Garretson City (part 3 of 3)

Walter, Ransom, was born in Broome county, New York, November 22, 1840. He received a good common school education, and when he attained his majority engaged in farming in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Minnesota. On the 23d day of April, 1876, he came to this county and settled in Highland, taking up the northeast t[uarter of section 33, and the northwest quarter of section 34. Subse<iuently he purchased the northeast quarter of section 34 and the southeast quarter of section 28, and was engaged in extensive and successful farming until in January, 1803, when he sold his farm to(iust. Olson and Gilbert E. Lee, and removed to Jasper, Minnesota, where he now^ resides. While a resident of this county he held several offices; was county commissioner in 1883 and 1884, and was justice of the peace and chairman of the town board of supervisors in Highland. He was one of the commissioners who appraised the right-of-way damage when the Willmar & Sioux Falls raijway company established its line of road through Minnehaha county. Mr. Walter was not only a good farmer, but is a man of good judgment, and a highly respected citizen.

This township is bounded on the north by Lake county, on the east by Hig-hland, south by Edison, and west by Dell Rapids townships. The west line was surveyed by W. J. Neeley in July, 1859. The north, south and east lines were surveyed in 1864 by M, K. Armstrong-, and the subdivision of the township was made in November that year by the same surveyor. It contains 22,904.43 acres of land. Pipestone creek enters the township near the northwest corner of section 3 and pursues a southeasterly course, leaving- the township near the southeast corner of section 35. It has four small tributaries within the township. In the northern portion there are two mounds of sufficient elevation to be quite noticeable, from the top of which, with a good glass, quite a number of the cities and villages in Minnesota and South Dakota can be seen. Aside from these mounds the surface is almost level, probably the most so of anv township in the county.

Some land was taken up in 1872, but the actual settlement of the township began in 1873. Rawly Corothers and his two sons William and James, John J. Stromme, Walter Crisp, James Hart, S. P. Kringen, John E. Johnson, George L. Wood and John A. Kilness were among those who settled there during- that vear. Mr. Coro- thers built a plank dwelling- house, cutting- plank eig-hteen feet in leng-th in two pieces, and standing- them on end with sod on the outside. The roof was cov'ered with boards. The lumber was haulei fr(Mn Worthing-ton, IVIinnesota. Walter Crisp built the first sod n^sidence in Log-an on section 8; his son IClmer was the hrst wiiite bov and Martha Corothers the first white g-irl born in the townshi]). In the fall of 1874 a school election was held. Walter Crisj) was elected director, Ed. Hart clerk, and James Hart treasurer. The board employed James Hart to teach a three months school at his own house - a sod house twelve by fourteen feet - located on the northwest quarter of section 8. There was a stag-e road runningeast and west throug-h the township a little south of the center at an earlv dav, and in 1874 a post office was established on the southeast corner of section 18. Hiram Harvey was the first postmaster and he was succeeded by J. E. Johnson. The office remained there about -four years, when it was removed to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 19, where it remained for about the same leng-th of time, and was then discontinued. There are some \erv enterprising- farmers in this township, and Log-an has at all times been quite an important factor in the affairs of the county.

The town officers elected in 1881 were: Supervisors, James Corothers chairman, John A. Stromme, Nels Henjum; Allen K. Ham re clerk, Edgar Harvev treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor, James Hart, Albert J. Stromme justices of the peace, (xeo. L. Wood constable. Aug-ust 13 the board met at James N. Corothers' residence, Edg-ar Harvey tendered his resignation as treasurer, and W. H. Harrison was appointed to fill the vacancy.

1882. Supervisors, James N. Corothers chairman, John Kilness, J. T. Harvev; A. K. Hamre clerk, John E. Johnson assessor, Charley Betchold treasurer, Walter Crisp constable. The first warrant was issued Januarv 2, 1882, to John E. Johnson for S17, for services as assessor in 1881. J. T. Harvey having- removed from the township, Ole Mikkelson was appointed supervisor June 3, to fill vacancv until January 1, 1883.

1884. Supervisors, James Hart chairman, Walter Crisp, C. Hanson; John Stromme clerk, Georg-e L. Wood treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor, John Hale, Marten O. Helland constables. At the annual meeting- it was resolved, that all nonresidents of the township hunting- prairie chickens with g-un and dog- should be liable to a fine of not less than S2, nor more than S5, for each offense, the monev to be used for public schools in town. Twenty-four \otes were cast at this meeting-.

