The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 9-10-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Beaver Creek
         For a few months the youthful village was the terminus of the railroad and it at once came into prominence as one of the most lively communities in this part of the state. Being the end of the railroad, it became the distributing point for the frontier towns of eastern Dakota, and the business transacted by the pioneer firms was marvelous. Its trade territory extended so far north as Flandreau; west, halfway to Sioux Falls, and south for many miles. With the extension of the railroad westward in the summer of 1878 the village was shorn of some of its former activity, and the business houses that had been established temporarily were removed. Thereafter it settled down to normal conditions, and, although there were a few new business enterprises launched in the next few years, the town continued to be a prosperous one, drawing trade from a very rich and rapidly developing territory, almost illimitable to the north and south. The census of 1880 gave the village a population of thirty-seven.
         A directory of the business enterprises of the village in the summer of 1881 shows only the following: Harrison White, general merchant and grain dealer; Cox & Knudtson, general  merchandise (established in June, 1881); Berry & White, drug store; Dr. W. T. Berry, physician; J. O. Tyler, proprietor of a cheese factory, landlord of the Beaver Creek hotel and postmaster. From this directory it will be noted that there had been a falling off in the business houses of the town from the first year of its existence. But in 1882 began a more prosperous era, which extended over a period of several years and in which Beaver Creek advanced to a point never before attained.
         Among the new enterprises started in 1882 were a harness shop by John Obele, a hardware store by J. O. Brictson, a grocery store by B. F. Roderick & Co., and a drug store by J. M. Park. A directory of March, 1883, furnishes this list: A. G. Seney, general merchandise; K. N. Knudtson, dry goods and groceries; Harrison White, lumber, fuel, grain and livestock; J. O. Brictson, hardware; J. M. Park, drug store; A. Obele, hotel; John B. Obele, harness shop; Kiffe & Obele, blacksmith and wagon shop; Mrs. J. O. Tyler, millinery store.
         The year 1883 was a very prosperous one and many new buildings were put up, including three store buildings, a warehouse and several residences. The Herald at the close of the year of a visit:
         A visit to Beaver Creek, after an absence of a year, will discover to the visitor numerous changes and improvements. Indeed, he will find that the town has nearly doubled in size, and that its importance as a business point has materially increased. . . . There is no mistaking the fact that Beaver Creek is enjoying a very substantial “boom” and that its prospects are brighter than ever before in its history. As a matter of fact, there is no town of its size that receives more grain and stock, and no town of its size that does, in a general way, a larger business.
         The activity continued during 1884 and almost took the nature of a boom. New buildings went up all over the town and several new business houses were established. Rock county in general was enjoying prosperous times and good crops, and Beaver Creek kept pace with the general advance.7 At this time five warehouses were required to take care of the grain that poured in.
         7“Beaver Creek, in respect to general improvements and the erection of new buildings, is coming rapidly to the front. The growth of the town during the past year has been considerably greater than that of the previous year and it enters upon the present season with increased vitality and enterprise. There is no reason apparent why Beaver Creek should not become a town of no inconsiderable importance.”—Rock County Herald, September 19, 1884.
 
