RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 173
Topography—Somewhat rolling, however, not so much so but what every acre can be cultivated.
There are many fine farms with large groves and substantial farm buildings. There are still a number of homesteaders living on their land, as follows: Wm. Naessig, Frank Kistner, Eric Lindgren, John Tanberg, Fred Bloom, Frank Paul, Mrs. A. C. Davis, William Long, Hans Lunberg, J. J. Fosse, Mrs. John Paul, Sr., and Mrs. O. R. Howell and sons.
The first child born here was Dewey McKinster, June 5, 1882, born to Mr. and Mrs. M. V. McKinster.
The first death came to Charles Hartman, Sr., October, 1888.
The first marriage was consummated between Louis Dell and Carrie Look, Thanksgiving Day, 1884.
The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Grandberg, seven sons and seven daughters. Eleven now living, ten in the county.
J. A. Fosse, a descendant of a pioneer, has a chicken hatchery with a capacity of fifteen thousand eggs which is now in its fourth year. He specializes on full blood Brown Leghorns. Price of baby chicks, ten to fifteen cents each. Custom hatching, three cents per egg. Phone Webster, R. F. D. Webster.
John M. Fiksdal, chick hatchery, specializes on pure bred White Rocks, capacity fifteen thousand the coming year. Baby chicks ten to fifteen cents each. Custom hatching three cents per egg. Phone, Webster, R. F. D. Wallace. Both of these are on gravelled roads.
Name of township was approved at an annual meeting. Name was suggested by J. J. Fosse, who also was elected one of the first state representatives, upon admission of the state to the Union 1889.
Dates and settlement of Homesteaders:
1881—E. B. Gibson, Ole P. Faste, John P. Faste, Frank Paul, Henry Paul, Tennis Sebion, John Paul, Sr.,
John Paul, Jr., Abe Robb.
1882—Gust Gunderson, M. V. McKinster, John Matthews, David Wenger, Louis Dell, Joseph Look, John H.
Johnson, Hador Johnson, Odd K. Thoe, Chas. Hagne, Sarah Long (Mrs. C. H. Compton), Perry Long, H. H. Lumby,
Fredrica Bloom, Fred Bloom, John Hanson, Tom Hanson, Chas. Hartman, Sr., Chas. Hartman, Jr., John Lightizer,
Chas. Rumsey, Clarence Cease, Harris Harrison, Wm. Chonen.
1883—Ferdinand Hinze, H. J. Svien, Lars Helgeson, Lars Soleberg, Ben Fick, A. M. Wilcox, 0. R. Howell,
Wyman Rider, Knut Thoe, John Tanberg, Nels, Eric and John Lindgren, J. J. Williams, Ole S. Urvig, J. P.
Jesme, M. P. Fiksdal, Gotlieb Hinze, C. Kolhasse, William Long, Lars Langland, J. T. Fosse, Torkel J.
Fosse, Frank Mattscheck, Johanas J. Fosse.
1884—Wm. M. Neassig, Frank Kistner, Mrs. M. Lapinski, Hans Lundberg, G. T. Fitzgerald, Amund J. Eik,
Joseph Mattscheck, Sr., Joseph Mattscheck, Jr., Henry Mattscheck.
1885-86—A. C. Davis, J. D. Gramdberg.
The above picture shows a gathering of parents and children at the close of school year, 1924.
The first school in this district was held in Henry J. Svien's house, located on his present homestead. The term of only two months opened May 19th, 1885. The school was taught by Johanas J. Fosse at twenty-five dollars per month.
The first school house was built in the fall of 1887, shown as inset of above picture. This building was used until 1924 when the new tile brick structure was erected at a cost of $6,000, complete with furnishings. The present teacher, Olga Tanberg, receiving a salary of $110 per month.
This is the first and only rural school house in the county which is built of brick tile.
May 2, 1882, Mr. Fred Bloom and his mother came to Day county from Big Stone, South Dakota, and each filed a homestead and tree claim, all the land practically adjoining. He later purchased his mother's claims and then added 420 acres more to that, making a total of 1100 acres in Day county. He also owns 320 acres in North Dakota.
Mr. Bloom was married to Miss Mary Pasdick, July 16, 1889, and to them were born seven daughters and four sons, all living in Day county.
He has always practiced diversified farming; milks 8 to 10 cows, markets 8 to 10 fat steers, about 30 hogs, 100 chickens and about 75 turkeys annually. From 1920 to 1925 Mr. Bloom has not found it necessary to hire outside help, his own family doing all the work. One of his daughters is very efficient with the gas tractor. The farm contains a ten acre grove which furnishes all the fuel needed, with the exception of a few tons of hard coal for winter use.
Phone and R. F. D., Webster, S. D.