1885. Supervisors, James Hart chairman, James N. Corothers, Carelius Hanson; John A. Stromme clerk, John E. Johnson assessor. Geo. K. Wood treasurer, Allen K. Hamre, Walter Crisp justices of the peace, Jens E. Johnson, M\'ron Guild constables.

N. Corothers; Carelius Hanson clerk, Geo. L. Wood treasurer, John K. Johnson assessor. It was moved and carried that none of the supervisors hold more than one office at a time.

1S87. Supervisors, James Hart chairman, James N. Corothers, W. A. Guild; Carelius Hanson clerk, John E. Johnson assessor, Geo. L. Wood treasurer, Nels Henjum, Walter Crisp justices of the peace, Jens E. Johnson, Elmer Carr constables.

1888. Supervisors, James Hart chairman, James N. Corothers, W. A. Guild; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor, Gary Harvey, Edg-ar Jarrad constables, Nels Henjum was elected justice of the peace to fill vacancy.

1880. Supervisors. James Hart chairman, James N. Corothers, W. A. Guild; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor, W. Merry, Geo. L.Wood justices of the peace, (xeo. Bapp, William Wood constables.

I 89 I. Supervisors, James N. Corothers chairman, A. H. Semmen, C. P. Dutcher; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, C. Stromme assessor, John E. Johnson, John Hart justices of the peace, William Wood, Bruce Hart constables.

1892. Supervisors, James Corothers chairman, A. H. Semmen, Geo. L. Wood; Carelius Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor, W. Merry justice of the peace. A motion to l)uild a town hall was defeated.

1893. Supervisors, James N. Corothers chairman, Geo. L. Wood, A. H. Semmen; C. Hanson clerk, P. S. Gordon treasurer, John E. Johnson assessor, W. Merry, John Hart justices of the peace, M. Corothers, Geo. S. Bapp constables.

J 899. Supervisors, John E. Johnson chairman, S. A. Braa, J. N. Corothers; clerk, Elmer Crisp; treasurer, M. L. Guild; assessor, C. Hanson; justices of the peace, Geo. L. Wood, M. M. Corothers.

Bapp, E. S., is a Vermonter by birtli, having been born at St. Albans, Vermont, September 3, 183(). In 1862 he enlisted in Co. 1), 11th Heavy Artillery, and served until May, 18()5, when he was honorablv discharg'ed. After havino- resided in Wisconsin and Iowa for some time he became a citizen of this county in June, 1874, when he took up a homestead on the northeast quarter of section 18, in Loy-an, where he has since resided. He is a ofood farmer, and a respected citizen.

Berg, Ole B., is a native of Norway, and was born Auy-ust 8, 1854. He emig-rated to the United States in 1884, and settled in this county. He secured a homestead on the southwest quarter of section 14, in Log-an, where he has since resided, and has added the northeast quarter of section 22 to his homestead, and has a fine farm. He is an enterprising- farmer, and an esteemed citizen.

Braa, Andrew S., was born in Norway February 23, 1849; emigrated to the United States in 1880, and lived in Michig-an until in 1882, when he removed to this count}^ He secured a homestead on the northwest quarter of section 1, in Logan, where during- the first few years he lived with his family in a sod house, which is still preserved as a memento of pioneer days. He has now erected on his farm a comfortable, two story frame residence, and other buildings and improvements, and has a very g-ood farm. He has held the office of school director, is an industrious farmer, and a g-ood citizen.

Bratsburg, Ole H., was born in Norway, September 29, 1836. He came to the United States in 1871, lived in Illinois three vears, and located in this county May 5, 1874. He secured by pre-emption the northeast quarter of section 24, in Log-an, where he still resides. He also owns the southwest quarter of the same section, and has a larg-e, well improved farm, is a prosperous farmer, and a g-ood citizen. He has held some school offices.

COROTHERS, James N., son of Rawley Corothers, was born in Carl county, Indiana, March 18, 1850, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to Sioux Palls in 1872, and in 1873, took up land in section 20 in Log-an, where he has since resided. He is a g-ood farmer and has comfortable surrounding-s. Since the org-anization of the township he has held some office nearly every year, and has been the chairman of the town board. He is an honest man, a g-ood official, and well liked by his neighbors.