         The story of the village of Beaver Creek will continue in the Sept. 24 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 9-3-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Beaver Creek
         Hardly had the location of the site been announced in September when preparations were made by several persons to engage in business in the prospective town. Colonel Harrison White, who was destined to play such an important part in the history of the place, was one of the first. At the time he was employed as a clerk in the St. Paul office of the Sioux City & St. Paul Railway company and determined that he would engage in business in one of the new towns to be established along the road when built. In October, 1877, he shipped a carload of lumber for a store building from St. Paul, which arrived before the road was completed to the town. It was brought by train to the farm of E. H. Bronson, one mile east of the proposed town, and from that point was hauled by team. He set the stakes for his building on Thanksgiving day. Before Colonel White got his building under way, several others had put up buildings in the town and established business houses.
         The first building was started late in October. It was a hotel by Charles Williams, and its dimensions were 26x52 feet, with 20 foot posts. It was not completed, however, until later. Several other business houses were established and buildings put up before the close of the year. The depot was erected and late in November J. L. Helm arrived on the site as agent; C. K. Howard erected a warehouse and W. H. Bryan began buying grain for him late in November; B. F. Roderick completed a warehouse, 22x50 feet, with a capacity of 10,000 bushels, early in December; George Henton erected a shop and engaged in the blacksmith business about the same time; Colonel White established the third grain warehouse; he received the first shipment over the road to the Beaver Creek — fifteen cars of lumber, — built a shed and established the first lumber yard, which was in charge of William Strong; W. H. Glass started a store building in which he later began business; a Mr. Myers opened a boarding house. These, so far as I am able to ascertain, constituted the activities in the little town up to the beginning of the year 1878.
         During the winter and early spring months the activities in the little village continued. Two other lumber yards were established during the winter. One was by a gentleman named Bates; the other was by the Van Eps interests of Sioux Falls and was in charge of Tom Diffendoff. Both were temporary and were moved away within a short time. Colonel  White opened his general store in January and was followed the same month by C. K. Howard and W. H. Glass, who dealt in general merchandise, J. O. Brictson being in charge of Mr. Glass’ store.5 Gullick Sundem, a Martin township homesteader, opened a harness repair shop in Colonel White’s lumber office. Mr. Myers, who had conducted the first boarding house, left Beaver Creek and in the building left vacant K. Knudtson opened a harness shop, later admitting Gullick Sundem as a partner. William Wilson built a small lean-to to the Glass store building, in which he opened a hardware store as a branch to his Luverne business; in the same building Al Atchison opened a shoe repair shop. William Mead constructed a building on the north side of the track, in which he established the Beaver hotel. In the rear of this building was put up another blacksmith shop, which was conducted only a short time. The Williams hotel, the first structure begun on the site, was completed early in the year. Daniel Shell, of Worthington, operated a stage line between Beaver Creek and Sioux Falls and opened a livery barn, which was under the management of Leonard McClintock. Dr. W. T. Berry came early in 1878 and for a number of years practiced his profession. Besides these business houses put up, Colonel White erected a number of dwelling houses for his employees and a few other residences were erected. The postoffice was moved from the country to the village in the spring of 1878 with C. R. Henton as postmaster.6
         5The Glass store building is now the postoffice building and is the oldest one on the townsite.
                  6The Beaver Creek postoffice was established in June, 1873, at the home of Charles Williams, three-quarters of a mile east of the present village, and Mr. Williams was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by C. R. Henton, who served until March, 1880, when he was succeeded by John B. Obele. In February, 1890, James Marshall took the office and served a four year term. John B. Obele again became postmaster in February, 1894, and served until 1898. He was succeeded by L. B. Sage, who held the office only until the next year. Herman Ohs was postmaster from 1899 until his death ten years later. H. R. Ohs, his son, succeeded to the office in April, 1909, and is the present postmaster. Beaver Creek has one rural route, established in 1902.
 
