Nobles County MN Archives History - Books .....Chapter XX Round Lake, Rushmore, Bigelow 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com October 18, 2006, 12:44 am Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County CHAPTER XX. ROUND LAKE, RUSHMORE, BIGELOW. ROUND LAKE. Nobles county's sixth town is Round Lake, an incorporated municipality of 245 people, according to the last census. It is on the Rock Island railroad, ten miles southeast of Worthington, and is in the southeastern corner of the county. More definitely described, the platted town is on section 24, Indian Lake township, one-half mile from the Jackson county line and two and one-half miles from the Iowa line. The trade territory of the village includes a part of Indian Lake township, extends a short distance into Iowa, and includes the southwestern corner of Jackson county. It is the last named territory from which Round Lake draws its greatest trade. One may travel many miles eastward from the Nobles county town before one comes upon another trading point, and the business of this large farming country is all done at Round Lake. As a business point Round Lake takes high rank. It is a town that has a prosperous look. It is compactly and substantially built, many of the business firms occupying handsome brick blocks. In a business way it is represented by all lines usually found in a town of its size. Prior to the year 1882 Round Lake as the name of a Nobles county village was non-existent. Many years before that date, however, the name had been applied to the lake just over the line in Jackson county, about two miles from the village, and also to a Jackson county postoffice. The Round Lake postoffice was established in an early day on the south bank of the lake, but later had been moved to the north side, where J. N. Dodge was postmaster at the time the history of the Nobles county Round Lake begins. Before the building of the Burlington railroad (now the Rock Island) into Worthington in the fall of 1882 the site of the present day village of Round Lake was unoccupied. Early that fall the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls & Northwestern Land & Town Lot company, a corporation connected with the Burlington railroad, selected the site for a station in Indian Lake township. [1] The name first chosen was Indian Lake, after the township, but before the plat was made the name was changed to Round Lake. This change was brought about through the influence of O. H. Roche, the Chicago board of trade operator, who owned a ranch of nearly 2,000 acres on Round lake in Jackson county. He donated twenty acres of land to the town lot company with the understanding that the station should be called Round Lake, and this was done, although there was general dissatisfaction with the change. In December, 1882, an eighty acre tract on section 24 was surveyed and the plat was filed in the office of the register of deeds. The tract was divided into one hundred lots. In making out the papers the platted townsite was not properly described, and the defect caused the company to replat the land in 1889. Under the original platting not a lot was sold, although two were given away -one to M. J. Barber and one to John Atol. Two buildings were erected at the Round Lake station during the fall of 1882, both put up by the railroad company. The first was a section house, which was occupied immediately by a man named Holland, who became the section foreman and Round Lake's first resident. The depot (substantially the depot building of today) was erected immediately after the completion of the section house, but it was a year later when a station agent was sent to take charge of the office. The efforts of the town lot company to found a town at the new station were not crowned with success, although the point seemed to offer advantages. [2] Until the fifteenth day of October, 1883, Section Foreman Holland and his crew were the only residents. Then E. A. Tripp came with his family to the station, moved into the living rooms over the depot, and became the station agent, a position he held eight and one-half years. [3] Although no town had yet made its appearance at the station, in March, 1884, a postoffice named Indian Lake, was established for the convenience of the nearby farmers. Mr. Tripp was the postmaster and handled the mail in the depot.4 When the Round Lake office, kept by J. N. Dodge in Jackson county, was discontinued a few years later the name of the Indian Lake office was changed to correspond with the station name. In the fall of 1884 the railroad company erected a warehouse, which was leased to H. E. Torrance, of Worthington, who bought and shipped grain. The business was managed by E. A. Tripp and M. J. Barber. The same fall Mr. Tripp put up a coal shed and added to his many occupations by becoming a coal dealer. [5] In April, 1885, M. J. Barber came up from Marshall county, Iowa, erected a store building and opened a general store, engaging also in the lumber business. He became postmaster and had the office in the store. In May, 1886, N. H. Elliott