EARLY SETTLEMENT — ORGANIC — EDUCATIONAL

Logan township lies in the north part of the county, and embraces all of congressional township 100, of ranges 24, 25 and 26. It is bounded on the north by Minnesota, on the east by Norway township, on the south by Newton township, and on the west by Kossuth county. Logan township is almost entirely prairie, there being but a comparatively few acres of timber in its limits. The soil is very rich and productive; but a large proportion of the land is in the hands of speculators, so that the resources of Logan township have not been fully tried, nor will they be for some years to come. This is one of the greatest hindrances with which the citizens have to compete, and once this is removed, Logan will come to the front as one of Winnebago's best townships. The township is yet new, not only as a civil division, but also as a settled and improved part of the county. The settlement dates back but twelve or fifteen years, and in this short time but little has been done towards developing the resources of the township.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement in Logan township was made in 1867 by Ole P. Jordal, who is still a resident of the township.

Christian Ingebretson became a resident of Logan township in 1868, and has made this his home ever since.

In 1869 Ole Oleson became a resident of the southeast part of township 100, range 24. He commenced making improvements, and built a small house. In 1874 he went to Freeborn Co., Minn.

In 1870 three families located in the township: A.K. Winge, Ole J. Synve and S. Larson, all being at present residents in the township, excepting Mr. Larson, who went to Worth county, this State, in 1875.

Stephen Knudson and family landed in Logan township in March, 1871, and have since remained. Mr. Knudson's father, who came at the same time, and who is living with his son, is now seventy-eight years of age.

H.P. Moe settled in the territory now comprising Logan township in June, 1872. He purchased 160 acres of land on section 24, township 100, range 24, and has since made that his home. Mr. Moe is a native of Norway, born Dec. 25, 1841. He came to American in 1871, and coming to Iowa, settled in Winneshiek county, where he lived until his removal to Winnebago county. Mr. Moe was married in Norway in 1865, to Anna L. Brecke, who died after bearing him two children, one of whom is living - P.H. Moe. In June, 1871, Mr. Moe was wedded to Elizabeth G. Gjordre, by whom he has had six children, four of whom are now living - Anna, Johanna, Johanas, and a baby not named. Mr. and Mrs. Moe are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church; in politics he is a republican.

Ole Johnson Drogsvold came to Winnebago county in 1875, settling in Logan township, on section 25, township 100, range 24. Mr. Drogsvold was born in Norway, April 24, 1849. In 1873 he came to the United States, settling in Dodge Co., Minn., where he lived for one year. He then moved to Olmsted county, same State, and in 1875 came to this county, where he has since lived. Oct. 11, 1873, he was married to Olena Ragnildson, by whom he has had five children - Ragnild, Gurina, Jens, Lena and Anna.

Erick Gullickson is a settler of 1877. He located on section 35, township 100, range 24, where he has since lived. He was born in Norway, Jan 24, 1828. In 1876 he left his native land and came to the United States. He came directly to this county, and for one year lived in Norway township, then, in 1877, moved to Logan township. June 20, 1875, he was united in marriage with Torbjer Johnson, by whom he has three children living - Martha, Anna and John. Mr. and Mrs. Gullickson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

ORGANIC.

Logan township was created by act of the board of county supervisors in the fall of 1881. The first election was held the same fall at the school house on section 21, township 100, range 24, and the following officers elected: Justices of the peace, E.D. Skinner and J.T. Seeley, the latter did not qualify; clerk, T.J. Falken; trustees, Stephen Knudson, A.K. Winge and Stephen Floe; constables, Harry Larson and Stephen Severson, the latter did not qualify; assessor, Nels Nelson.

The officers of Logan township, in 1883, were as follows: Clerk, T.J. Falken; justices, J.T. Seeley and E.D. Skinner; trustees, Stephen Knudson, Stephen Floe and C. Ingebretson; constables, T. Lund and John Grimshaw; assessor, Lewis I. Floe.

T.J. Falken was born in Norway, June 30, 1855, and remained on a farm in his native land until 1868, when he came with his parents to the United States. They settled in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where Mr. Falken resided for about six years, when removed to Mitchell county, settling near St. Ansgar. Five years later he came to Winnebago county, locating in Logan township, on section 25 of township 100, range 24. He was married April 10, 1879, to Tilda Thompson, who has borne him two children - Ida Matilda and John. In religion Mr. Falken is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church; in politics he is a republican. He was elected township clerk in 1881 and has since held that position.

E.D. Skinner was born in Hartford, Conn., Sept. 24, 1849, and when he was but a babe his parents removed to Illinois. When he was about five years of age his parents removed to Allamakee Co., Iowa, where Mr. Skinner remained until 1865. He then settled in Hancock county, this State, making that his home until 1871, when he came to Winnebago county, locating in Forest City. In 1877 he settled in Logan township, where he has since resided. He resides on section 12, ownship 100, range 24, but also owns land in Norway township. Mr. Skinner was married Jan. 1, 1877, to Anna Tennis, who has borne him four children - Loretta J., Lulu M., Bernice L. and Samuel E. Mr. Skinner is a member of Forest City Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of which he has been secretary two terms and senior deacon one term. In politics, he is a greenbacker.

EDUCATIONAL.

In 1883 there were five school districts in Logan township. Total number of months of school taught in the districts during the school year ending Sept. 17, 1883, thirty; number of teachers employed, males three, females five; average monthly compensation for males, $28.50; females $27.50. Number of persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years, males, 65, females, 76; number enrolled in the schools of the townships, 125. Total value of school houses, of which there are but four, $1,700; value of apparatus, $75.

¹History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company, 1884. 907-09.