Nobles County MN Archives History - Books .....Chapter II Early Settlement - 1867-1871 1908
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Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County

CHAPTER II.

EARLY SETTLEMENT -1867-1871.



  Facts supplying the context of the preceding chapter lead to the conclusion

that the settlement of southwestern Minnesota, and particularly Nobles county,

was exceedingly slow. Obstacles to its development were encountered that tried

men's souls. Few communities in these United States have been called upon to

pass through struggles such as were encountered by the early settlements (or

settlers, rather) of southwestern Minnesota. The hardy pioneers would push their

way to the frontier and establish themselves nicely when the war whoop would

resound over the prairies. Then the country would have to be abandoned, and the

savages would remain in control until the oncoming tide of immigrants would

again force its way westward.



  After this civil war was brought to a close immigration to the western states

was large, and it was during this period that permanent settlement was made in

Nobles county. It was in the month of June, 1867, that Nobles county received

its first settler. There is always something connected with the settlement of a

country that interests. Often there is a tendency on the part of the chronicler

to paint, polish and varnish the stories of early days. Sometimes those who were

the principal actors in the drama enacted are unable to recognize themselves or

their part in the play. It is my intention to steer clear of this error and

avoid fiction in dealing with the early day events, and to rely solely upon the

facts to make the narrative interesting.



  The beautiful Graham lakes country was the first portion of the county to

receive settlers. They were attracted by the natural beauty of the place, as

well as the fact that there were about seventy-five acres of timber on the

lakes- an important item to the first settlers. On the 19th day of June, 1867,

Stephen and Joseph Muck (brothers) came from Jackson and decided to make their

homes in the beautiful lake country. Joseph Muck had resided at Jackson for many

years, having been there at the time of the Spirit Lake massacre in 1857;

Stephen Muck [1] was a recent arrival. The former had visited the Graham lakes

country previously and knew of its advantages. Arriving there, the brothers

appropriated the old trapper's shanty on section 22, mention of which has been

made before.



  The land had not yet been surveyed, but these pioneers of pioneers were not to

be deterred from becoming land owners because of that fact. Each laid claim to a

homestead by "squatter's rights." Joseph Muck staked his claim on the south bank

of West Graham lake, which, when surveyed, proved to be the southeast quarter of

section 21, Graham Lakes township. His brother laid claim to land on the east

bank of the lake, which proved to be the northeast quarter of the northwest

quarter and lots one and two, of section 22, consisting of 133 acres. The

brothers at once plowed a few acres of land, which they planted to corn. [2]

Then they returned to Jackson to attend to their harvest there. In the fall they

returned to their claims. Joseph Muck was accompanied by his family, and Stephen

Muck by his five children-Agnes, Elizabeth, James, Emma and Charles. [3]



  Before the Muck families came that fall, however, a few other settlers had

come for the purpose of acquiring homes in the new country. While the Mucks were

at work on their claims in June, John Barnett and Martin Rice, formerly of

Filimore county, Minn., arrived on the scene. Finding the land unsurveyed, they

were unwilling to locate lest they should happen to get on odd numbered

sections, which under the land grant had become the property of the railroad

company, They started out with the Mucks on their return trip to Jackson during

the first days of July.



  At the outlet of Heron lake this party was met by Benjamin W. Woolstencroft,

[4] formerly of Clayton county, Iowa, and his brother-in-law, Charles H. Drury,

formerly of Fillmore county, Minn., who were also on their way west looking for

homes in the unsettled sections. These two informed Messrs. Barnett and Rice

that congress had made provisions for the protection of "squatters" who might

locate on railroad land. They were convinced, and all four set out for Graham

lakes, while the Mucks continued their journey to Jackson. The party of four

arrived on July 4, and all immediately staked claims.



   Mr. Woolstencroft located on the northeast bank of the west lake, which was

afterwards found to be the southeast quarter of section 15. Mr. Drury took land

on the east bank of the east lake, which was the southeast quarter of section

23. Later in the year he brought in his family. Mr. Rice took the east half of

the northeast quarter of section 15, and Mr. Barnett, the northeast quarter of

section 9. Each of these four erected log cabins, [5] put up a small amount of

hay and did some little breaking. Although Messrs. Rice and Barnett had made

improvements on their claims, they deserted them after a short time and did not

return to the county.



  B. F. Tanner arrived in the settlement in July with his family and selected

the island in East Graham lake as, his claim, but made no improvements thereon.

A few more homeseekers arrived in the fall, and the little settlement began to

take on the airs of civilization. O. B. Lacy came and took up land in section

22, but did not make improvements. E. J. Clark arrived Nov. 20, and H. M. Tanner

the same month. John Leitz and family arrived in the fall and settled on the

claim which had been deserted by John Barnett. Another arrival of the year was

W. H. Ingles. This completes the list of all who came to the settlement during

the year. All of these did not pass the winter in their new homes, as several

went out to make arrangements for bringing in their families or to remain away

permanently. Those who passed the winter of 1867-8 in Nobles county were Chas.

H. Drury and family, Stephen Muck and children, Joseph Muck and family, B. F.

Tanner and family, John Leitz and family and O. B. Lacy. All of the early

settlers of Nobles county took land with the idea of ultimately engaging in

farming, and most of them did so. But conditions were not propitious for

carrying on agricultural pursuits in anything but a meagre style. Here was a

mere handful of men gathered together a long distance from civilization and all

that goes to make life comfortable. The nearest market was Jackson, a little

inland hamlet on the frontier itself. There the Graham lakes settlers had to go.

for their flour and other necessities of life. There were no threshing machines

in the country, and the nearest flouring mill was miles away. It would have been

unprofitable business to raise small grain, which could not have been threshed

and could not have been taken to market except after a long and rough journey.



  So the pioneers contented themselves with raising potatoes, corn and garden

truck for their own immediate needs, and that was the extent of farming

operations the first four years. Countless hardships were endured during these

years. Almost without exception, the settlers were poor men, who had been

attracted to the new country because of the desire to become the owners of

homes. Without means to accomplish this in the settled portions of the country,

they resolutely pushed out onto the frontier, where free homes could be secured

under the homestead laws.



