USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek county with biographical sketches of its eminent men > Part 10
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[The old " Pioneer Store " building has since burned down, and a large brick building now stands upon the old site, occupied as a store by Ellsworth, Goddard & Co.]
" In connection with law and commerce, the Gospel soon came, in the person of a Methodist preacher, who presented himself at the cabin of Uncle Philip Morse, on the errand, as he said, of looking up the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Being assured that he had found them, he walked in. That night there was preaching in town, and a class soon organized. This preacher was Elder Bishop, and made arrangements to preach monthly, taking Lansing, Monona, and the country about in his circuit. A few weeks after, a congregational minister, Mr. A. M. East- man, made his appearance and established monthly meetings at the log tavern. Hence sprang the two first churches organized in town. Their subsequent history, the date of organization, the time of building their houses of worship, etc., with a notice of other churches since and more recently formed, would take us further down the history we are pursuing, and require more minuteness than time will permit to-day.
" We were in the year 1851,-quite an eventful year. Let us see what we have: Three log cabins ; one hotel ; a lawyer and two merchants, partners in trade ; with other families and persons that might be named, though the census would not be large ; the water power beginning to be improved ; regular preaching once a month by two different denomina- tions, and a County Seat, with of course a regular session of the County court (an august body). This year of 1851 is really the most interesting by way of beginnings of things among us, and we might dwell here entirely ; but we will come down a few years later by brief a glance, here and there, at what is transpiring.
" In 1852, some new comers are added, and new trades introduced. It was in this year that the first blacksmith shop was started, by an old Californian, who burned his own coal in what he called " Cruson's Hol- low." He blew his bellows in a building now occupied by Mr. Golz as cabinet shop ; and as he pounded his iron, was somewhat of a dealer in real estate, also. By him the whole block on which the Howell House
.
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stands, now the residence of Mr. Goddard, was purchased for $20. The block opposite, where is the residence of Mr. Horace Weiser, for $40. A few additional frame buildings there must have been at that time, though probably not many, as this blacksmith's wife was designated as the " woman that lives in the frame house." His name, as near as can be ascertained, was A. Bradish. He also carried on the tin trade, and had as a hired journeyman, one George C. Winship.
" It was in this year, too, as I think, that another very lucrative business was started, though it gives no pleasure to mention it. But we read that when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also; and the historian must be faithful.
" About this time, down under the hill, in a kind of a spring house, near Day's spring, was a man, (we will not call his name at this time,) boasting that he had " the pure article " for sale, but it was afterwards ascertained that it had been well watered on its way to this place, at Trout Run-a whisky fraud, no doubt. This traffic soon crept up into daylight on Water street (which it has never fairly crossed as it would seem), and was subsequently in the hands of one Gookins, whose estab- lishment not long afterwards was destroyed, and the place for once cleared of liquors. This, however, was more the result of a quarrel among his patrons than a movement of reform among the people. The absence of the spirits was but temporary. To the place, though swept and garnished, they soon returned, with at least seven others added, which have gone on increasing ever since. In justice to this Gookins, however, it ought to be said that there is reason to believe that he be- came a better man, as some of us used to meet him in prayer meetings, and as one interested in Sabbath Schools. So in the history of the town have some exchanged the business referred to for a better, and to as many as will do likewise will we most heartily give the right hand of welcome.
" In 1853 the population increases. In this year Ammon, Scott & Co. came in-the first to add steam to our water power-the beginning of what has culminated at last in the present foundry and machine shop, an establishment no less useful than ornamental to the place. It was in this year that the town was first laid out, and the original plat made ready for record, August 18, 1853. The man is still living (Judge Price, of Clayton County) who claims the honor of suggesting the idea to the members of the Day family while yet in the log house. The idea, how- ever, was not entirely new to them, though by his encouragement, doubtless, their purpose was strengthened. He claims, too, the credit
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of suggesting the name Decorah, and tells how, after supper, he took a piece of chalk and marked out on the table how the town could be laid off.
