The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-07-15

in the house OF Mr.. Bingham. Only
20 votes were cast and tie flowing
officers elected: Moses Gamble and
J. S. Vincent, supervisors. O. F.
Kelley, chairman; Mr.. Dennis, asses
or; Clint Dennis, clerk.
The original size when organized
was s by IL miles but In 1883 it was
divided irto two townships, Oneota
and Franklyn.
In the fall Of 1882 the only inhani-
tants were Messrs Keller, Howard,
Tower, Thayer and Evans. OF these
only two remain, mir. Keller and Mr.,
Howard, both identified with the
early history of Oneota. M. How
ard erected the first frame house in
the township, the lumber of which it
was built being drawn from Aberdeen
d distance OF % miles. Mr.. Keller
resided nearby ana his son f oyd was
he first white child born in Oneota.
Miss Elizabeth Drum was the first
to file on land, filing on a pril 4, 1882
on theis. e. OF sec, 10. The typical
home OF the~pioneer was what iscom-
only known ls the .sod shanty,n but
it was home to the settler whittier he
went from in the morning to break
with his OK team and to which he re-
turnedtired but triumphant at night
and as LongfeliAw says Something
attempted, somethngdoue has earned
d nights repose."
The building of the railroad was a
greatbo to the settler, who prior
to that time had to go to Columbia,
a distance Of Is miles. for supplies.
When the railroad was built several
small towns sprang into existence and
made the access to supplies much eas.
ier.
Education up to this time had not
been neglected, the school township
being organized in 1883.
School election was held at the
house Of S. S. Kinbic in June OF the
same year and the following officers
were e ected; S. S. Kimball, clerk;
j. g. Vincent, chairman; Ed DennisoE
treasurer.
Mr.. Kimball leaving in the spring
of '8l Mr.. Howard was appointed
chairman and Mr.. Vincent leaving
1.-THE same year G.. G. Tooker was ap-
pointed clerk. The first meeting OF
the board for the purpose of hiring
teachers wrs held in Westport and
Mr.. Hampshire was hired to teach Ii,
the house 0f Il. G. Jensen. Sehsol
was also held In the house OF Samuel
Curtiss, one Of Oneota' early pioneers
and most respected citizens, now OF
Frederick. Having house of two
lsmall rooms, he dedicated one to
the cause of education, school open.
/ there on the 10th. of May, 1883, Miss
Elizabeth Drum, holding down q
| claim near by, donating her services
as teacher. In 1885 four schoolhouses
i We're buiit at the cost of $50 apiece
q and ior these the town was not bond
! ed, the patrons paying for them on,
OF their own private purses. So tlli,
Il when keset with the difficulties anl
privations of making new home, th.
Isettler did not forget the duty Ii,
/ owed his children and his co.,ntry ant
Eto-day one OF the first scholars OF tina
humble school is one OF Brown county
most successful teachers. a graduate
iof the A aberdeen High School and on,
lof Oneota S most substantial citizens
Religious matters were not negiee
tied, church being held in schoo
Tor dwelling house: The minister
mot uncomonly having a circuit .
lfifty ora hundred miles, so gathere,
q these pioneer people togetherto woI
ship an pray for help III their under
I taking, teal Of building a new HON
g in new country q
Z Miss Vaughan is likely in erro
i when She states that Floyd Ixeelerwa
3 the first white child born in Oneota
lCatharine Cailaghan has this distine
ltion. Ed. OF Democrat.