan, F. W. Zaske; Gales, A. M. Grunden; Wanda, M. M. Jenniges; Brookville, S. J. Hansen; Springdale, E. E. Nichols; North Hero, M. J. Wiggins; Swedes Forest and Kintire, A. 0. Gimmestad.

Lamberton, the metropolis of southern Redwood county, is pleasantly located on the banks of the Big Cottonwood river, in the midst of one of the richest farming regions in southwestern Minnesota. Provided with excellent shipping facilities by the Chicago & Northwestern, it draws its trade from two counties, and is constantly increasing in size and importance. It has excellent electric light service, an extensive waterworks and sewer system, a beautiful park, adequate fire protection, and a suitable city hall. The streets are broad and well-cared for, the business houses are substantial in structure and well stocked with modern goods, while the residences are sightly, and for the most part surrounded with well-kept lawns and shrubbery. The schools are of the best, being well housed and equipped, and offering ample facilities for the securing of a liberal education in many different lines. The churches are flourishing and well-supported, stately in architecture, and commodious in size. The fraternities keep alive the fraternal spirit, and contribute much to the social life of the village. The white way gives a truly metropolitan appearance to the business section, and adds to the pleasant impression that the stranger receives of the whole place.

The park which was donated by W. C. Brown, for many years secretary to H. W. Lamberton, land commissioner of the "Winona & St. Peter Land Co., and afterward land commissioner himself, has been beautified by the village authorities, until now it is as beautiful a one-block park as is to be found anywhere. It is well laid out with attractive lawns, walks, and flower beds, ornamental shrubbery, and shaded with a wide variety of trees. The cannon, which adds a most artistic touch to the park, was presented to the old soldiers of the vicinity by the United States government.

The waterworks and sewerage system has reflected the growth of the village. Originally private wells were the only supply of water, and there was no fire protection. Later a cistern for fire protection was installed and a city well constructed. In time the present adequate system was adopted. The old windmill which once pumped the city water, and which was long a feature of the village landscape, is now gone, and in its place a modern pumping station, operated by electricity, has been installed. The water supply is derived from an eight-inch well, which draws its water through an open end from a gravel bed nineteen inches thick, sixty-four feet below the surface. The water rises to a level, thirty feet below the surface. When the well was completed in 1901 it was tested for thirty-six hours continuously at a rate of sixty gallons a minute, and at present it is pumped at about thirty-five gallons a minute. The water is hard. Some 10,000 gallons is consumed daily. Private wells, which furnish the supply for many of the families, have an average depth of about forty feet and their yield is somewhat dependent upon the amount of rainfall. The sewer system extends through the business streets and also through some of the residence districts.

The Peoples Light & Power Co. not only supplies the current for illuminating the streets, business houses and residences, but also furnishes power for the pumping station, and provides illumination and power for many of the surrounding villages.

The churches are of the English Methodist Episcopal, German Methodist Episcopal, English Lutheran, German Lutheran, Catholic and Congregational denominations.

The leading fraternities here are the A. F. & A. M., the K. of P., the I. 0. 0. F., the M. B. A., the W. 0. W., the C. 0 F, the Rebekahs, the Eastern Star and the Royal Neighbors.

The rails for the Winona & St. Peter, now the Chicago & Northwestern, were laid through the southern part of Redwood county in 1872, the first construction train reaching Marshall on Oct. 12, 1872. The winter was long and hard, and railroad work was entirely suspended during the winter months, and it was not until April 14, 1873, that a train passed through Redwood county in the spring.

When the railroad reached section 20, Lamberton township, in the fall of 1872, A. A. Praxel, from near New Ulm, and Frank Schandera, from St. Clair, formed a partnership and opened a general store just south of the railroad track. Charles Bennett, who had a farm nearby, opened a boarding house. A postoffice, called Charlestown, was established there, with A. A. Praxel as postmaster, and hopes were entertained that the embryo village would become the biggest town on the line west of New Ulm.

But the railroad authorities decided upon section 23, as the site of the future village. There C. R. Kneeland erected a building in 1873, opened a boarding house and hotel, and was appointed postmaster, the name of Lamberton, which had already been given to the railroad stopping place, being likewise given to the postoffice. In 1874 Praxel & Shandera moved their store from Cottonwood Crossing and established themselves at Lamberton.

