Helga Township History
Compiled by Irene and Harriet Haugo and Mrs. Kathryn Turgie.
I typed this up from a paper given
History of Nary and Community
In 1949 On June 25, 1895, what are now Helga and Farden Townships, were taken from Cass County. They were organized and became part of Hubbard County. Farden Township was named after the first settler named Farden, who lived on what is now Bruhn place.
In 1900, Mr. J. Oftendahl, who came here in 1899, got signers to organize a township. They gave it the name Goshen Land because it was the most valuable land in Hubbard County. When the petition was sent to Park Rapids the township was given the name of Helga after the first child born in the township. Helga Swenson was born in a log cabin located about where Lorrangs' house stands. Note: Records at the Minnesota Historical Society indicate that Helga bears the name of a daughter of John Snustad, probably the first white child born in that township.
- Theodore Geston, Aardon Swenson, O.H. Dybvig, Supervisors
- J.O. Snustad, Clerk
- J. Oftendahl, Treasurer
- Ole Langlay, Justice of Peace
- Pete Brevig, Constable
E.E. Smiley, who was also a cruiser, was the first resident of Nary. I've been told there were not many residences in the village, yet there must have been several to house all the people working in the mill, etc. About 1899 in the logging camp days Nary had a population, including the camps, of about 1000. The official population of the incorporated village was about 350 in the early 1900s. Mrs. Fred Coleman's father, that is Art Coleman's grandfather lived across the track where Balls live.
In 1899 the Nary school district was organized. In November the people decided to build a schoolhouse to be ready January 10, 1900. John Kittleson, father to Dr. Kittleson in Bemidji, was elected chairman of the first school board, Mr. Teller, clerk and Jack Davis, the saloon keeper, treasurer. Mr. Teller refused to serve so Mr. Oftendahl was appointed clerk. The first teacher was Miss Roach, who built her own fires and received a salary of $35.00 a month. The bell in the old schoolhouse was taken from a Mississippi River steamboat. On Sundays that same bell can now be heard from the Baptist Church. It was hung in the church in 1948 because the church bell was cracked. Hoines Over fifty years ago the Paulson, Snustad and Nary schools voted to consolidate. The schoolhouse was built by Larson Brothers Contractors and Builders of Starbuck, Minnesota, possibly in 1920. Later the second floor in the assembly room was furnished and put down by the Boys Club.
Professor
Additional land was purchased. The Farmers Club had several clean up days.
The teachers were required to live in the neighborhood. There always were programs for 8th grade graduation and Christmas. There was no difficulty getting good teachers. Miss Genella Gladen had everyone singing when she was teacher. Mr. Hack promoted good plays. Nary, the School on the Hill is remembered. Miss Katie Bunker (who was on crutches) was one of the teachers. Every Friday p.m. watercolor painting was done. One year the Audubon Bird pictures were painted. Miss Mary Jacobson, took the entire school to the Beltrami County Fair. Elmer Oftedahl drove his team. The fair, a picnic dinner, merry-go-round and a stop at the Hakkerup Studio for a group picture made up the day. Later on the Rosby children ca me to Nary. Elmer Oftedahl was the first bus driver.
Miss Mary Mead was another teacher. She was musical and arranged interesting programs. The Christmas programs were held at the Nary Church. The graduation exercises were held at the schoolhouse. The county superintendent attended to present the diplomas. Nary had a well-stocked library. When Miss Bunker was the teacher, each year an exhibit of busy work won first prize of $15.00. This was spent for library books.
For many years the school, under the direction of Mrs. Searles, Miss Bowman, Miss Mildred Fritz and other teachers put on colorful operettas, drills and plays. In 1949 Mrs. Spangler, a music teacher helped with musical programs for several years. Piano and voice lessons were offered and given to several students.
The government funded a hot lunch program for a couple of years in about 1946-47. Then it was back to a sack lunch for about 2 years. In 1949 the P.T.A. was organized to help with various projects including starting a hot lunch with a well-balanced me
Nary school participated in field days held at Bemidji. This was an all day affair of softball, races and contests. Nary won several honors including trophies.
The heating system was cared for by the following janitors: Clarence Clay, Richard Konoske, Charlie Horback, George Hensley, Fred Ames, Al Murk and Donald Lindsey.