         The story of the village of Beaver Creek will continue in the Sept. 17 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 8-27-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Beaver Creek
         On the banks of the “roaring” Beaver creek, eight and one-half miles southwest of the capital city of Rock county, is the little village of Beaver Creek, a village which has played an important part in the history of Rock county. Excepting Luverne, Beaver Creek is the oldest municipality in the county. Founded during the closing days of the great grasshopper devastation, it rapidly grew to a place of importance, and before it had reached years of discretion was contesting with Luverne for county seat honors. For a dozen years after its founding Beaver Creek continued to prosper; then came a bad fire, followed by the lean years of the early nineties, and the town took a backward step. At one time its very existence was threatened by the establishment of a rival town a few miles away. Better times came, and during the last decade Beaver Creek has advanced until it again takes rank among the progressive places of a prosperous county.
         Situated in the midst of a fine farming country that is thickly settled with an intelligent class of people, Beaver Creek has an exceptionally good, though limited, trade territory. It is served by the Worthington-Mitchell branch of the Omaha railroad, of which road it was at one time the terminus. The village has substantial business houses and fine residences, as well as the public enterprises and institutions that make a community a desirable one in which to live.
         The site on which Beaver Creek is located was recognized from the very earliest days as a desirable one on which to locate a town, and so early as 1873 a plat for a town only a stone’s throw from the present village was surveyed, with the intention of founding a city. R. D. Buchanan, the promoter of a colony of New Yorkers who located in the vicinity, conceived the idea (and started to put into execution his plan) of founding a town at a point just southwest of the present village. During the month of May he had the site surveyed1 and promised the early founding of the town. Mr. Buchanan came out to Rock county with another colony in August, with the announced intention of giving his attention to the new enterprise, but that is the last mention in the local press we have of the city. Like many another city conceived in the western country in an early day, it “died abornin’.”
         Beaver Creek had its birth in the fall of 1877, and came in to existence as a result of the extension of the Worthington & Sioux Falls (now the Omaha) road to that point. The year before this the road had been built from Worthington to Luverne and the survey extended westward to Sioux Falls. In August, 1877, Ex-Governor Stephen Miller, then in the employ of the railroad company, began purchasing right-of-way for the road west of Luverne, work of constructing the line was commenced in October, track laying was completed to the site of Beaver Creek early in December, and in the first part of January train service was established to the new station.
         Before the line was completed to the site, however, the town of Beaver Creek had made its debut. Charles Williams, who owned a farm on section 28, Beaver Creek township, donated eighty acres of land to the railway company for townsite purposes (reserving one block of the plat for himself), the selection of the site being announced about the middle of September.2 From the eighth to the eleventh day of October, inclusive, O. D. Brown, a surveyor, was engaged in platting the townsite for the Worthington & Sioux Falls Railroad company; the dedication was made October 27 by Horace Thompson, president, and George A. Hamilton, secretary, of the railroad company, and the plat was filed in the office of the register of deeds October 30. The original plat consisted of nineteen blocks.3 The name first proposed for the prospective town was Bishop, in honor of General J. W. Bishop, manager-in-chief of the Sioux City & St. Paul railway lines, but before the plat was put on record the new town was named Beaver Creek, after the creek and township of that name.4
         1“… In response to this demand it has been deemed the part of prudence and good judgment to start another town, and the valley of the Beaver is the locality selected, at a point about ten miles west of Luverne. It is situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 29, township 102, range 46, upon land donated for the purpose by Ira Crawford, Esquire. The survey has been made and the town platted by P. J. Kniss, county surveyor.” Rock County Herald, May 30, 1873.
2“Mr. Williams was among the earliest settlers on that wide reaching prairie, and now, after brief period, he finds himself located almost in the path of the iron horse and his dwelling in the very heart of a prospective village.”—Rock County Herald, October 5, 1877.
         3Additions to Beaver Creek have been platted as follows:
         First, by Daniel Shell and C. H. Smith, July 1, 1886; surveyed by Orrin Nason.
         Crawford’s, by J. F. Crawford, Daniel Shell C. H. Smith and F. S. Gibson, February 9, 1887; surveyed by Orrin Nason.
         County Auditor’s Outlots, by County Auditor, October 16, 1909; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
         4The creek was so named because of the many beaver and their dams which lined the stream when the first settlers came. The township was named after the creek at a meeting of the settlers held in August 1872.
 
         The story of the village of Beaver Creek will continue in the September 10 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 8-20-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
The Lodges
         Four lodges have active organizations in Hardwick, the Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors of America, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs.
         The oldest of these is Hardwick Camp No. 3851, M. W. A. It was instituted May 11, 1896, by M. H. Carleton. Following were the first officers and charter members: J. F. LaDou, V. C.; J. P. Kennedy, W. A.; E. H. Albrecht, clerk; H. T. Holverson, banker; L. M. Larson, escort; Thomas Kennedy, watchman; D. J. Stoakes, sentry; T. E. Kirby, H. F. Heiden, H. N. Warner, S. A. Dailey, C. J. Moe, Henry Meyer, Ole J. Foss, S. Sanderson, George O. Ross.
         Valentine Lodge No. 1993, R. N. A., was instituted February 16, 1901, with the following charter members: Petra Moe, Minnie T. Case, Emma Piepgras, Marie LaDou, Liza Abbott, W. L. Armstrong, Stella Fellows, Mina C. Dailey, Ella S. Beaty, Lydia Groen, Ella Reed, E. O. Bredekken, S. A. Dailey, L. M. Larson, Florence Bruce, J. F. LaDou, David Fellows, George Piepgras, Clara Peterson, Mary Harding.
         Hardwick Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. F., which now has a membership of about fifty, began its organization February 12, 1909, with the following named nine members; M. L. Wahlert, Herman Hemme, O. H. Gravatt, John Oye, Hans H. Hansen, William F. C. Krohn, John F. Krohn, John Holmbeck, M. L. Hatch.
         Evangeline Lodge No. 125, Rebekahs, received its charter March 15, 1910. Its first officers and charter members were: Lousie Wahlert, noble grand; Nina Hagedorn, vice noble grand; Tena Hatch, secretary; Dora Ahrendt, treasurer; John Oye, chaplain; M. L. Wahlert, M. L. Hatch, P. D. Whyte, Bertha Whyte, W. O. Larson, T. H. Marxon, Caroyln Paustian, Lillian Paustian, Anna Heckt, Maria Oye, H. J. Hemme, Anna Hemme, Emma Will, Nora Piepgras, Anna Wiese.
 
