This township lies in the northern tier of Worth county with that of Northwood on the east, Silver Lake on the west, and Brookfield upon the south. Its northern boundary is formed by the State line between Iowa and Minnesota. It contains about 19,010 acres of arable land, and some of the most productive farms in the county. Several creeks provide a good supply of that necessary element, water, and demonstrates the peculiar fitness of the county for stock-raising, to which the people are beginning to turn their attention. One of these streams called Goose creek, or a branch known as School Section creek, rises about the center of section 16 and flowing on a northeasterly course through sections 15, 14, 13, 24, and passes out of the township near the south line of 13, striking the main creek on section 14. Another makes its head on section 32, and traversing sections 33, 34, 26, 35 and 36, in the latter of which it leaves the township. A small stream is located in the northwest section. Timber is also found in a sufficient quantity, several fine groves being found within its limits. The soil, in common with the balance of the county, is a rich, dark, alluvial loam, that even the cursory glance of a novice in agricultural pursuits can tell that it contains all the elements of unlimited fertility. Rolling in long and gentle swales the beauty of the township add to its desirability as a place of residence.

EARLY SETTLEMENT

Considerable difference of opinion exists as to who was the first to settle in this township. Abraham Christopherson settled on section 24, Ole Lee on section 15, and Aslak Lee and Sever Johnson on section 12, all in the early part of 1855, although which was the first of the four, it were impossible to state with accuracy. The preponderance of testimony, however, seem to point that Mr. Christopherson erected the first house in the township. Aslak Lee, died several years ago, and Ole moved to another part of the county. Mr. Christopherson had been dead some years.

John S. Mark is also one of the pioneers of this vicinity, taking up a claim on section 24, late in the fall of 1855. This representative pioneer still resides on this land. G. Jorgenson, also in the same year, came to this neighborhood, and taking up a claim on section 36, commenced to till the land.

In the spring of 1856 Horace Crandall, Stephen, Jonathan, Chester, Edmund Wright and Mr. Crane made a settlement at Wright's grove, in the northwest part of the township. Edmund Wright had located the spring previous at a place in Brookfield township, afterwards called Glenmary, but on being joined by his brothers and the others mentioned above, removed to Hartland township. Benton Little came about the same time. Jonathan Wright, after living here for about fifteen years, went back to Whiteside county, where he had come from, and where his wife, Polly Cummings Wright, died. Here he is still living. Chester Wright lives in Northwood township.

Eli Wood also settled in the township in the spring of 1856. He located upon a part of section 9. Mr. Wood had been a soldier of the war with Mexico, and serving under the command of that gallant hero, General Worth, used all his influence when this county was to be named to have it called after that brave and deserving officer. Mr. Wood was one of the most prominent men of his day, and was considerably interested in the early township politics. During the late civil war he enlisted in company A, 21st regiment, Iowa Infantry, and died while in active service. He was a great favorite with all who knew him and respected by all.

Michael Paulson was also another of these pioneers of the township, locating on section 24 and breaking up the soil to make him a farm that spring.

Christian Emmerson was the next, settling on part of section 12.

Elling Ellingsen Svensrud was also an arrival of this year, taking up a claim on section 12, where he still resides.

Knudt Nelson, another arrival of 1856, located on a quarter and proceeded to develop it and make a farm of what was then a grassy plain.

A greater influx of emigration during the next year, 1857, makes it more difficult to give all who came into the township, but an endeavor will be made to make the list as complete as possible. The following are recorded: William H. Perkins, David Wright, John E. Towne, Albert L. Towne, Nels Anderson Hengesteg, Edwin Haroldsen, Christopher Pickle and John D. Johnson, David Wright was afterwards elected by the suffrages of his fellow-electors to the responsible position of county judge, under which head a reference in detail will be found.

Edwin Haroldsen came to this township in 1857 and purchased the northeast quarter of section 13. He, however, did not settle upon it, but worked out among his neighbors until his marriage with the daughter of John S. Mark in 1872, when he settled upon his own land. He afterwards sold out, and now resides in Fertile township.

Nels Anderson Hengesteg came from his native country, Norway, in 1853, and located in Dane Co., Wis. In 1857 he removed from thence, coming to Worth county and locating in Hartland township, where he remained until the day of his death, which occurred Nov. 2, 1876. He was a quiet, retired man, and by industry and thrift accumulated considerable property, being at the time of his death one of the wealthiest farmers in the vicinity.

ORGANIC

The township was organized on the 21st day of February, 1859, the election being held at the house of Eli Wood, on section 9. The officers chosen were : Duncan McKercher, justice, although he did not qualify, Christopher Pickle serving in his stead; W. H. Russell, township clerk; Nathan Swain, supervisor; Lafayette Parr, constable, but did not serve, A. L. Towne qualifying in. his place; Eli Wood, W. H. Perkins and W. H. Perkins, Jr., trustees.