In 1854 the first school-house was built, the same that now stands on the old site, recently changed in color and fenced for domestic uses. The first teacher employed was a young man in the greenness of his youth, fresh from Vermont, seeking a location for the practice of medi- cine. He had come in through Monona, and was greatly discouraged by the residents here, so far as the prospects of medical practice was concerned, but he had the offer of the school, with $30 per month, if he could pass examination. An examining committee was appointed, and a day set for the ordeal. The day came, and with it one of the committee, who examined him, found him qualified, and gave him a certificate. He commenced school, taught a month, flogged a child of one of the directors, and raised quite an excitement in the district thereby. By this time his practice had commenced. He didn't care whether he taught or not. The result was, another man took the school off his hands, and he devoted himself to his profession, which he has modestly followed ever since. His name was H. C. Bulis. The committee-man who examined him and gave him his certificate was Levi Bullis. The new teacher was Charley. Allen. That old certificate (by the way, the first ever given in the place) is still kept as a relic of the past. Whether brought out in later times as evidence to the people of qualifications for Senatorial honors, is not ascertained .*
At the close of this year (1854) let us see, if we can, how the town looks. Our three cabins of 1851 have increased to quite a little village of fifteen or twenty buildings, counting hotels, stores, stables, shops and
"The author wishes to say that since the delivery of this discourse a mistake lias been discovered in this matter. The school-house was built the year previous (IS53) and a school taught in it by a young man who came with his father's family in that year from Crawford County, Pa., and settled at Freeport. After teaching that winter he was for four years the Acting Treasurer of the county, till of age, when he was elected for three successive terms to fill that office, until in the war he served as Cap- tain of Company D, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, after which he became Cashier in the First National Bank, where he may now be found-Mr. T. W. Burdick. To him certainly some credit is due. Since the organization of the county its treasury has never suffered from a single embezzlement or fraud. Mr. Burdick shows his certificate, signed by Mr. H. K. Averill, and a list of his scholars, about forty-six in number, with the names of the parents. He says that he " boarded 'round," taking in his range the families in Cruson's Hollow on the east, and the Moore and Child places on the west, and that such was the growth of trees and underbrush around the school- house, that one could hardly see it at four rods' distance.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
buildings of all kinds. On the other side of Dry Run, so-called, to the south and east, stands one now occupied by Dr. Bolles ; on Broadway, two-the old school-house, and the one occupied by myself, though less in size then than now. The rest, a dozen or fifteen in number, were scattered along Water Street, commencing with the old building, or a part of it, now occupied by Mr. Keyes for a carpenter shop, including some of the old buildings on the opposite side, a little further up ; then up to the hotel stands the Pioneer Store, and so, with a building here and there, on one side of the street or other, up to the cabins of Mr. Painter and Mr. Morse, aforesaid. The population probably was about 100. At this time traces of Indian graves were not all obliterated ; a half dozen or so had indeed been leveled to prepare the site of the Winneshiek House, then building.
But here, again, how easy to slip down among the things that we have done, instead of keeping back in the past.
I will detain you by an allusion to only one year more, that of :855. In this year our town made marked progress. Many new-comers were added, and many new kinds of business introduced; among them the Pioneer Harness Shop was opened by J. C. Spencer.
The first livery stable started was by Clark Kenyon and C. E. Dicker- man. Said Dickerman also sold the first drugs, with an assortment of other things, such as could be turned to advantage, though the first regular drug store was opened the year after by E. I. Weiser & Bro.