  Not being able to earn a livlihood at farming because of the inconveniences

before mentioned, they turned their energies in another direction. The country

was literally alive with small fur-bearing animals, including muskrats, foxes,

martens, mink, badgers and skunks, and the taking of their furs offered

profitable employment. [6] So the farmer settlers became trappers. Inexperienced

in the art of setting traps, they had no easy task. They were often caught in

the blizzard miles from home, sometimes being on the prairie during an entire

storm, where nothing but courage and physical strength could save them. But in

time all became expert trappers. Generally the market for fur was good, and

thousands of dollars worth was taken during the season.



  During the months of July and August, 1867, the county was divided into

townships by a party of surveyors. This proved of little benefit to the

settlers, however; but next year the section lines were run, and thereafter

homesteaders were able to definitely locate their claims.



  During the summer of 1867 a mail route was established from Blue Earth City to

Yankton [7] over the old military  trail, which passed through the Graham lakes

settlement. The line was then complete from the Mississippi to the Missouri.

Philo Hawes was the contractor, and "Stormy Jack" Grier was the mail carrier.

[8] In January, 1868, a post-office was established for the benefit of the

settlers, and Chas. H. Drury became the county's first postmaster. He was

succeeded by H. C. Hallett, who also "kept tavern" in a log hut. [9] In 1874 the

office was moved to the home of N. H. Smith, on section 24, and that gentleman

served as postmaster until the office was discontinued in 1879. Then the Graham

lakes settlers were supplied from the Airlie (Kinbrae) office.



  There were only a few additions to the settlement in 1868. John Woolstencroft

arrived in the Graham lakes settlement June 2 and settled on the claim that had

been deserted the year before by Martin Rice. John Anscomb and family came that

year, and possibly a few others joined the band on Graham lakes. In March the

first white child born in the county arrived on the scene. She was Minnie Leitz,

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leitz. [10]



  The Okabena lake country received its first settlers on September 24, 1868,

when W. A. (Andy) Dillman, [11] Frank Fortner and John Wilson, trappers came and

erected a sod and log shanty on the east bank of East Okabena lake. Fortner

remained only two days, and then returned to Blue Earth City. Wilson stayed a

month, and then he, too, returned to Blue Earth City. Dillman, however, remained

until Christmas, and he was rewarded with a fine catch of furs. Around the

Okabena lakes and the sloughs in the vicinity were many kinds of fur bearing

animals. During the three months he was there Mr. Dillman secured about 1,000

muskrat, 12 fox, five mink and several other hides. These he disposed of at

Jackson and Spirit Lake. He then departed for the settlements farther east, but

returned to Nobles county early the next year. [12]



  The running of the section lines during the fall of 1868 was an item of great

importance to the people then living in the county. Before that event the

settlers held their land by "squatter's rights;" now they were enabled to

definitely locate their lands and make their filings in the government land

office at Jackson. Under contract, dated Aug. 3, 1868, Surveyors B. H. L. Jewett

and G. G. Howe undertook the work of making the survey. Accompanied by a man

named Howard, they at once entered upon* their duties, and from Aug. 27 to Oct.

29 they were engaged in surveying the section lines and marking the corners of

all the townships except the western tier.13 The four townships on the western

border were surveyed by B. H. L. Jewett, under contract of July 30, 1869, during

the fall of that year. [14]



  There is no evidence that Indians ever had their permanent villages located on

Nobles county soil, but such may have been the case. For a few years after the

first settlers came, however, Indians .were permanently domiciled here. In

September, 1868, a band of seven or eight families came down from the Pembina

country (from the Minnesota side of the river), and spent the fall trapping on

Graham lakes. Part of the Indians were full blooded Sioux; the others were half

breeds (English and Chippewa).



  Although perfectly friendly, their arrival created something of a stir, and at

least one young man will remember them during his lifetime. He was the son of

John Anscomb, one of the settlers of Graham lakes. He was returning from the

postoffice when he came suddenly upon a number of teepees erected immediately in

his pathway. He had passed over the road less than an hour before, and his

surprise was great. Terror lent wings to his feet, and he lost no time in

getting home. He left the road, waded the outlet of Jack lake, where the water

was up to his chin, and came on a run to his father's place, his eyes bulging,

and so out of breath that he could with difficulty tell of his find. Messrs.

Anscomb and B. W. Woolstencroft set out at once to investigate. They found the

Indians to be friendly and in possession of passes from the agent, permitting

them to leave the reservation and to hunt and trap.



  The Indians spent a few months in the vicinity, and then returned to their

northern homes. The next year they returned and made their camp on the west

shore of Ocheyda lake. They spent the winter of 1869-70 there. They were on very

friendly terms with, the whites, and more than one of the pioneer settlers could

vouch for their hospitality. Another band of Indians and half breeds made their

home for a while on Indian lake. They had their tepees in the timber of the lake

when the first settlers located there in 1869, and were there two years. There

were seventeen families of them, and they spent their time in trapping and

hunting. Their relations with the few whites there were always friendly.



  More settlers arrived in 1869. In the spring of the year came H. L. Wallace,

B. B. Brain and several others to the Graham lakes country. W. A. Dillman,

accompanied by Aaron Fortner, returned to the county in February to resume

trapping operations. They took up their abode on the east shore of Ocheyda lake,

taking possession of an old trapper's shanty which they found at that point.

They remained there until the close of the fur taking season in the spring, and

made a good catch. They divided territory with the Indians in the vicinity, and

were the only white men in the neighborhood.



  To the Indian lake country, in the southeastern part of the county, came a few

resolute pioneers in 1869, who had all the experiences and suffered all the

hardships of first settlers. Although the Graham lakes country had been settled

for two years, it was some twelve or fifteen miles distant, with barren country

intervening, and there was no intercourse between the two communities. The

Indian lake settlement was as isolated as had been that of Graham lakes two

years before.



