Topography—This town is all in the eastern side of the James River valley. In the northwest corner there are about five sections which were about half covered by two large sloughs, that always contained water the year around. These sloughs were kept well filled by two branches of Antelope creek, running across the township and emptying into these. However, these were drained to the James River valley a couple of years ago and now this land has been reclaimed and will no doubt be very productive.

The land in this township was all squatted upon by the early settlers during the year of 1883, since it had not been surveyed up to that time. Hence it was necessary for each claimant to build a shanty and make some improvements in order to hold a claim, so that when it did come into the market he would have the first right to make a filing.

The original settlers in this township constituted ninety-five per cent Americans, the balance, Scandinavians. Seventy-five per cent of the Americans came from Michigan and the others from Illinois. There remain two of the original homesteaders who didn't get "cold feet," and they have made good by remaining on their homestead. They are: Mrs. V. N. Perry with son and daughter and A. Torguson.

The first child born was to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley H. Smith, fall of 1885.

The first death was that of a child of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Smith, 1887.

The first marriage was that of Stanley H. Smith to Miss Cora Goodwin, November, 1884.

The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. M. Norris: five daughters and four sons.

The first school was held in the sod shanty of Mr. Johnson, southeast quarter of section 29, in the spring of 1884, the teacher being Mrs. Hill. School followed in the fall term in the new church building.

The people of this township were of the same spirit as the pilgrim fathers and felt that they needed a place of worship. They built a Methodist church in 1884, near the center of the township. This building is now used for a community hall.

The township was named, no doubt, at a meeting of the original homesteaders.

Dates of settlement of homesteaders:

1882—C. H. Sheldon, Crocker Brown, Mose Brough.

1883—V. N. Perry, O. C. Huston, Richard and Eliza Tobin, C. E. Bowen, C. H. Wallace, G. E. Tompkins, Edith and Emma Wallace, W. Stevens, M. Allen, J. Makens, A. Johnson, T. Torguson, Dan Harter, M. A. Udell, W. R. Lawrence, H. J. Farrar, E. A. Brown, W. M. McTaggart, Ed. Batchelor, F. C. Dunton, C. D. Gibbs, J. T. Goodwin, J. E. Kibler, L. A. Hastings, J. Esterby, C. and D. E. Ramsdell, E. Willits, A. C. Gates, Wm. McLaughlin, G. W. Earl, E. Chapin, J. Newell, C. L. Blanchard, J. J. Barton, 0. C. Henry, W. L. Holcomb, R. Williams, S. J. Potter, Art and Orson Marsh, Pat Ennessy, W. Townsend, Z. Schaffer, M. J. Case, J. Loring, T. Burrigge, F. Lindberg, S. S. and M. E. Daniels, J. B. Brady, C. W. Whitefield, B. Ellingson, E. C. and J. W. Price, T. Bohrson, M. Norris, Walt Brown, E. Gilpatrick, H. Smith, Joe Garwood, George Marcy, L. Ryan, H. J. Hydlauff, G. D. Farrar, Will and John Lyons, Cora Knight, Joseph Gamache, Will and John Hustead, G. F. Freeman, I. J. Burt, Abe Vickery, George Harter, Dan Harter, George Smith, M. Babcock, Geo. and Nelson Sperry, A. F. Denny.

1889—Andrew Torgeson.

FARM HOME OF V. N. PERRY

Mr. Valorius N. Perry and family came to the county and squatted on their present homestead May 18, 1883. For nearly a quarter of a century he weathered the storms of early pioneer days, but was not permitted to enjoy the fruits of his efforts for long as he passed to his reward November 7, 1906. Since that time the son, C. V. N., and the daughter, Della having grown to manhood and woman- hood, continued with their mother on the farm.

In addition to the homestead, Mr. C. V. N. Perry farms 80 acres of his own and a quarter which be rents. He has practiced the diversified mode of farming for years and finds it most successful. He specializes in pure seeds of the various small grains and grasses and has succesfully bred up (Perry's Yellow Dent No. 83 Corn). He milks from ten to fifteen cows, raises thorough bred Hampshire hogs, turning twenty-five to fifty head annually. Cream sold during the year brings from $700.00 to $800.00 in addition to cream and butter consumed on the farm.

For side lines he has the pure bred Barred Rock poultry and guinea pigs. These are a source of pleasure is well as profit. His observation is that it is never a sound investment to run exclusively to one thing.

All buildings are modernly equipped, having electricity from a home plant.

Phone, Pierpont and R. F. D., Andover, S. D.