joined the little community at Round Lake and erected the first residence there, which was located just north of the depot. In the fall of the same year John Atol erected a little building on a lot which had been given him by the town lot company and started a blacksmith shop, which he conducted about one year. The growth of Round Lake was slow, and in March, 1887, a correspondent claimed a population of 34 for the village. Only a few others located in the village during the late eighties. N. H. Elliott put up a barn and engaged in the livery business. Blackman & Mather opened a hardware store and erected the second residence in the village. R. W. Busby engaged in the blacksmithing business. Late in the year 1889 the Peterson Mercantile company erected a building and opened a general store, which was managed by C. L. Peterson. During the closing days of 1889 the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls & Northwestern Land & Town Lot company replatted the town. The survey was made by L. L. Palmer, the dedication was made by James B. Close, president of the town lot company, December 7, 1889, and the instrument was filed December 23 of the same year. [6] Very little progress was made during the first half of the nineties. Round Lake during these years continued to hold its place on the map as a country hamlet, but no pretention had yet been made to take its place as one of the progressive towns of the county. A few business houses were maintained and supplied the wants of the farmers of the surrounding country. With the progressive days of the late nineties and the boom in Nobles county land values, came a change in the standing of Round Lake. It developed from a sleepy hamlet into a bustling little town. New enterprises were established, including a newspaper, founded, in the summer of 1898, and the Bank of Round Lake, founded that fall. In August, 1898, the population was found to be 179. With the progress already made and with bright prospects for future advancement the citizens of Round Lake, in August, 1898, decided to incorporate the town. On the tenth day of August a mass-meeting was held, when this decision was reached. A petition was circulated and generally signed by the residents [7] asking the county commissioners to take action in the matter. This was done at a meeting of the board October 4, and on October 11 the first village election was held. Out of a total of twenty-five votes, only one was recorded against incorporation. [8] On October 29 another election was held, when the village's first officers were chosen, and the council met for the first time on November 14. Until 1901 the village, was attached to Indian Lake township for election and assessment purposes. That year, by a vote of 31 to 1, the precincts were separated. Following have been the results of the annual elections since the village was incorporated: 1898-President, A. F. Diehn; trustees, C. Schmidt, C. J. Reilly, D. Bixby; recorder, J. C. Thomsen; treasurer, J. L. Mangelson; justices, H. R. Tripp, A. Hayes; constable, F. H. Wells, James Walker. 1899-President, A. F. Diehn; trustees, C. Schmidt, C. J. Reilly, D. Bixby; recorder, J. C. Thomsen; treasurer, J. L. Mangelson; justices, John Ireland, J. L. Flint; constables, F. Horton, Ed. Edwards. 1900-President, Charles Nienaber; trustees, H. C. Moeller, Ed. Denkmann, C. Schmidt; recorder, J. C. Thomsen; treasurer, J. L. Mangelson; justice, J. L. Flint; constable, Jacob Gregerson. [9] 1901-President, Charles Nienaber; trustees, H. C. Moeller, Ed. Denkmann, John Marz; recorder, J. C. Thomsen; treasurer, J. L. Mangelson; justices, John Ireland, H. C. Carter; constable, Ed. Edwards. 1902-President, Charles Nienaber; trustees, H. C. Moeller, John Marz, S. W. Harrington; recorder, J; C. Thomsen; treasurer, J. L. Mangelson; justice, J. W. Johnson; constable, E. H. Wellhausen; assessor, H. R. Tripp. 1903-President, Charles Nienaber; trustees, S. W. Harrington, E. D. Tripp, H. D. C. Katt; recorder, J. C. Thomsen; treasurer, J. L. Mangelson; justices, W. E. Thielvoldt, H E. Harrington; constables, Steve Freeman, D. Sutherland; assessor, H. R. Tripp. 1904-President, H. C. Moeller; trustees, John Marz, Charles Antritter, J. L. Mangelson; recorder, J. C. Thomsen; treasurer, Charles Nienaber; justice, J. L. Flint; constable, E. H. Wellhausen; assessor, H. R. Tripp. 1905-President, J. J. Crowley; trustees, Charles Antritter, H. C. Moeller, E. D. Tripp; recorder, J. L. Flint; treasurer, Charles Nienaber; justices, W. E. Thielvoldt, F. E. Scott; constables, D. Sutherland, J. Mercer; assessor, F. A. Tripp. 1906-President, Ben Schwarting; trustees, J. L. Mangelson, E. H. Wellhausen, F. L. Hegardt; recorder, J. L. Flint; treasurer, Charles Nienaber; justices, J. L. Seeley, E. H. Richardson; constable, O. L. Bixby; assessor, H. R. Tripp. 