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The Meadow Road (A.K.A. Armstrong Rapids, per 1940 Federal U.S. Census Records) Farm has an interesting history.  The outline below provides some information about its chain of ownership.  This property is legally known as: T58, R23, Section 8, SE of the SE (40 acres).

From Bureau of Land Management records, the United States of America issued ownership to the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company, formerly the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad Company via a direct sale on June 25th, 1884. This property was never Homesteaded.  

St. Paul and Duluth Railroad Company (James Smith Jr. as President) sold the property to Robert Howie and his wife Kittie J. Howie of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin on July 21st, 1884.

Robert Howie and his wife Kittie J. Howie of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin transferred property over to Hall and Ducey Lumber Company with Thomas H. Shevlin as president on November 14th, 1888 at 10.00am.  Shevlin, MN is named after Thomas.

Hall and Ducey Lumber Company with Thomas H. Shevlin as president, quit claimed the property over to Henry A Smith on October 4th, 1890.

Henry A. Smith and wife Harriet A. Smith transfers property over to William C. Smith on October 4th, 1890.

William C. Smith transfers property over to Benjamin F. Smith on June 18th, 1892.

Benjamin F. Smith and Jamie Belle Smith (wife) transfer by Warrantee Deed the property over to George McGregor on January 5th, 1901.

George McGregor and Kattie McGregor quit claims the property over to William D. Washburn Jr. on January 5th, 1901.

William D. Washburn Jr. and his wife Florence S. Washburn transfer title over to William D. Washburn Sr. on June 14th, 1904.

William D. Washburn Sr. and his wife Lizzie M. Washburn transfer title over to William D. Washburn Jr. on May 9th, 1905.

William D. Washburn Jr. and his wife Florence S. Washburn transfer title over to George Witter of the County of Blue Earth, Minnesota on May 9th, 1905.

George Witter of the county of Blue Earth, Minnesota transfers title over to The First National Bank of Mankato on August 5th, 1905.

First National Bank of Mankato sells property to Alva A. Lindahl on December 8th, 1916.

Alva A. Lindahl transfers property over to G. P. Baughman on October 3rd, 1924.

G. P Baughman etux transfers title of property over to R. H. Stringfellow on September 16th, 1925.

The Mankato Company sells property to Rose Beckman, December 15th, 1936.

First National Bank of Mankato transfers title over to The Mankato Company on April 3rd, 1940.

Rose Beckman transfers all interest except life estate rights to their only son, Paul John Beckman on September 20th, 1989 by quit claim deed.

Johnson Farms acquired the Meadow Road Farm after the property changed hands several times since Beckman ownership.