The present officers that manage the affairs of the township are as follows: Clerk, Elling E. Svensrud; justice, Albert L. Towne; constable, M. S. Perkins; assessor, John J. Hove; trustees, Andrew F. Johnson, John D. Johnson, Sever Holstinson; road supervisors, Hans Peterson, district No. 1; Ole Tenold, district No. 2; Ole Bendickson, district No. 3; John J. Hove, district No. 4.

FIRST ITEMS

The first election held in the township was on February 21, 1859, at which time the first attempt was made to organize the township. This election was held to have been informal, and had to be legalized by the legislature. The election was held at the house of Eli Woods, on section 9.

The first couple, residents of the township, who were united in marriage were Hiram Mayne and Emeline Pickle. This wedding occurred in the fall of 1857. The parties were compelled to go over the line, into Minnesota traveling twenty miles' in a wagon drawn by oxen, to have the knot tied.

The first child born in the township was William F., a son of William H., and Louisa Perkins, whose birthday was Feb. 16, 1858.

The first house built seems a question involved in some doubt, some asserting that Ole Lee erected it on section 15, others as strongly insist that the building erected by Sever Johnson was the first, both of these were, however, built quite early in 1855, and there is no way of settling the matter with accuracy.

The first school was taught in a log school house on section 8, by Mrs. Harriet E. Towne, wife of P. C. Towne, and commenced June 23, 1859.

POSTOFFICE

A postoffice was established in Hartland, in the month of April, 1860, and William H. Russell, who was appointed postmaster, took it to his house, on section 8. He retained his position until Sept. 30, 1864, when he was succeeded by W. H. Perkins, who removed it to his residence. In September, 1866, Mr. Russell was re-appointed to the position, and it wandered back to his dwelling. In May, 1873, the latter gentleman having removed to Lincoln township, the commission was conferred on Chester Wright, who held it for about two years, as it was discontinued during the year 1875. This office was established by law on the northwest quarter of section 7, township 100 north, range 21 west.

CEMETERIES

There are two cemeteries in this township, one on section 18, and one on section 8. Both are well kept up and are a credit to the community that they belong to.

EDUCATIONAL

As has been stated, the first school was taught by Mrs. Harriet E. Towne, the wife of P. C. Towne. Her term of teaching commenced June 23, 1859, and terminated the 26th of the following September. The building in which this talented lady wielded the ferule, was a small log structure, some 16x20 feet in size, with a sod roof, erected on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 8. Within a very short time after the commencement of this school, one was started in the eastern part of the township, at the house of Michael Paulson, who lived on section 24. Teresa B. Barber, was the teacher of this school, and her time of service extended from June 27, 1859, to the 4th of November following.

The first frame school house was erected in this last neighborhood on section 24. There are now five good frame school houses in the district, arid collectively are valued at $2,975. All are well furnished, and supplied, and in educational facilities, at least, Hartland township will compare very favorably with other sections. The township school district was organized March 14,1859, and the following officers were chosen to manipulate the educational interests thereof : Eli Wood, president; Nathan Swain, vice-president ; John E. Towne, treasurer ; A. L. Towne, sub-director for district No. 1, and John D. Johnson, for district No. 2. fn the first report made to the county superintendent, dated September, 1857, the secretary states that Hartland township (then composed of what is now Hartland, Brookfield and Danville) contained, of persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years, thirty-one males and thirty-seven females, a total of sixty-eight. The present township, which is but one third of the same territory, now contains 120 males, and 132 females, a total of 252, between the same ages

. RELIGIOUS

The Scandinavian element of our population are ever a Church going people, and nearly all Lutherans. Almost the first the first thing they do when starting a new settlement is to provide for some place to hold worship.

In Hartland township there are two Norske Lutheran Churches, one on section 18, which was built during the year 1873. It is 40x60 feet in dimension, and the main auditorium has a ceiling about fourteen feet high, and is finished in a beautiful manner. The style of architecture is ornate gothic, and would do credit to any city. The cost of erecting this beautiful edifice was about $3,000. The first pastor was the Rev. B. Ajepelagen, under whose administration the church was built. This gentleman is now located at Mills' Grove, Mitchell county, although now traveling in his native Norway. The present shepherd of this flock is Rev. Mr. Tosdahl, of the Silver Lake Church. Over 100 families are connected with the Church, and during the recess of the district school, a school is supported in which the doctrines of Martin Luther are taught. A healthy religious feeling is kept alive, and services are very regularly attended by the Scandinavian element. The other was erected, on a portion of section 25, daring the summer of 1874. The first pastor was the Rev. T. A. Torgeson who assumed the charge in the fall of 1874. He was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. Mr. Strand, who also officiates as pastor of the Northwood Church. The edifice is a fine frame building constructed with some regard to architectural beauty and symmetry ; the height inside being twenty feet from floor to ceiling and finished in a beautiful manner. The entire building and furniture cost about $2,600. There is a cemetery in connection with this Church, that lies just over the line in Northwood township.

This is chiefly an agricultural township, and contains no village or town, but is noted for the extreme fertility of soil, large crops, and general prosperity of the inhabitants.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, July 28, 2008