Fire Department
         Hardwick has an efficient fire department with an active organization. So early as the spring of 1899, before the water works system was installed, we find the city council investing $25 for three patent fire extinguishers. This constituted the fire department of the village for about two years. After the water works plant was installed, in January, 1901, a cart and hose were purchased and a department organized. A reorganization was effected in 1905, when E. Olson was chosen chief. Since that time the department has maintained an active organization. The present officers were W. T. Murray, chief; L. A. Tollefson, assistant chief; E. V. Iverson, secretary; O. H. Gravatt, treasurer.
 
The Bank
The Farmers State Bank of Hardwick is the only financial institution of the town. It was organized as a private bank in January, 1893, by A. W. Sleeper, E. E. Brintnall and D. J. Hawley. It opened its doors in a lumber office and was under the local management of Mr. Hawley. In May, 1893, it passed to the control of E. E. Taylor and George O. Ross, and during the next eleven years Mr. Ross conducted the bank. From June, 1904, until after the reorganization D. J. Ross was the cashier and local manager.
         The Farmers State Bank succeeded the private institution December 13, 1907, when it began business with a capital stock of $10,000. The officers of the new concern were E. E. Taylor, president; D. J. Ross, cashier. Other incorporators were B. B. Van Steenburg, A. E. Buck, O. H. Gravatt, H. T. Holverson and C. H. Christopherson. Mr. Ross was succeeded as cashier April 30, 1908, by O. H. Gravatt, the present officer in charge. In January, 1910, the stock owned by H. H. Buck was purchased by local parties, and the stock is now owned almost entirely by residents of Hardwick and vicinity. The officers and directors in 1910 were as follows: H. T. Holverson, president; O. H. Gravatt, cashier; M. L. Wahlert and E. E. Taylor. In Decemeber, 1910, the capital stock was increased to $15,000.
 
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the Sept. 3 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village, continued from 8-13-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
         With the prosperous times in the country a decade ago, Hardwick kept pace and made rapid strides forward. The town’s second railroad — the branch from Worthington — was completed in 1900. The federal census of that year gave the village a population of 259. A system of water works was installed by the village in that year at a cost of $1590.30
                  The year 1901 was an exceptionally active one in building operations. The village authorities purchased shade trees, with which they lined the streets and otherwise made arrangements for making a “city beautiful.” Each year witnessed an increase in the business blocks and residences erected. Several brick blocks were put up in 1905, and later most of the board walks of the town were replaced with cement. A city hall was erected in 1908.
         The Hardwick of today differs vastly from the site a quarter of a century ago, when the few people residing in northern Rock county were vainly endeavoring to have the railroad company do something in regard to locating a town on “section 26.” The growth of this town vividly illustrates the changes that have occurred in northern Rock county during the last twenty-five years. The population of Hardwick in 1910 was 292, a substantial gain over former enumerations.
 
The School
         For several years before a school was conducted in Hardwick, the school of district No. 48 was maintained about a mile from the townsite. Among the teachers of this country school were Sarah Maher, Flora Mather, Emma A. Wright, Elma Crossman and Myra Ferguson. In 1892 thirty-seven pupils were enrolled. At a school meeting of the district on August 12, 1892, it was decided to erect a school house in the new village, and the old building was sold to J. B. Reed, for $90. The same fall a one-room building, 24x32 feet, was erected, but school was not begun in it until November, 1893, when E. W. Hunnicutt was employed as teacher. A year later another story was added to the building.
         This pioneer building served the district many years. In the spring of 1906, by a vote of 33 to 21, the electors decided to bond for $7000 for the purpose of raising money to build a new school house. Following this action the present building — one of the finest in the smaller towns of the county — was put up at a cost of $10,000. It is a four-room building, was built of Luverne pressed brick, and was constructed by Greene and Gilham. The present enrollment is about one hundred, and three teachers are employed.
        
