Renville County MN Archives History - Books .....Bird Island, Martinsburg, Kingman 1882
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Book Title: History Of The Minnesota Valley

CHAPTER LXXXV.

BIRD ISLAND—MARTINSBURG-KINGMAN—WINFIELD-OSCEOLA-TOWNSHIP 116, RANGE 36.

   The town of Bird Island was set apart for organization October 2, 1876, and
included all of towns 115 and 116, range 34. Election was held Saturday, October
21, 1876, at Joseph Feeter's house in section 14, at which seven votes were cast
and the following officers elected: Charles Humboldt, chairman, J. H. Feeter and
J. Balsley, supervisors; J. S. Bowler, clerk; Benjamin Feeder, assessor; N.
Painter, treasurer; E. Bowler and B. S. Harter, justices; George Miller and J.
Engstrom, constables.

   The town was named Bird Island from the fact of there being an island in a
lake west of the village of Bird Island, where in early days a great many birds
congregated.

   November 3, 1871, the following filed claims: Rev. N. Tainter, section 24; J.
S. Bowler, section 26; J. M. Bowler, section 24; Marion and Calvin Boyer,
section 28; Nic O'Brien, section 26, and John A. Johnson, section 34; they all
moved on the next spring.

   Rev. N. Tainter, Methodist, conducted religious services at his house in
1873, and in 1879 an organization was effected. Services are now held at the
school-house in the village every Sabbath, conducted by Rev. H. Irvine. The
Baptists held religious services at the school-house in the village in 1879,
conducted by Rev. S. Adams. The same year a society was organized, and in 1880
they erected a frame church in Bird Island at a cost of about $1,100. Meetings
are conducted semi-monthly by Rev. F. E. Bostwick. The Catholics have held
services in the school building, but have no regular priest at present. The
society has purchased a building site in the village, erected a parsonage and
will soon build a church.

   The first school was taught in the summer of 1878, in a building erected for
that purpose on section 24, by Miss Sadie Tillotson. At present there are only
two schools in the town, one in Bird Island, a fine building, and one in Olivia.
The first child born in the town was Kate C., a daughter of J. M. and L. S.
Bowler, born September 26, 1873.

   The village of Bird Island was surveyed in July, 1878, on land owned by the
Bird Island Town Site company, in the east half, southeast quarter of section
14; two additions have been added. The boundaries are as follows: the south half
of sections 11 and 12, sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, and the north-east quarter of
the northeast quarter of section 26, all in town 115-34, comprising 3,240 acres.
The village was incorporated under a special act approved March 4, 1881, and the
following officers appointed to hold until their successors were elected the
first Tuesday in April following, and they qualified: M. Donohue, president, W.
M. Holbrook, J. W. Ladd, Charles C. Ladd, J. W. Barnard, and E. H. Keenan,
councillors; D. D. Williams, recorder; T. M. Paine, treasurer; Wesley Moran and
Fred. Hodgdon, justices; H. Feeter, street commissioner; W. H. Lewis, marshal,
G. H. Megquier, attorney.

   The village of Bird Island is the largest in Renville county, containing a
population of about 500, and the following business houses: Three general
stores, one grocery, two hardware, two drug stores, two millineries, and one
furniture store, one harness, one wagon, three blacksmith, one shoe, one paint
and one barber shops; three hotels, two meat markets, two saloons, two lumber
dealers, three physicians, two lawyers, one bank, established in 1880, capital,
$50,000, and two elevators, capacity about 70,000 bushels.

   The Bird Island Post was established by Wesley Moran, in August, 1879, and is
published weekly, circulation about 500 copies. A general job office is run in
connection. The Bird Island Blizzard was established; in April, 1881, and is
published weekly, by J. M. Bowler, editor, and J. W. Ladd, publisher;
circulation, 500 copies. Bird Island post-office was established in the spring
of 1878, and the office located at J. F. Bowler's house, section 26; he was
appointed postmaster. The same fall it was removed to the village and located at
J. W. Ladd's store; J. W. Ladd is the postmaster.

   In May, 1881, a lodge of A. F. & A. M. organized with about fifteen members,
now numbers about twenty members. J. S. Bowler, W. M.; Albert Brown, 8. The I.
O. G. T. was organized in December, 1879, with about twenty members. N. Tainter,
W. C. T., and Mrs. Mary Millard, W. R. G.