Mr. Kneeland opened his store in the first house in town, which was used as a boarding house and hotel. It stood where the flour house of the Farmers' elevator now stands. In addition to his other business, he added that of lumber and building supplies. He sold out and went to Wisconsin, where he lived for a few years. He came back again and went into the lumber business. He lived here from that time until he died. Mrs. Kneeland, the widow, now lives at Marshall, Minnesota.

Hopes of a speedy success were blasted by the grasshoppers, and the business did not grow to any important extent. In 1877, the last year of the grasshopper ravages, the business interests of Lamberton were represented by Praxel & Schandera, general merchants ; W. E. Golding, blacksmith and wagonmaker ; Adolph Graumann, harnessmaker and saloonkeeper, and N. P. Nelson, dealer in lumber, grain and agricultural implements.

berton. The village was platted in 1878 and incorporated in 1879, and when the Northwestern Gazetteer was issued early in 1880 it showed Lamberton as a busy place, with heavy exports of grain, butter, eggs, hides and wool, with Methodist and Congregational churches, a good school, a newspaper, and many business houses. The possibilities of the undeveloped waterpower are mentioned, and the opportunity for a grist or woolen mill is stated. A semi-'weekly stage was then running to Windom. The directory of business activities showed the following names: Anderson, Hogan, wagonmaker; Berry, C. W., railroad agent; Broer, Henry, wagonmaker; Clausen, R., hotel proprietor; Crandall, F. U., physician and druggist ; Fuller L., general store ; Gunsan, Rev. John (Methodist) ; Grobuer, J., boots and shoes; Hackey, W. A., justice of the peace and flour and feed ; Holder, Rev. George (Congregational) ; Horton & Co., lumber yard ; Junnel, F., hotel and saloon; Larson, John, hardware; Letford, E. J. furniture; Letford John S., express agent and general store ; Madigan, M. M., lawyer; Nelson, N. P., live stock dealer; Nelson, N. P., lumber, grain and farm implements ; Praxel & Shandera, general store ; Reed, Wm., grain dealer; Roth, John, blacksmith; Shandera, F., live stock dealer; Terry, George, hotel proprietor; "Whitten & Judd, grain elevator ; Yarham W. W., editor and proprietor Lamberton Commercial

The Gazetteer for 1882 shows the following activities : Anderson, Hogan, wagonmaker ; Anderson, 0. A., blacksmith ; Chester Bros., general store ; Clauson, R., saloon ; Crandall, L. S., physician and druggist; Devine, H, barber; Fuller, L., general store; Hackey, W. A. justice and flour and feed dealer ; Herrington, Rev. J. H. (Methodist) ; Holder, Rev. George (Congregational) ; Horton & Co., lumber dealers ; Jurmel, F., hotel and saloon ; Larson, John, hardware ; Lawer, John, meat market ; Letford, George, express agent; Letford, J. S., furniture and general store; Libby, George, lawyer; Madigan M. M., lawyer; Morton, Richard, hard ware ; Nelson, N. P., farm implements ; Oleson, R., meat market Orker A. W., general store; Peterson, S. D., farm implements Pierce, John, hotel proprietor; Pievee, P. L., hotel proprietor Praxel & Shandera, general store and grain dealers; Roth, John, blacksmith; Shandera, F., live stock dealer; Smith, A. J., railroad agent ; Thorp & Whitney, lawyers ; Whitten & Judd, grain elevator ; Yarham, W. W. editor and proprietor Lamberton Commercial.

The original plat of Lamberton was filed August 19, 1878. The land was surveyed for Henry W. Lamberton on July 1, 1878, by T. G. Carter, surveyor, in the west half of section 23, town 109. range 37. There were ten blocks, all full blocks, each containing 12 lots. All the streets were 70 feet wide, except " D " street, which was 80 feet wide, and First street, which was also 80 feet wide. The alleys were 20 feet wide. The streets running north and south,

The plat of Grimm & England addition to Lamberton was filed March 6, 1915. The owners were Mr. and Mrs. George J. Grimm, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. England, Ed. Arnsdorf and Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Asmus. The plat of M. L. McGee 's addition to Lamberton was filed June 24, 1892. The land was owned by M. L. and Irene McGee. The plat of Lamberton & Sykes' first addition to Lamberton was filed June 7, 1893. This land belonged to Henry W. Lamberton and M. L. Sykes.

The plat of H. W. Lamberton 's second addition to Lamberton was filed on August 26, 1903. The plat of H. W. Lamberton 's addition to Lamberton was filed December 22, 1900. The plat of Lamberton & Sykes' second addition to Lamberton was filed July 12, 1897.

