Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Chapter 10: Minnehaha County Aid Society-Farmers Grange - Farmers Alliance - Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Association - Early Settlers Association, 1899

On the 26th day of January, 1874, the Minnehaha County Aid Society was org-anized in Sionx Falls. It was known as the ''(xrasshopper Beg-o-ars."

The summer before, the grasshoppers had destroyed everythingin this section of the country, and the pioneer settlers had nothingleft upon which they could subsist, and in order to relieve such destitution this society was org-anized. Col. T. H. Brown was sent East to secure money, food and clothing. Over S500 in cash was contributed, and he also obtained a large amount of food and clothing, which was sent to Sioux Falls and distributed among the sufferers throug-h the agency of this society. It was the first as well as the last society organized in this countv to solicit outside aid to relieve the suffering- of her citizens.

The farmers in Minnehaha count}-, although few in number, organized a Farmers Grang-e the last week in August, 1873, and adopted the name of Minnehaha Grange, with W. Robertson as Master. Scarcely any mention of this org-anization appeared in the local newspapers after this date.

Several Farmers Alliances had been started in Minnehaha county and were in a more or less prosperous condition in 1886. On December 4, of that year, a meeting- of several prominent farmers alliance men was held in Sioux Falls for the purpose of organizing- a County Alliance. At this meeting- it was decided to form such an organization, and a call was formulated for alliances in the county to send deleg-ates to a meetino- to be held February 16, 1887. The alliances responded to the call, and the Minnehaha County F^armers Alliance was organized. H. W. Smith was elected president, L. S. (lage vice president, P. F. Sherman secretary and John T. F^ee treasurer. At first considerable interest was manifested 1)\ ihc meml)ers of this organization, but it soon liecame inoculated \\\\U ])()litics and is now one of the bv-gones.

This company was organized March 23, 1885, its members being composed of farmers in the central portion of the county. It has been well managed and yery satisfactory to its members. At its annual meeting January 17, 1895, the secretary's report showed that there had been policies issued in the amount of S767,632 since its organization, with a total membership of'533. During the year 1894 it issued 138 policies and the amount in the treasury was 85,288.69. The officers elected at that time were John Thompson president, E. J. Berdahl yice president, Ole J. Aasen treasurer, and John K. Bjorgan secretary. At the close of the year 1895 there was a balance on hand of $4,709.91. During- 1896 it received in premiums SI, 373. 31, paid in losses $816.25, and expenses S334.89, leaving a balance on hand at the close of the year of $4,932.08. The amount of proj^erty insured during 1896 was $184,360, making the total amount insured at the close of the year $851,887. There were 148 policies issued, 44 of them to new members. At the annual meeting January 5, 1897, the following were elected members of the board of directors: John Thompson, Ole Thompson, Gust. Grant, A. G. Risty, Charles N. Searl, John G. Tyler, W. A. Crooks, S. O. Henjum, Tom Hanson, C. T. Austin, E. J. Berdahl, Ole J. Aasen and John R. Bjorgan. John Thompson was elected president, C. T. Austin vice ])resident, Ole J. Aasen treasurer and J. R. Bjorgan secretary.

At the annual meeting held January 28, 1899, John Thompson was elected president, E. J. Berdahl vice president, Ole J. Aasen treasurer, and John R. Bjorgan secretary. The amount paid in losses during 1898 was $1,755.55, expenses during the year S365.95, balance on hand $4,870.65, amount of risks outstanding $976,355, policies issued 185, new members 43.

Early in June, 1892, it was announced in the newspapers that there would be a picnic in Foster's grove in the northwestern part of Grand Meadow on Wednesday, June 29, at which time it was proposed to organize an early settlers association for the western ])art of Minnehaha county.

When the time arrived there was a large attendance, and during the afternoon several speeches were made in favor of such an organization. Finally a temporary organization was made and Samuel Huckins was elected president. A committee was appointed to frame a constitution and by-laws and present the same at a meeting to be called the following- year.

In the latter part of June, 1893, the officers of the temporary ortfanization announced that there would be a meeting- of the association in J. B. Goddard's grove in Taopi, on Wednesday, July 19. It was a beautiful day, and before noon there were several hundred people present. The tables arrang-ed for the occasion were loaded with g-ood thing's, and althoug-h they were 159 feet in leng-th, the people stood about two deep around them when the time for refreshments arrived. After dinner a g-eneral g-ood time was had, and sing-- ing- and speeches delig-hted the audience, after which the meetingwas called to order and a permanent org-anization of the association perfected. J. J. Foster was elected president, J. E. Colton secretar3^ and C. F. Farrell treasurer. The membership of the association was limited to such persons who had been residents of the county west of the Sioux river prior to 1880, and it was decided to hold annual meetingfs of the association at such times and places as the officers should decide upon.

