MN AHGP Archives-Big Stone Co. 1882 History
Big Stone County histories from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota

BIG STONE COUNTY—ORTONVILLE——TOWNSHIPS.

At a comparatively early date there existed a government trail from St. Peter to the head of Big Stone lake; and it was along this path, naturally, that the first settlement was made. The first to penetrate this upper region for the sake of settlement was Ole Bolsta, who, in 1871, arrived and took up his residence in the vicinity of Artichoke lake. Soon after this Thomas and William Otrey settled at what is now called Otrey's Grove. The next settlement was made at Bailey's Grove, now known as Long Island, six miles north of Ortonville. In 1872 there were numerous settlements effected along the shore of the lake; Among these were Jacob Hurly, E. I. Stoemach, Alfred Knowlton and M. I. Mathews. There were also some Scandinavians. Mr. Hurly came all the way from Arkansas with a wagon drawn by big-horned Texas oxen, carrying with him a family all sick with the ague, to escape which illness he had left the country.

C. K. Orton settled on section nine of township 121, range 46, in the summer of 1872. During 1871 and 1872 the government survey was made; in 1873 there were about twenty or thirty families added to the population of the county, partly Americans and partly Scandinavians. The next year there were about the same number added; but in 1875 very few arrived. In 1876 and 1877 there was quite a rush of immigration, chiefly from the eastern states, so that by the year 1878 all the government land had been taken up. In 1875 the population of the county was 317; in 1881 it had increased to over 8,000. As early as 1871 the governor appointed three commissioners; they never qualified and no organization was effected until 1874. When first established, the boundaries of the county were: Beginning at the point where the line between townships 124 and 125 intersects the boundary of the state, thence eastwardly to the corner of township 124, range 44; thence south on range line to its intersection with the Minnesota river; thence up the channel of said river to Big Stone lake; thence through said lake along the boundary of the state to the place of beginning. In 1868, townships 123 and 124, range 44, were attached to Stevens county; by the same act, Traverse county was made to include the two northern tiers of townships in Big Stone county. In 1876 the present boundaries of the county were established.

The people petitioned Governor C. K. Davis for the appointment of three county commissioners, which was complied with. He appointed Jacob Hurly, C. K. Orton and James N. Morrison as such commissioners, in March, 1874. They soon after entered upon the discharge of their duties. The first meeting of the board of county commissioners was held at the house of Jacob Hurly, about four miles from Ortonville, on April 13, 1874. Jacob Hurly was chosen chairman of the board. July 20, 1874, the second meeting was held, and the following county officers appointed: J. Church, auditor; A. Phelps, treasurer; J. T. Leet, register of deeds; J. W. Hurly, sheriff; A. J. Parker, attorney; A. L. Jackson, probate judge; M. I. Mathews, superintendent of schools; W. Otrey. coroner; J. H. Hart, surveyor; A. J. Parker, clerk of district court. The county was divided into three commissioner districts, and the county seat was located at Ortonville. At the next meeting, September I, 1874, they divided the county into school districts and nominal school districts. The first election was held in the fall of 1874; the officers elected were: A. J. Parker, auditor; J. T. Leet, register of deeds; A. L. Jackson, treasurer; Jacob Hurly, sheriff; A. J. Parker, attorney; J. T. Leet and W. E. Brown, justices of the peace; Jacob Hurly, C. K. Orton and M. I. Mathews, county commissioners.

January 5, 1875, the new board met, and a chairman was chosen for the ensuing year. They divided the county into road districts and appointed road overseers; divided the county into assessment districts and appointed assessors for the same, who were duly qualified and proceeded to make an assessment of the county.

May 12, 1875, a special meeting of the board was held, and W. E. Brown was duly appointed to the office of county superintendent of schools. July 26, the commissioners met to equalize the assessment of taxes. M. I. Mathews presented notice of his election and qualification as a commissioner from the first district, which notice was from the clerk of the court of Stevens county, under date of May 5, 1875; the application was rejected by the board, for the reason that "the said Mathews did not qualify and enter upon his duties at or prior to the January meeting of the board." On July 27 the board completed the equalization of taxes, and audited the accounts against the county.

