USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 17
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 17
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
Bessie L. Gulbrandson, A. B. (St. Olaf College), Preceptress. English and Education.
Olaf O. Bjertness, A. B. (St. Olaf College), Business Manager. Civics and Economics.
Oscar Lyders, A. B. (St. Olaf College). Music and History. Minnie G. Syverson (Graduate Whitewater, Wis., Normal School, Commercial Course). Shorthand and Typewriting.
Matilda Oefstedal, A. B. (St. Olaf College). English, Latin.
G. A. Larsen (Graduate Capital City Commercial College, Madison, Wisconsin). Bookkeeping.
Traverse B. Krouskup (State University of Iowa). Assistant In- structor.
Mrs. Inger Hexdall, Matron.
The present officers of the Waldorf Lutheran College Association are as follows : Rev. O. R. Sletten, Lake Mills, Iowa, president ; Rev. L. O. Wigdahl, Ruthven, Iowa, vice president; L. A. Jensen, Forest City, Iowa, secretary; Luther I. Aasgaard, Forest City, Iowa, treas- urer; Rev. Edward Nervig, Albert Lea, Minnesota, A. O. Rye, Hanlon- town, Iowa, and O. Michaelson, Leland, Iowa, trustees who terms expire 1919; Rev. C. S. Halvorson, Thompson, Iowa. Luther I. Aasgaard, Forest City, Iowa, Rev. N. C. Brun, Lake Mills, Iowa,
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trustees whose terms expire 1917; Oliver Gorden, Forest City, Iowa, Rev. Hans Fosnes, Northwood, Iowa, and Rev. C. S. Salveson, Carring- ton, N. D., trustees whose terms expire in 1918. The board of directors is composed of the following : Rev. P. B. Trelstad, Blue Earth, Minne- sota, term expires 1919; Rev. L. O. Wigdahl, Ruthven, Iowa, and Rev. R. O. Hjelmeland, Fertile, Iowa, terms expire 1917; Rev. Joh. Gran- skou, Lake Mills, Iowa, and Rev. J. J. Akre, Estherville, Iowa, terms expire 1918.
NEWSPAPER HISTORY
THE WINNEBAGO PRESS
The first newspaper in Winnebago County bore the name of the Winnebago Press and the first number of the same was issued June 14, 1867, at Forest City, with Will Kelly as editor and publisher. Owing to some delay in getting his material here the editor could not publish a complete paper the first week, but sent out a half sheet, apologizing and promising to issue a complete paper the following week, which he did. It was a five column quarto, well filled with local and general news, and contained a fair number of advertise- ments. Mr. Kelly, although a strong writer, lacked the business ability to make his newspaper a success and in September, 1867, the Press came under the management of Arthur Linn and J. C. Harwood, two young men from Charles City, Iowa.
The firm of Linn & Harwood enlarged the paper to a six column folio and continued their partnership until November 11, 1869, when Mr. Linn sold out to his partner and retired. He afterward became editor of the Bismarck (N. D.) Herald.
Mr. Harwood continued the publication of the Press with good success and considerably increased its circulation. In the fall of 1870 it was enlarged to a seven column sheet, and in July following it was again enlarged to eight columns. In October, 1871, Mr. Harwood relinquished control of the Press and the paper and plant were pur- chased by W. C. Hayward and M. Halvorsen. After his retirement Mr. Harwood engaged in mercantile business in Forest City with B. A. Plummer for a time, then went to Hampton, Iowa, and reën- tered the newspaper business.
The firm of Hayward and Halvorsen took control of the Press with the issue of October 12, 1871, and in their salutatory promised allegiance to the republican party. This partnership continued in active force until July 1, 1873, when Hayward retired, selling out to Halvorsen. The latter remained in sole charge until January 1, 1874,
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when A. H. Chase purchased a half interest and the firm became Halvorsen & Chase. The Press was continued until about the first of March when its name was changed to the Northern Iowa Gazette.
