Lincoln Co., SD - Description and History, 1884 This file is a complete transcription of the descriptive information about Lincoln County as found in A. T. Andreas' "Historical Atlas of Dakota", 1884. LINCOLN COUNTY Lincoln County lies in the second tier of counties north from the Missouri River, in the southeastern part of Dakota, and on the Iowa line. It is bounded north by Minnehaha County; south by Clay and Union counties; east by the Big Sioux River, which divides it from the State of Iowa, and west by Turner County. Its area comprises about the equivalent of seventeen congressional townships, equal to 612 square miles, or 391,680 acres. The principal steam is the Big Sioux River, which washes its entire eastern border, and has a very tortuous course. It is a steady flowing stream, and furnishes water power at several points within the county. The best water source in the Territory is along this stream. The Vermillion River touches the county on the west line of Town 97, Range 51, in the northwest corner of Section 31. The principal smaller streams of the county are Beaver Creek and its branches, Long Creek and Saddle Creek, part of which flow into the Big Sioux, and part into the Vermillion river. There are a few small marshes, and one very beautiful body of water known as Silver Lake, in Pleasant Township, covering about 200 acres of surface. A bold line of bluffs borders the Big Sioux River through the county, sometimes near the river, and at others leaving a considerable width of bottom lands between them and this stream. The county, generally, is high, rolling prairie, and nearly every acre in the county can be cultivated. The valley of the Sioux River is one of the most fertile and beautiful in the west. There is not much timber in Lincoln County, what there is being mostly box elder, willow and a few other varieties growing along the ravines that cut through the bluffs and on the margin of the river. There are no outcroppings of fixed rock in the county, unless the Sioux Falls quartzite may possibly show itself in the bed of the Sioux at the northeast corner of the county. It outcrops on the Iowa side, and may possibly come to the surface in Lincoln County. In many places the drift has deposited abundance of bowlders; and sand, clay and gravel beds are found to a certain extent. The county generally is splendidly adapted to the production of the cereals and vegetables, and particularly to the growth of grass and the raising of stock. SETTLEMENTS.--Sometime in the year 1861 a band of adventurous pioneers, mostly hunters and trappers, the usual vanguard of civilization in America, "The first low wash of waves Where soon shall roll a human sea." crossed the Big Sioux River and began to traverse the then wilderness region of Dakota, a "Terra incognita" to all save the terrible Sioux. They found a rich and pleasant country, a good climate and every inducement to settlement, which soon followed in various parts of what now constitutes Lincoln County. The earliest settlement was made on the site of the city of Canton by L. P. Hyde and his son Henry in 1861, but the newcomers were not in great numbers previous to 1866. The county was established by act of the Legislature, approved April 5, 1862. The following clause describes the original boundary which was subsequently modified: "Beginning at the southeast corner of Town 94 north, Range 48 west; thence running west to the southwest corner of Town 94, Range 50; thence north to the southwest corner of Town 96, Range 50; thence west to the southwest corner of Town 96, Range 53; thence north to the northwest corner of Town 100, Range 53, thence east to the Big Sioux River; thence down said river to the place of beginning." This description is technically incorrect in two particulars: The starting point is placed at the southeast corner of Township 94, Range 48, which is in Iowa. It should have been on the river where the line between Townships 93 and 94 intersects it. In closing the line follows the Big Sioux River to the place of beginning, which was impossible to do. It will be seen that the original county included two tiers of townships now included in Union County, and two tiers in the west now forming a part of Turner County. The county lines were materially changed by an act of the Legislature passed at the session of 1870, as will be seen by the following extract: "Beginning at the southeast corner of Turner County; thence north along the east line of said Turner County, to the north line of Town 100; thence east along said town line to the center of the main channel of the Big Sioux River; thence southerly along said main channel to the northeast corner of Union County; thence west along the line of Union and Clay Counties to the place of beginning." In order to make this description intelligible, it is necessary to state that Turner County had been established with the present boundaries, and the original Cole County had been re- arranged and its name changed to Union with its present boundaries. The county was not organized until the spring of 1868. A petition for organization was presented