The Churches
         Four church societies have organizations in Hardwick, of which two have houses of worship. The Presbyterian was one of the first organized and that society was the first to erect an edifice. The building was dedicated January 23, 1898, by Rev. W. J. Johnson and Rev. J. D. Gibbs. The total cost of the building was about $1400. Services are now not regularly held. Rev. R. H. Moodie is the present pastor.
         The German Lutheran Synod church was organized in the nineties by Rev. Brinkman with only five or six members. For several years services were held in the school house, but in 1901 the church edifice, costing nearly $2000, was put up. Services are held every two weeks by Rev. H. AmEnde, of Jasper.
         The Independent German Lutheran church was organized several years ago. Services are held every third Sunday in the Presbyterian church building by Rev. E. C. H. Peithmann, of Webster, South Dakota.
         The United Norwegian congregation maintains an organization. Services are conducted every third Sunday by Rev. O. J. Mundahl, of Luverne.
30This was replaced in 1909 by modern equipment at a cost of several thousand dollars, and Hardwick now has one of the best water works plants in the county with water and power sufficient to supply the wants of a town many times its size.
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the August 27 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 8-6-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
         Hardwick became a municipal corporation in 1898. So early in its history as 1893, however, the first attempt to bring about this desired condition was made. On July 20, 1893, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners, asking it to take the necessary steps to bring about the incorporation of ten square miles of territory as the village of Hardwick, it being necessary to take in that much territory to secure the number of inhabitants required by law. The commissioners referred the matter to the county attorney, who held that the facts set forth in the petition did not satisfy the requirements of the law, and the county board refused to grant the petition. The residents of Hardwick employed A. J. Daley as their attorney and secured an alternate writ of mandamus from the district court, demanding that the commissioners either grant the petition or show cause in court why it should not be granted. At the hearing, which was set for August 4, Judge Brown quashed the writ, upholding the action of the county board, and Hardwick continued under the local government of Denver township.
         The matter of incorporating was again taken up in the fall of 1898, and on October 7 the county commissioners called a special election, to be held October 10, to decide the matter. Out of a total of thirty-seven votes, twenty-six were in favor of and eleven against incorporating the four southeast corner sections of Denver township into the village of Hardwick. The first village officers were chosen at another election, on October 25, and soon thereafter Hardwick began its municipal career. Following is a list of those elected to office during its history: 24
         1898—President, J. B. Iverson; trustees, H. T. Holverson, James P. Kennedy, John Overland; recorder, George O. Ross; treasurer, L. M. Larson; justices, William Ross, F. W. Case; constables, C. J. Moe, Thomas Kennedy.
         1899—President, J. B. Iverson; trustees, H. T. Holverson, James P. Kennedy, John Overland; recorder, L. M. Larson; treasurer, George O. Ross; justices, J. F. LaDou, William Ross; constables, Thomas Kennedy, D. J. Stoakes.
         1900—President, J. B. Iverson; trustees, H. T. Holverson, James P. Kennedy, F. W. Case; recorder, J. D. Thompson; treasurer, L. M. Larson; justice, Thomas Trenhaile; constable, Thomas Kennedy.
         1901—President, J. B. Iverson, trustees, H. T. Holverson, James P. Kennedy, Q. Stark; recorder, J. D. Thompson; treasurer, L. M. Larson; justices, Thomas Trenhaile, F. W. Case; constables, Thomas Kennedy, H. Schroder.
         1902—President, W. T. Berry; trustees, R. A. Hecht, F. W. Case, John Overland; recorder, J. D. Thompson; treasurer, L. M. Larson; justice, William Ross; constable, E. I. Harding.
         1903—President, Q. Stark; trustees, R. A. Heckt, D. J. Stoakes, James P. Kennedy; recorder, H. T. Holverson; treasurer, L. M. Larson; justice, A. H. Higley; constables, Thomas Kennedy, C. J. Moe.
         1904—President, Q. Stark; trustees, James P Kennedy, D. J. Stoakes, L. M. Larson; recorder, H. T. Holverson; treasurer, R. A. Heckt; justice, William Ross; constable, Thomas Kennedy.
         1905—President, E. C. Heckt; trustees, John Overland, Otto Bargenquest, F. W. Case; recorder, A. J. Hemmings; treasurer, R. A. Heckt; justice, O.E.. Fellors;25 constable, William Ryan.26
         1906—President, H. T. Holverson; trustees, John Overland, Adolph Carl, F. W. Case;27 recorder, T. S. Hartley; treasurer, R. A. Heckt; justices, M. L. Wahlert,28 E. T. Thorson; constables, W. T. Murray, O. Bakka.
         1907—President, H. T. Holverson; trustees, John Overland, R. A. Heckt, James P. Kennedy; recorder, D. J. Ross; treasurer, E. C. Heckt; justices, T. O. Tollefson, T. S. Hartley; constables, Emil Paustian, Will Mannigel.
         1908—President, James P. Kennedy; trustees, Thomas Trenhaile, D. J. Stoakes, R. A. Heckt; recorder, H. T. Holverson; treasurer, E. C. Heckt; justice, E. T. Thorson; constable, Albert Sodeman.
         1909—President, James P. Kenendy; trustees, Thomas Trenahaile, D. J. Stoakes, R. A. Heckt;29 recorder, H. T. Holverson; treasurer, E. C. Heckt; justices, P. T. Petersen, W. F. Ihde; contables, W. T. Murray, Emil Paustian,
         1910—President, James P. Kennedy; trustees, D. J. Stoakes, F. G. Hartley, O. H. Gravatt; recorder, H. T. Holverson; treasurer, E. C. Heckt; justice, P. T. Petersen; constable, W. T. Murray.
         1911—President, James P. Kennedy; trustees, T. S. Hartley, O. H. Gravatt, J. H. Johnson; recorder, J. B. Iverson; treasurer, E. C. Heckt; assessor, M. L. Wahlert; justices, P. T. Petersen, H. T. Holverson; constables, W. T. Murray, Henry Hoffman.
         24Saloon licenses have always been granted in Hardwick. During its municipal career the question of license has been voted on three times—in 1899, 1900, and 1903. License carried each time, the vote being, respectively, 29 to 21, 37 to 18, and 42 to 20.
         25In April, 1905, H. T.  Holverson and A. H. Higley were appointed justices.
         26Thomas Kennedy was appointed constable in April, 1905.
         27Resigned in May and was succeeded by M. L. Wahlert.
         28Resigned in June and was succeeded by O. H. Gravatt.
 
