FARM HOME OF HANS J. WAHL
Topography—The west two tiers of sections are in the Jim River valley, the next two tiers of sections are on the first bench of Coteaus, and the east two tiers of sections are up in the Coteaus and are quite rolling. There are several draws and one of them especially, has water in it the year around.
The west two tiers were settled first, by a colony from Iowa, and the balance of the township was settled by Iowa and Minnesota people. Very few of the original homesteaders are left in this township. However most of the land is cultivated and it has some very nice farm homes and groves. Those still remaining on their homesteads are as follows: Hans J. Wahl, E. Brandall, Alga Lauritz, W. H. Lemmon, Mrs. T. E. Lemmon, Mrs. Wm. Roth.
The first child born here was F. E. Lemmon, to Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Lemmon, February, 1884.
The first death, Hans Aasved, died January, 1884.
The first marriage was that of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hughes in 1886.
The largest family was born to Alga Lauritz and wife, parents to nine sons and four daughters, all living but one.
The first school was taught by Miss Sheen, upstairs in the granary of E. C. Marsten.
This township was named at a town meeting of the homesteaders, called for that purpose, the name was unanimously adopted.
Dates of settlement of homesteaders:Mr. Wahl came to America from Christiana, Norway, landing in Sauk Center, Minnesota in 1880 and worked in lumber camps during the winter months. In April, 1885 he came to the county and filed on his present homestead to which he has since added 80 acres within the township. He was married to Miss Eline Nelson, October 29, 1891.
Mr. Wahl has always practiced diversified farming. He milks about five cows and turns off some nice hogs and a fine bunch of poultry, annually. Although he has suffered from losses through failure of banks at Pierpont and Andover, his good business sense has kept him in the clear and all the property is free of encumbrance.
Phone, Andover and R. F. D., Bristol, S. D.
Mr. Lemmon came to Day county from Iowa with his parents in April, 1883 and he, his father and an older brother, T. P., each filed a homestead in the Township. After five years Mr. Lemmon returned to live with his parents because of the very poor health of his father, who died in May, 1890. He then continued to work the homestead with his mother who lived until 1912, having attained her eighty-ninth year.
Mr. Lemmon was married to Miss Laura Martyn, December, 1889 and to them were born four sons and three daughters, all living. All the children have received higher education. Miss Edna Lemmon is at present a missionary in China, interdenominational.
Mr. Lemmon's estate now includes a full section of land, but he is farming only the home quarter. He owned and platted the town site of Pierpont. He has always taken a very active part in the upbuilding of the com- munity, giving his hearty support to both church and school.
Phone and R. F. D., Pierpont, S. D.