Willow Lake Township

Willow Lake Township

"Willow Lake township is located in the south central part of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 110-36. It is bounded on the north by New Avon, on the east by Sundown, on the south by Charlestown, and on the west by Waterbury. Sleepy Eye creek crosses it on the north, flowing in an easterly direction. The surface is smooth prairie land. The Sanborn-Vesta branch of the Chicago and Northwestern crosses its southwest corner passing out through section 7. Its only village is Wanda. The trading centers are Wanda and Redwood Falls. There are five school houses. The predominating nationality is German.

The original survey was begun August 23, 1858, and finished August 27, 1858. The work was done by James L. Nowlin, U. S. deputy surveyor. The land in this township was nearly all smooth prairie land of a first quality. The surface was slightly rolling. He found a small lake in a part of sections 33 and 34.

The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1882 says: "This town was first settled in 1871, by Christopher Whelan and his two sons, James McGuire and sons, and Martin Foy, seven persons; they made claims in the spring of 1872."

Beginning with the organization of the county, this township was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Willow Lake was created with its present boundaries Sept. 2, 1873, and an election ordered held Sept. 27, 1873.

M. M. Jenniges, the present town clerk, has transcribed for this work the minutes of the first meeting, and has also furnished some additional data as follows :

Pursuant to the order of the county board, a caucus was held at the home of H. B. Goodrich, Sept. 27, 1873. H. B. Goodrich was named as chairman. W. F. Smith was named as secretary and was also appointed as a delegate to attend a county convention at Redwood Falls, Oct. 1, 1873. The following nominations were then made: Supervisors, H. B. Goodrich (chairman), H. Evans, J. Dooner ; treasurer, C. Whelan ; justices, M. Foy and W. F. Smith; constables, James McGuire and William McGrew; members of the town central committee, W. F. Smith, H. Evans and B. C. Butler. W. F. Smith and H. B. Goodrich were named as judges of election. All the officers nominated were elected, each receiving the total eight votes cast.

son born to Benjamin Edson Butler and Emma Antionett Butler, Oct. 3, 1873. The first birth of a girl recorded was that of Mary Altermatt, born April 30, 1874, to Peter Leo Altermatt and Anna Altermatt. The first death recorded was that of Anna Mary Gorres, died Jan. 7, 1875, age 58 years, 8 months and 5 days.

The first road was laid out on Dec. 31, 1875, by H. Evans, Gorres and C. Whelan, supervisors. There is now under construction in the township a state road from the east end of the township to the west line. A petition has been presented asking for a north and south state road also. The town uses nothing but the best steel culverts and steel bridges. In the spring of 1916, the town bought an elevator grader, which is propelled by gas power. The town has every reason to be proud of the wonderful work it has done in road building in a comparatively few years. All of the section lines, with the exception of one mile, are public roads. Nearly all the roads are drained. The good work that has been done has been accomplished in the face of drawbacks, for gravel is very difficult to obtain, there being no good gravel pit in the county.

Sundown township is located on the southern border of Redwood county just west of Brookville, and embraces Congressional township 110-35. It is bounded on the north by Three Lakes, on the east by Brookville, on the south by Brown county, and on the west by "Willow Lake. Sleepy Eye creek crosses it diagonally, flowing in a southeasterly direction. There are no stations nor railroads. The trading centers are Sanborn and Springfield, in Brown county, and Morgan, in Redwood county. There are four school houses. The predominating nationality is Danish.

The original survey of this township was made in 1858, work being commenced by James L. Nowlin, U. S. deputy surveyor, on July 7, 1858. The land was mostly level prairie. The soil was first rate. There were no lakes and only a few evidences of white man to be seen. The Pacific "Wagon Road entered the east of this township near the section line between sections 24 and 25 and passed through to the corner of the township.

Beginning with the organization of the county this township was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Sundown township was created by the county commissioners with its present boundaries Jan. 7, 1873.

The History of the Minnesota Valley published in 1882 says: "Settlement began in 1871. That year Lars Thorstenson, C. B. Guile, M. L. and L. L. Bredvold, brothers; Jacob Lorenz, Ichabod Murphy, Charles and Andrew Anderson, father and son, and Calvin Stewart came. The first school was taught in a shanty on Phillip Matthew's farm in section 27, in 1873. The town now has two good frame school houses. The Norwegian and Danish Lutherans united and organized about 1873, under the ministry of the Rev. L. 0. Lund, with about six families. They now have a membership of about eighteen families but are, at present, without a pastor. In 1873 the first town meeting was held at the house of C. B. Guile in section 28. Ten votes were cast with the following result: Samuel Murphy, chairman; Frank Wolford and C. B. Guile, supervisors; W. H. Hawk, clerk; C. B. Guile, assessor; Lewis Sanford, treasurer; B. E. Brothers and Ira Sanford, justices; Z. Forman and Ed. Welch, constables."