Lamberton was incorporated by act of the Legislature, approved March 1, 1879 (Chapter 8, Special Laws of 1879), under the provisions of Chapter 139, of the General Laws of 1875. J. S. Letford, Frank Schandera and N. P. Nelson were named as commissioners to perfect the organization.

According to the village records, a meeting of the electors was held March 31, 1879. Dr. L. S. Crandall was appointed temporary chairman. The meeting then organized with M. M. Madigan as president, W. E. Golding as recorder, and J. Maybury as treasurer. The minutes of April 14, 1879, wmld indicate that N. P. Nelson and William M. Reed were then the trustees. L. S. Crandall was also a trustee. J. S. Letford was constable. There appears to have been a constant change in the recorder's office, William E. Reed, N. C. Nelson, Fred C. Gley, L. S. Crandall, C. A. Lambert and Marion Crandall all signing the minutes at one time or another during the first eighteen months of the village's existence.

After the village of Lamberton was incorporated only routine work was done. The council met from time to time, transacted business and adjourned. After one or two small fires occurred in the village, on January 2, 1889, the council bought the first fire engine. It was a hand-power affair and cost, complete, $575.

When the engine arrived the town called a mass meeting, which took measures to organize a fire company. On February 11, 1889, this company was organized with twenty-five members. In looking over the list of members in the old records, will be found nearly

Things moved along slowly but surely after that, the village growing more and more, until five years later the village of Lamberton began to take on metropolitan ideas, and the agitation for waterworks and sewer commenced. After much talk, pro and con, the council authorized the building of a waterworks plant, advertised lor bids on August 27, 1894, let the contract for a waterworks system that cost $5,043.

After this work was started the need of a main sewer developed and after advertising for bids, the council let the contract for a main sewer to cost $1,850. This contract was let on September 10, 1894.

The present officers are: President, G. A. Keonig; recorder, A. J. Praxel; trustees, Thomas Masterson, Charles A. Lauer and Emil Gerth; treasurer, George R. Kluegel; justices, L. A. Gooter, C. M. Herrman; constables, Michael Moore and Harry Beaty; assessor, William Miller.

The first schools in Lamberton were opened in the summer of 1875 by Louise Kelley, teacher, with 16 pupils. The school was conducted at the residence of J. H. Abbott. The first school house was built that fall. It was a small affair and is now used by Mr. McGee as a granary. The first school board was composed as follows : Director, W. W. Kelly ; treasurer, J. S. Letf ord ; clerk, W. E. Golding.

The next school house was the two-story building erected on lots 4, 5 and 6, block 6, in the village of Lamberton, in the year 1891. This building was purchased by the village of Lamberton from the shool district on March 27, 1907, and is now being used for a village hall and for housing the village fire company apparatus. The next school building was built in 1892 and was used for a third school room in addition to the two in the last named school bouse. This little building is now a part of the Methodist Episcopal church in Lamberton.

Independent School District No. 31 was organized July 28, 1894, and the following year the first directors were : R. Clauson, H. H. Dahl, Fred Koenig, P. Hayes, C. F. Waterman and Frank Clague. The school site where the brick grade building is situated was erected November 13, 1894. Contract for building this brick school building was let July 8, 1896, for $12,800, for which the school district issued bonds for $15,000 and the first tax levy was $3,100.

The dedication of the building was held January 6, 1897, the principal speaker being S. R. Van Sant. The first superintendent in the new school building was E. K. Greene, and his assistants were Miss Addie Hugenin, Miss Grace Jewison and Miss Tena Nelson. The heating plant in this building was originally a hot air

The present Consolidated School District No. 31 was organized November 28, 1914, on which date the voters from school districts Nos. 41 and 91 voted on the matter at the school house in Lamberton. Forty-two votes were east, of which twenty-nine were in favor of consolidation and thirteen against. The school board of Independent School District No. 31 the same evening passed a resolution consenting to the consolidation and the county superintendent made the formal order on December 1, 1914.

On February 3 the voters of the Consolidated School District voted on the issuance of bonds in the sum of $45,000 and the same was carried by 105 in favor to 11 against. The school board let the contract for the new school building on April 5, 1915, for $46,963. This new building was occupied November 15, 1915.