1907-President, B. C. Denkmann; trustees, E. H. Wellhausen, W. H. Thomsen, Theodore Bahls; recorder, Charles Antritter; treasurer, Charles Nienaber; justices, J. L. Seeley, Oscar Anderson; constable, O. L. Bixby; assessor, W. E. Thielvoldt. [10] 1908-President, B. C. Denkmann; trustees, F. L. Hegardt, W. H. Thomsen, J. L. Mangelson; recorder, Charles Antritter; treasurer, Charles Nienaber; justice, J. L. Seeley; constable, J. F. Murphy; assessor, W. E. Thielvoldt. After becoming an incorporated municipality Bound Lake continued to advance. The year 1899 was a particularly active one and there was quite a building boom. Several business blocks were constructed and many residences were built. A temporary set-back was occasioned in the fall of the year by a severe epidemic of smallpox. There were about a dozen cases in the village, and four or five deaths resulted. The town was placed under quarantine and during the period of the epidemic business was paralyzed. By the time the federal census was taken in 1900 the village had a popular tion of 226. Since that, date there has been no great increase in numbers, the census of 1905 giving the town a population of 245. Of this number 107 were native born, 93 were born in Minnesota, and 45 were of foreign birth. The countries of birth of the foreign born population were: Germany, 25; Sweden, 8; Norway, 6; Canada, 2; Denmark, 4. While there has been no decided increase in population during the last seven or eight years the town has made rapid strides forward and ranks among the most progressive towns of the county. On May 2, 1905, Round Lake was struck by a cyclone. Several buildings were completely destroyed and others were damaged to a greater or less extent. The property damage was about $4,000. Mrs. Marz was injured in the storm. SCHOOL. Before 1887 the village of Round Lake was without a school. On May 16 of that year school district No. 77 was organized, and in the fall a building was erected. Miss Lillian Tripp was the first teacher. The district used the old building until the fall of 1898, when the present two-story structure was erected at a cost of $2,000. CHURCH. The Presbyterian church is the only one in Round Lake. The first religious services were held in the village in 1885, when Rev. Lonsbury, a Methodist minister, conducted meetings in the depot waiting room on two separate occasions. Soon after Rev. E. R. Lathrop, then pastor of the Methodist church of Worthington^ conducted services a few times, in 1886 Rev. D. C. Holmes and Fred Graves came, and, at the request of E. A. Tripp; organized the Round Lake Union Sunday school, which had an existence of several years. The Presbyterian church was organized some years later and Rev. E. M. Lumm became the first regular pastor. For a time services were held in the school house, but later the church edifice was erected. The church was incorporated in March, 1895, with the following trustees: William M. Mosher, E. A. Tripp and John Ireland. RUSHMORE. Seventh in size and fifth in age of Nobles county towns is Rushmore, a village of 228 population located on section 19, Dewald township. It is on the Worthington-Sioux Falls branch of the Omaha railroad and is twelve miles west from Worthington and six miles east from Adrian. The geographical location of Rushmore is such that it has a large territory from which to draw trade, including the greater, portions of Dewald, Olney, Ransom and Little Rock townships and small parts of Larkin and Summit Lake townships. Rushmore is noted as one of the best business points in Nobles county, and it has been during its entire history. With the exception of two large brick blocks the town is built entirely of wood. It has broad streets, which are lined with large shade trees—the result of the foresight of the founders of the town. The pavements of the business streets are nearly all of cement. Nearly all lines of business are carried on in Rushmore. There are two banks, four elevators, two lumber yards, two implement houses, three general stores, two hardware stores, hotel, meat market, newspaper, two millinery stores, two blacksmith shops, livery barn, harness shop and a creamery. During its entire history of thirty years there has never been a saloon conducted in the village, and the sentiment is almost unanimous against the granting of license. We must go back to the spring of the year 1876 for the beginning of Rushmore's history, although it was two years after that date when the town was founded. In previous chapters has been told the story of the building of the Worthington & Sioux Falls railroad and the selection of two sites in Nobles county for stations on the new road. The first mention, in print, we have of the Rushmore location was on May .25, 1876, at the time the survey for the new road was being made. On that date the Worthington Advance said: "One [station] will be in Dewald, near the farm of Mr. Bedford." Two weeks later (June 8) the same publication said: "There will be a sidetrack and flag station in Dewald, about the middle of section 19, near the Churchill place." When the road was completed the location was marked on the railroad map as a station, although no side track had been laid and no improvements whatever made. The site was labeled Miller Station, the name being given in honor of Ex-governor Stephen Miller, who