Corothers, Mrs. Martha, was born at Jefferson, Montg-omery county, Ohio, August 18, 1826, and came with her husband, Rawlev Corothers, to Log-an, this county, on the 19th day of May, 1873. Mr. Corothers took up a tree claim and a homestead, and resided there until his death, which occurred October 2, 1875. The homestead was located on the southwest quarter of section 20, and Mrs. Corothers continued to reside there until her death, which occurred February 11, 1898. In the early days her home was a reg-ular meeting- place. Rev. Mr. Hill, the pioneer minister of Dell Rapids, frequentlv held services in her house, and she had been a member of the Methodist

Crisp, Walter, was born in Long- Stanton, Caniliridgeshire, Engdand, June 27, 1849. He emig-rated to this country and settled in Wisconsin. May 1, 1873, he came to this county, and secured a homestead and a pre-emption on the southwest quarter of section *) and the south east quarter of section 8 in Log-an. He built a sod shanty on section 8, which was the first one built in Log-an. He finally built a residence and other farm buildings on the southwest quarter of section 9, and has one of the finest g-roves in the county about his home, his house being- approached from the hig-hway throug-h an avenue shaded by larg-e, handsome trees, and is probably the first farm in the county having- telephone connection. He has now a farm of 640 acres, and is one of the prosperous farmers of Minnehaha county. His son Elmer was the first white boy born in Logan. Mr. Crisp is a prominent member of the I. O. O. P., and is a charter member of several organizations of this order. He has held several town offices, is an active, enterprising citizen, and when the Republican party held conventions, until quite recentlv he was present, participating- in the proceedings, and it is not too much to say that he is one of the foremost citizens in the county.

FOREBREGD, JoHN, was born in Norway, May 7, 1854. He came to this country in 1880, lived in Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska and Mexico, and came to Dakota in 1888. He bought the northwest quarter of section 2, in Logan, w^here he now lives engaged in farming-.

Gordon, P. S., was born in Grafton, New Hampshire, March 22, 1852. He resided in Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas before coming to this county in December, 1885. He resides on section 19 in Log-an, where he has a very neat farm with substantial, handsome buildings. He is largely interested in real estate and in sheep raising-, and in 1894, in connection with L. W, Roberts, he rented a larg-e ranch near Wessington Springs, and took a flock of sheep numbering 1,300 head to that place. He is an energetic, enterprising- business man, and is a highly respected citizen.

Guild, Myron L., was born in Holden, Worcester county, Mass., May 25, 1848. When seven 3^ears of age he removed with his parents to the state of New York, and remained there until he was eighteen years old, w^hen they removed to Wisconsin. In 1884, he came to Dakota, and has been a resident of this countv ever since. He bought and still owns the southeast quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 7, the southeast quarter of section 17, and the southwest quarter of section 8, where his residence is located surrounded by an extensive grove. He has been towm treasurer and director of the school board several years, and is one of the prominent farmers of Logan township.

(tUILD, W. G. a., w^as born in Attleborough, Mass., July 19, 1819. He resided for several vears in Holden, Mass., where he was married to Emma E. Bolton, January 4, 1842. He moved to Fowler, St. Lawrence county. New York in 1855, and in 1861 he enlisted in the ()Oth X. V. Vol., Co. F., remaining- in service until 18()2, when he was honorably dischartred on account of disability. In 1866, he removed to Lake Mills, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. In 1867 he I'oined the I. O. O. P., of which he was an active member, passingthroug'h the different chairs, and remaining- up to the time of his death an honored member of the order. In 1884 he removed to Log-an township, where he was one of its most prominent citizens, residing- with his son, Mvron L. Ouild, up to the time of his decease, October 28, 1894.

Hanson, Adolph, was born in Norway, in October, 1857. He came to the United States in 1866, with his parents, who lived in Minnesota eig-ht years, and in 1874 settled in this countv, where the subject of this sketch has since resided. He secured a homestead on the northwest quarter of section 23, and a tree claim on the northeast quarter of section 22, in Logfan, where he resides, and has a g-ood farm. He is a respected citizen.

