|
HISTORY OF Southeastern Dakota, Its Settlement and Growth, Sioux City Iowa: Western Publishing Company, 1881 transcribed by Karen Seeman
VALLEY SPRINGS.
The township of Valley Springs is bounded on the north by Red Rock Township, on the west by Brandon Township, on the east by Minnesota, on the south by Iowa, and contains twenty-four sections of land. The village of Valley Springs is located on the northwest quarter of section three, and the land whereon it is located was pre-empted by J. Dunham, M. L. Wood and Miss Nancy Merchant, the land occupied by the present townsite having been owned by Miss Merchant. In June, 1872, a small frame building was erected, the lumber being brought by ox-teams from Worthington. Minn., which building stood where the residence oŁ D. B Cook now is, and was built by Messrs. Dunham and Wood, who first arrived at this point by stage from Worthington to Sioux Falls, passing through the future town of Valley Springs, May 24th, 1872. The land was pre-empted by these gentlemen, June 10th, of that year, lumber being immediately procured with which to build their residence. The first land broken, was by M. L. Wood, for garden purposes, during June. During the summer of 1872, one hundred acres of land were broken. Shortly afterwards, a claim was taken up by Edson Wheeler in section four. Application was immediately made for a postoffice, but a commission was not received until January 1st, 1873. The selection of a name was made by Mr. Wood, who, by reason of the beautiful valley in which they had "pitched their tents," and the great number of springs which it contained, decided upon the name of "the valley of springs,” or Valley Springs. J. Dunham was appointed Postmaster, which position he held one year, the postoffice being kept at his residence. A. C. Stone was the second Postmaster, the postoffice being moved to his residence, and subsequently located at the store of Stone & Howe, whence it was afterwards moved to McLauren's store, P. E. Howe being appointed Postmaster. Mr. Howe was succeeded by Alfred Larson in 1876, and occupied the position until July, 1880, when Charles Olson, present Postmaster, was appointed. H. P. Ljunggren and C. M. Johnson located on section thirty-three in town 102, range 47,—now known as Red Rock, about one-fourth mile from the village of Valley Springs—May 4th, 1872, taking each a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. L. also took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres for Ole Oleson in section four, Mr. J. taking a like claim in the same section for G. Anderson. In August, 1872, Mr. L. built a sod house on his claim, as did also Mr. Johnson, the former breaking forty acres during that summer, and the latter twenty acres. The first election was held at the residence of Loren Burgenson, near Split Rock River, during the fall of 1873. The first school held at Valley Springs, was begun during the summer of 1874, in a house bought by the citizens of School District No. 15, of G. Hemsley, and was taught by Ida Shafer. The present school building was erected in the summer of 1878, at a cost of $1,600. and is a fine two-story structure. The first store was established by A. C. Stone and P. E. Howe, under the firm name of Stone & Howe, and was opened in the fall of 1873, in the building now used by Geo. E. Henton as a residence. Stone & Howe used this building as a store about two years. The next store started was by L. F. McLaurin, of Worthington, Minn., in a building located where George E. Henton’s blacksmith shop now stands, and which is now used as a harness shop, on the south side of the railroad. Alfred Larson was installed as manager, and conducted the establishment two years. The building was then sold, and the goods sent to Mankato, Minn. Social gatherings at Valley Springs were inaugurated at the residence of A. C. Stone, about the first of August, 1873, in honor of the completion of the building. About ninety people, of whom sixty-five were adults, participated in the festivities of the occasion. June 28, 1874, the first marriage at Valley Springs was solemnized, the contracting parties being Mr. Perry E. Howe and Miss Frances H. Acker, Rev. J. W. Rigby, a Methodist minister, being the officiating clergyman. The first birth was that of a daughter to John C. and Martha Shepard. C. O. Remming opened the first blacksmith shop, 16 by 20 feet in dimensions, on the north side of the railroad, in May, 1876. A blacksmith shop was also established by Geo. E. Henton in 1879. Edson Wheeler established the first harness and saddlery store, a like establishment being also opened by W. W. Bell in November, 1880. Mr. Ljunggren completed the erection of his hardware store in August, 1878. The establishment is 20 by 50 feet in dimensions, and is two stories high, the first story being used for the requirements of the business, the second story for dwelling apartments. The Congregational Church of Valley Springs was organized in the summer of 1878, the first Trustees being J. R. Jackson, F. C. Bell and D. B. Cook. There were eighteen members at the time of organization. Rev. J. A. Palmer was installed as the pastor. Services were first held in Larson's Hall. Since 1879, the Society has used the upper story of the present school building. Alfred Larson and P. Zimmerman erected the building occupied by Zimmerman & Co., during the fall of 1878. This building is 22 by 40 feet in dimensions, two stories high, the lower story used as a store, with an addition also so used, and the upper story used as a dwelling. The Valley Springs Cemetery Association was organized May 2d, 1879, and is located on the southeast quarter of section three, town 102, range 47, containing ten acres. Its officers are: D. B. Cook, President; George Cassady, Sec'y; J. E. Hallett, Treasurer. The village plat was surveyed and completed by D. B. Cook in 1878. The Central House, located on Broadway, was built in 1878, being used as a private residence one year, when it was bought by Grove Hemsley and conducted as a boarding house until 1880. In 1881, an addition was constructed and the house assumed hotel proportions, having now eleven rooms, to which additions will be made in accordance with the necessary demands of trade.
HOME
Background courtesy of http://www.christiangraphics.org/ |