Topography—This is a township that lays in a valley, between two ranges of hills, and is certainely one of the finest laying townships in the county.

Three fourths of the homes have fine groves, besides several fine tree claim groves. All the farm buildings are large and well kept, showing thrift. The original homesteaders living on their lands are: Wm. Herr, E. D. Richards, Mrs. F. L. Ihrke.

The first child was George Chapman, now practicing veterinary at Webster, born October 20, 1883, to Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Chapman.

The first death was that of Mr. Anton Meuer, April 20, 1885.

The first marriage was that of S. S. Yeager and Rachel Butler, July 18, 1883.

The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Herr, parents of thirteen daughters and five son, all living, all single births. Nine are married and nine are at home.

This township was named, for the valley in which it lies. The name was suggested by J. 0. Gulander.

Dates of settlement of homesteaders:

1881-82—J. R. and Henry Chapman, Ole Tinquist, S. S. Yeager, Englebert Holman, C. R. Hustes, Jorgen Aasland, Ole and Andrew Ackerson, Barney Elias, J. and 0. Johnson, John Johnson, Frank Nelson, C. F. Engborg, J. 0. Gullander.

1883-84—E. J. Murphy, John Brown, James McCloskey, Thos. Delaney, Rasmus Sjurson, Peter Behres, Geibrge Debilzen, Jake Engler, F. L. Ihrke, H. Clauson, T. Gunderson, 0. Fossum, Dr. L. F. Case, Jack McKennet, L. Freund, H. Halverson, Orton Hollingsworth, E. D. Richards, Wm. Herr, Robb Staton, Geo. and Ernest Herr, Peter and Henry Casper, Neri Christopherson, Hans Vail, 0. A. Moen, John Zimmerman, Henry Limekuhl, James Wildey, Anton Meuer, M. Casper, A. Esche, H. Moshier, John Hessinger, Joe Marx.

1885-86-87-93—Fred Kreuger, A. Wattier, H. C. Christoferson, M. Bierschback, Anton and Christ Bierchback, John Bierschback, H. Roolkvam, A. P. Jensen.

FARM HOME OF WM. HERR

Mr. Wm. Herr filed on a homestead and tree claim November, 1883, and to this he has added 160 acres. He was married to Miss Hoda Thom, November 21, 1888, and to them were born thirteen daughters and five sons, all single births and all of them still alive, all living in South Dakota. Five daughters and four sons are married, the others are still at home, six of them going to school. The oldest of them, a son, is thirty-six and the youngest, a daughter, nine.

Mr. Herr has always practiced diversified farming; milks ten cows, markets one hundred and fifty Chester White hogs annually.

Phone and R. F. D., Butler, S. D.