   The village of Olivia was surveyed in September, 1878, on land owned by the
Hastings and Dakota Railway Company, and J. M. McKinlay in the south-west
quarter of section 7. It was incorporated under the general law and an election
held March 16, 1881, with the following result: W. P. Christensen, president, I.
Lincoln, L. White and William Windhorst, trustees; P. W. Heins, recorder, but he
did not qualify and A. D. Simpkins was appointed. N. Stone, treasurer; A. D.
Simpkins, justice; O. J. Everson, marshal. The town was named Olivia, for the
wife of Russell Sage Sr., he having an interest in the town site. The village
has a population of about 80 people and the following business houses: four
general stores, one each hardware and drug stores; one each blacksmith, wagon,
shoe and tailor shops; one hotel, one saloon, one lumber yard, three dealers in
agricultural machinery; two elevators, capacity about 60,000 bushels. A steam
grist-mill, four run, with a capacity of 85 barrels per day; was built by
Lincoln Bros., in 1879, and is still in operation.

   Olivia P. O. was established in 1878, and the office located at the elevator
of I. Lincoln, Sr., who was appointed postmaster. In January, 1880, W. P.
Christensen was appointed postmaster and removed the office to his general store.

   In December, 1880, the A. F. & A. M. organized a lodge, with about ten
members; has been augmented slightly. The officers are D. W. Guptill, M. and I.
Lincoln, Sr., secretary.

   J. M. Bowler, born in 1838, in Maine, attended the public schools of
Portland. Taught school in Wisconsin one year previous to going, in 1858, to
Minneapolis, where he worked at printing until 1861, the date of his enlistment.
He was in the 1st Minnesota, afterward in the 3d and later the 113th United
States Colored infantry; was mustered out as major. Worked in a planing mill at
Minneapolis, then removed to Dakota county. In 1871 he settled in Bird Island
when there was but one building in the town. He was elected to the state
legislature in 1878. Mr. Bowler is editor of the Bird Island Blizzard, which he
and J. W. Ladd established in 1881. Married in 1862, Lizzie Califf. The first
child born in town was their daughter, Kittie.

   J. S, Bowler, native of Maine, was born in 1841, and engaged in teaching
after gaining an academical education. In 1862, he entered the 22d Maine
infantry; re-enlisted and served through the entire war. From 1869 till 1871 his
home was in Dakota county, Minnesota; then he removed to Bird Island, where he
was one of the first settlers. He was the first clerk of the town; filled the
office three years; was one of the charter members of the masonic lodge and is
their present master. Miss Sarah F. Ricker became his wife in 1864; they have
five children.

   William P. Christensen was born in 1844 in Denmark. Upon immigrating to
America in 1869 he was employed at Minneapolis as clerk, and served two years on
the police force. In 1879 he began a general mercantile business at Olivia and
has also been postmaster since living here. Mr. Christensen was the first
president of the village board; he is still filling that position. Mary Thorson
was married to him in 1875; George F., Snudorff W. and Harry E. are the children.

   George Crouley, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1853, in Bradford
county. He migrated in 1875 to Redwood Falls, Minnesota; was engaged in grocery
trade there until 1879, the date of his coming to Bird Island, where he is
carrying on a grocery business in company with his brother. Mr. Crouley was
married in December, 1881 to Miss Olive E. Cammie.

   G. J. DePue was born in 1852, but left Ohio, his native state, in 1857, and
accompanied his parents to Minneapolis. Removed to Scott county two years later;
lived in Jordan and Shakopee until coming to Olivia in 1878; he built the DePue
House, the first in the village; was proprietor of this hotel until 1881, when
he rented it. He also built a blacksmith shop and continued working at his
trade. Miss Sophia Peterson was married to him in 1872.

   W. P. Dinon, born in Canada in 1845, removed when eighteen years of age to
Hamilton, Minnesota; he did carpenter work and was in the grocery and liquor
trade till 1875, at which date he went to Shakopee, where he kept the Farmer's
Home four years; since 1879 he has been proprietor of the Bird Island House in
this place. Mr. Dinon is a member of the village council. Married in 1871, Miss
M. J. Carr; two children, Mary and Emma.

   J. W. Fewer, native of Ireland,-was born in 1858. From the year 1861 until
twelve years of age his home was in St. Paul, after which he lived in
Minneapolis four years. His father was a blacksmith and when a young man he
commenced learning the trade; worked in Minneapolis, also in Scott and Dakota
counties; in 1881 he engaged in business at Bird Island. In 1872 Mary Thorton
became his wife; Katie is their only child.

   A. W. Hagadon, who was born in 1862, is a native of Minnesota. Mr. Hagadon's
home was in the town of Winfield, Renville county, four years previous to the
autumn of 1881, the time at which he came to Bird Island and started a meat
market in company with Mr. Reynolds.