Taxes levied for this year, as appears from the tax books of 1875, was $228.96, this being the first county tax ever levied in the county. There was also levied a state tax of $56.77 and a general school tax of 86.26, the first by warrant of the state auditor, and the second under the statute. There was also levied $170.17 for all school purposes. January 4,1876, the commissioners met pursuant to statute, and C. K. Orton was chosen chairman for the ensuing year. They made lists of grand and petit jurors for the district court, appointed assessors for the several districts and audited the county accounts. A. J. Parker, the county attorney, was authorized to employ such assistance as he deemed necessary, to assist him in defending actions against the county. These actions were being brought to test the validity of the organization of the county. May 21, 1876, the commissioners met to settle with the auditor and treasurer and make an annual financial statement of the county. The total amount of money received by the treasurer from the organization of the county until this meeting, was $125.47, of which sum $97.60 was received for county expenses, the balance being state and school tax. The total expenditures of the county for the same period were $73.80, for all purposes. The liabilities of the county were $238.21, and the assets $226.20.

February 26, 1877, the board met to consider applications for seed grain; forty-seven claims were presented of which forty-six were allowed and filed as required by law. March 31, A. J. Parker was authorized to purchase grain for distribution. In 1875, twenty-two applications for seed grain were allowed.

Big Stone county has been subjected to much litigation. The first action was brought in a justice's court, in the summer of 1875, the case being against the county treasurer for enforcing the payment of taxes. The object of the action was to test the validity of the organization of the county. The result of the case was that the action was defeated, and the organization held to be legal. The next litigation was in the spring of 1877, when action was brought against the auditor, treasurer, probate judge, and clerk of the court. The action had for its object the same reason as the former one. This action was tried by Judge J. H. Brown, in the June term of the district court, and the judge decided in favor of the organization. In the fall an appeal was taken to the supreme court, when the previous decision was reversed, and a declaration made that the county was not legally organized and was not entitled to the officers, i. e., auditor, probate judge, treasurer and clerk of the court.

This decision, therefore placed the county in the position of an unorganized county. Under the provisions of the general law of 1876, which provided for the assessment and collection of taxes by officers of counties to which unorganized counties were attached, for judicial and recording purposes, and Big Stone having been so attached to Stevens county, the officers of the latter then proceeded to levy and collect the taxes as required to do on account of the decision of the supreme court deciding that Big Stone was as yet an unorganized county. This continued until the spring of 1881.

During the fall of 1880 the people of the county held meetings and petitioned the legislature for the organization of the county. As the result of this the legislature, in the February of 1881, passed an act organizing the county of Big Stone and designating Ortonville as the temporary county seat. The act also recognized the old commissioners under the previous organization as commissioners for the county. The act required the redistricting of the county into five districts instead of three, which was done by the old commissioners in the spring of 1881. The act further provided for an election to be hold on March 8, 1881, for five new commissioners and all other county officers. Provision was also made hi the act authorizing a transcript of the records from the books of Stevens county. A term of the district court was also established, which was first held on the third Tuesday in June by Hon. John H. Brown, the county being made to form part of the twelfth judicial district.

The election on the 8th of March resulted as follows: C. H. Mero, auditor;. Ole Bolsta, treasurer; John McCallum, register; A. E. Kendall, sheriff;1!. M. Grant, attorney; S. D. Kemerer, judge of probate; B. Dassel, clerk of court; W. B. Brown, superintendent of schools; B.H. Chapman, surveyor; Gr. W. Parker, court commissioner; D. Strong, J. C. Todd, J. T. Webb, C. K Orton and A. D. Beardsley, commissioners. In the fall of 1881 the question of the county seat was voted upon, which resulted in Ortonville being selected by an immense majority as the permanent seat of justice for the county.

ORTONVILLE.

Ortonville was first laid out by its proprietor, C. K. Orton, as early as 1872, the survey being made in September. Although at that time there was no settlement in the vicinity, Mr. Orton was satisfied, from the location of the site at the foot of that magnificent sheet of water, Big Stone lake, and the fertile country surrounding, that, at some future time, it would be a town of no small proportions. For a couple of years the situation remained unchanged. The Hastings & Dakota railroad was then running only to Glencoe, over one hundred miles distant, with no particular point designated for striking Big Stone lake.