  Isaac Horton was the first to take a claim in the Indian lake country. He had

moved to Spirit Lake in 1867, and during that year had visited Indian lake while

on a hunting trip. He liked the looks of the country and decided that some day

he would make his home there. On May 6 he filed on land on the east side of

Indian lake, and on October 3 he moved his family there. About the middle of

May, Henry Brayton, accompanied by his family, came to the same vicinity and

selected land on the west side of the lake, on section 34. There was at that

time not an inhabitant within many miles, and Mrs. Brayton was the pioneer white

woman of Indian Lake township. Chas. W. Bullis also came that spring and took a

homestead. R. L. Erskine and family, consisting of a wife and five children,

arrived in the fall and located on the east bank of the lake, on the northwest

quarter of section 35. Soon after, however, he abandoned that and filed on land

in section 26, just to the north of his first location. He built a sod house, in

which the family lived for several years. His trading point was the old town of

Milford, Iowa. Asal Horton came the same year, but departed in 1870. Myrus

Johnson came in the fall and located on the southeast quarter of section 26, and

made his home there until about 1875. A. O. Campbell also came that year.



  The surroundings of these few settlers were romantic. Surrounding their homes

were the camps of the redskins, who were then in that locality. Wolves howled in

the timber skirting the shore of the lake and made night hideous. To build their

homes lumber had to be hauled from Mankato, nearly 100 miles away, or else log

and sod shanties had to suffice.



  Many stories of hardships and dangers encountered by the first settlers have

been told. An incident of the year 1869 is worthy of being placed on record. The

following is from the pen of B. W. Woolstencroft:



  In February, 1869, a company consisting of John Anscomb and his son, William,

Chas. Haus and C. M. Thompkins (a Quaker who had both his feet frozen off on a

former occasion) started out to find a slough in town 102, range 40 (now

Worthington township). They were not certain of its whereabouts, and did not

understand traveling by the section, and consequently got lost. The second day

in the morning they were overtaken by a storm of blinding fury and could only

guess their course. After wandering about for two days on the prairie they

happened to find the corner of a section of which I had given them a plot with

the section, town and range marked thereon. They then knew where they were for

the first time in two days. They turned their team around (for they were going

almost directly away from home), and, although the poor cattle had been three

days traveling in the snow with no roads, nothing to eat but a little cornmeal,

and were snow blind, they had to be driven home to save the lives of the men, as

they, too, were snow blind with one exception, and that one nearly so. The

wonder was that they were not all frozen to death.



  The same writer gives another instance of adventure in a blizzard the next

winter in which he was personally interested:



  The other case was Chas. Derby and the writer. We were camped on the bank of

Summit lake in a small tent. On the night of the 17th of January, 1870, a severe

storm arose and raged for three days and nights. The snow drifted terribly,

covering the tent and crowding it down so that we had no room to lay down. On

the third night at nine o'clock we started home, having been ejected, so to

speak. We had no road, no guide, and the thermometer at 27 degrees below zero.

We got along very well until we got into a large slough, where the snow was very

loose and deep, and we could find no way out for some time. When we did my feet

were frozen almost solid. We finally arrived home about three o'clock in the

morning. I could enumerate a number of instances of like adventures, but these

are enough to satisfy me, and I judge will satisfy the reader.



  That winter was an exceptionally severe one, and "lingered in the lap of

spring." The settlers suffered severely, and many were the narrow escapes from

death in the storms. Early in March occurred one of the big blizzards, which

lasted six days. This was followed on the 21st and 22nd by another severe storm,

in which three lives were lost- the first of several in the county's history.



  On March 21 there passed through the settlement at Graham lakes over the old

trail two freighting outfits bound for Sioux Falls. Three men were in charge of

these outfits-two Johnsons, father and son, and a man named Sharp. They hailed

from Lesueur county and were freighting flour to the Dakota settlement. When the

storm struck fear for the safety of the freighters was felt by the people of

Graham lakes. On the 23rd, the storm having abated, the whole community turned

out to search for the strangers. That day the bodies were found.



  It appears that the storm had struck them when they had reached a point in

Seward township, seven miles west of Graham lakes. They camped there that night,

and the next day set out on their journey. Seven or eight miles farther west-in

the township of Bloom-Sharp was stricken. His dead body was found beside those

of his horses. Two miles farther on the Johnsons unhitched their team and tied

the horses to the sled. Both were overcome by the blizzard and met death. The

body of the elder man was found wrapped in bed quilts about two rods from the

sled. The body of the son was discovered between that of the father and the sled.



  Two months after this disaster came another event of thrilling interest. In

May, 1870, the settlers about Graham lakes were electrified by the rumor that

the Indians were coming to "wipe them out," and although the rumor proved

groundless there were exciting times among the little band; The scare was

originated by John Leitz and Lyman Oaks, the latter from Cottonwood county, who

went to New Ulm to dispose of their fur, the product of their winter's trapping.

While there they were entertained with stories of the 1862 massacre, and on the

way home they allowed their imagination to work to an extent sufficient to make

them see Indians all over the prairie. Immediately upon their return they spread

the alarm and succeeded in creating considerable excitement.



  Some were in favor of abandoning the settlement and leaving for a more

civilized community, others to stay and fight it out. The latter prevailed, and

a company was organized to defend their homes. S. R. Harris was chosen captain,

John Cunningham, first lieutenant; B. W. Woolstencroft, second lieutenant; B. F.

Tanner, sergeant. It was decided to fortify the island in East Graham lake, and

to accomplish this to build a stockade across the two narrow strips of land

connecting it with the main land, and work was at once commenced to that end.



  The captain and first lieutenant detailed themselves to go to Jackson for

ammunition (which may not look very military; nevertheless it is true), leaving

the command in the hands of Second Lieutenant Woolstencroft and Sergeant Tanner.