NORTHERN IOWA GAZETTE
In November, 1874, Mr. Halvorsen sold out his interest in this paper to Mr. Chase and removed to Lake Mills, where he established the Independent Herald. He conducted this journal for two or three years, then sold out to E. D. Hinman and went to Albert Lea, Minne- sota. On November 26, 1874, A. H. Chase became sole proprietor of the Northern Iowa Gazette and he at once changed the name to the
WINNEBAGO SUMMIT
By 1885 the firm name of the publishers of the Summit was the Chase Brothers. Articles of incorporation were filed on August 19th of that year, signed by A. H. Chase, J. W. Mahoney and David Secor. The incorporation was known as the Summit Printing Company. This stock company was maintained until 1901, when it was reorganized and placed upon a new basis. The Chase Brothers continued as pro- prietors and publishers of this paper until about this time. G. S. Gilbertson, having previously become associated with this paper and then becoming the owner of the majority of the stock, employed different editors to operate the paper, among whom were L. R. Walrea, W. O. Howard, N. W. Potts and W. A. Olson. On September 1, 1915, W. R. Prewitt purchased the controlling interest in the paper and now is the sole owner and publisher. The Summit is now published to over 1500 people in the county and in this part of the state. The plant is modern in every respect, being equipped with a linotype, two Gordon job presses and a Potter book and job press. The paper is now an eight page, six column publication, all home print and is an organ of the republican party.
THE WINNEBAGO CHIEF
The first number of this paper was issued February 4, 1880. It was a six column quarto. The paper was established by Clayton O. Ingalls of Clear Lake, Iowa, and he was its editor and publisher; George E. Frost of Clear Lake being the owner.
In September, 1880, H. M. Halvorsen and J. T. Lattimore purchased the Winnebago Chief and changed the name to the
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WINNEBAGO WEEKLY REVIEW
This paper presented its first issue to the public on the 15th of September, 1880, being a six column quarto. On April 15, 1881, Mr. Halvorsen became sole editor and propietor of the Review and so continued until January 1, 1882. At this time he formed a partner- ship with his brother, M. C. Halvorsen, and the firm name of H. M. Halvorsen & Company was adopted. On February 1, 1887, the paper underwent another metamorphosis, when J. E. Anderson assumed charge of the publication and renamed it the
INDEPENDENT
Under this title Mr. Anderson has continued the publication of this weekly until the present time and has made of the paper not only a news carrier of value, but an organ of political and social influence. The first issue under the new management was upon Febru- ary 17, 1887, and the proprietors were listed as J. E. Anderson & Company, with F. M. Cooley as editor. Mr. Anderson has ever been an advocate of progressive principles and has carried his political ideas far beyond the confines of the county.
THE NORTH STAR
The paper bearing the above name was established in June, 1872, at Lake Mills, by E. D. Hinman & Company. It was a six column folio and was established in the interest of the northern part of the county, which hitherto had been without a newspaper. The first issue of the North Star appeared June 3, 1872. This venture of the North Star was unsuccessful and after about a year's existence it was sus- pended. Later, however, it was resurrected and again placed before the public. John Kyle came into the possession of the plant and in 1892 changed the name to the
LAKE MILLS GRAPHIC
He afterwards sold out to Ford Howell and Ray Gregg, who con- ducted the paper for four years, when Howell disposed of his interests in the paper to his partner, then the firm became Gregg & Gregg. After an interval of five years P. M. Joice and Harry Griffen bought the Lake Mills Graphic and so continued as publishers and owners until 1900. In this year the Lake Mills Publishing Company was formed, consisting of the Graphic owners and the owners of the Republi-
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kaneren, a Norwegian paper which had been established some years before and issued by John Story. After a year the Norwegian paper was sold. The Lake Mills Publishing Company continued with Harry Griffen as business manager for a year, then M. A. Aasgaard took the position for one and a half years and in 1902 purchased the entire plant. The Graphic has an excellent circulation in the county (about 1500) and is equipped with modern presses and other apparatus.
THE INDEPENDENT HIERALD
In the month of February, 1875, the first issue of the Independent Herald appeared at Lake Mills. Marcelus Halvorsen was the editor and publisher. The paper was a five column quarto. Halvorsen con- tinned in control of the paper for about three years, then sold to E. D. Hinman, who in turn, after one year, sold out to H. W. Rowland. The next purchaser was O. P. Hull in August, 1881. In January, 1884, S. K. Gregg assumed control of the Herald. After several years of precarious existence the Herald threw up the sponge and retired from the ring.
WINNEBAGO REPUBLICAN
The Winnebago Republican, published at Forest City, is the youngest newspaper in the county, having been established in 1901. Luther I. Aasgaard is the editor of the Republican. The plant of this paper is one of the most modern in the state. The paper, though in its infancy, enjoys a good circulation and earns a well merited patronage.
BUFFALO CENTER TRIBUNE
The Buffalo Center Tribune made its first appearance in the year 1892. The present editor of the weekly is J. P. Boyd. The paper has a good circulation and is devoted to the interests of the city of Buffalo Center and the surrounding community.
THOMPSON COURIER
The Thompson Courier is another of the live and energetic smaller papers of the county and state. The Courier was established in the year 1893 and is now published by Irva Townsend.