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the August 20 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 7-30-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
         At the close of the year 1892 we find that there were in the new town three general stores, one hotel, one lumber yard, one fuel yard, two grain warehouses, two blacksmith shops, one saloon and one livery stable. Within the year Hardwick had developed into a hustling little village.20 The list of building improvements for 1892 as reported by the local press was as follows:
John Scharnberg, hotel—$3000; School building—$1000; J. H. Dressen, store building—$1000; Herman Lenz, store building—$1000; H. T. Holverson, livery barn—$800; W. E. Littel, residence—$650; J. C. Johnston & Co., lumber sheds and office—$600; A. A. Walvatne, store building—$500; William Olson, blacksmith shop—$500; Charles Anderson, residence—$400; J. B. Reed, residence—$300; E. Olson, blacksmith shop—$300; Henry Melarchy, butcher shop—$200; Total $11,050.
         The survey of the townsite was made September 1 and 2, 1892, by W. N. Davidson. The dedication was made Septmeber 12 by A. A. Walvatne and A. W. Sleeper, and the instrument was filed for record September 24.21  The original plat consisted of only four blocks. The streets east and west were named First, Main and Third; north and south the site was divided by Summit street.22
          The founding of new enterprises continued during the early part of 1893. A building was erected and a bank founded, under the management of D. J. Hawley, who in May was succeeded by George O. Ross; D. J. Stoakes opened a hardware store; the first grain elevator was erected by Otter Otterson; Hauger & Sacket put up a building and opened a feed mill. Thereafter for several years there was little advancement in Hardwick. The town maintained an excellent grain market, and hundreds of carloads were shipped each year; the few business houses were well supported and the village continued to hold its own with the neighboring hamlets during the lean years of the middle nineties. A directory published in the fall of 1898 showed the following business enterprises:23  J. B. Iverson, Hulett Brothers & Co. and Heckt Brothers, general merchandise; Q. Stark, hardware; Stephen Brothers, meat market; J. C. Johnston & Co., lumber yard, L. M. Larson, manager; T. O. Tollefson, livery, grain and live stock; August Stroehbeen, Hardwick hotel; Hardwick Elevator company, grain; Holverson & Jargo, grain; E. A. Brown, grain and live stock; Davenport  Milling company, grain, J. Case, manager; A. T. Martinak, restaurant; T. F. Lange, barber shop; Engebret Olson, blacksmith shop; John Overland, blacksmith shop; August Stroehbeen, saloon; P. E. Matthieson, saloon.
         20“No town in Rock county of equal age has come to the front more rapidly and developed brighter prospects of becoming a prosperous business point than Hardwick. It is surrounded by a splendid farming country, which until recently has been sparsely populated, but it is now rapidly coming into the hands of well-to-do and enterprising farmers.”—Rock County Herald, December 30, 1892.
         21 The land on Section 35 upon which the original plat was located was originally the plat of the Western Land Company. In 1890 it came into the possession of A. A. Walvatne, who in the summer of 1892 disposed of part of it to A. W. Sleeper.
         22Additions to Hardwick have been platted as follows:
         Ross’, by George O. Ross, May 10, 1899; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
         Kennedy’s, by Thomas F. Kennedy and James P. Kennedy, April 28, 1900; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
         Houg’s by Johanna Houg, July, 1900; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
         County Auditor’s Outlots, by County Auditor, April 30, 1902; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
         Ross’ Second, by George O. Ross, January 1. 1901; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
                  23“Hardwick has maintained a steady and substantial growth and is destined to become one of the most important business points in Rock county outside of Luverne. It has an excellent grain and stock market and has a large and increasing trade from a section of the county which is rapidly increasing in population. Several new buildings have been erected this season and more are contemplated.”—Rock County Herald, October 14, 1898.
 