The present number of teachers employed is seventeen, as follows : Superintendent, Herman N. Bergh ; principal, N. N. Stevenson; assistant principal, Alice E. Wilkinson; high school and librarian, Eda Zwinggi; normal training department, Eulalia F. Weisend; agricultural department, Adolph H. Reuhl; domestic science department, Mary Sweeney; manual training department, L. B. Graves; eighth grade, Pearl E. Poorker; seventh grade, Valeria Bellig; sixth grade, Zelphia Bellig; fifth grade, Anna M. Ekholm ; fourth grade, Evelyn Daly ; third grade, Lena Enns ; third grade, Katherine Haas; second grade and music, Zelma C. Lindeman ; primary, Mae Erickson.

The present school board is composed of the following : A. H. Enersen, L. Redding, George J. Grimm, G. A. Koenig, Edwin Anderson and D. V. Gleysteen.

The vicinity of Lamberton has been known since the earliest days. Before the massacre, Charles Zierke, known as Dutch Charlie, settled a few miles to the eastward, near the creek that now bears his name.

In 1862 J. F. Bean came as a soldier during the Indian war, and looking over the country, decided to come back, which he did in 1866, bringing with him Hogan Anderson, father of the brothers, Edwin and A. C. Anderson. Returning, he brought his family here in 1867, and with him came Guli Peterson and wife, Ole Peterson and wife, Carolius Peterson and family, Joseph Christenson and family and Charles Porter with his family. Together they built a house on the highest point of land in section 25, of what is now known as township of Lamberton. This building was placed on the high land for fear of the Indians. The six families moved into this house and lived there for one year, or until each one had built their own home. About 1870 Mr. Bean moved to his other holdings, several miles southwest of Lamberton.

two and one-half miles east of Lamberton, in Charlestown township, living on it until 1866. He took an active interest in all the work of organization, moving into Lamberton village in 1886. He shortly afterwards moved to California.

W. W. Kelly, one of the earliest settlers, came in 1873. He took a homestead three miles north of town, built a fine home and worked the farm for a number of years. Later he moved into town and went into the lumber business. In addition he built a warehouse for grain, store for hardware and combined it all with the real estate business. Mr. Kelly's warehouse was a favorite place for holding meetings - church services, etc., while the town was young. Declining health in later years sent him to Northfield to live with his daughter, where he died.

M. B. Obbett came here in 1869 and located on section 24. He was made of stern, sticking material and survived the grasshopper years. He took an active part in all of the forward movements of Lamberton and was popular enough to be elected sheriff of Redwood county. He moved from here to Redwood Falls while sheriff, but at the end of his term came back. He lived here for nineteen or twenty years after that until he died in June, 1914. M. B. Abbett was the first treasurer of the town of Lamberton.

Hiram Small was another one of the old settlers. He came here in 1871 and located in section 22 just west of town. He lived as a successful farmer on this place until he died in 1910. The place is now owned by his son-in-law, Pliny Terry.

W. E. Golding, another one of the old-timers, settled on a farm just north of the town. Living there for a number of years, he afterwards moved into town and opened a blacksmith shop. He was elected the first town clerk of the town of Lamberton, and also an early village recorder of the village of Lamberton.

Lucan

Lucan is a thriving little village in the center of Granite Rock township, on the line of the Evan-Marshall branch of the Chicago & North Western. The place is unusually neat with its cement block, corrugated iron and substantial frame buildings. There is an unusually progressive and friendly spirit among the people and the village is widely known.

Before the railroad came through, Rupert Schanberger had a store and in section 14, a mile and a quarter east of the present village of Lucan. He was appointed postmaster and the office named Rock. E. J. Norcutt moved the store to the Jefferson farm in section 20. Two surveys had been made for the railroad, and Mr. Norcutt believed that he had located on the future site of the village.

In the fall, a huilding was moved to the townsite from the Jefferson farm in section 20, and opened as a store by Lawrence Jorgensen, who was likewise the postmaster. The building still stands and is occupied by the general store of John Zeng. Several buildings went up that fall and winter. The first store building erected was a two-story frame structure, 20 by 50 feet, on the east side of the street. It was built by Jens Larson and opened as a restaurant. Later it was changed to a general store. Into it the postoffice was moved, and here it has since remained. On the west side of the street a saloon was opened, one by Andrew Koller in a onestory frame building, 20 by 50 ; and on the east side one by Frank Jung, in a two-story frame building, 24 by 70 feet. Bmil Black erected a two-story frame building, 24 by 50 feet, and opened a general store. The Sleepy Eye Milling Company, with Nels P. Larson as manager, and the Springfield Milling Company, with Henry C. Dittbenner as manager, each erected elevators.