The third annual meeting- was held in Warner's g-rove at Hartford, Wednesday, June 27, 1894. Before dinner there were recitations and short addresses by pioneer settlers from all over the county. At noon the Ladies' Aid Society of Hartford served refreshments, and the Grand Meadow band entertained the people with g-ood music during- the day. At the business meeting- the first article in the constitution was amended so as to include all persons who settled in Minnehaha county prior to 1880. J. J. Foster was elected president; F. E. Van De Mark vice president; J. E. Colton secretarv; C. F. Farrell treasurer; directors, J. B. Goddard, J. J. Foster, "^C. J. Farrell; Mrs. J. J. Foster, Mrs. L. L. Willard and Mrs. E. E. Gag-e were also elected to look after the affairs of the association.

The fourth annual meeting of this association was held in John Thompson's g-rove in the town of Sverdrup on Friday the 14th dav June, 1895. During- the preceding- night there had been a heavy rainfall, which undoubtedly deterred a good many from going, but as it was, it was estimated that at least 1,000 persons visited the grounds during the day. A stand for the speakers and bands had been erected and seats provided for the audience. Three brass bands and the Baltic Mandskor were present and furnished music and singing for the occasion. The morning exercises consisted of a grand march by the old settlers, instrumental and vocal music and a few short speeches. After dinner quite a number of the early settlers related their experience when they first settled in Minnehaha countv, which proved to be highlv interesting. Recitations bv Miss Willard, Miss Kingsbury, Mrs. Woody and Mrs. J. G. Tyler added very much to the enjoyment of those participating in the annual festival of the early settlers. The officers elected for the ensuing year were J. J. Foster president; Sever Wilkinson vice president; J, E. Colton secretary; D. W. Oaks treasurer; board of directors, John Thompson, Luther Gage, L. Lyman, Mrs. E. S. Gage, Mrs. L. L. Willard, Silas E. Blauvelt and Nels Simons.

twelve hundred people present and on the second day about two thousand. Addresses were made by prominent citizens of the county; the New Hope and Benton bands furnished the music, and a quartette of fine sin^fers helped to entertain the people; a merry-jyforound and o-ames added to the pleasure of the occasion, and taken as a whole, it was the most successful meeting- of the association. J. J. Foster was elected president; Sever Wilkinson vice president; and (ieo. O. Goddard secretary; and it was decided to hold the next annual meetinjj- in the same place for one day only.

The sixth annual meetino- was held at the John Thompson <i-rove in Sverdrup, Friday, June 11, 1807. It was estimated that there were at least three thousand people present during the day, and was the most successful event in the history of the society. It was a pleasant day, and all enjoyed the well-arranged programme of entertainments. The New Hope band furnished the music, and the Sioux Falls Glee Club rendered some enjoyable selections, and several fine songs and recitations added greatly to the pleasure of the day. A ball game between Hartford and Sioux Falls resulted in favor of the Hartford boys.

The seventh annual meeting was held at the John Thom])son grove June 16, 1898. There was a great crowd in attendance and the weather was propitious. The Rev. Dr. Scott of Sioux Falls delivered a fine address, and several short speeches were made by prominent citizens. A good literary prog-ramme and good music helped to make the day an enjoyable one. J. J. Foster was again elected president; S. E. Blauvelt vice president; J. G. Tyler secretary; D. W. Oaks treasurer; directors, F. E. Van De Mark, E. S. Gage, Wm. F. Kelly, D. O. Crooks, Mrs. John Lott, John Thompson and Axel Scott.

The eighth annual meeting was held at John Thompson's grove July 4, 1899. It w^as a fine day, and there were not less than 5,000 people present. Professor Binks delivered the customary address, and he was at his best. Several short speeches were made by residents of the county, and a highly entertaining literar}^ programme was one of the important features of the occasion. Good music and games were also on the programme. S. E. Blauvelt was elected president, J. G. Tyler secretary, and John Thompson treasurer; directors, F. E. Van De Mark, L. Lyman, J. J. Foster, John Powers, D. O. Crooks, W. F. Kellv and Axel Scott.