RAKE REGISTER
The Rake Register came into being in 1900 and is next to the youngest paper in the county. W. C. Sundermeyer is the editor and proprietor.
CHAPTER VII
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
CHURCHES OF FOREST CITY-LAKE MILLS CHURCHES-OTHER CHURCHES- HISTORY OF THE NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
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Something of the history of the church denominations represented in both Hancock and Winnebago Counties is presented with the chapter on Hancock County churches. A repetition here is needless.
The churches of Winnebago County have always been vigorous and active, and the Norwegian Lutheran church is the predominating society of the county.
CHURCHES OF FOREST CITY
In 1858 a number of persons in Forest City organized a Methodist Episcopal Church. The first meeting was held in what was then known as the Maben Hotel, situated on the east side of Clark Street. Afterwards meetings were frequently held in school houses and in private residences. Mr. Hankins was the first minister that preached for this denomination in Forest City. A few of the other early pastor's here were: Revs. Keeler Curtis, John Ball, Birge, A. S. R. Groom and Hancocks. After the erection of the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church, the society occupied that church until 1882, when they built a church of their own. On February 12, 1877, the church was incor- porated under the name of the First American M. E. Church of Forest City, and with the following named persons as trustees : J. E. Anderson, Eugene Secor, J. Thompson, Abbie J. Secor and C. H. Lackore. The dedication services of the Methodist Episcopal Church took place June 6, 1883, under charge of Bishop Thomas Bowman of St. Louis. Rev. J. A. E. Cunningham is the present pastor of this church.
The Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church of Forest City was organized October 22, 1866, by Rev. A. Johnson. The following named were the first members of this organization : N. O. Brones, H. Paulson, Knud Einarson, Ole S. Torgerson, Daniel H. Pederson, Nils Pederson, Peder Sunne, Cerine Einarson, Svend Larson, Guri Larson, Ellen Sunne, G. Erickson and Sivert Pederson. In 1874 the society built
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a church edifice at a cost of $3000. This church is now known as the Norwegian Danish M. E. Church and is in charge of Rev. William Jorgerson.
The first meetings of the Congregational Church ever held in Forest City were presided over by Rev. A. S. Allen. After preaching a few times at different houses, Reverend Allen called a meeting to be held at Forest City April 30, 1871, to take steps toward the organ- ization of a church here. This was done and the following were first members : William Taylor, Harriett Taylor, Leora Taylor, John Mill- ington, Mrs. E. G. Millington and Fannie Millington. Meetings were held from time to time in the school house hall. Reverend Allen was, of course, the first pastor of the congregation; other early preachers here were Revs. J. D. Mason, C. F. Dykeman, Asa Countryman and A. B. Hinckley.
The Catholic Church just outside the corporate limits of Forest City was commenced during the fall of 1891, when Father Kelley had charge. The church, known as St. James, was incorporated March 18, 1912, by Archbishop Keane, Vicar General Ryan, Rev. W. J. Torpey, T. J. Hayes and W. J. Smith.
The First Swedish Baptist Church of Winnebago County was organized about 1872 by Rev. C. Caulson, of Albert Lea, Minnesota. The first meeting was held at the house of Peter Olson and the fol- lowing were the original members: Peter Olson and wife, Lars Olson and wife, and Bert Johnson and wife. Peter Olson was the first deacon and treasurer. In 1879 the church built their first house of worship, one mile northeast of Forest City. On June 19, 1883 the society incorporated with Peter Anderson, Peter Olson and Nils Martinson as the first trustees. Robert Larson is the present pastor.
The First American Baptist Church at Forest City was incor- porated March 15, 1902. Charles Ferel, Samuel Olson and A. E. Howland were the first trustees. Rev. A. L. McMillan is the present pastor of this congregation.
LAKE MILLS CHURCHES
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lake Mills was organized in 1868 by Rev. A. S. R. Groom. The names of the original members cannot be obtained with certainty, but it is known that among the first members of the Methodist Episcopal class at Lake Mills were: E. D. Hinman, P. Garnet and wife, James Price and wife, W. A. Chapman, Mary Todd, E. F. Thompson and wife, Pearl Thompson, Mrs. South- wick, Emily Buck, Abby M. Stewart and A. B. Gardner. E. D. Hinman was the first class leader. Such ministers as Reverends Curtis, Ball, Burge, Groom, Hancocks, Wiley, Coleman, Adron, Webster, Hook,
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Shessler, Drake, Platts, Jeffrey, Fancher, Bradshaw, Eyler, Luce, Thompson, Baker, Ward and McBurney were among the early pastors who worked for the maintenance of the society here. The first church edifice was erected at Lake Mills in 1878, at a cost of $1,500.