was at the time land agent for the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company, and who a little later became a resident of Nobles county. Miller Station, with no inhabitants and consisting of nothing more tangible than a name, was quiescent two years. Then an event of great importance to central Nobles county occurred, which resulted in the building of a town at Miller Station. In the spring of 1878 George I. Seney, a New York capitalist, secured control of extensive railroad lands in the central part of the county and at once began the work of colonizing the lands, bringing out many settlers from New York city and other eastern points. In all colonization schemes it is necessary to have a base from which to operate, and to supply this want Mr. Seney decided to build a town at Miller Station, the site of which he had bought. In the latter part of May S. M. Rushmore and a party of New York gentlemen arrived on the site for the purpose of founding the town and paving the way for the future colonization operations of Mr. Seney. [11] Building operations were begun during the first days of June, and there was a great activity all summer. The first building put under way was a two-story frame store building, 22x48 feet, for S. M. Rushmore & Co. A week later the railroad company began the construction of a depot. But before either of these buildings was completed a dwelling house (the one now occupied by C. J. Fox) was finished for Mr. Rushmore. The store was completed early in August and a large stock of goods was put in. Rushmore & Co. also erected, an elevator and engaged in the grain business, operating a feed mill in connection. Charles Griffin opened a meat market; Frank Peck, a hardware store; and Mr. Ware, a blacksmith shop. [12] About the middle of August the railroad station was opened and A. F. Horst was installed as agent. About this time the name of the station was changed from Miller Station to Rushmore, the name being chosen in honor of the pioneer merchant. The postoffice was established about the middle of August and was named Rushmore. [13] In the latter part of July a Sunday school was organized. The townsite plat was surveyed July 20, 22 and 23, 1878, by D. J. Macpherson for George I. Seney; the dedication was made August 20, and the plat was filed August 26. [14] A number of lots were disposed of during the year, upon which were erected the buildings before mentioned. The building of the little village of Rushmore was continued during 1879. In March E. L. Wemple, who had been appointed agent for the sale of town lots, completed a hotel building and opened a hotel which he conducted for more than a quarter century. A church building was erected, a school house was built, and a number of new business enterprises were established. A business directory of the little town, made in the fall of 1879, shows, the following: S. M. Rushmore & Co., general store, feed mill, elevator E. L. Wemple, Rushmore hotel W. A. Turner, hardware A. F. Horst, station agent, lumber dealer, school teacher Frank Peck, tinware, W. M. Lockwood, grocery and notion store Thaddeus Scherzinger, jeweler B. H. Weizel, blacksmith Jonas Bedford, blacksmith [16] The federal census of 1880 gave the new village a population of 99. An industry of vast benefit was added to the town early in 1881, when Bedford & Co. started a flouring mill. During the first few years of its life Rushmore had made rapid progress and had grown into a village amply able to take care of the trade of the surrounding country. Thereafter for many years there was only a slight growth in size and business enterprises. During the eighties and early nineties the town continued to advance slowly with the development of the surrounding country, occasionally adding to its business life by the establishment of some new enterprise. After the hard times period following the panic of 1893 came more prosperous times in Nobles county, and Rushmore again took rapid strides forward. During the closing year of the last century the population had reached 204. [16] It was at this time that the citizens decided on incorporation. A petition was presented to the county board in March, 1900, [17] and, favorable action having been taken by that body, an election was held March 27, when, by a vote of 32 to 9, the electors decided to have village government. [18] The first officers were chosen at an election April, 14, and the village government began immediately after that event. At a special election held May 1, 1900, the new municipality, by a vote of 22 to 0, decided that it should become a separate election and assessment precinct, thereby separating it from Dewald township. The results of the elections for village officers have been: 1900—President, S. B. Bedford; trustees, A. W. Ferrin, William Warring, F. A. Carrell; recorder, W. S. Still; treasurer, J. G. Bronk; assessor, J. G. Mitchell; justices, E. G. Edwards, E. S. Wemple; constables, J. Staib, J. B. Ludlow. 