   P. W. Heins was born in 1846 in England. In 1850 the family immigrated to
Iowa. In 1868 he came to Minnesota, has been in the mercantile business since
locating at Beaver Falls in 1870; subsequently he opened a branch store at
Renville, and in 1878, another at- Olivia. Married in 1872, Jennie Patton.

   Frank Hodgdon, born in 1859, is a native of Maine, but has been a resident of
Minnesota since 1869. He lived at Beaver Falls, where his father was engaged in
real estate business. In 1878 Mr. Hodgdon, in company with his brother Fred,
began mercantile trade just below Bird Island and when the village was started
they removed their business here; theirs was one of the first stores in the
place. Miss Mary Donohue was married to him in 1880.

   E. H. Keenan, native of New York, was born in 1854 in Troy. When a child the
family went to Wisconsin, from there to Iowa, and in 1858 to Henderson,
Minnesota. In 1873 he entered St. John's College; graduated in 1875, after which
he taught in Henderson, also clerked and kept books. He worked two years for M.
Mullen, of New Ulm, previous to embarking in hardware and machinery business at
Bird Island. He married in 1878 Emma E. Donahue.

   Charles C. Ladd was born in 1835 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was
apprenticed to learn the jeweler's trade, and worked at that until 1867, when he
went to Minneapolis, but soon removed to Ellsworth, Wisconsin, where he was in a
stave factory two years with a brother. He worked seven years as foreman of
Farnham & Lovejoy's lumber-yard; passed one year in the East, two years in La
Crosse, and since 1879 has been in the lumber trade at Bird Island. Mr. Ladd
served one year in the First Rhode Island infantry.

   J. W. Ladd, born in 1841 in Phoenix, Rhode Island, moved in 1860 to St.
Anthony, Minnesota. He was employed as clerk until 1866; after engaging a short
time in insurance business, he removed to Ellsworth, Wisconsin, where until 1868
he and a brother owned and operated a stave mill. In 1869 he bought a flour-mill
at Clearwater, which was burned in 1871; he then went to Chicago, where he was a
member of the board of trade five years; while living in that city he was in
different lines of business. From 1876 to 1878 his home was in Minneapolis, then
came to Bird Island; built the first elevator in the place; also owns a store
and a farm of $1,000 acres. Mr. Ladd was a member of the first village council,
been postmaster since 1879, and is publisher of The Bird Island Blizzard. In
1862 he was one of a company that went from Minneapolis to the defense of Fort
Ridgely. Married in 1863 Emma G. Lovejoy.

   Thomas Libby, native of Maine, was born in 1821, and attained a high school
education. In 1842 he went to Illinois and followed teaching twelve years; he
then lived eight years on a farm in Dodge county, Minnesota, where he had
located in 1854. Mr. Libby has been a local minister in the Methodist church for
thirty-five years; he removed to Kandiyohi county and preached the first
Methodist sermon in Willmar village; his church a railroad car; he lived in
Willmar fifteen years. Since 1881 he has lived at Bird Island; he owns the
Merchants Hotel. His wife, who was Olive E. Simmons, has borne him seven
children: Eveline, Celia, Lorenzo, William and Albert are living.

   E. B. Lincoln was born in 1851 in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1859 accompanied
his parents to Shakopee, Minnesota. In 1866 he entered the military school at
Faribault, from which he graduated in 1870. He was employed as baggageman, and
afterward conductor, on the Sioux City railroad; subsequently kept books in a
bank in Shakopee until 1878, when he became cashier in G. K. Gilbert's hank at
Glencoe; since 1881 he has been cashier of the First National Bank at that
place; is also a member of the firm Lincoln Brothers, of Olivia.

   Isaac Lincoln, Jr., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1855. The family located
at Shakopee in 1859, where he attended public schools until 1870, at which date
he entered the Faribault military school. After graduating in 1874 he visited
Colorado; one year later went to New Richland, but soon returned to Shakopee,
where he was city engineer eighteen months; until 1878 he was in the draughting
department of the Sioux City railroad office, then erected an elevator at
Olivia, which was the first building there; at the same time he started a
lumber-yard; is now proprietor of the Lincoln mill, built by him and a brother.
Mr. Lincoln was the first postmaster of Olivia. In 1880 he married Cora Straight.

   N. C. Little, native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1846 in Somerset county.
The family migrated in 1856 to Glencoe, Minnesota, where he attended the common
schools and worked at farming until 1877; began the flour and feed business at
Glencoe, but removed two years after to Bird Island; engaged in lumber business.
From February until October, 1865, he served in the First Minnesota heavy
artillery. Married in 1878, Emma Cale.