The Christian Church in Lake Mills was organized in 1871 by Rev. C. C. Ramsay, of Floyd County, Iowa. Frank Southwick, William Smith, Mrs. Isadora R. Smith, Charles Smith and wife were the first members. A small church building was constructed in 1881, costing them about $1,000. In 1886 the church was given the name of the Missionary Christian Church.
The Roman Catholic Church, St. Patrick's, was built during the summer of 1890, with Rev. J. McMahon as pastor. The church society was incorporated March 12, 1912, by James J. Keane, Roger Ryan, Rev. W. J. Torpey, J. B. Conley and Francis Shay.
The United Brethren Church at Lake Mills was organized in the year 1888 by Rev. L. P. Mitchell. The church was built in the same year. The United Brethren Church was incorporated February 17, 1890, by Willard Chapman, J. R. and A. M. Farmer.
OTHER CHURCHES
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Buffalo Center had its start soon after the founding of the town. The society incorporated in 1893 and filed their papers on February 7th of that year, the same being signed by A. B. Russ, Charles Dempsey, W. Frank Becker, James Harper and E. J. Woods. The First Congregational Church of Buffalo Center was incorporated July 13, 1893. The first trustees under the incorporation were Otis Chapman, C. E. Welsh, A. A. Harris, and Joseph W. Holt. The First German Reformed Church of Buffalo Center was incorporated and papers filed September 9, 1899, signed by B. Bruhno, V. W. Jutting and Henry Wagner. There was also incorporated in 1900 at Buffalo Center the First German Baptist Church. The incorporators were Thomas Lubben, August Winkleman and Albertus Frust. St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Buffalo Center was incorporated about the same time as were the rest of the churches of this denomination in the county. This was on March 18, 1912.
The Congregational Church of Thompson filed articles of incor- poration August 31, 1895. These were signed by G. W. Zimmerman, George E. Cooney and John K. Nutting. The First Baptist Church of Thompson filed articles July 24, 1896. The first trustees under the new organization were J. W. Lynn, F. I. Stow and F. W. Thompson. The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Thompson was incorporated in 1898. The first trustees were: John Batchelor, O. T. Severs, H. B. Taylor, W. L. Bradfield and J. L. Jensen.
UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH, THOMPSON
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CHAPTER VIII MILITARY HISTORY
SLAVERY-AGITATION IN THE UNITED STATES-BEGINNING OF SECESSION- FORT SUMTER-FALL OF THE FORT-PROCLAMATION-SENTIMENT IN IOWA-RESPONSE IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY-ROSTER-THOSE WIIO DIED.
SLAVERY
It has been said that "War brings an element of patriotism that cannot be awakened in the people by any other agency." However that may be, much of the history of human progress centers about the deeds of great generals and their armies. Aggressive wars have been waged by strong nations for the conquest of weaker ones, or to uphold the regal power and "divine right" of kings; and defensive wars have been fought to advance the rights and liberties of the people or to maintain established governments. The independence of the United States was gained only by a war which lasted for eight years, and of all the great nations of the civilized world the United States is perhaps the only one which has never declared war except to defend her institutions or to secure greater liberties for down- trodden humanity.
AGITATION IN U. S.
One of the greatest wars in history was the Civil War of 1861-5, between the northern and the southern states, commonly known as the War of the Rebellion. In this war the South fought to dissolve and the North to preserve the Union of states. Almost from the very beginning of the American Republic, the slavery question became a bone of contention between the free states on one side and the slave states on the other. Slavery was introduced into America in 1619, when a Dutch trader sold a few negroes to the planters of the James- town colony. The custom of owning negro slaves gradually spread to the other colonies, but by 1819 seven of the original thirteen states had made provisions for the emancipation of the slaves within their borders.
The first clause of Section 9, Article I, of the Federal Constitution provides that "The migration or importation of such persons as any
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of the states now existing shall think proper to admit shall not be pro- hibited by the Congress prior to the year 1808."
The adoption of this clause was regarded as a victory for the slave- holding element, as under it Congress had no power to interfere with the foreign slave trade until 1808. But in that year an aet was passed prohibiting any further traffie in or importation of negro slaves. In 1819 slavery existed in six of the original thirteen states, the other seven having abolished it as already stated. In the meantime Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama had been admitted with constitutions permitting slavery, and Vermont, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois as free states, so that the country was evenly divided-eleven free and eleven slave states. Maine was admitted as a free state in 1820 and the advocates of slavery sought to have Missouri admitted as a slave state to maintain the equilibrium in the United States Senate. After a long and somewhat acrimonious de- bate, that state was admitted under the act known as the Missouri Compromise, which provided for the admission of Missouri without any restrictions as to slavery, but expressly stipulated that in all the remaining portion of the Louisiana Purchase north of the line of 36° 30' slavery should be forever prohibited.
