Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/275

 HISTOKY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 219 cxen riding with their own horses and carriages; to see those who lived in huts now occupying comfortable homes, enjoying themselves and educating their children, that is the best of all." The sixteen men who enlisted in the Civil War from Wacoota were: Morris Eldred, John Eldred, James Farenside, William Gordon. Lot C. Hilton, John Jordan, Nathaniel Jordan, Henry M. Reade, Henry S. Reed, Josiah Richardson, Ludwig Thiergart, Henry E. Van Dyke. John R. AY inched, Charles Axel, William Toms and R. D. Rich. WANAMINGO TOWNSHIP. Wanamingto comprises township 110, range 17, and has remained unchanged in area since the township organization act of 1858. It is bounded on the north by Leon, on the east by Minneola, on the west by Holden and on the south by Cherry Grove. Wanamingo is crossed east and west by the north branch of the Zumbro in the southern part, but the valley is broad and has gentle slopes. In the northwestern part there is a bran eh of the Cannon. The surface is largely prairie, gently rolling, with very fertile soil, well watered by many springs and running streams. Where these are not at hand, water is found by digging a few feet below the surface. The natural groves of timber in various sections add variety to the landscape. No other township in the county. it is said affords superior advan- tages to the farmer. The story of the early settlement of Wanamingo has been told as follows: "The first settlers came here in 1851, and were natives of Norway. Early in that year Henry Nelson (Talla) came to Dodgeville, Wis., from California, where he had been staying a few years and where he had accumulated a snug little sum of money. About the same time his older brother, Toge Nelson (Talla). then a widower, came back to the same place from Australia, where he also had earned some money. The two brothers then agreed to go to the Northwest together and search for a home. Purchasing a team, they started, and after being on the way as far as Root river, they heard that the terri- tory of Minnesota contained good farming land, with wood and water. They then purchased a number of cattle and such imple- ments as they would need for beginning farming operations. They were now joined by Thosten Anderson, another of their countrymen, who was also in the same pursuit. As both the Nelsons were determined to starl in farming for all there was in it. they each hired a man to help them. Henry hired William Williamson (Runningen) and Toge hired Nils Gulbrandson. Both these hired men were carpenters by trade. .Mr. Cnlhrand-