Hart, James, w-as born in Hunting-tonshire, Eng-land, Augfust 18, 1842. He emig-rated to the United States and resided in New York, then in Wisconsin, and came from there to this county, June 1, 1873. He pre-empted the northw^est quarter of section 8, in Log-an, and in relating- his experience on that place in the early days, he said: "Our house and stable were built of sod with a board lining-. The first two winters I did not see a person, except those who came with me, with one exception. On one occasion three antelopes came and looked in at the window of our house. Notwithstanding- the privations we had to suffer, in a g-reat measure due to the ravag-es of the g-rasshoppers, we were happy and contented." Mr. Hart was chairman of the town board of supervisors in Log-an for ten consecutive years, and in the fall of 1892 was elected to the state senate, where he served his constituency with g-reat fidelity during- the session of the leg-islature in 1893. He is a successful, prosperous farmer, and a thoroughly uprig-ht citizen.

Henjum, Nels, came to the United States on his 24th birthday, having- emig-rated from Norway, where he w^as born March 1, 1850. He went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, remained there a few months, and in the fall of 1874, located in this count3\ He took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 33, in Log-an. He also secured a tree claim, but sold it and boug^-ht eig-hty acres in section 29, in the same town. He resided on his homestead until recently, when he removed to Blue Earth City, Minn. He was one of the first supervisors of the town board of Log-an, and lias been a member of the school board in district No. 36.

JohnscTn, Fred N., emig-rated to the United States from Norway, where he was born September 5, 1851. After having- lived in Iowa for one year he came to Dakota and located in this county in July, 1873, filing- a homestead upon the southeast quarter of section 27, and a tree claim upon the southwest cjuarter of section 26, and boug-ht the southwest c[uarter of section 10, in Log-an. He resides on the tree claim, is a successful farmer and a g-ood citizen, and has held the office of school director.

Johnson, John E., was born in Norway, December 22, 18-I-7. He emio-rated to the United States in 1858, and lived in Iowa and Minnesota until he settled in this county in June, 1873. He took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 28, in Log-an, where he resided until his death, which occurred while on the way from his home to Dell Rapids, October 2, 1894. His wife died three years before, but a family of seven children survive them. He was a thrifty, well-to-do farmer, and eng-ag-ed larg-ely in sheep raising-. He had been assessor for thirteen years and school district clerk for twelve vears, and was a highly respected citizen.

KiLNESS, John A., is a native of Norway, and was born September 22, 1846. He emig-rated to the United States and lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota until 1873, when he removed to this county and located on his present farm, which comprises between four and five hundred acres of land in sections 30 and 31 in Log-an, and is a fine farm with g-ood buildings and improvements. He has l)een supervisor of the town board two years, is an industrious, enterprising- farmer, and a g-ood citizen.

Kringen, Severt P., was born in Norway, January 13, 1S31. In 1872 he emig-rated to the; United States, and located in this county, where he the following- ye,&r took up as a homestead the northeast quarter of section 3 in Log-an, where he still resides and has a g-ood farm. He has been director of the school board for several years.

Merman, Henry, was born in Germany, in 1831. He emig-rated to this country; lived in Kansas and Wisconsin for some time and settled in Dakota in 1882. He then boug-ht the southwest quarter of section 4, and the northwest quarter of section 9 in Log-an, and lived there, an industrious farmer and respected citizen, until his death, which occurred in 1886. His son, Henry Merman, now assists his mother in taking- care of the farm, and at the same time attends to his own farm in Miner county. Mrs. Merman resides on the northwest (juarter of section 9.

Merry, William E., was born in Waupacca county, Wisconsin, March 6, 1861. He came to Dakota October 15, 1873, and entered a homestead in Miner county, and a tree claim in Moody county. He afterwards boug-ht the northwest quarter of section 28 in Log-an, where he now resides, and has a g-ood farm. He has been justice of the peace, and chairman and supervisor of the town board, is an enterprising- farmer, and a hig-hly esteemed citizen.

Stromme, John J., has been a resident of the United States since 1850. He was born in Norway December 16, 1826. After his coming- to this country he resided in Wisconsin four years, antl then in Minnesota until his coming- to Dakota in 1872, when he located on his present farm the southeast quarter of section 11. He also owned a timber claim comprising- the northwest quarter of section 13, which he disposed of to his son Carl J. Stromme. He is a g-ood citizen.

