Eden Township, Polk County, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Eden Township, Minnesota
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
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pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Minnesota
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Polk

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
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area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 93.9
area_land_km2 = 91.0
area_water_km2 = 2.9
area_total_sq_mi = 36.2
area_land_sq_mi = 35.1
area_water_sq_mi = 1.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 215
population_density_km2 = 2.4
population_density_sq_mi = 6.1

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 396
elevation_ft = 1299
latd = 47 |latm = 42 |lats = 45 |latNS = N
longd = 95 |longm = 39 |longs = 9 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
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blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 27-18080GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0664043GR|3
website =
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Eden Township is a township in Polk County, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the 'Grand Forks-ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 215 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.2 square miles (93.9 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.0 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (3.03%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 215 people, 83 households, and 62 families residing in the township. The population density was 6.1 people per square mile (2.4/km²). There were 96 housing units at an average density of 2.7/sq mi (1.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.28% White, 0.47% Native American, 2.79% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.79% of the population.

There were 83 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the township the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 124.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $29,375, and the median income for a family was $32,500. Males had a median income of $24,063 versus $20,536 for females. The per capita income for the township was $11,713. About 10.0% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 7.1% of those sixty five or over.

Eden Township Story

The first pioneers who came to this area of the Thirteen Towns in 1883, which is now Eden Township, were Ole Edevold Sr., O. Dunrud and Andreas Engebretson from Norway and John Erickson from Sweden.

The township was organized in 1888 and was named Eden for one of its first settlers, Ole Edevold Sr. The first board of supervisors was Svert Larson, Axel Thorssen and Thom Thompson. Ole Edevold Jr. was clerk.

The Olga Post Office was established in 1888 and was named for the first girl born in the township, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Erickson. It was housed in the Ole Edevold farm home, until the erection of a store a short distance away, when it moved there.

There was no railroad into this inland town, so the mail was hauled out from Fosston until the rural route was established.

The Olga Store was built by Hans Pladsen in 1896. In 1932 the Pladsen store was discontinued. In 1925 another store was built by the Peterson brothers. Later a meat locker plant was added to this store, and is still in operation.(1958)

A feed mill was built, and owned and operated by Joseph Jungberg. A blacksmith shop was operated by Even Kjos--a definite must to the early pioneer, from putting on a horseshoe to sharpening a plowshare.

The Olga Creamery was located in Section 32 and was organized in 1906. The first elected officials were August Hagen, pres; N.A. Skeie, vice pres; Ole Edevold, Secretary; Ole Dunrud, treas.

Directors were John Lindberg, P.G. Bonlie, K. Skjervens and Victor Thorssen. There were fifty stockholders, and $3000 was borrowed on a joint corporation note. The creamery was then built and equipped for $2,800 and was ready for operation on May 17, 1906. The first buttermaker was Bernie Krogstad. He continued as buttermaker for thirty years. It was a cooperative creamery until 1945, whenit discontinued operation. In the early years, they paid seventeen cents a pound for butterfat, and the highest average price paid in one year was eighty-five cents a pound. August Hagen, the first president of the creamery, held various offices for eighteen years. He is the oldest living pioneer.(1958)

He sold his farm in 1957 and moved with his wife to Gully, where he purchased a home.

The first school district was organized in 1888. School was held in a claim shanty in section 19 and on what is now the Carl Engebretson farm. The school had to be moved to larger quarters very soon due to the increased attendance. The first teacher was Gertie Nelson with a salary of $20 a month.

In 1888 the pioneer pastor of the Thirteen Towns, Rev. Niccolai Heierman, organized the Zion Lutheran church. The organization meeting was held at the Ole Lund homestead, section 30, where the present church stands. At their first meeting, the name Zion was adopted by the members present. The following officers were elected: Ole Rasmussen, Pres.; Thorvold Torkelson, Sec'y; Jonas Wold, Paul Hushagen and Peter Dunrud, Deacpns; Thorval Torkelson, Ole Haugen and Ole Rasmussen, trustees. Paul Hushagen was announcer. The first church was built of logs, and as population increased, plans were made to build a new and larger church. In 1906, the new church was builton the same location and still stands as a lasting monument to early pioneers. The first pastor was the Rev. H.E. Rue. Succeeding pastors were, Rev. Olav Refsdal, Norman K. O. Hildahl, T. H. Megorden, O.M. Bratlie, and Rev. Paul Johnshoy, the present pastor. (1958) Zion is a member of the Fosston E. L. C. parish.

Salem congregation was organized April first 1891 by Rev. J.R. Vaaler at the Ole Edevold home. The first board was: Rev. J.R. Vaaler, pres.; N.A. Skeie, sec'y; P.I. Satran, treas.; Severt Larson, Theodore Larson and Bernt Engum, trustees. The church is located on section 20, tow miles north of Olga Store. This congregation belonged to the Poplar River Parish of Fosston. The Rev. J.R. Vaaler was the first pastor. Others following were, J.O. Saether, 1896-1942, T.H. Megorden, Raymond Williams, Rev. E.O. Landvik and the present pastor, Rev. Ralph Chelson of the Gully Parish. (1958).

This work was a chapter out of the 1958 Diamond Jubilee for the 13 Towns(Townships) that were opened for settlement in 1883. The book is titled, "Saga of the Thirteen Towns," published by the McIntosh Times June 1958.

References