Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-10-29
First Records of Is Years
Ago Are Being Transcribed
Original Book an Register OF Deeds
Office Looks Good Coasid-
ering Usage.

A record book in which were re-
corded the first deeds and U. S. pat
ents on lands in Pine county, dating
back to the years 1856 and 1851
IS years ago which is on file in the
office of P. L. Hamlin, register of
deeds of Pine county, is so old and
worn from the thousands of times
it has been handled, that the county
commissioners authorized the tram
scribing of the records into new
book. The transcribing is being done
by Miss Blanche Nelson, an assistant
in the office, who has a beautiful
handwriting.
The old book which has stood the
test of Is years looks well consider
ing it's long usage. The writing, all long
hand, which was apparently done by
by a man, is still very legible, but
the cover is so badly worn and torn,
and the binding in general has given
out In order to preserve the records
it was deemed best to have them
transcribed. The work is not all
done at one time, but an hour or two
or more is spent on the transcribing
now and then when other work in the
office is not so rushing. The instru-
ments that were recorded in the old
book are being transcribed into the
new book, word for word, and page
by page. 1t will be very carefully
compared when completed and at the
end will be certificate by Mr.. Ham
lin certifying that it is true and cor
rect copy of the original. While the
re-copying of this book is in hand
writing much of this kind of work is
done on copying machines today.
Dates Back to Chengwatana.
The original book is of light blue
paper with 4O5 pages, and leather
bound. The back edge of the book is
marked "Chisago-Pine. 1t dates back
from about the time Pine county set
off from Chisago and when the county
seat of Pine was established at Cheng-
watana, before the railroads traversed
this part of the state. The court
house was then on the east shore of
Cross lake in what is now Chengwa-
tana township, about two miles east
of Pine City village across the lake,
but five miles on the highway. After
the transcribing has been completed
the original book will be wrapped up,
carefully preserved in the vault, and
opened only in case of dispute over
early records. The name of the reg
lister of deeds at the time of the origin
of this book in 1856 and 1857, does
not appear in it.
According to old records Don L.
Willard was elected register of deeds
of Pine county in 1872. Others who
filled that office in the early days
were John D. Wilcox, uncle of the
present judge of probate, Robert Will
COX; and John p. Peterson. James
Hurley, still residing in Pine City,
and father of County Attorney Michael
2. Hurley became register of deeds
in 1879 and held the office for IA
years. John w. Hunt held the office
for short time and James H. Wandel
was a faithful public servant there
for nearly 80 years.
Hamlin in Office Nearly Seven Years.
The present register of deeds. P. L.
Hamlin, was appointed to the posi-
ton on January 81, 1925, was elected
by the voters in the fall of 1926, and
reelected in 1880, having served now
for nearly seven years.
Before Minnesota was organized as
territory in 1S49 Pine county was