FARM HOME OF KNUT ANDERSON
Topography—This township is rolling, and has a number of sloughs. However, this township is well settled and has some very good farms and farm homes. Especially is this true among the Norwegian and German-American farmers. The following are still living on their original homesteads: Knute Anderson, Fred Link, August Petrich, John Legaard, Mrs. J. C. Nichols, Mrs. H. E. Ash, Ole Flattum.
The first child born here was Miss Elsie G. Ash to Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Ash, August 14, 1882.
The first death that of L. M. Mattison, June 10, 1884.
The first marriage, that of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Vehe; December 17, 1882.
The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. August Petrich, who are the parents of six sons and seven daughters.
This township was named in honor of Mr. Harrison Butler, the first settler in the township.
Dates of settlement of homesteaders:
1881-82—W. T. Colwell, Ed. Smith, W. P. Huggett, J. k. McKibbin, Harrison and Geo. Butler, H. E.
Ash, John L. Vehe, Clark and Fred Finch, W. A. Hart, Dan Welcher, Geo. McCartney, Henry Rhoades, Geo.
Huggett, Fred Russell, Mrs. Mary McKibbin, David Parks, J. C. Nichols, Bent Overgard, Ole M. Norby.
1883-84—Mrs. Amanda Mattson, Chas. Mattson, Jacob Zimmerman, Aug. Petrich, Detrick Buck, Ed.
McCormack, N. Marston, Chas. Vehe, Louis Hayhurst, T. L. Evans, Joquam and John Overgard, J. Halverson,
J. M. Thornton, Eri Colby, Nick Renkes, Chas. Frisby, J. H. Lonsberry, Robb Bettis, Joe Wankey, Fred
Colby, Mason Sanborn, John Austin, C. W. Siglinger.
1885-86—Bob McKennett, Knute Quam, Andrew Haug, Knute Anderson, Christ Nelson, Ursula and Fred Link,
Ben Judy, Christ Wein, Carl Dueschle, Ole Flattum, John Leegard, Aug. Wiesenberg.
1887-89-91—Henry McKibbin, Andrew Hanson, Gust Berg.
Mr. Knut Anderson came from Valdas, Norway, May, 1875, landing in Freeborn county, Minnesota. Here he worked on farms until 1880 when he was married to Miss Julia Jorgenson, who had the year previous, come from his native town. To them were born six sons and one daughter. All of the children except one son, are living in Day county. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Anderson rented a farm on which he continued until June, 1885, when he loaded his effects into a car and came to Webster.
After paying freight on his car he had but five dollars with which to begin. This he paid to George Ford for showing him his present homestead. In order to get money for the filing fees he sold a horse, leaving him but one pony with which to begin farming. He must have liked the sold horse, however, for within three years he bought it again. Mr. Anderson lived in a dug-out for eight years and here most of his children were born.
He has always practiced diversified farming; markets attle, poultry and grain.
His son Peter, who is living at Andover, was over seas, in service for ten months. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are alone once more, since their children have all left the home nest. Mr. Anderson is 71 and Mrs. Anderson 69 years of age and both of them still enjoy good health.
Phone and R. F. D., Butler, S. D.
Mr. Fred Link filed his present homestead in 1885 on which he has continued to reside ever since. To the original farm he has since added 320 acres. He was married to Miss Louisa Reetz, daughter of Wm. Reetz, November, 1889, and to them were born three daughters and two sons, all living in the county, but one daughter.
Mr. Link practices diversified farming. He is especially interested in Durock hogs, raising and marketing about one hundred and seventy-five, annually. He also produces and sells for seed a very high grade of Early Ohio potatoes. He generally has about fifty acres into alfalfa, ten of which is for hog pasture and the balance is for hay and seed. The remainder of the land is used for raising corn and small grain, about fifty acres of corn. His entire property is free of incumbrance and along with this he has a substantial bank account.
Phone and R. F. D., Bristol, S. D.
Mr. Gust Berg came to Kasota, Minnesota, from Dalsland, Sweden, May, 1888. For one summer he worked in a stone quarry there and the winter was spent in chopping cord wood. In 1889 he came to Day county, landing in Bristol, working on farms and doing general labor until 1894 when he bought a tree claim relinquishment and filed his present homestead. To this farm he has added 480 acres adjoining.
He was married to Miss Amelia Olson, December 1, 1894. They have ten children, seven still living, one daughter and four sons are staying at home.
Mr. Berg has always practiced diversified farming, having learned its worth through actual experience. He milks fifteen cows, markets from seventy-five to ninety hogs and a good bunch of poultry, annually. His buildings are all electrically equipped, have a home plant. Mr. Berg does his own threshing.
Mr. and Mrs. Berg have always enjoyed good health and find farm life far too enjoyable ever to move to the confinement of towns.
Phone and R. F. D., Holmquist, S. D.