The sightly bank building, a two-story brick building, was erected in 1905. For some years the Catholic church was the only church in town, but in 1915 the Lutherans erected a neat edifice. The school is located in a substantial frame building.

The village has a hall, owned two-thirds by the township, which provides an excellent meeting place, and is equipped with a stage and scenery for the presentation of theatrical attractions. There is a jail of cement blocks, and a pumping station of brick. At the pumping station is a bell alarm, and the fire company consists of some twenty members. The public water supply comes from a well, with a reserve cistern of 1,500 barrels' capacity. The White compressed air system is used, the tank has a 500-barrel capacity, and there is a maximum pressure of 65 pounds. The system consists of a Fairbanks-Morse pump, 6 by 6, capacity 175 gallons per minute ; power gasoline engine ; 1,300 feet of 4-inch water mains, five double hydrants; three dead ends. The fire equipment consists of a hose cart with some 500 feet of jacket lined rubber hose.

The electric lights, in streets, houses and business places, were inaugurated in 1915, the power being supplied by the Grain and Fuel Company. There is a splendid grove near the village, which the village authorities have attempted to buy from the Town Lot Company, but have thus far been unsuccessful.

The original plat of Lucan was filed on March 27, 1902. The land was surveyed by F. R. Kline for the Western Town Lot Company on January 20, 1902. The land was a part of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 21 and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 22, town 111, range 28. There were 6 blocks, each containing 12 lots. The streets were 70 feet wide, except First, which was 66 feet wide, and Main and Second, which were 80 feet wide. The alleys were 20 feet wide. The east and west streets, starting at the north, were First, Second and Third. The north and south streets, starting at the west, were Oak, Pine, Main and Elm.

The plat of blocks 9 and 10 and outlot A, addition to Lucan, was filed January 27, 1916. The land was owned by the Western Town Lot Company.

One of the greatest prides of the village is the Lucan baseball club. This team, strictly amateur, and made up of the young men of the village and surrounding country, is noted far and wide, and contains a number of players, who, if they so desired, could secure marked professional honors. Loyalty to this team has been one of the important factors in the get-together spirit which animates the citizens.

Lucan was incorporated in 1902. A special census taken October 6, 1902, having shown a population of 182, a petition was drawn up the next day and presented to the county commissioners, asking that the village be incorporated. The signers of the petition were Andrew Koller, John Flessner, Henry Dittbenner, O. R. Holloway, Jens Larson, Lawrence Jorgensen, H. S. Miller, Herman Wenzell, George W. Norcutt, Joseph Holm, Charles O. Weilandt, W. C. Norcutt, George C. Johnson, C. A. Nelson, P. C. Curtin, R. A. Norcutt, Siver Benson, Peter Benson, Dick Balk, Julius Hallberg, Thomas Mulvany, James Joseph Mullin, Frank Murray, Arnold Rollen, Frank Scharf e, Christian Hanson, Theo. Milkle, N. H. Haage, K. F. A. Piett, Peter Jacobson, Ole Ugland, Will L. Conrad and Jacob Vezal.

An election was duly held on November 17, 1902, at the waiting room of the Chicago & North Western Railroad, and of the thirtytwo votes cast, eighteen were in favor of incorporating the village and fourteen against it. The judges of election were Joseph Holm, C. A. Nelson and John Flessner. The first election of officers was held at Young's Opera House, March 29, 1904, in charge of J. M. Stephenson, H. C. Dittbenner and Nels Larson. The first council met April 11, 1904, those present being: Nels P. Larson, president; Oscar R. Holloway, recorder ; John Flessner, Nels Haagenson and Anton Kramer, trustees. The present officers are: President, Anton Kramer; recorder, Guy S. Dickerson, trustees, Charles Welter, Joseph Wurscher and William Hanson ; justice, Nels Haag ; treasurer, O. H. Gehrke ; assessor, F. C. Wegner.

Milroy, the most western of Redwood county towns, is located in sections 16 and 17, Westline township, on the Evan-Marshall branch of the Chicago & Northwestern. It is thirteen miles from Marshall and thirty miles from Redwood Falls. Situated in the midst of a splendid farming country, its three large elevators give it good facilities for a large grain market, over half a million bushels of grain being shipped in the season of 1914-15.