1901—President, S. B. Bedford; trustees, S. T. Wood, A. W. Ferrin, William. Warring; recorder, C. E. Boddy; treasurer, J. G. Bronk; assessor, J. G. Mitchell. .1902—President, S. B. Bedford; trustees, William Warring, S. T. Wood; J. D. Pettit; recorder, C. E. Boddy; treasurer, J. G. Bronk; assessor, J. B. Ludlow; justices, E. S. Wemple, E. G. Edwards; constables, H. C. Constable, Henry Thompson. 1903—President, S. B. Bedford; trustees, A. W. Ferrin, William Warring, S. T. Wood; recorder, G.E. Boddy; treasurer, J. B. Ludlow; assessor, J. G. Mitchell; justice, A. A. Rankin; constables, Alfred Reese, E. G. Edwards. 1904-President, S. T. Wood; trustees, H. C. Constable, S. B. Bedford, F. A. Carrell; recorder, Thomas Prideaux; treasurer, J. B. Ludlow; assessor:, W. C. Thom; justice, E. G. Edwards; constable, E. H. Bassett. 1905--President, S. T. Wood; trustees, H. C. Constable, S. B. Bedford, F. A. Carrell; recorder, Thomas Prideaux; treasurer; J. B. Ludlow; justice, E. S. Wemple; constables, Jacob Stoven, Melvin Hovey. 1906—President, S. B. Bedford; trustees, H. C. Constable, S. T. Wood, J. H. Bryden; recorder, A. J. Ehrisman; treasurer, J. B. Ludlow; assessor, W. C. Thom; constable, Melvin Hovey. 1907—President, J. B, Ludlow; trustees, W. C. Thom, H. C. Constable, W. H. Christianson; recorder, A. J. Ehrisman; treasurer, F. R. Bryden; assessor, S. Fagerness; justice, E. S. Wemple; constables, H. A. Nelson, A. T. L. Thompson. 1908-President, J. B. Ludlow; trustees, W. H. Christianson, H. C. Constable, W. C. Thom; recorder, A. J. Ehrisman; treasurer, F. R. Bryden; assessor, S. Fagerness. The present decade has been one of progress. From the little hamlet of early days it has grown into a prosperous village of considerable importance. The year 1903 was particularly prosperperous. [sic] Two handsome brick blocks— buildings that would be a credit to any town of Nobles county—were constructed, and several other structures were erected the same year. The population when the census of 1905 was taken was 228. Of this number 107 were foreign born, 93 were Minnesota born, and 32 were of foreign birth. Of the last Germany furnished 9; Sweden, 6; Norway, 7; Canada, 4; Ireland, 1; Denmark, 4; Wales, 1. SCHOOL. Outside of the large towns Rushmore has the finest school building in Nobles county, and its schools are on a par with the building. Ten grades are maintained, conducted by a corps of able teachers. There is a large enrollment, many children from the surrounding country being students of the Rushmore school. One of the first institutions established in Rushmore was a public school. The town was settled by men of culture, and one of their first considerations was a school. There were no unoccupied buildings in the town in 1878, and the first school was held in the waiting room of the depot. A. F. Horst, who was the station agent and lumber dealer, added to his duties by becoming the first teacher. The depot as a school room was soon abandoned, and its place was taken by a little dwelling house. A district having been organized, the first school house of the town was completed in the fall of 1879 at a cost of $1,500. That building served for many years and was then purchased by a church organization. The demands of a growing population resulted in the construction of the present handsome school edifice, in which the people of Rushmore take great pride. CHURCHES. Rushmore is noted for its churches. Four organizations are maintained- Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran Presbyterian and German Lutheran. All have church edifices. Nearly all the first settlers of Rushmore were Methodists, and steps were early taken to bring about the establishment of a religious society in the new town. For a time services were held in different buildings in the little village, but in the fall of 1879 a church edifice was erected. Rev. W. E. Means was chosen the first pastor, and the Methodist church of Rushmore has had an existence since that time. Those who were particularly active in founding the first church were S. M. Rushmore, A. F. Horst, E. L. Wemple and A. G. Seney. George I. Seney donated the lot at the head of Main street and furnished the material for the building; the congregation donated the work and erected the building. BIGELOW. The next Nobles county town we are to consider is Bigelow. With a population of 194 (census of 1905) it takes rank as the eighth town in size. It is located on the extreme southern boundary line of the county, and the state of Iowa adjoins the corporate limits. The townsite is on section 31, Bigelow township. It is a station on the main line of the Omaha railroad, ten miles southwest from Worthington. From portions of Ransom and Bigelow townships in Nobles county, and from quite a large territory in northern Osceola county, Iowa, comes the trade which supports the town. Bigelow is a prosperous looking village and is a good trading point. Nearly all lines of business are represented. Bigelow was the third Nobles county town to come into existence. Although the location had been selected, the name bestowed, and it had been granted a place on the railroad map so early as the sites of Hersey and