Soo Line Railroad Attracts Settlers

 

It was the coming of the Soo Line Railroad that brought home seekers to Wells County. Settlers had arrived before the eighties in the Sykeston area. The first general election in Wells County, Dakota Territory was held at Sykeston, November 4, 1884. The main issue was the location of the county seat. In those early years, the site of Manfred was known as the James River Crossing of the Mouse River Trail.

 

The Manfred Post Office was established May 3, 1894 with Mr. T.K. Rogne as postmaster.

 

Strength of Character

 

The early settlers were of hardy stock. They were courageous, people of conscience. To practice their religion they were willing to sacrifice and risk funds. They were energetic and inventive. Grueling tasks were merely challenges and they knew how to make crude substitutes for tools, equipment, clothing and materials they lacked.

 

The majority of them had great physical endurance – men and women of character and vision. Without these qualities they bounties of nature would have been of little value.

 

Enjoying the Company of Friends

 

The spirit of kinship, congeniality and helpfulness existed among the pioneers. Fun parities that lasted until dawn were held in various homes, especially during the Christmas season. Neighbors took turns when social events were the order of the day.

 

Christmas tree programs were well attended. Generally a pastor was present to deliver the ever beautiful Christmas Gospel Story. Children would speak pieces and the audience joined in singing Christmas hymns and carols. A barrel of luscious, sweet-smelling apples served as refreshments. Season’s greetings and pleasantries were exchanged. The spirit of good will was easily felt.

 

Popular places for social gatherings were in the various homes of Ladies Aid embers who met once a month. It was quite an ordeal for the hostess to make the necessary preparations.

 

First a thorough housecleaning had to be done. Unused items were taken out to make more room in crowded quarters of the modest homes; then came several days of preparing for the feast to be served.

 

Whole families attended, fathers and mothers with children wrapped in quilts arrived in bobsleds to enjoy the social doings.

 

In summer, buggies and wagons were modes of travel. After the ladies aid business session was completed the guests were invited to be seated at long tables decked out in white tablecloths, and fairly groaning with innumerable varieties of foods and Norwegian pastries, lefse and rømmegrøt. The children waited impatiently for their turn at the second table setting.

 

Fashion of the Time

 

Skirts were floor-length, wide at the bottom with stiffening and bindings to hold them out. Shirtwaists in pretty striped percales were good standbys. Sailor hats were quite the rage, as were the large be-ribboned gaily flowered creations of the period. Elbow length capes trimmed with rich, heavy lace and rows of shining braid added chic to the costume.

 

Men as a rule were bewhiskered and wore derby hats while still white bosom shirts were the style. Watch chains fashioned of human hair, crocheted and finished in gold settings were proudly displayed by young men – generally gifts from their best girlfriends. Growing boys wore knee pants.    

 

Generations of Loyalty

 

The first generation of pioneers who settled in Manfred Township have long since gone to their reward.

 

The majority of farmsteads are owned and operated by second and third generations who continue tilling the good earth, which has produced these many years.

 

When we look back across the years, we are reminded of the high hopes, the stunning disappointments, the heroic struggles pioneers endured, we realize that every food of the soil was hallowed with tears and toil and prayers.

 

Source:  Chapter Excerpt from Pioneer History of Wells County

Author: Sennev Nertrost Whipple

Date:  March 1966