Full text of "History of Minnehaha Co." Chapter 10

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CHAPTER X.

MINNEHAHA COUNTY AID SOCIETY-FARMERS GRANGE -FARMERS ALLIANCE-FARMERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION-EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.


MINNEHAHA COUNTY AID SOCIETY.

	On the 26th day of January, 1874, the Minnehaha County Aid Society was organized in Sioux Falls. It was known as the "Grasshopper Beggars."

	The summer before, the grasshoppers had destroyed everything in this section of the country, and the pioneer settlers had nothing left upon which they could subsist, and in order to relieve such destitution this society was organized. Col. T. H. Brown was sent East to secure money, food and clothing. Over $500 in cash was contributed, and he also obtained a large amount of food and clothing, which was sent to Sioux Falls and distributed among the sufferers through the agency of this society. It was the first as well as the last society organized in this county to solicit outside aid to relieve the suffering of her citizens.

FARMERS GRANGE.

	The farmers in Minnehaha county, although few in number, organized a Farmers Grange the last week in August, 1873, and adopted the name of Minnehaha Grange, with W. Robertson as Master. Scarcely any mention of this organization appeared in the local newspapers after this date.

FARMERS ALLIANCE.

	Several Farmers Alliances had been started in Minnehaha county and were in a more or less prosperous condition in 1886. On December 4, of that year, a meeting of several prominent farmers alliance men was held in Sioux Falls for the purpose of organizing a County Alliance. At this meeting it was decided to form such an organization, and a call was formulated for alliances in the county to send delegates to a meeting to be held February 16, 1887. The alliances responded to the call, and the Minnehaha County Farmers Alliance was organized. H. W. Smith was elected president. L. S. (rage vice president, P. F. Sherman secretary and John T. Lee treasurer.  At first considerable interest was manifested by the members of this organization, but it soon became inoculated with politics and is now one of the by-gones.

FARMERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.

	This company was organized March 23, 1885, its members being composed of farmers in the central portion of the county. It has been well managed and very satisfactory to its members. At its annual meeting January 17, 1895, the secretary's report showed that there had been policies issued in the amount of $767,632 since its organization, with a total membership of 533. During the year 1894 it issued 138 policies and the amount in the treasury was $5,288.69. The officers elected at that time were John Thompson president, E. J. Berdahl vice president, Ole J. Aasen treasurer, and. John R. Bjorgan secretary. At the close of the year 1895 there was a balance on hand of $4,709.91. During 1896 it received in premiums $1,373.31, paid in losses $816.25, and expenses $334.89, leaving a balance on hand at the close of the year of $4,932.08. The amount of property insured during 1896 was $184,360, making the total amount insured at the close of the year $851,887. There were 148 policies issued, 44 of them to new members. At the annual meeting January 5, 1897, the following were elected members of the board of directors: John Thompson, Ole Thompson, Gust. Grant, A. G. Risty, Charles N. Searl, John G. Tvler, W. A. Crooks, S. O. Henjum, Tom Hanson, C. T. Austin, E." J. Berdahl, Ole J. Aasen and John R. Bjorgan. John Thompson was elected president, C. T. Austin vice president, Ole J. Aasen treasurer and J. R. Bjorgan secretary.

	At the annual meeting held January 28, 1899, John Thompson was elected president, E. J. Berdahl vice president, Ole J. Aasen treasurer, and John R. Bjorgan secretary.  The amount paid in losses during 1898 was $1,755.55, expenses during the year $365.95, balance on hand $4,870.65, amount of risks outstanding $976,355, policies issued 185, new members 43.

EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.

	Early in June, 1892, it was announced in the newspapers that there would be a picnic in Foster's grove in the northwestern part of Grand Meadow on Wednesday, June 29, at which time it was proposed to organize an early settlers association for the western part of Minnehaha county.

	When the time arrived there was a large attendance, and during the afternoon several speeches were made in favor of such an organization. Finally a temporary organization was made and Samuel Huckins was elected president.  A committee was appointed to frame a constitution and by-laws and present the same at a meeting to be called the following year.

	In the latter part of June, 1893, the officers of the temporary organization announced that there would be a meeting of the association in J. B. Goddard's grove in Taopi, on Wednesday, July 19. It was a beautiful day, and before noon there were several hundred people present. The tables arranged for the occasion were loaded with good thing's, and although they were 159 feet in length, the people stood about two deep around them when the time for refreshments arrived. After dinner a general good time was had, and singing and speeches delighted the audience, after which the meeting was called to order and a permanent organization of the association perfected.  J. J. Foster was elected president, J. E. Colton secretary, and C. F. Farrell treasurer.  The membership of the association was limited to such persons who had been residents of the county west of the Sioux river prior to 1880, and it was decided to hold annual meetings of the association at such times and places as the officers should decide upon.