During the next twenty-five years the slavery question remained comparatively quiet, owing to the admission of free and slave states in equal number. Arkansas came into the Union in 1836 and Michigan in 1837; the slave state of Florida, admitted in 1845, as offset by the admission of Iowa as a free state in 1846. At the conclusion of the Mexican War in 1847 the United States came into possession of a large expanse of territory in the Southwest, to which the advocates of slavery laid claim, and again the question came up as a subject for legislation, resulting in the compromise act of 1850, commonly called the Omnibus Bill. The opponents of slavery took the view that the act was a violation of the provisions of the Missouri Compromise, because it sought to carry slavery north of the determined line. Four years later the Kansas-Nebraska bill was passed, which added fresh fuel to the already raging flames. Its passage was one of the causes that led to the organization of the republican party, which opposed the extension of slavery to any new territory of the United States what- ever.
BEGINNING OF SECESSION
In the political campaign of 1860 the issues were clearly defined and some of the slave states declared their intention to withdraw from the Union in the event of Abraham Lincoln's election to the Presi- dency. The people of the North regarded these declarations as so
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many idle threats, made merely for political effect. Through a divi- sion in the democratic party, Mr. Lincoln was elected, and on December 20, 1860, South Carolina carried her threat into effect, when a state convention passed an ordinance of secession, declaring that the state's connection with the Union was severed and that all allegiance to the government of the United States was at an end. Mississippi followed with a similar ordinance on January 9, 1861; Florida seceded on Jan- uary 10th ; Georgia, January 19th ; Louisiana, January 26th ; and Texas February 1st. All these states except Texas sent delegates to a con- vention at Montgomery, Alabama, February 4, 1861, when a tentative constitution was adopted; Jefferson Davis was elected provisional president and Alexander H. Stephens provisional vice president of the Confederate States of America. They were inaugurated on February 22, 1861, the anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Conse- quently, when Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated on March, 1861, he found seven states in open rebellion and with an organized government in opposition to his administration. However, the Preisdent, his ad- visers and the people of the North generally, clung to the hope that a reconciliation could be effected and that the citizens of the seceded states could be induced to return to their allegiance. Vain hope!
FORT SUMTER
Relations between the North and the South were still further strained early in the year 1861, when Major Robert. Anderson, then in command of all the defenses of the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, secretly removed his garrison and supplies from Fort Moul- trie to Fort Sumter, because the latter could be more easily defended in case of an assault. The people of the South claimed that this move was a direct violation of an agreement with President Buchanan, and the feeling was intensified when it was discovered that Major Ander- son, prior to his removal, had spiked all the guns in Fort Moultrie. On the other hand, the press of the North was practically unanimous in justifying Anderson's course and in demanding that additional supplies and reinforcements be sent to him at Fort Sumter. The persistent hammering of the northern press caused the war depart- ment to despatch the steamer "Star of the West" with 250 men and a stock of ammunition, provisions, etc., to Fort Sumter, but on January 9, 1861, while passing Morris Island, the vessel was fired upon by a masked battery and forced to turn back. In the official records this incident is regarded as the beginning of the Civil War, though the popular awakening of the North did not come until some three months later.
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FALL OF FORT SUMTER
Not long after President Lincoln was inaugurated General Beau- regard, who was in command of the Confederate forces at Charleston made a demand upon Major Anderson for the evacuation of Fort Sumter. Anderson refused, but on April 11, 1861, seeing his stock of provisions in the fort running low and having no hope of obtaining a new supply, he informed General Beauregard that he would vacate the fort on the 15th, "unless ordered to remain and the needed sup- plies are received." This reply was not satisfactory to the Confed- erate commander, who feared that the new administration might find some way of sending reinforcements and supplies to Sumter that would enable Anderson to hold the fort indefinitely. In that case Fort Sumter would be a constant menace to one of the southern strongholds. After a conference with his officers Beauregard decided upon an as- sault. Accordingly, at twenty minutes past three o'clock on the morn- ing of April 12, 1861, he sent word to Anderson that fire would be opened upon the fort. At four-thirty A. M. Captain George Janes fired the signal gun from Fort Johnson, the shell bursting almost directly over the fort. A few seconds later a solid shot from the battery on Cumming's Point went crashing against the walls of the fort. The war had begun.
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