The village, with its brick buildings, as seen from a distance, presents a metropolitan appearance, and a nearer approach confirms the original impression. The municipal improvements are of the best, waterworks and electric light service having recently been installed. For the purpose of generating power for the electric lights and water works, the village has erected a substantial building of cement blocks. Earl Christopherson will operate the electric light plant. The waterworks system consists of a deep well, tank, and pumping station, with mains covering the principal streets, and an adequate number of hydrants. The electric lights will be used for street lighting, and also in the business houses and residences.

Milroy has four churches, Methodist, Catholic, German and Norwegian Lutheran. There is a good semi-graded school, employing three first grade teachers. The M. W. A. and the A. 0. U. W. have flourishing lodges. At one time there was an excellent commercial club. The Milroy Telephone Co. conducts a local exchange and connects with the rural line. There is a good hall for public purposes, privately owned. The village building contains the jail and the fire apparatus. The volunteer fire company has an engine and hose cart, and will soon have a hook and ladder truck.

The land upon which Milroy was platted was originally owned by C. E. Levig and Thomas Murphy. The lots were sold April 9, 1902, and building operations were commenced at once, lumber being brought from neighboring towns for the first structures. The first year saw several substantial buildings erected that would do credit to any villages, and Milroy has since enjoyed a steady growth. The first general stores were opened by Zeingham & Woodruff, George Brundage, Altermatt & Schwandt Brothers, and Olson & Olson. J. A. Looney conducted the first hardware store, John Drees the first saloon, Robert Reichel the first hotel, Edwards & Hickey the first harness shop, F. M. Rolfe the first barber shop. Fredrickson & Olson were the implement dealers, and Curtis & Propp operated the livery and dray line. Hayes, Lucas Lumber Co. and J. H. Queal & Co. put in lumber yards, and the Nelson Brothers, the Sleepy Eye Milling Co. and the Springfield Milling Co. opened elevators.

Milroy has been somewhat unfortunate as to fires. Two elevators, a schoolhouse, a saloon, a livery barn, and a store and vacant building have been burned. Dec. 28, 1915, the hardware and implement stores and the electric light plant owned by J. W. Dysart were burned. This plant had been furnishing the village with current since August, 1914. The village records were destroyed when the Nelson Brothers elevator burned in 1904.

One of the pleasant features of Milroy is the large number of trees to be seen about the streets in the residential districts. These trees were set out by the city fathers in the early days of the village, and are now proving a monument to their foresight and artistic appreciation.

In recent years a number of modern buildings have been erected. Serr Brothers completed a garage in the summer of 1915. Dorum Brothers opened a cement block plant in 1916. In. the fall of 1916 C. G. Seeman erected a hardware store of cement blocks. It was in the late summer and early fall of 1916 that the village put up the cement building, already mentioned, occupied by Earl Christopherson for the electrical plant.

The village, as stated, was started in 1902. When the Northwestern Gazetteer was issued in 1904 Milroy was already a thriving settlement. It has a good bank, a newspaper, Methodist and Norwegian Lutheran churches, a hotel, telephone, telegraph and express service, and many other features necessary to a thriving urban community. The business activities of that year were : Aldermatt & Schwandt Bros., general store; Bickford, A., physician ; Clair, E. A., meats ; Druss, J., saloon ; Edwards & Hickey, harnessmaker ; Prederickson & Olstead, farm implements; Gulden, R., saloon ; Johnson & Peterson, livery ; Klein, J. J., railroad, express and telegraph agent ; Larson, Theo., grocer ; Looney, J. A., publisher Milroy Echo; Milroy Echo, J. A. Looney, publisher; Oveilie, A., saloon; Queal, J. H. & Co., lumber; Rawlings F. H., hardware and furniture ; Reichel, R., hotel ; Sawyer, Charles, hardware; State Bank of Milroy (capital $15,000; Wm. Beirman, president; Wm. Duncan, Jr., cashier); Taplin, Prank, barber; Taplin, Prank, Drug Co.; Winstad, G. T., blacksmith; Zingheim & Woodruff, groceries and drugs. In 1906 the Gazetteer shows these names : Altermatt & Schwandt (Adolph Altermatt, Henry Schwandt), general store; Bickford, Frank J., physician; Fredrickson & Olstead (Fred A. Fredriekson, John Olstead), farm implements; Goins, Roscoe C, restaurant; Gueden. Rhinold, saloon; Haycock, Wm. D., flour mill; Hayes-Lucas Lumber Co., C. C. Dripps, agent ; Hotel Milroy, Robert Reichel, proprietor ; Johnson, Eli, saloon; Klein, James J., railroad, express and telegraph agent ; Larson, Theodore, general store ; Milroy Echo, E. M. Wilson, publisher; Milroy Farmers' Elevator Co. (J. W. Dysart, president; S. E. Weber, secretary), grain elevator and fuel ; Nelson