The officer in command was taken sick, the weather was exceedingly warm, and the

men preferred sitting in the shade and telling stories to building stockades. So

the work lagged. Lieutenant Woostencroft recovered somewhat from his sick spell,

returned across the lake, and took charge of the operations. Work was at once

resumed, but the hot weather had overcome the fright of the workers, and their

work plainly showed that they were beginning to doubt the stories told by Oaks

and Leitz. Their scepticism was short lived. About five o'clock in the evening

Emma Muck, a girl of some fourteen years, who lived with her father on the east

bank of West Graham lake, arrived on the scene and told the men she had seen

five Indians on the west bank of the lake. The men required no one to urge them

to work from that time, and more work was done from that moment until nightfall

than during the whole day previous to that time. B. W. Woolstencroft and E. J.

Clark mounted the only horses in the place, except the team that had been taken

to Jackson, and scoured the country west of the lakes, with the result that they

found five sand hill cranes. This relieved the tension somewhat, but that

Indians might be in the country and on the war path had not been disproved.



  The suggestion that the settlers of Cottonwood county, living at Lake Talcott

and on the Des Moines river, should be notified was acted upon. A courier took a

horse, and, going first to lake Talcott, eight miles away, notified John

Crapsey's people, then rode down the river two miles and notified the Doore

brothers. The latter came over the next morning, joined the company, and did

excellent service in telling stories. By the time the captain and first

lieutenant had returned from Jackson the rest of the company had worked upon

Leitz and Oaks to a point where they were willing to admit that most of the

story was imagination. The stockade was never completed. The work was so

advanced, however, that less than one day's work would have put it in shape to

hold it against any number of Indians. The company was disbanded, thankful that

the Indian scare had been conducted without Indians. [15]



  The people of Nobles county did not put in all their time having experiences

in blizzards and planning defense against Indians, however. Most of the settlers

were of religious and social disposition, and one of their first considerations

was religious worship. In the spring of 1870 John Crapsey, a Lutheran preacher

who had located on Crapsey lake in Cottonwood county-only a short distance from

the Graham lakes settlement-was instrumental in organizing the first Sunday

school in Nobles county. The school was held in a combination sod and log shanty

on the island, the home of B: F. Tanner. Nearly all the settlers attended the

meetings of the school, the average attendance being about 25 or 30. John

Crapsey was superintendent; Mrs. B. F. Tanner, assistant superintendent and

primary teacher; S. K. Harris, bible class teacher.



  By an act of the legislature, approved March 7, 1870, the counties of Nobles

and Rock were detached from the county of Martin, with which they had formerly

been attached for judicial purposes. Provision was made for holding court in

Jackson county, and the two counties to the west were attached to that county [16]



  The first federal census after settlers arrived in the county was taken in

1870. According to it there were 117 people residing in the county on the first

day of June.17 Of these, 108 were native-born; nine were foreign born. Of the

108 native born, 25 were born in Minnesota, 19 in New York, 14 in Wisconsin,

eight in Illinois, one in Ohio, and 41 in other states. Of the nine foreign

born, three were born in Great Britain, two in British America, two in Germany,

one in Ireland and one in Sweden. Of the total population 63 were males and 54

females. Of the adult population (over 21 years of age), the sexes were evenly

divided, there being 36 of each.



  Rumors that a railroad was to be built through Nobles county within a short

time were responsible for a comparatively large settlement during the year 1870.

The Graham lakes and Indian lake countries received the bulk of this

immigration, but a few pushed out a little farther and made settlement in what

are now Seward, Hersey and Bigelow townships. Being obliged to depend wholly

upon the memory of the few surviving settlers of the early days (and memory is a

fickle thing at best,) it is impossible to give a complete list of the arrivals.



  Among the first comers of the year were two parties from Rochester, Minn. both

of whom arrived at Graham lakes on May 15. The parties were composed of J. H.

Cunningham, E. W. Hesselroth, Richman Morton, Chet. Cutting, Stephen Howell and

a Mr. Stanfield. These men were on their way to Sioux Falls, looking for homes

in the new western country, and were traveling over the old trail. When Jack

creek was reached the party was met by H. C. Hallett, who advised them that they

could do no better than cast their lot with the people about Graham lakes. Mr.

Hallett, himself, had arrived only a short time before. The new arrivals decided

to take a look at the country. They did so, and all except Stanfield took claims

in what later became Graham Lakes township. He remained in the settlement about

a month and then returned to his old home. Capt. J. W. Miller came in June and

settled near Graham lakes. A man named Bent came in the fall and located on

section 10 of the same township. Other settlers of that year were Benjamin

Harrison, S. R. Harris, Wm. H. Brown, W. G. Brown, J. W. Palmer and John Hart.

[18] Nearly all these brought families with them. Three settlers, one of whom

was Wm. W. Cosper, arrived in the fall and took claims in Seward township.

Edward Berreau took up a residence in Hersey township that year.



  To the southeastern portion of the county in 1870 also came quite a number of

settlers, many of whom were Scandinavians. The first of these were Ole Ellingson

and John Christ Johnson, who came in the spring. Closely following these were

two brothers, Ole Fauskee and Ole A. Fauskee, who filed on claims June 8. The

former selected land on the north shore of Ocheyda lake (the northwest quarter

of section 6); the latter took a preemption claim on the same section. The

brothers walked into Nobles county from a point in northern Iowa, where they had

left their families, then walked to Jackson, where they made their filings, and

from there back to where their families had been left. They constructed a

combination log, sod and hay shanty, in which they lived five years. [19]



  Henry Haggard arrived in the same neighborhood on June 10, and became a

permanent resident. Eric B. Paul came to the county in May, and in August took

up land. Nelson Coyour located at the south end of Indian lake on section 34.

John Brown took up land in section 26, where he lived until about 1874. Gundro

Joul homesteaded on section 18, and lived there until the late seventies. Grove

Lummis, a single man, located on the southwest quarter of section 26, built a

cabin, but soon after departed. A. A. Abbott took as his claim the northeast

quarter of section 28 and became a permanent settler. Samuel Barnes took land in

the vicinity. Nels Gilson settled just over the line in Bigelow township. A. M.

McCollum and two boys located at lake Ocheyda, just south of the isthmus, and

lived in a dug-out. Nearly all of these settlers in the Indian lake and Ocheyda

lake countries brought families with them and became permanent settlers. Many of

them are today living upon the land they took in that early day.



