Walsh County History

This county lies in the Red river valley one county removed from the
international line. It is bounded on the north by Pembina County; on the
south Grand Forks and Nelson counties; on the east by the Red River of
the North, and on the west by Ramsey and Cavileer counties. It comprises
a trifle over 36 congressional towns, equivalent to about 1,300 square
miles or 832,000 acres.

The county is drained by Park and Forest rivers, and their numerous
branches. On both these streams there are very considerable bodies
of timber, and especially around the head branches of the Park River in
the northwest part of the county, on the slope of the plateau.

There are four considerable lakes the county; Salt Lake in the north
part of Town 158, Range 52, covering about 600 acres; another salt lake
in the southeast corner of the same township, also salt having an area
of 250 acres; one near the center of Ardock Township, also salt,
covering about 100 acres, and one in Lampton Township with a surface of
200 to 300 acres. Forest River passes through the largest named. In the
southeast corner of the county, stretching through Walshville and a part
of Pulaski Township, is a long, crooked bayou, running parallel with
the Red River and probably abandoned channes of that stream.

There is a considerable area of marsh and meadow land, nearly all of
which is susceptible of drainage.

The country from the Red River west to about the east line of Range 56
may be described as a vast plain with an imperceptible slope toward the
east, and having a deep, rich alluvial soil, nearly identical with that
of the other counties of the great valley, so famous for its wheat
producing capabilities. The three western ranges of towns, two of which
were unsurveyed at the time our work went to press, are more hilly and
broken, rising quite sharply towards the plateau lands to the west of
the valley. This region is peculiarly adapted to stock raising and
dairying. Nearly the whole of the county is susceptible of cultivation.
This western portion has here and there small conical hills or buttes,
and occasional ridges or low hills, among the prominent of which is a
sharp little peak in Section 3, Town 155, Range 57 called Mount Sinai.
This region has more or less timber of an inferior growth along the
numerous ravines and gulches which cut into the slope toward the plains.

Walsh county, which was named in honor of the Hon. Geo. H. Walsh of
Grand Forks, was formed from the two northern tiers of township of Grand
Forks County and the two southern tiers of Pembina, and was organized in
1881, when Governor Ordway, appointed Geo. P. Harvey, Wm Code and B. C.
Askelson a board of County Commissioners. This board met for
organization, on Tuesday, August 30, at the residence of Geo. P. Harvey,
in Forest river Township. The board organized by the election of Geo. P.
Harvey, Chairman, and W. A. Cleland, temporary clerk. N. Upham was
appointed Register of Deeds and County Clerk; Jacob Reinhart, Sheriff;
J. N. Nelson, Assessor; E. O. Faulkner, Judge of Probate: K. O.
Skatteboe, Treasurer; Eugene Kane, Surveyor; Dr. H. H. Hamilton,
Coroner; R. M. Evans, Superintendent of Schools. The liquor license was
placed at $300 per annum. The Acton News was made the official paper of
the county. The question of the location of the county seat then came up
for consideration, and the towns of Minto, Grafton and Kensington each
received one vote. Being unable to decide this question, the board
adjourned.

On August 31st the second meeting was held, for the purpose of locating
the county seat, at which meeting the result was the same as before. On
September the 14th another meeting was held, at which one vote was cast
for Kensington, and two for Grafton. On September 23rd  a contract was
closed with Messrs F. F. Walker & Co for a building for the use of the
county officers, at an annual rental of $720. The first meeting of the
County Commissioners at the county seat, was held October 3rd, 1881,
when they met as a Board of Equalization, and placed the following
valuation upon real estate: Forest River Township, per acre $5.75;
Pulaski, $3.00; Unorganized Townships, $4.25; Walshville Township,
$3.00; and on Oct 4th a tax was levied, based upon this valuation, as
folllows; For general purposes 4 mills; For bridges 2 mills; For schools
3 mills; For territorial taxes 3 and 2/10 mills.

On April 3rd the contract was let for the first county jail, which cost
$275, and which was completed and accepted by the commissioners June 5th
1882.

The board granted a charter to the village of Grafton on May 8, 1882.

On September 23rd the county was divided into election districts, of
which there were twenty, and at the November election there were 2,291
votes cast in the county.

On January 2d, 1883 , the newly elected Board of Commissioners,
consisting of B. Askelson, Wm Code and Daniel Stewart were qualified,
and organized by the election of Wm Code Chairman.