   Hon. George H. Megquier was horn September 20, 1844, in Maine, and when eight
years old moved with his parents to Bangor. In 1855 they migrated to Eureka,
Illinois; after graduating in 1862, from the college of that place he enlisted
in Company D, 108th infantry; he was promoted to lieutenant; afterward served on
the staff of Generals Baird and A. J. Smith, until the war closed. In the fall
of 1865 he entered the Cleveland Law University; graduating in 1866 and the next
year came to Minnesota. He married Laura Tillotson in 1869, and commenced the
practice of law at Beaver Falls; was elected judge of probate in 1873, and the
following year was chosen county attorney and superintendent of schools; since
1878 he has lived at Bird Island.

   Wesley Moran, native of Wisconsin, was born in November, 1848, in Grant
county. Accompanied his parents to West Virginia, from there to Ohio, and thence
to Iowa. At sixteen years of age he left school and began to learn printing;
after working in different places he went, in 1873, to Chicago and was employed
three years on the Tribune of that city. For two and one-half years he published
a weekly paper at Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, but removed in 1879 to Minnesota,
and established the Bird Island Post. His wife was Sophia Coffman, married in
1871; their children are Nora E., D. W., Lena M. and George E.

   John Morgan was horn in 1847, in Wyoming county, New York; in 1865 he
migrated to Le Sueur county, Minnesota; in 1871 he removed to Renville county;
continued farming until he began the saloon business in Olivia. Miss Eliza
Delanie became his wife in 1876 and has three children; Patrick W., Mary E. and
Catharine F.

   Dr. F. L. Puffer was born in 1852 in St. Lawrence county, New York. He
attended the St. Lawrence University and in 1872 graduated from Columbia
College; the next year he entered the university at Ann Arbor. Soon after
graduating in 1877, from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York
city, he began practice at Taylor's Falls, Minnesota, with Dr. A. J. Murdock.
From 1878 till 1881 he was at Beaver Falls, then came to Bird Island. He has
been coroner of Renville county since 1878 and was county physician two years,
Dr. Puffer married Anna L. Ellison in 1879. Florence E. is their only child.

   C. H. Spencer is a native of Minnesota; born in 1858 at Shakopee. From 1873
until removing in 1881 to Olivia, he was telegraph operator in the Sioux City
railroad office at Shakopee. He is now station agent at Olivia.

   A. W. Stone, born in the state of New York in 1855, went when eight years old
to Dodge county, Minnesota, with his parents; he learned blacksmithing, and has
been engaged in that business at Bird Island since June 1879. His marriage with
Lottie A. Sherwood occurred in 1879; Arthur is their only child.

   O. A. Strom, born in 1858, was the first white child born in Butternut
Valley, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. After leaving the Normal school at
Mankato, he entered a drug store at Beaver Falls; worked there and in Redwood
Falls until 1879 when he opened a store at Renville, but in the autumn of 1881,
removed his business to Bird Island.

   Rev. Nahum Tainter, born in 1821, is a native of Massachusetts. He is a
member of the Methodist church, and after leaving school entered the ministry.
In 1856 he settled near Chatfield, Olmsted county, Minnesota, but in 1871
selected the homestead where he now resides, near the village of Bird Island;
his claim was the first in town that resulted in settlement. Rev. Tainter
preached at his house in 1874, the first sermon delivered in this town. Married
in 1845, Miss A. E. Peirce, one child living: Laurilla A.

   D. D. Williams was born in 1853 in Kane county, Illinois, and when two years
old accompanied his parents to Judson, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. After
leaving school he in 1877 began to read law at Madelia; taught school one year,
and then resumed the study of law until 1879, when he was admitted to the bar.
Since the spring of 1880 he has practiced at Bird Island.

MARTINSBURG.

   Set apart for organization September 3, 1878, and election ordered held at J.
B. Mohan's house, section 22, September 24, 1878. Owing to insufficiency of
notice the election was not held until November 5, 1878, with the following
result: Luna Benson, chairman, Ferdinand Marquardt and Friedrich Schwarz,
supervisors; Smith Dewees, clerk, and Swan Pearson, constable. W. T. Grummons
being a county commissioner and a resident of this town at the time it was
organized, named it after a son of his named Martin.

   The first settlers were James Tompkins and James Hannah, who settled on
sections 30 and 32, in the spring of 1873. Friedrich Schwarz the same year took
a claim on section 24.

   The first school was taught in the summer of. 1880 by Miss Dewees in a
building erected for that purpose on section 29. There are three schools in the
town at present.

