Lakeside township is the second township from the eastern line of Cottonwood county, and is on the south line, comprising all of congressional township 105, range 35 west. It is bounded on the north by Carson township, on the east by Mountain Lake, on the south by Jackson county and on the west by Great Bend township. In this section some of the earliest settlements in the county were effected. The village of Bingham Lake is situated within Lakeside township, the history of which appears further on in this chapter. The township is traversed by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. The township once had a large number of lakes, some of which have long since disappeared through drainage systems, but there are others still in existence�Bingham lake, near the village; Fish lake, in the south part of the township; Cottonwood lake, Clear lake, etc. This is an ideal farming township�good soil, near to good market towns, close to the county seat and a population of intelligent citizens, whose aim in life is to thrive and do all they can for the advancement of churches and public schools.

The population of Lakeside township in 1895 was 547; in 1900 it was 392 and according to the census returns in 1510 it had 449 population.

ORGANIZATION

This township became a separate civil township by an act of the board of county commissioners at their meeting in the month of August, 1870, as comprising all of congressional township 105, range 35 west.

VILLAGE OF BINGHAM LAKE

This sprightly little village is situated in Lakeside township, in section 9, township 105, range 35 west, and was platted by the officers of the St, Paul & Sioux City Railroad Company, July 28, 1875.

The village of Bingham Lake was made a separate corporation from Lakeside township in 1900. Its municipal improvements have not materialized to any great extent; it has no water or lighting system.

The postoffice at Bingham Lake was established in 1872 and the first postmaster was Daniel Davis, who held the office until 1886. Among the postmasters who have served since that time are Samuel Taggert, John J. Goertzen and C. F. Hiebert. The present postmaster is John J. Goertzen. The postal receipts for the last fiscal year, exclusive of money orders, amounted to one thousand two hundred and four dollars and twenty-nine dollars. Two rural routes serve the communities.

The tile factory at Bingham Lake has in the past been operated with various degrees of success. However, not until the business management of the concern came under the direction of John Henderson, has the plant attained a perfect success. At the present time the plant is running at its full capacity, employing eleven men and making six to eight thousand tile a day.

PIONEER BUSINESSMEN

Daniel C. Davis was the first permanent settler in the village of Bing-ham Lake and, in company with R. P. Mathews, established all the corners of the townsites. Upon coming to the village, Mr. Davis opened a general store and continued to operate it for three years. He was appointed post-. master in 1872, and served until 1886. It is rather of an interesting fact that at the end of the first three months, after taking out his own salary and office expenses, the government's share of the receipts was three cents. Mr. Davis bought his first stock of goods, amounting to three thousand six hundred dollars, in New York, as goods could be bought much cheaper in the East than at St. Paul or Minneapolis. However, he greatly overestimated the needs of the people and had to dispose of a great amount of his stock to Windom merchants. During the grasshopper days he supplied many needy people with provisions, trusting that when they were able he would receive payment, but in many cases his accommodations and sacrifices were lost sight of and the money was never forthcoming.

In 1872 the plat of ground set aside for a park was broken up by Mr. Davis and planted with trees. They were not taken as good care of as they should have been, with the result that the prairie fires destroyed most of them. A few of the original trees are still standing, but the majority have been planted within the last thirty years.

Among the early business-men, besides Mr. Davis, were, Mr. Clines, who came from Lake City. He sold his business to Mr. Young, who was burned out. A. J. Bueller was another one of the early merchants. He remained in the village for a while and finally sold out and went to Montana. D. J. Hiebert was also one of the early business-men and did a large and profitable business for many years.

One of the early landmarks of the village is still standing, and that is the first house erected in the village by Mr. Davis and now occupied by William Evans. It is in a good state of preservation and looks better than many of the houses erected in the last few years.

By noticing the present business directory one can see that there has been a great change since the early settlement of the village. Almost every line of business is now represented, and although the village is destined to never become a large town, yet it is growing because the merchants are wideawake and prosperous and the village is located in the midst of a fine farming community, which is the chief basis for all growth.

The business interests of Bingham Lake were represented by the following people in 1916:

Bank�First State Bank.
Barber�Frank E. Hyde.
Blacksmith�W. J. Butler.
Brick Plant�John Henderson.
Creamery�Bingham Lake Creamery.
Elevator�St John Grain Company, The Liem Elevator.
General Dealer�Holt & Wickland.
Harness Shop�Erickson & Anderson.
Implement Dealer�Charles A. Liem.
Meat Market�Henry Wessel.
Livery�Joseph Morton.
Lumber Dealer�S. L. Rogers Lumber Company.
Restaurant�J. J. Soltau.
Stock Buyer�C. S. Cain, K. P. Minion.
Telephone�Windom, Mutual, Northwestern.