The second arrival on the spot was Mr. K. O. Orton, the father of C. K. Orton, who came in July, 1874, and built a dwelling house. When C. K. Orton arrived he commenced trading with the Indians, for which purpose he had to haul his goods by team from Benson. He kept this trading post until the fall of 1874, when A. W. Lathrop opened a store, as a branch of his Appleton business, in a small building near where the Evans House now stands. The business was put in charge of A. J. Carlson, but was only continued for some six months. Nothing was done in the way of improvement for nearly a couple of years, when Shumaker & Woodly erected and opened the first permanent store. The same year A. J. Parker and A. E. Randall arrived, and erected dwelling houses. In 1877 there were several new houses erected, among which were Clarence Smith's blacksmith shop, a meat market and a couple of saloons. In the spring of 1878, although there were scarcely a dozen buildings in the place, the question of starting a newspaper being agitated, B. W. Miller procured material and issued the first number of the North Star, June 30, Mr. Miller had previously opened a law office. Among the others to arrive in 1878, were Mero & Williams, who started a general store, Ward Bros., who opened up the hardware business, and P. G. Gessner, who engaged in the farm machinery trade. The firm of G. W. & A. J. Parker also opened a law office over Mero & Williams' store. Other arrivals were Horace Bingham, a minister of the United Brethren denomination, and Dr. A. E. Pettingill, a physician. From this on, new business men began to arrive and put up buildings, until quite an extensive village had sprung up, when ou Sunday,

April 20,1879, a terrible fire, driven from the Dakota pineries by a strong wind, swept across the bottom, and in spite, of the efforts of the citizens, almost totally destroyed the village. A fire guard was organized to burn the grass on the side of the fire. Although they managed to burn a space of about from twenty to thirty rods in width, it was of no avail: the fire leaped across the vacant space with the energy of a whirlwind. The ground was as dry as tinder, the heat intense, so that all the buildings were on fire at the same time, so rapid was the passage of the flames. At the time of the fire there were in the village two general stores, a meat market, hardware store, three machine houses, three saloons, a printing office, two law offices, one hotel, a blacksmith shop, wagon maker's shop; the total number of buildings, stores and dwellings, including a school-house was twenty-eight. More than one-half of the total number were destroyed, the only business houses left being the three saloons, hotel, printing office, meat market and the blacksmith and wagon shops. Rebuilding commenced immediately, small sheds being erected for temporary business pur-i poses until the new stores were completed. The rebuilding, too, was on a larger scale than the structures destroyed. All the buildings were replaced that summer, the first one ready for occupancy being the store of F. Shumaker. A. W. Lathrop had a building just completed, waiting for stocks of goods to" arrive, which was not touched by the flames. The goods arrived soon after the fire and his was the first store fit for business after the conflagration.

About the first of July succeeding the fire it became generally known that the Hastings & Dakota railroad had located their line to Ortonville, and people began to come in very rapidly so that the improvements made that season were of great extent.

Van Inwegen & Norrish erected an elevator with a capacity of 75,000 bushels. In the winter of 1879 and '80 a stock company was formed for the purpose of building a steamboat and navigating Big Stone lake. Work was began on a steamer, 125 feet in length and 25 feet beam. It was called the "Helen Balch," and was successfully launched in the spring of 1880. Its location at the foot of the lake is an important element in considering the future prosperity of Ortonville. The lake is navigable its entire distance; it is a most beautiful sheet of water, well stocked with fish, anil its banks afford scenes of ; exquisite beauty. In summer its surface is dotted with innumerable small sail-boats; in the winter ice-boats of eminent swiftness take their place. From the advantages it possesses it is destined to become a summer resort of reputation. As a residence, Ortonville. and its sister. Big Stone City, on the Dakota side, offer charms possessed by few other places in the North-west. In the fall of 1879, Burdock's addition was made to the village, consisting of forty acres. In 1880, C. K. Orton made an addition of fifty acres.

During the year 1881 a number of fine residences were erected, and the hotel accommodations were increased by the erection of a fine hotel on the banks of the lake. : The first school was taught in the village by Ida E. Van Kleeck, in the summer of 1877, in the school-house which was erected the year previous, at a cost of about $500. This structure was used until the new school-house was finished in January, 1882, at a cost of nearly $10.000, including the furniture. It is a handsome frame building, two stories in height above the basement. There are two teachers employed.

The first religious services were held by the Rev. Knickerbacker, an Episcopal minister from Minneapolis, in July, 1874, at the house of A. L. Jackson, one mile from the village. The first services in the village proper were by Rev. George L. Berry, of the United Brethren church, in 1875, who continued to hold services irregularlv until September, 1877, when Elder H. Bingham was ! placed in charge by that church body, and who i held services regularly, until the fall of 1880, when Elder S. D. Kemerer, took charge.

The first religious society to be organized, however, was of the Episcopal denomination, in November, 1879, with W. B. Brown as lay reader. The first pastor was the Eev. Armstrong, under whose ministry the church building was erected and finished in the spring of 1881, at a cost of about $1,000.