Stromme, Carl J., was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, September 19, 1856; was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. On the 28th day of March, 1887, he arrived in Log-an, where he pre-empted the northeast quarter of section 1, and boug-ht the northwest quarter of section 13, and resides there. He has held the oftice of assessor of the township, is a ij-ood nei^^hhor and a respected citizen,

Thoreson, Lorentz, is a native of Norwav, and was born Julv 1, 1839. He came to the United States Auo-ust 1, 1858, and lived in Minnesota twenty-ei<j-ht \'ears. In April, 1886, he located in this county, and bou<>-ht land in the southeast quarter of section 32 in L;)L;Mn, and the northwest quarter of section 5 in Edison, and is eni^ayed in farmino-. November 4, 1861, he enlisted in Co. 1), 3d Minnesota Infantry, and served until September 22, 1865, when he was discharo-ed. He is a good farmer and a hig-hly respected citizen.

Wood, CtEorge Lester, of Logan, was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, October 21, 1845. He attended school and worked on a farm until he was tw^enty-one years of age. For the next seven years he taught village and county schools. He was married to Mary E. Hart in 1868. In 1873 he came to Dell Rapids, and \erv soon took up a quarter section of land in Logan bv pre-emption, and afterwards a tree claim and homestead adjoining, and has since then purchased 80 acres. He now^ ow^ns the south half of section 5, the east half of the southeast quarter of section 6, and the northeast quarter of section 8, making in all 560 acres of land. It is a good farm and he knows how to manage it. In the summer of 1874; he and his wife went down to where the village of Baltic is now located, and upon returning- home the same day, found the grasshoppers had taken possession of his premises and appropriated all he had growing. He then moved to Dell Rapids and commenced keeping- the Alexander House, in which he remained one year and a half, then took possession of the Dells House and remained the same length of time. During the fall of 1874, he contracted to teach school in Dell Rapids for S20 a month, and taug-ht live months during that fall and winter. He commenced school in Albion Thome's dug-out, nearly a mile from the village, but afterwards moved into what was called the "Joe Irving place" a combination printing- office and dwelling- house. This place, however, became too cold in the winter, and the school was moved into a vacant dwelling- house belonging to Mr. Mann. During the winter Mr. Wood and his scholars would go out and pick up driftwood and anything they could find to keep the school tires going. There were twenty-eight to thirty scholars in attendance, and Mr. Wood says, "the school was made up of the brightest scholars I ever taught." The grasshoppers attended to his farmingwhile he was teaching- school and keeping hotel, but when, at the expiration of three years, they abandoned the country, he moved back to his farm, which he has since occupied. When constables were elected by the county, before the organization of townships, Mr, Wood was elected constable for four years. In the fall of 1889 he was elected county commissioner from the second district and served the full term of three years. He was a faithful servant upon the county board, and brought to its deliberations good sound judgment and g-ood business abilitv. He looks as thoug-h he was grown amongthe tall pines of Maine, instead of having been reared on the prairie. He is always good-natured, a good neighbor and a good citizen, and has a host of friends.

Dell Rapids township is bounded on the north by Moody county, on the east, south, and west, by Logan, Sverdrup and Burk townships. The township lines were surveyed by W. J. Neeley in July, 1859, and the subdivision was made in October, 1864, by Carl C. P. Meyer. According- to the g-overnment survey, the township contains 23,007.85 acres of land. The Big- Sioux river enters the township on the north, about eig-hty rods west of the northeast corner of the township, then flows in a southwesterly course to the southwest corner of section 11, where it turns abruptly and flows for a distance of two miles in a course nearly due west, thence in a southwesterly direction, and leaves the township on the southwest quarter of section 32. According- to the orig-inal survey there were a few small streams tributary to the Sioux river having- their source in the township.

The first settlement was made in 1868 by Ole O. Lang-ness, Gunerius Thompson, and Ole Thompson, all of whom are still residents of the township. Rolluf Anderson settled there in 1869. The land, especially along- the banks of the river, was soon taken up by actual settlers, and some of the finest improvements in the county can now be found upon the farms in this township.

Stordal Evangelical Lutheran Church. - This church was org-anized in 1872, and belong-s to the branch known as Haug-e's Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. In 1882, a church building- was erected about two and a half miles south of the city of Dell Rapids, at a cost of about $1,500. The following- ministers have been in charg-e: Reverends, G. L. Graven, C. C. Holter, Chr. C. Moe, and A. O. Mortvedt, who is the present pastor. Services are held every other Sunday. There is a Sunday school and a Ladies' Aid and Mission Society, also a Young- Ladies' Mission Society connected with the church.