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the August 13 edition of the Star Herald.
                  Donations to the Rock

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 7-23-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
         There was practically no change at the station during the next few years. Otter Otterson continued buying grain for E. A. Brown, and later John Otterson bought for the Iowa, Minnesota & Dakota Grain company, which succeeded Cudahy & Butler. In 1889 Engebret Olson opened a small blacksmith shop on what is now the northeast corner of block four of the original plat, and he continued in business until after the founding of the town.
         Several items of importance occurred during 1891. That year John Otterson erected the first building of permanent character in Hardwick. It is the building on the lower end of Main street now occupied by Mr. Otterson as a residence; when the postoffice was established it was opened in this building. During the summer the depot was put up and it was opened September 1 with William Little in charge. Early in the year the farmers in the vicinity petitioned for the establishment of a postoffice at Hardwick, and in December the office was put in operation with John Otterson as postmaster.19
         19Mr. Otterson conducted the postoffice until 1894. E. H. Albright served until April, 1887, since which time John B. Iverson has been postmaster. One rural route is supplied from the Hardwick office. It was established January 15, 1904.
         By this time Hardwick had developed into an exceptionally good grain market, and toward the close of the year came the announcement that the following year would see the founding of the town, with stores, shops and other enterprises that make a town.
         Almost with the beginning of the year 1892 came the first business men to start the new enterprises. In February Herman Lenz, a farmer residing in the neighborhood, completed a small store building and put in a stock of general merchandise. The next month A. A. Walvatne erected a building adjoining Mr. Lenz, in which Thomas Trenhaile opened the second general store. Before the spring was over Engebret Olson moved his blacksmith shop closer to the new village and William Olson came from Larchwood, Iowa, and opened a shop in opposition; T. Staven came from Trosky and built a wagon shop; John Scharnberg erected a hotel and a little later opened a saloon in connection. During the summer Henry Melarchy opened a meat market; John H. Dressen erected a building and started the town’s third general store; John Niemer started the first livery barn. During the fall J. C. Johnston & Co. erected sheds and office building and started a lumber yard, under the management of Dunk Wills; a new grain buying firm appeared; John Otterson added flour and feed to his stock of fuel; a school house was erected; and several of the new comers built residences. The first child born in the village was a son born to Mr. and Mrs. John Otterson on June 20.
        