Worthington (in 1871), it was behind its sister towns in receiving inhabitants. The railroad had been constructed only so far as Worthington during 1871, and it was not until the next spring that the rails were laid to the site of Bigelow. A little later came evidence of the beginning of a town. During the spring and summer of 1872, when the colonists were flocking to Nobles county by the hundreds; many settled upon the government and railroad lands in Ransom and Bigelow townships, in close proximity to the future village. Bigelow then looked as large on the map as any other place, and some of those who came expected to find a town there, their knowledge having been gained solely from a study of the map. But until late in the summer of the year the site was occupied only by a tent, which furnished shelter to a construction crew. [19] The first building on the site was erected in 1872 and was the depot building. S. O. Morse, who now lives at Slayton and who has taken quite a prominent part in state politics, was installed as the first agent. His duties as station agent were not great, and in the late summer he, in partnership with a man named Frothingham, opened a little grocery store in the depot, establishing Bigelow's first business house. Mr. Frothingham did not remain long, but Mr. Morse continued in the business several years. Later he also engaged in the flour and feed business in the new town. So far as I have been able to ascertain this was the only enterprise started in Bigelow in 1872. [20] In 1873 the townsite was platted. T. P. Gere surveyed the land for the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company, the dedication was made by Elias F. Brake, president of the company, September 24, 1873, and the plat was filed in the office of the register of deeds August 25. The townsite was named in honor of Charles H. Bigelow, who at the present time is the president of the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance company, of St. Paul. Two new stores were started in Bigelow the year the site was platted. In April S. D. Tinnes moved to the new station and opened a general merchandise store, and the same season John DeBoos and John Colvin started a hardware store. The partnership existed only a short time, and after the dissolution Mr. DeBoos continued the business. James Cowin came to the village in the summer of 1874, and, in partnership with S. D. Tinnes, erected a warehouse, 20x40 feet, and engaged in the grain business. He also opened a lumber: yard and sold fuel. A school house —the neatest in the county as the time —was erected in the summer, and there was an attendance of twenty-four students that fall. An historical atlas of Minnesota, published in 1874, had this to say of Bigelow: This is another railroad station, lying near the state line, ten miles southwest of Worthington. It is growing rapidly, and has an enterprising class of business men, among whom are hardware, lumber and grain merchants, grocers, etc. Bigelow is the center of a fertile region of beautiful rolling prairie, and will always have a lively business. There were a few new enterprises started during the latter part of the grasshopper period. E. S. Mills, who had located in the vicinity of the station in 1872, started a cheese factory. In March, 1876, James R. Jones moved to Bigelow and engaged in the mercantile business in the store building which had previously been occupied by S. D. Tinnes. A. V. Randall came the same year from Philadelphia and started a blacksmith shop. Times were anything but good during the perilous days of the late seventies and no advance was made during that period. The federal census of 1880 gave the village a population of only 28. During the next decade very little occurred that is worthy of being recorded. In 1885 a population of between 60 and 70 persons was claimed, and we find that the business town then consisted of two general stores, blacksmith shop, warehouse, elevator and possibly one or two other small business enterprises. This was the condition up to 1892. On January 25, of that year, Charles L. Davidson, of Hull, Iowa, purchased the Bigelow townsite and began to boom the town. Arrangements were made to open a bank, found a newspaper and start a hotel. For several years thereafter times were lively and Bigelow developed into quite a village. A population of about 150 was claimed in 1894, and that year was one of advancement, despite the hard times. Ten new buildings were erected during the twelve-month. Again the next year did Bigelow forge to the front, making many improvements. A new school house, church, hotel, store building and several residences were added, and preparations were made for further additions the next year. The growth of Bigelow during the late nineties is shown by the census taken November 16, 1899, when 224 people were listed. Then it was the citizens believed the time had come for incorporation, and at an election held February 13, 1900, by a vote of 37 to 6, it was decided to assume the responsibility of municipal government.21 The election to choose the village's first officers was held March 14, 1900, and the machinery of the village government was started immediately after. Those who have held elective office under the village government and the years of their election are as follows: 1900—President, W. C. Wyatt; trustees, B. I. Tripp, H. J. Ruprecht, J. A. Fialka; recorder, William Waterman; treasurer, P. C. Pratt; justices, R. H. Wicks, C. M. Davis; constables, John Brink, L. A. White. 