  The census taken in the spring of 1870 had shown a population of only 117

people, but during the remainder of the year the emigration had been large, and

by fall the population had very nearly doubled. This large increase and the

prospects of very rapid settlement in the near future, due to knowledge that the

railroad was coming, brought up the question of county organization. The act of

1857 creating the county was still in force, and all that was necessary to bring

about the organization was to secure the appointment of three commissioners by

the governor.



  The matter was first discussed by the settlers during, the first few days of

October. Nearly all the householders of the Graham lakes community had gathered

at the home of H. C. Hallett, who was conducting a "house raising." There for

the first time the matter was discussed. There was no formal meeting, no

"whereases" and "therefores;" the question was talked over, and afterwards a

vote on the question was taken. There was no opposition, and the settlers then

named Chas. H. Drury, B. W. Woolstencroft and Benjamin Harrison commissioners,

who should take the necessary steps to bring about the organization. Mr.

Woolstencroft wrote to Gov. Horace Austin, stating the facts and asking that

official to name commissioners who should be empowered to set the machinery of

county government in motion.



  Governor Austin responded promptly. He named as commissioners the three

gentlemen who had been selected by the settlers, and these, in accordance with

the provisions of section 11 of the act of 1857, at once proceeded to name the

other county officers [20] and perform the other duties of their offices. On

October 27, 1870, the commissioners met for the first time at the home of Chas.

H. Drury, in Graham Lakes township, [21] and the government of Nobles county was

under way. The first acts of the board were to make provision for the general

election to be held in November, for which notices were ordered posted; to

divide the county into three election precincts-one in Indian Lake and two in

Graham Lakes; and to appoint the county officers. This organization was

doubtless legal, but to avoid any possibility of future trouble, the legislature

on Feb. 17, 1874, passed an act declaring the organization legal. [22]



  Hardly had the county organization been perfected when talk of erecting a

court house began. S. R. Harris, the county auditor, was the prime mover in the

matter, and he proposed that the county should erect a suitable building in

Graham Lakes township. The commissioners, as well as the people in general, did

not approve the idea. They held that when the county became settled, a more

central location for the county seat would be selected, and that it would be

folly to erect, a county building in Graham Lakes township, in the extreme

northeastern part of the county. So no action was taken.



  The winter of 1870-71 was another one of hardship and suffering for the

settlers of Nobles county. Again was a life sacrificed to the terrible blizzard.

The one called was Mrs. J. W. Palmer, of Graham Lakes township, one of the

county's most talented and highly respected women, and her tragic death was a

terrible shock to the community. Mrs. Palmer, who was soon to become a mother,

was alone with her small children in the family home when the blizzard struck.

Her husband had been obliged to make a trip to Lake Shetek, He had made

arrangements to have one of the neighbor's boys come and stay with his wife

during his absence, but the boy did not put in an appearance.



  Mr. Palmer was delayed and was absent from home three days. When he returned

he found the children in the house alone. He notified the neighbors, and a

search was at once instituted. At daybreak the dead body of Mrs. Palmer was

found, partly drifted over with snow, about one hundred rods from the house. By

following the back track it was found that she had wandered about in the storm

for a long time and had covered considerable ground. Alone and in distress, she

had left home in search of help, and had miserably perished in the storm. [23]



  In the spring of 1871 a second Sunday school was organized in the Graham lakes

country, the one started the preceding year having been discontinued during the

winter. The school was held in a sod shanty, which had been used by surveyors,

and which was located on the north shore of the east lake. W. H. Brown was

superintendent and taught one of the classes. E. W. Hesselroth was the other

teacher.



  Public schools were also established, for a time supported by subscription.

The first was held in the open, in the shade of a huge elm tree which stood on

the island in Graham lake. The people of the Indian lake country also

established a school. A log structure was built by the settlers at the inlet at

the north end of Indian, lake; Miss Mary Jemerson was the first teacher.



  The communities about Graham lakes and Indian lake asked for township

organizations in the spring of 1871, and favorable action was taken by the

county commissioners. These were the only townships in the county with any

considerable settlement at the time. Graham Lakes township has the honor of

being the first to be granted local government. A petition had been circulated

and presented to the board, and on April 11 that body declared the township

formally organized by the following proceeding:



STATE OF MINNESOTA.   County of Nobles.



  Pursuant to the petition of the majority of the legal voters of township

number 104, range 39, in said county, we, the county commissioners of said

county, did on the 11th day of April, A. D., 1871, at the house of Wm. H. Brown,

in said county, proceed to fix and determine the boundaries of such new town and

to name the same, and did then and there lay off said town and designate the

boundaries thereof as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of

section one, township 104; thence west to the northwest corner of section six,

town 104; thence south to the southwest corner of section 31; thence east to the

southeast corner of section 36; thence north to place of beginning.



  The petitioners failing to designate the name of said town we, the

commissioners, did name such town Graham Lakes. [24] In testimony whereof we

have hereunto set our hands and caused the seal of said board to be affixed this

11th day of April, A. D. 1871.



                                     CHAS. DRURY,

                                     B. W. WOOLSTENCROFT,

                                               Commissioners.

Attest:

  Wm. H. Brown, Clerk.



  The people were not slow in perfecting the township organization. A "town

meeting" was held at the residence of H. C. Hallett on Friday, April 21, when

officers were elected, and township government began. The meeting was held in

compliance with an order of the commissioners.



  The people of the Indian lake country were only a few days behind their

neighbors to the north. On March 14 the following petition was circulated:



STATE OF MINNESOTA. County of Nobles. To the Board of County Commissioners of

Said County: The undersigned legal voters of said town in township 101, range

39, in said county of Nobles, which said township contains twenty-five, legal

voters, do hereby petition your honorable board to be organized as a town, and

respectfully request that you forthwith proceed to fix and determine the

boundaries of such town and to name the same as provided by law.



Dated this 14th day of March, A. D. 1871.