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the August 6 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
 
Rock County Village continued from 7-16-20 edition of the Star Herald.
 
Hardwick
         According to the last census figures, Hardwick ranks third in size among Rock county villages. It is a compactly built, neat appearing, prosperous little municipality located nine miles north of the county seat, at the junction of two lines of the Rock Island railroad. Otherwise described, it is in the southeast corner of Denver township, the platted portion of the village being on sections 26 and 35. Like Hills, it is comparatively new town but has outstripped some of the older places in the county.
         As a town, Hardwick’s history dates back only to the year 1892, but the actual history of the place began several years before that time. Prior to the fall of 1884 the site of the present village was unoccupied by human habitation, and the honor of erecting the first building on the site belongs to a young Norwegian emigrant, Knute Taamasgaard by name. At that time Mr. Taamasgaard, who was employed on the farm of Otter Otterson, made “squatter’s” settlement on the land in question and constructed a diminutive dug-out and sod shanty, in which he and his wife resided about two years.
         On the eleventh day of September, 1884, the tracklayers of the Burlington railroad, building from the south, reached the site of the present town. Rumors at once became rife regarding the establishment of stations on the new road between Luverne and Pipestone. During the month of September it was announced that one station would be located near Poplar creek in Pipestone county, to be named Trosky and another on Otter Otterson’s farm, the northwest quarter of section 26, Denver township, to be called Denver. During the next month the town lot company connected with the Burlington road started the town of Trosky, but no steps were taken toward the building of the village in Denver township, the name of which, it was announced in October, was to be changed to Jasper. Although land for depot grounds was deeded to the company by Mr. Otterson, the officials took no action in regard to founding the new station during 1884.16
         The people of northern Rock county, being long distances from market, were anxious for the opening of a station at some point along the line. The railway officials taking no action during the summer of 1885, the residents of Denver, Rose Dell and Mound townships circulated a petition in August, asking that the Burlington officials establish a station on Otter Otterson’s farm — the location previously selected. The petition was signed by sixty-nine settlers. Within a few days after it was presented, on August 19, 1885, E. S. Ellsworth, the Burlington townsite agent, came to the site and under his direction a section house was built on Mr. Otterson’s farm. Mr. Otterson was employed by the railway company to look after the shipment of grain from that point—and that was the extent of the preparations for founding a town at that time. The matter of platting a townsite was under consideration by the authorities for a few weeks, but no action was taken.
         “Rumors of the establishment of the station were received in the spring of 1886, but no action was taken until the fall of that year. In October the station was definitely located on the line between sections 35 and 2617 and a side track was constructed. In November a depot platform, 16x20 feet, was built, but the station was not named or put on the time card of the company until later. The grain buying firm of Cudahy & Butler bought grain at the new station that season. In the spring of 1887 the station was named Hardwick, in honor of J. L. Hardwick, the master builder of the Burlington road, and the next fall it was placed on the railroad time table. Otter Otterson bought grain and stock for E. A. Brown, who had succeeded to the business at the new station, during the season of 1887, and did a thriving business.18
                  16 “Nothing definite can be learned concerning the location of a station between this point and Trosky, but there is still reason to believe that the site originally selected on section 26 will be adopted.” —Rock County Herald, November 21, 1884.
         17“It appears to be definitely determined that the new station in Denver township will be located on the north line of section 35. The location is certainly not the best that could have been chosen to secure the most business for the company, but the location selected is probably more advantageous than any other for the town lot company,” — Rock County Herald, October 29, 1886.
         18“Since the crop of 1887 began to come into the market E. A. Brown has shipped fifty carloads of grain from Hardwick, the station in Denver township, and has shipped in all since that time over two hundred carloads of grain and livestock.” — Rock County Herald, January 13, 1888.
        
         The story of the village of Hardwick will continue in the July 30 edition of the Star Herald.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.