to the Legislature in 1867, and an act for the purpose was approved December 30, of that year. This act located the county seat on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 14, Town 98 north, Range 49 west. The town was named Canton by a unanimous vote of the settlers. The first county officers were appointed as follows: Commissioners--A. J. Linderman, H. P. Hyde, Benjamin Hill; Sheriff--C. A. South; Judge of Probate--J. Q. Fitzgerald; Register of Deeds--William Hill; Justices of the Peace-- William Hyde, W. S. Smith; Coroner--Josiah Weakley. At the first general election, held in 1868, the following officers were chosen: Commissioners--T. M. Sargent, C. H. Sogn, W. S. Peters; Sheriff--C. A. South; Treasurer--S. C. Lashley; Register of Deeds--W. M. Cuppett; Judge of Probate--J. Q. Fitzgerald; Assessor--John Hewitt. It is stated that only a portion of these qualified, and others were appointed in their places, but we have been unable to procure their names. At this time there were only sixteen voters in the county. The following named gentlemen are the present officers of the county: Commissioners--O. T. Brandhagen, Edgar Dean, Ole Hokenstad; Judge of Probate--G. S. Mellette; Register of Deeds--E. Opsal; Auditor--I. N. Menor; Treasurer--A. C. Huetson; Sheriff--J. M. North; Clerk of Court--Wm. M. Cuppett; Superintendent Schools--W. E. Benedict; Surveyor, O. E. Rea; Coroner, Dr. M. M. Clark. The county is assessed by township assessors. The county is divided into sixteen civil townships, to-wit: Springdale, Delapre, Perry, LaValley, Dayton, Canton, Lynn, Grant, Delaware, Lincoln, Highland, Fairview, Eden, Norway, Pleasant and Brooklyn. The post-offices are Canton, Antioch, Springdale, Lennox, Selina, Worthing, Long Creek, Maple Grove, Fairview, Saddle Creek, Haram, Nurey, Kidder, Eden, Silver Lake, Brooklyn, Linden. The settlement and development of the county progressed slowly until the building of railways. In July, 1879, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line crossed the Big Sioux into Dakota a couple of miles above Canton. The Sioux City & Pembina line reached the south line of the county in the fall of 1879. The advent of railways gave a wonderful impetus to immigration, which is still unexpended, and is not only filling Lincoln County with a hardy, industrious class of farmers, tradesmen, and mechanics, but all parts of the Territory as well. It is said that on the first day of January, 1868, every settler in Lincoln County, excepting three, assembled at the residence of J. Q. Fitzgerald and celebrated the event by a New Year's dinner. Thirty persons were present. The first post-office established in the county was on the first day of July, 1868, at Canton, and Benjamin Hill was the first postmaster. The first wedding was that of John Hanson and Siren Louise Bille, on the 13th of October, 1868. The lady had lately come from Norway. The first death was that of an infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sorter. The first hotel was kept in Canton by Benjamin Hill. The first school building in the county was erected in Canton, in 1870. The first church (Congregational) was erected in 1872. The first machinery in the county was a shingle machine, brought in and put in operation in the fall of 1868, by Thomas Sargent and W. S. Smith. The first term of the district court was held in the old school-house, in October, 1871, Judge J. P. Kidder presiding. The county is well supplied with railroads, the C. M. & St. P. and the C. & N. W. each having a line through the county. The projected Dakota & Great Southern will also pass through the southwestern part of the county. CITY OF CANTON.--The site of Canton was one of those points where conflicting claims arose touching the original proprietorship of the land. The claims were settled under the provisions of the special act of Congress, of March 2, 1867. The following is believed to be a correct list of the claimants, the names having been taken from the plat book in the register's office: W. M. Cuppett, W. S. Smith, John N. Hewitt, George T. Rea, Thomas Sargent, Fred. Keidle. In the fall of 1867, J. Q. Fitzgerald, W. S. Smith, Josiah Weakley, James Weakley, and others, made claims in the vicinity of Canton, but instead of occupying them through the winter, they banded together and squatted on the town site, where they built small shanties, locating on their claims in the spring. In the spring of 1868, Messrs. Cuppett, Hewitt & Rea built a blockhouse on the spot where the court-house now stands, on ground belonging to M. M. Cuppett, in which they opened a general stock of goods. The original plat of the town was laid out under the special act of Congress, in the spring of 1868. It included the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 14, Town 98, Range 49. The lots were divided among the claimants, with the exception of one block each for a court-house, a school building, and a public square. The following additions have been made to the original town: Hill's Addition, consisting of thirty-four blocks, on the northeast quarter and Lot 1, in Section 23, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded October 8, 1869. Rudolph's Addition, thirty-four blocks and twenty-two outlots, on the south half of the southwest quarter of Section 13, and Lots 3 and 4, in Section 24, all in Town 98, Range 49. Recorded April 25, 1879. Fitzgerald's Addition, of four blocks, on the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 14, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded May 1, 1879. Sarah C. Pattee's Addition, of four blocks and four outlots, on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 23, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded May 2, 1879. Fitzgerald's Second Addition, of three blocks, on the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 14, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded June 25, 1879. Fitzgerald & Benedict's Addition, consisting of twenty blocks, on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 14, and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 23, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded May 26, 1880. Highland Addition, of eight blocks and eight outlots, on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 23, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded February 4, 1882. Fitzgerald & Parmley's Addition, of fifty-one blocks, on the southeast quarter of Section 14, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded May 25, 1882. Cox's Addition of sixteen blocks, on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 14, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded May 2, 1883; and Close Brothers' Addition, on the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 13, Town 98, Range 49. Recorded Oct. 12, 1883. In the fall of 1868, John H. Holsey erected a store building on block 13 of the original town and opened a general stock of goods. During the winter of 1867-8, the settlers in this region were much disturbed by threatened Indian raids, and the blockhouse before mentioned was probably intended partly for protection in case of necessity. W. D. Parke put up another store building, on block 13, in the fall of 1869. In 1870, W. E. Quinn erected a store at the lower end of the town, on the bank of the river, and during the same season S. H. Stafford built another on Hill's Addition. Among early settlers were Benjamin and William Hill and James Sorter and their families, who settled on Beaver Creek, on the 18th of May, 1867, and William Craig, Thomas Sargent, Daniel McLaren, S. C. Lashley, and A. B. Wheelock, who settled in 1867 and 1868. In the spring of 1868, twenty-five Norwegian families arrived from Iowa and settled near Canton. Building operations were quite lively in 1873, in which year, among others, the Merchants' Hotel was erected by J. L. Johnston, and christened the "Johnston House." It was built on Hill's Addition, about equi-distant from the court-house and the river. Upon the completion of the railway to Canton, in 1879, the hotel was moved to its present location. The present school building was erected in 1875, at a cost of about $1,800; and in the same year the people of Canton erected the court-house, at a cost of $4,300, and presented it to the county. About 1873 or 1874, the Keeler Brothers erected a large hardware store in Hill's Addition; and sometime previous to the advent of railways, Messrs. Heraldson & Behlmer, and H. G. Gilbert also erected business buildings. The completion of railway connections with the great system of the country gave a wonderful impetus to the growth of Canton, and the town increased rapidly in population and business. CHURCHES.--The Evangelical Lutheran appears to have been the first society in Canton, dating from 1868, when, under the ministry of Rev. Christianson, an organization was effected. The earlier meetings were held at the dwellings of various members, and subsequently in the court-house, which they continued until the erection of a house of worship, in 1882. The society is in a healthy condition. The Methodist Episcopal Society was organized in 1869, by Elder Mitchell. The first services were held in W. D. Parke's building, and, later, in the old school-house. In 1877, by the courtesy of the society, they commenced holding meetings in the Lutheran Church, which were continued for a year. In 1880, a church edifice was erected, at a cost of $1,000. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. Wilmot Whitfield. The Congregational Society was organized October 16, 1870, by Rev. J. Ward, of Yankton. The first meetings were held in a sod building, which stood on the courthouse square, and, afterward, in the school building, which seems to have been occupied at various times by several of the denominations. A house of worship was erected, in 1872, at a cost of $1,000. At a later date, a parsonage, costing $800, was erected. This organization was for some time the only Congregational Society in the Sioux Valley. A Presbyterian society was organized about the year 1870, and continued for a year or more, when the members resolved, by vote, to unite with the Congregationalists. The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1876 by Rev. W. W. Fowler. A fine church building was erected, in 1881, at a cost of $1,500. Among the clergymen who have ministered to this society, are Rev. J. M. McBride and Rev. ___ Huntington. The Norwegian Lutheran Bethlehem Society, of Lincoln County, was organized, in 1872, by the Norwegian people of the county. A church building was erected, in Norway township, in 1879, at a cost of about $800. The first pastor was Rev. O. E. Hofstad. A fine church edifice was erected in Canton, in 1882. The membership of this church, in Lincoln County, is over six hundred. All the religious bodies in Canton have comfortable houses of worship, and are in a prosperous condition. SECRET ORDERS.--Among these are Silver Star Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., organized June 3, 1875; Centennial Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F., instituted July 22, 1876; Canton Lodge, No. 2, I. O. G. T., formerly Rescue Lodge, organized August 25, 1876; and Security Lodge, No. 1, A. O. U. W., instituted in November, 1880. There is also a branch organization of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and all are in a flourishing condition, with respectable membership. NEWSPAPERS.--The earliest newspaper in the county was the "Sioux Valley News," established in 1872, by R. H. Miller, who was succeeded by Arthur Linn. The present proprietor, N. C. Nash, purchased the property on the first of January, 1877, and has since continued the publication. The "News" is an eight-column folio, Republican in political matters, and ably conducted and well patronized. The Canton "Advocate" was first issued April 26, 1876, under the proprietorship of Skinner & Tallman. There was a change of ownership within the first year, and on the 10th of June, 1877, the Carter Brothers purchased the establishment of South & Martin, and have since conducted it. The "Advocate" is a seven-column folio, Republican in politics, and well conducted. Lincoln County has abundant reasons for giving its local papers a cordial support. Canton was organized in April, 1881, under a city charter granted by a special act of the Territorial Legislature, in March, 1881. The present city limits include about 900 acres. The first city election was held in April, and the following officers were chosen: Mayor, O. S. Gifford; Aldermen, A. R. Brown, William M. Cuppett, J. Horn, John W. Hewitt, S. C. Madole; Clerk, John Falde, Jr.; Treasurer, T. J. Fosdick; Marshal, G. W. Harlan; Police Justice, E. H. Wilson. The present officers of the city are the following: Mayor, F. O. Gale; Aldermen, C. E. Goetz, Nathan Noble, Charles Christopher, James Lewis, O. A. Rudolph; Clerk, H. N. Cooper; Treasurer, A. C. Huetson; Assessor, O. E. Rea; City Justice, William Horn; Marshal, W. A. Menor; Street Commissioner, D. H. Hawn. The city contains three banks: the First National, the Lincoln County Bank, and the Bank of the Dakota Loan and Trust Co.; several heavy lumber companies; the Exchange steam flouring and custom mill; several comfortable hotels; a number of real estate and loan offices; several grain dealers; between thirty and forty mercantile houses; millinery establishments, markets, harness and saddlery dealers; blacksmith and wagon-makers, and the usual variety of small tradesmen and mechanics. The professions of theology, law, and medicine are well represented. The present population of the city is 1,500 or more. Canton is finely situated on the Big Sioux River, on high ground, out of the reach of the annual overflow which troubles so many places, and in the midst of most interesting scenery. The Sioux Valley is bordered by lines of lofty bluffs, covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, and though almost wholly destitute of timber, yet picturesque and beautiful in the extreme. Canton must always be a good business point. EDEN.--The earliest settlers in this town were, Frazier Gilman, John Davis, A. B. Wheelock, David Thorpe, J. B. Bradley, Andrew Gove, and some others, who settled in 1868. The original town plat of Eden was laid out two or three miles southwest of its present site, on land owned by Frazier Gilman. This must have been in the northeastern part of Virginia precinct, in Union County, then, however, forming a part of Lincoln County. Mr. Gilman blocked out a town and surveyed and probably sold a number of lots, though no plat was ever recorded. He erected a fine store building and carried on the mercantile business for a number of years. He also built a hotel, and was the leading citizen of the place for several years. When he sold out or closed his business, it was carried on by S. B. Culbertson, who continued for about four years with a general stock. In 1878, the C. M. & St. P. Railway reached the site of the present town of Eden, which was laid out and began to grow rapidly. This was the death knell of the old town, and business and people soon removed to the new location. The present town site was laid out by A. B. Wheelock, in 1878. The place is organized as a village, and governed by a president and board of trustees. The population of the town is probably from 200 to 300. CHURCHES.--The Protestant Episcopal is the only church in the place, the organization dating back to 1878. A church edifice was erected in 1879, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. ____ McBride was the first pastor. SCHOOLS.--The first school was opened in the old town, in 1872, in a temporary building erected at a cost of $300. A new school building was erected in the present town, in 1880, at an expense of $1,700, which is a credit to the place. The school is graded, with about seventy-five pupils in attendance. A Good Templar's Lodge, No. 4, was organized in 1881. A newspaper, called the "Eden Sun," rose above the horizon on a cold morning in January, 1880, and for a brief period illumed the heavens in the region of the Big Sioux; but in the frosty atmosphere of October, in the following year, it "paled its ineffectual fires" and changed its orbit to a more congenial clime, to-wit, the growing town of Men[n]o in Hutchinson County. A flouring and custom mill was put in operation, in 1876, by Struble Brothers, which has done a good business, and met a want of the people of the Sioux Valley. A banking institution was established, in 1881, by Taylor & Russell. The first store was opened by S. B. Culbertson, and the original hotel by A. Snyder. A. B. Wheelock was the first postmaster. There are a half-dozen mercantile firms in the place, several grain and lumber dealers, two hotels, one or two physicians, a number of mechanics and artizans, and a considerable business. The place is organized as a village, under a president and board of trustees. LENNOX.--This place was first settled about 1879. Among the early settlers were, A. Boynton, who arrived in July of that year, H. C. and J. V. Conklin, F. H. Treat, S. F. Hitchcock, W. B. Wait, Dr. G. W. Moody, J. M. Macomber, N. Smith, B. Gillmore, and D. T. Debelts. Originally the town site was held as a timber claim by J. Sheldon, with whom was associated Gen. John Lawler, of Prairie du Chien, as town proprietor. Dr. G. W. Moody contested Sheldon's claim under a pre-emption filing, but the matter was finally adjusted by dividing the claim equally between the contestants. The town was laid out by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, in 1879, and named for a gentleman who was private secretary to S. S. Merrill. The first postmaster was F. H. Treat, and the earliest merchants were A. Boynton and one of the Conklins. The first school was opened in November, 1879, in a rented building, which was afterwards made a part of Treat's Hotel. Miss Nona Miller is claimed to have been the first teacher. A fine school building was erected, in 1880, at a cost of $2,000. I. N. Macomber opened a drug store in 1879. CHURCHES.--The religious denominations are Methodist, Baptist, and Catholic. The Methodist Episcopal Society was organized in the fall of 1879, by Rev. Bachelder of Yankton. Services were at first held in the school building. A church edifice, costing $1,000, was erected in the fall of 1880. Other denominations were allowed the free use of this building for several years. This was the first church building in the place. The Baptists organized at a later date. At first they only supported what was denominated a "Preaching Station." V. B. Conlin was the first missionary. St. Augustine's Catholic Church was organized in May, 1877, by Rev. C. J. Knauf, from Minnesota. The earlier meetings were held at private houses until the erection of a church building, in 1881. Some 40 to 50 families are included in the membership. There is a lodge of Good Templars in the place, dating from September, 1881. NEWSPAPERS.--A newspaper called the Dakota "Democrat" was established October 6, 1880, by W. H. Clark. In December following, P. F. Haas purchased the property, and in April, 1881, changed the title to "Lincoln County Independent." In October following, Mr. J. E. Hazlitt became equal partner in the business with Mr. Haas. The "Lennox Weekly Star" was established in 1881, with George L. Conklin as editor, and Conklin & Bagley proprietors. Lennox is situated near the west line of the county, and far enough removed from Canton to enjoy a respectable trade with the surrounding country. It has a hotel, a banking house, several mercantile firms, dealers in lumber, coal, grain, and stock, resident physicians and attorneys, and the usual artisans and mechanics. Grain and stock are handled by A. A. Greenman and S. M. Duran. The Lennox Creamery was built by a company composed of Messrs. Jacobs, Ferguson, Treat, and Boynton, who have $2,000 invested, and have facilities for handling 1,200 pounds of milk daily. WORTHING.--This place is situated on sections 4 and 9, Town 98, Range 50, and covers about forty acres. The land was originally taken as a homestead, by James Madden, in 1872. The C. M. & St. Paul Railway was extended from Canton in 1878. Madden and Fred. Gerber laid out the town in the same year. There are now in the place two general stores, one hardware and tinsmith establishment, one drug store, a saloon, one lumber yard, a grain warehouse, and a stock yard.