What gave the place an especial impetus in this year of 1855, was the establishment of the Land Office for the Turkey River Land Dis- trict. The bill constituting this Land District passed Congress in March, 1855, mainly by the efforts of Gen. Jones, of Dubuque. What consideration any persons in Washington were to receive for getting the office here-how they somehow failed of getting what they expected, and, displeased thereby, aided in removing the office early in 1856, need not be told. Nor need a minute detail of land-office times here be entered upon. They must have been wild and curious times. The office was finally opened the day before Christmas, 1855, office hours from 9 to 12 only, each day. The town was crowded with adventurers from all parts of the country, with a rage for land almost barbarous. For two weeks, until some system was established, entrance was gained to the office by brute force. He who could get his hand.upon the handle of the door, and maintain his position until office hours, was first best. The entrance was by an outside stairway leading to the second story. The building used for the office still stands, occupied as a board-
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ing-house, one door east of the harness shop of Mr. Noble. The white paint but partially hides the old sign " U. S. Land Office." One night, with the thermometer 35 degrees below zero, a man stationed himself at midnight at the head of the stairs, and endured the bitter cold bravely, for his chance. By morning both his feet were frosted, but still he held his ground. A while after daylight the crowd, gathered behind him down the stairs and out into the street, passed up to him a warm breakfast and hot coffee, in honor of his persistence, and good-naturedly cheered him to hold on, which he did. Sometimes these throngs would begin to gather at 1 o'clock P. M., and stand all night for the next day. At the same time, in the rear of the building was another pair of stairs, and those within the ring could somehow get entrance to the office, and enter all the land they chose by paying the officials something. Head clerks in this way received their hundreds of dollars for a single night's work. This, too, was known. How this company of men ever got through the winter without continued contentions and outbreaks, to say nothing of tearing the office to the ground, as they threatened to do, is indeed a wonder, especially when we are told-and we would not say it if we had not been told so-that the quantity of liquor used that winter was by no means limited. It is also remarkable that during this time not a theft or robbery was known. This is the more so, as the amount of gold, or its equivalent, then in town was almost incredible-some say not less than half a million. In proof of this the man can be pro- duced, and he then but a youth, who affirms that in peculiar circum- stances he was constituted by acclamation chief treasurer, to hold in safe keeping for the time being such effects as might be upon the persons of parties present. Belts filled with gold, packages of warrants, etc., were thrown together into a dry-goods box, over which he was to stand guard until the equilibrium of the assembly should be restored, the con- tents of which box counted out over $320,000. The circumstances alluded to I need not hint further than to say that it was about Christ- mas, just as news came that the office was to be really opened. Such a young man, so Stand(r)ing in the esteem of his fellows for sobriety and honesty, deserves to prosper as a retired banker, in the honest calling of a farmer. We wish him a railroad close to his house.
" In this winter and spring of 1855-6 nine banking houses were in full operation, two of which remain-that of Weiser & Filbert, now Winne- shiek County Bank, and one of Easton, Cooley & Co., now First National Bank. Heavy stocks of goods were opened. The popula- tion and business had taken such a start that Decorah was the chief
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center of trade for the whole region round about, even for a hundred miles or more, especially north and west.
" When the Land office was removed, in 1856, some people and some things left with it, but many staid. The town got a start, and we kept on growing. No railroad, indeed, yet, but still we live. I will follow down the history no further. But you will allow me here to note one or two interesting and a few first things with which I have met that have failed to find a place in the history given.
" William Painter ate watermelons that grew on a patch of ground at the lower end of town in the street near Mr. Keyes's carpenter shop, from seeds scattered by the Indians at a dance and feast held there. A. Bradish feasted on strawberries plucked upon the lot where he built his shop, now Mr. Golz's cabinet shop.
" To Deacon James Smith belongs the honor of making the first plow manufactured in town, in a blacksmith shop which he erected, now used as a stable in the rear of Mr. Eckart's cabinet shop. He also ironed the first buggy made in town. The buggy was made by an enterprising Welshman, who came to town in 1854. He, like the first lawyer, walked out from Lansing to take a view, liked the prospect, and soon commenced a business that took the shape of agricultural ware- rooms, on which is the name of " G. Phelps."
" The oldest cat in town, probably, is one called " Bob " (it is 13 years of age) whose kittenhood commenced in the mercantile life in the store of Dr. Green and Hazelett, in West Decorah, thence to the old Dicker- man stand, now the leather store of Mr. Cyrus Adams, thence to its present quarters in the store next the postoffice, with Father Green. With much wisdom from the past, with an amiable and serene old age, do they jog along in life together.