The records of this township for the first few years are so incomplete that it is impossible to obtain a full list of the township officials. The supervisors in 1881, were Peter Morse chairman, O. H. Smith and Rolluf Anderson; clerk, M. R. Kenefick; assessor, L. D. Moran. The first warrant was drawn in favor L. D. Moran in the sum of S50 for services as assessor.

April 17. Albion Thorne resio-ned as assessor and Wm. M. Carr Avas a|)]K)inted. It appears from the records that on January 12, 1SS3, Kolluf Anderson was chairman of the board.

1883. On the 24th day of February there was a meeting- of the board and R. S. Alexander was chairman. March 10, E. P. Harrinii*- ton was appointed constable. The clerk was instructed to ])rocure a certified copy from the secretary of state of an act passed by the leg-- islature amending- the charter of the villag-e. April 21, E. T. Sawyer was appointed supervisor, E. P. Pierce clerk and Rolluf Anderson assessor.

1886. Supervisors, O. P. Bowles chairman, Ole Thompson, Ole Eang-ness; clerk, R. S. Alexander; justices, Georg-e T. Parg-o, Rolluf Anderson; assessor, Tollef Anundson. March 17, Georg-e T. Parg-o was appointed supervisor in place of Ole Lang-ness who failed to qualify.

1888. Supervisors, O. P. Bowles chairman, Ole Thompson, E. T. Sawyer; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistinson; assessor, R. S. Alexander; justices, J. W. Walters, P. M. Thompson; constable, Georg-e T. Parg-o. March 27, board met and ap- ])ointed Rolluf Anderson justice in the place of P. M. Thompson who did not qualify. June 18, a special meeting- was held to determine whether or not there should be a resurvey of the township, and to raise a tax of two mills to meet the expenses of the same. The vote was 30 for resurvey and 17 ag-ainst. Aug-ust 18, the board authorized O. P. Bowles to employ the county surveyor to make the new survey.

1889. Supervisors, C. L. Thompson chairman, E. T. Sawyer, Ole Thompson; clerk and justice, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistinson; constables, John W. Walters, W. D. Richardson. The bill of Surveyor Van Antwerp for S350.85was presented to the meeting- and a vote taken upon its being- allowed, which resulted in 30 votes ybr and 32 against.

1890. Supervisors, C. L. Thompson chairman, Ole Thompson, E. T. Sawyer; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin ICistinson; assessor, Tollef Anundson; justice, J. W. Walters; constable, D. W. Richardson. The board w^as directed to employ H. J. Austin of Vermillion, South Dakota, to make a leg-al resurvey of the township. March 25, the board, having- been informed by Mr. Austin^that he was unable to survey the township for some months, voted to postpone the survey until he could do it. June 24, E. T. Sawyer havingresig-ned as supervisor, Lorentz Thoreson was appointed. October 28, Surveyor Austin commenced the resurvey of the township. No-

J 891. Supervisors, R. S. Alexander chairman, Lorentz Thoreson, Ole Thompson; clerk, Rolluf Anderson; treasurer, Eistin Eistinson; assessor, Tollef Anundson; constables, W. D. Richardson, (ieorg-e T. Parg-o. May 16, the board amended by resolution the record of the proceeding's of October 28, 1890, in reference to the resurvey so that it should be complete. October 27, the board appointed J. W. Walters chairman of the town board in the place of R. S. Alexander who had removed from the tow^nship, and E. P. Pierce was appointed constable in the place of W, D. Richardson for the same reason. At the end of the 3^ear there was S735.30 in the treasury.

1898. Supervisors, Tollef Anundson chairman, Georg-e Merrv, O. O. Lyng-; clerk, W. S. McGill, resig-ned September 28, 1898, and J. J. Mortvedt was appointed to fill vacancy; treasurer, E. Eistinson; assessor, A. P. Bakken.

Anderson, Rolluf, a native of Norway, was born May 20, 1842. He emigrated and located in Wisconsin, but removed from there to Dakota and located in this county, September 27, 1869. He took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 28, and as a tree claim the south half of the southeast quarter of section 17, to whicli he ridded bv purchase, and at the time of his decease was the owner of over 500 acres of land in Dell Rapids township. He was clerk of the town board for several 3'ears, was an enterprisino-, industrions farmer, and a hig-hlv respected citizen. He died suddenh- on his farm, the ()th day of October, 1898.