1901—President, R. H. Wicks; trustees, J. A. Fialka, O. F. Modisett, C. A. Bacon; recorder, William Waterman; treasurer, P. C. Pratt; justice, Charles Wilson; constable, F. N. Wood. 1902—President, W. C. Wyatt; trustees, S. Wesby, H. J. Ruprecht, D. T. Cain; recorder, J. A. Fialka; treasurer, P. C. Pratt; justices, P. L. Wyatt, E. H. Brown. 1903—President, J. A. Fialka; trustees, G. W. Foote, S. Wesby, C. F. Modisett; recorder, E. F. Clower; treasurer, J. E. Salstrom; justice, E. F. Clower. 1904—President, J. A. Fialka; trustees, G. W. Foote, S. Wesby, C. F. Modisett; recorder, E. F. Clower; treasurer, J. E. Salstrom; justice, E. F. Clower. 1905—President, J. A. Fialka; trustees, J. P. Mitters, E. H. Brown, S. Wesby; recorder, E. F. Clower; treasurer, J. E. Salstrom. 1906—President, J. A. Fialka; trustees, George Foote, S. Wesby, Owen Hand; recorder, E. F. Clower; treasurer, J. E. Salstrom. 1907—President, J. E. Salstrom; trustees, Charles E. Yates, Nels M. Sorem, W. C. Wyatt; recorder, C. F. Modisett; treasurer, A. E. Yeske. 1908—President, J. E. Salstrom; trustees, H. J. Ruprecht, Charles E. Yates, Nels M. Sorem; recorder, C. F. Modisett; treasurer, A. E. Yeske; assessor, Dick Reynolds; justice, Pat Condon; constable, F. L. Lane. The first census after the incorporation of Bigelow was taken in 1905, when there were 194 people living in the town. Sixty of these were born in Minnesota, 106 in other parts, of the United States, and 28 were born in foreign climes. Of the foreign born six came from Germany, two from Sweden, ten from Norway, two from Canada, three from Ireland, four from England, and one from Wales. Bigelow's first church was the Methodist, organized early in January, 1874. The following certificate of organization, filed in the office of the register of deeds January 9, 1874, tells of the event: This is to certify that G. R. Hollenback, Horace Clemens, W. M. Bear, John DeBoos and S. O. Morse and their successors in office were constituted a board of trustees to be known under the title and name of the Bigelow Methodist church, located at Bigelow, county of Nobles, and state of Minnesota, in accordance with the several statutes of said state (Sec. 36) on religious societies and in compliance with the discipline of said church, paragraphs. 500 to 504, edition of 1872. Done at quarterly conference held in the town of Bigelow, in said county and state, January 4, 1874. HARVEY WEBB, Presiding Elder, WILLIAM M. BEAR, Secretary. Bigelow Camp No. 4431, M. W. A., was instituted December 23, 1896, with the following charter members: Iver Anderson, David C. Bear, John E. Shore, Edgar H. Brown, Charles C. Erwin, Charles Johnson, Lewis Johnson, Fred S. Krempien, F. H. W. Kruger, Henry W. Shore, Arthur G. W. Linley, Osval E. Madison, John Pfefferle, Martin J. Scott, John R. Scott, Jr., A. H. Scott, Martin J. Scott, A. J. Strommer, Michael Sorem, Robert H. Wicks, Willis C. Wyatt. The lodge was incorporated June 30, 1902. ENDNOTES [1] "The Burlington folks, we learn, have decided to call the station in Indian Lake township Round Lake. Although in Indian Lake township it is near the county line and near Round lake. They will put a handsome depot there, and a smart village will spring up which will be quite a center of trade from three counties."-Worthington Advance, Oct. 5, 1882. [2] "Round Lake, the new station on the Burlington road, in Indian Lake township, is the best point we know of in this section for a general store. Here is an excellent opening for a country merchant who can put in a good stock."-Worthington Advance, Feb. 8, 1883. [3] Fred A. Tripp, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Tripp, was the first child born in Round Lake village. He was born in the spring of 1884. [4] Round Lake's postmasters have been E. A. Tripp, M. J. Barber, Elias Blakesley, M. J. Barber, E. A. Tripp, J. L. Hogan, A. F. Diehn, Elmer D. Tripp and J. L. Seeley. [5] There was no great demand for fuel, and Mr. Tripp sold only one car load the first season, and all of that was not disposed of until in the spring. [6] The following additions have been platted: Tripp's-Surveyed June 28, 1892, for E. A. Tripp; dedicated July 30, 1892; filed Aug. 1, 1892. Tripp's Second-Surveyed for E. A. Tripp; dedicated June 16, 1897; filed April 21, 1898. Cravens'-Surveyed December 6, 7 and 8, 1898, for J. W. Cravens; dedicated Feb. 1, 1899; filed Feb. 3, 1899. Boardman's- Surveyed for E. A. Tripp, John Davis, Richard Davis, Nels O. Langseth, Charles Nienaber; dedicated Oct. 21, 1901; filed Dec. 28, 1901. [7] The petitioners were H. C. Moeller, C. J. Reilly, James L. Hogan, Christ Schmidt, James