The History of the Minnesota Valley

Biographical and Historical Data

Pages 941 - 980

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H. J. Chalmers was born in March, 1849, in New Brunswick. In 1867 he removed to Wabasha county, Minnesota; after farming one year he engaged in carpenter work; he located on a claim in Lac qui Parle in 1870 but shortly after resumed his trade; he was proprietor of a furniture store in the village four years. Married in 1872, Ellen Nash; five children.

M. C. Chamberlin, born September 20, 1826, in Genesee county, New York, went at the age of eight, with his parents to Chautauqua county. He worked on a railroad five years and was interested in pork packing two years. He gave considerable attention to politics; during presidential campaigns took an active part in canvass of the western states and for a time published a campaign sheet at Wabasha, where he was afterward in mercantile trade. In 1874 he came to this town and in 1878 started the Lac qui Parle Independent with J. P. Jacobs. Married in 1846, Angelina Dodge; two living children.

Charles J. Coghlan was born in Prince Edwards Island, December 24, 1846; when sixteen years old be went with his parents to Dodge county, Wisconsin; served in Company B, 16th regiment of that state from February, 1865 till war closed. He learned printing at Lake City, this state; in 1872 came here, and until 1880 published the Lac qui Parle Press; was elected register of deeds in 1874, '78 and '80; was appointed court commissioner and is now justice. Married in 1876, Mary O'Hara; three sons living.

L. R. Davis was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, December 25, 1815. Received an academic education and taught nearly thirty years commencing at the age of sixteen; he removed to Ohio, and in 1849 to Wisconsin; was auditor of Green Lake county two years and clerk of the court three years; studied law and was admitted to the bar in Fond du Lac county; in 1872 he came to this place; taught two years and also officiated as county attorney and superintendent of schools; has been county auditor since 1880 and was postmaster from 1877 to 1881. Married in 1843, Miss W. L. Gridley; five children.

H. L. Hayden, native of New York, was born March 23, 1850, in Onondaga county and attained an academical education. From 1875 to 1878 he resided on section 29 of Hantho, this county, then came to Lac qui Parle and began the study of law; was admitted to practice in June 1881. Ophelia
Beller became his wife in 1872; they have three children.

E. F. Jacobson, who is a native of Norway was born March 4, 1846. He came to America with his parents in 1857 and settled in Fayette county, Iowa; in 1870 he removed to Lac qui Parle and settled on section 32. He was married in 1869, to Miss Sorena Olson; there are five children living. Mr. Jacobson was elected sheriff of this county in 1879 and re-elected in 1881.

J. F. Jacobson, born January 13, 1849, is a native of Norway, but has been a resident of the United States since 1857. From that date until 1871 he resided in Fayette county, Iowa, then settled on a farm in Cerro Gordo, Lac qui Parle county; he is engaged in the farm machinery business. Mr. Jacobson was elected county auditor in 1873-5-7. In 1874 he married Mary Olson who died in 1880; there are two living children.

P. F. Jacobson, born April 14, 1842, in Norway, immigrated to America at the age of fifteen, with his parents. Until 1869 he lived in Fayette county, Ohio, then came to Lac qui Parle county; was the founder of a settlement here, of people from Iowa; he was the first justice of this town and performed the first marriage ceremony; has served in the state legislature and as county treasurer; since 1879 he has been judge of probate. Married in 1876, Matilda Olson; seven children.

Philip Lortz was born October 14, 1841, in Hocking county, Ohio. In 1863 he enlisted in Company L, 12th Ohio, and served till honorably discharged in 1865; he was one who assisted in the capture of Jefferson' Davis. From 1867 till 1872 he lived in Blue Earth county, then came here and embarked in mercantile business in company with H. A. Larson. Married in 1872, Matilda Johnson; three of their five children are living.

Dr. S. G. Miller, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, went at the age of seven with his parents to Ohio. Began the study of medicine when twenty years old; attended lectures in Philadelphia and in 1855 graduated at the Keokuk Medical college. The doctor has practiced in different places and since 1874 has been at Lac qui Pule; opened a hardware store in 1881. Married in 1834 Nancy Jane McEwen, who died in 1872; seven living children; in 1878 Sarah Jennings became his wife.

William M. Mills, native of Canada, born in March, 1825, removed in 1855 to Oshawa, Nicollet county, thence in 1859 to Swan Lake, where he lost everything at the time of the Indian massacre; resided in St. Peter three years, but in 1865 went to Redwood Falls; in 1868 came here and took the first claim in this county; he was a member of the first board of supervisors and for a number of years was county commissioner. Married in 1845, Anna Graham; ten children.

N. E. Munger was born March 31, 1846, in Wayne county, Michigan. From 1850 till 1862 he lived in Fayette co.unty, Iowa, then went to Eau Claire county, Wisconsin; served from 1863 till 1864 it Company D, Seventh Wisconsin, after which he was in the livery business at Augusta, that state, until coming in 1877 to Lac qui Pule county; was one of the first settlers in Augusta and chairman of the first board; was also county commissioner. His business is dealing in farm machinery. Married in 1876, Clara Snow.

John Nash, Sr., native of Berkshire, England, was born January 14, 1807, and lived on a farm until March. 1837, when he was appointed a relieving officer and filled that position for eighteen years; in 1855 he came to America and resided in Rice county, Minnesota, till 1868, at which time he settled on section 30 of this town. Married in 1836, Ann Love, who has borne him ten children; eight are living.

John B. Oadson, born December 15, 1849, in Norway, immigrated with his parents to America in 1850. After residing three years in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, they went to Fayette county, Iowa, thence in 1871 to Lac qui Paige; since 1875 he has filled the office of clerk of the court; is also engaged  in the machine trade. In 1879 he married Bertha Hill; two children living.

E. W. Parsons. who is a native of Chenango county, New York, was born October 23, 1858, and remained there until nineteen years of age; in 1878 he removed to Lac qui Parle and in 1881 erected a feed mill.

E. J. Petterson, whose native land is Sweden, was born in the year 1852. He emigrated, and became a resident of the United States; located in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1871, and there learned the trade of blacksmith; in 1880 Mr. Petterson opened a shop in Lac qui Parle.

J. C. Pope, who was born March 12, 1849, is a native of Orange county, Vermont. In the year 1860 he accompanied his parents who migrated to Minnesota; until 1877 he resided in Winona county then came to Lac qui Parle and soon after began reading law. Mr. Pope was elected county attorney in 1881.

J. R. Pope, born in 1849 in Orange county, Vermont, learned blacksmithing, and remained in that state until twenty-one years old. Enlisted in 1862 in Company C, 10th Minnesota; served against the Indians one year, then was south till 1865. In 1877 he removed from Winona county to Lac qui Parle and took a homestead; opened a blacksmith shop in 1880 with Mr. Simpson. Married in 1873, Amanda Allen; two children living.

J. Praul, native of Pennsylvania, was born in November, 1836, in Bucks county. He grew to manhood on a farm, and while living in the East he dealt in stock; in 1869 he migrated to Lac qui Parle, and the next spring took a claim on section 33, where he has since resided.

P. Simpson, born May 14, 1842, in Norway, came to the United States in 1862. Enlisted in Company I, 82d Illinois, and in 1865 was honorably discharged. He engaged in blacksmithing at Eldorado, Iowa, but in 1870 settled on section
34, of this town; was elected sheriff in 1872 and again in 1876. Married Ida Olson in 1869; four living children.

S. J. Simpson was born March 26, 1844, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. He was employed in lumbering; enlisted in 1861, in Company D, 54th Pennsylvania, and served till December, 1864; was in thirty-six engagements. Mr. Simpson was in Iowa six years, and in Wabasha, county, Minnesota, three years; in 1877 took a claim in Freeland, but is now blacksmithing at Lac qui Parle.

O. H. Steenson was born January 7, 1841, in Norway, and in 1858 immigrated to Columbia county, Wisconsin; he removed to Crawford county for three years, then came to Minnesota; resided for a time in Dodge and Goodhue counties previous to coming to Lac qui Parle; he has been county commissioner, town treasurer and justice. Married in 1864, Annie S. Peterson; of their nine children, six are living.
 

                                                                                CAMP RELEASE.
This is the extreme south-eastern town in the county, and when set apart for organization, in March, 1871, it included, besides its present territory, that portion of township 117-40 lying south of the Minnesota river; this was taken off when Yellow Medicine county was organized in 1872. The name was selected from the fact that the town was the scene of the release of the prisoners by Little Crow to General Sibley. The first settler was Frank Stay, who came in the fall of 1868, and located where he now lives near the river in the north-west corner of the town. In the spring of 1869, Bruno Arnold, Peter Peterson, and Knut Nelson came in.

The first town meeting was held April 5. 1871, at the house of Peter Peterson, in section 13; officers elected: Hubert Haubries, chairman, Torger Christianson and Wilhelm Otto, supervisors; Andrew Erickson, clerk; 0. C. Merrill, assessor; Peter Peterson, treasurer; L. R Moyer and Andrew Erickson, justices; Frederick Heightman and August Gustaffson, constables.

The first school was taught in a "dug-out"shantyin section 25, by Mrs. Frank Dickinson. It was a summer school of three months duration and had about twelve pupils in attendance. There are now three organized districts in the town.

The first religious services 'were conducted at Bruno Arnold's house, in July, 1870, by Rev. August Smith, a circuit preacher of the Evangelical society. The Norwegian Lutherans effected an organization in January, 1879. A church was soon after built in section 32. The Rev. 0. N. Berg is their pastor.

Anton Andersen, born in 1835, in Norway, came in 1869 to Minnesota. He lived in Fillmore county two years, and in the spring of 1871, removed to his present farm. In 1867 he married Mary Lund, born in 1861, and died December 27, 1881. The names of their children are Minnie, Annie, Casper, Anders, Maria, Gerhard, Karen, Emma, Julia.

Jahn Andersen was born in Norway in 1836, and upon coming to this country in 1867, located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he remained four years; since 1871 he has resided at his farm in this town. In 1864, Miss Karen Christiansen became his wife; Andrew, Carolina M., Karen S., Eliza C. Johanna A., Charles, Christian, Anders, and Anna M., are their children. 

Juel K. Agnes was born November 23, 1847, in Norway and at the age of eighteen, came to America. He was at Manitowoc, Wisconsin one year previous to spending three years in Winona county, Minnesota; worked two years in Wisconsin pineries and in 1871 took his farm in Camp Release; he has been chairman of the town board several years. Married Sarah Nelson in 1867; the living children are Christina, Nels, Carl, Randina and Mary.

John Falkenhagen was born in 1831 in Germany and at the age of twenty entered the army; served three years after which he was iu a post-office fourteen years. In the summer of 1870 he immigrated to Camp Release. Rachel Heightman became his wife in 1861; Paul J. is their only child.

Harse Halvorson, born December 11, 1822, in Norway, learned the trade of blacksmith and in July, 1849 removed to Dane county, Wisconsin, which he made his home for eleven years; in 1861, came to Minnesota; farmed four years in Dodge county and four years it Iowa; in 1870 he came to this town. He married Torber Johnson, July 31, 1860; the children are Halver, George, Banda M., and Ann J. Mr. Halvorson enlisted in 1865 and served nine months in Company C, 2d Minnesota cavalry.

Ole A. Loe was born in 1849 in Norway. Came to America in 1869; his wife and child died on the voyage; he lived in Wabasha county, Minnesota three years and in 1872 claimed the farm where he now lives; he returned to Wabasha county for a time also ran a ferry two years between this town and Montevideo; has since lived at his farm and been chairman of the town board and clerk two years. Married Miss R. E. Strand in 1879; one child Bertha.

Frank Stay, born June 26, 1837 in Canada, removed in 1854 to St. Paul thence to Traverse des Sous, Winnebago Agency and Yellow Medicine, where he was in the employ of the government after which he worked a farm about twelve miles west of that place. In 1862 he was warned of the outbreak by Red Dog a friendly Indian; after many narrow escapes he reached Yellow Medicine only to find the place in possession of the Indians and he then realized that he must make his way to Fort Ridgely; was compelled to hide during the day time and only walk at night; reached the fort at noon of the fifth day having been four and one-half days without food; he was with General Sibley in 1862-3 and in 1864 joined Sully's expedition; one evening he and another scout were attacked by a party of eight Indians near a small lake since known as Frank Stay's; he received a ball in the shoulder which he still carries; during the night they made a trench three or four feet wide and deep in which they defended themselves three days; had plenty of ammunition and food but no water; their only drink was a kettle of soup. From 1866 to 1868 he lived on a claim below Hawk Creek then sold and came to this town where he made the first settlement.
 

                                                                                 CERRO GORDO
Cerro Gordo, when first set apart by the Redwood county commissioners in 1871, included what is now Lac qui Parle; the boundaries were subsequently changed to include its present territory, congressional township 118-43. The first settler in the town was D. Webb, who came in the spring of 1869 and located in section 36, and now lives in Baxter. Peter Thompson and Nels Jacobson came later the same year. James, a son of Mr. D. Webb, was the first child born in the town. The marriage of Nels Jacobson to Anna Thompson, which occurred in June, 1870, was the first marriage.

The first town meeting was held April 7, 1871, at the residence of W. M. Mills. First town officials: W. M. Mills, chairman. H. C. Nelson and Kittel Danielson, supervisors; E. Brown, clerk; O. H. Stenson, treasurer; Lorentz Thoreson, assessor; P. F. Jacobson, justice, and H. G. Chalmars, constable. There are three organized school districts in the town, number 12 having a log school-house, the others frame. The first school taught was a private Norwegian school, during the summer of 1869, by John Hansen, at the house of Rev: Peter Thompson. There are two religious organizations in the town, the Norwegian Lutheran and the Norwegian Evangelical Society. The former organized in 1870 with seventeen members. The first services were conducted by the Rev. Peter Thompson at his house in June, 1869.

Charles A. Gould, born in Maine in 1849, went to Massachusetts and subsequently removed to Minnesota. He learned the trade of painter and clerked in a hardware store at Lake City; since his home has been in this state he has visited California and Chicago, passing some time in each; since 1873 he has resided in Cerro Gordo. In 1875 Mr. Gould married Mary Hauck; three children: Ida M., John A. and Margaret E.

Peter Thompson was born in 1815 in Norway, and was at sea ten years after he reached the age of fifteen. In 1843 he immigrated to Racine, Wisconsin; lived until 1849 in Rock county, then in Columbia county till 1863, after which his home was in Iowa till coming in 1869 to Cerro Gordo. Mr. Thompson has been since 1863 a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran church. -Married in 1844 Julia Olson; the children are Anna M., Julia, Tobea. Thomas and Jacob.
 

                                                                                  BAXTER.
Baxter is in the eastern part of the county and includes all of township 117-42. Settlement began in 1870 by C. A. Anderson, G. Home, K. H. Johnson and John Larson, who came in March; Ole and Erick Heieren, brothers, J. A. Anderson, Gunder Larson, John Mark, B. and A. Holte, J. A. Austin and son Charles, and a number of others, came the same year. John Mark's daughter Julia born in the fall of that year, was the first child born in the town. John Anderson, a son of C. A. Anderson, was born December 8, 1870, and was the first boy born.

The town was set apart for organization, by the Redwood county commissioners, September 12, 1871, and the meeting for the purpose was held September 30th following, at the house of H. A. Baxter, for whom the town was named. Only five votes were cast and the following officers elected: Freedom Merrill, chairman, C. A. Anderson and W. L. Cochran, supervisors; C. H. Stausburg, clerk; H. A. Baxter, assessor; Ole Heieren, treasurer; Freedom Merrill and A. Hanson, justices; G. Home and C. A. Dodge, constables.

The first religious services were conducted by the Rev. Peter Thompson, of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran denomination, in August, 1871, at the house of G. Home. The society organized with about twenty-five members, in the summer of 1873, under the ministry of the Rev. 0. E. Solseth, who acted as pastor about six years. For the past three years, Rev. L. M. A. Hoff has officiated. In the fall of 1881 a frame church was built at a cost of about $1,700. The present membership is about ninety. Congregational services were conducted by the Rev. 0. A. Starr of Montevideo, during the winter of 1872-3, but no organization was ever effected.

The first school was taught by Miss Belle Chamberlain, during the summer of 1874, in a sod building erected for the purpose and belonging to district number 8. A frame building was erected in 1877; there are now four school-houses in the town.

Colben Anderson was born in Norway, December 31, 1837, and when two and a half years old, went with his parents to Iowa; he lived in Winneshiek county, and in 1870 came to Baxter, one of the first settlers; was one of the first board of county commissioners. November 27, 1869, he married Geneva Paulson, who died May 1, 1881; in December, 1881, he married Bertha Fall; he has four children: John A., Matilda, Dena, Casper.

Seaver A. Anderson, native of Norway, was born in 1842; came to America when fourteen years old and lived with parents in Dane county, Wisconsin. November 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 15th Wisconsin, and served until September, 1863; was sick from exposure for two years: worked at painting six years, and in 1871 came to Minnesota; after a short stay in Rochester he took the farm in Baxter, where he now lives; in 1875 lie returned to Rochester and lived three and a half years, then came back to his farm. For two years he has been mail agent on the Hastings & Dakota railroad. Married in Whitewater, Wisconsin, Isabella Seavers: five children living.

Gunder Baanrud was born in Norway in 1829 and learned the baker's trade: came to Chicago in 1866, and from there moved to Iowa; lived in Winneshiek county till 1871, then came to Baxter and took 160 acres on section 12. He married Miss Karen Nelson in Norway in 1857; three children: Gustave N., Carl M. and Nora M.

John Clauson, native of Norway, was born in 1851, and in 1871 came to this country; he worked in different places in Wisconsin and Minnesota till 1875, then came to Baxter, and to his present farm the next year. His wife was Martha Larson, married in 1876; three children : Ida J., Annie M., Caroline.

William Cornelson was born in Norway in 1852 and at the age of nine years emigrated to Canada, where his father died one month after their arrival. He removed with his mother to Iowa and in 1871 came to Baxter, where they have since lived; has been town treasurer five years. In 1879 he married Tona Hanson, and has one child, Susie.

James F. Dodge was born in the town of Summit, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, December 29, 1855; at the age of nine years he came to Minnesota, and lived in Elgin, Wabasha county, till 1878, then came to section 26, Baxter. March 15, 1876, he married Alice N. Hale, and has three children: Rollin, Ella, and June.

John O. Flaw was born in Norway, iu 1842; he went to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1867, and in June, 1872, came to this town and made a claim on section 25. In 1867 he married Mary Johnson, in Norway; they have six children living: Ole, John, Betsey, Gilbert, Joseph, Julia.

Thomas Gilbertsen, born in Norway in 1845, came to America in 1866; lived in Fillmore county, Minnesota, till the spring of 1873, then made a claim in Baxter, and has 160 acres. Married Betsey Olson; they have three children: Isabella. Carl and Gnrena. His father died in Norway. and his mother lives with him here.

O. N. Fleieren, native of Norway, was born in 1842, and learned the trade of tanner; in August, 1865, he came to Iowa and lived in Winueshiek county till 1871, then moved to Baxter; has been treasurer four years and supervisor two years. His wife was Annie Cornelson. Married June 14, 1873: four children : Hans N., Sina C., Martin A., Oscar A.

A. A. Holte was born in Norway, in 1847 and worked at farming till 1869, then came to Rice county, Minnesota; in July, 1871, he came to Baxter, and has been director of school district three years; has 160 acres on section 8. Annie Rund was married to him June 10, 1876. and has borne two children : Charlie A., and Samuel R. G. E. Home was born in Norway in 1830, and there learned the trade of stone mason. In 1866 he immigrated to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and worked at his trade and farming till 1879, then came to Baxter and built the first house in the town. Has held town offices. December 26, 1857, he married Mary Tostenson, who has borne ten children; six are living: Julia, Olava, Gudor, Theodore, Anne M., and Emma.

Knud H. Johnson was born in Norway in 1840, and came to America in 1862; settled in Fayette county, Iowa, farming, and in 1870 came to Baxter, and located on his present farm; was one of the first three settlers in the town. Ellen Williamson became his wife in Iowa, in 1867; six children : Christian, John, Paul S., Sivert B., Edward and an infant.

John H. King was born in Otsego county, New York in 1833, and when eighteen went to DeKalb county, Illinois, and worked at various pursuits; in 1866 he came to Minn. and lived in Dodge county and Rochester till 1870, then came to this county, and took a claim in what is now the town of Lac qui Parle; sold his claim and engaged in stage business, and farming; in 1881 he purchased his present farm in Baxter. Married in Illinois, September 6, 1860, Eliza Selts; they have six children.

Hans T. Lee was born in Norway in 1854, and at the age of fifteen, came to this country with parents and lived in Columbia county, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1873 he came to Baxter, and has a farm on section 7; has four acres of trees. Married in Lac qui Parle in 1877, Emma Lina; two children, Thomas and Helena.