Bakken, a. p., was born at Roros, Norway, November 1*), ISi.O. He emi_i>-rated with his parents to the United States in the spring- of 18()'), and lived in (Toodhue county, Minn., four years. On the 2d day of June, 1873, they arrived in this county, and his father, P. J. Bakken, secured a homestead on the southeast quarter of section 3, in Sverdrup township, where he still resides. The subject of this sketch now owns the east half of the southwest quarter of section 33, in Dell Rapids township, w-here he resides eng-ag-ed in farmino-. He was assessor of Dell Rapids township in 1898, is a ^ood farmer and a o-ood citizen.

Eaton, E. E., was born in Dlinois, March 4, 1858, He resided in Iowa a few years and came from there to this county in 188(), and settled on the northeast quarter of section 7, in Dell Rapids, wliei'e he has since resided. He has held the office of town supervisor an 1 justice of the peace, and is a o-ood citizen.

EisTiNSON, Eistix, was born in Trondhjem, Norway, in 183S. and emio-rated to the United States and settled in Calumet, Michi- <>"in, in 1866. In 1871, he removed to this county, and settled in Dell Rapids township. He took up a homestead in section 28, and has now a fine farm of 440 acres with substantial building's and imj)rovements. He has been town treasurer several years, is a thrifty, wellto-do farmer, and a respected citizen.

EsTEiNSEN, N. A., was born near the city of Hammerfest, Norway, the most northerly city on the g-lobe, on the 6th day of Deceml)er, 1865. He emigrated to the United States in 1880, and settled in this county, where he has since resided. When he attained his majority he took up a homestead comprising- the south half of the southeast quarter of section 27, in Dell Rapids, where he now resides. He held the office of assessor in Dell Rapids township in 1897, and is an enterprising-, g-ood citizen.

Hill, Rev. William T., w^as born in Illinois, July 23, 1832. He enlisted in Co. C, 69th Illinois Volunteers, in 1862, and was appointed postmaster for the Confederate prisoners at Camp Doug-las, Chicag-o, his duty being- to examine and read all letters received or sent by them. After the war he resided in Wisconsin a few years, and removed from there to this county and settled at Dell Rapids June 1, 1873. He took up the northwest quarter of section 13, as a homestead and secured a tree claim in section 14. He was the first settler in the eastern portion of Dell Rapids township and in order to build a house he had to haul the lumber from Worthing-ton, Minnesota, and he says: "It was a four days' trip, and the mosquitos were perfectly awful," He was the first pastor of the First Baptist church at Dell Rapids, and was the first resident minister in that place. During- those earlv davs he frequently drove twenty miles in a lumber wag-on to fill his appointments on the Sabbath. Mr. Hill was an earnest pioneer worker, and is greatly respected as a citizen and minister.

Kennedy, David J., was born in Canada December 28, 1853. After coming- to the United States he resided in Kansas and Minnesota, and in 1890 settled in Dell Rapids, purchasing- the southwest quarter of section 13, where he resides. During- his short residence in Dell Rapids he has established a g-ood reputation as a citizen, and was chairman of the town board of supervisors from 1892 to 1898.

Landstad, Ole M., was born in Norway in 1851. He emig-rated to Dakota in 1882, and has been a resident of this county ever since. He boug-ht and still owns 240 acres of land in section 21, in Dell Rapids, where he resides and has a g-ood farm. He has been treasurer of school district No. 8 several years, and is a g-ood citizen. Before coming- to this country he was eig-ht years in the Norwegian cavalry.

Langness, Ole O., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1847. He emigrated to the United States in 1867, and lived in Minnesota until the year following, when he removed to Dakota, and located in this county, where he has since remained. He took up a homestead in section 32, in Dell Rapids township, and a tree claim and preemption in sections 10 and 15 in Log-an township. Afterwards he sold the tree-claim, and bought 80 acres in section 5 in Sverdrup township, and owns at the present time several hundred acres of land in this county. He resides on his homestead, which is very prettily located on the Big- Sioux river, and is a fine farm, with fine buildings. Unlike his brother, John O. Langness, he takes verv little interest in political afl^airs, but attends strictly to farming, and is highly esteemed as a neig-hbor and citizen.