" Of the equine race, the oldest resident probably is one called " Dandy," brought to this place in the energies of a 6-year-old by Mr. Filbert, now owned by Mr. Weiser, still powerful in his old age ; a good moral horse, in one respect at least, never by his masters subjected to the infections of the race-course-what we wish could be said of all horses.
" The first Court was held in the Log Tavern, on the first Monday in September, 1851. There being no business, Court adjourned until the following October. At this time the county revenues were seventy cents. Warrants issued, $6.
" The first mail entered town June, 1851, and consisted of one letter and two newspapers. Lewis Harkins, mail-carrier; C. Day, post-
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master. It is said in those days he carried the postoffice in his pocket.
" I have already mentioned the first well dug, the first birth, and the first marriage. The first death was of a Mr. Chase, who died in the fall of 1852, and was buried, of course where we used to bury our dead -in the brush on private property (we are almost ashamed to tell where and how) till the enterprise of Mr. James E. Simpson, in 1861, gave us a cemetery.
" Thus, my friends, have I given you a few items of our early history Some of you, doubtless, see mistakes and omissions. You will pardon these. I have given simply what I have met with in my inquiries made at snatches of time.
" Allow me a few words in conclusion. Gratitude is due to God to-day for His kind and preserving care. Some of the earlier residents, indeed, are no more. Of the Day family, five have been taken: two sons, one in Oregon and one in California, two daughters, one 14 and the other a little older, dying while attending school at Madison, Wis. Father Day we buried in the autumn of 1860; Aaron Newell in 1862. And so might we mention others. But yet a goodly number of the older resi- dents are still with us, and many not here are in other places.
" In 1857, just nine brief years from the first settlement made in De- corah, a wonderful transformation had taken place. The whites, armed as they were with the advantages of a superior civilization, made strides in progression that were wonderful. The beautiful valley, first seen by the Days, had changed from an Indian paradise to an Israelite's Garden of Eden. The beautiful carpet of green which the land had so long worn in its wild and natural state had been upturned by the science of agriculture, and made productive with a luxurious growth of vegeta- tion unknown to it before. Everywhere the change was marked. In place of the Indian teepe, the valley was dotted with the homes of the white man. Hardly a trace of the red man remained. The umbrage- ous woodland along the banks of the Iowa, in which Nature's child had his home, had disappeared. The rushing waters of the Iowa had been bridled, and made to do service in grinding the farmer's grist. In short, the metamorphose was complete. Where but a few years before Indian trails had been, were now to be seen the busy streets of a pros- perous town."
Decorah knew no check in its growth and prosperity after securing to itself the county government. That event assured its good fortune. It gave to the town a healthy stimulus. A town large enough to aspire to the dignity of a land office, and a county seat at that, certainly required
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a newspaper as its exponent and representative to the outer world. Consequently we find one Tracy, in 1856, issuing his prospectus, and, after a time, regular issues of the Decorah Chronicle. Tracy was the nominal editor, but it was well understood that a genial lawyer with a literary turn, named M. V. Burdick, really wielded the gray goose-quill. Its fortunes were varied, as pioneer enterprises of this kind usually are, but its legitimate successor exists to-day in the Decorah Republican. A complete history of the newspaper enterprises would make an interest- ing chapter of itself. The Republican is the oldest paper published in the county. Wesley Bailey & Son succeeded to the control of this paper in 1860, and in 1867 the title passed to A. K. Bailey & Bro., which firm has ever since continued its publication. There have been twenty-five distinct enterprises of this kind within the past twenty years, with no less than forty-three different proprietors, of which the Decorah Republican, the Bee, the Radical, the Posten, For Hjemmet and the Church Weekly, all issued at Decorah, and the Guardian, at Calmar, are the sole survivors. The Posten is the only Norwegian newspaper published in the State. It is ably edited by B. Annudson. In 1866, George Hazlitt commenced the publication of the Winneshiek Register. The Bee of to-day, edited by H. Woodruff, is its legitimate successor.
The ambition of the town increased with its growth until, in 1857, it clothed itself in the garb of an organization. The records show the date of the first meeting for this purpose to have taken place on the first Monday of April, 1857. As a result of this convention, an elec- tion was held on the 30th of June following, and Hon. E. E. Cooley was duly elected President.