Bros. (Philip & Leonard), grain elevator, fuel and live stock; Potter & Halsten (S. T. B. Potter, Chas. A. Halsten) ; Peterson, Ole, livery; Queal, J. H. & Co. (Chas. Semans, agent), lumber and fuel; Rawlings, Frank H., hardware; Rutz & Son (Chas. G. T. and Herbert C), general store; Reich el, Robert, proprietor Hotel Milroy; Sleepy Eye Milling Co. (Theo. Fuglede, agent), grain elevator and fuel; Springfield Milling Co. (P. Bloedow, agent), grain elevator; State Bank of Milroy (capital $15,000; A. Altermatt, president ; Wm. Duncan, Jr., cashier) ; Taplin, Prank, drugs and barber ; "Wilson, Edward M., publisher Milroy Echo ; Wistad, G. T., blacksmith.

In 1908, the Gazetteer contains these names: Altermatt & Schwandt (Adolph Altermatt, Henry Schwandt), general store; Frederickson & Olstead (Fred A. Fredrickson, John Olstead), farm implements; Gakoske Frederick, railroad, express and telegraph agent; Gulden, Reinhold, saloon; Haycock, "Wm. D., flour mill ; HayesJjucas Lumber Co. (C. C. Dripps, agent) ; Hotel Milroy, Robert Reichel, proprietor; Johnson, Eli, saloon; Krmela, Rudolph, shoemaker; Myers, "Wm. G. (Fred De Bour, manager) hardware; Milroy Echo, Edward M. Wilson, publisher; Milroy Farmers' Elevator Co. (J. "W. Dysart, president; S. E. Webber, secretary) ; Nelson, Turpe, grain elevator ; Peterson, Ole, proprietor Milroy Livery; Rawlings, Frank H., hardware; Reichel, Robert, proprietor Hotel Milroy; Sleepy Eye Milling Co. (Theo. Fuglede, agent), grain elevator; Springfield Milling Co. (Theo. Larson agent), grain elevator; State Bank of Milroy (capital $15,000; Adolph Altermatt, president; "Wm. Duncan, Jr., cashier) ; Taplin, Frank, drugs; "Wilson, Edward M., postmaster, publisher Milroy Echo and dealer in groceries ; Distad, Geo. T., blacksmith.

The original plat of Milroy was filed March 27, 1902. The land in a part of southeast quarter of section 17 and southwest quarter of section 16, town 111, range 39, was surveyed for the "Western Town Lot Company by F. R. Klime on February 24, 1902. There were eight whole blocks and four unequal blocks. The streets were 70 feet wide, except Superior, which was 80 feet wide ; Railroad, 66 feet wide, and Euclid avenue, 100 feet wide. Each alley was 20 feet wide. The streets running north and south starting on the west are Lorain, Prospect, Euclid avenue, Lexington and Marion. The streets running east and west, starting at the south, are Cedar, Cherry, Superior and Railroad, the last named being parallel to the railroad tracks.

Milroy was incorporated in 1902. The census of October 6, 1902, showed a population of 177 and on that date a petition was drawn up, asking for the incorporation of a vast tract in sections 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, township 111, range 39. The signers of the petition were : Otto S. Schwandt, J. A. Looney, Thomas F. Kinman, Charles Sahagan, J. O. Horde, H. Rowe, Wm. S. Easton,

The petition was granted and an election ordered held at the barber shop of F. M. Rolfe, Nov. 15, 1902, in charge of F. M. Rolfe, Otto G. Sehwandt and J. A. Looney. The election was duly held, and of the fifty-four votes case only two were against the proposition. The first officers elected were: President, Otto Sehwandt; councilmen, R. F. Edwards, J. J. Klein and J. A. Looney; recorder, F. M. Rolfe; treasurer, F. J. Bickford. Otto Sehwandt did not serve out his full term, but was succeeded a few months later by "William Duncan, Jr. January 3, 1905, a petition was presented to the commissioners asking that the incorporate limits be reduced. The reduction went into effect February 7, 1905.