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"History and Description of Lyon County, Minnesota", 1884

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Town of Nordland.

Nordland is situated on the west line of the county and six miles from the north line. The surface of the town is rolling prairie watered by the south branch of the Yellow Medicine river, which flows through the town, entering at the southwest corner, and, after a very crooked passage, leaving it on the north line near the center. This gives some very line meadow lands, and makes the town well adapted to stock raising and dairying which is being largely entered into. The soil, like all the soil of Lyon county, is unsurpassed, and there are many thrifty farms dotting the prairie.

The town was first settled by Frederick Holritz, who located on section 18in 1870. In 1873 the town was organized, an election being held at the house of T. H. Flume March 10. The following were the first town officers: Ole O. Groff, chairman; Ole O. Rear and Nils Anderson, supervisors; Frederick Holritz, clerk; T. O. Loftsgaarden, assessor; A. O. Strand, treasurer; J. O. Fangen and Holritz, justices; Thrond Helverson and W. K. Hovden, constables: The first school was taught in 1874, districts 24 and 25 being organized that year. Private houses are still used for school purposes.

The nearest market town of Nordland is Minneota, though considerable of the trade of the town goes to Marshall.

The population of the town is entirely Scandinavian, no other nationality being found we think unless perhaps a few lcelanders. The even sections are fairly well settled. Very little settlement has yet been made on the railroad sections, On the farm of Albert Halverson in the south part of section 28 is said to be the highest altitude in Lyon county. It is said that from there one lean see nearly all over the county.