  [Signed] Isaac Horton, J. D. Brown, R. L. Erskine, L. W. Brown, R. G. Brown,

James Christianson, Gunder O. Joul, Frank H. Mosher, Chas. B. Bullis, John

Haggard, H. M. Johnson, John Haggard, Jr., Ole Ellingsorf, Albert L. Haggard.



  [Addenda] By request of above legal voters we petition that said township 101,

range 39, be named Indian Lake. Also that said town 101, range 39, be organized

with officers elected.



  The commissioners acted favorably on the petition April 22, and the county's

second township was organized and named Indian Lake. [25] Soon thereafter the

first town meeting was held and the organization perfected.



  Following is a partial list of the settlers of 1871, with the dates of arrival

and place of settlement, when known: [26]



GRAHAM LAKES.

A. L. J. Cornish.

John Hart. [27] 

Henry Holmes. 

Michael Maguire. 

Anton Nelson. 

Joseph Stone. 

Peter Swartwout.

H. D. Bookstaver. 

S. W. Laythe, May 25. 

Warren Smith. 

Frank Zeiner. 

Englebrith Zeiner.



HERSEY.

Herman Berreau.

Otto Berreau, June 2.

John J. Fitch.

Erastus Church. [28]

Jonathan Gordon, [29] May 28.

William Cunningham.

Chas. Frisbie.



LORAIN.

Wm. Dwyer, [30] June. 

Robert Firth, [31] Sept, 30.



INDIAN LAKE.

John Blixt. [32]

Lars Johnson.

John O. Larson [33]

E. Nordquist, May 23.

Ole N. Langseth,3* June.

Nels N. Langseth, June.

Henry Solomonson, [35] December.

Charles Saxon. [36]

August Anderson, [37] September.

Peter Nystrom.

John Nystrom.

Gust Nystrom. [38]

Albert Haggard.



BIGELOW. 

James Walker, [39] October. 

Otto Burroughs, [39] October. 

Albert Pygall. [40] 

Hosie Bryant. [40] 

Ole Nystrom. 

Hans Nystrom. 

C. J. Wickstrom. 

Peter Wickstrom. 

Erick Mahlberg. [41] 

Jonas Moberg, [42] June 21. 

Peter Larson. [43] 

Lars Elofson, [44] October 12. 

Lars Erickson. [45]



WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

J. T. Whitlock.

W. A. Dillman. [46] 

C. C. Whitney, June. 

E. F. Whitney, June.

O. M. Whitney, [47] June.

John Alley, August 12.

Cyrus Clingensmith, August 12. 

B. R. Prince, August 12. 

L. B. Bennett, May. 

G. J. Hoffman. [48] 

August Lang. [49]



WORTHINGTON  VILLAGE. [50]

Prof. B. F. Humiston. [51]

H. W. Kimball, September.

S. C. Thayer, September.

L. F. McLaurin.

Levi Shell.

Daniel Shell, December.

Leslie.

Henry Davis.

E. C. Pannell, [52] September.

I. N. Sater.

Peter Thompson, [53] September.

Folsom.

Wm. B. Moore.

E. R. Humiston, Nov. 3.

A. P. Chamberlain.

C. C. Goodnow.

J. C. Goodnow.

Jerry  Haines.

Wm. F. Hibbard.

Jerome Stewart.



SEWARD. 

W. H. Booth, February. 

Philo Snyder.



RANSOM. 

J. H. Scott, September 16.

D. K. Gordon, September 16.

Joseph Hill, [54] September 16.



LITTLE ROCK.

E. E. Fields.

Knute Thompson. [55]

Knute Thomas.

Hans Paulson.

Ole Gars.

Hans Olson.

Ole Peterson. 

Chris Peterson. [56] 

J. D. Roberts. 

Henry Bostwick. 

Anthony Thompson.

Edward F. Erickson.



OLNEY.

S. D. Tinnes, [57] July.



GRAND PRAIRIE. 

Miles Birkett.

James Walker. 

George Barnes. [58] 

Oscar D. Bryan. [59] 

Oley A. Olson. 

Thomas Johnson. 

H. A. Swenson. 

John Butcher. 

C. C. Peterson.



RESIDENCE UNKNOWN. [60]

Hans Halverson.

Wm. Travis.

Chas. H. Weise.

John Meyer, June 2.

T. G. Bigelow, September 19.

Thos. Wills, May 12.

C. L. Peterson, September 12.

Jas. Hazard, November, 22.

D. A. Reynolds, June.

G. K. Middleton, June.

S. P. Middleton, June.

L. A. Lytle, June.

Carl Nelson.

A. W. Burnham. 

Wm. M. Bear.

E. J. Bear.

Henry Fullweiler.

Al Fullweiler.

Eli Fenstermaker. 

Knut Holden. 

N. V. McDowell. 

Phil Reynolds. 

P. G. Swanson. 

John Upstrom. 

Asher A. Allen. 

L. Allen.

Mark Amundson. 

Martin Amundson. 

Rasmus Anderson. 

Caleb Blake. 

Orwen Blake. 

Alexander Clark. 

Nathaniel Cox. 

Orange Chapman. 

Chas. H. Cutler. 

Daniel Downy. 

Stephen A. Door. 

Selim Fox. 

H. A. E. Hesselroth. 

Hearth Bros. 

Johnson.

E. F. Jackson.

Bennett Linderman.

J. Parshal and brother. 

Perkings. 

Joseph Stone. 

Irwin S. Swan.

F. Umbrid.

Isaac Waterhouse.

Wm. Willcox.

John Weston.

Watting.

J. Westinghouse. 

Wolf brothers. 

Younkers.

Frank Tucker.

Elihue Ellis.

Ole Johnson.

Jas. Christianson.

Louis Sundburg.

Andrew Sundburg.

P. S. Swanson.

Hanson Estrom.

Louis Hardo.

Henry M. Johnson.



  The county officers had neglected to make a tax levy for (the year 1871, and

as a result the annual financial statement for that year is an interesting

document, following is the statement as recorded by the board of county

commissioners at the meeting of March 13, 1872:



  On motion the board proceeded to make their annual statement, the following

which they certify to be full and correct for the year 1871:



Receipts during the year                 $   0.00

Expenditures                               130.03



DEBTS AND LIABILITIES.