Merry, Mrs. Margaret, was l)orn in New York in 1824. She married Lyman Merry and they came to Dell Rapids in 1873, and took up as a homestead the southeast quarter of section 13 in Dell Rapids. Mr. Merry died in 1878, and Mrs. Merry continued to live on the farm until 1898, when she also died," survived by two daughters and a son, who reside in this county, and one son who resides in Wisconsin. She was a good Christian woman, and g-reatly beloved and esteemed by all who knew her.

OiEN, Halvor H., a son of Heinming- H. Oien, was born in Norway in 1870. He came to the United States with his parents in 1872, and to this county in 1874. He has inherited his father's industry, is well educated, and is one of the highlv respected voung farmers of Dell Rapids. " ^ "

OiEN, Heinming H.,is a native of Norway, and was born in 1843. He emigrated to the United States in 1872, and resided in Minnesota two years. In 1874 he came to this county and settled in Dell Rapids, taking up the southeast quarter of section 25 as a homestead, where he has since resided. He now owns 600 acres of farm land in this county, of which 320 acres are situated in section 25, 120 acres in section 36 in Dell Rapids, and the balance in the town of Log-an. He has a g-ood farm with g-ood improvements, and is an industrious, hard-workin,g man, and a g-ood citizen.

Sawykr, E. T., is a native of Canada, and was horn October 25, 1826. He removed to the United States with his parents when a small lad; was educated in the common schools, and worked on a farm until he was twent3'-one years of ag-e. He eng-ag-ed in farming in Vermont, Wisconsin and Iowa, and came to this countv from Iowa in December, 1874, pre-empting- a quarter section of land in Dell Rapids, where he has since remained. He has been a member of the town board several years, and is highly esteemed as a citizen.

Staudenraus, Jacob, was born in Germany, October 2, 1832. He came to Wisconsin in 1866 and lived there until 1877, when he removed to this countv. He took up a homestead in sections 11 and 12 in Dell Rapids township, to which he has since added 2M) acres of land. He has been a successful farmer, lives on his homestead, and has a g-ood farm,

Thompson, Charl?:s L,, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 20, 1844; removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 185:>, and resided there until April 1, 1887. At that time he removed to Dakota and located in this county, purchasing the southwest quarter of section 12 in Dell Rapids for SI, 800, on which he erected farm l)uildings at a cost of about SI, 500. He resided at this place until in 1894, when he rented the farm and returned to Wisconsin to take care of the aged parents of his wife. While living in Dell Rapids he was an active participator in affairs of the town, and was electeil chairman of the town board two years. Near the close of the civil war he enlisted in the military service, and served until August 14, 1865. Mr. Thompson had the confidence of his neig-hbors and townsmen, who reg-retted his removal from the state.

Thompson, Gunerius, is a native of Norway, and was born March 7, 1857. He emigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Goodhue countv, Minnesota, in 1865. In October, 1868, they removed to this county, and settled in Dell Rapids township. The subject of this sketch is now one of the largest and most successful farmers in Minnehaha county, owning- 1,028 acres of farm land in Dell Rapids and Sverdrup. He has been a member of the tow^n board of supervisors of Dell Rapids township four years, and is highly esteemed as a neig'hbor and citizen.

Thompson, Ole, the subject of this sketch, was born in Norway on the 19th day of August, 1849, He emigrated to the United States in 1866, and lived in Goodhue county, Minnesota, until he removed to Dakota and settled in this county in 1868; all his possessions at that time being one pair of oxen and a cow. He secured a pre-emption, which he proved up and sold for S600; then filed on 160 acres as a homestead, and also took a timber claim. He has one of the finest farms in the county and owns in all about 700 acres of land in Dell Rapids township. He has been a successful farmer, but in common with other pioneers, has had some discourag^ing drawbacks and losses to crops by grasshoppers and hail storms. He has been supervisor of the town board and director of the school board for several years. He is one of the most sturdy and reliable citizens in the countv.

Thompson, P. G., was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, June 6, 1868. In the spring- of 1869 he came with his parents to this county, where he has since resided, except in 1888, when he went to Norway, where he visited his parents' birthplace, and saw a great deal of the old country. He resides in section 30, Dell Rapids township. In 1892 he was elected town treasurer, and bv re-elections held the office for three successive years. He is a good farmer, and an enterprising- and respected citizen.