Brookville township is located in the east-south corner of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 110-34. It is bounded on the north by Morgan, on the east and south by Brown county, and on the west by Sundown. Sleepy Eye creek crosses its southwest corner. The Evan-Marshall branch of the Chicago and Northwestern crosses it in the northeastern part. The surface is gently rolling. Its station is Wayburne in section 4, consisting of one elevator and several houses. The trading centers are Evan and Springfield, in Brown county, and Morgan in Redwood county. There are four school houses. The predominating nationality is Danish.

The original survey was made in 1858, work being commenced July 14, 1858, by James L. Nowlin, U. S. deputy surveyor. He described the land as level, rolling and gently rolling. The soil was for the most part good, but second rate in some places. There were many marshes. He found an old Indian trail between sections 33 and 34 in the southern part of this township. There was a lake in parts of sections 4 and 9. There were several ponds besides this in the northern part of the township. The Pacific wagon road extended east and west through the township with a branch running north toward the Sioux Agency.

Beginning with the organization of the county, this township was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Brookville was created by the county commissioners Feb. 29, 1872. The requirements were not complied with, and the township was again created April 1, 1873.

The History of the Minnesota Valley, published in 1882, says : "Settlement began in 1869. Among the first to locate were, H. M. Jensen, Knud Hanson, Peter Jensen, and Ole Petersen, Danes who came in the spring and located in section 24. Of the Americans, J. B. Moore was the first to settle ; he came in the summer of 1869, and located in section 4 on the north side of the lake that bears his name. His daughter, Melinda F., married G. E.

"The first town meeting was held at the house of Peter Bodiger, in section 30, April 19, 1873. A. L. McDonald called the meeting to order. On motion of Y. Cornish, B. P. Cady was chosen moderator. Officers elected: B. F. Cady, chairman; Theodore Johnson and D. McMullen, supervisors; W. H. Brown, clerk; Peter Bodiger, assessor; James Sommer and Alonzo Lamphier, justices ; H. M. Johnson and Ahe Lane, constables. No treasurer was elected. John McMasters was elected poundmaster. Mr. Cady failed to qualify as chairman of the town board, and A. L. McDonald was appointed in his place.

"The Danish Adventists began holding services at the house of James Sommer in the fall of 1872. The services were conducted by the Rev. J. F. Hansen. The Danish Lutherans began holding services about ten years ago at private houses and still continue.

"The first school was taught at the house of D. J. Sheffield in section 32. There are now three schoolhouses in the town. The first birth was that of Hans J., a son of J. A. Hansen. He was born early in 1870. The first death was that of Thorine, a daughter of Ole Nielson, in the spring of 1874."

Springdale township is located in the southwest corner of Redwood county, and embraces Congressional township 109-39. It is bounded on the north by Gales township in Redwood county, on the east by North Hero township in Redwood county, on the south by Holly and Shetek in Murray county, and on the west by Monroe in Lyon county. Plum creek passes in an easterly direction in the central part, and from the south receives numerous creeks, thus cutting the southeastern part of the county into ravines and water courses. The northern part of the township is quite level. The southern part is more rolling. The Winona- Tracy division of the Chicago & Northwestern passes through the township, due east and west, in the south-central part. A part of the village of Walnut Grove is situated in the extreme eastern part of the township. The trading centers are Walnut Grove in Redwood county, and Tracy in Lyon county. The predominating nationality is Scandinavian and American.

There is a Norwegian Lutheran church in section 4, and a Swedish Lutheran church in section 1. The schoolhouse of district 22 is in section 14 ; of district 42 is in section 8 ; of district 98 is in section 30, and of district 24 is in section 27. The township hall is situated in section 22.

H. L. Jewett and George G. Howe, U. S. deputy surveyors. It was begun July 4, 1867', and completed July 9, 1867. They described the surface as rolling, well-watered prairie. There were but few marshes. This township had only a little timber, all of which was in the eastern part. The kinds of trees included oak, ash, willow and black walnut. The section of black walnut timber was occupied as claims by Joseph Steves and his son. The soil was of the first quality throughout with the exception of a few sections in the northwestern part which are light and sandy. A wagon road ran almost due east and west across the northern part of this township.

Beginning with Sept. 4, 1866, Springdale was included in Yellow Medicine township, and after Yellow Medicine county was created, March 6, 1871, was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. Springdale was created by the county commissioners on Nov. 21, 1873, with its present boundaries, a petition having been presented by Shepard Moses and seventeen others. A meeting was called for Dec. 20, 1873, at the home of Leonard Moses. October 9, 1874, being notified by the state auditor that another town in the state had been named ' Summit, the commissioners changed the name to Springdale. The name, it is said, was given because of the many springs and beautiful valleys or dales, in the township.