Floating debt in county orders            $130.03

St. Paul Pioneer Press Co., for books,

stationery,  etc                           508.40

                                          _______

Total   indebtedness                      $638.43

Assets                                   $   0.00





ENDNOTES



   [1] For sketch of the life of Stephen Muck see biographical section.



   [2] A question has been raised as to who was the first man to put plow in

Nobles county soil, the claim of one of the early settlers of the Indian lake

country having been advanced. There was no settlement there whatever prior to

1869, and the fact that plowing was done in the Graham lakes county in 1867 is

beyond dispute. The honor belongs to the Muck brothers, if we leave out of the

consideration the possibility that the earlier settlers may have engaged in

agricultural pursuits.



   [3] Now resides at Kinbrae.



   [4] See biographical section.



   [5] In the fall Mr. Woolstencroft learned that his house had been "removed"

by one of his neighbors, and, therefore, he was compelled to delay the removal

of his family until spring, at which time the neighbor "made good" by furnishing

another and better lot of logs than those he had taken.



   [6] Big game was also quite plentiful for a few years after the first

settlers arrived, and occasionally some of it would be bagged for food. The

bison had nearly all left the country by the time these settlers arrived, but

Nobles county's prairies were thickly covered with his bleeching bones, and his

wallows were seen in all parts of the county, indicating that this had been a

favorite pasture ground. So far as I have been able to learn, only two bison in

native state were ever seen in the county after settlers arrived. These two were

seen by B. W. Woolstencroft on the prairie at a distance. But quite a band of

them undoubtedly had their home here during the summer of 1868. On land in

Seward township which is now the farm of W. H. Booth was found evidence that a

herd of forty or fifty had spent the season there. The camping place and wallows

were found, but if the herd itself was seen it was not reported. Elk were here

in more considerable numbers and remained for several .years. In all parts of

the county they were found. The first settlers in the Indian lake country saw

many of them, and old settlers of that neighborhood report having seen them in

bands of 100 or more, and they frequently dined on elk meat. One of the Graham

lakes settlers has told me that he counted a band of seventy-two at a point four

miles north of the present village of Worthington. So late as 1872 and 1873,

after the settlers had begun pouring in by the hundreds, elk were occasionally

seen by the colonists who had made their homes on the prairies. Only on rare

occasions were deer seen, a few having been reported seen in the Indian lake

country.



   [7] This was an extension of the old route from Red Wing to Blue Earth City,

which was opened in 1856, and of which Philo Hawes was the contractor. The

country between those towns was then as wild as was Nobles county during 1867,

and there was only one stopping place along the route.



   [8] "One thing we must not forget to mention, and that is the mail route.

Under the management of Philo Hawes, it was one of the institutions of which we

felt proud, and the many acts of kindness bestowed by the contractor will never

be forgotten by that band of pioneers."-An Early Settler.



   [9] A party of the National colony founders who spent the night there in 1871

reported that Mr. Hallett informed them that formerly he had kept the mail in

his hat, but that recently the business had grown so that a drawer was

necessary, and that there was a prospect of his salary being raised to $10 a year.



   [10] The first male child born in the county was Arthur A. Woolstencroft,

born July 20, 1869, the son of Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Woolstencroft.



   [11] See biographical section.



   [12] Mr. Dillman informs me that during his residence here in 1868 his

nearest neighbors, excepting the settlers of Graham lakes, were two families who

lived where Lake Park, Iowa, now is, and two or three families who were located

on Rock Creek, in Rock county.



   [13] The surveys of the several townships were made as follows: Hersey, Aug.

27-Sept. 1; Seward, Sept. 1-4; Bloom, Sept. 4-7; Willmont, Sept. 8-10; Larkin,

Sept. 11-15; Summit Lake, Sept. 15-18; Elk, Sept. 19-23: Worthington, Sept.

23-26; Dewald, Sept. 26-30; Olney, Sept. 30-Oct. 2; Little Rock, Oct. 3-6;

Ransom, Oct. 7-10; Bigelow, Oct. 12-16; Indian Lake, Oct. 15-20; Lorain, Oct.

20-22; Graham Lakes, Oct. 24-29.



   [14] The dates of survey of these four townships were as follows: Westside,

Aug. 30-Sept. 4; Grand Prairie, Sept. 6-11; Leota, Oct. 1-6; Lismore, Oct. 7-13.



   [15] One of the members of this pioneer military company has facetiously

remarked: "For this service we never received any pay; and I have not heard of

anyone who received pensions for wounds received or injuries incurred."



   [16] Nobles remained attached to Jackson until 1873, when a Nobles county,

district court was established.



   [17] Other nearby counties: Cottonwood, 534; Murray, 209; Jackson, 1,825.

Aiken Miner took the Nobles county census.



   [18] Took homestead in 1870, but did not make his permanent home there until

the next year.



   [19] See biographical section.



   [20] For the early political history see chapter nine.



   [21] Under the original act the county seat had been named as Gretchtown.

But, as there was no such place when the organization was perfected (and never

had been), the commissioners exercised considerable latitude in the matter of

selecting a county seat. As a matter of fact, there was no county seat during

the first few years. The county officers (what few had any duties to perform)

transacted the county business at their respective homes. Until the fall of 1871

the board met at the home of Chas. H. Drury. Then the residence of H. D.

Bookstaver became the regular meeting place. There was no iron clad rule

providing that the "county seat" should be at any particular place, and the

meetings of the board were held where it was the most convenient. In the

proceedings of Jan. 9, 1872, was an entry providing that the next meeting should

be held at the home of J. H. Cunningham.





   [22] "An act to legalize the organization of the county of Nobles and to

legalize the official acts of the officers of said county.



   "Be it enacted by the legislature of the state of Minnesota.



   "Section I. That the proceedings for the organization of the county of Nobles

be and the same are hereby declared legalized, and the county of Nobles is

hereby declared to be a legally organized county, and the official acts of the

officers of said county since its organization are hereby legalized.