Freedom Merrell was born in Avon, Livingston county, New York, in 1816; moved to Wyoming county and learned the trade of carpenter; worked at it twenty years, then opened a country store at Smith's corners, and kept it until 1865, then came to Minn. He was farming in Wabasha county till 1871, then came to Baxter; has 400 acres of land. January 1, 1839, he married, in Wyoming county, New York, Julia A. Dodge, who had three children; two are living: Marvin N. and Mary A.

Martinus Moen was born in Norway in 1835, and came to America in 1867: lived in Winneshiek county, Iowa, till 1871, except one year in Wisconsin. in the spring of 1871, he made a claim in Baxter, where he now lives. Married Miss Karen Home, in 1871, and has six children: Ole, Olaf, Emma, Magnus, Hans, Charles.

Andrew J. Newhall was born in Norway, in 1845; when about seven years old he came with parents to Wisconsin, and lived on a farm in Racine county; he worked at lumbering three years, then in 1869, he came to Minnesota and was railroading three years and worked at coopering in Minneapolis; in 1878 he came to Baxter and took a farm on section 30. In 1881 was elected county commissioner. Mary Olson became his wife at Minneapolis, in 1873; Ida, Nellie, Bertha and Alice are their children.

Christian Pederson was born in Norway in 1835, and learned the trade of carpenter; in 1868 he came to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and worked at his trade; in 1872 he moved hero, and has 160 acres on section 15. Married in Fillmore county, July 24, 1870, Mary Torgerson: Anna Paulina and Thea Amelia are their children.

Richard Trotter, native of Ireland, was born in county Armagh in 1842; at the age of fifteen he went to Canada and lived there till 1867, then came to Minnesota; he returned to Canada for a short time, then lived in Rochester, this state; in 1873 he came to this town and made a claim on section 24; in 1875 he moved to the farm owned by his father, who died that year. May 17, 1871, he married Sarah Jane Wilson, in Canada; they have had six children; five are living.

Elijah Wilcox was born in Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York, in 1818; learned the trade of mill-wright, at which he worked twelve years; in 1834 he moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and farmed till 1867; for three years of the time he worked as carpenter while the family carried on the farm; moved to Wabasha county, Minnesota, and in 1872 came to this town. In 1866 he married Olive Bailey, who bore him seven children; four are living: Bessie, Horton, Charles and Denton.
 

                                                                                       RIVERSIDE.
This town comprises township 117, range 43. The first settlement was made by John and Daniel McGuire, two brothers from Olmsted county, Minnesota. They settled on sections 22, 14, 15, 10 and 11, in the fall of 1868. They were followed by George Nash, T. J. Lund and others in 1869. The first election was held at the house of John McGuire, on section 14, September 21, 1872. Officers elected: T. T. Lund, chairman, John McGuire and H. K. Nelson, supervisors; D. McGuire, clerk; A. B. Lund, treasurer; K. J. Knudson and H. B. Love, justices; Ole Hanson and George Nash, constables.

The first marriage was that of Clarence Griffith to Miss Sophia Darling, by Ole Hanson, a justice of the peace, at his house on section 13, December 28, 1874. First death was Louis, infant son of Frank Smith and wife, fall of 1872. The first birth was a daughter, Bertha, to Peter Thompson and wife, April 18, 1870.

The first religious services were held at Peter Thorson's by Rev. Peter Thompson, in June, 1869. The Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical church of Baxter, Lac qui Parle, Cerro Gordo and Riverside organized with seventeen families, October 30, 1870. Rev. L. M. A. Hoff is pastor. The first school was taught at the house of Peter Thorson in January, 1872, by Marcus Simpson, of Wisconsin; about eight scholars attended; there are now three districts in the town. In April, 1881, Gilbert Carlson opened a store on section 6; he was appointed postmaster at Cerro Gordo at the same time. Andrew A. Thompson started a blacksmith shop on section 6 in 1880. A mill, begun in 1881, by C. B. Ford, is being completed by Ole J. Tuff, the present owner; it will contain two run of stone.  Vanier post-office was moved into the house of John Olson on section 24 in April, 1880; he has since been postmaster.

Nels A. Bolstad was born in Norway in 1849, and came to Minnesota when eighteen years old; he lived in Goodhue county, and in the fall of 1870 moved to Hawk Creek, Renville county, and the next spring took his farm in Riverside; previous to 1878 he worked in Goodhue county, but on the 24th of April, that year, he married Miss Karen Stagberg and has since lived on his farm; Albert Olaf and Joseph are the children.

Gilbert Carlsen, native of Norway, was born in 1854 and emigrated in 1872; he worked four years in Fayette county,Wisconsin ; then went to Nobles county, Minnesota; in the fall of 1879 he came to Riverside and built and opened the Cerro Gordo store on section 5; also has the post-office. September 7, 1880, he married Lena H. Nelson.

Knud Ellefson was born in Norway in 1845. In 1867 he came to America and worked at farming in Dane county, Wisconsin, two years; July 17, 1868, he married Annie Iverson and moved to Mower county, Minnesota; in the spring of 1871 :tame to Riverside; he has been supervisor and school officer; they have five children living; two have died.

I.T. Erickson, born in 1847,1eft Norway,his native country, when one year old, and settled with parents, in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1872 he came to this town; has been clerk, chairman of board and justice; also was county commissioner one term. In 1874 he married, in Cerro Gordo, Tobea P. Thompson; four children: Christina, Esther, Theodore and Gerhard.

John T. Erickson was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1852. In the spring of 1874, he came to Riverside, Lac qui Park county, Minnesota, and made a claim on sections 8 and 9; in 1879 he moved to section 6; owns 400 acres of land in the town.

Halver L. Graven, native of Norway, was born in 1824 and came to this country in 1870; settled in this county in the fall of that year; took a claim of 160 acres on section 1, Riverside. Married in 1849, Annie Halverson Milkild, who was born in 1823; seven of their eight children are living.

Ole Hansen was born in Norway in 1844, and came to America at the age of twenty-two; he-worked in Wisconsin and Iowa, then settled in Mower county, Minnesota; in the spring of 1871 he located his present farm in Riverside; has held town offices, and was member of the first board of county commissioners. In Mower county he married Miss Rosie Tuff; six children, Mary, Ellen C., Henry, Oscar, Kaleb, Regina.

A B. Lund was born in Norway, February 5, 1848, and came with parents, at the age of one year, to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he lived till the fall of 1870, then took a claim in this town; has been supervisor and town clerk; in 1877 he was elected county commissioner; for two yearshe was chairman. Jane 0. Mennes became his wife May 2, 1870; they have had eight children; five are living: Iver D., Olans, Betsy Ann, Ida and Albert M.

T. I. Lund was born in Norway, November 25, 1834, and came to America with parents when fifteen years old; lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, till 1869, then came to Riverside; he was one of the first settlers; he has been supervisor and chairman; also town treasurer; July 27, 1861, he married Jane A. Leren; they have six children living: Dortha Anna, Mary, Julia, Iver, Anton David, Betsy Louisa; Nels died January 7, 1879, aged seven months.

Ole L. Robertson, native of Norway, was born in 1840; he came with parents when two years of age, to this country and lived in Wisconsin and Illinois, returned to Wisconsin, then moved to Iowa; he lived in Winneshiek county till August 17th, 1862, then enlisted in Company D, 38th Iowa regiment; served also in the 34th Iowa and August 15, 1865, was discharged at Houston, Texas. He lived in Iowa till June, 1872, then made a claim in this town; in 1875 was elected sheriff of Lac qui Parle county. In 1872 he married Mary Sorenson; five children: Levi, Samuel, Clara, Rosie and Olena.

Peder S. Thorsen, was born in Norway in 1828 and was educated for a teacher; taught ten years and in 1866 came to America; lived in Fayette county, Iowa till'June 1869, then made one of the first claims in this town; the first religious services were held at his house and his daughter Bertha, was the first child born in the town. Married in 1853, Malina Jacobson; they have had nine children; five are living: Thore, Jacob, Lars, Bertha and Peter.
 

                                                                                 YELLOW BANK.
Yellow Bank includes all of 120-46, and all of that part of 121-46 and 141-45 and 120-45 south of the Minnesota river, by which it is bounded on the north. The first settlement was made by Duncan Murray in June 1870, on section 30, town 120 range 45; he was frozen to death during the blizzard of 1873, the first death of a resident of the town. First town meeting was held at the house of T. Frankhouse January 28, 1878. Officers elected: Emil Sellin. chairman; Carl Ackerman and William Gloege, supervisors; M. H. Diebold and Fred W. Lacombe, Sr., justices; Fred Frankhouse and Christian Gloege, constables; Michael Gloege, treasurer; Frank Bentler, assessor; M.H. Diebold, clerk. The first religious services were held at the house of William Gloege on section 19 during the summer of 1872 by Rev. August Schmidt, Evangelical. There are now three church organizations, two Evangelical Lutheran and United Brethren; the first named have a good church.

The first birth was Robert Murray. to Duncan Murray and wife, summer of 1871. First school was held in a small frame shanty erected for the purpose on section 7, summer of 1879. taught by Miss L. B. Morton from near Montevideo.

D. C. Collier was born in Loraine county, Ohio, in 1839 and at the age of six years, removed to Illinois; in 1860 to Wabasha county, Minnesota. In December, 1861. he enlisted in Company G, Fifth Minnesota, and was discharged in October following for disability; in 1865 he entered Company G, heavy artillery, and served as corporal. He lived in Wabasha county till 1873, then moved to Swift county, and in 1879 came to Yellow Bank. Married, in 1866, Margaret Murphy.

John Flamm was born in Hungary in 1848 and in 1857 came to Carver county, Minnesota; four years later, moved to McLeod county. August 24, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Hatch's Battalion and served till June 27, 1866. In 1877 he came to Yellow Bank. Married November 15, 1879, Mary Brand, who was born in Faribault; they have one child, John William.

C. E. Bunn, native of Germany, was born in 1855, and came to this country at the age of sixteen; lived in Dane county, Wisconsin till 1880, then came to this town. June 2, 1878, he married Mary Gahringer and has one child, Dora.

H. W. Leavitt, was born in Canada in 1848 and in 1869 moved to Red Wing, Minnesota, and the next year to Zumbrota. In 1879 he moved to Ortonville and in March, 1880 came to Yellow Bank, and settled on section 20. His wife was Maria Randall, married to him in September, 1873. Henry Warren and William Franklin are their children.

H. A. Miles was born in Steele county, Minnesota, in 1857; at the age of thirteen he went to Appleton, Swift county, and in 1879 came to Yellow Bank. November, 1879, he married Jessie F. Murphy, who was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota; one child, Nancy A.

F. F. Miller, native of Germany, was born in 1832, and in 1848 came to Chicago, and worked at house building till 1870, then moved to Waseca county, Minnesota; in 1878 he came to Yellow Bank and located on section 3: has held town offices. In 1859 he married Elizabeth Decker; Susanna, Frank, Etta, Henry, Willie, Anna and Leah are their children.

Frank R. Miller was born in Germany, in 1859, and came to Minnesota at the age of fourteen, and lived in Waseca and Red Wing till 1876, in Dakota County till 1878; Goodhue county two years; located on section 27, Yellow Bank in 1880. October 29, 1881, he married Martha Martin.

J. G. Perry was born in Oswego, New York, in 1848, and went with parents to Canada; in 1862 he moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1865 to Eau Claire and was lumbering till 1873, then went to Appleton, Minn. In 1879 he located on section 10, this town and has held several offices. His wife was Mary Eliza Mills; married January 23, 1876; they have had three children, two are living, Wilfred G. and Ethel M.

J. S. Scott, born in Vermont, in 1844, learned the trade of carpenter; in 1865 he moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and in 1866 began to travel as tight-rope walker, under the name of Jean Le-Fever; in 1876 he experienced religion, joined the denomination of 'United Brethren, and has been a leader since. In 1873 he took a tree claim, and in 1878 settled in this town, on section 14. He married Eliza La Belle, in 1867; six of her eight children are living: Marvin J., Lillie M., George A., Hattie B., Walter S., James A. Garfield.

F. G. Willsey was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in 1841, and when ten, moved to Wisconsin; in 1857, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and learned the trade of machinist. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, 12th Wisconsin infantry, and served till 1865. He was employed by railway companies and bridge builders till 1874, when he began building grain elevators in Iowa and Minnesota, which he still follows. In 1881 he moved his family from Decorah, Iowa, to his farm in Yellow Bank. Married in 1874, Joanna Sheffield; Augusta and Elsie are their children.
 

                                                                                      MAXWELL.
This is in the southern tier of townships and is known as congressional township, 118-43. The first settlement was made by J. H. Maxwell, for whom the town was named, in 1872. The first town meeting was held at Charles Jackson's, July 27, 1878; William H. Hull was moderator, and J. H. Maxwell, clerk; officers elected: William H. Hull, chairman, Charles Jackson and G. H. Miller, supervisors; J. H. Maxwell, clerk; Chauncey Phelps, treasurer; Henry Miller and J. H. Maxwell justices. The first preaching was by Revs. Galpin and Starr in 1871;. the Methodists have an organized society. In 1878 the first school was taught, at the house of E. Lundland on section 28. The first birth was a son, Samuel K., to J. H. Maxwell and wife, January 29, 1871. Mrs. Oshia Miller died december 18, 1873, the first death.

Abram D. Baxter, native of Iowa, was born August 23, 1850, in Muscatine county; when he was an infant the family removed to Jefferson county, and at the age of seven went to Wisconsin; from 1863 to 1869 he was farming in Rice county, Minnesota; also lived in Dakota county several years, but since 1877 his home has been on section 4 of Maxwell. December 24, 1879, he married Sophia Darling; they have one child.

Charles Jackson was born in Sweden in 1843, and came in 1868 to the United States. He was farming seven years in Dakota county, Minnesota, then resided in Carver county till coming here in 1876; he was at the village of Lac qui Park one year, and has since been on his farm; has been supervisor since the town was organized. Married Anna Johnson in 1875; Mary, John and Selma are the children.

G. F. Johnson was born May 10, 1840, in Sweden and lived three years in Denmark previous to coming in 1863 to America. He worked for a time in Cook county, Illinois, and was employed as carpenter by the government from 1864 to '65. He migrated to Carver county, Minnesota, thence in 1878 to Maxwell; has been constable since the town was organized. Married in 1865, Christine Svenson; the children are Esther M., Freehart R., Hulda D. and Gustof H.

Robert Ludlow was born April 5, 1828, in Windham county, Vermont. When twenty-two years old he went to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he worked at the trade of slater. Enlisted in Company I, 8th Wisconsin, and served three years. In 1876 he came to Maxwell; took land on section 26, and in 1878 brought his family here. Married in 1851, Jennie Crandall; of their eight children, seven are living: Edson, Esther, Richard, Sophia, Charles, Clara and Arthur.

J. H. Maxwell was born March 5, 1840, in Hancock county, West Virginia. Enlisted September 18, 1861, in Company F, 1st Virginia; served till February, 1864; re-enlisted and was honorably discharged July 16, 1865. He afterward attend-ed school, taught and farmed; in 1870 came to Minnesota and the next year to this town, which was named for him; has been county commissioner, town clerk and justice. Mr. Maxwell has visited Texas and Virginia since coming here. Married in 1869, Maggie Kiley; the living children are James A., Charles H. and Etta May.

G. H. Miller was born in 1834, in Grand Isle county, Vermont. From fifteen till twenty-three years of age he lived in Franklin county, New York, then removed to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1857. Enlisted in Company A, 53d Illinois, and was honorably discharged in December, 1864; returned to Illinois, but in 1872 came to Maxwell and located on section 2. In 1865, he married Rachel Ford; the children are Ulysses G., William P., Minnie, Henry, John, Charles, Burton and Loelda.

George Bigler was born July 9, 1810, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He removed to Michigan in 1832, two years later to Ohio, and thence to New Orleans; was also in Pennsylvania, Illinois and St. Louis; he was much of the time engaged in the butcher's business; after working in a grist-mill and farming several years in Illinois, he enlisted there in Company I, 53d regiment; discharged in August, 1865, and continued farming and butchering in La Salle county until coming to Maxwell in 1872.

Solomon Sear lived, until coming to America in 1851, in England, where he was born January 3, 1833. He was employed in farming and butchering two and one-half years in Michigan; he was then in Dakota county, Minnesota, till 1877, the date of his settlement in Maxwell; since the organization of the town, he has been its treasurer. Married October 2, 1854, Sarah A. Mayett; the living children are Sarah J., Hannah E., Eliza A., George W., William T., Rosa M., Eli S., Franklin, Lillie and May B.
 

                                                                                    TEN MILE LAKE.
This town comprises congressional township 116-42. The town derives its name from the lake, which is ten miles from Lac qui Park. The first settler was Peter Quale, who located on section 1 in 1876. The first town meeting was held at the house 9f Gregor Hanson, November 4, 1878; officers elected: Hans Amundson, chairman, Peter Quale and Gregor Hanson, supervisors; Ole K. Strand, clerk; Oliver Ryalen, justice; Martin Johnson, constable. There are no schools in the town.
 

                                                                                  PROVIDENCE.
Providence comprises township 116, range 44. The first settler was John Engstrand, who located on section 12 in the spring of 1877. October 31, 1878, the first election was held; officers elected: C. M. Holmquist, chairman, Andrew 0. Ness and Gustaf Peterson, supervisors; Andrew 0. Ness, treasurer; J. R. Pope, justice; Gustaf Lund, constable. The first school was taught in 1881 in a granary belonging to Swen Ellefson, by Lydia Call. There are two churches in the town, both built in 1880. The first birth in the town was Tilda, daughter of Gustaf and Christina Peterson.

John Breberg was born in Sweden, April 20, 1832, and in 1869 became a resident of America. He resided in Nobles county, Indiana, eighteen months, after which he was farming six years in San Francisco township, Minnesota, and in 1878 came to Providence; has officiated as supervisor and postmaster. Married in 1858 Anna Danielson; eight children living.

Emilus Brown was born October 30, 1847, in De Kalb county, Illinois, where he lived till 1857. He removed to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and was educated at Rochester; in 1870 he located at Lac qui Parle, where he was town clerk, and was the first register of deeds of the county; in 1879 he came to Providence; served this town as clerk two years. Married in 1875 Hattie Dodge; Maud E., Harry W., John 0. and Mary C. are the children.
 

                                                                                      HANTHO.
The town of Hantho is situated in the northern part of the county and includes all in the county, of congressional townships 119 and 120-43. It was named in honor of H. H. Hantho, the first settler in the town, who came in 1872. His two brothers, Nels and Ole, came the same year. Halver, a son of Nels, born July 30, 1873, was the first child. born in the town. His wife, who died in 1874, was also the first person to die. Other early settlers, were Hans Gunderson and Ole Haralson.

The first town meeting was held March 11, 1879, at the house of Knut Olsen. Town board : H. J. Flota, chairman; H. H. Hantho and J. A. Hayse, and 0. K. Oleson, clerk.

The first school was taught in the Norwegian language in 1877, and was a private school. No public school was taught until 1879, when district number 23 was organized and a school-house built, which is the only one in town.

The first marriage was that of M. Olson to Miss Annie Kleven, married in 1874.

Ben. H. Benson was born in 1846 in Norway and in 1861 came to America. He worked in various places and in 1869 went to Benson, Swift county, Minnesota; was employed as clerk three years, then kept a boarding house in Appleton; in 1875 took a claim. in this town; was in mercantile business at Benson eighteen months also at Canby then returned to his farm. The town of Benson was named for him. Married November 22, 1872, Matilda Larson; the children are Henry B., Julia S., Charles G., Alfred E.

Thomas Benson, native of Norway was born July 3, 1856 and in 1864 came to this country. After living one year in Wisconsin he engaged in farming in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota till 1867; kept a saloon about five years in Benson and in 1876 came to Hantho. Christmas day 1876 he married Dora Jacobson. Oscar T. and Anna j are their children.

A. D. Boyington was born May 19, 1857, in Waushara county, Wisconsin; removed to Portage county and lived fourteen years; was educated there and at Racine. In 1878 he came to Hantho, and located 160 acres on section 19; since the organization of the town he has held the office of justice. Ida Harold became his wife in 1879, and has borne him one child: Charles.

H. H. Hantho was the first settler in the town, which was named for him; he was born August 17, 1831, in Norway, and lived there forty years; in 1872 he immigrated to Minnesota, and located on section 15, of this town; Mr. Hantho has been supervisor four years. Married in 1857, Mary Christensen; their children are Halver, Mice and Christian.

Hans O. Lillegord was born in 1807, in Norway, and in 1866 came to America. He worked as stone mason in Fillmore county, Minnesota, three years; removed in 1869, to Renville county, where he was farming nine years; in 1878 he came to Hantho and located on section 33. Married in 1830, Miss M. Sakret, who died in 1854; her children were Sakret 0., Hans, Dorothea, Hannah, Lewis, Mary, Peter, Elizabeth. In 1855 he married Mary Nelson; the children are Nels, Elting, Emily, Martina.

Ole K. Olson, native of Norway, was born March 8, 1855. In 1857 the family emigrated to Dodge county, Minnesota, where he resided ten years; after making Kandiyohi county his home nine years he came, in 1876, to Hantho. Mr. Olson has been clerk of the town since its organization, and for two years has officiated as justice.

C. Powell, native of Franklin county, Indiana, was born February 20, 1836, and lived there till twenty years old. He was employed in farming and blacksmithing in Wabasha county, this state, till 1878, when he built a grist-mill near Appleton, Swift county-, but sold it one year later, and came to this town; in 1881 he visited Texas. Married Angeline Hammons, September 22, 1861; six children living : Hiram, John H., Jesse G., Charles B., Willis W., and George A.
 

                                                                                 AUGUSTA.
Township 118, range 46, was organized as Augusta, February 5, 1879, and the first election held at the house of H. M. Bell; N. E. Munger was chosen chairman, John Paulson and N. Marti, supervisors; H. M. Bell, justice and treasurer; C. J. Orton, clerk; George Hicks and E. Pegg, constables. The first settlers came in April, 1879, and were a party of eleven families from Augusta, Wisconsin. The first religious service was held at H. M. Bell's in the summer of 1880, by the United Brethren denomination. The first birth was that of Charles Pomeroy, and .the first death was a child in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hardy.

H. M. Bell was born January 9, 1858, in Oxford, Marquette county, Wisconsin. He acquired a good education and learned the trade of carpenter at which he worked three years; in 1878 he came to Minnesota and April 22d of that year located his present farm. Mr. Bell has been justice of the peace and treasurer since the town was organized.

Charles J. Orton was born in Franklin, Delaware county, New York, October 22, 1856. The family went in 1866 to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where his father was president of Antioch college; in 1873 they removed to Columbus; until 1881 his father was president of the State University; is now professor of geology. In 1877 Mr. Orton came to Minnesota and in April of the next year located on his present farm; is town clerk. Married Florence Bell in January, 1881; one child: George E.

James B. Smith was born March 24, 1824, in New York. Learned the tanners' trade at which he worked about fourteen years; he came to Minnesota in 1858; enlisted and served from August, 1864, till the war ceased; in 1880 he came to this town; has 400 acres of land. Mr. Smith keeps the Boat Creek post-office. Married in 1848, Harriet Fisk, who died April 4, 1857. Helen Park became his wife in 1857. Eight living children.
 

                                                                                LAKE SHORE.
The town of Lake Shore is situated in the northern part of the county, bordering on the Minnesota river, and includes all of congressional township 119-44 and fractional 12044. The first settler was P. S. Halverson, who came in 1874. In 1875 Jacob Nelson and 0. A. Skordal came. The town was organized early in 1879; town officials for that year: N. P. Nelson, chairman, Ole Skordal and P. Peterson, supervisors; M. T. Nelson, clerk; Jacob Nelson, assessor; Ole Legred, treasurer; Erick Efsti and John Hurley, justices; T. Thompson and K. Knudson, constables.

The Norwegian Lutheran denomination have an organization and services are conducted at the houses of the members. The first services connected with the church, were conducted by the Rev. 0. E. Solseth, at Jacob Nelson's house in 1877. A private school, taught at this house and in the Norwegian language, is the only school yet taught in the town.

R. W. Mitchell was born in Maine, August 24, 1848, where he remained until coming to Minnesota. From 1864 to 1879 he lived in Wabasha county, then removed to the town of Lake Shore and located on section 3; Mr. Mitchell has served his town as treasurer. Etta Brown became his wife in 1871; three children: Zula, Adelia and Mark.

Jacob Nelson, born in Norway, May 18, 1829, immigrated in 1848 to Green county, Wisconsin, where he resided till 1875, at which date he came to Lake Shore; has been assessor since the town was organized. Married in 1853, Miss T. Paulson. Their son, Martin T., born October 20, 1858, in Wisconsin, came with his parents to this state; he has been clerk since the organization of the town; the other children are Napoleon, Bertha, Thomas, Hans, Isabelle and Jacob.

Charles Pearson, who is a native of Sweden, was born May 8, 1851, and resided there until eighteen years of age, when he became a resident of America. Until 1879 his home was in Goodhue county, Minnesota; at that time he came to Lake Shore. In 1880 he was married to Malena Johnson; one child: Emma.

Peter Peterson was born September 12, 1843, in Norway, where he learned the trade of tailor. Came in 1868 to America, and located in Rock county, Wisconsin; worked at his trade about two years, then removed to Green county; he passed one year in Chicago previous to coming, in 1876, to this town; has been a supervisor ever since the town was formed. Married in 1872 Miss L. Thompson; three children; Pauline, Bertha, Jessie.
 

                                                                                      CUSTER.
This town was first settled in 1877, by H. B. Putnam, who located on section 4. Custer embraces township 116, range 46, and is in the southwestern corner of the county. The first election was held at Henry Cooley's in March, 1879; officers elected: John Lathrop, chairman; E. Smith, and S. K. Simonds, supervisors; Henry Cooley, clerk; 0. E. Brown and H. B. Putnam, justices; Charles Roski, treasurer. The town was named in honor of Gen. George Custer; proposed by John Lathrop.

The first death was on September 10, 1877, Alice, daughter of S. K. Simonds. The first birth was a child to Henry Cooley, in September, 1878.

Edward Clossey, native of New York, was born May 10, 1842, in Albany, and while young went with his parents to Walworth county, 'Wisconsin. He served in the civil war from 1863 till October, 1865. In May, 1879, he migrated from Wisconsin to his present place on section 12 of this town; he has officiated here as assessor. Married in September, 1866, Isabella Pine; their children are Mary, Emma and Edward.

G. D. Pettyjohn was born November 18, 1821, in Jackson Georgia. The family went to Illinois, and both his parents died before he was twelve years old. He was engaged in mercantile and milling business previous to coming, in 1878 to Minnesota; in May, 1880, he located on section 2 of this town. Martha Woodall became his wife in 1848 and has had nine children, six are living.

Hosea B. Putnam, born in Windsor county, Vermont, November 2, 1825, removed in 1845 to Chicago, and in 1853 went to Wisconsin. Mr. Putnam served in the late rebellion, also in the Mexican war; in 1876 he migrated to Lac qui Parle, and in November of that year took the farm where he is still living; has been justice of the peace three years. In March, 1868, he married Matilda Douthit; the living children are Ida May and William E.
 

                                                                                   MADISON.
This town is situated in the central part of the county. Settlement began in 1877, by S. Halverson and 0. M. Larson. Settlers came in sufficiently to warrant a separate organization in 1879.

The meeting for that purpose was held in the fall of that year, at the house of 0. M. Larson; officers elected: P. A. Laurence, chairman, Elling Sampson and Henry Dunnem, supervisors; William Williamson, clerk; L. Halverson, treasurer; 0. M. Larson and 0. J. Floam, justices; J. J. Boise and T. 0. Lee, constables. The Norwegian Evangelical Society effected an organization in the fall of 1879, and hold meetings at private houses. There is no public school organization, and no public school has yet been taught. Private schools have been taught' in the Norwegian language. Norman post-office was established in December, 1880. Peter A. Laurence was appointed postmaster, and the office located at his house in section 10.

O. M. Larson, native of Norway, was born in 1852. In 1868 he immigrated to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he was farming until 1872, and clerking from that date till 1875, when he began mercantile trade at Hader, but in 1877 removed to Madison; has served as county commissioner and justice of the peace. In 1874 he married Laura Tangen; three children : Matilda B., Ole T. and Hilma A.
 

                                                                                        HAMLIN.
This town was settled in April, 1874, by a Mr. Hamlin, for whom it was named. He died about two years after his arrival. The town is formed of township 119, range 46. Organization took place at R. H. Safford's, September 10, 1879; first officers: 0. I. Lerdahl, chairman, A. T. Mills, H. L. Barrett, supervisors; H. J. Knudson, clerk; R. H. Safford, justice; Everett Safford was afterward appointed treasurer. There is one school-house in the town; first school was taught in 1881 by Belle Lerdahl at the house of Ole Lerdahl.
 

                                                                                        MEHURIN.
Mehurin is town 117-46. First settlement was made by Miss Lucretia S. Mehurin in 1877. Her father Amasa Mehurin who had settled in Garfield in 1872, followed in 1878. The town was named in honor of Mr. Mehurin. First town meeting was held at the house of Mr. Mehurin October 14, 1879; the following officers were elected: chairman, H. W. Bates; A. M. Aws and William More, town board; clerk, A. N: Bates; William More and Jacob Wilson, justices; C. J. Davis and Geo. Reuss, constables; treasurer, William Allen. First birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Deckman, February, 1879. First death was Mr. Deckman, March 27, 1879; he was buried on his farm.

A. N. Bates, native of Minnesota was born May 18, 1856 in Rolling Stone Valley, Winona county. Received a good education and lived at home till April, 1878 when he came to Mehurin where he now has a farm of 208 acres. Mr. Bates has officiated as town clerk four years.

W. J. Bingham was born January 31, 1828 in London, England. From ten till sixteen Tears of age he followed the sea; in 1860 he immigrated to Wisconsin; was employed in a Milwaukee round house fourteen years previous to coming in 1878 to his present farm. In 1860 he married Elizabeth Nealis of Scotland; six of their eight children are living.

A. D. Brown was born April 16, 1853, in Ripley county, Indiana. He learned engineering; came to Minnesota in 1875 and was employed at his trade in Rochester till 1878, when he came to this town; has 160 acres in section 28. Married in January, 1877, Mollie Canida, who has borne him two children: Elizabeth C. and Charles T.
Amasa Mehurin was born in Rutland county, Vermont, June 28, 1808. In 1833 he went to Iowa, which state was his home twenty-one years; in 1856 he migrated to Freeborn county, Minnesota, but in 1872 came to this county; April, 1878, he located a part of his present farm; has 736 acres in all and resides in Mehurin. Married in 1850, Mrs. Doren, whose maiden name was Mary Murphy; she died December 7, 1879. One daughter: Lucretia.
 

                                                                               GARFIELD.
This town is shown on the government plats as township 117, range 45. The first settlement was made by Amasa Mehurin in 1872. The first election was held at the house of Samuel Iverson,January 24, 1881. Officers elected : A. Gilberg, chairman, Ira C. Mills, S. M. Sjorlie, supervisors; N. L. Nordahl, clerk; Samuel Iverson, treasurer; C.C. Farnham, assessor and justice; G. Hanson, justice; Ira C. Mills and J. P. Hanson, constables. The first school was taught by Christopher Blom at the house of Samuel Iverson, in the winter of 1881-2. First religious services were held in May, 1879, at the house of N. L. Nordahl.
 

                                                                                   ARENA.
The town of Arena is situated in the western part of the county, includes all of township 118-45. The first settler, Jens Jacobson, came in April, 1878. There is a Norwegian Lutheran church organization, with a membership of thirteen, under the charge of the Rev. 0. N. Berg. A school in connection with this church is the only one yet taught.
The town was organized January 4, 1880, at the house of H. A. Skallerud. Elected: H. A. Skallerud, chairman, Peter Stangness, and C. Erickson, supervisors; Oscar Larson, clerk; Ever Sampson. assessor; Christian Halverson, treasurer; Martin Nelson and L. Larson, justices.

Ever Sampson, born in Manchester, Brown county, Illinois, in 1844, went when five years old with his parents to Columbia county, Wisconsin. Enlisted in Company K, 32d regiment, and served from 1862 till 1865. He was in the Wisconsin pineries for a time, and then in mercantile business at Rio until 1879, when he come to Arena and opened the first store in town; has been supervisor and assessor. Married, February 29, 1876, Jennie Jorgurson; one child: Anna T.
 

                                                                                   FREELAND.
The town of Freeland comprises township 116, range 45. Burre Frederickson was the first settler; he came in the spring of 1877 and located on section 30; Peter Skoresth located on section 34, about the same time. In March, 1880, the first election was held at the house of Peter Humphrey ; officers elected: William Paddock, chairman; A. C. Dixon and O. Ralson, supervisors; William Humphrey, clerk; Oscar Dixon, justice; Charles Whitford, constable. The first marriage was Martin Thorson and Mattie Hanson, January 15, 1882. Charles A. Dixon, born November 14, 1878, was the first birth. First death was a child, Lena Frederickson, August 8, 1879. The first church services were held at the house of William Humphrey, in September, 1881, by Rev. Cornelius.

A. C. Dixon was born in Oneida county, New York, September 25, 1839. The family lived in Wisconsin from 1845 till 1875, at which date they removed to Minneapolis; since March, 1878, he has resided at his present farm; he has served this town as assessor and clerk. Married in November, 1877, Anna Harrison, born June 6, 1854, in Sweden. The children are Charles A. and Mable.

Oscar Dixon, native of Wisconsin, was born October 3, 1846, in Walworth county. From four years of age till coming to Minnesota in 1877, his home was in Sauk county, Wisconsin; in the spring of 1878 he came to this town, where he has served as justice of the peace; owns a farm of 240 acres. Married in 1866, Mary Humphrey, born September 9, 1849. in Wisconsin. Walter, Leslie, John and Anna are the living children.

William Humphrey, horn May 9, 1846, near Whitewater, Wisconsin, went when four years old with his parents to a farm in Sauk county. In 1878 he came to Minnesota, and soon after to his farm on section 18 of Freeland; he was the first clerk of this town. Married in April, 1871, Elizabeth Fischer, horn September 22, 1850, in Paris, France; the children are Agnes, Mary and Edward.

L. W. Hale was born November 14, 1851, in Walworth county, Wisconsin. At eighteen years of age became dependent upon his own exertions; he migrated to Minnesota, and in the spring of 1880 located his present farm. Mr. Hale was married January 20, 1878; his wife Nettie Frallock, was born July 13, 1856, in Green Lake county, Wisconsin.

Henry B. Tilbury was born October 11, 1854 in Hillsdale county, Michigan. From seven till nineteen years of age he lived with his parents in Illinois, then passed two years in Kansas, after which he returned to Illinois, and came in May, 1880, to his present home; he is farming in company with his brother-in-law, and engaged in stock raising.

Edward Todd, lived until nineteen years old in England, where he was born December 6, 1830, then immigrated to Chicago, remained five years; in 1860 he went to St. Louis; in February, 1864, he enlisted at Rochester, Minnesota; was confined in rebel prisons nine months, part of the time at Andersonville; was discharged at the close of the war; has lived at his home in this town since April 1880. Married in October, 1856, Mary Steele. One daughter, Sarah J.

Charles A. Whitford was born April 18, 1842 in Steuben county, New York. January 19, 1861 he enlisted; participated in several hard battles, was wounded and discharged for disability. In 1876 he migrated to this state and in 1879 to his present home; has 341 acres on section 6. August 2, 1864, he married Mary Jane Tarlton, born April 4, 1842, in Illinois.

John D. Winter was born in Boone county, Kentucky, April 9, 1826. When twelve years old the family removed to Indiana, and in 1858 he located in Wabasha county Minnesota. He enlisted in 1862, in Company C, 10th Minnesota and served till war ceased; since 1879 he has lived at his farm in this town. His first wife left three children, James, Adam, and Frank; his present wife was Mrs.
Hastings, whose children are Charles, Frank, and Cot.
 

                                                                                        PERRY.
This town occupies all of township-119-45. The first settlement was made by Hans 0. Sage in the fall of 1878. M. B. Morse came in the spring of 1879 and built the first house in the town. The first town officers were: R. 33. Billingham, chairman; Nels Skjerven and Hans 0. Sage, supervisors; Jerome Morse, clerk; Edgar Morse, treasurer; M. B. Morse, assessor; Irven Knight, justice; Frank Stephens, constable.

The first marriage was that of Robert Billing-ham and Phcebe Morse, December 18, 1879. The first birth was in November, 1879, a daughter to Theo. Burkhardt. The first death was a son of Peter Johnson in July, 1880.
The first school was taught by Mrs. M. B. Smalley in the summer of 1881; the room occupied was the granary of M. B. Morse on section 9. The first sermon was preached at the house of M. B. Morse in 1879 by Rev. B. Edwards a Baptist.

The Norwegian Lutherans have an organization and hold services at houses of members.

R. Billingham, born in Dane county, Wisconsin in 1852, removed when a child to Fillmore county, Minnesota. He lived in Lyon county from 1872 till coming in 1879 to Perry. Mr. Billingham has been chairman of the board since the town was formed. December 18, 1879 he married Phebe Morse born in 1860 in New York; one child, Gerty May.

M. B. Morse was born in 1835 at Lyman, New Hampshire and in 1855 went to New York. December 14, 1863 he enlisted in Company H, 2d mounted rifles and served till war closed. From 1868 to 1869 he was in Wisconsin then in Lyon county, Minnesota till 1878 when he came to Perry; built the first house in the town and was the first assessor. Clarinda Irish was married to him in 1856 and has had seven children; Albert J., Phebe L., Ernest E., Benjamin W., Frankie E. and Willie E. are living.
 

                                                                           TOWNSHIP 119, RANGE 46.
This is the only unorganized town in the county. It is bounded on the north by Yellow Bank, east by Perry, south by Augusta and west by Grant county, Dakota. The first settler was a Mr. Woodward who located on section 34, in 1878.
W. Fraasch, native of Germany, was born in 1852 and immigrated to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1870; in 1878 he went to Iowa and one year later to Olivia, Renville county, Minnesota, where he kept a saloon; in the spring of 1880 he located on section 1 of this town. January 17, 1881, he married Ida Gerber, who was born in Germany.
 

SWIFT COUNTY.
CHAPTER XCIII.
SWIFT COUNTY-VILLAGE OF BENSON- VILLAGE OF APPLETON-TOWNSHIPS.
 

The advance guard of the army of civilization that first penetrated the solitudes of Swift county, was a small body of Norwegians, who in 1866, settled at Camp Lake. At that time Swift was a portion of Chippewa county. Among the first settlers were Ole Thorson, F. C. Flattin, Sander Thompson, Ole Dakkebakken and Fingal Fingal-son. About the same time, or a little later, Svenung Oleson, Over Overson, Hans Golden, and Hans A. Wattum settled in what since has become the town of Swenoda. Golden settled on section 35, and Svenung Oleson, who was his son in law, on the same section.

In 1867, Lars Christianson made a claim, and built a house, at Six Mile Timber, two miles from the present village of Benson. In 1868 he was appointed postmaster, and in winter used to carry the mail from New London on snow shoes.
In 1867-68 Iver Knudson, Andrew Munson and Nels Broton settled at Kerkhoven; and about the same time William Moyer and William Miller settled in Fairfield.

A. Becker and S. A. Foley, in 1869, settled in the present town of Appleton. Addison Phelps, however, was there a year previous to this. C. E. Foster settled in the same place, on section 12, in 1869. A. W. Lathrop opened the first store in the county, at Benson. Soon after he moved to Appleton, and operated the first mill in the county, on the Pomme de Terre river. The second mill was built at Swift Falls in 1873, by Hanson and Danielson.

The surface of Swift county is undulating prairie, interspersed with timber along the borders of the streams. The soil is good. It is well watered and the drainage is excellent. The Chippewa river flows through the central portion, and the Pomme de Terre through the western part of thecounty. The Minnesota crosses the southwest corner of the county. The main line of the St. Paul, Minneapolis k, Manitoba railroad crosses the county diagonally, a little east of the center.

Swift county was formed from part of the territory belonging to Chippewa county, and organized by act of the legislature passed, and approved February 18, 1870. The boundaries were defined as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of township 122, range 37, thence west to the northwest corner of township 122, range 43, thence south to the Minnesota river, thence down said river to the intersection of the township line between 119 and 120, thence east to the southeast corner of township 120, range 37, thence north to point of beginning. The county seat was established at Benson. For judicial purposes Swift county was attached to Pope county. The first board of commissioners was composed of A. W. Lathrop, C. E. Foster and Iver Knudson. Their first meeting was held at the store of A. W. Lathrop, in Benson, January 3, 1871; Charles E. Foster was chosen chairman. The town was divided into three commissioner districts. A. W. Lathrop resigned as county commissioner, and was appointed county auditor; other officers appointed: Ole Thorson, judge of probate; Daniel A. Barko, register of deeds; Frank M. Thornton, treasurer; F. P. Twitchell, sheriff; Halvor Helgeson, coroner. At this meeting several townships were set apart for organization, and school district number one was formed, of sections 4, 5 and 6, township 122, range 37.
The next meeting was held January 13,at which the board appointed Halvor Helgeson, treasurer, in place of F. M. Thornton, who declined the office. The bonds of the several county officers were approved, and George W. Knight qualified as commissioner from the Third district in place of A. W. Lathrop, resigned. April 4th a petition for the organization of a school district in the town of Benson was granted, known as the Seventh district.

January 2, 1872, the board met at the auditor's office in Benson and elected Addison Phelps,chairman; having accepted the resignation of A. W. Lathrop as auditor, the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Smith Mathews to fill the unexpired term. The bonds of S. L. Haines, surveyor, and F. M. Thornton, register of deeds, Ole Thorson, judge of probate, and Ole Gilbertson, sheriff, were approved.

The other officers elected at the fall election of 1S81 were F. P. Twitehell, clerk of the court, and William Moyer, auditor. Soon afterwards Ole Gilbertson resigned the office of sheriff and Thomas Knudson was appointed. March 30, 1872, the board met and examined claims of those entitled to aid, under state law, for aid to sufferers from fires and storms during the summer and fall of 1871. On March 20, 1874, it was found that the minutes of the proceedings of the commissioners of Swift county failed to show that there had been made out any financial statement of the county since its organization; it was therefore ordered that the financial condition of the county be examined and a financial statement made out by the 22d day of May. 1874, by the board, or a committee appointed for the purpose. This was accordingly done and the statement showed that the county receipts had been $1,464.32, the expenditures being $1,873.91, the excess of expenditure over revenue being represented by county orders.

A resolution was adopted May 10, 1877; as follows: "According to act of the legislature of the state of Minnesota, approved March 5, 1877, Swift county is authorized to issue bonds to pay the floating indebtedness of said county; therefore, be it resolved, by the board of county commissioners of Swift county, that bonds be issued for the above named purpose, to the amount of twenty-five hundred dollars; said bonds to run for a period of ten years, with interest at the rate of twelve per cent. per annum until paid." This was signed by 0. F. Bronniche and attested by K. P. Frovold, county auditor. The bonds were issued and were disposed of at their par value, to D. C. Shepard. Nearly two years later, on January 7, 1879, on motion, a resolution of A. D. Countryman was adopted by the board, to the effect that, "Whereas we have ascertained that the county is largely in debt, and that there are no means to pay the same, therefore, be it resolved, that the chairman of the board of county commissioners, the county auditor and the county attorney, be instructed to prepare, and submit to the legislature, a bill authorizing the county to issue bonds to fund said indebtedness, said bonds not to exceed in amount the sum of $3,500; such bonds to bear interest at a rate not to exceed ten per cent. per annum; and treasurer's fees for disbursing money derived from the sale of such bonds not to exceed one per cent. of the same." In accordance with this the legislature granted the necessary authority by the passage of an act, approved January 27, 1879, and the bonds were duly issued and disposed of to Z. B. Clarke for the sum of $3,525. Previous to these two issues of bonds there had been $3,000 issued, so that the total bonded indebtedness was $9,000. The first series were issued for the purpose of erecting a court-house.

When the question of building a suitable courthouse was agitated, it was decided to get permission from the legislature to issue bonds to the amount of $3,000 for the purpose of erecting such building. This resulted in the passage of an act by the legislature, in the spring of 1876, giving authority for the issue of the bonds, provided the measure received the sanction of the people, at an election held for that purpose. The people voted in favor of the measure, and the bonds were accordingly issued, negotiated and sold at par in the following August. On June 21, 1876, a contract for building a court-house and jail was let to Messrs. A. G. Desparious dc Co., of St. Paul, for $2,600, according to plans and specifications left in the county auditor's office. Subsequently a special agreement was entered into between the commissioners and the contractors for additional floors, etc., in the court-house according to agreement, the whole amounting to $132. Subsequently, 0. F. Bronnecke and K. P. Frovold were appointed a committee to contract for the erection of a small house on the court-house block. The court-house was finished and accepted by the commissioners in the following fall. A contract was made later, on May 11, 1877, with Peter Christopherson for the erection of vaults for the sum of $590. This, however, was never carried out; but on July 17, 1878, a contract was entered into with him to construct a vault on the west side of the court-house to be eleven by seven by eight feet inside measure. He agreed to do the mason work for $175. September 20, a contract was entered into with R. Stanley to furnish all the material and do the wood work on the vault for the sum of one hundred and thirty-five dollars.

The first term of the district court was held in the fall of 1875, by Hon. John H. Brown, in the old school-house at Benson.
 

                                                                             VILLAGE OF BENSON.
The village of Benson, as surveyed by C. A. F. Morris, was located on the southwest quarter of section five, township 121 north, range 39 west. It was surveyed and laid out for the First Division of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company in the spring of 1870, being a portion of the land grant to the company. An addition was platted, and filed in the register's office, March 18, 1876, by Morris & Payte, consisting of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section six. This addition was sold, in 1881, for non-payment of taxes.

The first store was opened by A. W. Lathrop, previous to the advent of the railroad. Meldal & Sunde, in February, 1870, opened a store in a sod shanty. It consisted of a few posts driven into the ground, against which were banked sods; the roof being of straw. In this primitive edifice were sold very many goods. About the same time Thomas Knudson started a saloon, and in the following July, Theodore Hanson arrived and erected_a frame building and started a general store.

When the railroad company commenced the survey of the town site there was an effort made to get the company to locate it a short distance from where it now is, on the claim of N. P. Strom, on the banks of the Chippewa river. The company however considered that the price demanded was too high and therefore declined. It was here that Lathrop and Knudson were located. There was also a lumber yard owned by L. R. Davis and O. N. Barsness.

The first hotel was started by L. S. Williams, in May, 1870, and was called the Central House.
Soon after this a man by the name of Hyser kept a hotel in a temporary building put up by the railroad company for the use of immigrants. He remained there about a year when he partially rebuilt the structure formerly used by the surveyors, as their headquarters, and called it the Benson House.

Soon after Hanson had started his store, Peter Sutherland arrived with a kind of a movable store, in which he kept groceries and railroad supplies. He was in the habit of moving with the railroad, and did not remain long, going from here to Morris. A post-office was started in 1870, with R. Sunde as postmaster. He continued to act until 1874, when 0. Wenaus, the present postmaster, was appointed. For office purposes he had a small addition put on to the west side of the Central House, where he remained until he built his present store. Frank M. Thornton was the first station agent. In 1873, Thomas Knudson started a general store. From this period on until 1875, there were very few additions made to the population—but in 1875 a great improvement be-gan to be visible. In 1876 there were four good general stores; those of A. N. Johnson & Co.. T. Hanson, Croonquist Sz Benson, and T. Knudson. Other business interests were: H. L. Greaves, keeping a drug store, Stone, Clark & Co.. in the hardware business, and, early in the year, D. E. R. Bandy came, and started another drug store. W. A. Foland opened a law office, in February. and also commenced to edit the Times. There were then two saloons, but the town had voted the prohibition ticket, and they were running without a license, and the owners were under indictment. At the next town meeting, however, opinion had changed, and the licenses were again granted. Besides these there were two machinery houses, Ole Jacobson & Co., and H. B. Strand, and three hotels, the Crandall House, Pacific House, and the Central House. The above constituted, in the beginning of 1876, all the business interests of the place. During the spring and summer M. Hoban opened a general store; William McCabe built a two-story building and started a saloon; Peter Burns erected a blacksmith shop, and Charles G. Austin built, and took charge of a store as a branch of Campbell, White & Co., of Litchfield. He was afterwards succeeded by M. Cosgrove. That summer, L. A. and R. W. Dunn, two brothers from Willmar, bought out the Crandall House, and re-named it the Benson House.

A veritable "boom" struck the place in 1876, and speculation in town lots was very h€ avy. All the hotels were crowded with the rush of immigrants, so that sleeping accommodations, even on the floor, were at a premium. All the conversation was about lots and quarter sections, and much prospecting was indulged in. So eager were the new comers, that many claims were made before the snow went off the ground, and when the thaw came, the happy claimants in some cases would have found difficulty in finding their claims without the aid of boats.

In the fall of 1876 the land office was moved here; J. E. Braden being the register and W. H. Greenleaf the receiver, who both came with the office from Litchfield. In 1877, Braden died and D. S. Hall, the present register, succeeded him. Greenleaf resigned his position as receiver in 1879 and was succeeded by H. W. Stone, the present officer.
In the fall of 1875, Thornton built an elevator about half the size of the present one, the addition being made to its capacity in 1877-8. It is now known as the Farmers' Elevator, and will hold 120,000 bushels of grain. Davidson elevator which originally was a couple of small warehouses, was rebuilt and enlarged to its present capacity of containing 75,000 bushels, in 1877.

In 1877, the streets were much improved by the laying of 100 car loads of gravel, obtained from beyond Morris. A complete system of drainage was also effected, by which the surface water is all carried by pipes, under the streets, into a creek, which runs into the Chippewa river; so that the village, at all times is dry, and free from any malarious influences likely to arise from defective sewerage.

The act to incorporate the village of Benson was approved February 14, 1877, and W. A. Foland Z. B. Clarke, R. R. Johnson, T. Hanson and Ole Jacobson were appointed to give notice of and conduct the first village election. March 11, 1878, another act was passed- which provided that the• village of Benson should constitute a separate and independent organization from the town of Benson; this act also conferred other privileges on the village. The first meeting of the village council was March 3, 1877. Officers: A. N. Johnson, president; F. M. Thornton, T. Knudson and C. A. Dwight, trustees; J. Q. A. Braden, justice; H. W. Stone, treasurer; R. R. Johnson, recorder; A. McMillen, constable; W. A. Foland was appointed village attorney.

The present village hall was completed in 1881 and cost $3,000. It is a well constructed edifice; the upper floor is fitted up for a lecture hall with good stage and seats; the rear part is used by the fire company, in which is kept good fire apparatus; the company was organized by a resolution of the council passed June 18, 1881.

The first church edifice in the village was that erected by the Congregational Society in the fall of 1876. Rev. Walcott was first pastor; the present pastor is C. A. Ruddock. The Episcopal church was built in 1878. The first rector was Rev. D. T. Booth. Rev. F. B. Nash is now in charge. Other organizations are the Catholics, who are building a church; the Norwegian society, who use the court-house, presided over by Rev. C. A. Peterson, and the Lutherans, who purchased the old school building and refitted it; their pastor is Rev. A. Almklov. In 1879-'80 there was a Baptist organization, presided over by Rev. 0. B. Reed, and in 1876 there" was a Methodist class, but neither are now in existence.

The first school was taught by Mrs. Charlotte Knowlton in the winter of 1870-'71, in the emigrant building erected by the railroad company. The first school-house was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1,200. The present two-story brick school-house was built in 1879, and cost $6,000.

Swift Lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., was instituted in 1877. J. Q. A. Braden was the first W. M.; Z. B. Clarke the first secretary. Benson Lodge, No. 54. A. 0. U. W., was organized in March, 1878; W. A. Foland was the first M. W.

The first newspaper was the Swift County Censor, published in February, 1874, by E. V. Price. It was only continued for a few months. The Benson Times was started in February, 1876, by Edward Thomas as publisher, and W. A. Foland as editor. It is in the hands cf the same gentlemen, and is, both typographically and editorially, a creditable journal. The Swift County Advocate was started in 1877, by Z. B. Clarke, who sold it in 1879 to W. A. Foland and T. W. 'Woodburn. They disposed of it in 1880, and the material was taken to Willmar by the purchaser.

On August 5, 1880, quite a disastrous fire occurred in the village, which completely wiped out of existence one whole block of business houses. The fire started in a small building next to Joseph Fountain's saloon. Fountain's, Paul Sheridan's and Otto Oleson's saloons, the general stores of T. Knudson and M. Hoban, the drug store of E. R. Bundy, the meat-market of Brambilla & Hackett, the harness shop of T. F. Thompson, law office of Poland & Hudson and the Benson House were totally destroyed.

There are about thirty stores and shops of various kinds now in the village, including a bank and two elevators, and preparations are being made for the erection of a flour-mill, on the roller process, with a capacity of 100 barrels per day,to cost $20,000, towards which the village gave a bonus of $4,000; a machine shop is also to be erected.
The Swift County Bank was started in 1875 by L. K. & H. W. Stone and continued by them until 1877, when it was reorganized, H. W. Stone being president and Z. B. Clarke, cashier, then as now. There are six general stores, those of I. N. Johnson & Co.,Theodore Hanson, Sanders Bros., M. Hoban, Arnensen & Bergendahl, and Steen & Son. F.
M. Thornton has a general hardware store and deals in machinery, lumber and coal and lime. He is also the proprietor of the Farmers Elevator.

There are two other hardware stores, that of Farwell & Colby, who also handle stoves and tinware, and that of P. J. Johnson, who, in addition, deals in wood and feed. H. L. Greaves and the firm of Eaton & Brown, are the proprietors of the two drug stores. The latter is recently established. J. S. Eaton, the senior member, is also a practicing physician, the only one in the village. O. Wenaus, the postmaster, keeps a general line of books, stationery and fancy goods. Besides these there are two harness shops, one tailor, a restaurant, two furniture stores, two good millinery stores, four blacksmith shops and a wagon maker, two meat markets, a paint shop, and various other enterprises. The legal profession is represented by W. A. Foland. S. H. Hudson, I. L. Prues, T. F.Young and James Hodgson. S. H. Hudson is the county attorney. There are four hotels: the Merchants, kept by Joseph Ward; the Pacific House, by S. L. Haines; the Central House, by H. Helgeson, and the Benson House, by Aldrich Bros. H. Helgeson of the Central, was the first county treasurer.

The Benson House, as previously stated, was originally the building used by the surveyors and to which George Knowlton made some additions. After that Joseph Moore took it, and then John Crandall, who called it the Crandall House. In 1876 L. A. Sr R. W. Dunn bought the house, and again called it the Benson House. In a short time R. W. bought the interest of his brother, and conducted the hotel until he sold it to the Aldrich brothers, in August, 1878, who enlarged it. After its destruction by fire it was rebuilt with brick in a handsome and complete manner, at a cost of about $10,000. It was re-opened January, 1F81. It is three stories in height, 75x90 feet in size. The firm is composed of L. R. and A. D. Aldrich.

Rev. S. Ahnklov was born in 1850 in Norway. After leaving college and completing a course of studies, he was tutor in private families three years; in 1874 came to America; studied theology in Augsburg Seminary of Minneapolis and graduated in 1877; was ordained to the ministry of the Norwegian Danish Lutheran church and came at once to Benson; has charge of seven congregations. Married October 31, 1877, Sina Wadel; one child, Christian W., now deceased.

Z. B. Clarke was born October 18, 1844, in Licking county, Ohio. In 1849 he accompanied his parents to Green county, Wisconsin, where his mother died; when ten years old he went alone to Olmsted county, Minnesota. He worked on a farm and as chore boy around a country store unti11861, when he enlisted in Company C, 3d Minnesota and served almost four years; from 1867 to 1879 was employed in a hardware store in Rochester, then went to Kansas; returned to this state and made a claim near the present village of Lac qui Parle; after living in a tent six months he drew lumber from Benson to commence building, and it was he who made the first traveled road between the two places. Mr. Clarke was in mercantile trade in the new town two years; after serving three years as clerk of the district court of Lac qui Parle county, he resigned. In 1874 he served in the state legislature, and the next year was enrolling clerk of the house; he was appointed by the governor to investigate the extent of grasshopper devastation. For a time he was in the hardware business in Benson, then become editor of the Benson Times and afterward founded the Advocate, but since 1878 has given his entire attention to the bank. Married, in 1872, Dora Eaton. Nellie F., Fred B. and Ziba B., Jr., are their children.

George D. Breed, born September 29, 1847 is a native of New York. He attained an academical education and learned the printer's trade at which he worked until 1870. Since 1872 he has been a resident of Minnesota and in the employ of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba company as station agent at different points along their line; at present he is in charge of the station at Benson. He was married to Josephine McCollom; one son.

A. J. Carnihan was born April 13, 1838, in New Brunswick. In 1855 he came to Minnesota, and being an early settler he found employment in teaming and freighting to western points; this business was attended by great danger from the Indians; he has traveled extensively through the entire northwest. In 1870 he located permanently in Benson on a farm within the village limits; for a number of years has been county sheriff. Wilmina Kemper became his wife in 1870 and has four daughters.

M. Cosgrove, a native of Canada was born in 1840. He learned the trade of mill-wright and upon coming to Minnesota in 1866, located at St. Paul; two years later he removed to Mankato and continued working at his trade until 1870, at which time he took a homestead near Redwood Falls, where he did farming and carpentering until 1875. In 1877 he began dealing in agricultural implements at Benson; since March, 1879 he has dealt in furniture. His marriage took place in October 1869, with Margaret McDonald.

W. A. Foland was born March 12, 1846, in Dayton, Ohio. Removed to Indiana, thence to Tennessee; in 1858 returned to Indiana and in June, 1870, graduated from the State University at Bloomington, taking Latin honor; in 1873 he graduated from the law department of the same school and was chosen by the faculty to deliver master oration. He served one year as deputy clerk of the court of Monroe county; the next year, 1874, he began practice at Willmar, Minnesota, and the year after was appointed county attorney of Kandiyohi, to fill the vacancy caused by Hon. J. H. Brown being elected judge of the Twelfth district. Since February, 1876, he has been in practice at Benson. Married July 26, 1876, Laura, daughter of Prof. J. A. Woodburn.

Darwin S. Hall, a native of Wisconsin, was born January 28, 1844, in Kenosha county. He received an academical education and then worked with his father at lumbering until 1864, when he entered Company K, 42d Wisconsin infantry, and served through the remainder of the war. In 1866 he took a. homestead in Renville county, Minnesota. He was elected auditor of that county in 1868, and served four year; also five years as' district clerk, and was in the state legislature in 1876. Mr. Hall established the Renville Times in 1872 and conducted it two years. Since 1878 he has been register of the United States land office at Benson. In 1868 he married Mary McClaren.

S. Henry Hudson was born November 29, 1857, at Janesville, Wisconsin, and received his education at the academy of that place and at the State University. He studied law with his father, Judge S. A. Hudson, now associate justice of the supreme court of the territory of Dakota, and August 8, 1879, was admitted to practice, at Janesville, where he continued to reside until the spring of the following year, when he came to this state and has since been in practice at Benson.

Ole Jacobson, a native of Norway, was born September 17, 1842, but has lived in America since twenty years of age. Upon coming to this country he located in southern Minnesota, and in 1868 moved to his claim, six miles from Benson; after farming four years he engaged in lumber and machinery business in company with F. M. Thornton; since 1877 he has been alone in the agricultural implement trade. His marriage took place in1873, with Miss I. Oleson. They have one child and have lost two.

Frank M. Thornton was born December 25,1841, in England. In 1849 he accompanied his widowed mother to New York, where he worked as errand boy in a clothing house and afterward became shipping clerk. In 1855 the family removed to a farm near Minneapolis, and he worked there until enlisting in 1862 in the Sixth Minnesota; he took an active part in the war against the Indians and also served at the South; was transferred to the 18th United States colored regiment and commissioned captain; was also brevetted major. Upon being mustered out he returned home and worked on the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba railroad. From 1870 to 1875 was station agent at Benson and during a part of that time was in the lumber and machinery business; he now owns a grain elevator, keeps a coal yard and a hardware store. Married in May, 1871, Lizzie Clague.

Ole C. Vaugen was born in 1851. He attained his education and learned the trade of jeweler in Norway, his native land. In 1870 he came to America and worked at his trade in La Crosse, Wisconsin, until 1875, after which he came to Benson and started in business for himself.
 

                                                                               APPLETON TOWNSHIP.
The first settler in the township was Addison Phelps, who came from Owatonna in the fall of 1868, and made a claim at the mouth of the Pomme de Terre river. The next to settle were two men, S. A. Poley and A. Becker, who made claims on the banks of the Minnesota river, on section 20.

These two latter left after an occupancy of four or five years, Poley's claim passing into the possession of William Saunders, that of Becker becoming the property of A. W. Lathrop. The next settler was C. E. Foster, who came late in the fall of 1869. The township was organized in 1870, and at that time formed part of what was known as Fairfield township. This was subsequently divided, and Clarksville became the name of the portion in which Appleton is situated. Previous to the name of Appleton, as its designation, it was known as Phelps, which was changed at the request of Addison Phelps, himself, who was then one of the county commissioners. This change was effected September 4, 1872. The original town of Fairfield embraced what is now nine townships in the western part of the county.

The Pomme de Terre river is the largest tributary of the Minnesota river. It is fed by a large number of lakes, so that its flow is constant and abundant. As the stream nears the town it becomes rapid, thus creating a number of very valuable water powers. Two of these are already improved. The upper power, in section 14, has a fall of about thirteen feet; the lower one, in section 16, has a fall of about twenty feet. On section 17, on what is railroad property, there is also an excellent fall, at present unimproved.

The first township officers, of which any record exists, were for the town of Phelps, for the year 1872. They were: C. F. Ireland, W. S. Herbert, Persons Clark. supervisors; Richard Mills, clerk; Addison Phelps, justice of the peace; Gideon G. Phelps, assessor; James Buchanan, constable.
 

                                                                                      APPLETON.
The village of Appleton is located on both sides of the Pomme de Terre river, about three miles from its confluence with the Minnesota river, in the south-western corner of Swift county, on the line of the Hastings & Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis railroad, midway between Montevideo and Big Stone Lake.

The first settlement in the vicinity of the village was made in 1868 by Becker & Foley. In 1869 came C. E. Foster, and soon after a man by the name of Clark. D. D. Robinson settled in 1871. Mr. C. E. Foster was chiefly instrumental in getting Mr. Clark to settle, as it was at his solicitation that he located and commenced the erection of a mill on the Pomme de Terre river, receiving from Foster for so doing a bonus of one hundred dollars, and enough lumber for the construction of the dam. Work was commenced on the erection of this mill in the spring of 1871. It was only partially enclosed before Clark's means proved insufficient for the continuance of the work. At this juncture A. W. and W. V. Lathrop, of Benson, were induced to take hold of the enterprise.- This was in the summer of 1872. Under the new auspices the mill was soon completed, and its operations were conducted under the firm name of Lathrop Bros. & Clark. The Lathrop brothers then went to work and laid out a town site on the north-west quarter of section 14. This was Clark's original claim, but which he had disposed of by sale to the Lathrops when the mill was sold. The new town site was called Appleton, after the town by that name in Wisconsin. The Lathrop brothers then opened a store, the first in the place.

In the whole township there were but twenty-two families at that time. The following spring, how-ever, many more came in. As an evidence of the character of these early settlers it should be mentioned that as soon as the town was platted a school-house was erected. at a cost of nearly one thousand dollars, and in 1874 the Appleton Library association was incorporated, for better dissemination of general knowledge, by sustaining lectures, debates and a public library. The library soon contained a goodly number of choice books, to which members had free access. Thus was early given to Appleton a reputation for intelligence and enterprise it has ever since enjoyed.
In 1874, the village of Appleton contained one store, one hotel, one blacksmith shop, one mill and about half a dozen dwellings.

The second store opened was that of W..A. Mattice, the hardware merchant. The post-office was established in 1873, with William Lathrop as the first postmaster, who continued to hold the office until 1879, when he was succeeded by E. Lathrop. The latter held the position until 1881, when the present postmaster was appointed, C. A. Seeley.
In the fall of 1879 the track of the Hastings & Dakota railroad reached Appleton. At this time there were about half a dozen stores, a wagon and blacksmith shop, two other blacksmith shops, two livery stables and a hotel. The summer before the advent of the railroad was one of great activity in building, and from that period on the village attained a position of prosperity, a condition of affairs it has since continued to maintain. The erection of two large elevators the same fall added largely to the importance of the village. The improvements made during 1880 were also very marked.

In the spring of 1879 D. D. Robinson made an addition to the village of part of the southwest quarter of section 14. The railroad company also made an addition.

The village was incorporated by act of legislature in the spring of 1881. A. W. Lathrop, D. D. Robinson and A. F. McKay were designated as persons to carry out the provisions of the act. This act did not separate the village from the township, for all purposes, but only for the purpose of having its own officers and raising taxes, otherwise it remained a part of the township. The first village election was held March 12, 1881; officers elected: D. D. Robinson, president; J. N. Berg, A. Gates and A. W. Lathrop, trustees; C. F. Ireland, treasurer; C. T. Gray, recorder; A. F. McKay, justice; Edward Coglan, constable.

The first school was taught in 1873 by A. M.Utter, in the school-house which had been erected at an expense of about $1,000. The present handsome school edifice was erected in 1880 at a cost of nearly $7,000. It is two stories in height and well appointed in all respects. There are three teachers and an average attendance of about 125 scholars. Appleton was created an independent school district in 1880.

The first religious services were held in the house of C. E. Foster, by the Rev. T. G. Crump,of Litchfield, an Episcopalian minister, in June, 1871. The next services were held at the same place, by Rev. 0. A. Starr. The first church organization was effected in 1875, and was of the Episcopal denomination. Rev. T. D. Booth used then to preach there once in every four weeks. The first regular resident minister was Rev. J. K. Karcher, who came in 1878. The church edifice was erected during the year 1878. Rev. C. M. Armstrong succeeded the latter minister in 1880, and in the spring of 1881 he, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. G. H. Mueller. The Methodists held their first meeting in the old school-house, in the fall of 1879. Their first resident minister was Rev. J. S. Bean. Previous to that the Rev. William Kerr preached there, he being in a circuit which included Appleton.

Congregational : This society was organized in the spring of 1879. The first pastor was Rev. C. A. Ruddock. The first meetings were held in E. Lathrop's house. Afterwards they were held in the Methodist church. The present pastor is Rev. R W. Jamison.

Besides the above, the United Brethren and the Norwegian Lutherans have organizations, but no church edifices.
Appleton Lodge No. 137, A. F. & A. M., was organized under charter, April 1, 1880, H. A. Wells acting by appointment as M. W. G. M. For some two years previous, the lodge had been working under dispensation. The first officers were, B. P. Cheney, W. M.; A. D. Countryman, S. W.; M. E. Randall, J. W.; D. C. Dow, treasurer; C. F. Ireland, secretary; L. A. Countryman, S. D.; William Austin, J. D.; F. I. Countryman, S. S.; W. V. Lathrop, J. S.; J. Turner, tyler.
Appleton Mills: These mills were first started in 1871, by the Mr. Clark already once referred to. The firm afterwards became Lathrop Bros. & Clark. In 1873, A. W. Lathrop bought Clark's interest and the firm became A. W. Lathrop & Bro. This was continued until 1879, when it became Lathrop & Thompson. In 1881, the business was incorporated as the Appleton Mill Co., of which T. Thompson is president and W. L. Doe secretary. It is a well appointed mill with four run of stone.

Rosette Mills: These were built in 1878 by Barton & Powell. In the fall of 1879 the firm was changed to Barton & Alvord, the latter buying Mr. Powell's interest. Three run of stone constitutes the equipment of the mill.

The first newspaper published in the village was the Appleton Gazette, which was first issued March 20, 1879, by E. C. Detuncq and E. R. Barrager. July 24, 1879, they sold out to William Murphey, who changed the name of the paper to the Appleton Recorder, which title it still retains. On the death of the latter owner the widow continued its publication, with G. B. Newton as editor. In May, 1881, the latter purchased the property and has since continued the publication of the paper on his own account. The Riverside Press was first issued April 3, 1880, with Charles T. Gray as publisher and proprietor, who has since continued its issue. It is republican in politics, and is published every Saturday.

Lathrop & Ireland keep the Pioneer House, the first store in the village. The stocks are of a general nature, and are large and well assorted. Tuttle Bros., recently of Hastings, deal principally in fancy groceries, clothing, etc.; they have a well arranged stock. W. A. Mattice, who erected the second store in town, has a good assortment of all lines of hardware, and stoves and tinware. In the same line of business is A. Glines. There are two harness stores, that of S. L. Keller, and that of A. E. Winnege. J. Simmons has a large general store, as has also the firm Hastings & Nelson. John N. Berg keeps the "Farmers' Supply Store;" it is well named. The drug trade is represented by La Rue & Lewis and John Clayton. There are three lawyers and two physicians, A. D. Countrymen and Johnson & Young representing the former, and B. F. La Rue and R. C. Russell the latter profession. The wagon-making industry is represented by Schoepp Bros., and J. C. Dow, and its kindred art, the blacksmithing one, by Countryman & Strathern, and M. Moe. E. V. Dickey and Williams & Minzell are engaged in the livery business. A. K. Pederson has a good lumber trade. There are also two other yards. There are two elevators, the one with sixty, and the other with thirty thousand bushels capacity. They were both erected in the fall of 1879, one by S. Norrish Sr Son, the other by Hoyt & Son. There are three hotels iu the village. The St. James Hotel is the one which is mostly patronized by the commercial element of travel. It was built in 1879 by Sol. Sias. In March, 1880 it became the property of the Mehegan Bros., who have since continued to manage it.

The Franklin House was built in 1878. This also was built by the same individual who constructed the St. James. Mr. Sias managed it for some time and then disposed of it to L. C. Woodard.

Appleton house. This was the first hotel built in the village, being the one erected in 1872, by A. Becker. In 1876, D. C. Dow bought Becker out, and enlarged the property. It subsequently became the possession of Sol. Sias.
Hon. A. D. Countryman was born in 1850 in St. Lawrence county, New York. When he was a child the family located at Hastings, Minnesota; he studied at the State University and in 1874 graduated from the St. Louis law school; was admitted the same year and practiced two years at Minneapolis; since 1879 he has been at Appleton where he was the first attorney; ever since the county was organized he has been one of the commissioners; is now judge of probate; he is master of the masonic lodge here, which he assisted to organize. Married in 1874, Jennie Borwick.

L. A. Countryman, native of New York, was born in 1851 in St. Lawrence county, and in 1855 accompanied his parents to Hastings, Minnesota, where he learned blacksmithing. He worked at his trade at Minneapolis and other places and in 1878 located at Appleton where he is engaged in blaeksmithing. • In 1877 he married Miss Sarah Steothern.

P. Detuncq, who was born in 1854, is a native of Brooklyn, New York. While he was a child he removed with his parents to Wisconsin and was there reared on a farm. In the year 1879 he migrated to Minnesota and located in Appleton, where he engaged in furniture business; his was the first store of the kind in the place.

E. V. Dickey, born in 1840 in Madison county, New York, came in 1859 to Minnesota and settled in Goodhue county. He enlisted in Company I, Second Minnesota, in 1861, and served till war closed; was mustered out as first lieutenant. He was in a flouring mill in Wabasha county five years previous to coming in 1879 to Appleton, where he is in the livery business. In 1870 he married Nettie Harper.

W. L. Doe was born in 1855 in Maine, and grew to manhood in Milford. In 1876 he migrated to this state; was employed as clerk in a store until 1880, then kept books in Appleton; in 1881 he was made secretary and treasurer of the Appleton Mill Company; is also a stock holder. Married Lena Glines in 1879. Mr. Doe is a member of the village board.

George H. Elwell was born in 1856 at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Carleton College of Northfield, and in 1879 finished his studies at the State University; since the autumn of 1880 he has been principal of the public schools at Appleton; his sister, M.W. Elwell, is also a teacher here. Mr. Elwell owns a farm of 800 acres in Big Stone county.

C. E. Foster, born in 1832 in Maine, removed in 1855 to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and ran the first stage between that place and St. Cloud. In 1869 he located on section 12 of Appleton; he was the first settler and took an active part in the organization of the town and county; he was appointed one of the first county commissioners; the first town election was held at his house and he was chosen one of the supervisors. January,1882, he embarked in the farm machinery business. Married in 1859, Sara Henderson.

Albert Glines, born in Canada in 1823, removed when a child to Vermont. From 1844 to 1850 his home was in Wisconsin; after mining one year in California he returned to that state, and was in mercantile trade in Grant county till migrating in 1856 to Wabasha county, Minnesota; he opened the first store in Elgin where he remained fourteen years; was county commissioner there two years; he was in the drug trade at Lake City and took a course in the primary department of the Michigan University; was in the hardware trade at Lake City till 1880, since then at Appleton, where he has been a member of the village board. Married Olive Lane in 1854.

C. F. Ireland was born in 1845, in Tioga county, New York. From the age of eleven till the year 1870, his home was in Rochester, Minnesota; he was then farming in Appleton, until 1875, at which date he began mercantile trade with Mr. Lathrop; in 1880 they established the Bank of Appleton. Mr. Ireland enlisted in the 3d Minnesota, and served from 1861 to 1865. In 1868 he married Anna Cutler. 

S. H. Johnson, native of Wisconsin, was born in February, 1859, in Winnebago county. He acquired an academical education, and in 1879 came to Benson, Swift county; eighteen months later he removed to Appleton; his business is real estate and insurance; since the summer of 1881, the firm has been Johnson and Young.

S. L. Keller, born in 1845, in Lima, Ohio, began while quite young to learn harnessmaking, with his father. He served in the army from 1863 till war ceased, after which he worked at his trade four years in Ohio, and then in different places until coming to Appleton, where he embarked in the business for himself; his was the first harness shop in the place. 

Hon. A. W. Lathrop, born in 1835, in New Jersey, lived in that state, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa, till 1860, then settled in Wabasha county, Minnesota. In 1858 he graduated from the Albany law school, and practiced till 1863 when he entered the 1st Minnesota light artillery; served .until the war closed. In 1866 he went to Pope county; laid out the town of Glenwood; took part in the organization of the county, and was county attorney till 1870, when he came to Swift county, of which he was one of the first commissioners; was also clerk of court but resigned in 1872, and located at Appleton; he bought part of the present village site and erected the flouring mill; was in mercantile trade but sold in 1878, and continues the milling business. September, 1881, a stock company was formed and he is president. In 1858 he married Harriet Reynolds.

W. A. Mattice was born in 1836 in New York. He resided in Michigan three years previous to going to Illinois where, in 1861, he enlisted; served till 1864 when lie was mustered out as first lieutenant. In 1865 he located at Owatonna, Minnesota; worked at farming and in other lines of business till coming in 1878 to Appleton; his was the first hardware store in town. In 1861 he married Armelda Maxwell.

A. F. McKay, born in 1844 in Cattaraugus county, New York, lived from twelve years old till 1861 in Wisconsin, then settled at Rochester, Minnesota. Enlisted in 1862; served three years and was mustered out as lieutenant, after which he did carpenter work till made chief of police at Brainerd in 1872; was sheriff of Crow Wing county two years and for a time was in Montana in the employ of the government; in 1877 he came to Appleton where he was in the machinery business till elected sheriff of this county in 1881. Married in 1866, Lizzie Allen.

R. Miles was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, February 17, 1830. He lived in Massachusetts five years and in 1848 migrated to Iowa; he taught the first school in Bremer county. Removed to Winnebago Agency, Minnesota, and was in the employ of the government one year; settled at Owatonna, 1855. Enlisted in Company A, 10th Minnesota, and served from 1862 till 1865. Since 1870 he has lived in Appleton; was the first clerk of the town. Married in 1854, Adeline Phelps.

G. B. Newton, was born January 24, 1851, in Orange county, New York; removed to Tioga county and when twelve years old went to Kentucky; remained till 1865; then migrated to Wisconsin, where he began learning printing; he was afterward in Michigan, and was employed on different papers; he worked for a time at lumbering and book-keeping and in 1880 became employed on the Appleton Recorder, which he purchased in 1881; it is probably the largest paper in his part of the state.

Daniel D. Robinson was born in 1818 in New Hampshire. From 1852 till 1857 he was in mercantile trade in California then returned to his native state; from 18e2 till 1870 he was in Washington, D. C.; he kept a boarding house and was city constable; after spending one winter in Garden City, Minnesota, he came in 1871 to Appleton and took a claim, the greater portion of the village now stands on his land; he was town clerk seven years, is now president of the village board and board of education. Married in 1842; Miss Mary Parks. 

Dr. R. C. Russell was born in 1850 in England, and in 1852 came with his parents to America. Until eighteen years of age his home was in Sussex, Wisconsin; he graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic College in 1875 also Rush Medical College of Chicago; the doctor practiced some years in Freeborn county, two years at Granite Falls and then settled in Appleton.

A. Schoepp, born in 1858 in Hastings, Minnesota, learned his trade at Northfield and worked in various places till 1879 when he formed a partnership with his brother at Appleton. Married in 1881; Carolina Michal.

G. B. Schoepp, born in Germany in 1846, came to America in 1852 and lived in Milwaukee till 1855, then located at Hastings and learned carriage making; since 1879 he has been in business with his brothers at Appleton. In 1868 he married Mary Seaben.

H. J. Schoepp, native of Minnesota, was born in 1860 at Hastings where he learned the carriage business which he followed in that place till coming here to enter business with his brothers.

A. Seeley was born in 1859 in Wabasha county, Minnesota. When but twelve years old he entered the post-office at Lake City and remained seven years; in 1879 he came to Appleton and began the book and stationery business; since July, 1881 he has been postmaster. In 1880 he married Ella Scruberger, native of Wisconsin.

J. Simmons was born in 1845 in Norway, and in 1854 immigrated to Wisconsin. In 1856 he settled at Red Wing, Minnesota; was educated at Hamline University ; he clerked in a store previous to enlisting in 1862; served three years, then was iu mercantile trade at Red Wing at different times, also at Lake Crystal, and since 1879 at Appleton; for two years he was in the bank of Pierce, Simmons & Co., at Red Wing. Married in 1869, Miss P. A. Bergh.

T. Thompson, born in 1847 in Norway, immigrated in 1868 to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was farming till 1874, at which date he settled in Appleton. Until 1878 he was in the employ of A. W. Lathrop, then bought an interest in the business and is vice president of the company. Married in 1881, Caroline Anderson.

J. T. Wilkinson was born in 1840, in England. In 1855 he immigrated to Rhode Island, where in 1861 he enlisted; he was wounded once; spent eleven months in Libby and other prisons. Upon leaving the army in 1865 he worked at coopering in Wisconsin, and Goodhue county, Minnesota, till coming, in 1878, to Appleton, where he is town clerk; has worked at farming here, also in Mr. Dudley's lumber yard. Married Ruth Darbyshire in 1861.

E. T. Young, was born in Washington Lake, Sibley county, Minnesota, October 27, 1858. He taught school two years, then attended the State University from 1877 till 1880, when he went to Benson, read law and was admitted in March, 1881; since August of that year he has been in practice at Appleton.
 

                                                                                        PILLSBURY.
Town 120, range 37. The first settlement was made by Andrew Johnson on sec. 28, in 1869. The first town meeting was held at the store of John P. Jacobson & Co., Jan. 29, 1876. The officer selected were T. Baldwin, chairman, J. P. Segerstrom and P. Dahlstem, supervisors; C. C. Odney, clerk; 0. E. Solan, treasurer; J. Hubbard, assessor; G. Z. Birtchard, constable. The first marriage was 0. E. Solan to Miss B. Iverson in 1874. The first school was taught in the village of Kerkhoven by Miss Flora A. Morton in 1874; there are now two frame school buildings in the town. The village of Kerkhoven is located on sec. 21. In 1876 the village was nearly destroyed by fire, but being settled by a thriving, energetic class of business men, it soon began to rebuild. In January, 1881, the village was incorporated; the first election was held at that time; officers elected, were H. S. Sjoberg, president; 0. J. Lankner and L. P. Anderson, trustees; H. C. Odney, recorder; C. C. Odney treasurer; E. R. Barrager, justice; H. P. Barrager, constable. The post-office of Pillsbury was established in 1872. John P. Jacobson, first postmaster.

The business of the village of Kerkhoven is represented by four general stores, one hardware store, one harness shop, one drug store, one shoemaker, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, two hotels, two elevators, one newspaper, three saloons and one cheese factory.

Ole Backlund, born in Sweden in 1855, immigrated to America in 1880 and located at Pillsbury. He worked on a farm and clerked in a hardware store till commencing business in company with Mr. Sjoquist.

E. R. Barrager, born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, in 1859, removed to Hudson and later to Appleton, where he started the Gazette. Learned printing at Montevideo and since 1879 has published the Weekly Itemizer at Pillsbury.

James A. Barrager, native of Wisconsin, was born in 1854 in Sheboygan county, where he remained until 1862, then removed to Hudson; he was employed on a farm, in a store and in a livery stable, but in 1881 came to Pillsbury and formed a partnership with his brother; their Weekly Itemizer is a newsy seven column paper.

J. B. Beatty, born October 7, 1857, at Winnebago Agency, Blue Earth county, 1VIinnesota,went with his parents to Itasca, seven years later to Sauk Rapids and thence to St. Cloud. He acquired a good education, learned telegraphy and has been employed in different places; since 1880 he has been at Kerkhoven, where he is telegraph, ticket, express and freight agent.

C. B. Boody of Maine, was born in 1843 in Jackson, Waldo county, and received a good common and high school education. Enlisted in Company H, 26th Maine infantry, and served one year. He was farming till 1876; came to Pillsbury in 1877 and for a time worked at lumbering on the Rum river: is now foreman of the Brookside farm. Married in 1867, Rose Roberts; the children are Lizzie A. and Clara L.

John Harrigan, born in 1853 in Wisconsin, lived  in Portage till thirteen years old. He was employed in St. Paul one year as carpenter for the Lake Superior railroad company; went to Otter Tail county where he worked in getting out wood and ties until 1880: has since had a saloon at Pillsbury. Married Cornelia Thorgson September 20. 1879; one child: Mary J.

Aron Hultgren was born in 1848 in Sweden. where he was a soldier two years, and came in 1867 to America. He was at St. Paul two years, in Kandiyohi county twelve years, and since 1881 has been in business at Pillsbury in company with John Strate. In 1870 he married Inge Anderson; six children: Theodore A., Mamie, Amanda K., John R., Angus 0. and Frethof.

C. J. Mastrud is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1852; while living there he learned the trade of firmer. In 1870 he came to America; lived for a time in Winneshiek county, Iowa; came to Pillsbury in 1875 and started a tin shop: now has a hardware store. Married in July, 1881, Christine Anderson.

O. C. Odney, born in Norway, in 1847, removed in 1869 to Wisconsin, thence in 1871 to St. Paul. He was employed as clerk there and at Willmar; in 1873 he came to Pillsbury and after clerking about three years, engaged in mercantile business with 0. P. Lofgren; since 1880 Mr. Evens has been his partner. Married December 8, 1874, Rosa Evans: four children : Henry W., Oscar T., Agnes E. and Stella K.

Andrew Sjoquist was born in 1864, in Sweden where he learned the trades of carpenter and harnessmaker. In 1880 he came to Pillsbury; worked in au elevator one year and was for a time in partnership with Charles Mastrud; in 1881 he and Ole Backlund built a store where they have a harness shop, also deal in boots and shoes and groceries.
 

                                                                                        HAYES.
Town 121, range 37. The first settlement was made by Peter and Daniel Broberg, on section 1, in 1868. The first town meeting was held at the house of John Carlson in 1877; officers elected were Iver Iverson, chairman; John Beckman and Halvor Evenson, supervisors; John C. Carlson, clerk; Ole Turkelson, treasurer; Lewis Monson, assessor and justice; Andrew Tyen, constable.

John A. Johnson, native of Norway, was born September 15, 1845. In 1868 he came to America; was farming and carpentering four years in Rock county, Wisconsin, after which he removed to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, and in 1876 located on section 28 of Hayes; he is clerk of this town. Married in 1873 Dorthea Larson; four children: Lewis, Alfred, Albert and John A.

Lewis Monson was born in 1837, in Norway. After coming to America in 1847 he lived until 1860 in Wisconsin, then in Rice county, this state till 1865, when he came to Hayes and bought a farm, but resided in Kandiyohi county till 1876; held the office of county commissioner in that county and this. Married in 1864, Ingra Fige; the children are Martin, Uny, Anna, Isabelle, Olina, Josephine, George, Necolina and Marcus.
 

                                                                                    BERKHOVEN.
Town 122-37. The first settlement made in this town, was by Ole Home in 1865 on section 4. The first town election was held at the house of N. 0. Broten on section 1. Carl Hanson was chosen moderator and Peter Undeen, clerk; officers elected were: Peter Undeen, chairman; A. Rasmunson. and Carl Johnson, supervisors; John P. Jacobson, clerk; A. C. Arntson and Carl Hanson, justices, A. P. Carlson and M. Rasmunson, constables. The first school was taught by Ole Hanson in the house of Andrew Anderson, in 1870. The first religious services were held at the school-house in 1878 by Rev. Modal Jacobs. The first death was Mrs. Ingra Olson in 1874, of consumption.

Professor George 0. Ellingboe was born January 29, 1859 in Norway. His father died and he came with his mother to America in 1862; the family resided in Goodhue county, Minnesota five years and since that have been in Kerkhoven. He received a good education and has since been teaching; has a farm of 160 acres; since 1880 has been town clerk. Married January 30, 1882; Ida Syse.

Thosten_0. Qvammen, native of Norway, born in 1841, came to the United States in 1864 and was farming two years in Goodhue county, Minnesota. He came in 1866 to Kerkhoven where he now owns a farm of 240 acres. In 1866 he married .Mary Thompson; the children are Christine, Thorson, Mary, Anna, Ole, Martin and Simon.

 

                                                                                     CAMP LARE.
Town 122, range 38. The first settlement was made by Ole Thorson on section 3 in 1866. The first school was taught at the house of T. Swenson by Miss Sophia Northerhouse in 1874. The first death was Erick Thorson in 1871. The first religious services were held at the house of T. Swenson on section 10 by Rev. S. Rickway in 1869. Swift Falls post-office was established in 1871 with Mr. Das as first postmaster. A flouring mill was built on section 3 in 1872, with three run of stone.

J. M. Danelz, born in 1839 in Sweden, came to America in 1869. He lived about three years in Washington county, Minnesota; was quarrying stone; has also worked some as a carpenter; came to Camp Lake in 1871; had bought his land and mill site in 1870 at Swift Falls; he has a grist-mill and general store, and is postmaster; has held various town offices. Married in 1877 Lena Peterson; the children are Herman and Garfield.
 

                                                                                        KILDARE.
Town 121, range 38. The first settlement was made by A. Anderson, section 2, in 1868. The first town meeting was held at the depot, April 20, 1875. M. P. Morgan was chosen moderator. Officers elected were J. J. Murphy, chairman; Michael Kennedy and C. B. McVay, supervisors; Patrick Moore, treasurer; Michael Keho, assessor. The first marriage was Thomas Bata to Jane Clint, in August, 1875. The first school was taught by Miss Celestia Martin in 1876, at De Graff. The first birth was Edward, son to Wm. and Eliza Clint, August 11, 1875. The first death was Miss Kate Mannix, in January, 1876. The first religious services were held at the house of Wm. Clint, by Rev Father McDernin, in August, 1875. DeGraff post-office was established in 1875, Wm. Clint being first postmaster.

The village of DeGraff is located on section 29, and was incorporated February 18, 1881. First officers elected were: E. N. Conway, president; G. L. Caster and Joseph Robinson, trustees; C. J. Williams, recorder; John McKenny, treasurer; Thomas McKay, justice; M. F. Duggan, constable. There are three general stores, one hardware store, one meat-market, one blacksmith shop, two hotels, one elevator, two churches.

G. L. Caster, native of Germany, was born in 1840, and in 1856 settled in Shakopee, Minnesota; he clerked in a hardware store ten years, in the auditor's office three years; was in St. Paul in 1871-'72; traveled for his health, and in 1874 re-turned to Shakopee, and was again in the office of auditor; was book-keeper in Minneapolis till August, 1879, then.engaged in the hardware business at DeGraff, firm name of Caster Si: Pauly. In 1880 he married Angela Weyer; one child, Mary E.

William Clint was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1836, and was raised on a farm; he was a sailor for twelve years; came to America and sailed the lakes as mate and captain. In 1871 he came to Minnesota and settled in Swift county in 1873; worked for the railroad company till 1876, then located on his farm; has been justice, and was made postmaster at De Graff in 1875, the first to receive the appointment. Married in 1857 Barbara McClemment, of Ireland; she died in 1868, and in 1870 he married Eliza O'Connor. Jane, James and William are children by first wife, and Eliza, Rosa, Edward and Richard by his present wife.

E. W. Conmy was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in 1854. He came to America in 1874, after graduating at Maynooth College in philosophy and theology, and located at Anoka, Minnesota; visited New York and Montreal, and then returned to Anoka county and taught school five years; came to De Graff in February, 1880; read law and was admitted to practice January 18, 1881, at St. Paul, and has since practiced here; is postmaster, and also in general merchandise business; is president of village council. February 10, 1880, he married Celina M. Parenteau, and has one child, Lucy B.

M. H. Halpin was born in the county of Longford, Ireland, June 1, 1851, and in 1873 came to America; he located in Kentucky and engaged in farming; came to De Graff, Minnesota, in 1876, and engaged in general merchandise with a stock of $1,300; has been town clerk and village recorder. Married, April 27, 1878, Mary O'Brien; two children, Margaret and John.
 

                                                                                     DUBLIN.
Town 120, range 38. First town meeting was held at the residence of David Murphy, on section 8, February 14, 1878. Officers elected were J. J. Murphy, chairman, J. W. Fredericks and A. J. McInerney, supervisors; Owen Duffy, clerk; Joseph Pothan, treasurer; Michael McDonnell, assessor; Samuel Geiser and John McDonnell, justices; Aug. Shelgren and Michael Corneford, constables.

First birth was a daughter to Owen and Mary F. Duffey, (Mary I.,) February 25, 1878. First death was Mary Duffey, March 25, 1880. The first religious services were held in the depot at Murdock, in the spring of 1878,- by Rev. D. J. Higgins, of the Methodist Episcopal persuasion. There are now three organizations in the township. The post-office at Murdock was established at the village, January 23, 1879, George Botham being first postmaster. The village of Murdock is located on the north-east quarter of section 11, and was surveyed and platted by P. M. Quist, in 1878, and was incorporated by an act of the legislature in 1881. There are now five general stores, one hardware, two blacksmith shops, two elevators, one hotel, one bank, one harness shop, one butcher shop, one wagon shop, one newspaper and one saloon.

W. P. Andrus, native of New York, was born in 1849, in Poughkeepsie; he was in the drug business sixteen years in that place and New York city; since 1880 he has been in the banking business in Murdock, Minnesota. Mr. Andrews was united in marriage in 1872, with Carrie Dater, of Poughkeepsie. Grace is their only child.

George Botham, born in 1845, in England, removed in 1861 to Canada, thence to New York, and from there to Wisconsin; his home was then in Mitchell county, Iowa, from 1864 to 1878, when he came to Murdock, where he has been postmaster since the office was established. Mary Hershey was married January 17, 1879, to Mr. Botham, and has one child, Georgie May.

J. P. Briggs, born in 1827, in Cohasset, Massachusetts, removed to Redding, learned cabinetmaking, and afterward went to Wisconsin, but in 1866 migrated to Minnesota; worked at his trade in Faribault and Owatonna till 1868; was in Iowa until 1878, then came to Murdock, built the first store and began business in company with Mr. Botham. Married Mary Hargraves in 1866; one child, Frank.

James Farnen, born in Ireland in 1848, immigrated when a child to Ohio. In 1856 he removed to Le Sueur county, Minnesota; after graduating from a St. Paul business college he passed one year in Dakota and afterwards taught school; was bookkeeper for Thornton Brothers of St. Paul for a time; in 1879 came to Murdock and began mercantile trade with Joseph Thornton. Married Mary Thornton in 1876; three children.

O. E. Hogue was born in 1845 in Ohio. Enlisted in 1862 in Company E, 15th Ohio; from 1863 to 1865 he served in the U. S. telegraph corps, department of the Cumberland. He began the newspaper business in Iowa, removed to Granite Falls, Minnesota, and started a paper called the Granite Rock; in 1876, started the Howard Lake Union, which was discontinued the next year; he passed two years in Kansas and then came to this town; since 1880 has published the Murdock Herald. Married Louisa Faucett in 1866; one child, Emma; his second wife was Anna Crady.

C. W. Planner was born at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1850. After graduating, he was station agent and telegraph operator at different places from 1869 to 1875; was then in the drug, furniture and grain trade at DeGraff, but in 1879 came to Murdock where he continued business as druggist and grain buyer; for a short time he edited the Herald of this place and since 1875 has been a correspondent of the Benson Times; has been justice since Dublin was organized. Married in 1873, Etta Wadsworth; four boys: Abner, Frank, Charles and Henry.

John Powers was born in 1852 in Ireland. When a child he went to Illinois and remained till 1864, then lived in Dakota county, Minnesota, until 1876, when he removed to DeGraff, and in 1879 to Murdock; is now engaged in the blacksmith business and is the patentee of a blacksmith fire pot. Married Bridget Kearney in 1874; the children are Mary E., Fanny E. and John E.
 

                                                                                  CASHEL.
Town 120, range 39. The first settlement was made by Ole Thorson on section 6, in 1873. The first town meeting was held March 23, 1878, at the residence of Michael O'Reilly on section 2. Officers elected: John Kennedy, chairman, Thore Olson and Olaf Johnson, supervisors; William Daulphin, clerk; Dennis Byrne, treasurer; Ole Thorson, assessor; Thomas Hennessy and G. Johnson, justices; Swan Swanson and Maurice Murphy, constables. The first school was taught by Thomas Givens at the house of Michael Gleason in the fall of 1878. First religious services were held at the house of Swan Swanson by Rev. Ole E. Solseth. First birth was daughter to John and Margaret Kennedy, November 8, 1878. First death was James McCauley, died August 17, 1878. John Kennedy was born in 1847 in Ireland. From 1861 to 1863 he was in Minneapolis; then in Massachusetts till 1865; after working some tim,g for different firms he visited St. Louis, Chicago, Racine and Omaha, then returned to Minneapolis and St. Paul; since 1876 his home has been on section 2 of Cashel; he has filled different town offices. Married Margaret Duggan in 1869; five living children.
 

                                                                                 TORNING.
Upon receiving a petition of a majority of all the legal voters in the congressional township number 121, of range 39, asking that the same be organized as a new town, under the township organization law, to be named Torning, the board of commissioners issued the following:

"We, the county commissioners of Swift county, did on the 19th day of March, 1879, proceed to fix and determine the boundaries of such new town, and named the same Torning, in accordance with the said petition, and designated the schoolhouse in school district number 16 as the place for holding the first town meeting in such town, to be held on Saturday, April 5, 1879. The boundaries of said town of Torning as fixed and established by us are as follows: All of township 121, of range 39, except the part of said township which is organized as the village of Benson. Given under our hand this 19th day of March,1879." This was signed by W. H. Topping as chairman of the board of county commissioners, and attested by 0. F. Bronniche, county auditor. In accordance with this the election for town officers was duly held and a town organization effected. The territory embraced in the town of Torning before this, formed part of the town of Benson.

P. Christopherson was born in Norway in 1840, and there learned the trade of mason and plasterer. In 1866 he came to America; worked at his trade seven years in Erie county, New York, and since then iu this town, where he also carries on his farm. His first wife, who died in 1878, was the mother of five children; his present wife, married in June, 1879, has one child.

Arne Johnson, born in 1835 in Norway, grew up there and worked in a saw-mill until coming in 1867 to America; lived three years in Olmsted county, Minnesota, and in 1870 took the farm of 120 acres on which he has since lived, section 8 of this town. Married, December 28, 1857, Miss M. R. Halverson; the living children are Hannah, Julia, Annie G. and Martin A.
 

                                                                                   BENSON.
Town 122, range 39. The first settlement was made by Wm. B. Johnson, in 1867. John Torgerson also came the same year. The first election was held at the Benson House, in Benson village, April 1871; officers elected were: Halvor Dahl, chairman, John Olen and Ole Bronniche, supervisors; Ole Barricko, clerk; Louis Meldal, treasurer; A. W. Lathrop, and Ole Jacobson, justices; George H. Knight, assessor.

First school taught in the town was in a frame school-house, district No. 15, in 1876, by Miss Sophia Notdrehouse. There are two schoolhouses in the town at present.

Firmin Bedard, born December 29, 1842, in Canada, received a good education and afterward learned the trade of tanner. In 1870 he came to St. Paul, and soon after to this place; in company with his father and a brother, he owns 960 acres of land, also has a tannery. Mr. Bedard has been chairman of the town board several years. In 1863 he married Clarissa Farland, who has borne him ten children.

E. A. Smith was born March 20, 1850, near Adrian, Michigan. Removed in 1855 to Illinois, and in 1857 to Hennepin county, Minnesota; he attended high school at St. Paul, and the State University at Minneapolis, after which he taught, and in 1876 came to his present farm of 337 acres; during the winter of 1879 he was engrossing clerk of the house of representatives. Married in 1873, Cora Grant; the children are Grace E., and Myrtle I.
 

                                                                                    CLONTARF.
Town 122, range 40. The first settlement in the town was made by D. F. McDermott, in June 1876. The first officers of the town were appointed January 16, 1877, being James O'Donnell, chairman; Michael Donovan and Henry Reordon, supervisors; James O'Donnell, clerk; Wm. Duggin and John Bond, justices; John H. Reordon, assessor; Frank Bennett, constable. The town was named by Bishop Ireland. The inhabitants are mostly Irish, a colony having settled here in 1878. The first birth was a daughter of Thomas and Jane Butler, July, 1876. The first death was John, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. McDermott, Sept. 22, 1877. The first school was taught in the Catholic church in 1878, by Kate Shin-nick. The first religious services were held in the section house by Rev. Father John McDermott, in 1871.

The village of Clontarf, located on section 15 was platted in 1876. The first business done on the village site was lumber yard, by D. F. McDermott. There are now two general stores, a depot, hotel, church and school-house.

Brother Benedict and Brother Vincent. Brother Benedict was born December 26, 1851, in Limeric, Ireland, where he remained till seventeen years of age. After coming to America he attended St. Francis College of New York, twelve years. Brother Vincent, native of Dublin, Ireland, was born December 23, 1853, and since 1865 has been a resident of America: he also studied at St. Francis College. In 1880 they came to Clontarf together, and have charge of the St. Paul Industrial School, established by Bishop Ireland.

Frank Gollon was born December 21, 1828 in Germany where he worked twenty-seven years at carriage making. In 1853 he immigrated to New York City; worked at his trade there but in 1856 removed to St. Paul where he had a carriage shop thirteen years; from 1868 to 1880 he lived in Dakota county where he was in mercantile trade; since that time, has continued the business at this place. Married in 1855 Margaret Grenville; eight living children.

John L. Green grew to manhood in New Brunswick where he was born December 22, 1840. He came to Minnesota in 1866 and in 1874 started a store at Anoka; since February, 1877 he has been in business at Clontarf; his was the first store in the village; he is also postmaster and has held various town offices. In November, 1870 he married Ellen McGraw; eight children.

R E. Johnson, born in Ohio, December 16, 1849 went with his parents to Wisconsin in 1850 where he attained a thorough education and learned surveying and civil engineering. In 1875 he migrated to Benson, Minnesota; was soon after chosen county surveyor and has filled that position since; in 1878 he was elected judge of probate. He owns 280 acres on section 8 and is in real estate business at Benson. Married Emagean Shove in 1876; one child; Ainsley.

D. F. McDermott, native of Ohio, was born November 2, 1850 at Cincinnati. In 1856 the family located in Scott county, Minnesota; he obtained a good education there and in Minneapolis; came to Clontarf in 1876 and is proprietor of the only hotel in the place, also keeps a flour and feed store; he has been treasurer since the town was organized. Married in 1876 Rosa Brodrick; the living children are Mary and Fanny P.

James O'Donnell was born August 1, 1848 in Philadelphia and at the age of eleven went with his parents to Jefferson county, Pennsylvania. From 1863 till 1876 his home was in Winona county, Minnesota; then he came to Clontarf and was the first actual settler here; has been justice and clerk since the town was formed. Mr. O'Donnell's farm contains 320 acres.

Rev. A. Oster, born June 4, 1834, is a native of France, where he graduated from college and attended a theological seminary. In the year 1854 he immigrated to St. Paul; was ordained December 13, 1856, and has since been a zealous worker and instrumental in building many churches throughout the state; since 1878 he has been pastor of St. Malachv church at Clontarf.

C. H. Rhodes was born February 20, 1849, in Dodge county, Wisconsin. His father died in 1854 in.the mines of California. After leaving the common schools he was several years in the high school at Waupun; for some time he has been employed by railroad companies to fill different positions, and since 1880 has been depot agent at Clontarf. In 1878 he married Mary Leach.

William Shinnick, born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1817, immigrated in 1841 to Massachusetts, and served through the Mexican war, after which he lived in Wisconsin nearly thirty years. Came here in 1877, and now has 600 acres of land; has been chairman of the board nearly all the time since the town was organized. Married in 1857, Margaret McQuade; seven children.
 

                                                                                      SIX MILE GROVE.
This town comprises town 121, range 40. The first settlement was made by Cornelius Olson, Hans Erickson and Simon Olson in April, 1866. The first town meeting was held at the house of Ole Homme, November 1, 1877. The following officers were elected: Lars Christenson, chairman, Hans E. Hanson and Ole Cornelinson, supervisors; Olaf P. Newhouse, clerk; John 0. Strom, treasurer; Henry Johnson, and Carl M. Cornelinson, justices; Ole 0. Tverstol and Iver Hanson, constables. The first school was taught at the residence of Erick Hanson, in Jan., 1872, by Louisa Kepner. The first religious services were held by Rev.J. T. Moses, in the summer of 1869. There are two organizations in the town at present, the Trinity congregation, and the Danish Lutheran. The first death was Ole Kittleson, died December 11, 1866. The first birth was a daughter to Hans Christenson and wife, January 17, 1867.
Lars Christenson was born in 1839 in Norway. Learned blacksmithing and wagon making and in 1864 came to America; worked two years in Iowa and Minnesota and since 1866 has been farming in this town where he has served as assessor and supervisor, and was postmaster till the office was discontinued; has also been county commissioner. Married in 1864, Anna Johannesdotter; seven living children; a daughter of theirs was the first child born in this town.

Carl M. Cornelinson was born in 1844 in Norway, where he learned the business of painter. In 1866 he came to America and in 1867 located at St. Paul, where he worked at his trade till 1870, when he came here and has since lived at his farm on section 13; has been supervisor six years. Married Martha Olson October 10, 1870; five living children.

Erik Erikensen, born in Norway in 1839, came to the United States in 1862. He worked at farming in. Fillmore county, Minnesota, five years, and since 1867 has lived at his farm of 160 acres on section 34 of this town. In November, 1862, he married Gurena 'Sigerson; two children are deceased, the living are: Edward, Simon, Christina, Sophia, John, Gilbert, Amelia, Martenius.

Hans Erickson, born in Norway in 1835, came in 1863 to America. After residing three years in Fillmore and Freeborn counties, this state, he came, in 1866, to what is now the town of Six Mile Grove and took the farm which has since been his home. Married in 1867, Emily Christopherson; there are seven living children.

David C. Horton, born in 1845 in England, removed, while a boy, to Illinois with his parents. and in 1855 to Hennepin county, Minnesota. From 1867 to 1879 he lived in Minneapolis, then located on his farm which he had bought the year before, in Swift county; has been justice of the peace here two years. Married in 1870, Hattie Baker; two children : George W. and Grace E.

Olaf P. Newhouse, born in Norway in 1834, came in 1867 to America. He worked in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota till June, 1870, when he came here and soon after took the farm on which he has since resided; has been clerk since the town was organized. November 18, 1874 he married Mary Barsness, who has borne him five children; the living are Mary B. and Feder.

Rev. Chr. Pederson was born in 1852, in Norway, and when sixteen years old came to America; settled in Allamakee county, Iowa. He studied four years in the Lutheran College at Decorah, and two years in the Theological Seminary at Madison, Wisconsin; graduated in 1880, and was ordained to the ministry; his first pastorate was in
Livingston county, Illinois; since 1881 he has been in this town in charge of Trinity congregation of this county and congregation of Zion, of Pope county. June 17, 1880, he married Maria Shager; one child, Paul H.

Olons A. Radal was born in 1825, in Norway. lie was married there in 1851, and his wife died in 1874; their only child is deceased. In 1869 he came to America; spent one year in Meeker county, Minnesota, and has since lived at his farm in this town. In 1876 he married Mrs. Johnson, whose maiden name was Martha Olson; she had ten children, five are living.

Ole Erikson Samsal was born in 1818, in Norway ; he worked at farming, and in the spring of 1873, immigrated to Swift county, Minnesota, and two years later settled in this town. He married in Norway, in 1841, Mary Henrysdotter, who bore him ten children; the living are: Hans 0. Semenstad, Emma, Martin, Andrew, Ole and Ben. The two latter live at home and help on the farm.

Erik 0. Strom was born in Norway in 1831, and worked at farming there till 1869, then came to Minnesota and took a farm of 160 acres in this town on section 26. Married in Norway, December 28, 1860, Mary Gulbranson; seven children: Ole, Edward, Annie, Gilbert, Julius, Andrew, Milla.
 

                                                                             SWENODA.
Town 120, range 40. The first settlement was made by Ole 0. Simenstad, on section 10, in the spring of 1869, The first town meeting was held at the house of Halle Larson, April 7, 1873. Officers elected were: Gilbert Gilbertson, chairman, Jens Christensen and C. J. Norby, supervisors; Ole Bronniche, clerk; Andrew Johnson, treasurer; S. Olson, assessor; Ole Knudson and Ole Bronniche, justices; Halle Larson and Nels Halverson, constables. Swenoda post-office was established in 1877, and Ole 0. Simenstad was first postmaster. First religious services were held at the house of Christian Erickson, and conducted by Rev. Ole E. Solseth. The first birth was a son to Ole F. Bronniche, March 7, 1873. The first marriage was Gilbert 0. Simenstad to Johanna Johnson in 1871.
Ole 0. Simenstad was born in Norway, in 1838, and worked eight years at the trade of carpenter. In 1867 he went to Wisconsin where he lived till 1869; came to Swenoda and settled on section 10; he has officiated here as town clerk, assessor and postmaster. In 1867 he married Ellen Anderson. Sons, Anton, Carl, Martin and George are the children.
 

                                                                            WEST BANK.
Town 120. range 41. The first settler in this town was Ole Hagan in 1868. First town meeting was held March 11, 1879, at the house of C. V. Johnson; officers elected were; C. J. Norby, chairman, H. T. Golden, Moses Shallenborger, supervisors; J. J. Norby, clerk ; Jeff Graham, treasurer; F. J. Norby, assessor; John J. Norby and S. Olson, justices. C. V. Johnson and Ole Goulson, constables.
 

                                                                             MARYSLAND.
Town 121, range 41. The first town meeting was held at the house of John Gallagher, March 11, 1879. Officers elected: John Gallagher, chairman. John Maher and Frank Kaufman, supervisors; Michael McGuire, clerk; Dennis Maher, assessor; P. J. Maher and John Duffy, justices.
 

                                                                                     TARA.
Town 122, range 41. The first settlement was made by Michael Dun-van and William Duggin, spring of 1877. The first election was held at the school-house in district No. 20, December 21, 1878, when the following officers were elected: Wm. Duggin, chairman, Michael Scheo and James Flemming, supervisors; John Boyd, clerk; Luke Curry, treasurer; Edward McGinley, assessor. The town was first named Redgeville, afterward changed to Tara.
 

                                                                                  FAIRFIELD.
Comprises town 122, range 42. The first settlement was made by John Miller and J. Hart, in 1867. The first election was held April 16, 1872, at the residence of G. B. Smith, on section 5; officers elected were: D. Tupper, chairman, John Wilson and Thor Olson, supervisors; Joshua Martin, clerk; B. Arnold, treasurer; A. M. Utter, assessor; Nick Kepner, justice; J. 0. Hoddard and A. Palson, constables.
 

                                                                                      MOYER.
Town 121, range 42. This town was first settled by Wm. Moyer, June 20, 1869. The first election was held at the residence of D. M. Minert, January 25, 1879. J. J. McKay was chosen moderator. Officers elected were,: J. J. McKay, chairman, H. Dehna and C. B, Mills, supervisors; E. E. Mills, clerk; John Beyer, treasurer; C. E. King and John Parker, justices; Joseph Utter and E. Kepner, constables. Fairfield post-office w.as established on section 18, Cyrus Martin being first postmaster.
 

                                                                                  NEW POSEN.
Town 120, range 42. The first settler was George Kenney, in 1872. First town meeting was held at the school-house in district No. 8, March 23, 1878. Officers elected were: Henry Stuart, chairman, Walcott Alvord and John Shepeske, supervisors; Geo. P. Walbridge, clerk; D. C. Collier, treasurer; Martin Frieskee and D. C. Collier, justices; Dan. Thornton and John Shepeske, constables; Geo Shumway, assessor.
 

                                                                                     SHIBLE.
Town 121, range 43. The first settlement made in this town was by Albert Shible in August, 1869, on section 34, but he left in April, 1870. Conrad Yeakel came in September, 1869, and located on section 20, where he now lives. The first election was held at the residence of Samuel Akey, July 8, 1876. Officers elected were: S. Hayes, chairman, G. G. Phelps and W. E. Mosher, supervisors; Samuel Akey, clerk; W. E. Mosher and H. W. Coolidge, justices; John Phelps, constable. The first school was held at the house of E.C.Mills, summer of 1877, and taught by his wife. There are now three frame school-houses in the town. The first religious services were held at the house of Conrad Yeakel in 1871, and conducted by Rev. August Schmidt. The first birth was a son to Conrad Yeakel and wife, (William) born July 25, 1870. The first death was Emma Louisa, daughter of Conrad Yeakel and wife, died March 12,1872.

Conrad Yeakel, born October 7, 1819, in Germany, came to America in 1850. He was farming in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, fifteen years, lived in Oshkosh four years, and in 1869 settled on the farm which has since been his home; he was the second settler in this town; the nearest post-office was then thirty miles distant and it was forty miles to the nearest mill. His first wife was married in 1848; in 1872 he married Catherine Strubeam; ten children.
 

                                                                                    HEGBERT.
Town 122-43. The first settlement was made by Ole Hegstad on section 26, in 1869. The first election was held at the house of Ole Hegstad, April 8, 1876. Officers elected were: Ole Hegstad, chairman; E. Christianson and L. Lofthus, supervisors; John Olson, clerk; John Wilson and J. Emery, justices; Nels Olson, treasurer; J. Pederson and John Phelps, constables.
 

BIG STONE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XCIV.
BIG STONE COUNTY-ORTONVILLE-TOWNSHIPS.
 

At a comparatively early date there existed a government trail from St. Peter to the head of Big Stone lake; and it was along this path, naturally, that the first settlement was made. The first to penetrate this upper region for the sake of settlement was Ole Bo]sta, who, in 1871, arrived and took up his residence in the vicinity of Artichoke lake. Soon after this Thomas and William Otrey settled at what is now called Otrey's Grove. The next settlement was made at Bailey's Grove, now known as Long Island, six miles north of Ortonville. In 1872 there were numerous settlements effected along the shore of the lake; Among these were Jacob Hurly, Alfred Knowlton and M. I. Mathews. There were also some Scandinavians. Mr. Hurly came all the way from Arkansas with a wagon drawn by big-horned Texas oxen, carrying with him a family all sick with the ague, to escape which illness he had left the country.
C. K. Orton settled on section nine of township 121, range 46, in the summer of 1872.

During 1871 and 1872 the government survey was made; in 1873 there were about twenty or thirty families added to the population of the county, partly Americans and partly Scandinavians. The next year there were about the same number added; but in 1875 very few arrived. In 1876 and 1877 there was quite a rush of immigration, chiefly from the eastern states, so that by the year 1878 all the government land had been taken up. In 1875 the population of the county was 317; in 1881 it had increased to over 8,000. As early as 1871 the governor appointed three commissioners; they never qualified and no organization was effected until 1874. When first established, the boundaries of the county were: Beginning at the point where the line between townships 124 and 125 intersects the boundary of the state, thence eastwardly to the corner of township 124, range 44; thence south on range line to its intersection with the Minnesota river; thence up the channel of said river to Big Stone lake; thence through said lake along the boundary of the state to the place of beginning. In 1868, townships 123 and 124, range 44, were attached to Stevens county; by the same act, Traverse county was made to include the two northern tiers of townships in Big Stone county. In 1876 the present boundaries of the county were established.

The people petitioned Governor C. K. Davis for the appointment of three county commissioners, which was complied with. He appointed Jacob Hurly, C. K. Orton and James N. Morrison as such commissioners, in March, 1874. They soon after entered upon the discharge of their duties.

The first meeting of the board of county commissioners was held at the house of Jacob Hurly, about four miles from Ortonville, on April 13, 1874. Jacob Hurly was chosen chairman of the board. July 20, 1874, the second meeting was held, and the following county officers appointed : J. Church, auditor; A. Phelps, treasurer; J. T. Leet, register of deeds; J. W. Hurly, sheriff; A. J. Parker, attorney; A. L. Jackson, probate judge; M. I. Mathews, superintendent of schools; W. Otrey. coroner; J. H. Hart, surveyor; A. J. Parker, clerk of district court. The county was divided into three commissioner districts, and the county seat was located at Ortonville. At the next meeting, September 1, 1874, they divided the county into school districts and nominal school districts.

The first election was held in the fall of 1874; the officers elected were: A. J. Parker, auditor; J. T. Leet, register of deeds; A. L. Jackson, treasurer; Jacob Hurly, sheriff; A. J. Parker, attorney; J. T. Leet and W. R. Brown, justices of the peace; Jacob Hurly, C. K. Orton and M. I. Mathews, county commissioners. January 5, 1875, the new board met, and a chairman was chosen for the ensuing year. They divided the county into road districts and appointed road overseers; divided the county into assessment districts and appointed assessors for the same, who were duly qualified and proceeded to make an assessment of the county.

May 12, 1875, a special meeting of the board was held, and W. R. Brown was duly appointed to the office of county superintendent of schools. July 26, the commissioners met to equalize the assessment of taxes. M. I. Mathews presented notice of his election and qualification as a commissioner from the first district, which notice was from the clerk of the court of Stevens county, under date of May 5, 1875; the application was rejected by the board, for the reason that -the said Mathews did not qualify and enter upon his duties at or prior to the January meeting of the board." On July 27 the board completed the equalization of taxes, and audited the accounts against the county.
Taxes levied for this year. as appears from the tax books of 1875, was 8228.96, this being the first county tax ever levied in the comity. There was also levied a state tax of $56.77 and a general school tax of $6.26, the first by warrant of the state auditor, and the second under the statute. There was also levied $170.17 for all school purposes. January 4, 1876, the commissioners met pursuant to statute, and C. K. Orton was chosen chairman for the ensuing year. They made lists of grand and petit jurors for the district court, appointed assessors for the several districts and audited the county accounts. A. J. Parker, the county attorney, was authorized to employ such assistance as he deemed necessary, to assist him in defending actions against the county. These actions were being brought to test the validity of the organization of the county. May 21, 1876, the commissioners met to settle with the auditor and treasurer and make an annual financial statement of the county. The total amount of money received by the treasurer from the organization of the county until this meeting, was $125.47, of which sum $97.60 was received for county expenses, the balance being state and school tax. The total expenditures of the county for the same period were $73.80, for all purposes. The liabilities of the county were $238.21, and the assets $226.20.

February 26, 1877, the board met to consider applications for seed grain; forty-seven claims were presented of which forty-six were allowed and filed as required by law. March 31, A. J. Parker was authorized to purchase grain for distribution. In 1875, twenty-two applications for seed grain were allowed.

Big Stone county has been subjected to much litigation. The first action was brought in a justice's court, in the summer of 1875, the case being against the county treasurer for enforcing the payment of taxes. The object of the action was to test the validity of the organization of the county. The result of the case was that the action was defeated, and the organization held to be legal. The next litigation was in the spring of 1877, when action was brought against the auditor, treasurer, probate judge, and clerk of the court. The action had for its object the same reason as the former one. This action was tried by Judge J. H. Brown, in the June term of the district court, and the judge decided in favor of the organization. In the fall an appeal was taken to the supreme court, when the previous decision was reversed, and a declaration made that the county was not legally organized and was not entitled to the officers, i. e., auditor, probate judge, treasurer and clerk of the court. This decision, therefore placed the county in the position of an unorganized county.

Under the provisions of the general law of 1876, which provided for the assessment and collection of taxes by officers of counties to which unorganized counties were attached, for judicial and recording purposes, and Big Stone having been so attached to Stevens county, the officers of the latter then proceeded to levy and collect the taxes as required to do on account of the decision of the supreme court deciding that Big Stone was as yet an unorganized county. This continued until the spring of 1881.

During the fall of 1880 the people of the county held meetings and petitioned the legislature for the organization of the county. As the result of this the legislature, in the February of 1881, passed an act organizing the county of Big Stone,and designating Ortonville as the temporary county seat. The act also recognized the old commissioners under the previous organization as commissioners for the county. The act required the redistricting of the county into five districts instead of three, which was done by the old commissioners in the spring of 1881. The act further provided for an election to be hold on March 8, 1881, for five new commissioners and all other county officers. Provision was also made in the act authorizing a transcript of the records from the books of Stevens county. A term of the district court was also established, which was first held on the third Tuesday in June by Hon. John H. Brown, the county being made to form part of the twelfth judicial district.

The election on the 8th of March resulted as follows: C. H. Mero, auditor; Ole Bolsta, treasurer; John McCallum, register; A. E. Randall, sheriff; T. M. Grant, attorney; S. D. Kemerer, judge of probate; B. Dassel, clerk of court; W. R. Brown, superintendent of schools; R. H. Chapman, surveyor; G. W. Parker, court commissioner; D. Strong, J. C. Todd, J. T. Webb, C. K. Orton and A. D. Beardsley, commissioners. In the fall of 1881 the question of the county seat was voted upon, which resulted in Ortonville being selected by an immense majority as the permanent seat of justice for the county.
 

                                                                                     ORTONVILLE.
Ortonville was first laid out by its proprietor, C. K. Orton, as early as 1872, the survey being made in September. Although at that time there was no settlement in the vicinity, Mr. Orton was satisfied, from the location of the site at the foot of that magnificent sheet of water, Big Stone lake, and the fertile country surrounding, that, at some future time, it would be a town of no small proportions. For a couple of years the situation remained unchanged. The Hastings & Dakota railroad was then running only to Glencoe, over one hundred miles distant, with no particular point designated for striking Big Stone lake.

The second arrival on the spot was Mr. K. O. Orton, the father of O. K. Orton, who came in July, 1874, and built a dwelling house. When C. K. Orton arrived he commenced trading with the Indians, for which purpose he had to haul his goods by team from Benson. He kept this trading post until the fall of 1874, when A. W. Lathrop opened a store, as a branch of his Appleton business, in a small building near where the Evans House now stands. The business was put in charge of A. J. Carlson, but was only continued for some six months. Nothing was done in the way of improvement for nearly a couple of years, when Shumaker & Woodly erected and opened the first permanent store. The same year A. J. Parker and A. E. Randall arrived, and erected dwelling houses. In 1877 there were several new houses erected, among which were Clarence Smith's blacksmith shop, a meat market and a couple of saloons. In the spring of 1878, although there were scarcely a dozen buildings in the place, the question of starting a newspaper being agitated, R. W. Miller procured material and issued the first number of the-North Star, June 30, Mr. Miller had previously opened a law office. Among the others to arrive in 1878, were Mero & Williams, who started a general store, Ward Bros., who opened up the hardware business, and P. G. Gessner, who engaged in the farm machinery trade. The firm of G. W. & A. J. Parker also opened a law office over Mero & Williams' store. Other arrivals were Horace Bingham, a minister of the United Brethren denomination, and Dr. A. E. Pettingill, a physician. From this on, new business men began to arrive and put up buildings, until quite an extensive village had sprung up, when on Sunday, April 20, 1879, a terrible fire, driven from the Dakota pineries by a strong wind, swept across the bottom, and in spite, of the efforts of the citizens, almost totally destroyed the village.

A fire guard was organized to burn the grass on the side of the fire. Although they managed to burn a space of about from twenty to thirty rods in width, it was of no avail: the fire leaped across the vacant space with the energy of a whirlwind. The ground was as dry as tinder, the heat intense, so that all the buildings were on fire at the same time, so rapid was the passage of the flames. At the time of the fire there were in the village two general stores, a meat market, hardware store, three machine houses, three saloons, a printing office, two law offices, one hotel, a blacksmith shop, wagon maker's shop; the total number of buildings, stores and dwellings, including a schoolhouse was twenty-eight. More than one-half of the total number were destroyed, the only business houses left being the three saloons, hotel, printing office, meat market and the blacksmith and wagon shops. Rebuilding commenced immediately, small sheds being erected for temporary business purposes until the new stores were completed. The rebuilding, too, was on a larger scale than the structures destroyed. All the buildings were replaced that summer, the first one ready for occupancy being the store of F. Shumaker. A. W. Lathrop had a building just completed, waiting for stocks of goods to arrive, which was not touched by the flames. The goods arrived soon after the fire and his was the first store fit for business after the conflagration.

About the first of July succeeding the fire it became generally known that the Hastings & Dakota railroad had located their line to Ortonville, and people began to come in very rapidly so that the improvements made that season were of great extent.

Van Inwegen & Norrish erected an elevator with a capacity of 75,000 bushels. In the winter of 1879 and '80 a stock company was formed for the purpose of building a steamboat and navigating Big Stone lake. Work was began on a steamer, 125 feet in length and 25 feet beam. It was called the "Helen Balch," and was successfully launched in the spring of 1880.

Its location at the foot of the lake is an important element in considering the future prosperity of Ortonville. The lake is navigable its entire distance; it is a most beautiful sheet of water, well stocked with fish, and its banks afford scenes of exquisite beauty. In summer its surface is dotted with innumerable small sail-boats; in the winter ice-boats of eminent swiftness take their place. From the advantages it possesses it is destined to become a summer resort of reputation. As a residence, Ortonville, and its sister, Big Stone City, on the Dakota side, offer charms possessed by few other places in the North-west. In the fall of 1879, Burdock's addition was made to the village, consisting of forty acres. In 1880, C. K. Orton made an addition of fifty acres.