At the November election in 1882, the following townships were organized:

   Acton - Adam Gray, Chairman; Robert Lynn, Clerk
   Pulaski - Peter Kedroski, Chairman; Frank Wyrocki, Clerk
   Walshville - R Howard, Chairman; A Maxwell, Clerk
   Martin - Fred Hildebrand, Chairman; Henry McClerman, Clerk
   Harristown - J. W. Major, Chairman; H. J. Byron, Clerk
   Ardoch - W. T. Sheppard, Chairman; J. K. Lyons, Clerk
   Farmington - N. W. Deter, Chairman; Henry Watts, Clerk
   Grafton - O. O Hangeved, Chairman; J. A. Krogstadt, Clerk
   Walsh Centre - F. O. Sitzer, Chairman; J. H. Lovine, Clerk
   Forest River - Walter Kidden, Chairman; R. B. Warren, Clerk
   Glenwood - John Brast, Chairman; Peter Anderson, Clerk
   Fertile - Robert Arnot, Chairman; C. M. Grimstelt, Clerk
   Prairie Centre - C. N. Reese, Chairman; J. N. Kratky, Clerk
   Ops - Samuel Wilson, Chairman; T. O. Keefe, Clerk
   Dundee - H. B. Harrison, Chairman; Nils H. Rinde, Clerk
   Kensington - C. H. Honey, Chairman; F. Robb, Clerk
   Rushford - W. H. Ward, Chairman; Wm Brown, Clerk
   Eden - O. O. Skattehoe, Chairman; C. C. Ward, Clerk
   Lampton Nels Anderson, Chairman; Daniel Shunn, Clerk
   Vernon - H. G. Horsford, Chairman; J. Millspaugh, Clerk
   Medford - F. B. Sanborn, Chairman; A. h. Kellogg, Clerk

The present county officers are the following: Register of Deeds, N.
Upham; Auditor, E. O. Faulkner; Clerk of Court, W. A. Cleland; judge of
probate, E. E. Daily; Sheriff, J. Reinhardt; Coroner, W. M. Evans;
Treasurer, J. P. Birder; Superintendent of Schools, R. M. Evans;
Surveyor, R. b. Warren; Assessor, C. M. Grimstoedt.

                                  Settlements

ACTON - Jacob Reinhart and Antoine Gerrard first explored what has since
become Walsh County, in the year 1866. They returned to McCauleyville,
Minn., and when Carpenter & Blaikie commenced running their stage, Mr
Reinhart drove one of them, and in 1877, he and Mr Gerrard settled down
uppon land near Acton, which was then called Kelly's Point, and was in
Grand Forks County. Mr Gerrard was appointed Postmaster, and Mr Reinhart
was his deputy. Mr Reinhart opened a store in 1877, and Mr Gerrard kept a
tavern. The Settlement was augmented by the arrival of Mr B. S. Kelly
and his family, from whom it took its original name. Three or four
saloons were opened. In 1879 Mr Wm. Budge opened a store and for a time
it bid fair to be quite a town, but in the year 1881, the railroad
entered the county twelve miles distant, and business and people
followed it. The present settlement consists of the tavern of E. F.
Schumann, the store of John bouldic, and the post office, of which
Antoine gerrard is still Postmaster .

WALSHVILLE was the next settlement, which now consists of the post
office and tavern, which are both kept by Augustus Williams, who settled
there in 1877.

KENSINGTON In the fall of 1878, five families named Irish settled on
what is known as the North Branch of the Park, Township 155, Range 55.
they came there from Wisconsin. they were immediately followed by
several families of Canadians, who came from the county of Wellington,
among whom were Wm Code and two brothers, Geo. Brown who is the present
Postmaster of Minto; Wm. and Alex. Bruce, John wedge, Alex. Smith, Wm.
Burbridge, John robb, E. O. faulkner, George Oakes and Wm. Oakes. This
settlement, at that time was the largest in the county, and  the
farthest west in location, was named Kensington, and Thomas Honey was
appointed Postmaster.

ST. ANDREWS The land upon which St. Andrews is located was settled upon
by Michael McGraw and Chas. finkle, in the year 1879, and in 1880 the
Red River Transportation Co. laid out the town. L. E. Booker of St.
Vincent opened the first store. In the summer of 1880 Chas. Finkle was
appointed Postmaster. The settlement, which is located on the Red river,
flourished, and for a time gave promise of being quite a town. But, like
Acton, the railway took away the business, and now the only store is
kept by Mr Wm. McConnell. The post office is still maintained.

SWEDEN Wm. McKenzie located upon land in Township 158, Range 54, and
built a dwelling house and store in 1879. He was soon joined by A. A.
Blekken, who also opened a store. A post office called Sweden was
established, of which Mr McKenzie is Postmaster.

