Richland County Township History: Galchutt Village

Galchutt Village Taken from the Richland County History Book Page 268

Galchutt is located in the Abercrombie area.

The earliest known settler to be in this community was a man named Graham, who was here before 1858.

The village of Galchutt owes its name to Hans Galchutt, who settled here about 1882. Said townsite of Galchutt, North Dakota is located upon a portion of the west one-half of southeast one-fourth of section 26, in township number 134, north of range number 49, west of the 5th P.M., and said block comprises 24 lots, numbered from one to twenty-four inclusive.

The Receivers office at Fargo, on December 5, 1881, considred $400. South east 1/4-26-134-49-160 acres, Thomas M. Puch, receiver, United States to Anton Hanson. The U.S.A. by the President, Chester A. Arthur, full payment to Anton Hanson, recorded in Richland County November 27, 1908. The above statements reveals how transactions were handled in the transfer of real estate when Galchutt was settled. Mr. Hans Galchutt assisted in measuring the lots.

The village of Galchutt has a small population at present. We have a very nice Farmers Union or Cenex Station, a Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association Elevator, and the Betterment Community Club has sponsoreda cafe in the school building, which was vacated in 1972. Mr. Ralph Quamme is the manager of the cafe.

Mrs. Marvin Johnson has the post office. She has been postmistress for 30 years. Her husband, Marvin, is a plumber. He has a shop and serves the community, with son, Douglas. They are known as "Marv's Plumbing."

The Galchutt Oil Company is a cooperative organization formed by a group of progressive farmers. They sell Mobil Oil products. It is a bulk service which serves the community. Claton Syverteen is the manager.

By Mayme Syvertsen

Villa Shops

There was a feed millowned by Knute Knutson from 1892 and years later. He was a bachelor and lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Alma Rasmussen. John Bjerkager remembers going with his father to grind feed in this mill, when he was a young boy.

There was a harness shop operated by Michael J. Flass. He did a thriving business during the horse and buggy days.

Galchutt had a millinery shop and meat market from the 90's to 1910. Christine and Lillian Wold operated the Millinery shop.

There was a livery barn until 1916. It was located back of Einar Wold's store. There were horses kept that were used to carry mail. The mail came from Wahpeton to Dwight. A horse was waiting at Dwight for the carrier, then when he arrived in Galchutt another horse was ready to carry the mail to Colfax. This was easier for the horses and the carrier could deliver the mail rapidly. Sometimes they rode a horse or by cart.

The Hennepin Lumber Company had a yard, which was purchased by the Nortz Lumber Company of Breckenridge, Minnesota. It was managed for 25 years up to the early 30's by George Johnson. The lumber was sent by railroad. They had a large stock and did thriving business from 1900 to 1920. The lumber yard had its building west of the present site of the village hall now.

By Mayme Syvertsen