The Congregational society was organized in September, 1879, Elder Ruddock holding regular services until Rev. A. Hadden assumed the charge under whose ministrv the church edifice was erected in the summer of 1880. The Methodist society was organized in October 1879, Rev. Phelps holding the first regular services. Lake View Lodge, No. 143, A. F. & A. M. was organized in 1881; Clarence Smith is the present W. M., and J. E. Randall the present secretary.

Star of Hope Lodge, No. 8, I. O. G. T., was organized in October 1880, by Z. Nash, with A. J. Parker, W. C. T.: Mrs. C. H. Mero, V. C. T.; and A. J. Hess, secretary.

The post-office was established in the fall of 1870, with C. K.. Orton for the first postmaster. J. C. Wood succeeded to the office in the spring of 1878, and F. G. Tuttle in January 1882. The first office was at C. K. Orton's dwelling house.

The Musical and Dramatic Society was organized in the winter of 1881, for the purpose of holding entertainments throughout the winter seasons. Prof. Varney is president, and E. Sander-ford, secretary of the society.

The first marriage of residents of the county was that of Job K. Hart to Sarah Palmer, they going to Benson for the purpose. The marriage of Jacob Church to Mary A. Goodwin, in the summer of 1873, before W. E. Movius, was however, really the first marriage in the county. The first birth of a white child was that of Park W., son of C. K. and Augusta Orton, on March 19,1873. The first death was that of John Swanson, in December, 1874.

The Ortonville North Star was first issued, as previously mentioned, June 30, 1878, by E. W. Miller. He continued to publish it until the following December, when his law business occupied so much of his time he was compelled to retire. It is now published by Hess & Tuttle, and issued every Tuesday. It is a live republican paper.

The Big Stone County Herald was started on August 21, 1879, by Wilbur F. Coffin, and continued by him until April 1, 1880, when he sold out to J. H. Sheets, who has since continued its publication. It is published every Thursday. Mr. Sheets also conducts a well appointed job printing business.

Ortonville was organized as a village by act of legislature, passed in the spring session of 1881. The first village officers were: H. Van Inwegen, president; C. K. Orton, Bernard Dassel and A. L. Jackson, trustees; F. G. Tuttle, recorder; F. H. Holloway, city justice; and F. E. Randall, treasurer.

There are two banks in the village, both having been started about the same time. Orton's Bank had its foundation laid soon after the fire, and the bank commenced business in the fall of 1879. It was called then the Bank of Ortonville, and was changed soon after to its present title. C. K. Orton is president and A. J. Parker, cashier. The banking house of Bernard Dassel was started in July. 1879, and changed, February 1,1880, to the Bank of Ortonville, when C. E. Brooks assumed an interest in the business.

There were three hardware stores in the village, all of them doing a good business; the oldest of them is Wood Bros., they are also engaged in the machinery business; Clark & Hartnett and T. H. Faus conduct the other two hardware stores. There are six establishments doing business as general stores; Shumaker, Bietmann & Co., are the successors of F. Shumaker who established the first general store in the village; Eyre and Yanz came in after the railroad was completed. They have a very large store.

A. Blom does most of the Scandinavian trading and keeps good stocks of merchandise. M. F. Potter is the successor of Libby & Potter; N. Kerkelrath & Co. and A. P. Flye & Co. are the other general merchants, and both transact a prosperous trade. C. Van de Bogart carries on an exclusively grocery trade. The drug business is well represented by S. H. Chittenden and L. C. Lane, the latter as successor to the firm of Lane & Fraudberg; both stores are well appointed. August Engquist, proprietor of the big stoiv. plow works, is building up a large trade in plows and turns out really first-class work. Carlson Bros, have a carriage and wagon shop that turns out large quantities of work. There are three blacksmiths, A. Dahlstrom, A. G. Atha and Clarence Smith; the latter being the first established. The livery business is represented by W. E. Ewing and Isaac Young and both stables are well stocked with good teams. There are two jewelers, F. C. Stain and G. L. Parker. Rowson & Harkness carry on the harness trade. The Boston one price clothing store is the only one exclusively devoted to clothing, it is carried on by P. M. Orton, who keeps a well assorted stock. A. E. Pettingill, L. C. Lane and. George McMurphy are the physicians. The legal profession is represented by Jones & Stam, L. Emmett, G. W. and A. J. Parker and T. M. Grant. G. A. Moore has a wind-power feed mill, and O. Linseth has a furniture store. Preparations are also being made for the erecting of a flouring mill and a large brewery. The lumber business is represented by several firms.

The Lake House was built in the spring of 1881 and opened by Greenman & Bontecou. Several months later the firm became Greenman Gurley, and in January 1882, Charles E. Gurley assumed the management. The Evans House was built by Captain J. Cook and opened by Mrs. Ellen Craig, as the Lake View House, in 1877. Later on, Mr. C. H. Mero took the property and enlarged it. In the spring of 1880 it was taken by T. W. Dickson, who kept it until April 1, 1881, when J. H. Evans assumed the control and changed the same to the Evans House.

The Barton House was opened by J. E. Smith June 1, 1880, and sold by him about a year later to Mr. Gassoway. In October, 1881, the latter sold out to F. H. Holloway. There are several other minor hotels.

Ortonville Twp.

The township of Ortonville, contains that part of town 121, range 46, east of the Minnesota river and Big Stone lake. In October, 1871, Nels Lindgren filed a claim on section 12, and May 21, 1872, brought his wife and family. His brother Olof settled on section 2 at the same time. In the summer of 1873, A. L. Jackson made a claim on section 4 and came here to live in February, 1874. The first birth was on September 11, 1872, Charlie, son of Nels Lindgren. December 16, 1874. John Swenson and son were frozen to death, near the Minnesota river. There are two school districts outside the village of Ortonville and one building.

Odessa Twp.

Town 121, range 45. The first settlement was made by Frederick Frankhouse, from Sauk Centre, who settled on section 33, in June 1870, in 1875 he moved to his present location in Yellow Bank town, Lac qui Parle county. Wm. Harriman settled on section 34 in 1871. The first town meeting was held at the residence of Herman Seydler; officers elected were: John Desso, chairman, Tobias Amball and James La Lond, supervisors; Albert D. Beardsley, clerk; Day L. Beardsley, treasurer; James M. Sherman, assessor; Herman Seydler and Henry Sutherland, justices; John D. Boss and Thomas Zimmerman, constables.

The first religious services were held at the house of F. Frankhouse by the Rev. August Sohmidt. The first birth was a son, Willie, to F. Frank-house and wife, April 24, 1871. The first school was held in a building now used by Mr. Wildung for store purposes in April, 1880, and taught by Miss Edna Desso. There are now three organized districts: the Odessa school building is an ornament to the town.

The village of Odessa was located in 1879, and first building erected in November of that year. There are now two general stores, furniture store, harness shop, blacksmith shop, hotel and elevator.

Big Stone Twp.

Comprises all of town 122, range 46, and all of town 122, range 47, east of Big Stone lake. The first election was held at Hurly's school-house October 4, 1879. Officers elected were: G. S. Elwell, clerk; Moses Smith, treasurer; C. A. Berdan, chairman, Gus. Swenson and ———————, supervisors. First marriage was Andrew Anderson to Mary Lysing. First death was Jacob Hurly, in 1879. First' birth was William L. Goodno, born November 4, 1880, and was the first white child born in the county. The first school was held in a small log building on section 19, fall of 1876, taught by Miss Johanna Nash.

Prior Twp.

This town comprises all of 123-47 and all that portion of 123-48 east of Big Stone lake. The first settlement was made by S. P. Lindholm on section 10 in 1870. The first election was held in 1874 but the town was not organized until 1879. Officers elected were M. J. Mathews, chairman; O. M. Gillesater, supervisor; the other not recorded; M. J. Mathews, justice; E. T. Hanes, constable. The town was named in honor of C. H. Prior, general superintendent of the C. M. & St. P. R. R. The first marriage was O. M. Gillesater to Stena Skeldom, June 4, 1879. First death was Mrs. Addison Phelps October 1874. First birth was William Bowman May 13, 1874. First school was taught by Soloman Seljholberg in 1877.

Browns Valley.

This town occupies all of township 124, range 48, and 124, range 49, east of Big Stone lake and the Minnesota river. The first settlement was made by Ole Moen on section 25, town 125, range 49, in 1875. The first town meeting was held April 5,1880, at the house of Joseph Branch on section 7, town 124, range 48. Ole Moen was chosen moderator, and Joseph Shannon clerk. Officers elected were: George W.Freer, chairman, John Burt and Robert Glen, supervisors; W. H. King, clerk; Ole Moen, treasurer: C. A. Prevey, assessor; S. Burt and J. M. Carver, justices; Joseph Shannon and Edwin Haley, constables. The first school was taught by Paulina Hammond, on section 8, in May, 1880. The first marriage was Robert Gillis and Olina Oleson, June, 1880. The first birth was Nettie Mabel, daughter to W. W. and Helen Beardsley, April 22, 1879; she died August 28, 1881. The first death was Thoren Hansen, March 15, 1880. The first religious services were held at the house of Joseph Branch in the spring of 1880.

A store was established by Charles Phillips on section 34, town 124, range 48, in November 1879; a blacksmith shop was built about the same time, both were removed in January, 1881. Phillip's post-office was established at this store October 1, 1880, and Mr. Phillips was appointed postmaster, the post-office was discontinued January 1, 1881.

The village of Bay View at the head of navigation on Big Stone lake, was laid out in August, 1880. The village of Beardsley is located on the northeast quarter and northwest quarter section 17—124—48, on land owned by W. W. Beardsley, who took the claim in 1878 and platted the village in November, 1880. The town is a growing, thriving one. Every branch of retail business is represented; the post-office of Beardsley was established April 11, 1881, J. A. Shannon, postmaster. Hilo post-office established 1880, Stephen Burt, post-master.

Tokua Twp.

Town 124, range 47. The first settlement was made by A. M. Briggs, October 15, 1877. The first supervisors were elected March 16, 1880, and were William Katiny, James O'Connor and Wm. Nash. Barry post-office was established in 1878 with Miss Rose White as postmistress..

Graceville Twp.

Town 124, range 46. In 1866, Barse & Co. located at Tokua lakes in this town, and began the fur trade with the Indians. They remained but a short time. Strong Bro's, in 1878 opened a general store at Graceville. There are at present four general stores, one drug store, one harness shop, one shoe shop, one farm machinery depot, three saloons, one elevator, two blacksmith shops, one Catholic church and one physician in the town.

Almond Twp.

Town 123, range 46. The first settlement was made by a Mr. Bailey in 1870. The first election was held March 29. 1880 at the Lysing or Long Island. The officers elected were, J. F. Webb, chairman; D. G. Berkman and John Olson, supervisors; J. F. Webb and M. Coat, justices; Oscar J. Webb and S. D. Kemerer, constables: A. K. Lysing, treasurer; L. Hong, assessor. The first marriage was Lewis K. Hong and Miss. R. Lysing, September 1879. The first school was taught by Erick Lysing in the Lysing or Long Island school-house in 1879. The first birth was a daughter to D. G. and Eliza Berkman June 9, 1877. The first death was James Percy Rathwell, December 30, 1878.

Malta Twp.

Town 123, range 45. The first settlement in the town was made by David K. J. Clark, in June, 1876. The town was first named Clarksville, but afterward changed to Malta. The first town election was held at the house of J. Burlingame, February 14, 1880. Officers elected were: E. Stadon, chairman, D, H. Watkins and C. E. Beaty, supervisors; David K. J. Clark, clerk; L. C. Nickerson and D. H. Congdon, justices ;G. A. Swandon and J. B. McCanty, constables. The first school was taught by Miss Ida M. Gear, in spring of 1880.

Otrey Twp.

Town 122, range 45. The first settlement in this town was made by Thomas and Win. Otrey, on sections 20 and 21, in June, 1869. The town was first named Trenton, but was changed to Otrey in honor to the Otrey's. The first town meeting was held February 14, 1880, at the house of W. B. Dow, on section 6. W. B. Dow was elected chairman, Andrew Nelson and R. H. Chapman, supervisors; John T. Lockwood, clerk; A. B. Campbell, assessor; W. H. Campbell, justice, and John S. Dow, constable. Adelaide post-office was established December 19, 1879, with Jonathan Sharrow as postmaster. The first death was Andrew Annundson, who was frozen to death in the blizzard of January, 1878. The first school was taught by Miss Mira Vandermark in May, 1880. The first marriage was Miss Mary Thompson to Knud Hanson. First birth was Joshua, son of Wm. and Hannah Otrey.

Artichoke Twp.

Town 122 range 44. The first settler was Ole Bolsta on section 36, May, 1869. The first town election was held at the house of H. P. Weeding; officers elected were: John Dahlvang, chairman; H. H. Gaardand Christ. Johnson, supervisors: Ole Bolsta, clerk and justice; Nels Johnson, treasurer: H. P. Reeding and Willis Allen, constables. The first marriage was H. Hanson to Miss Tina Benson, in 1873.

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