MINTO The next settlement was the village of minto, on the Forest
River. The land upon which this village is located was bought from Mr
James wilson, by Messrs. Comstock & White, townsite proprietors of
Moorhead, Minn. In 1881, the year in which the town was laid out, the
settlement included a saw-mill, owned and operated by J. W. Major, who
also kept a tavern, and a general store kept by Zulsdorf Bros. The St.
Paul, Minneapolis & manitoba Railway reached the place in the fall of
1881, and the influx of business and people was great. The winter of
1881-2 was one of marked activity. The Forest River Bank was organized,
and the Forest River Journal was established. Fifteen or twenty general
stores were opened, and the forsaken prairie assumed the bustle and
activity of a thriving village of some 500 people.

In the fall of 1882, the Forest River Bank was chartered as a
territorial bank, with P. B. Broughton as vice-president and H.
Ammerland, cashier, and a paid up capital of $30,000.

During the summer of 1882, Pillsbury & Hulburt, of Minneapolis, erected
an elevator with a capacity of 40,000, and since then J. H. Townshend &
Co., and E. F. Chase have also erected elevators. Minto has a good
school house, two churches, and a Territorial Normal School is also
located there, though no building has yet been erected.
   
The country around Minto is among the most fertile, and earliest settled
section of the county, and a large amount of wheat is handled annually.

GRAFTON The city of Grafton was settled in 1879, by Thos. E. Cooper,
who came from Goodhue County, Minn., in the spring of the above named
year. The land was not at that time surveyed, and he had only a
squatter's right. Shortly following him came Messrs. Nils Monson and
Gus. Colson, who squatted on claims adjoining his on the west. Mr Cooper
built a small hotel, and from the first, anticipated that there would be
a town at this point, for he felt, as he expressed it, that "nature never
make a mistake". In June, 1879, Mr Cooper was appointed Postmaster and
the office was named Grafton. He assigns the fact that he considered
this a "graft on " the civilized world, as his reason for the name.

In 1880, Mr. T. A. Beer opened a general store here, which was situated
on the bank of the Park River. He was soon joined by a blacksmith named
Valk, and to the business of the settlement was soon added the store of
H.J. Roholt. The only addition to the hamlet that year was Mr. W.
Chandler, since become the Postmaster, who also opened a general store.

In the spring of 1881 Mr. Cooper proved upon his claim and received
title from the government.

In july following he sold 110 acres of this land to Comstock & White, of
Moorhead, Minn., who also bought 210 acres from Messrs. Colson & Monson.
They platted the townsite, and on August 31 Mr. J. A. Delaney, as their
agent, commenced the sale of lots. The first sale was to F. F. Walker &
Co., and consisted of six lots, for which the consideration was $1000.
The First National Bank now stands on these lots. Immediately succeeding
the commencement of the sale of lots, Mr. Chandler moved up from the
river bank to the site of the present city. The railraod was not at
this time completed to the the town, and all lumber and merchandise had
to be hauled several miles. Despite these disadvantages however,
several gentlemen commenced the erection of business buildings, first
among whom were Stuart Cairncross, Wm Pearson, and E. F. Chase. Mr
Cairncross built a store, Mr Pearson a saloon, and E. F. Chase & Co. an
elevator, with a capacity of about 20,000 bushels, at which there was
about 100,000 bushels of wheat handled in that year. Rev. Mr Cobleigh,
pastor of the Presbyterian Church, built the first private residence,
about this time.

The railroad reached Grafton near the close of December, and upon its
arrival found a thriving village of some 300 people. The rush continued all
winter. The Walsh County Bank commenced business, which was soon
followed by the Bank of Grfton; the Grafton News was started by F. M.
Winship, and Walsh County Times by H. C. Upham. Schuman & pierson opened
the Sherman House for the accommodation of travelers, and the little
settlement grew so rapidly that it was a lively town in a few months.

In the spring of 1881 it was incorporated as a village, with Wm.
Leistikow Prresident, Edward Harton Clerk, M rannim Treasurer, and jno.
L Cashell, P. Wildt and Wm Leistikow as trustees. This organization was
in force until April, 1883, when the Territorial Council granted a city
charter, under which Stuart Cairncross was elected Mayor, D. W. Yorkey
City Clerk, A. Krogstadt Treasured, John Mitchell City Justice, and P.
H. McLaughlin Attorney. The City Council is composed of the following
named Gentlemen: E. F. Chase. Wm. Chandler, John Myrick, --- Weggan,
Nels Grindy and Wm Turney.

During the year 1882 Messrs. Pillsbury & Hurlbut, of Minneapolis,
constructed the largest elevator on the line of the St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway northwest of St. Paul. it is located at
Grafton and has a capacity of 125,000 bushels of wheat.

Several churches, a good school house, and other buildings of credit to
the town were constructed, so that a substantial and well built town of
2,000 inhabitants stands where, but three years ago, Thomas Cooper slept
under the cover of shawls and coats spread over bushes because there was
not a house for miles around.