	The third annual meeting was held in Warner's grove at Hartford, Wednesday, June 27, 1894. Before dinner there were recitations and short addresses by pioneer settlers from all over the county. At noon the Ladies' Aid Society of Hartford served refreshments, and the Grand Meadow band entertained the people with good music during the day. At the business meeting the first article in the constitution was amended so as to include all persons who settled in Minnehaha county prior to 1880. J. J. Foster was elected president; F. E. Van De Mark vice president; J. E. Colton secretary; C. F. Farrell treasurer; directors, J. B. Goddard, J. J. Foster, C. J. Farrell; Mrs. J. J. Foster, Mrs. L. L. Willard and Mrs. E. E. Gage were also elected to look after the affairs of the association.

	The fourth annual meeting of this association was held in John Thompson's grove in the town of Sverdrup on Friday the 14th day June, 1895. During the preceding night there had been a heavy rainfall, which undoubtedly deterred a good many from going, but as it was, it was estimated that at least 1,000 persons visited the grounds during the day. A stand for the speakers and bands had been erected and seats provided for the audience. Three brass bands and the Baltic Mandskor were present and furnished music and singing for the occasion. The morning exercises consisted of a grand march by the old settlers, instrumental and vocal music and a few short speeches. After dinner quite a number of the early settlers related their experience when they first settled in Minnehaha county, which proved to be highly interesting. Recitations by Miss Willard, Miss Kingsbury, Mrs. Woody and Mrs. J. G. Tyler added very much to the enjoyment of those participating in the annual festival of the early settlers. The officers elected for the ensuing year were J. J. Foster president; Sever Wilkinson vice president; J. E. Colton secretary; D. W. Oaks treasurer; board of directors, John Thompson, Luther Gage, L. Lyman, Mrs. E. S. Gage, Mrs. L. L. Willard, Silas E. Blauvelt and Nels Simons.

	The fifth annual meeting was held June 25 and 26, 1896, at the same place as the year before. On the first day there were about twelve hundred people present and on the second day about two thousand.  Addresses were made by prominent citizens of the county; the New Hope and Benton bands furnished the music, and a quartette of fine singers helped to entertain the people; a merry-go-round and games added to the pleasure of the occasion, and taken as a whole, it was the most successful meeting of the association. J. J. Foster was elected president; Sever Wilkinson vice president; and Geo. O. Goddard secretary; and it was decided to hold the next annual meeting in the same place for one day only.

	The sixth annual meeting was held at the John Thompson grove in Sverdrup, Friday, June 11, 1897.  It was estimated that there were at least three thousand people present during the day, and was the most successful event in the history of the society. It was a pleasant day, and all enjoyed the well-arranged programme of entertainments. The New Hope band furnished the music, and the Sioux Falls Glee Club rendered some enjoyable selections, and several fine song's and recitations added greatly to the pleasure of the day. A hall game between Hartford and Sioux Falls resulted in favor of the Hartford boys.

	The following officers were elected: President, J. J. Foster; vice president, S. E. Blauvelt; secretary, J. G. Tyler; treasurer, D. W. Oaks; directors, J. R. Griffith, W. F. Kelly, F. E. Van De Mark, L. Lyman, Mrs. Eugene Hale, W. J. Hunt and C. T. Austin.

	The seventh annual meeting was held at the John Thompson grove June 16, 1898. There was a great crowd in attendance and the weather was propitious. The Rev. Dr. Scott of Sioux Falls delivered a fine address, and several short speeches were made by prominent citizens. A good literary programme and good music helped to make the day an enjoyable one. J. J. Foster was again elected president; S. E. Blauvelt vice president; J. G. Tyler secretary; D. W. Oaks treasurer; directors, F. E. Van De Mark, E. S. Gage, Wm. F. Kelly, D. O. Crooks, Mrs. John Lott, John Thompson and Axel Scott.

	The eighth annual meeting was held at John Thompson's grove July 4, 1899. It was a fine day, and there were not less than 5,000 people present. Professor Binks delivered the customary address, and he was at his best. Several short speeches were made by residents of the county, and a highly entertaining literary programme was one of the important features of the occasion. Good music and games were also on the programme. S. E. Blauvelt was elected president, J. G. Tyier secretary, and John Thompson treasurer; directors, F. E. VanDeMark, L, Lvman, J. J. Foster, John Powers, D. O. Crooks, W. F. Kelly and Axel Scott.