The first town meeting was held as ordered Dec. 20, 1873, ten voters being in attendance. It was moved and seconded that Levi Montgomery act as clerk pro tem. Carried. The meeting was called to order by the clerk. Moved and seconded that M. F. Mills act as moderator of the meeting. Carried. The moderator stated that the object of the meeting was to elect officers. N. Rawlings and G. Murray were chosen to act as judges. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, J. M. "Wardell (chairman), Joseph Steves, N. Rawlings; town clerk, Levi Montgomery; treasurer, M. F. Mills; justices, N. M. Crow and G. Murray; constables, S. T. Crow and N. Christopherson.

The History of the Minnesota Valley, published in 1882, says : "A man named Frink, built a house in 1860, at Walnut Grove, but left at the time of the Indian outbreak. In June, 1866, Joseph Steves located on section 36, and built a house over the cellar

Frink had abandoned. For several years he, with his son, was the only settler in the town ; in 1871 the land was taken by numbers, and the town is now well settled. The first school was taught by Rhoda Hall, in 1872. A postoffice called Summit was established on the west line of the town about 1872, and was discontinued when Tracy was established in 1874."

E. E. Nichols, the present town clerk, says: "The winter of 1872-73 was terribly cold. The blizzard of Jan. 7, 8 and 9, 1873, was the worst ever known in this region from the days of the earliest settlers to the present time. The last year that the grasshoppers destroyed the crops in Springdale was in 1876. Many new settlers came to the township in 1878. The winter of 1880- 81 was the most severe winter known to the settlers with the exception of that of 1872-73.

"When I came to Springdale on April 19, 1878, there was only one tree on the prairie, with the exception of the growth along Plum creek, and the natural grove a mile southwest of the present village of Walnut Grove. Now there are many beautiful groves, the farmers are prosperous, and the farms are equipped with fine buildings generally.

"The first homesteader in the township was Joseph Steves, who settled in section 36, in 1866. Quite a few homesteaders came in 1872 and 1873. Among them may be mentioned : American - S. T. Crow, A. D. Leonard, William Hodgkinson, Franklin Ensign, Joseph Wormworth, J. M. Wardell, M. F. Mills, Levi Montgomery, Wells, Way, Shepard, Charles, Leonard H., Hiram and Webster W. Moses; L. V. Kellogg, Amassa A. Tower, Randall Whitney, T. A. Fassett, Elias Bedal and Charles L. Webber. Scandinavian - Jan Pederson, Halvor Syverson, Andrew Swenson, John Norman, Peter Johnson, John Lindgren, Andrew Anderson, Ole Anderson, Andrew Thompson, Peter Westman and Swan Peterson. Irish - A. D. Clark."

North Hero township is located in the southwest part of Redwood county, being on the southern border, and embraces Congressional township 109-38. It is bounded on the north by Johnsonville, on the east by Lamberton, on the south by Cottonwood county, and on the west by Springdale. The surface is level or gently rolling. The Winona-Tracy division of the Chicago and North Western crosses it, passing due east and west in the southcentral part of it. The Cottonwood river passes through the northwest part, in a northeasterly direction. It receives Plum creek from the south. Revere and a part of Walnut Grove are located in it. The trading centers are Walnut Grove, Revere, and Lamberton in Redwood county, and Tracy in Lyon county.

The original survey of this township was begun Aug. 5, 1859, and finished Aug. 12, 1859, by Mahlon Black, U. S. deputy surveyor. He described the land as level or gently rolling and dry, and the soil as first class. Colonel Nobles wagon road to the south pass of the Rocky mountains, entered this township in section 12, and passed westward across the northern part.

Beginning with Sept. 4, 1866, North Hero was included in Yellow Medicine township, and after Yellow Medicine county was organized, March 6, 1871, was considered a part of Redwood Falls township. North Hero (Barton) was created with its present boundaries Sept. 2, 1873, and an election was ordered for Sept. 27, 1873.

The History of the Minnesota Valley, published in 1882, says : "The town was named from a town in Vermont; it was for several years called Barton. The first settler was Eleck C. Nelson, who came in 1870. Other early settlers were, "William Carter, Lafayette Beedal, Alfred Smith, and Thomas Allen. The first town meeting was held Sept. 27, 1873, and elected G. G. Thompson, chairman ; Edward Coburn and James Peterson, supervisors ; Lafayette Beedal, clerk; Gustave Sunwall, treasurer; John Wiggins and Edward Ballard, justices; Alfred Smith and William Carter, constables. The Congregational society began holding services in 1874 at James Kennedy's, and the following winter erected a frame church. H. C. Simmons is now pastor, and the society now numbers fifty members. The Methodists organized in 1876, and in 1881 built a church at the village ; they organized with twelve members, and now have forty-two. Rev. J. N. Powell is pastor. The Swedish Lutherans also have an organization. The first school was taught in the winter of 1873-4 by Lafayette Beedal, at his house, with fifteen scholars. There are at present three frame schoolhouses in the town."

Of the origin of the name of North Hero, D. S. Cantine says : "The township of North Hero was named by Byron Knight, after his old home, the island of North Hero, in Lake Champlain, Vermont. This island was named in honor of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame."