"A History of Western Murray County" by Robt. B. Forrest, Pages 44-57, Murray Co., MN Published 1947 ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Robert B. Forrest III ========================================================================= Note: Use your "Find and Replace" option under "Edit" to search this file. Where there is noted (Picture) there is a picture or darwing that you can view. The file name (ex: 004.jpg) can be found on the TOC in the description box next to the file you are viewing. Just click on the picture file name or you can view the book in HTML format at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/murray/history/home.htm where the pictures are placed within the book. Special thanks go to Robert B, Forrest for sharing his Grandfather's works. Be sure to read: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/murray/history/western/preface3.txt ================================================================================ Early W. Murray Co. MN Hist., pages 44-57 (Picture 044.jpg) The sod house There were hundreds of Sod Houses in Murray County during the Pioneer Days. they were cheap and afforded some protection from the blasts of Winter and the hot summer winds The bitter cold winds during the blizzards seeped into many a sod shanty. Mrs. John G. Johnson, told of one of the many incidents that accompany pioneer life. During one storm the cold was so intense that they took the bed clothes from the bed, wrapped them around themselves and huddled around the —44— stove, trying to keep warm. The father was busy poking wisps of hay into the little stove. The howling wind would take the wisps of hay up the chimney in a flash. The roof of the sod shanty caught on fire and the boys crawled on the roof in the storm and put out the fire with water and snow. Some of the water went down the chimney and the fire in the stove went out. These were the days or rather nights that tried their souls. "How did you ever stand it?" we asked Mrs. Johnson. She answered, "We just had to." The late Tom Gunderson of Leeds, when a young man, went to the pineries to make a little money during the winter months. Four of the young men started for home early to get their crops in. They got as far as St. Paul, held a council and decided to build a big hand sled. On it they put their blankets, cooking utensils and groceries. They wanted to save all the money they could. They got about 75 miles from St. Paul tugging their sled along when they heard a train whistle. They ran for their lives. The snow plow tossed everything they had into the air and the only thing saved was the pancake griddle, which is a real relic on the old Gunderson place today. FARMERS HAD ASSORTED POWER Oxen and horses did not furnish all the power on the farm. Even when they were on their way to Murray County, the settlers were forced to yoke up the milk cows when the oxen had sore feet or were played out. Mules were used also. There were not many of them here. It was no unusual sight to see an ox, a horse and a mule hitched to the plow or other implement. SETTLERS PAID A HIGH PRICE FOR MONEY The inability to get money to sustain life and buy machinery and livestock was almost as much of a handicap to the newcomers as the blizzards and the grasshoppers. Some of the banks took advantage of the almost penniless conditions of some of the settlers. Twenty per cent interest was the common everyday rate and often thirty per cent. Settlers, in need of small amounts, would sometimes walk to a farmer who lived near Tracy. —45— This man had about $500.00 and he let it out in small driblets running from $5.00 to $25.00. The periods for the loans were short, but the rate of interest was high. His rate was fifty per cent and some of the poor devils, when they got $10.00, had to return $20.00. GAME WAS ABUNDANT Game of all kinds was to be had at any time of the year and the amount of game in this section, even as late as the '80's, would be hard for the present generation to believe. There were deer, elk, and antelope in the '70's, but no buffalo. There were also lynx, badger, raccoon, mink, skunk, weasels, muskrats and occasionally an otter. There were plenty of jack rabbits and cotton tails. The settlers found the jack rabbits good eating, but today no one will eat them. For feathered game, there were cranes; yes, we even ate cranes and they were not bad eating. Geese, brants, ducks and plenty of snipes and plovers abounded. In the '80's, prairie chickens and ducks were shot for the market. What lingers longest in the memories of the old residents is the fall flight of the water fowl. Day after day, in the long, clear days in the fall, the birds would come down from the northland, winging their way to their winter home in the south. Long, serried lines of honking Canadian geese, cackling brants and huge flocks of ducks would whirr through the air. Especially towards sunset would the display be interesting. On they came, flock after flock. The whish, whish, of their wings and the tiny, shrill peeps of the younger ducks left memories, hard to erase from the memories of the early prairie settlers. THE WINTER OF 1880-1881 There were many severe storms during the winter months, but the winter of '80-'81 was the outstanding one in the memories of the old settlers. Snow commenced falling in the evening and for two days following, the storm increased with increased severity. Snow drifts in places were twenty feet high and about four feet on the level ground. Farmers were unable to get to their stock —46— (Picture 047a.jpg) Coming through the drifts in the winter of 1909 (Picture 047b.jpg) Snow plows stuck in the huge drifts, and the big rotary snow plow came up from St. James. It was a real attraction and always had a lot of spectators. —47— for thirty-six hours and some had to wait forty-eight hours before they could get to their live stock. There were only ten houses in Leeds township at the time and the settlers suffered severely from lack of food and fuel. Feed for the stock meant hours of snow digging as some hay stacks were covered by six to ten feet of snow. Lars Solem, who was using flax straw for fuel, tugged a hand sled for two miles with a large canister on it to the James Lowe, Sr. farm. He dug down in the snow until he struck the top of the flax straw stack and filled his huge can, and then started for home with his one day's supply of fuel. Stock disappeared and they were found on top of hay stacks where the men had dug out the snow. Coming so early in the winter, farmers were unable to get to the mill and were forced to grind wheat in the coffee mill during the entire winter. The railroad, which had been built as far as Woodstock the year before, was hard hit by the storm. The rails were light and the track new so the big plows could not be used. After spasmodic efforts with plows and shovelers, the railroad company suspended operations in February, owing to continued snow falls. All train service was suspended until April 29th, 1881, when the train brought much needed supplies. Currie was the nearest town with a flour mill and many of the men walked through the deep snow with a pack containing wheat and brought back flour. Bill Lowe and Jack Sheppard took turns in hauling a handsled to Currie with a sack of wheat. They had it ground in a feed mill, as there was no flour mill in operation at that time. These are just some of the instances which illustrate the severity of the winter months. Settlers wore home-made snow shoes and skis. Old timers, when they got reminiscent of the bad winters, always looked back to the winter of 1880-81 as the winter of the "Big Snow." With the coming of spring, the whole country was covered with water. The old Beaver Creek overflowed its banks—in fact it had no banks. Alex Lowe tried to get across with a couple of plow lays, but the creek was so wide it was impossible. John G. Johnson, who saw him, got a boat and took him across. That was on May 2nd, and not a kernel of grain had been sown at that time. —48— LEEDS HOLDS FIRST TOWNSHIP ELECTION Town of Leeds, County of Murray, State of Minnesota The first annual election was held in the town of Leeds at the house of Gilbert Johnson on the 6th day of April, 1873. Gilbert Johnson was elected moderator for the said meeting. The meeting was called to order by Moderator and the following names received the numbers of votes: For supervisor: Nels Svenson, Chr. 16 votes Christian Christianson 16 votes Peter Thompson 16 votes Town Clerk: Herman Nelson 16 votes Assessor: Sven Nelson 16 votes Treasurer: Gilbert Johnson 16 votes Justice of L. O. Solem 16 votes the Peace Simon Hanson 16 votes Constable: John Peterson 16 votes Claus Clausen 16 votes The next annual town meeting was ordered to be held at the house of Hans Simonson. On motion by G. Johnson the following by-laws was adopted, yeas 12, noes 4. it is hereby ordered and determined that it shall be law for Cattle to run at large in town of Leeds in the day time from the 15th of April, to the 15th day of October. On motion the meeting adjourned without day. Clerks Supervisors H. Nelson Nels Svenson C. Christianson S. Hanson Pete Thompson The next meeting was held in March, 1875, and at this meeting the only problem for the voters was the herd law. L. J. Heimness made a motion as follows: "It is ordered determined that it shall be lawful for all kinds of stock to run at large from Apr. 15th to Sept. 15th." The vote was nine votes for the motion and four against it. Elected that year were G. Johnson, C. Christianson, Sven Nelson, for supervisors. Herman Nelson, town clerk; L. J. Heimness, assessor; Theodore Knutson, treasurer, each receiving 13 votes. —49— At the town meeting of 1880 the voters went into the taxing business. Here is the exact reading of the minutes, which are not too clear: "The following items was voted for by motion: Town tax 5 mills, Road tax $50.00. The town was divided into two road districts 3 miles wide and six miles long, north and south. Simon Hanson and Pete Hoye were chosen road masters. "Every man shall herd his cattel from the 1st of June to the l5th day of October." Two changes made at the election were Herman Nelson, chairman and J. H. Jacobson, assessor. LEEDS TOWNSHIP IN 1946 This is one of the most progressive townships in Murray County. Every farmer in the township has access to a gravel road. There are thirty-five miles of township graveled roads and this season twenty miles were re-graveled. Every mile of graded road is graveled. 25 years ago the township was in debt $12,000.00, all of the debt being incurred about thirty years ago building bridges during the ditching era. Today, November 1946, the township owes nothing. To the members of the township board goes a lot of praise for their business-like administration. They have performed a real service. The present members of the board are Wm. Stofferan who has served 30 years, G. M. Skouge 9 years, G. Conradi 2 years, and Fred Gass who has served 20 years. Hadley is part of the township of Leeds. While the village votes as a village on municipal affairs, it votes at all township, county, state and national elections with the township. ====================================================== Back in the '80's they took their politics more seriously than we do now. In campaigns they wore big campaign hats, colored gray. They were higher than a stiff hat. The Democrats had a wider band of black but both parties took a lot of pride in them. The torch light parade was the thing in those days. A hundred boys and young men (hired at times) formed the "huge torch parade"; They carried the torch and wore oilcloth capes. It was a "must" for the big political gathering. —50— HISTORY OF THE HADLEY STUDY CLUB On November 28, 1922, twelve women gathered at the home of Margaret Fresk to organize what they named the Political Study Club. Those present were: Margaret Fresk, Anna Wornson, Florence Nippert, Ovidia Lowe, Viola Knutson, Anna Chapman, Edith Dahlquist, Rebecca Holmberg, Jessie Reed, Jennie Smith, Violet Engebretson, and Walborg Satter. Of these charter members, four remain in the club today, namely: Margaret Fresk, Anna Wornson, Viola Knutson, and Violet Engebretson. As its name implies, the purpose of the club was to study the political development of the nation. Some of the topics were: Muscle Shoals, St. Lawrence Waterway, National Farm Credits, and the Election of the President by the Direct Vote of the People. It is interesting to note that these topics are subjects of much discussion today. The first officers of the club were: President, Margaret Fresk, and Secretary, Edith Dahlquist. Twelve meetings were held at the homes of the members and a special meeting at which the husbands of the members were entertained. The second year the name was changed to Hadley Study Club and it became a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The subjects of study since then have been general in character and have included book reviews, biographies, histories, and customs of foreign peoples, child psychology, geography, current events, bits of humor, literature, art, and problems of modern living. The club members have given entertainments, sold recipe books, and acted as reporters of the Hadley news of the Murray County Herald. These activities, together with their annual dues, have enabled them to participate in many social, civic, and charitable projects. They have contributed to the upkeep of the local cemetery, to the Hadley band, to the Salvation Army, to the Red Cross, to the U.S.O., to the National Relief and Refugee Committee, to the Indian School at Pipestone, to the Federation Forest Fund, and have sponsored essay and flower contests in the Hadley schools. During the late war they sent layettes to Norwegian mothers, subscribed to the clothing —51— drive, and gave playing cards and homemade cookies to the hospitalized soldiers. The club has established and maintained a small library of worthwhile books. Past Presidents of the Club are: Margaret Fresk, Anna Wornson, Ovidia Lowe, Rebecca Holmberg, Edith Dahlquist, Effie Tyler, Winifred Gillette, Elizabeth Bishir, Loraine Brown, Viola Knutson, Lenore Ruppert, and Thelma Peterson. The officers for the coming year are: President, Mildred Wornson; Vice President, Pauline Earhart; Secretary-Treasurer, Ada Swan; Pianist, Lydia Peterson; Assistant Pianist, Jane Paulson; Song Leader, Eloise Crissinger; Librarian, Mary Johnson; Historian, Pauline Earhart. The club has twenty-four active members at present. There are four honorary members: Elizabeth Bishir, Edith Dahlquist, Agnes Engebretson, and Winifred Gillette. EARLY HISTORY OF THE LADIES AID OF THE HADLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH In 1874 the women of the Lutheran Church met at the home of Mrs. Hans Jacobson and organized a Ladies' Aid Society. There was no church but an organization was effected in 1874 called the Beaver Creek Congregation. Services were conducted in the early homes by Rev. Lund of Old Westbrook in Cottonwood who often made the thirty mile trip by oxen. The houses were small and there was often not much room left in the little sod houses and log cabins. Present at the first organization were: Mrs. Ole Wornson, Mrs. Hans Simonson, Mrs. Iver Peterson, Mrs. Lars Solem, Mrs. Gilbert Johnson, Mrs. Hans Jacobson, Mrs. Theo. Knutson, and Mrs. Christianson. The Aid was organized for the purpose of aiding the church. The women were kept busy sewing and knitting. All the work was done by hand and there was no fancy work. Men's shirts, stockings, and ladies' aprons and other necessary articles were made. A sale was held later, but money was scarce and the women had such a hard time selling the goods that they discontinued their meetings for awhile. —52— The Aid was reorganized in 1893 at the John J. Johnson home by Rev. Tosdal. Meetings were conducted in the Norwegian language. The dues were 10 cents a meeting, whether members were present or absent. The ladies sold fancy work, sewed, made quilts, had ice cream and basket socials. The proceeds went to mission work and aiding the church. This organization held until 1903. The Aid was reorganized again (the present Aid) by Rev. Bergsaker and in 1907-08 raised $487. The church was remodeled in 1923 and the basement was enlarged, etc. All of this was paid for by the Aid. In 1923 forty members joined the W. M. F. That same year the men started giving waffle suppers. Rev. Vordale was pastor at that time. In 1926 the Aid sponsored and organized the cemetery and paid the expenses. The 50th anniversary of the church was celebrated in 1929. The former pastors who attended were: Rev. 0. J. Hagen, Rev. A. J. Bergsaker, Rev. Olav Linn, Rev. R. M. Vordale and Rev. Gustenson. Rev. A. M. Nelson was the pastor from 1932 to 1943. He was succeeded by Rev. M. D. Hinderlie. The two following incidents aptly illustrate the unselfish part that the women of Leeds township have played, not only in their homes and the community, but in their intense loyalty to their church. "In 1930 the Aid was again called upon to pay. This time it was a note at the bank for $350. 11 for those who subscribed to the building fund and were unable to pay." "In 1933 it became necessary for the Aid to give all necessary help to the congregation. We contributed $380.00." These notes were taken from histories of the Ladies' Aid As-sociation compiled by Mrs. 0. C. Wornson and the late Mrs. Alex Lowe. THE HADLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH The Hadley Lutheran Church is a branch of the Norwegian Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church which was —53— organized by Rev. Lund of Old Westbrook, the first pastor, Sept. 6, 1873. It was popularly known as the Beaver Creek Church. It served a large territory taking in all the territory between Lake Shetek on the north, six miles east of Slayton on the east, west as far as Ellsborough Township and south and west including the territory around what is now Lake Wilson and Chandler. From official papers, Leeds Township was the foundation of the Lutheran Church in Murray County. The territory served was so large that in 1879 the parish was divided. The church then went by the name of Beaver Creek Norwegian Evangelical Church. The first officers were: Deacons, Ole Wornson, G. Johnson, Peter Peterson and Lars Solem; Trustees, L. J. Heimness, Jacobson and Theo. Knutson; Secy., Peter Peterson; Treasurer, H. Jacobson. The first church was built in 1881, the second church in 1908 and in 1923 the present church was built. The charter members of the original church were: Iver Peterson, Erik Stubboe, Benjamin Olson, Amund Olson, Ole Wornson, Lars Solem, Sven Nelson, Nils Sveinson, Gilbert Johnson, Hans Simonson, Hans Jacobson, Sacarias Thomson, Peter Sacriason, Christian Christianson, Tore Olson, Claus Clauson, Theo. Knutson, Lars Glarum, Tonnes Tonneson, Ingebret Rolfson, Andreas Gufarson, Ole Olson, C. Tonneson, Nils Grielson, Heming Sveinson, John Erickson and Christoffer Larson. On January 1, 1947, the congregation had a membership of 270 souls. It is united in a parish with Lake Wilson Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, Chandler, and served by the Rev. M. D. Hinderlie, who resides at Lake Wilson. Membership of the Hadley Lutheran Church (May 8, 1946) Mr. & Mrs. Albert Amundson & f Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Anderson & f Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Benson & f Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Berg Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Brown & f Mr. & Mrs. Carl O. Clauson Mr. Clarence Bergn Mr. Ed Christianson Mr. & Mrs. Wm. J. Clauson & f Mr. & Mrs. Howard Clauson & f Willard Clauson Mr. & Mrs. Maynard Deden Mr. & Mrs. Henry Deden (Madison Home) Mr. & Mrs. B. O. Clauson —54— Mr. & Mrs. Archie Engebretson & f Mrs. Carrie Engebretson Mrs. Charles Erickson Mr. & Mrs. William Fresk Mr. & Mrs. Albert Holmberg, Rebecca Mr. & Mrs. R. G. Gamble & f Mr. & Mrs. Harry Jacobson & f Mrs. Mary Jacobson Mr. Gullick Gunderson Mr. T. Palmer Mr. Jewell Bjorkman Mrs. Inez Grieser & f Mr. A. R. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Karl Johansen, Eleanor Mr. & Mrs. Allen Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Johnson & f Mr. Andrew G. Johnson, Avery Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Johnson & f Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Johnson, Marilyn Mr. & Mrs. Leon Johnson & f Mrs. Serena Johnson Mrs. John G. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Richard Johnson & f Mr. Oscar Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Edor Johnson Mrs. Mary Kadolph Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Knutson & f Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Matson, Olaf Mrs. J. A. Knutson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lukens Mr. Bert Ohme Mr. & Mrs. Albert Olson & f Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Olson & f Mr. Austin Olson Mr. & Mrs. Leon Olson & f Mr. Lloyd Olson Mrs. Lena Olson Mr. & Mrs. Ole K. Olson, Paul Mr. & Mrs. Ole D. Olson Mrs. Robert Payton Mrs. Robert Keller Mrs. Harold Hendrickson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Paige Gordon Paige Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Paige Mr. & Mrs. George Paulson, Wayne Mr. & Mrs. Willard Paulson & f Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Payton & f Mr. & Mrs. Delbert Peterson & f Mr. & Mrs. Bert Sandberg & f Mr. & Mrs. G. M. Skouge Mr. & Mrs. Harold Sorenson Mr. James Sande Mr. & Mrs. Ole Solem & f Mrs. Ralph Swarm Mr. & Mrs. Cory Tims & f Arthur, Buster, James, Benjamin, William Tims Mr. & Mrs. Ben Toft & f Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Wagley & f Mr. Nels Wagley Mr. Gilman Strom Mr. Allen Smith Mr. & Mrs. Harry Webber Mr. & Mrs. Harns Wornson & f Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Wornson Mr. & Mrs. Olaf C. Wornson Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Zinnel & f Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Schuster Joyce Herding Miss Julia Wornson Mrs. Melford McVenes, Dennis Mr. & Mrs. Verne Johnson and Ronald EARLY HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF HADLEY The village of Hadley, which is located in Leeds Town-ship, originally known as Summitt Lake, was started in 1879 — the same year the Omaha branch was graded from Heron Lake to Woodstock. The first general store was erected the same year by L. Lucason. The first hardware man was O. M. Olson, who built a —55— The Coming of the Railroad (Picture 056.jpg) The Woodstock branch of the Omaha was built during 1879-1880. A sketch of the first train up the branch. The railroad was extended to Pipestone five years later store the same year. The first lumber yard was managed by J. Sipple. Dr. Thos. Lowe was the first and only doctor to practice medicine in the village of Hadley. L. Bryan was the first depot agent and he bought grain as a side line. Hadley had the first brass band to toot a horn in Murray County. The first blacksmith was A. C. Dale who in after years moved to Lake Wilson. Hadley at one time supported a good drug store. The druggist's name was P. Chase. He was also postmaster here for a number of years. In spite of the many changes Hadley has the largest co-operative creamery in this section of the state. THE HADLEY BASEBALL TEAM The Hadley baseball team has a record that is not surpassed by any village in the state of Minnesota. Baseball started in Hadley in 1882 and ever since that year there has been a baseball team—a real record. The first baseball team consisted of Dave, Tom, Bill, Jack and Alex Lowe, Ed Sardeson, Ben Stine, Andy Hoye and Bill Forsaith and a mighty team of sluggers they were. Baseball masks, catchers mitts and pads were unknown. At the county fair one year, the Hadley boys beat their opponents 56 to 7. —56— At one fair date, the team played a picked team from the county. There was a 2nd baseman on the county team that was over aggressive. Andy Hoye was full of pep and somehow jolted the 2nd baseman and the result was a broken leg for the 2nd baseman. The purse offered by the fair board was $25.00 and the cost of setting the leg was $25.00, so the Hadley team broke even, and they won the game. Here is the team that played Lake Wilson, June 30th, 1903: A. Fresk, 2nd base; Oscar Fresk, right; Dony Knutson, 3rd; Fredstrom, Catcher; C. Johnson, center; St. John, left; Trig Knutson, S. S.; Wm. Fresk, pitcher; Wm. Clauson, 1st; Lud Glarum, umpire. They lost to Lake Wilson. It was a rotten game. Hadley made 15 errors and Lake Wilson, 12 errors. In the early '40's the Hadley baseball team really came into its own. Here is a record that no town in Minnesota the size of Hadley can equal.1941 Hadley was champion in Gopher League, lost to Ivanhoe in finals. 1942 Hadley was champion of Gopher League, made state meet, but lost to Minnesota Lake. 1943 Hadley again made the state tournament. Won first game from Virginia, but lost to Nothem in the second round. 1944 Hadley lost in finals to Worthington. 1945 Hadley won in Gopher League, lost at state meet to Ashby. 1946 Hadley lost in the semi-finals. EARLY HISTORY OF THE 4-H CLUB Here are the names of some of the boys who were active in the early history of the work. 1924 Dairy calf exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair 1924 Everett Clauson — Poultry at Junior Live Stock Show 1925 Members:Goodwin Fresk, Glen Bennett, Nolan John- son, Lloyd R. Johnson, Everett Clauson, Allan Johnson, Amery Johnson, Gordon Fresk, Allan Engebretson, Howard Clau- son, Willard Clauson. At the boys' camp at the State Fair in 1925 were Everett Clauson and Carl Grone. —57—