   "Section II. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its

pasage.



   "Approved Feb. 17, 1874."



   [23] An outgrowth of this death was one of the most noted law suits ever

originated in Nobles county. Mr. Palmer brought suit against Warren Smith for

slander, and after a prolonged trial judgment to the amount of $1 was given the

plaintiff.



   [24] The lakes in the township furnished the name. Although I have made

diligent search for the origin of the name "Graham," I have discovered not the

slightest clue. The lakes were known by the name they now bear when the settlers

of 1867 arrived, and no one of them has been able to tell me for whom or what

they were named. It is possible that they were named in honor of some trapper of

the early days who operated in the vicinity.



   [25] This township also took its name from its principal lake. The lake was

so named by the first settlers because of the fact that when they arrived there

in 1869 there was quite a band of Indians camped there, who remained in the

vicinity for several years.



   [26] Data for the preparation of this list has been obtained from many

sources-from personal interviews, from a register of early settlers prepared by

the Nobles County Old' Settlers' association, from an historical atlas, and from

the Nobles county poll list for the election of Nov. 7, 1871. It has been taken

for granted that the names on the poll list were of men who were residents of

the county. A few of these may have been settlers of prior years. A few of those

on the list came to the county in 1871, took claims, but did not become

permanent settlers until the next year.



   [27] Took claim in 1871. Became permanent settler in 1872.



   [28] Mr. Church came to the county early in September and took as a homestead

the southwest quarter of section 32. His home was in Missouri, but during the

summer of 1871 he had been harvesting in the neighborhood of Rochester, Minn.

Hearing of the railroad building through this part of the state, he decided to

come and take land. It was his intention to take a claim at a point where it was

believed the Sioux City & St. Paul and



the Southern Minnesota would cross.	He walked from Winnebago City to Jackson,

and then caught a ride to Graham lakes. Mr. Church was here eight days in 1871.

In May of the following year he returned and has since made his home here.



   [29] Brought his family with him. Filed on land in section 2.



   [30] Mr. Dwyer and his eldest son had come from Albert Lea to Nobles county

to work on the new railroad. In June he filed on the southeast quarter of

section 10, and, that has ever since been his home. His family joined him   in 

 the fall.



   [31] Homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 6. With him were his wife

and four sons, R. A., William, Joseph and Arthur. They came from Whitewater, Wis.



   [32] Accompanied by a wife and three sons.



   [33] Did not become a permanent settler until the  next year.



   [34] Came from Wisconsin with family consisting of the following children:

Nels, Jens, Martin, Martina and Olof.



   [35] Arrived just before Christmas with wife and three children. Settled on

southwest quarter of section 18.



   [36] Did not become a permanent settler until following year.



   [37] Came to reside permanently in 1872.



   [38] The Nystroms had just arrived from Sweden. They settled on the western

edge of Indian Lake township.



   [39] Both these gentlemen were accompanied by their families and came

together, and both settled on section 20. Mr. Burroughs died the following

summer. Mr. Walker threw up his claim and took another one in Indian Lake.



   [40] Came together and took homesteads near the Indian Lake line. Mr. Pygall

proved up on his homestead and later was a stage driver on the line from

Worthington to Sioux Falls. Mr. Bryant had a contest and lost his claim.



   [41] A party consisting of Ole and Hans Nystrom, Charles J. and Peter

Wickstrom, Erick Mahlberg and Elof Nordquist in the spring of 1871 were engaged

in working on the new railroad through southwestern Minnesota. They all left

their work during the month of May, and, under the guidance of L. B. Bennett,

filed on homestead claims in Nobles county-all in Bigelow township except Mr.

Nordquist, who took his claim over the line in Indian Lake. The Wickstroms and

Nystroms took all of section 24; Mr. Mahlberg filed on the southwest quarter of

twelve. They took possession of their claims on October 28.



   [42] Took the northwest quarter of section 26. Was later joined by his family.



   [43] Accompanied by his wife and two children, Jacob and Lewis. Took the

northeast quarter of section 26.



   [44] With wife and four children settled on the northeast quarter of 14.



   [45] With his wife settled on the southwest quarter of 14.



   [46] Had been in the county since 1868. In the spring of 1871 took a claim on

section 34.



   [47] The Whitneys selected a quarter section each on section 30, and secured

about as sightly locations as could be found in the county.



   [48] Came very early in the year and was the first permanent resident in the

township. First lived in a dug-out on the south bank of Okabena lake. Later he

brought down a house from St. James, and started the now famous Ludlow grove.



   [49] Mr. Lang took a claim on land that later came into the possession of

Allen Chaney. He and Mrs. Lang lived in a dug-out about thirty rods from the

house later erected by Mr. Chaney. He left the county in 1872.



   [50] Worthington was founded in the fall, and nearly all the residents of

1871 engaged in business or were there for the purpose of doing so in the spring

following.



   [51] Founder of Worthington. Was in the village only part of the time in 1871.



   [52] Had visited the site early in the spring.



   [53] Left soon after, but became a permanent resident the next spring.



   [54] Messrs. Scott, Gordon and Hill came together and took claims on section

24. Mr. Scott's family came about one month later. Hill left the county about

1874; Gordon in 1878; Mr. Scott is still a resident of the county. These three

were the only settlers in the township in 1871.



   [55] Messrs. Fields and Thompson took their claims in July and were the first

settlers of the township.



   [56] A few days after the arrival of Messrs. Fields and Thompson, a party of

six whose names are given above arrived in the township and all took claims.



   [57] Was the first to take a claim in Olney township. He filed on land in

section 34, but did not become a permanent resident until 1872.



   [58] The three settlers first named came to the township in the spring of

1871 and filed on claims on May 18. They were the first settlers of the township.



   [59] Took his claim on section 18 in June and has resided there since.



   [60] Most of these settlers were in Graham Lakes and Indian Lake townships.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:



AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY

MINNESOTA

BY

ARTHUR P. ROSE



NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY 

WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA 

PUBLISHERS

1908



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