Grafton now has four grain elevators with a total capacity of 245,000
bushels. Thje grain, live-stock and lumber business of Grafton is very
large and constantly increasing.

Among the most important and valuable institutions of the place is the
roller flouring mill of Mr. William Leistikow, who came to Grafton from
Otter Tail County, Minn., in the winter of 1881. Concluding that this
was a good point for a flour mill he commenced the erection of one 45 by
50 feet and five stories in height, and completed it with engine-room
and storage building ready for business October 1, 1882 at a stated cost
of $50,000. The mill has three runs of stone and twelve double sets of
Donnton rolls, thirteen reels and complete set of machinery for the
manufacture of 250 barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. About
twenty hands are constantly employed and the business has been so
successful that the proprietor intends erecting another mill at
Larimore. The Grafton mill has established a fine reputation.

According to the statements published in the Grafton Herald of date
January 17, 1884, there were handled at that point during 1882 and the
first six months of 1883, about 23,500,000 pounds of wheat, equivalent
to nearly 400,000 bushels.

There are four extensive lumber firms. There are also two brick-yards in
successful operation and a wagon-shop doing a good business.

Grafton contains two weekly papers, the Herald and News and Times; seven
church organizations, a good school with 150 scholars; eight hotels;
twenty-five mercantile houses; eight agricultural warehouses, and the
ususal small traders, artisans and mechanics.

WESTERN SETTLEMENTS In the early summer of 1880, a party of Norwegian
prospectors came from Iowa, and looked Walsh County over thoroughly.
After looking particularly at the Elk Valley, west of Kensington, they
returned to Iowa, and sent a large number of their fellow-countrymen
out to possess the land. They settled in Township 157, Range 56 and
established a post office, which in honor of the murdered executive they
called Garfield. The settlement includes three stores, two or three
dwellings, a blacksmith shop, two saloons and the post office.

LAMPTON is situated in Township 158, Range 56. In the fall of 1881, Nels
Anderson, Ole j. balstadt, George Mickey and Bolton Cunningham settled
this town, and at that time their houses were the farthest west of any
in the Red River Valley. A post office was established in 1881 and
george Mickey appointed Postmaster.

MEDFORD is located in Township 155, Range 56, and was settled by J. B.
Sanborn, in the spring of 1879. When Mr. Sanborn went there, his nearest
neighbor was more than ten mile away. He was there alone for a year,
when he was joined by Messrs. Kellogg and Worthing. Mr Worthing was
appointed Postmaster in 1880, and still holds that office. During the
summer of that year a blacksmith shop was opened, and Mr Carpenter
opened his general merchandise store. in the summer of 1883, Mr William
H. Mitchell established the medford Messenger, a five column weekly
paper. The surrounding country is all settled up, and the mercantile
business is well supported.

FOREST RIVER - Although among the earliest settlements, having been
settled in 1880, there is no town here at all. Graham Bros. settled in
the year above named and opened a general store, and they were followed
in short time by Bates Bros., who also opened a general store. The post
office was soon established, and William Wood appointed Postmaster.

ARDOCH is a small town on the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad
near the southern line of the county. It has several general stores, a
consideralble trade and a population of 100 or more.

Post offices in various parts of the county, not before mentioned, are
Nora, Praha, Eaton, Gale, Garfield, Vesta, Mount View, Dundee, Edinburgh,
Silvista, Richmond, Kelso and Latona.

Walsh County is a comparatively new factor in the political formation of
Dakota, and, as has been shown, its settlement, with the exception of a
few families along the river has been mainly during the past four
years. The county is bounded on the east by the Red River and the early
settlements were made along its banks. It was at that time the great
commercial thoughfare between Winnipeg and St Paul, and a considerable
amount of trading was done upon its waters. In 1881, the railroad
entered the county some ten or twelve miles from the river, and its
business was cut off. This injured the river towns, and transferred much
of their business to the railraad towns. By this time the land from the
River west for some distance beyond the railraad, had been quite
generally settled upon, all of the most desirable of it having been
taken up.

In the spring of 1882, the Northern Pacific Railroad Company surveyed a
line from Casselton, in Cass county, to Walhalla in Pembina County near
the boundary line between the United States and British America. This
line passed through a range of Townships 56, and was completed as far as
mayville in Traill county, and graded as far as Garfield in this county.
This action on the part of the Northern Pacific brought large numbers of
settlers into the western part of the county, and, with the exception of
Ranges 58 and 59, the entire county is pretty thoroughly settled up. In
the spring of 1883, the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway
obtained possession of the Walhalla line and work opon it was
suspended.