   John M. Anderson was born January 24, 1838, in Norway. Immigrated in 1853, to
Wisconsin, and in May, 1861, enlisted in Company I, Second infantry of that
state; he was in many severe battles; upon being discharged June 11, 1864, he
returned to Wisconsin. Mr. Anderson removed in 1867 to McLeod county, Minnesota,
and in 1875 to Renville county. Married in 1869, Anna Egbertson; three of their
seven children are living: Otto M., Josephine A. and Oscar C.

   Luna W. Benson, native of Massachusetts was born July 10, 1822 in Brookfield.
He learned the trade of shoemaker. In 1861 he went to Connecticut and the year
following enlisted in Company I, 16th infantry of that state. Lost his right leg
in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, and was in the hospital until
January 20, 1863. Since June, 1877 he has lived at his present farm. Mrs. Gibbs,
whose maiden name was Ann Besse, was married to him in 1854; three children are
living.

   Smith Dewees born October 14, 1834, in Morgan county, Ohio, is a harnessmaker
by trade. From 1873 until 1878 he lived at Howard Lake, Minnesota, then came to
Martinsburg. Mr. Dewees married in 1862, Mrs. Worrall, who has one son, Orlando;
her maiden name was Sarah Millner; their two daughters, Mary and Minnie, are
teachers.

   James Hannah, native of Vermont was born July 5, 1852, in Franklin county;
went at the age of three years to Wisconsin with his parents. Lived in Wabasha
county, Minnesota from 1864 until the autumn of 1872 at which time they came to
Renville county. In 1877 his marriage took place with Sarah M. Maxwell; one
child is deceased; the living are Mary and Sarah.

   H. C. Giltner was born August 7, 1808, in Tompkins county, New York; learned
the trade of mill-wright. Prom 1843 until 1860 he lived in Wisconsin then
removed to McLeod county, Minnesota. He was admitted to practice law here and
was elected -county attorney. While residing in Wisconsin the president
appointed him deputy United States marshal. Since April, 1880, he has lived at
his farm in Martinsburg. In 1833 he married Adaline Taylor who bore him six
children; only one is living; their son, Henry P., died in the army during the
late civil war.

   Lieutenant William F. Grummons was born February 25, 1829, in Orleans county,
New York. In 1844 he migrated to Iowa, but removed in 1856 to a farm in Mower
county, Minnesota. October 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Third Minnesota;
was promoted to lieutenant and served until September, 1864. Returned to Mower
county where he held the office of sheriff. Came in 1868, to Renville county in
1878 to this town; has held numerous offices. He has been married twice and has
five living children.

   Friedrich Schwarz, native of Germany, was born March 1, 1830. Immigrated to
America in 1852; lived in Philadelphia three years, then went to a farm near
Henderson, Minnesota. Mr. Schwarz enlisted August 15, 1862 in Company G, 10th
Minnesota and served on the frontier until the fall of 1863; after that he was
in the south until the close of the war. In 1871 he came to the farm which is
now his home. Married in 1854, Amelia Schumir; seven children are living.

   James Smith was born November 10, 1844, in Vermont. Accompanied his parents
in 1849 to Wisconsin, thence in 1856, to Rochester, Minnesota, and the year
following to Cottonwood county; in 1861 they came to Renville county. He
enlisted June 16, 1861, in Company E, 2d Minnesota, re-enlisted and served
during the entire war; was wounded, September 19, 1863; a brother of his and
their father were also in the army. In 1875 he came to his present farm. Married
in 1874, Ann L. Tompkins; they have four children.

   James Tompkins, Sr., native of Ireland, was born in March, 1826. Lived in
Dublin, working at shoe-making until the age of sixteen, when he moved to
Canada. Mr. Tompkins emigrated in 1857 to Wabasha county, Minnesota, but in 1873
came to Renville county, where he has since carried on his trade in connection
with farming. Elizabeth Stanton became his wife in 1849, and has borne him nine
children; they have lost one; July 3, 1877, Mrs. Tompkins died.

   James H. Tompkins was born December 7, 1856, in the village of Fulton, Oswego
county, New York. He came to Minnesota with his parents in 1857. The family came
to Martinsburg in 1872; he lived with his parents until locating, in 1879, on
his farm of 160 acres.

   John W. Tompkins, native of New York, was born July 4, 1852, in Fulton,
Oswego county, but in 1857 the family moved to Wabasha county, Minnesota. They
came to this town in 1872, and since 1874 his home has been at his farm on
section 32. Elizabeth Maxwell became his wife December 15, 1881.

KINGMAN.