Bixby, James Walker, David Bixby, Fritz Toel, O. L. Bixby, E. D. Tripp, Ed. Edwards, E. J. Denkmann, Martin Gregerson, Charles H. Hayes, H. R. Tripp, Charles Nienaber, A. Hayes, L. P. Gontjes, A. Freeman, John Ireland, Herb Horton, Samuel Edwards, J. W. Rosenberg, John Marz, Samuel Mutton, A. F. Diehn, J. C. Thomsen, O. E. Dahl, J. L. Seeley, Frank B. Mitchell, F. H. Wells, Fred Fiero, Jacob Gregerson, C. E. Horton, C. E. Morgan, Frank Horton, Q. Barnes. [8] The inspectors of this first election were C. J. Reilly, J. L. Hogan and H. C. Moeller. [9] At this election 36 votes were cast for license and 14 votes against license. [10] For license received 36 votes at this election to 18 against license. [11] "On Monday evening last [May 27] Messrs. S. M. Rushmore and George Rushmore with their families arrived in Worthington and took train Wednesday morning for Miller, the new station on the branch in Dewald township. The Messrs. Rushmore were accompanied by Messrs. Paul Schmidt and Charles Griffin, with their families, and by three other gentlemen, Messrs. William Anthes, Charles Sears and Randall. All of these parties are from the vicinity of New York city, except Mr. Randall, who is from St. Louis. They have secured the townsite at Miller Station, expect to take lands in the vicinity, and will at once build a large store, 23x40, and begin business. They are mostly Methodists and say they expect to build a neat church there this season. Mr. Rushmore showed us several plans for the church, which they expect to build under the auspices of the Church Extension society. The railroad will build a small depot during the present season, and henceforth Miller will be known as one of the thriving villages of the county." —Worthington Advance, May 30, 1878. [12] John Thompson was the contractor who put up most of the first buildings. He was assisted by C. J. Fox, who was one of the first settlers of Olney township, his homestead being only a short distance west of the village. [13] The change in name was made because of the fact that there was a Miller postoffice in Minnesota. [14] Additions to the original townsite have been platted as follows: First—Surveyed in July, 1878, for George I. Seney; dedicated Nov. 5, 1879; filed April 10, 1880. Wood & Bryden's—Surveyed for Wheeler Dowd and Wood & Bryden; dedicated June 1, 1893; filed June 2, 1893. Bedford's—Surveyed Nov. 5, 1894, for S. B. Bedford; dedicated Dec. 21, 1894; filed Jan. 3, 1895. [15] "About 'a year ago we visited Rushmore and found a railroad station, a feed mill and elevator building and a store partly built and getting in a stock of goods. Now we find a brisk little town with a general merchandise store, a grocery store, a tin shop, a lumber yard, a jeweler, two blacksmith shops, a neat school house, just completed at a cost of about $1,500, and the neatest little hotel building in Minnesota."—Worthington Advance, Sept. 11, 1879. [16] Census taken March 7, 1900. [17] Signed by G. L. Gray, J. G. Bronk, George Smith, J. Burr Ludlow, August Olson, A. W. Thompson, H. C. Constable, C. J. Fox, A. R. Beilke, E. S. Wemple, E. L. Wemple, H. C. Hanson, E. S. Whipkey, Olof Hanson, A. W. Ferrin, E. G. Edwards, W. H. Christianson, C. E. Boddy, F. A. Carrell, John G. Mitchell, J. A. Dahlberg, E. P. Hermann, G. V. Pettit, J. B. Duel, J. Stoven, A. N. Peterson, Frank McCoy, B. Fagerness, Jacob Staib, William Warring, W. A. Putnam, W. A. Still, N. Feather, A. L. Daugherty, J. D. Pettit, W. J. Daugherty, George Weidman and S. Fagerness. [18] The inspectors of this first election were A. W. Ferrin, J. G. Mitchell and E. S. Wemple. [19] One of the new arrivals at the little community in Ransom township, whose knowledge of the new country was limited to the information furnished by his railroad map, declared his intention of going to Bigelow and passing the night at a hotel. He was within sight of the tent that marked the location, and when a neighbor pointed out the "town" he was greatly surprised and decided to seek accommodations elsewhere. [20] "Bigelow begins to make a show of business houses, and like Hersey is destined to a fine trade and a prosperous future."—Western Advance, Aug. 31, 1872. [21] Those who signed the petititon asking for incorporation were W. C. Wyatt, R. H. Wicks, P. C. Pratt, H. J. Ruprecht, B. I. Tripp, C. F. Modisett, C. W. Hall, J. H. Cass, William Waterman, A. J. Strommer, Frank N. Wood, Herman J. Lester, John Steenback, P. L. Wyatt, J. K. Shaw, Ed. Pederson, J. A. Fialka, A. P. Anderson, Monroe Beard, E. B. Forsyth, V. B. Smead, David C. Bear, John Brink, W. Schroeder, J. H. Harrington, C. M. Davis, Edward E. Blakey, F. E. Walker, William Yahn, F. H. Millard, C. T. Millard, E. B. Michael, W. W. Runger and B. F. Congdon. Additional Comments: Extracted from: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY MINNESOTA BY ARTHUR P. ROSE NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA PUBLISHERS 1908 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/nobles/history/1908/anillust/chapterx28gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 41.2 Kb