FARM HOME OF J. G. MOE
Topography—The west four tiers of sections lie in the James River valley. The two east tires of sections on the first bench of the Coteaus.
This is a very fine laying township and has very productive soil. It has a great number of fine homes and groves, and has as many original settlers or their descendants on their lands as any township in the county. A colony from Iowa were the first settlers in the township. This township at the time was not surveyed so that settlers had to squat on their land. It seemed that nearly every quarter in the township had a shanty within thirty days from May 1st, 1883.
The first child born here was Ruby Dart, August 7, 1884, born to Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Dart.
The first marriage was that of John Bonner and Clara Westfall, September, 1885.
The first death came to Mrs. R. S. Brookings, in June 1883.
The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bailey, nine sons and two daughters, all living.
The first school was taught by Clara Westfall, in the house of J. J. Chambers in the winter of 1883-84. The following were the first scholars: Chas., Geo. and Arthur, sons of Wm. Chambers; Louis, Lilla and Fred, children of Jacob Chambers, Ruth and Joe Lamberton, Mary and Shirley Kellum.
This township was named Homer at a town meeting of settlers and the name was unanimously adopted, and approved by the county commissioners.
Dates of settlement of homesteaders:
1882—H. Hammond, Henry Hannon.
1883—R. 0. Johnson, Daniel Bailey, W. H. Sherrard,
E. E. Flint, Edgar X. Knight, A. C. and Geo. E. Roberts,
Julian and J. D. Knight, J. J., Wm. and Chas. Chambers,
Amos M. Roberts, H. A. and A. R. Lamberton, Caleb, Eli,
Frank and Mary Stearns, H. L. and H. C. VanBrunt, John
I. and F. P. Martin, (better known as "Baldy"), Ransom
Maynard, Miss Belle Day, W. S. Johnson, Ralph Dwight,
R. Allen, A. J. Miles, C. E. Luscombe, Ed. Peek, M. Berry,
D. D. Kellum, C. F. Snyder, Frank Allen, R. D. Speer,
L. A. Townsend, C. S. Weatherwax, John Bonner, C. C.
Dart, Ole B. and Nels Olson, Christian Knudson, Olaf
Estwik, Torris Olson, John and Ole Aspin, John Dahl,
J. G. Moe.
1884—Sylvester Aspin, Rance Dwight, Philander Hannon.
1886—Allan Yost.
Note: Those of the original homesteaders still resid- on their land are as follows: R. 0. Johnson, Rance Dwight, John D. Martin, Ole Aspin, Ole B. and Nels Olson, J. G. Moe, A. R. Lamberton.
Mr. J. G. Moe came to America from Christiana, Norway, July 16, 1880, landing in Hector, Minnesota, where he worked at the blacksmith trade. May 2, 1883, he came to Andover and built a blacksmith shop. In 1884 he filed his present homestead, built a shanty, and equipped it with the usual homesteaders household effects, but continued his blacksmithing in Andover. He was married to Miss Mary Overas, March 28, 1886, after which he moved his business to his present homestead. To this union were born five daughters and two sons, all of them living but one.
He has a farm containing 400 acres which he now farms with his own help and one hired man. He has always practiced diversified farming; milking about fifteen cows, marketing a nice bunch of hogs and poultry each year. Along with his farming he did blacksmithing, up until the towns opened shops.
Mr. Moe has always used good judgment in managing his affairs and has succeeded in keeping his accounts out of the red side of the ledger.
Phone and R. F. D., Pierpont, S. D.
In 1883 Mr. John D. Martin came to the township from Avoka, Iowa. He squatted on his homestead since the township had not then been surveyed. To the original farm has been added a claim which his wife had squatted upon and 160 acres additional. He was married to Miss Mary I. Stearns, February 11, 1886 and to them were born three sons and one daughter, all living.
Mr. Martin and a married son are at present farming the three quarters. They practice diversified farming; market about twenty-five head of hogs and a large bunch of poultry annually. They raise from fifty to sixty acres of corn per year and seed down about thirty acres of sweet clover, which they turn under the second year. The father's home, shown in the picture is heated by a hot water plant. The home of the son is not shown, as it is hidden by the grove. From this grove ample fuel is obtained. The water supply is secured from a deep tubular and an artesian well.
Mr. Martin came to Day county with a special emigrant train, bringing fifteen families. The train was equipped with a special day coach for the women and children.
Property is all of it free from encumbrance and a nest egg in the bank.
Phone and R. F. D., Langford, S. D.