   Set apart for organization, September 3, 1878,' and election held at H. W.
Jones' house, section 24, with the following result: A. P. Altman, chairman, E.
Pouch and D. Coons, supervisors; S. T. Salter, clerk; L. W. Stearns, assessor;
H. W. Jones, treasurer; L. W. Stearns and John Pfeiffer, justices; D. Goons and
P. B. Porter, constables. The first settler in the town was J. C. Hogadone, who
came early in May, 1877. The same month L. W. Steams located; E. Pouch and H. W.
Jones came the same year.

   Religious meetings were held by the Methodists at L. W. Stearn's house, in
the winter of 1878-9, conducted by Rev. N. Tainter, and a society organized;
services are now held semimonthly, at the school-house, on section 20, conducted
by Rev. Irvine. The first school was taught by Miss Clara Stearns, in L. W.
Stearn's house, during the winter of 1878-9. On section 20 is the only
school-house in the town.

   The first birth was W. M., a son of David and Anna Coons, horn July 12, 1878.
The first death was that of J. H. Sangmyhr, who died May 10, 1881, aged 96
years, 11 months, and 24 days.

   David Coons was horn November 18, 1856, in Canada. He came to Atwater,
Minnesota, in 1876, and one year later went to the Black Hills; after a stay
there of five months, he settled in Kingman, Renville county. He was a member of
the first town board, and is now constable. Married, November 13, 1877, Anna
Johnson, who was born in Norway in 1854; one child, William.

   John Pfeiffer, native of Germany, was born July 13, 1828. In 1852 be came to
this country, and in 1854 to St. Paul, where he worked at stone-cutting five
years, then moved to Hastings; in 1879 came to Kingman. In 1858 he married E.
Mary Beck; eleven children have been born; eight are living: Ida, George, John,
Matilda, Emma, William, Lillian and Albert.

   S. T. Salter was born December 25, 1838, in Princeton, Maine. In 1874 he came
to Minnesota, and after living in Atwater two years, settled on section 20,
Kingman township, Renville county. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company B,
11th Maine infantry, and was discharged the following year for disability. He
re-enlisted in March, 1865, in Company E, 15th Maine, and served until May,
1866. September 22, 1862, he married Lydia H. Maxwell; Albro H., Albra S., Mary
C., Albert G., James E. and Seth N. are their children.

   L. W. Stearns was born in Wayne county, New York, October 15, 1829. Removed
to Michigan, thence in 1860 to Wabasha county, Minnesota. In 1868 he went to
Kandiyohi county, and in 1873 to Missouri and to Michigan; after living in the
latter state two and one-half years, came to Kingman. February 18, 1864, he
enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota, Company G, and was discharged for disability
May 8, 1865. Sarah Reynolds became his wife July 4, 1855, and is the mother of
twelve children; the living are Orvill A., Clara A., Eliza A., Leander J., Rhoda
M., Frank R., Marco B., Lena, Maud and Burt.

WINFIELD.

   This town was set apart for organization April 15, 1878, under the name of
Liberty, but the electors failed to meet at the appointed time, and the first
election did not take place until December, 1878; the first officers were: W.
Morgan, chairman, A. Nelson and John Burg, supervisors; A. D. Simpkins, clerk;
John Miller, treasurer; Andrew Ericson, justice; Ole Olson, constable. In March,
1879, the name was changed to Winfield, as the name Liberty had been applied to
another township in the state.

   The first settler was Joseph Sharbona, who came in 1872; the same fall John
Ericson, T. Ulrickson and Eric Lindquist made claims. The first religious
meetings were held by the Norwegian Lutherans in 1874v The first school was
taught in the winter of 1876 at T. Ulrickson's house. Albert Lindquist, in
August, 1872, was the first birth in the town.

   Andro Erickson, native of Sweden, was born in 1856. From 1873, the date of
his coming to Minnesota, until 1877, he worked for others, then came to his farm
on section 22 of Winfield. Betsy Larson, born in Sweden, immigrated in 1869 to
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where, in 1878, she married Mr. Erickson; Albert is
their only child.

   W. John Erikson, who was born in 1850, is a native of Sweden. He emigrated,
and from 1870 until 1872, his home was in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota; he then
located in Winfield. Mr. Erickson's farm on section 2, contains 120 acres.

   Peter Hellberg was born in 1851 in Sweden; immigrated to Kandiyohi county,
Minnesota, in 1876, but since 1878 has been a resident of Winfield; Karin Lein,
who was born in Sweden in 1855, became his wife November 23, 1880; they have one
child: Theodore.

   D. John Johnson was born October 15, 1844, in Sweden, and in 1865 his
marriage occurred with Christina Larson, who was born in 1840. In 1873 they came
to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, but the next year he came to Winfield. The names
of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's children are John, Anna, Charlie, William, Christine,
Hilda and Mary.

   Ole Juleson, who was born in Norway in 1856. Came to Winona in 1873, and in
1875 to Winfield. The marriage of Ole Juleson took place in 1880; his wife,
Christina Johnson, was born in 1864 in Sweden.

   Ole Julson is a native of Norway, where he was born October 17, 1858. He
immigrated to America, and in 1873 located at Winona, Minnesota, but removed
three years after to Winfield. During the summer seasons he works his farm, and
in the fall operates a threshing machine.

   Ulrik Julson was born in 1850, in Norway; made his home in Winona, Minnesota,
from 1871 until 1872, then came to Winfield. Mr. Julson has been town treasurer
several terms. Ronaag Frederikson, native of Norway, became his wife in 1879 and
has borne him two children: Julius and the baby.

   Erik Lindquist, born in 1846, grew to manhood in Sweden, his native land. He
came to America and in 1869 lived at St. Paul three months, then removed to
Kandiyohi county, but in 1871 located permanently at Winfield. Cristina Eliza
Ereckson, a native of Sweden, was married in this state in 1871, to Mr.
Lindquist, and is the mother of six children.

   Jan Miller, who is a native of Sweden, was born June 30, 1832. In 1867 he
located in Houston county, Minnesota, and lived there until the year 1872, when
he came to Winfield, Renville county; his farm, on section 26 of this town,
contains 160 acres. Mr. Miller has served one term as town treasurer. In 1856 he
married Anna Stena, who was born in 1833 in Sweden; their children are Annalena,
Uhan and Andrew.

   N. A. Nelson was born October 9, 1849, in Sweden. In 1869 he moved to Winona,
Minnesota, three years later went to Willmar, Kandiyohi county, but in 1877
located in Winfield. For several years Mr. Nelson has been a member of the town
board. Yngebor O. Jenson, native of Norway, was married to him in February,
1877, and has three children; Anton N., Ever O. and Magnus B.

   E. Palmlund, born May 24, 1842, in Sweden, served five years in the army of
that country and in 1870 came to America. Lived five months at Duluth, about the
same length of time in Iowa, then two years at La Crescent; after passing a
short time at St. Paul and Rochester he went, in 1875, to Beaver Falls, but one
year later removed to Winfield; Anna Miller was married to Mr. Palmlund,
December 25, 1875 and has borne him three children; Oscar A. and Georgina L. are
living.

   John Snieker, who is a native of Sweden, born in 1829, was brought up on a
farm; in 1873 immigrated to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota; since 1874 his home has
been in the town of Winfield. Mr. Snieker's wife, Anna Erickson, was born in
Sweden; their marriage occurred in 1853; eight of their twelve children are
living: Anna, John, Christina, Andrew, Betsy, Ida, Selma and George.

   L. R. Sorenson is a native of Minnesota; born April 18, 1855, at St. Paul.
When he was an infant the family moved to Carver county, where he lived until
1880, then came to Winfield. His marriage took place March 7, 1880, in Carver
county, with Matilda Peterson, who was born February 9, 1856, at Chisago Lake.

   Jul Ulrikson was born June 14, 1817, in Norway. In 1873 he immigrated to the
United States. After living one year at Winona, Minnesota, he came to Winfield.
Miss S. Endresdotter, born in Norway, became the wife of Mr. Ulrikson, November
1, 1847 and has borne him seven children; five are living.

   E. Wipp was born in 1823, in Sweden; was in the army of his native land
twenty years. In 1870 he emigrated and until 1872 he lived in Kandiyohi county,
Minnesota, then came to the town of Winfield. Mr. Wipp was married in 1850; his
wife, Cristina Erickson was born in Sweden and is the mother of eight children.

   Fr. Zinne was born in 1826, in Germany. In 1879 he settled in the United
States, and has lived alternately in Beaver Falls, and Winfield, which is his
present home. In 1859 he married Charlotte Meyer; their children are Louis,
Frederick, Wilhelmena and August.

OSCEOLA.

   A petition was granted for separate organization September 30, 1879, and an
election held at J. F. Lucas' house, section 32. The first officers were: W. T.
Bower, chairman, J. K. Salisbury and B. Potter, supervisors; S. M. Freeman,
clerk; J. F. Lucas, Sr., treasurer; H. V. Poor and L. Daily, justices: J. Nillis
and C. Stevens, constables. The first settlers in the town were J. F. Lucas,
Sr., and two Ferry brothers, who came in the spring of 1875. C. M. Stevens built
the first house in the fall of 1875. The first school was taught in the fall of
1880 by Miss Ida Poore in I. H. Murray's house.

TOWN 116—36.

   This town is not organized, but attached to Emmett for official purposes.
Early in the spring of 1871 three families, C. G. Bell, J. F. Smith and Henry
Crooks came and settled on section 32.

   Religious services were held by the Methodists at private houses as early as
1874. The first school was taught in the summer of 1874 by Miss Nettie Spicer,
in a building erected for that purpose on section 30.

   The first birth in the town was that of Ellen, a daughter of C. G. and Phoebe
Bell, born in the spring of 1872. The first death was in December, 1875, John
Johnson, who was frozen to death.

   Edward C. Bakken, a native of Norway, was born in 1852. Came with parents to
America when five years of age and grew to manhood in McLeod county, Minnesota;
in 1872 he removed to Renville county. His marriage with Miss Mattia Anderson
occurred in the spring of 1880 at Beaver Falls; they have one child: Annie.

   C. A. Bocken was horn in Norway in 1855. Came with parents to this country
and for a number of years their home was in McLeod county, Minnesota, but since
the spring of 1875 he has resided in town 116; in 1877 he married Julia Lilleby;
their children are William and Nellie E.

   Albert Dagen was born in 1836, in Prussia. The family immigrated to Dodge
county, Wisconsin, when he was eight years old; in 1864 he removed to Beaver
Falls, Minnesota, and since 1876 he has lived in town 116. January 6, 1863, he
married Mrs. Theresa Isenrich, whose maiden name was Hartinger; she was married
in Illinois to Mr. Isenrich, and in 1855 they came to this state; he was shot at
the breaking out of the Sioux massacre, while fleeing from his home; she and
five children were held captive six weeks; Mr. Dagen is the father of seven
children.

   C. B. Gordon was born in 1820 in Logan county, Kentucky, and moved with his
parents to Illinois, when he was a boy. In 1842 he married in that state and in
1865 removed to Iowa county, Wisconsin, where his wife died the next year.
Franklin A. and Elizabeth A. are their children. Since the fall of 1872, has
lived in this town. He has been justice of the peace and postmaster of Gordon,
named in honor of him. Married in 1867, Elizabeth C. Bell, who has borne him
four children: Thomas B., John C. Matilda J. and George.

   Mrs. Ingborg Johnson-Olson was born in 1841, in Norway, and in 1861, became
the wife of John Johnson. In 1868 they immigrated to Iowa and lived near Decorah
until 1872 at which date they removed to town 116, Minnesota, and took 160 acres
of land. He died here in 1874, after which his widow and her sons conducted the
farm. In the spring of 1881 Mrs. Johnson was married to Mr. C. Olson, who was
born in 1854 in Sweden, came to America in 1879, and after a short stay in
Massachusetts came to Minnesota. The children are John, Anthony, Peter, Ole and
Annie.

   Torry O. Larson, a native of Wisconsin, was born in 1853, in Jefferson
county; in 1877, came to this town. Miss Emma Nelson was married in 1873, to Mr.
Larson, and has borne him three children: Perry N., George T., and Tilda, who is
deceased.

   James Mathison, born in Norway, in 1830, moved in 1853, to Illinois. He was
in the employ of a lumber manufacturer, in Indiana and Michigan, for a time, but
in the spring of 1856, began farming in Carver county, Minnesota. In August^
1864, he enlisted in Company A, 11th regiment of this state, and was discharged
at expiration of term. Worked at farming in McLeod county until coming to this
town in 1874. Married in 1854, Mary Olson; Martin, William, Peter and Edward are
their children.

   Lars L. Otnes was born in Norway, in 1843. In the spring of 1867, he became a
resident of the United States. For three years he resided in Fillmore county,
Minnesota, but his home has been in town 116 since 1872; Miss Mary Olson became
his wife in 1871, and has borne him five children; Louis O., Dena B., Ludwig M.,
Peder A. and Betsy D., who is dead.

   Johan A. Svendly, who was born in 1840, is a native of Norway, but has been a
resident of America since 1867. He settled in LaFayette county, Wisconsin; was
in a store four years there, and subsequently lived about the same length of
time at Chippewa Falls. In 1877, he came to town 116 and took 80 acres on
section 34. Miss Mina Hanson was married to him in March, 1880, and has borne
him one child: Annie Amelia.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

History of the Minnesota Valley
Minneapolis: North Star Publishing Co. (1882)


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/renville/history/1882/historyo/birdisla99gms.txt

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