The town derived much of its trade from the travel over the road connecting it with Frankville, which latter place was striving for the superiority, with very flattering prospects. There were but few main routes leading to the outward world, but these were extensively traveled. Yet, the facilities for commercial intercourse were limited. On account of no more rapid transit than stages, trade was carried on at a great disadvantage.
An act of incorporation was procured for Decorah on the 6th of March, 1871, and as a result of the first city election the following officers were chosen :
Mayor-Charles F. Allen.
Clerk-G. W. Patterson.
Treasurer-E. I. Weiser.
City Attorney-E. E. Cooley.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Marshal-John T. Baker.
Aldermen-G. O. Rusted, G. W. Adams, N. Burdick, John Greer, J. L. Pennington, A. D. Thomas, J. H. Montgomery, O. J. Clark.
By becoming a corporation, the young city secured for itself many advantages, which proved more beneficial than at first supposed.
The old settlers exhibited their good judgment in the selection of Decorah as the county seat, which has proved itself in more than one way. One of the strongest evidences of this fact is the excellent water power that abounds in and about the place. There are no less than ten good water powers, and eight of them are in active operation in differ- ent kinds of manufactures. At present there is fully $500,000 invested in these interests at Decorah, among which are five flouring mills, one woolen mill, two machine shops, two manufactories of agricultural implements, two breweries, one soap factory, one stone and marble shop, Hutchinson's steam cracker-bakery, steam packing-house, egg-packery, and paper-mill.
Ammon, Scott & Co., manufacturers of agricultural implements, founders, machinists and millers, is the largest manufactory and com- bine the greatest variety of any in the city. The agricultural works were founded by John Ammon, in 1853, who came here from Quincy, Ill., among the first settlers. The milling business was established in 1870, the Company purchasing the mill of Henry Heivly, formerly known as the Painter Mill. George W. Scott became a member of the firm in 1870. The interests of the firm were then incorporated in a stock company, which has ever since continued, with John Ammon, President ; George W. Scott, Secretary. Mr. Scott came originally from Pittsburg, Pa., where he received an excellent business education, and the success of the Company is in a great measure credited to his management.
The Decorah Woolen Mill Company built a large four story brick factory, in 1867, at a cost, inclusive of machinery, of $35,200. The Ice Cave Flouring Mill is the largest in the county. It has six run of stone, and was built by Greer & Hunter, in 1874, at a cost of $40,000. They manufacture flour for the Eastern market exclusively.
The Trout Run Woolen Mill, erected at a cost of $10,000, and built by A. A. Aiken, in the years 1866 and 1867, was the first manu- factory of this character in the county. It was destroyed by fire in November, 1874.
The banking interests are well represented in Decorah :
1. The First National Bank, J. H. Easton, President ; T. W. Burdick,
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIER COUNTY.
Cashier. This bank was first established in 1854, under the firm name of Easton, C'ooley & Co., and was one of the few banks that survived the financial crash of 1857. In 1870 it was changed to the firm of Wm. L. Easton & Son, the latter being J. H. Easton, who is now pres- ident, and under the national banking act of 1864, became the First National Bank of Decorah. The resources of the bank, as reported in 1874, were $271,357.87 ; circulation, $66,500.
2. The Savings Bank was established in 1873, and has met with very flattering success.
3. The Winneshiek County Bank, H. S. Weiser & Co., is the oldest bank in the state that has had a continuous existence under the same name. It is doing a lucrative business, and has been of great service in aiding the developement of this northern section of Iowa.
The banking house of S. W. Matteson, successor to C. E. Dickerman, was established in 1867. Collateral loans and commercial paper form the leading feature of this bank.
The citizens of Decorah are imbued with a high estimation of educa- tion. They almost to a unit endorse the American system of public schools. And first among the educational institutions of the place is its graded Public School. The school building, inclusive of furniture, cost $20,000. The school is divided into nine grades, and all the branches from the primary to the high school course are taught. The school possesses a philosophic apparatus.
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