During the year 1881 a number of fine residences were erected, and the hotel accommodations were increased by the erection of a fine hotel on the banks of the lake.

The first school was taught in the village by Ida E. Van Kleeck, in the summer of 1877, in the school-house which was erected the year previous, at a cost of about $500. This structure was used until the new school-house was finished in January, 1882, at a cost of nearly $10.000, including the furniture. It is a handsome frame building, two stories in height above the basement. There are two teachers employed.

The first religious services were held by the Rev. Knickerbacker, an Episcopal minister from Minneapolis, in July, 1874, at the house of A. L. Jackson, one mile from the village. The first services in the village proper were by Rev. George L. Berry, of the United Brethren church, in 1875, who continued to hold services ir-regularly until September, 1877, when Elder H. Bingham was placed in charge by that church body, and who held services regularly, until the fall of 1880, when Elder S. D. Kemerer, took charge.

The first religious society to be organized, however, was of the Episcopal denomination, in November, 1879, with W. R. Brown as lay reader. The first pastor was the Rev. Armstrong, under whose ministry the church building was erected and finished in the spring of 1881, at a cost of about $1,000.

The Congregational society was organized in September. 1879, Elder Ruddock holding regular services until Rev. A. Hadden assumed the charge under whose ministry the church edifice was erected in the summer of 1880.

The Methodist society was organized in October 1879, Rev. Phelps holding the first regular services.

Lake View Lodge, No. 143, A. F. & A. M. was organized in 1881; Clarence Smith is the present W. M., and J. E. Randall the present secretary.

Star of Hope Lodge, No. 8, I. 0. G. T., was organized in October 1880, by Z. Nash, with A. J. Parker, W. C. T.; Mrs. C. H. Mero, V. C. T.; and A. J. Hess, secretary.

The post-office was established in the fall of 1875, with C. K. Orton for the first postmaster. J. C. Wood succeeded to the office in the spring of 1878, and F. G. Tuttle in January 1882. The first office was at C. K. Orton's dwelling house.
The Musical and Dramatic Society was organized in the winter of 1881, for the purpose of holding entertainments throughout the winter seasons. Prof. Varney is president, and E. Sander-ford, secretary of the society.

The first marriage of residents of the county was that of Job K. Hart to Sarah Palmer, they going to Benson for the purpose. The marriage of Jacob Church to Mary A. Goodwin, in the summer of 1873, before W. R. Movius, was however, really the first marriage in the county. The first birth of a white child was that of Park W., son of C. K. and Augusta Orton, on March 19, 1873. The first death was that of John Swanson, in December, 1874.

The Ortonville North Star was first issued, as previously mentioned, June 30, 1878, by R. W. Miller. He continued to publish it until the following December, when his law business occupied so much of his time he was compelled to retire. It is now published by Hess & Tuttle, and issued every Tuesday. It is a live republican paper.

The Big Stone County Herald was started on August 21, 1879, by Wilbur F. Coffin, and continued by him until April 1, 1880, when he sold out to J. H. Sheets, who has since continued its publication. It is published every Thursday. Mr. Sheets also conducts a well appointed job printing business.

Ortonville was organized as a village by act of legislature, passed in the spring session of 1881. The first village officers were: H. Van Inwegen, president; C. K. Orton, Bernard Dassel and A. L. Jackson, trustees; F. G. Tuttle, recorder; F. H. Holloway, city justice; and F. E. Randall, treasurer.

There are two banks in the village, both having been started about the same time. Orton's Bank-had its foundation laid soon after the fire, and the bank commenced business in the fall of 1879. It was called then the Bank of Ortonville, and was changed soon after to its present title. C. K. Orton is president and A. 3. Parker, cashier. The banking house of Bernard Dassel was started in July. 1879, and changed, February 1, 1880, to the Bank of Ortonville, when C. E. Brooks assumed an interest in the business.

There were three hardware stores in the village. all of them doing a good business; the oldest of them is Wood Bros., they are also engaged in the machinery business; Clark & Hartnett and T. H. Faus conduct the other two hardware stores. There are six establishments doing business as general stores; Shumaker, Rietmann & Co., are the successors of F. Shumaker who established the first general store in the village; .Eyre and Yanz came in after the railroad was completed. They have a very large store.

A. Blom does most of the Scandinavian trading and keeps good stocks of merchandise. M. F. Potter is the successor of Libby & Potter; N. Kerkelrath & Co. and A. P. Flye & Co. are the other general merchants, and both transact a prosperous trade; C. Van de Bogart carries on an exclusively grocery trade. The drug business is well represented by

S. H. Chittenden and L. C. Lane, the latter as successor to the firm of Lane & Fraudberg; both stores are well appointed. August Engquist, proprietor of the big ston plow works, is building up a large trade in plows and
turns out really first-class work. Carlson Bros. have a carriage and wagon shop that turns out large quantities of work. There are three blacksmiths, A. Dahlstrom, A. G. Atha and Clarence Smith; the latter being the first established. The livery business is represented by W. R. Ewing and Isaac Young and both stables are well stocked with good teams. There are two jewelers, F. C. Stain and G. L. Parker. Rowson & Harkness carry on the harness trade. The Boston one price clothing .store is the only one exclusively devoted to clothing, it is carried on by P. M. Orton, who keeps a well assorted stock. A. E. Pettin gill, L. C. Lane and. George McMurphy are the physicians. The legal profession is represented by Jones & Stam, L. Emmett, G. W. and A. J. Parker and T. M. Grant. G. A. Moore has a wind-power feed mill, and 0. Linseth has a furniture store. Preparations are also being made for the erecting of a flouring mill and a large brewery. The lumber business is represented by several firms.

The Lake House was built in the spring of 1881 and opened by Greenman & Bontecou. Several months later the firm became Greenman & Gurley, and in January 1S82, Charles E. Gurley assumed the management. The Evans House was built by Captain .E. Cook and opened by Mrs. Ellen Craig, as the Lake View House, in 1877. Later on, Mr. C. H. Mero took the property and enlarged it. In the spring of 1880 it was taken by T. W. Dickson, who kept it until April 1, 1881, when J. H. Evans assumed the control and changed the same to the Evans House.

The Barton House was opened by J. E. Smith June 1, 1880, and sold by him about a year later to Mr. Gassoway. In October, 1881, the latter sold out to F. H. Holloway. There are several other minor hotels.

N. O. Anderson, born in Sweden in 1853, came to America in 1870 and settled in Minnesota. He was employed as clerk in stores at St. Johns and Willmar till coming in 1879 to Ortonville; he is now in business with Mr. Blom. Married in 1877, Bertha Berthelson.

Adolph Blom was born in Sweden in 1850 and in 1872 removed to Minnesota. From Carver he went to St. Paul and staved six years; since coming in 1879 to Ortonville he has been in mercantile trade. Married in 1877, Carrie Johnson.

C. E. Brooks was born in 1859 in Burlington, Iowa. After attending a preparatory school in New Jersey he entered Harvard College in 1876 but failing health compelled him to leave shortly before graduation. In 1879 he was employed in the Ortonville bank and since 1881 has been a partner. Married in 1881, Flora Carpenter of Iowa.

B. Dassel was born in New York city in 1850 and first came to Minnesota in 1859; settled in St. Paul in 1865. He was secretary of the land department for the Manitoba railroad twelve years; in 1879 he came here and established the Ortonville Bank; is now senior partner. He had filled various offices previous to the organization of the county, in which he took an active part, and has since been clerk of courts and is one of the city council. Married in 1878, Caroline Peasley.

Lyman R. Jones was born in 1844 in Sandusky county, Ohio. He enlisted in 1862 and served two and one-half years. In 1878 he graduated from the law department of Ann Arbor University and has since been in practice at Ortonville. Married in 1866, Mary Bardorff of Ohio.

Dr. George McMurphey, born in December,1852 at Prescott, Pierce county, Wisconsin; was educated there and at the Minneapolis University. In 1878 he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital College of New York: practiced one year in his native state and since 1879 has been at Ortonville. The doctor holds the following positions: president of the board of education, county coroner and U. S. pension examiner.

John McCallum born in Scotland in 1847 immigrated in 1855 to Livingstone county, New York and in 18C3 came to Washington county, Minnesota. He enlisted the same year in Company A, 12th Wisconsin and served through the remainder of the war. In 1876 he came to Prior and the next year Custer post-office was established at his house; took an active part in organizing the town and was first clerk; was elected register of deeds in 1881. Married in 1877 Mary Secrest.

C. H. Mero was born in 1843 in Lincoln county Maine. He enlisted in Company E, 20th Maine and served from 1862 till the war closed after which he was farming in Wisconsin ten years and engaged in mercantile trade four year years; held numerous offices there; was in the hotel business for eighteen months after 'coming to Ortonville in 1879; took au active part in organizing this county and has since been county auditor. In 1866 he married Mary Ellen Fletcher.

G. A. Moore, native of New Hampshire, was born in 1843 and when nine years old accompanied his parents to St. Anthony, Minnesota. He was in the grocery trade at Minneapolis twelve years previous to coming in 1879 to Ortonville, where he is engaged in the lumber business. In 1877 Jennie Kelly became his wife.

C. K. Orton, born in 1846 in Dane county, Wisconsin, removed in 1853 to Iowa, thence in 1857 to Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1871 he came to Big Stone county and took 160 acres, on which now stands Ortonville, named in honor of him; he is a member of the city council, president of Orton's Bank, and chairman of the board of county commissioners; he is a large stock-holder in the Big Stone Lake Navigation Company.

A. J. Parker, born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1839, went to Wisconsin when three years old, with his parents, and lived in different parts of that state; was educated at Ripon. In 1862 he entered Company F, 31st Wisconsin; in 1864 was transferred to the 37th and made first lieutenant; discharged that year for disability; was in the pension claim business for a time, and read law. In 1873 he took a claim near Ortonville, and the next year was elected county auditor; since 1880he has been cashier of Orton's Bank. Married in 1877 Eleanor Phelps.

M. F. Potter was born in 1843 in Washington county, New York. In 1861 he went to Illinois; lived there, and in New York and Iowa till 1875, then in Faribault, Minnesota, till 1879, since which date he has dealt in general merchandise at Ortonville; he is town clerk and a member of the board of education. Married in 1870 Nettie Taylor.

A. E. Randall was born in 1846 in Lockport, New York. Lived five years in Illinois, then went to Wisconsin, and in 1860 located in Olmsted county, Minnesota; three years later removed to Wabasha county, but in 1876 came to Ortonville and took a 21aim; has served his county as treasurer and sheriff. Mr. Randall was in the late war eighteen months. Married in 1872, Sophia Bullock.

J. H. Sheets, born in Randolph county, Indiana, in 1848, entered Ridgeville College at the age of twenty, and graduated four years later with the degree of A. B. He located in Long Prairie, Minnesota, and published the Todd County Argus from 1876 till he bought the Big Stone County Herald, of which he is now proprietor; it was established in 1879 by Wilbur Coffin; while living in Todd county he was superintendent of schools and surveyor. Married in 1881 Jennie McClaflin.

D. C. Stam was born in Madison county, New York, in 1840. When fourteen years old he went with his father to Wisconsin, but two and one-half years later returned to New York, and after graduating in 1862 from the Oneida Seminary, went back to Wisconsin, studied law, was admitted in 1866, and lived in different places in that state until 1880, when he came to Ortonville; has since practiced law here with L. R. Jones. Mr. Stam helped organize this county; in 1880 he took an active part in the political campaign, making numerous speeches in different parts of the state; he is attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. Married in 1860 Sarah Winslow.

G. A. Wood, born in Canada East in 1852, came to the States in 1864. Lived in Wisconsin till 1870, then came to Minnesota; entered the State University in 1872, graduated in 1878, and has since been in hardware trade at Ortonville. Married in 1879 Miss C. Rolla, also a graduate of the University.

J. C. Wood, born in 1855 in Canada East, came in 1864 to the United States, and in 1870 removed from Wisconsin to Fillmore county, Minnesota. From 1878 till 1882 was postmaster at Ortonville; he is in the hardware business with his brother. Married in 1881 Lottie Warren, a graduate of the Winona Normal school.
 

                                                                              ORTONFILLE TOWNSHIP.
The township of Ortonville, contains that part of town 121, range 46, east of the Minnesota river and Big Stone lake. In October, 1871, Nels Lindgren filed a claim on section 12, and May 21, 1872, brought his wife and family. His brother Olof settled on section 2 at the same time. In the summer of 1873, A. L. Jackson made a claim on section 4 and came here to live in February, 1874. The first birth was on September 11, 1872, Charlie, son of Nels Lindgren. December 16, 1874, John Swenson and son were frozen to death, near the Minnesota river. There are two school districts outside the village of Ortonville and one building.

W. R. Brown was born in Niagara county, New York, December 24, 1824. Removed to Canada and in 1846 went to Ohio; taught seven years in Miami cotuaty and completed his education at Augusta College; 1853 he moved to Wisconsin and , was in mercantile business till '57, then settled in Goodhue county, Minn. He was farming and teaching till '73, then went to Kansas; in December, 1874, he came to Big Stone county and took the farm of 320 acres where he now lives. Since May, 1875, has been county superintendent of schools. Married Miss C. A. Crist in 1854 and has four boys living; three children have died.

A. L. Jackson was born in Wyoming county, New York, in 1822. From the age of twenty till 1852 he was in Wisconsin, after which he passed three years mining in California, then spent some years in Wisconsin and Missouri. He was in Goodhue county, Minnesota, from 1861 till 1874, then came to his farm which he had taken the year before in this town ; he was the first treasurer of this county. His first wife, Annie Baker, married in 1849, died September 5, 1860; in 1866 he married Jennie Brown, who died August 29, 1880; Emily Clement became his wife in 1882. He has three children living, and his wife two. In 1S62 he entered Company D, Seventh Minnesota and served three years.

A. P. Jackson was born in 1826, in Wyoming, County, N. Y., and went at the age of sixteen with his parents to Wisconsin. In 1847 he married Sallie Hoyle who died in 1854. He removed to Minnesota in 1861; was elected to the legislature in 1871. He removed in 1878 from Goodhue county to his present home in Big Stone county. His second wife was Julia Wing, married in 1854. Of his nine children seven are living.

J. T. Leet, born in Delhi, New York, accompanied his parents to Racine, Wisconsin, when fourteen years old. He went to Fond du Lac in 1848, worked as salesman five years and was then in business there till removing in 1861 to Goodhue county, Minnesota. Since June, 1874, he has lived at his farm in this town; has been justice of the peace and was the first register of deeds in the county. Married in 1846, Angeline Jackson; four children.

Nels Lindgren was born in 1836, in Sweden and was married in that country in 1865 to Mary Johnson. Immigrated to America in 1870; in 1871 came to Big Stone county, and brought his family the next year; he now owns a farm of 320 acres. The children are John, Emma, P. August, Charlie, the first child born in this town, Christina, Bernt, Botilda and Swen M.
 

                                                                                         ODESSA.
Town 121, range 45. The first settlement was made by Frederick Frankhouse, from Sauk Centre, who settled on section 33, in June 1870, in 1875 he moved to his present location in Yellow Bank town, Lac qui Parle county. Wm. Harriman settled on section 34 in 1871. The first town meeting was held at the residence of Herman Seydler; officers elected were: John Desso, chairman, Tobias Amball and James La Lond, supervisors; Albert D. Beardsley, clerk; Day L. Beardsley, treasurer; James M. Sherman, assessor; Herman Seydler and Henry Sutherland, justices; John D. Boss and Thomas Zimmerman, constables.

The first religious services were held at the house of F. Frankhouse by the Rev. August Schmidt. The first birth was a son, Willie, to F. Frank-house and wife, April 24, 1871.

The first school was held in a building now used by Mr. Wildung for store purposes in April, 1880, and taught by Miss Edna Desso. There are now three organized districts; the Odessa school building is an ornament to the town. The village of Odessa was located in 1879, and first building erected in November of that year. There are now two general stores, furniture store, harness shop, blacksmith shop, hotel and elevator.

A. D. Beardsley, born in 1846, in Schuyler county, New York, went when ten years old to Wisconsin with his parents. From the age of fifteen till 1879, he was on the railroad between La Crosse and Chicago, and was conductor fourteen years. Since 1879 he has lived in this county, and since 1881, on his farm; previous to that he had kept a store and been depot agent at Odessa. He was the first town clerk and has since been chairman; is also county commissioner. Married Martha Dahl in 1867; four living children.
Julius H. Held, born in Harrisville, Marquette county, Wisconsin, in 1858, removed with his parents to Faribault county, Minnesota, when nine years old. He graduated from Janesville Commercial College and learned telegraphy; he has been employed in different places but since 1881 has been station agent at Odessa. November 14, 1881, he married Susan Swaby.

J. R. Meier was horn in 1849, in Switzerland. He learned blacksmithing and in 1F69 came to the United States; worked at his trade in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In 1878 he came to Minnesota, and in 1879 removed from Ortonville to Odessa, and began business at his present stand. Married Lizzie Ambuhl, January 31, 1880, in Big Stone City.
 

William H. Mueller, native of Wisconsin, was born in 1854 in Dodge county. In 1874 he migrated to Minnesota; lived in Winona county for a time, and in 1878 took a farm in Lac qui Parle county, which was his home till February, 1882, since which date he has been proprietor of the Odessa House. Married in 1879, Helena Sellin; two boys: Henry and Arthur.

J. M. Sherman was born in Washington county, New York, in 1840 and fitted himself for teaching, which occupation he followed much of his time until recently. In 1862 he came to Minnesota; lived two years in Washington county, then returned to New York, but two years later came again to Minnesota; in 1880 he removed from Dakota county to Odessa, where he is in charge of Pratt's elevator; he is town treasurer. Married in 1864, Jennie Shellenbarger.

H. C. Sutherland, born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1833, came in 1860 to Minnesota. He enlisted in the Ninth regiment of this state and served three years. Removed from Austin, Mower county, to Hastings, where he engaged in farming four years, but in 1878 took a farm in Big Stone county and came here the next spring. Married in 1863, Miss L. Carter; five living children.

Henry Walter was born in 1841 in Perry county, Missouri. He removed to Illinois where he learned blacksmithing; afterward worked at that business in Indiana till the war, then served three months; in 1862 he removed to Olmsted county. Minnesota. and re-enlisted in 1863; served till war ceased, in Company I. Sixth Minnesota. He lived in Nicollet, Ottowa and Camp Release till locating in 1877 on his farm in Yellow Bank; has been town clerk and justice, also county commissioner and notary public; conducts his mercantile and real estate business in Odessa. Married in 1861,Maria Lehman; seven living children.

F. Wildung was born May 1,1840, in Germany. He learned the trade of brushmaker; immigrated to St. Louis in 1860, and there started a brush factory; in 1864 went to St. Paul and soon after to Carver, where he kept a hotel and store three years; afterward engaged in farming and mercantile business in and near Howard Lake, but since 1880 he has been at Odessa; has a large stock of general merchandise and hardware. In 1870 he married Caroline Diens; five children. He served fifteen months in the civil war.
 

                                                                                            BIG STONE
Comprises all of town 122, range 46, and all of town 122, range 47, east of Big Stone lake. The first election was held at Hurly's school-house October 4, 1879. Officers elected were: G. S. Elwell. clerk; Moses Smith, treasurer; C. A. Berdan, chairman, Gus. Swenson and -----, supervisors. First marriage was Andrew Anderson to Mary Lysing. First death was Jacob Hurly, in 1879. First birth was William L. Goodno, born November 4, 1880, and was the first white child born in the county. The first school was held in a small log building on section 19, fall of 1876, taught by Miss Johanna Nash.

J. L. Cherry, born July 18, 1849 in Washington county, Ohio, made his home in that state, Illinois and Iowa. From 1864 to 1865 he served in Company H, Tenth Illinois cavalry. In 1867 he removed to Wabasha county, Minnesota; was afterward in Illinois and Kansas, but returned in 1871; he came here in 1877 and now owns 240 acres in Malta; was in mercantile trade but sold in 1880 and has since been handling machinery at Big Stone.

William B. Dow was born June 2, 1830 at Plattsburg, New York. Lived in that state and Vermont; learned the trades of blacksmith and machinist; afterward worked in Illinois, Iowa and various parts of Minnesota; returned to_New York for three years but came to this state again. Enlisted in Company H, Eighth Minnesota and served eighteen months. He operated a saw mill in Wisconsin three years; returned to Wabasha county and in 1876 took land in Otrey; in 1878 he was made postmaster at Big Stone. Married March 17, 1857. Caroline Converse; three children: John, Claud and William.

History of the Minnesota Valley by Rev. Edward D Neill
and
History of the Sioux Massacre by Charles S Bryant
Minneapolis: North Star Publishing Company: 1882
Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham - Pages 941-980

Site Created: 07 August 2006

Martha A Crosley Graham